QGMR- QUIET IS NOT LOUD CD [Carcrash Records]

Another Swedish band from the insane Carcrash Records. This band was previously known as Quagmire but apparently that was too hard to spell and they've changed it to QGMR. I don't know maybe they're taking the piss out of 'text talk'- which whilst were on it- I don't know anyone that actually uses it. It was blatantly made up by some guy to sell little books at the desks in HMV. Anyway, I feel I've somewhat strayed from the point here, back to the review. This is their debut album, having previously done a 7" and an EP. Anyone familiar with other Carcrash releases will know the kind of stuff they usually put out and while their sound can hardly be said to be fixed, all their bands share a similar eclecticism. They have a sound similar to a cross between The (International) Noise Conspiracy and At The Drive-in. I can't be too sure what they are singing about but I'm pretty sure its anti-consumerism and anti-war. I would also like to just take a moment to appreciate the excellent packaging- the collages of photos and writing inside are really cool. I'm quite a big fan of these insane bands that are coming out of Sweden right now, so I if you are too or want to know what I'm talking about listen to this. Matt

RANDY- YOU CANT KEEP A GOOD BAND DOWN CD [Burning Heart Records] Yay Randy! They play ultra catchy melodic punk and if you haven't already you should try to get hold of this. The song writing seems to be motivated by lots of things, theres the political stuff, drinking and even as diverse (I suppose) as being shit scared of The Exorcist which then leads on to an anti-religion song. They seem to have a very bouncy up-lifting style and lots of memorable choruses, the kind that you find yourself singing on the bus. There are some incredibly catchy hooks, especially towards the end and these are definitely the better songs on the CD. Anyway this is a must have for all fans of melodic punk, I like it a lot. Matt

SENTENCE- WAR CD [Good Life Recordings] This is almost a hardcore concept album with all the songs based around September 11^th, the threat of war and the problems it brings. They're a pretty tight band with the drop D guitars and double peddles. The only problem I can see with this CD is that it's pointless writing songs with such a political message if no one can understand what the singer's saying, he sort of growls in the background. This is a shame as reading from the book they're very good lyricists with genuine and informative opinions to put across through they're music. Other than that a good CD worth checking out for any fans of hardcore... fuckin' grungers. Matt

SPLITTERS, THE- INTERNATIONAL SMUGGLERS CD [Blue Line Order Records] The Splitters play Madness style old-school ska and are a breath of fresh air, especially considering the Ameriska we seem to get bombarded with now. But first, I'd just like to say how much the artwork for this pisses me off, manga girls with Splitters t-shirts what the fuck? Anyway the purchase of this CD entitles you to 14 tracks of this stuff. The first of which, Wykin Airport rather scarily reminds me of the Venga Boys Going to Ibiza. After listening to 5 tracks you feel uplifted and happy. However, it could have been improved by leaving some of the tracks in the middle out to bring you to the better end ones which were a bit more interesting and would've kept my attention for longer. It's a CD thats perfect for short doses and just general chilling/monging out music. You could definitely do worse so try something different for once and turn your back on the increasingly generic American ska. Matt

SPRINZI- SOMETHING MORE THAN THE LAST TIME CD [Alice Records] I really like this one. This is another European (Italian) emo band, but definitely one of the better ones. I dont feel like I could get bored with Sprinzi compared to some of the others. Musically they vary between tracks, with the occasional burst of energy, such as 'Me to follow you?', to straight out emo ('Something more than last time'). The singer has a very unusual voice- quite high, I can't really think of anyone to compare it to, perhaps similar to Scott Reynolds of The Pavers. Lyrically, they obviously have a wealth of failed relationships, bad memories and shattered dreams between them. However, unlike some other more mainstream emo bands they're sung with such sincerity that they have a much more lasting effect on you than the throw-away K!emo we're all so sick of. Matt

STAND- TRUE ROMANCE CD [Positive Outlook Records] Wow, screaming metallic hardcore, I know it sounds a cliché but thats what it is and its done so well. There is real motivation in the song writing and a genuine passion is evident in every song. The lyrics really stand up and grab you about their feelings of the world "Im not going to help you, even if it hurts you. My piece of mind is worth more than that." I also like the way they vary the vocals by using screaming, growling and talking to emphasise certain passages. Both their music and their lyrical devices remind me of xCanaanx. The booklet is worth a flick through as well with explanations on why they wrote each song and some cool pictures etc. Overall an excellent release for hardcore fans but those who'd rather close their eyes and ears, steer clear (thats you Jimmy eat world kids).Matt

STRUNG UP- S/T 7" [Kangaroo Records] Sooooo, 8 tracks of 80's Dischord-style hardcore played with all the venom which we have come to love Kangaroos bands for. This 7" has some sweet cover art of a pope/ vicar puppeteering the masses who frankly looks evil as shit. Track names such as 'I'd rather be smashing Christianity', 'Death by cop' and 'Rich kids' demonstrate their political leanings. My favourite track is 'P.C. for now' because it contains the line "I might be an asshole but at least Im fuckin consistent". All in all they are a band of very naughty boys. Matt

SVENSON- SEE YOU IN EARTH CD [Carcrash Records] I can safely say that this is unusual but in a good way. There are keyboards heavily present in all tracks, but for once they dont ruin it. Its really hard to describe this, it seems relaxed one moment and chaotic the next, it's as if they control being out of control. When I first heard this I just thought what the hell's going on? But after a while you begin to really appreciate every little change and sound on it's own and the way its all woven together. Pick this up, lose a little sanity and make yourself even more twisted. Matt

THOUGHTS TO SHARE- THROUGH THE YESTERYEARS CD [Green Records] So anybody here like A.F.I.? The vocals are what Davey Havok and the Ensign Singers lovechild would sound like, in that strained sought of a way but not with that shrill edge the hoody kids have grown to love so much. Musically they are similar as well with pumping riffs to breakdowns and a bass that just likes to break away some times. They are a very competent band and well worth a listen if you can track them down, however I think they need to break away from the very fixed A.F.I. sound that they have, which they begin to do on tracks like 'Drift' which are the highlights on the album. To cut it short nothing new but lots of potential if they develop into their own band a bit more. Oh and I dont really like the drum and bass intro to 'All My Troubles', but credit for experimenting. Matt

3DBS DOWN- DEMO CD [Self Released- try www.3dbsdown.com]

This is a band I know nothing about, I got this at Lightyear's last London gig in which they were giving them out free. This is perhaps my favourite method of distribution. I figured then that I'd review it in the zine in order to say thanks, yes I know- how incredibly generous of me. As I could tell before listening to it by way of the cartoony logo and the fact they have a track called 'Zoinks', 3dbs Down play ska-pop-punk. As you'd expect the singer has a hell of a whiney voice, the verses consist of ska upstrokes and the choruses of distortion- absolutely nothing new there then. So why, I find myself asking, am I enjoying listening to this? I think it must be because they are well aware of this and are clearly not trying to push our musical boundaries, just enjoying themselves. Their cover of 'Nothing Compares' is your typical Me First ska cover but its just fun- plain and simple. I hope their gigs are as fun as this. Also this would appear to be completely DIY- written onto blank cds, home printed track list and cd label. These guys are having fun with it and thats cool. Matt

USED, THE- S/T [Reprise Records- an AOL Time Warner Company (nasty RIAA)]

As I knew no one else that had this and am not a fan of Kazaa I felt obliged to buy this. The Used are one of those bands riding that glittering wave of dollars known as post-hardcore. It's weird though because the early post-hardcore bands had a completly different sound, as per usual it's been repackaged and sold back to stupid 'kids' like me. Let's remain positive though, the vocals are very good. Not just adequate as with most punk bands, but really good, and it's not just the singer, the whole band are credited with vocals and this is used to excellent effect. The way they back each other and echo certain lines or create dual layers is excellent. This could be down to the massively slick production of this album; this is so smooth it IS Sean Connery. If you like that it's great and certainly what you'd expect from a major label but I can't help feeling it would benefit from being a little grittier. However, as much as I try to find wrong with this album I have to grudgingly admit that I actually quite like it. That's it. That's my only two scene points gone. There's variety, interesting song writing, vocal-hooks-a-plenty and I don't get bored listening to it. Considering the band have only three instrumentalists they're very capable of pounding out some epic sounding rock as the vocals soar overhead. However, the orchestra present on some tracks is a bit of a clue that there may be some layering going on... But even those ones I like! This a genre bearing all the hallmarks of 'nu (hahahahahahaha) metal' and will eventually head the same way (down). But for now at least, this is some fine scarf-rock. Bet they're shit live though (+ 1 scene point). Matt

VANDALS, THE- OI TO THE WORLD! [Kung Fu]

The problem with Kung Fu Records is that The Vandals and Bigwig are the only good bands I think I've heard from them. However, that is hardly keeping in spirit with the time of year... Yes, its December the 21st which means I can listen to 'Oi to the world' and get seasonal on yo' be-hind. This is the best Christmas album I've heard, in fact its the only one I've heard. Recently though I found out MU330 have put one out and there is a 'Santa Cause' covers album out. Anyway, tracks like 'Thanx for nothing', 'Nothing's going to ruin my holiday', the excellent 'Oi to the world and 'My first X-mas as a woman' are classics. Equally unforgettable are their rather chaotic covers of 'Here I am Lord' and 'Dance of the sugarplum fairies'. If any album can be fun, get you in the Christmas spirit and help you maintain your punk cool (or lack of) then this is it. Phew...It's a shame they went shit. Matt

V/A- SERIE COMPILATION 2003 [Wild Punk]

What we have here is a 20 track collection of dirty rock and roll. I wouldn't go as far as describing this as punk, but hey, I like most types of music- lets breed some diversity. There seem to be fairly extensive liner notes that would probably explain the reason Wild Punk have put this out, but they're in Spanish- bugger. So to give you a clue of the kind of stuff on this comp, I'll run the only bands I've heard of by you- The Quireboys, Radio Birdman or The Cherry Valence ring any bells? No, I didn't think so.

In my experience I've found that (as with all genres/music) this kinda stuff is really enjoyable if listened to at the right time. This is the soundtrack for bar-room brawls, hazed out Saturday mornings and stumbling around whore-houses in the desert heat searching for your breeches. This is the kind of music for the new generation of Aerosmith fans and their sweaty bandanas. This is the kind of music to pump out the stereo whilst driving through the centre of town at midnight, head out the sun-roof shouting "RAAAAAAAWK!" It's the kind of music yo should be buying/stealing if the above sounds like your thing. "KICK OUT THE JAMS MUTHAFUCKERS!!!!!" Matt

V/A- THIS IS HORRORPUNK 2: THE TERROR CONTINUES [Fiendforce/Plastic Head]

Twenty-eight tracks, twenty-eight bands and over seventy-five minutes of 'wo-ohs', evil Elvis impersonations and songs about zombies. For any Misfits fans out there this compilation was made for you, by you. I personally quite like the Misfits, but found that this got a bit much. I know the aim is to give an over-view of the horrorpunk scene, but you have to remember this is punk and seventy-five minutes is just too long. Having said that there are several bands worth spinning this for. Openers Calabrese crack out a nice shout along chorus in 'Midnight Spookshow', a touch A.F.I. in places and Nim Vind gives us another brilliant dose of pop-punk with eye-liner and pessimism in 'Killing Saturday Night'. The real treat here though are The Rosedales who stand out from the others with their Crowded House style vocals and ghoulish piano break on 'It's Midnight'. There's others worth hearing as well (The Young Werewolves, Ghoul Squad, Penis Flytrap) and it's worth noting that none of the bands from 'This Is Horrorpunk Vol. 1' were duplicated on this second release. This is more than just a disguised label sampler, but is better suited to established Fiend Clubbers than new converts. (06/09/05) 

VENEREA- ONE LOUDER [Bad Taste]

If Strike Anywhere and Pennywise both had awesome-fast jet planes and flew at each other really, really, quickly and the mangled wreckage fell on a small town in Sweden, it would almost definately result in Venerea. Yet another case of bad-name-good-band-itus (they must have been brilliant when they were called Venereal Disease), Venerea rock out in a very modern-melodic-punk fashion. They sound a lot like all those super listenable Fat-itaph bands, but with more of a hard edge lent to them by their Strike Anywhere tendencies. Unfortunately, 'One Louder' is about as bland as that sounds, it's exactly the kind of stuff I would have lapped up about 2 years ago- fast paced, slight politcal edge, rhythm changes, shouted chorus parts etc, etc. It's a good album, but it's very comfortable, it's like having chips every night of the week when sometimes you fancy curry or chinese.

'St. Christopher' is probably the album highlight, being the only track that I my mind doesn't start to wonder when... I'm... Uh yeh, so they're like Bad Religion. (28/04/05)

WE ARE SCIENTISTS- WITH LOVE AND SQUALOR [Virgin]

As we all should know by now We Are Scientists are a band with an amazing knack for writing a pop hook and then surfing off the back of it.  The strength of the singles though, made me slightly apprehensive about the album.  It feels like so many times now, that I have grown excited about an album on the strength of a few advance singles, only to be disappointed by slightly weaker tracks bedding down on either side of them.  I thought this would be the case with ‘With Love and Squalor’, but I have been proved wrong once again… stupid instincts. 

In a bold move they open with their best loved song ‘Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt’. You’d be right in thinking that they’re going to need something pretty special to follow it, fortunately, ‘This Scene Is Dead’ has a power all of it’s own and more than stands up to the preceding indie-pop masterpiece.  What’s even more surprising is that each and every song on this album stands up to it.  Listening to this is like hearing Hot Hot Heat, The Bravery and Bloc Party form a super group and immediately release a greatest hits collection. 

If I have any criticism it’s that at times the album is so coherent and smoothly slotted together that it can seem slightly one dimensional, of course this thought only lasts the two second gap before the next song starts and you start singing along again.

This is an amazingly strong debut and I think we can all expect about two years worth of singles to be issued from it *cough* KILLERS *cough*. (12/10/05)