Record Reviews by Billy Fish: July 1996

Brainiac
Hissing Prigs In Static Couture
Touch And Go 

Thinking of Dayton, Ohio most (if they’re hip to the jive) can only think of The Breeders and maybe Guided by Voices. But wait! Who’s that on the horizon? Why, It’s the boffin boys of Brainiac, by gawd! If you were fortunate(?) to see Lollapolooza 95’s second stage, you might have caught these four wackos doing the hardcore bit tooth and nail. Considering themselves a ‘live’ band, this latest CD kicks out heavy bootie with the best of them. Don’t expect the fast and easy 4/4 time, cause these boys are all over the place! Rhythms are quick and erratic, splitting across the noise spectrum until the stacks are blown! The thirteen tracks on this album will infect the brain like a surge of molten electricity, burning deep inside like a shot of Yukon Jack on a cold winter night. The more you hear, the bigger the asskicking handed out. If you like it hard and in your face, bitchy-style, then hook up with this little bite of pure power. —Billy Fish

Various Artists
Live At Brownies
Feralette Records 

Recorded over a period of six months at New York’s premiere East Village punk club, this CD is a wild combo of young and fresh bands displaying the talent that is huge in the big apple. Most of the bands are still unsigned and very damn raw, but show a lot of promise with the unique and desperate sounds coming over the club’s two track recorder that captured each show of their Punk Fest that started last July in NYC. Standout tracks from groups like Pillbox, The Waldos, The Turbo A.C.’s, and Sweet Diesel blast out with large and loud sounds, making this super-sick combo one of the best compilations out for live club music. Pick this number up and check out the noise spewing out from the big and dirty city that never sleeps, since neither will you while listening to this crunch collection. —Billy Fish 

Total Chaos
Anthems From The Alleyway
Epitaph 

Old school is still the best school by far! Total Chaos is a brand of traditional punk that throws you down and kicks your teeth in and still has more bite than the rabid section of the animal shelter. Their third album is a melting pot for the old influences of Dischage and Stiff Little Fingers, with a pinch of The Clash to send the whole package sailing home. The new line-up includes Shawn Smash on guitar and Suzy Homewrecker (sweeter name!) on the skins to continue the anti-establishment escapades in full gear. Check out tracks like “Riot 77,” and “Born To Lose,” both packing enough punch to TKO your pussy ass in the first round of a good listen. The younger bands starting out (that seem to spend too much time making fast and obnoxious noise/shit), need to give this record a good and long listen to see how real punk is played. Tight as hell, and faster than a lit speedball, “Anthems” is a killer example that old school punk never died, it just got recycled by the youth that are still pissed and need to vent their anger the best way you can – loud and in your bloody face! —Billy Fish 

Strung Out
Suburban Teenage Wasteland Blues
Fat Wreck Chords 

Whoa there, Nellie! These cats are way beyond the legal speed limit! Try and catch these punks and you’re in for a high pursuit chase you more than likely will not win. Fast as hell, and twice as crunchy, Strung Out pulls no punches with their second full-length album from the wastelands of California’s Ventura County. Opening up for bands like NOFX, The Vandals, and Face To Face, they soon will be branching out on their own with the amazing hardcore expertise demonstrated on this disc. I can’t get enough of this guitar, blazing through power chords with a hard bite that slams each track home like a hot needle. A lot of bands try to pull this much energy, but usually don’t have the talent to back it up beyond just being obnoxious. Not the case with kids in Strung Out. These youngsters pack more wallop and bang for your buck than any other wane Maximum Rock and Rollers in the fifty bloody states of America. Do your punk ass a favor and get with the program, checking out this group before you miss the boat completely! —Billy Fish 

The Smears
Like Hell
Headhunter 

I am all over these girls like flies on a day-old rib roast! That’s not only for the reason that Kathleen (guitar/vocals) makes me do back flips up and down Main Street (Hey, what’s up with a little crush?), but because they rip the chords and pound the skins as hard as anyone…no fucking lie! Babes In Toyland wish they still had this much energy and power, but can’t hold a candle to these lovelies who have my vote for the best girl band out there right now in indieville, USA. This new CD is chunky and crunchy, and flying down the mean streets of riot grrl punk with no holds barred. I like brutal honesty, and the Smears lyrics are all about that. Ripping on beauty queens to Greek party boys, these bad-ass bitches take a big bite out of many a loser’s ass that really needs it and truly deserves the reality check! Raw and unmatched, I wish the trio would give anger/integrity lessons to Alanis and Amos, who sound like driveling crybabies in comparison. But in the meantime, step up to the plate and let the Smears smack you in the head with a bat full of power punk, feisty and fiery female style! —Billy Fish 

ELECTRIC SKYCHURCH
Together
Moonshine Music 

What the hell was I thinking when I got into reviewing/doing this fucking disc? Instantly I had bad deja vu of the first and only time I suffered through a night at the Vor/whoretex with a few of my rave friends, giving me the painful experience of watching them, sweaty and shirtless, as they danced in cages with underage wannabe hookers. There really was no shame, or even sobriety, in that crowd at all, which kept me semi-amused as long as my beer and shot could carry me. The gyrating, pelvis-grind that seemed the center point of the mating ritual for the multitude of Nordstrom-clad posers was only surpassed in silliness by the loud and mind-neutering electronic garbage that led the crowd to heights of idiotic orgasm. What are groups (very few, thank you!) thinking when they create such music? If you like to dance/grind, then fine. But please, keep your ass-wiggling, crotch-grabbing, sweat-fest indoors and off my damn sound system, OK? Sure, both the club and CD were my very ignorant fault, but PLEASE! Learn from my mistake and let this be a lesson learned, without experience, in the end! —Billy Fish

Various Artists
Shots In The Dark
Donna 

From “The Pink Panther” to The Blues Brothers, Henry Mancini laid down some addictive melodies that stuck like warm glue to the ears of anyone that caught hold of their alluring sounds. This collection is a funky tribute to the lost decades of old instrumental music that still is infectious after years of bad lounge players and cheesy music soundtracks. Covering classics like Peter Gunn, and Touch of Evil artists like Man Or Astro-Man?, (of The Cramps), and Wiskey Biscuit put the sass back in the ass with an amazing array of cover/versions that are too swinging sweet for words to describe. These are the tunes that would make the dry martinis go down easy at the Manhattan, instead of their 80s retro nights (What’s up with that?). If you like a brush with your snare and a big hollywood guitar sound, check out this slick collection and see why Audrey Hepburn called Mancini “the hippest of cats.” This cheesy/smooth collection is truly as large and in charge as they come! —Billy Fish 

Path Of Resistance
Who Dares Wins
Victory Records 

Looking at the cover I was expecting a cross-over rap style, but in fact it’s pure 90s straight edge. Besides the gangster apparel this band plays straight up hard-core with the best of them. Political as hell and twice as brutal, lyrics are thrown down the pipe like cheap whores in Las Vegas on a Saturday night. The three vocalists that trade off on singing/screaming sound like they beer-bonged kerosene to create a matching, raspy quality that goes over like a sandpaper hand job. But despite the possible need for a Lemmy/Motörhead interpreter, the buzzsaw sound of metal tearing is enough to have you shaving your head and tattooing your flesh in order to join the cause. Leaving not much time to get your bearings or catch your breath, The Path will throw you in the middle of the pit and let the dogs of war have their way with you. Over before you know it (like a good boot-stomping!), this album will beat you silly and wondering where the hell it all came from! —Billy Fish 

Voodoo Love Mint
Something In French
Angry Seed 

More noise pop from the Midwest, this loud debut VLM is a punchy little number that quickly becomes addictive. The reason being can either be the wacked lyrics or thunder-cracked guitar that never lets up, like a horny football player on prom night (always coming on like gangbusters!). In either case, VLM plays loose and loaded, barreling through their tunes like drugged out rabbits… very cool! Lucking out they talked Tim Mac (crunch producer/demolition expert) at Amrep Studios in Minneapolis to put a big bang in the production that greatly surpasses other mini-indie sounds on the smaller bands/labels. Pounding in your ears like a runaway street drill, the best comparisons would be a nutty cross between Unsane and old DEVO…really! These noisy fellows are going places, and need to be heard live to truly  get the full frontal attack experienced 100%! Loud, energetic, and as melodic as they can come this hard, Something In French is something you just can’t afford to pass up yourself! —Billy Fish 

The Last
Gin & Innuendoes
SST

One time semi-legends of the pop-punk scenes of South Bay and LA in the late 70’s, the resurrected ashes of the Last are back to try another bout of high school love songs and bittersweet pop music. Combining original brothers, Joe and Mike Nolt, with the rhythm section of Chemical People, the latest line-up is the first to record an album in the last six years. Described as the primary source for inspiration for the Descendants by member Bill Stevenson, the sound is a strange cross between southern California neo-psychedelic and Beach Boys — style tender ballads. Making music in some form or another for 20+ years, they have only toured the U.S. twice in their long history, preferring the comfort of the studio for their music making. A little off-center from the normal pop-surf/punk music of the 60s or late 70s, they still can lay down an infectious sound that is easy to listen and love with their latest endeavor. —Billy Fish 

Les Hommes Qui Wear
Espandrillos Kairo
Blue Noise Records 

Coming on strong like a bitch in heat, this band out of nowhere(?) has my vote for the best new sound of the month. Although their name may throw most in understanding, their sound is easily embraced for those who thirst for heavy and hard-hitting jams that kick you right in the throat! The only way I can describe them is a ugly cross between Jesus Lizard and The Fall, but with a blistering edge of industrial rhythm that cuts you up like a Ginsu knife collection. These boys know how to take you to the edge, and then drop you off headfirst. Slowing down just long enough to let you breathe at times with erratic, low-fuzz acoustic guitar, their upper cut delivered comes in the form of black-distorted thunder, as they blast out more noise than a Provo road crew on Saturday morning. Going off is the name of the game with Les Hommes…and believe me, you will want to follow where ever they take you! Put on your seatbelts and sit back for a wild and bumpy ride! —Billy Fish 

Three Fish
Epic 

Every so often a major label finds a band that actually has some originality and lets them keep it intact when they go into the studio to record. This is that band. Three Fish are three guys with a sweet, soulful sound that really doesn’t reflect any specific style/sound other than their own. Very bluesy, with complex guitar work and amazing rhythms, this album quickly grabs you with its subtle sound and emotionally-heavy lyrics. Tripping your head between sly leads and tedious acoustic work, Three Fish will cross every color of the spectrum as they deliver an incredible pop album able to please even the most cynical listener/critic (me!). I’m already having nightmares about their eventual acceptance into the top-40 walk of fame and 15 minutes, but with this much pop prowess and musical agility, can they even help it? The disc is topped off with outstanding tracks, each worthy of your love and attention, you media/radio sluts…so dig in and pick it clean before the rest of the country gets their licks in too! —Billy Fish 

Jawbox
Tag Recordings 

It was nice to see this on the top of my pile for reviews, and it was even better to give a listen. Taking off from where they left off from their Sweetheart album of ’92, the DC-based quartet of pure sonic power are still playing the post-punk music that crawls under your skin and stays there for good. Taking songs to the extreme, both in noise and contrast, Jawbox is far too under-rated for their amazing talent at songwriting and tense sounds that surpass any band in the alternative scene today. Cuts like “Iodine” and “Spoiler” come across like a raving, homeless professor, too honest and real to ignore. Strength and truth are the messages, backed up by more guitar power than legally can be recommended for anyone without a history of DISCORD vinyl and the history behind the straight-edge movement. Expanding their sound, both intelligently and melodic, this strong and dark album is an example of the integrity that still can pass over from the punk/indie scene into the major labels even today with all the other sell-outs and rip-offs we are constantly forced to wade through. —Billy Fish 

Acoustic Junction
Planet Records 

Man does not live by punk/ sonic / indie music alone. Take the sound of the fresh band out of Colorado, Acoustic Junction. Listen close and you can hear some Johnny Cash, Jimmy Reed, and even the styling of old rockabilly legend, Buck Owens. Do you have a problem with that, punk? Try something new and get with the soulful, country-fried sounds of this young band out of Boulder that is crossing lines, both in music and generation gaps. Usually I can only listen to either Coltrane or Muddy Waters with my old man, but this CD was greatly accepted by all members of various age brackets last time the Fish Family went out to toss a few flies in the water. I wouldn’t recommend this disc to the under-20 crowd that still competes to see who has the fattest pants, but the music listener looking to expand their horizons should give it a try and find out why country/rockabilly is still as hip as anything the industry can muster up on MTV.  —Billy Fish 

Lach’s Antihoot
Live From The Fort At Sidewalk Cafe
Shanachie Entertainment 

Who the hell thought that acoustic meant good? You end up stripping down shit, and all you get is more shit, that’s all. This puke box is chock-full of every damn song you never wanted to hear from the leftover and homeless musicians of the 90s folk/country-city sound that fills most coffee shops in your usual cities across the USA. Why do these people make us suffer so much when we go in to grab some java or beans to grind at home? Can’t they just stay on the porch or in the back alley with their six-strings and whine away to some wall or something? I don’t go for their warped political and social views that come off like some acid-tripping, sexually-derived freak/hippie spouting off like the crowd gives a fuck. The plain truth is that most don’t. I wish they could keep that in mind and leave the painful lyrics and guitar at home, while the rest of us try to enjoy our drinks in peace and quiet for a refreshing change. —Billy Fish

Read more record reviews of the nineties from the SLUG Archives:
Record Reviews by B Mac and Billy Fish: May 1996
Record Reviews: March 1996