MAXIMUM ROCKNROLL » Tim

Record and Video of the Week: SOMETHING FIERCE

Tim — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:20:55 +0000

There are some people in our little microcosm of punk rock who manage to transcend genres. They are people who in any other world would be shuffling on everyone’s iTunes, playing on car ads. The likes of Mark Ryan (Marked Men, Mind Spiders), or Jay Reatard — people with an ear for a song, who can’t help but create and always walk a few steps ahead of the rest of us. I would put SOMETHING FIERCE’s Steven Garcia in the same boat. The guy knows how to write a song. His band’s first record was a slap around the chops with buzzsaw guitars, hooks and melodies.

The band’s new LP, Don’t Be So Cruel, moves into totally new waters. More reflective, kinda like a more punk Elvis Costello. Straight away you realize that the commonality between the two is the genius songwriting. Each song stands alone, yet works as part of a whole — the guy knows how to write a cathy song, but also how to make an album. I don’t want to take anything away from bass player Nikki or drummer Andrew because it is they that keep the band locked in. They came from Houston and played a dreary Tuesday night in town and gave it 100%. This a real band, you know? The kind that just wants to play. Hell, has to play. They rehearse, they get it right, and then, no matter who is in the crowd, five people, 500 people, they win them over. They still have a bunch more dates on the tour, so go see them… and if you can’t you can’t do that, pick up the LPs. It ain’t the last you’ve heard of these cats…

4/14 – Redding, CA – Bombay’s
4/15 – Portland, OR – The Saratoga
4/16 – Seattle, WA – Funhouse
4/17 – Vancouver, BC, Canada – Malone’s Bar & Grill
4/18 – Boise, ID – Liquid Lounge
4/20 – Albuquerque, NM – Blackbird Duvette
4/21 – Denton, TX – TBA
4/22 – College Station, TX – Revolution Cafe

RIP Four Letter Word 1991-2011

Tim — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 21:19:24 +0000

… Looks like one of the UK’s longest running bands are finally calling it a day. FOUR LETTER WORD from Cardiff in South Wales are hanging up their boots after 20 years in the game. Readers unfamiliar with the band will no doubt be familiar with frontman, Welly, who has been producing the UK’s premier fanzine Artcore since the mid ’80s. The band was strongly influenced by melodic UK hardcore, not unlike Articles of Faith, Naked Raygun, and the Adolescents, but with fiercely political, uncompromising lyrics. In their time the band produced five LPs, seven EPs, did 200 shows and managed to tour the US (a feat few UK bands have managed). Personally, the band were always an inspiration to me, showing that coming from a city where being punk was and is no mean feat, Welly and crew managed to soldier on releasing quality records with real songs year after year. Welly also showed me that being 40 and a responsible Dad doesn’t mean that you need to leave the punk scene and your politics behind. Their demise will leave a huge hole in the UK music scene. Everyone at MRR salutes them for their time at the coalface. Gone but not forgotten!!

Have a listen to:
“Sub Zone” by FOUR LETTER WORD

Video of the Week: Hex Dispensers

Tim — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:56:32 +0000

Our very own Tim Brooks edited this video for “My Love Is a Bat” by Austin’s HEX DISPENSERS, from their Winchester Mystery House LP on Douchemaster. The video, shot on 16mm film, was written and directed by Jon.

Ride To Live

Tim — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:14:48 +0000

If you have been paying attention you would have read Mark Murrmann’s column last month where he raved about the comp Ride To Live. He has great taste so I picked the sucker up quicksmart. To some of you folks the idea of a comp devoted to the “New Wave of British Heavy Metal” would make yer toes curl, but trust me, there are some bangers hidden in there. A lot of it is kinda KBD bluesy pub rock. The opener though? Epic. The track is pretty fantastic…but the video? Holy shit.

Agony Bag – “Rabies Is a Killer”

Skin Like Iron

Tim — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:00:31 +0000

Skin Like Iron – “Examination Transit III”

Skin Like Iron are probably my favorite local band. I have loved all their stuff but their new LP All Human Failings is next level. I’m not sure if I like them so much because the decimate live … but the record is crushing. Hard to pin them down, one part Integrity, Never Healed, Skitsystem…then they head into weird melodic metal ,…fuck, I’m doing them no justice. If you like your music heavy…check these boys out.

Smalltown – Implosion LP

Tim — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:30:07 +0000

Smalltown – “Turn It Around”

Just got done soaking myself in the new Smalltown record. Ever since their first single I have been all about this band — infectious Stiff Little Fingers jams with a touch of mod revival and dare I say early One Man Army. The last LP was a bit polished, and while this one is definately big, the added instrumentation of horns (sparingly…don’t panic!) is a real bonus. Keep your peepers peeled for these Swedes hitting the US shores soon…

Maximumblogandroll

Tim — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:17:00 +0000

Sedition – “Police Story”

So I thought I’d get the blog rolling and try to work out how to post stuff for you guys… Hopefully there’s a clip of one of my favorite Scottish bands: Sedition doing an absolutely ripping cover of the Partisans “Police Story”. This came out in the early 90′s and I still don’t know why this band aren’t bigger. I have heard they got back together for a benefit show at the end of the month. I was lucky enough to see them in ’94 and they turned up in kilts with bones through their noses and slayed everyone….. more to come……