The Bomb is Jeff Pezzati's from
Naked Raygun's new project. He's got a gang of Chicago heavy hitters, including Pete Mittler and Mike Soucy of
The Methadones as a rhythm section. Not a bad choice in any of them. Pete is way up in the mix, as well it should be and Soucy shows why he's also played with The
Arrivals and
The Copyrights of late.
Speed Is Everything sounds exactly like what you would hope a post-Raygun project sounds like. A pummeling rhythm section, jagged guitar and lots of whoa-oh are to be had for all those that dare venture. If you are one to judge a record by its guest appearances, you can feel good that the Punk Rock Odd Couple of
Dan Yemin and
Bob Nanna make guest appearances on the record. There are some very 80s pop moments in tracks like A Song For The Helenas and Space Age Love Song, the latter a track that posits a bastard union of
Alphaville and Raygun. You would almost think that track was some deep cut from a John Hughes soundtrack. The track features the Nanna guest turn, lending a bit of undue smoothness to the proceedings that is quickly punted into the pit by Integrity the track that follows. No
hatecore homage, just the closest thing to Raygun you're going to hear here and something damn good.
After releasing their debut on
Thick,
Speed Is Everything is yet another feather in the indian headdress of a label that is
No Idea. I trust they will be at
The Fest as well. I'd pick this up quicklike. They'll be in town on 10/24 at Europa with
Used Kids and
Basement Black. Good openers, but this might be a bit of a humbler for them, as The Bomb certainly tend to live up their namesakes. Hope the youngsters bring their A game.
R
It's been a productive time for Ben Weasel. Taking time out for a second from his most recent spate of serial label-hopping and band-member tossing, he has drafted Danny Vapid back into the fold and knocked out another Riverdales record. Weasel has said that the last Riverdales record was intended to be a double and that Tarantula should be considered the second half. Noted. Of course, there is all the hoo-hah about this being a double guitar-ed Riverdales and Invasion USA wasn't, but whatever. Sadly, while Tarantula is ok, I'd really rather hear Noise By Numbers or Screeching Weasel. Production is good. Sounds like The Ramones. And it's on Recess, which is pretty cool. Buy it here if you like. I think I'm going to listen to Teenage Bottlerocket instead.
