Fresh off their split with Danava and Earthless (review here), Oakland’s Lecherous Gaze take a less-than-fresh approach in re-releasing their 2010 four-song EP, Audio Testament, as a self-titled Tee Pee debut. A re-release usually means better production and mixing, but, much to the band’s credit, there’s not too much evidence of that found here because these songs still sound like they were recorded in a room full of tin garbage cans and shag carpeting. Lecherous Gaze contains the kind of kick-out-the-jams fuzz n’ roll that could only be made by flophouse orphans who spent their wasted youth picking scabs, bumming cigarettes, flipping through muscle car magazines and the thick-bushed pages of Playboys from the early 70s, and listening to AC/DC, The Ramones, MC5, and Thin Lizzy records. Of course, that’s probably due in large part to the fact that singer Lakis Panagiotopulos blows into the mic like Joey Ramone or Phil Lynott with dying batteries, and that the groovy punk rock riffs on “Phaze,” “Sold,” and “R’n'R Lust” are so raw, sweaty, and delicious you can practically taste ‘em (the ones on “Graveyard” are so bluesy you can practically feel ‘em), but then what good is an electric cock sandwich if it’s not smothered in classic righteous sauce, huh? The whole thing is damn downright dirty and four songs just isn’t enough. I want more and you will too.
The denim-clad lads in Valient Thorr have some of the best beards in the biz, and are crackpot experts at harnessing — and wielding — the beard’s potent rock n’ roll power. From the moment they found themselves stranded on Earth they’ve been an irrational, socially objectionable tour de grease, freaked-out stoner punk cavemen raping AC/DC riffs for kicks. Stranger, the North Carolina-by-way-of-Venus band’s fifth full-length, is as pumped up as the rest of ‘em, attacking your way of life from all sides and beating you about the head and neck with broken skateboard decks. Human fallibility and all-around douchebaggery are the focus of Valient Himself’s beer-breathed ire, and when combined with the electric assault of songs like “Double Crossed,” “Night Terrors,” and “Sudden Death is Nothing,” it makes for a bloody, sweaty, metal show that’ll call to mind Bible of Devil, Red Fang, or just some plain ol’ classic Thorr. Stranger might not have the same kind of impact as Immortalizer — or Total Universe Man for that matter — but it’s a righteous, rippin’ riot regardless.
Check out the video for “Double Crossed” from Stranger!
The Jim Jones Revue Burning Your House Down
Punk Rock Blues
The congregation is sweatin’ and moanin’, children, for Jim Jones, the white man, has come to claim the bastard blues. Oh Lord, yes! One for the money, two for the show, like Jerry Lee and Elvis before him, Mr. Jones rattles every single one of your bones. His midnight Revue, leather-faced retinue, a real pack of cool, shakes shacks with the best of ‘em, and only the loudest, fuzziest, hip socket rock will do. The former Thee Hypnotics and Black Moses front man is on a mission and completely out of his mind, his greasy-haired head down, and three albums in three years (including 2008′s self-titled album and 2009′s Here to Save Your Soul) is a real heavy load, but not even a great ball of fire is gonna stop his screamin’ train from rollin’ on. Garage funk, Motown soul — it’s all kinds of righteous rock n’ roll, doused in gasoline, with a sonic swagger that would make Scott Morgan proud. Goodness gracious!
Check out the video for “High Horse” from Burning Your House Down!
Lecherous Gaze
Valient Thorr
