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Toys
That Kill : Control The Sun : Recess Records (2003)
I
chose to review this album because of all the scary little
white people on the front of the case.
It was recorded here in Austin at the Sweatbox and comes with
this weird newsletter type lyric sheet thing with all kinds
of odd stories that I couldn't tell if in fact they were made
up or true.
The
songs contain pretty basic guitar work, with some pretty basic
bass playing with that kind of irritating teenage punk voice
that we're all familiar with. I liked the song "White
Lies" which is about all the bullshit that is being taught
in our public schools. I also liked the song "No One"
because it had this really abrupt ending that kind of sneaks
up on you. The only song I was actually against was "Wired
Resident" which was way too poppy and boring for me.
I
liked this CD alright. I think this band likes the Clash a
whole hell of a lot; it's very evident in their music and
that's quite alright with me. It’s not something that
I would go out and buy, but if they were playing a show, I
wouldn't throw bottles at their head or anything.
-Corri
Mava
Pink
Swords : One Night High : Mortville Records (2003)
These
foul-mouthed malcontents prove that once again drunk, loud
and horny Rock and Roll is alive and well in Austin. As their
first official release care of established local punk label,
Mortville, it was recorded last year with former Motard drummer,
Suzanne Bishop during her brief stint as Suzy Switchblade.
It's pretty much what you can expect to get from them live,
which is about half an hour of steady and vigorous thrusting.
I've heard comparisons to the Dwarves and it's no secret that
they are devoted supplicants at the throne of Turbonegro.
They're known for ganged up backing vocals and fast, chunky
riffing while Stinky Ray Von's short bursts of lead guitar
are always a welcome slap in the face to legitimate "music".
The
first seven tracks on One Night High are the strongest and
four of the songs are new. Spewing the verbal abuse is tattooed
frontman Pitts Gaffer taking a "Shit On You" until
it's "So Wrong", and then onto the cheap date anthem,
"Bathroom Stall". They're touring with former Dave
Bone and the Troublemakers drummer, Johnny V in October and
I can't wait to hear what they do next. Love them or hate
them, soon they'll be hard to ignore. -
Dave Roybal
Activator
: S/T Demo : 2003
I
was transformed into a badass bitch goddess of rock, while
attending the Activator show at the Red Eyed Fly. So much
so, that I was compelled to review their three song demo.
Activator is the first band since Queens of the Stone Age
that musically brought back every happy metal memory that
I had throughout my girlhood.
This
demo is a short soundtrack of every stoner’s existence.
Varying sounds from Soundgarden, COC, and Kyuss, my dream
come true. Whether you’re slamming shots of tequila,
hitting the gravity bong in your buddies’ kitchen sink,
or driving cross-country (not in that order) these guys will
definitely leave you fully satisfied and anxiously awaiting
their full length CD release.
The
first song Booger Sugar is a bar-fight suggesting tune that
can make even the most pacifistic individual split at the
seams. Ozzy, the second track, isn’t about Ozzy at all.
It’s a hard rock anthem that even Mr. Osborne would
applaud. The last song, Bowl Control, is my new favorite song
for after work relaxation. It’s stoner rock at perfection;
break you down like a shotgun style. This demo is an infectious
must have for all.
-Erin
Muscato
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