Tear Off//Clean Up/Don't Get Bored split tape review

Tear Off//Clean Up/Don’t Get Bored split tape review

Tear Off//Clean Up’s melodic punk has a non-straight edge 7 Seconds vibe to it- very sing-songy, but with some energy behind the instruments.  These guys should be the band that gets the beer drinkin’ beardos energized to see bands at Riot Fest, in a good way.  Melodic and energetic in a way that says “You can mosh but you don’t have to”.  I see fist pumps being more favorable here.

Don’t Get Bored is the kind of band that would fit perfectly in 1980s Midwest nowhere/anywhere.  Snotty, contemptible, and juvenile, yet full of energy and honest, ya gotta love it.  Sonically, it could fit in next to something like Pure Disgust, but the band taken as a whole definitely is a thing in itself.

-Aunty Social

Tear Off//Clean Up- demo tape review

Tear Off/Clean Up- demo tape review

This is blue collar melodic hardcore punk with a heavy sing-a-long vibe a la 7 Seconds, Frank White, early Descendents, and the like.  It’s well put together, but doesn’t perfectly match up with the rhythms of the song, which is part of what gives it the soul that it has.  It’s clear, but not clean- hell, you could give this to a crusty in between their shitty Contravene discography CD, Disclose bootleg tape that they paid $100 for and it still sounds like shit, and a still unwrapped LP of Mischief Brew’s latest record, and it would fit in just fine.  These are some cool catchy guitar driven punk rock songs.  Buy a pint of R&R and a pack of Native Spirits for the complete TO/CU experience.

-Aunty Social

Left of the Dial- Idly By 12" review

Left of the Dial- Idly By 12” review

Admittedly, this is not my kind of music; usually, pop punk and melodic hardcore don’t much appeal to me.  However, given this prologue and word of warning, I shall proceed.

The songs are punny and alliterative, complete with nasally and higher-pitched croons and clean, clear, crisp sounds behind it.  The guitar work is pretty standard, not tremendous nor terrible, the bass blends in to the guitar quite well, and the drums are audible, not drowned out by any of the other audio tracks.  The songs didn’t really elicit any large emotional response from me, but I didn’t feel like tearing my ears off while listening to this.  For a genre of music I don’t like, that tells me that this is a good record.  For the pop punkers and the hardcore kids who aren’t afraid to cry.

-Aunty Social

Rebel Spies- Before I Die I Shall Destroy... 7" review

Rebel Spies- Before I Die I Shall Destroy… 7” review

Energetic punk rock with a huge dose of sing-a-long melody a la 7 Seconds, early Gorilla Biscuits, any number of Chicago bands, and a very late-era of Minor Threat or Dag Nasty- it mixes Chicago and D.C. sounds with Detroit.  They even sneak in a SICK breakdown in the middle of “What Have I Done”, showing that they are capable of true grit, but prefer the calming, euphonic energy of melody rather than the cacophonous, repetitious sound of rhythm.  It’s quite catchy and fun, but it took me a few listens before I realized this.  I appreciate the different approach the Rebel Spies take, good shit.

-Aunty Social