Type-3- Corporate Reign demo CD review

Type-3- Corporate Reign demo CD review

Dual vocal punk rock that mixes a lot of oddball influences to have an almost unique blend of sounds to call their own.  Mix 90s skate punk, 90s ska-core/ crack rock steady sorts of upbeat yet angry punk, and Fat Wreck-core bands, and you have Type-3.  More of a party kind of punk, it is definitely the kind of band that might not fit in on a political straight edge/ vegan bill, although they do absolutely have an anti-authoritarian ring to them.  As for instruments, everything sounds pretty tight, balanced, and clear.  If you’re into this kind of thing as a general rule (I myself am a big fan of 90s third wave ska and CRS-style bands), this is killer.  If not, you might not dig it so much.  But these are four high-quality weed-smoking, skateboarding, 40 oz.-guzzling, chill-the-fuck-out punk rock tunes.  This demo really needs to be turned into a fucking tape.  In 90% of all punks, you’ll enjoy this to some extent, and it will be well worth your time to jam this.

-Aunty Social

Spit Spewing Snakes- demo tape review

Spit Spewing Snakes- demo tape review

A mix of fastcore a la Disciples of Christ, Positive Noise, and the lot and a bit of the hardcore that the former incarnation of this band (Bearfoot) would play.  Very danceable and a bit moshable as well.  The lyrics, written by singer Nate, are definitely the high point of the demo- cryptic and general yet surprisingly insightful, not a common theme for most contemporary hardcore.  I enjoyed that the most, actually.  Still, the music isn’t without its energetic and “punk rock” edge.  Two-stepping and push pits (and maybe a little bit of pillow moshing too) would be rampant during an SSS set, and have been as well.  Anyone who likes youth crew, laid-back 90s hardcore, and fastcore/ thrashcore bands would be wise to lend an ear to these local guys.

-Aunty Social

Rape Revenge- Paper Cage 7” review

Rape Revenge- Paper Cage 7” review

I usually hate grindcore.  This is vegan, straight edge, queer, feminist grindcore.  Well, this review isn’t starting off well.  If you’ve decided to keep reading, you’re either really open minded, brave, or masochistic, and for that, I must commend you.  Music-wise, this is actually pretty high-quality.  The slow parts here are fucking brutal with the crunching bass and thundering drums, and the fast parts blast and shred away with the high-pitched guitar and extremely shrill singer (which is the biggest, but the only noticeable downside to this EP).  The lyrics are well-written and intelligent, but they are very difficult to discern by ear only, as per most grindcore.  However, this is more intelligent, refined, dare I say higher quality grindcore- this stands for something, and the band truly lives up to the DIY name (they played a fucking Laundromat- how punk is that!?).  For that, much respect.  I still don’t like grindcore, and these songs are higher-echelon for that genre- points for seriousness, honesty, and being good at what they do.  However, the vocals will never cease to bother me.  That, however, isn’t their fault.  For grinders, buy or die.  Punks who don’t like grind, give it a stream online first.

-Aunty Social

Dick Hickey- Unicorns, Rainbows, and Other Manly Shit CD review

Dick Hickey- Unicorns, Rainbows, and Other Manly Shit CD review

What do you get when you put a deranged middle-aged alcoholic and two socially unacceptable redheads (also known as gingers- this applies to ALL of them), and give them instruments and an unhealthy dose of hardcore and Anal Cunt albums?  That’s right- Dick Hickey.  The forgotten sons of a redneck backwoods Michigan area that is, in most circumstances, better left forgotten.  This is a band who is in need of two things- a Melissa Etheridge cover of “Cum 2 My Window”, and a vast increase in naked sets, or sets entirely.  Seriously, this band has a fanatic following of psychotic girls.  How do you think the name Dick Hickey came up?  Why aren’t you in the know about this neglected, abused, drugged-out trio from Michigan’s backwoods?  The music is not too shabby- demo quality angry ginger hardcore for the deranged and sexually deprived.  Not gonna lie, the band is much more tight and enjoyable live, but the 10-12 minutes this demo takes up is worth the listen.  However, do not be fooled when the band is selling their CDs for $3- there is only ONE acceptable payment amount for this little demo- exactly $0.26.  That’s right- twenty six cents.  Even better if it’s a quarter and a penny.  And it’s worth it.  Hail Satan.

-Aunty Social

Most Heinous- Bendersweat EP tape review

Most Heinous- Bendersweat EP tape review

Fuzzy, noisy hardcore punk with a shrill, slightly deep-pitched female singer who throws herself into the music whole-heartedly.  The sound quality on this is absolutely a demo quality one, but given the style, I think a more rudimentary sound may fit them a little better.  If Nausea had not tuned down their guitars on their demo recordings, the sound would not be unlike the one Most Heinous has.  The bass could be a little more pronounced, but it does not greatly detract from the listening experience of this demo.  This tape is a lot like rough sex, and it also sounds like the perfect background music to it- interchanging slow and fast parts, unexpected intensity during the fast parts, the female being a lot more energetic than first expected, and somewhat deceptive in all- the cover has an adorable picture of a kitten and two little ducklings.  And much like rough sex, it definitely isn’t something you always want to partake in, but when you do, there isn’t something like it matching the intensity and sheer awesomeness of this.  Pick this motherfucking demo up anywhere you can, as soon as you can.

-Aunty Social

Madonna- Pull the Plug demo review

Madonna- Pull the Plug demo review

Sounds like a mix of 80s hardcore, west coast powerviolence, and skate punk a la JFA and maybe some of Duane Peters’ early work.  Mile-a-minute punk rock to the bone, the topics are about typical punky things:  Skateboarding, Street Fighter, hating school, getting pizza, and ripping off Black Sabbath riffs to start songs.  Fun music, but unlike guitarist Richard Hackler’s previous band XshallowbreathX, they seem to be very laid back and not at all serious, which is advantageous in some way and a disadvantage in others.  These guys would have DEFINITELY opened for Capitalist Casualties or What Happens Next given the right time period.  Not a lot to say about it- it’s a demo, it’s enjoyable, it’s not that memorable, and it’s a fun, higher-echelon punk band that would fit well on a local punk gig.  My time wasn’t wasted jamming this.

-Aunty Social