Drug Shock – “Strength In Numbers”
Drug Shock is a band from Connecticut who we like but sadly, have not seen enough. Connecticut is a state we hold dear to our hearts and other vital organs as so many of our favorite bands come from there.
Damn Broads, an all girl hardcore band, is my favorite band we cover. M-13 is one of the best heavy hardcore bands, Andy and I agree, we’ve ever seen. Cry Havoc, Blastmat. Progress…I could go on and on about Connecticut bands until I drool upon my self, lose control of my bodily functions and end up incorrectly, mentioning Blue Oyster Cult.
On their bandcamp, Drug Shock describe themselves as, “punk, street punk, oi, oi!, punk as fuck, punk rock, punk rock’n’roll,” and I think that’s pretty apt. But if you want to simply call them an Oi band I think that also, is pretty spot on.
This is a band I can stick my fangs into as their influences go back to the more traditional or first wave of punk, even though they are probably more inspired by the slightly later Oi bands.
Andy Bang reviewed a demo of theirs many moons ago. I eliminated the three songs he chose from my selections and I still have a pretty strong batch of songs.
This is Oi/punk/street punk’n’roll at its finest. This isn’t hardcore or crossover metal or any post-hardcore gypsy trance jamboree. This is punk at its most true, pure and uncut.
Let’s give a listen.
“Burn The Bastards” starts with four ringing chords and drums being bashed along with a staccato guitar line all announcing a “call to arms.” Then the raspy vocals enter with a punk rock rant against the rich. “They take what they want/ More than they need/ The pressure’s on the backs of the working class/ And the governments give them clemency.” The guitars growl along until some awesome Chuck Berry/ Johnny Thunders licks enter along with a chorus that asks- “What’s it take to burn those bastards out/ Kids of the working class, it’s time to shout.” Todd, the lanky singer with the ever changing chameleon like Mohawk was an American U.S. Ranger, I’m told, in the army. “Bush was a cunt and I’ll never forget/ How the war in Iraq was another regret.” You can disagree with the politics but if you disagree that this is a great song then you’re a bloody wanker.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/02 Burn the Bastards.mp3|titles=Burn the Bastards]With a nice march like rhythm and arpegiated chords, this song starts out pleasant enough until a pause. Then it’s a full force, four chord, frantic, forging forward. “I hate, I hate everything/ I hate, I hate everyone.” The verse grooves upon an exciting energy up to and after the second chorus when a ringing guitar solo comes in with electrifying glory. Then a nice rhythmic set up leads to a verse of “Wooh-oh-oh’s” followed by one more emphatic, energetic explosion to the end of this great tune. My favorite tune on the album, I love everything about this song.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/03 I Hate Everything.mp3|titles=03 I Hate Everything]“Choose Or Lose” starts with some pounding, jungle rhythms answered with some slashing, sliding guitar chords. Eventually a Johnny Thunders like lick leads us into a brooding, pulsing verse. After an awesome solo the verse comes in once again. “You can march against a trendy cause/ That society wants you to be/ You can fuck right off ’cause it makes no difference to me.” After another great guitar lead we arrive at an Oi chant before ending with the anthem like chorus. Another winner again- Oi! Oi! Oi!
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/05 Choose or Loose.mp3|titles=Choose or Loose]“1976” starts with a ringing guitar line that end ends with the police alarm two note lick I recognize from “White Riot” by The Clash. This song is nostalgic and vital at the same time.“Everyone’s screaming for revolution/ People in England are on the dole (unemployment).” This song has a great unison/group singing chorus with a subdued but rockin’ rhythm section and chiming guitar line. A strange passage with an odd time leads into a poignant guitar arpeggio and a verse to a song that equals the birth of punk 1976. “Viva La Revolution.”
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/06 1976.mp3|titles=1976]Someone said punk is dead and doesn’t matter anymore. But punk was never “alive” in the first place- at least in the mainstream and face it, that’s what’s considered “real life” by “real people.”
But then punk never wanted to be accepted and it never will. (I wanna be a dead boy).
But what the mainstream sells is death, sometimes in the death of artistic value or soul and sometimes with something more concrete, like war.
You can hear a former serviceman write his lyrics and dismiss his opinions, or you can view him as the voice of experience and listen.
You can ask me what’s changed since 1976 and I can tell you this- it’s always a struggle. But passion and guts and being true rings right, right now, just like it did then. And punk stands for being true- true feelings, true expression and true souls.
The days change but the rules stays the same and as always, the worst appear to be winning.
But not in the long game. Not in the game Drug Shock is playing or the many bands I write about. Or the one I’m playing myself.
You want instant gratification- you can have it in a flash or you can want what will stand the test of time and land in the history books. It’s always a struggle- has been and will always be. The way I see it, we’ve already won.
Before the finish.
http://drugshock.bandcamp.com/
(Slimedog)
