Pint Killers – “Demo”
Pint Killers is Mark Doherty’s new project. If you’re familiar with the Boston scene you probably know of him- he’s had several bands, the latest being Dot Rats, a great rap/hardcore band which is on hiatus.
He got sober, he got restless and he teamed up with Bill Jolliemore on guitar (also, of many bands, most lately The Struggle) and with a drummer, Johnny Fencer.
They may be still looking for a bassist and another guitar and if this fits your description, you shouldn’t need my encouragement to get involved with a really great, new band.
They describe themselves as “Boston brewed punk- drinking songs and anthems” and that would be a mighty, good name for this EP. But whatever style they light upon they play it punk with a capital “P” and that’s exactly why I like them so much.
And I don’t want to gloss over Mark getting sober, or Brian from The Manglers, or Lenny, or Bob from The McGunks. I’m sure you and I could rattle off many others and I know I, at least, could name many others who didn’t and aren’t here with us anymore.
I, honestly, struggle myself at times and there may come a day when I take my last sip. So, I admire and support, fully, anyone who abstains. But right now it’s time to buy a round of songs and imbibe on such musical intoxication served up by Pint Killers. And I’m warning you, you better have a designated driver before listening to this.
“The devil bought a drink for me because he needed a friend/ It doesn’t matter what you do he’ll see you in the end.” So starts “The Devil And Me,” a nice, Irish drinking song taken at a moderate pace with some blasting AC/DC chords accompanying it. “A shot of whiskey/ A pint of beer/ Another round/ Bring it here.” And as the beer chases the whiskey and as we chase the illusion of contentedness, through illusionary ways- this is a catchy, fun, heartfelt song. “The more you drink the better I look, at least that’s what I’ve found.” And what I’ve found is a great song that doesn’t try too hard to impress but hits you like a simple pleasure, much like a shot of whiskey and a pint of beer!
“Let’s raise a glass to the friends we’ve lost,” begins “Raise A Glass,” all before a single note is played. This is a more charging, aggressive hardcore number with an emphatic Black Flag like lead vocal answered with a chorus of “Wooh-oh’s.” And this song is a tribute to all the fallen friends, the ones who are no longer with us but who we easily could’ve been. “We’ll be together in the end/ We’ll be together in the end, my friend.” But this song is also a toast to the end of the work week and a job well done. “Just because I quit drinking doesn’t mean everyone else has,” Mark says after the last notes die out. And I will raise my glass to a song like this that is so well done. “Drink up.”
Three growling guitar chords lead in “Around The Hood” anchored to a rockin’ beat. “I’ve got your back if you’ve got mine/ Together we will see the end of time.” It’s a song about neighborhood and brotherhood and combines an early punk feel with Irish punk/hardcore and succeeds totally.
“Come out swingin’/ At a drop of a hat/ Temperature rising/ Everything goes black/ Lights out!” So begins “Lights Out” that, unfortunately, is not a cover of the great Angry Samoans song with the same title but, fortunately is, a great punkin’, punk’n’roll song. “Up in the morning/ Crack of dawn/ Head still ringin’/ Memory is gone.” Stop and start rhythms answered with terrific, group vocals as well. A simple and short and sweet, succulent song that wins me over, as I eventually come to, and declaim this my favorite song on the EP.
If you listen to these songs by Pint Killers you can tell each song is different in style. The only thing I hear in common is that they’re all really good.
And they’ve left it open which way they can go with this band- there’s Irish/punk, hardcore, garage/punk and punk’n’roll on this demo. But I can also, easily imagine it all coming together, eventually, collating together towards one style which will be- Pint Killer style.
This is a new band, they’ll be more songs, more time spent in the studio, a full band probably, more assuredness in their playing and sound.
But everything points to great things coming, especially in the superb songwriting, there’s nothing wonting there.
I can’t see the future but sometimes, I think I can hear it. How I think it will sound.
Keep an ear on Pint Killers.
I predict you’re gonna like what you hear.
(Slimedog)
