Straphangers – “Queens By All Means”
Okay, what’s with these Straphangers? For you suburban types, only used to carting around the kids in the SUV to soccer games, I believe it refers to commuters hanging onto the strap on public transit. But I listen to a tune and the vocals seem to be on fast forward, like the tape is being manipulated or it’s some kind of black metal vocals (I did good knowing that, right Andy?)
But it’s a chick, a babe-a-roo-ski, fronting this lineup of frothing at the mouth, filthy, disgusting caged males- but that’s no problem, as it shouldn’t be. There’s another owner (female) on guitar and what we’re listening to is intense, New York hardcore and you know, or should know, that means in your face, bordering on metal, serious, honest, balls to the walls hardcore comin’ at ya.
But listening to it more- is this more righteously categorized as metal? – or as thrash? Hell, if I know- if I had all the answers I’d be a writer on a music website, but I do know, I like what I hear.
So this is great stuff, whether you’re hanging on a strap on your morning commute or driving to the soccer fields- This is real, this is intense, this needs no words on this end, this just needs for you to open your ears and take it all in. So let’s proceed to do so.
“Walk It Off” starts with snarling guitar just to set it up for the snarling vocals to drop in. This is a metal, punk, hardcore mash up that can make you think of everyone from Motely Crue to Agnostic Front to Rage Against The Machine. So this lass just kicked you in the balls, musically, metaphorically? Poor baby-so suck it up, walk it off- it’s worth your pain and punishment.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/01- Walk It Off.mp3|titles=Walk It Off ]
Double timing, jungle thumping beat- vocals like Wendy O. Williams from The Plasmatics might have chirped if she stuck around long enough to be in a hardcore band. Slashing, minor key Metallica/Sabbath chords, mad background vocals popping in, psychotic sax floating in from never never land. The song is called A.R.I.T.F. which stands for Aardvarks Reiterate Incomplete Taffy Fondue or Armpit Revivals Incite Torturous Fornication and seeks to demolish any preconceived notions that you had before of music.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/03- ARITF.mp3|titles=A.R.I.T.F.]
This song is hardcore thrash in your face like a pit-bull off its leash leaping at your lungs. “Larry’s Love Song” barely beat out “Emily’s Love Song” for the pick but why quibble over a choice when the total assault of the music rips apart your being with just a short respite/breakdown in the middle until the dogs from hell are unleashed and the powerful maelstrom of sounds come crashing against you once again.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/10- Larry’s Love Song.mp3|titles=Larry’s Love Song]
“Get Over Yourself” has the slashing Sabbath chords with some echoing backup vocals and a male lead voice is added into the mix. Some lacerating chords and pounding back-beats keeps the action moving. Like a recipe of aggression, anger and passion tossed into a blender than poured into the tracks. Slurp it up- it’s good for you!
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/07- Get Over Yourself.mp3|titles=Get Over Yourself]
This is hardcore to thrash ya, this is metal to bash ya, this is power, passion, blood dripping from your wounds, ears beaten to a pulp from the decibels, brain cells erased with the alcohol abuse. They’re coming to the Midway this Sunday and you should check them out, I know I will, but first check out their tunes. I imagine they’ll thrash you, punk you, metal you and pulverize you into a thousand bits.
(Slimedog)
