The Damaged – “Cracks In The Sidewalk”
You know, I like me some Oi.
I’m a big fan of early punk and that was the genre I grew up on. And when I say “grew” and “big” that refers to my girth and not my intelligence. And, most certainly not my maturity.
Oi, started after the punk explosion in England, and contained a lot of that early punk feel. It also has the early rock’n’roll fifties feel to it, a style I listen to and love as much as punk.
I wish there were more local Oi bands. Though, the ones I come across are usually, pretty great. I’m thinking Working Poor USA, Step 13, Broken Heroes, Barfight Champs and forgive me if I forgot some, but there isn’t really a lot of bands with that style in New England.
And now, I love The Damaged.
Because they join the ranks as one of the best local Oi bands I know.
They have power and potency of punk music mixed with the lyrical, working class authenticty of Oi, flavored with the pulse of rock’n’roll.
The Clash song, “Career Opportunities”- after the second verse has Joe Strummer announcing in an echo-y voice, “Oi, Oi, Oi, Oi.”
I’ve never confirmed this, but I imagine that this is where the use of the word “Oi” sprung out of, to describe the new punk music in England at the time.
And I love the underdog quality of Oi. None of the bands ever reached the notice of the original punk bands. They had a bit of popularity in Britain but virtually, nothing in the states at the time.
That just makes it more punk to me. Let’s give their music a listen:
With some ringing, sparkling chords going off like fireworks, soon followed by tumbling drums cascading into a chant of “Hey! Hey! Hey!” “King Of The Working Class” breaks out with a smashing, bashing beat leading into a staccato, sharp chorus. “For the King Of The Working Class, gets drunk and I’m out of cash, for my paycheck never seems to last.” Seems like an apt anthem for the working man or woman of today, no matter what class they’re from, nowadays. This song combines the best parts of The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers and The Anti-Nowhere League into one great song.
“Fitshaced” (a kind of drunken, anagram of “shitfaced”) busts out with an almost, hardcore speed and a chorus of “wooh-oh-oh” answering the lead vocal. The rhythm pushes the beat past the boundaries of proper time, but it’s all good, as the vocals are equally pushing- passionately bleating. During the middle of the song, the beat pauses a bit, only to come charging, slamming, chopping back- suggesting a lumberjack jacked up on steroids and cocaine. You’d have to be really fitschaced not to love this tune.
“Suburban Grave” is a rousing, rock’n’roll Oi anthem that is passionate and powerful and contains a perfect melodic chorus. Later, there’s a breakdown of sorts, where the vocal goes. “I don’t care about the price of gas. My music and family and friends- they’re with me till the end. And it may not seem like much, but it’s simply- what I love.” The emotional high this song causes in me is equal to what the junkie seeks in their fix. And that is why this is my favorite song on this album. I will give in to the heart of this song.
“Monday Mornings” starts out with some nice, melodic guitar work- but once the vocals jut their head in, the rhythm perks up to lead us onto a positively, propulsive beat. “Don’t bring me down. Don’t wanna be- a Charlie Brown,” the chorus goes. Just as Elvis Presley once sang he was “a hunk, a hunk of burning love.” This song just churns and burns and blazes away. Nice, guitar solo within a song, that is far more exciting and great than any Monday morning will ever be.
If Popeye The Sailor Man became a punk rocker, I believe he’d be a lead singer in an Oi band.
If Gronk, the former football player, ever joins a punk band, he’d lead an Oi band, too.
If Charles Bukowski, the deceased poet/writer, had ever become a punk rocker. I’m more than sure he would’ve played bass in an Oi band.
But then, I guess, this is all pure speculation on my part.
But I do know that The Damaged are an excellent band from Western Mass.
And you can call them street punk, Oi, hardcore, punk- they fit all these adjectives, I suppose, but I wonder how much meaning these words have? Do they honestly describe the passion, the emotion, the energy and explosiveness that a band like this expresses?
The answer is no.
So my words fail their music, but any writer’s would- I only suggest that you check out their music and if you’re into the music genres I’ve mentioned, then I don’t think you’ll be disappointed and you’ll agree with me, that this is awesome stuff.
Then, the answer will be yes.
(Slimedog)
