The Downhauls – “The Friendsgiving Demo”
When Andy & I were first coming back into the punk scene, this was in the zeros. (We had attended, together, hundreds of shows in the eighties, dropped out in the nineties to become missionary nuns.) Amongst some of the bands we first became acquainted with were The Spoilers, Tijuana Sweetheart and Drago.
Drago was an awesome and funny hardcore band, which Kristin from this band played in- Lo Wreck, the drummer of this band, was in the all-grrl band Tijuana Sweetheart- they were great, they touched upon punk, Oi, glam and hardcore. And Chrissy, the lead singer from this band did the same for The Spoilers- my favorite of the three.
And a big reason why I liked Chrissy’s band so much was her band sounded remarkably like The Avengers, a late seventies San Francisco punk band who happen to be one of my favorite bands of all time. But one that’s a bit obscure, enough so, that they were unaware of them.
So since that time these ladies have spent some time being led astray- No! They didn’t become criminals or evangelic preachers, or spokeswomen for the President or spend time in Facebook jail.
They just got involved in musical projects that might not be considered punk.
And in my court- there is no worst crime.
But now that the governor, Andy Bang, has pardoned them, they’re back to show the boys how it should really be done.
As inspirations they mention Joan Jett (as every living, breathing female rock musician should), The Breeders, X- even bands whose members only consist of the inferior sex like The Ramones, AC/DC, Stiff Little Fingers.
Oh, and…”Any Boston punk bands that we spit beer on at The Abbey Lounge.”
The Abbey Lounge is one of my top three clubs of all time in the Boston area, going on 42 years of attending them. The Rat and The Midway are the other two. And I don’t spit beer at anyone as I feel it’s like a holy sacrament, too precious to waste. But one I continue to pour down my gulch, nightly- and amply so.
Let’s give a listen:
After four demure hi-hat hits by the far from demure Lo-Wreck, the song “Green” explodes in an avalanche of guitar and bass and drums that falls upon our ears, that as if we were a skier on a mountain top, than surely we would be buried under a ton of snow. But instead, we’re privileged to witness an upbeat roar of rippin’ vocals, slashing guitar chords and pounding beats that tear our souls out through our eardrums and only leave us smiling. This song makes me think of everyone from Joan Jett to Bikini Kill, from Iggy Pop to AC/DC. From anyone and everyone who spits our fire, discontent and passion in their songs.
“Convenient Friend” starts out with a three chord garage rockin’ intro, hammered forward with a four-to-the-floor, one hit to the beat rhythm. “You’re more the devil, than I thought. I couldn’t have been so wrong.” I’m not wrong in telling you that this is an energetic, pushing, potent tune questioning one’s choice of acquaintances. Lots of snarling passion in the vocals, lots of surging energy in the rhythm section. “Let me tell you a little story, about the things that you should avoid. I had to leave behind the things that I loved into a world where I’m only annoyed.” Seems like a tragic, but necessary choice. But who am I to question? But I will say that this is a great song full of power, passion and punk. The drums are so killer but then everything is excellent in this oh, so excellent song. “You’re my convenient friend, and you wonder why this is the end?” I’m just wondering why this great release has to end after two songs and I look forward to maybe a full EP or album of material such as this.
These dames ain’t debutantes. They’ve been around the block, at least once, or maybe a couple of times before.
But to my ears they deliver the true essence of punk, or riot grrl, of rock’n’roll. All of the same thread to me.
But it’s not so much the musical genres that I could spin out at you, but that they capture the essence, the feeling of what makes those genres so great.
Let me try to explain again: Spirit, guts, energy, excitement, passion, honesty, desire and belief.
It’s all here, folks. You don’t need my words to listen.
But if you do listen you may be lost for words.
(Slimedog)
