The Lost Riots – “Early Days: Rare & Unreleased Songs”
Back in the 1880’s when Andy and I were wheat farmers in Nebraska.
Strike that!
I mean, back in the 1980’s when Andy and I were very familiar with the Boston and Providence punk scenes, we had no idea what was going on in Connecticut. As well as being unaware of anything else going on in life.
But in the last ten years we’ve found a lot of the best music and our favorite bands that we cover- in Nebraska.
Strike that!
I meant to say, Connecticut.
Such bands as Damn Broads, Cry Havoc, M-13, The Ratz…and The Lost Riots.
Yes, we may be simple wheat farmers but we know good punk, metal and hardcore when we hear it. Even if we are stark raving mad and completely out of our minds.
(Editor’s note: Or at least one of us is.)
For the last several years, two of my favorite bands have been The Ratz and The Lost Riots. And both are lead by singer/songwriter/guitarist Jeffrey Thunders along with Matt Mullarkey on bass.
But I’ve already wasted too much of your time when we could have been discussing better ways of harvesting wheat or even better, listening to this new great release:
“When the President talks on the TV. What he says don’t mean shit to me.” So begins “Our Generation” that takes The Who’s “My Generation” and turns it inside out and outside in, to make it into a new song. This is a unique idea done in a fun way. I like the Who’s song okay, but I like this one a whole lot better.
“You don’t like rock’n’roll! You don’t like anyone! You don’t like my records,” is how “You Don’t Like Otis Redding” starts out. There’s four chords, a rockin’ beat and a litany of musicians named that the singer likes always preceded with three accusatory words- “You don’t like.” So maybe, “You don’t like”- Richard Hell, Johnny Thunders, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Elvis Presley and it goes without saying- Otis Redding. But I love all those artists and I love every second of this song, too.
“Aime” rockets out with exploding energy like a missile headed for outer space. “People are saying they saw you down at the pub. Kissing him and holding hands and squeezing tight.” This song appears to be about an unfaithful lover. What I really like is that after every line there’s four drum hits with a vocal going, “Wooh-oh-oh-oh.” This song is so energetic and catchy that it might be my favorite on this release…next to “You Don’t Like Otis Redding.”
“Fairweather Friend” blasts out with some cool, garage chords and a hot attitude towards a so-called friend. “The bridges you’ve burned and the people you’ve fucked. I turn my back once again. I don’t really care about you now.” This is followed by a furiously, fast paced part that verges on hardcore speed with a neat pause placed smack dab in the middle. These two great parts, switch off and compliment each other nicely to complete one perfect tune.
There are five covers of Johnny Thunder’s song on this release! At first I thought it was an explanation of why Jeffrey uses Thunders as his last name in tribute to Johnny. But then I found out that he is in fact, one of his sons! And the one I like best is their take on “Born To Lose” which for me, matches the exciting energy and wreckless abandon of the original.
I think everyone is aware that with releases like this you’re not going to get the best material a band has ever recorded.
I like this release very much , but I would urge you to check out their other recorded work especially their album “The Stories Are True”- a few years back that was my pick for best release of the year!
Though they mix punk, hardcore and garage in their style, more importantly I feel they zero in on all the best aspects of the early, punk style and make it their own. One that is worthy of comparison to all those original
early bands matching them in pure passion, integrity, intensity and wild excitement.
And that’s what they serve up on this release.
So even if you really are a wheat farmer in Nebraska but you’re drawn to this style of music. I’m certain that if you expose your ears to this barrage of noise and honest, gutsy expression.
That your ears will anoint you with grape leaves and adore you with praise.
Strike that!
(Slimedog)
