Time Out Timmy – “Dominate”
Why did God make Time Out Timmy one of the best punk bands I know?
I don’t know…I do know that they’ve created some of my favorite releases in the last couple of years.
But please don’t hold this against them.
A big reason I love them is- I don’t think I’ve heard a band, since the demise of the Red Line Rebels, that fully encapsulates the feel, sound, humor and fun of skate punk, which this band totally embodies.
Skate punk is a genre that I never paid much attention to in life, as I was usually blissfully ice skating every wintry night while listening to Abba and drinking hot cocoa. And I envisioned myself, eventually living life as an English country gentleman- hunting foxes, drinking uproariously and wearing ugly, brown tweed clothes.
Unfortunately, that last notion was caused by too much inhalation of spray cans and since my time in the facility, I’ve since returned to a normal life, becoming a productive member of society by serving as a punk writer for a mostly ignored, punk music website.
God’s plans for us all can be mysterious at times.
And God just yelled at me, “God, can you please get back to the subject at hand?- Jesus Christ!!!”
All right, God! …Mister “I’m the big boss of all of life and the universe!”
Let’s listen to the band instead of my quibbling with God. A band that incorporates style like punk, skate punk, hardcore, thrash and Moroccan snake charming music into one tasty bite!
Let’s have a taste, shall we?
“Hate my job, hate my life. That’s why I love my wife.” Though, something more physically expressive is suggestive shortly after. The song is called “Jerk Off/Return Of The Rat.” And actually, the first line of this song is “Jerk off on the toilet seat.” Which, is okay, I guess- just remember dudes if you do this in a public setting, please remember to leave the toilet seat down for the ladies. This snotty, skate punk ditty is soon followed by a more hardcore/thrash like tune with ominous chords swirling in like rabid bats, though it’s called, “Return Of The Rat.” Perhaps summoning up the club, The Rat, which was Boston’s CBGB’s, but that’s probably not the intention. Still these are two killer tunes all for the price of one.
“Got no remorse and got no class. Telling everybody they can kiss my ass.” So goes “Pickleback Gorilla,” referring to the drink only served at swanky places which is a shot of whiskey with a pickle juice chaser. This song careens along with a skate punk drive and driving, garage rock chords suggesting a wild ride around treacherous curves. Another fun, frantic, frolicking tantrum of a tune.
“Go To Shows,” just goes to show, that if you go to a Time Out Timmy show you will hear adrenaline fueled rants like this tune. This sounds like Iggy Pop amped up on meth and animal tranquilizers while falling into a cement truck blender. Doesn’t sound like a good thing for Mister Pop but it sure does sound like a great, exciting thing for your ears. And it is.
“I wanna cut you with razor blades, wanna kill your parents, too. I want to take you down the street and strangle you.” So starts the MTV hit video from their song called “Serial Killah.” While others have noted a strong similarity with this song and the catalog of James Taylor, I just see this song as about a friendly guy who has an odd way of expressing his desire to connect with others. This is taken at a more moderate Ramones like pace with a catchy chorus and Amelio chanting in “Dead, dead, dead.” “You know I used to love and now I like to kill, I’d like to tie you up in my basement for a thrill.” Thank God that there are still wholesome, Christian bands such as Time Out Timmy, portraying the righteous, religious way that conservative Americans are so greatly, reflecting nowadays.
With an energetic, lurching, upbeat beat “Heart Attack/Down,” bursts out with a blistering, rhythm guitar and shouting lyrics. “No heart Attack, I ain’t coming back.” This track is a rockin’, punkin’ song fully alive that then morphs into “Down.” That song is an effective, hardcore rush that sounds like an early hardcore tune, much like the FU’s might’ve played, just a bit faster here. The song then reverts to the first part but still rings strong and true throughout. My favorite cut on the album.
Time Out Timmy would be at the top of the music charts if only Elvis Presley hadn’t died in 1977 but instead, sparked the punk movement becoming the original lead vocalist for The Sex Pistols.
Time Out Timmy would be the band now most played on radio waves, if radio was still a thing, if people listening to real music was still a thing and if real music was a real thing in society now.
But when has real music, real art ever been “a thing” in real life? Maybe some historian can point it out to me- tell me it was between 1640 and 1645?
All I know is I can point you towards Time Out Timmy for a real thing, real music and a real, good time and yes, what I consider real art.
But hell, if I know, what they’re doing?
All I know is that it’s wild and wonderful, full of passion and fun and punk. And that it inflames my heart while setting my nose hairs on fire, simultaneously.
Which brings me back to why did God make Time Out Timmy? I’d ask him now but he’s down at the pool hall now, and gets obnoxious after he’s had a few drinks.
God’s plans for us all can be mysterious at times.
(Slimedog)
