Vicious Mistress Records – “Punk In The Streets Vol. 5”
Vicious Mistress is the only record company that releases compilations that we review. Sure, there’s a compilation or two in our archives from other sources, but there’s probably, at least, a half dozen reviews of their work.
And yeah, there’s tons of bands on these releases not form the area we cover. A big no-no that I would expect a sound spanking from my Mistress if she wasn’t 1500 miles away! I actually do have a female Master but I’m not really into pain. Besides that- I’m really well behaved!
I used to do that as a joke, where people think you’re joking but you’re really telling the truth.
But I’m not doing that anymore. I’m telling the truth.
And it’s true that Vicious Mistress is a great record company that is Connecticut based, so that’s why we review them, and they seems to shy away from the more commercial melodic/punk but fully embrace hardcore, Oi- the more abrasive punk.
And I love how they have embraced their home girls, Damn Broads, one of the best bands I’ve ever reviewed. (That is until they pulled up shop!) But Vicious Mistress’s last great release was that bands split with The Ratz, one of the best releases I heard all year.
Let’s take a few lashes:
“Too Fucked To Fail,” (a pretty, nifty title) by Animals & Children comes off as hardcore/anarchy/Oi which is one of my favorite styles to be. Oi in attitude but too disruptive to fit into that sometimes constraining groove. Female and male vocals combined on the chorus soon followed by a tremendous Johnny Thunders like solo. They remind me of the great, but late band, Rictus Grin. This song succeeds with me on every level.
“Smile For The Camera” by Damn Broads struts out with a classic rock intro like from AC/DC or Kiss. But soon the song explodes into a rushing geyser of overflowing emotion riding on a wave of eruptive rage. This is music designed to pulverize you and all you hold dear. And you can take your little cell phone pictures and videos as real life goes by, while the real smash of emotion, aggression and truth is splattered onto your state-of-the-art musical playing device. Trading off lead vocals- a breakdown where the beat is reigned in, all leads to a disruptive collision of pure power, passion and guts. I might not smile for the camera but I will gleam with glee when I hear a song as great as this one.
Playing a bit of a lame, joke-y hit song from the seventies, covered here quite well, doesn’t get my hopes up. But once The Restarts explode with “Uganda Calling,” this song becomes over the top, intense hardcore/punk that only offers some relief with some echo-y dub reggae that is plunked down in the midst of all the chaotic ecstasy. A dissonant interlude with some sound bites and radio waves call to mind, the great avant-punk band, Pere Ubu. I feel this song goes to places where no other song has gone before! My favorite song on this release.
“Empire Compass” is an awesome song played by San Diego’s- Some Kind Of Nightmare. They are a band that tours constantly who I’ve seen before and are so great live, that it is unsurprising that they have one of the best tracks on this recording. Starting with a tension building intro, it moves on with female lead vocals answered by other voices. This great tune reminds me of Damn Broads, that is before it fades away, ending with a threatening breakdown.
“Hey You (Fuck You),” so starts the song included by The Aggravated. And I feel no other adjective would describe them better. This is another Oi meets hardcore, gets married and produces a baby that is as hard driving as hardcore and anthemic and in your face-truthful, as Oi. “This is our music. This is our thing.” And this is a great song equal to stand amongst the classic punk and hardcore songs.
Bottom Bracket’s “Egg Raid On Mojo” starts with a sound bite/comedy bit which usually spells doom (not the metal kind) to me. But once the music comes in with a steady, Sex Pistols like build up. And then roars away with a raspy, hysterical voice over a blistering, hardcore attack. Well, at that point, you might as well throw all caution to the wind. For what descends upon our ears is pure, wild, punk, bliss madness.
I always think of Lou Reed and his song “Vicious” when I see the name of this record company. I think Lou Reed was great, he’s my favorite lyricist of all time and led my favorite band of all time- The Velvet Underground.
Iggy Pop may be the grandfather of punk rock but Lou is its’ cranky uncle.
But besides relating to their name so much on different levels, they really do release great compilations with so many great, new bands.
So I urge you to check them out.
I can only warn you of the dire consequences when you don’t do what your told!
(Slimedog)
