Yooth Decay – “2016 Tape”
Which is why I like this band so much.
I will always have a place in my heart and a place in my ears for new bands that connect with me like the original New York, Boston, London bands of the late seventies connected with me, first.
Those bands showed me a style that didn’t rely on impeccable musicianship but had something important and potent to say- sometimes it was a bit nihilistic, sometimes it was said in a rather rude way but it always came from an honest, no bullshit place.
And experiencing life as a young one and then a teen and seeing nothing much more than bullshit from society, church and politics- it was greatly valued by me and is still, to this day.
And, sadly, though I’m much older than most who read this, I’m afraid it hasn’t much changed, and you’re experiencing more of the same.
But, I guess if life and society weren’t so fucked up in oh, so many ways- then maybe we wouldn’t have had those great, early punk bands I grew up with or the great, punk bands like we have today, like Yooth Decay.
With a style that reminds me a lot of the Providence band, Lucky United, who play female fronted punk with an influence of early melodic punk and rev it up to modern days, this band can hold their own against the best of them. Their style is raw and real and true, full of emotion and grit and how many of the classic bands could I describe in exactly those same terms?
So let’s turn on the turntable, put the record on, and let it spin:
“I’m having a really, a really good time,” so states, “Good Time Gal,” with it’s melodic, punk vocals and crashing, energetic beat. And listening to this song, coincidently, so am I. This is punk that pops but also snaps with passion like how the snare drum rhythm hits and crackles with the music’s bountiful supply of grit, guts and emotion. “Well, I hate to break it to you, but I’m not having a good time.” So it appears to me this song is now directed to a soon to be kicked to the curb lover or perhaps a paper boy who doesn’t deliver the news on time. Either way, all I know is that this song delivers like a full front page feature of true, raw feeling vocals, kick ass guitars and a punkin’, rockin’ rhythm section encapsulating a song that makes me smile.
“Stranded,” not the Roxy Music tune, starts with a barrage of distorted guitars and rumbling drums before it grooves into what is known, in technical music terms, as “The Bo Didley Beat.” The words are hard to make out but the emotion is easily felt along with the nice, rockabilly, Steve Jones like chordal guitar. Sure, there’s a fancy musical part- La, de, dah! But this song rocks, bravely along, with enough charm and realness to make me feel I’ve found a destination- I’d be happy to call home.
“No Taxi” comes bursting out with the fastest, punk tempo on the recording. With the furious, fuzzing guitars, charging rhythms and emphatic vocals this song gushes forth like an opened fire hydrant on a hot summer day or an early British punk tune. When you make me think of The Damned and X-Ray Spec, simultaneously, than I assure you- you’re doing something right. If this song doesn’t wanna make you wanna pogo than hopping in an uber to another dull, dinner date than I can assure you- you’re doing something wrong. While, I can also assure you, there is nothing wrong with this perfect, punk song.
“What You’re Looking For,” starts out with four chords leading us into another rockin’, energetic song with expressive vocals. And I won’t argue with the notion, that this is what I’m looking for. “You’re leaving again, like you’re leaving for the first time…never found what you’re looking for ’cause it doesn’t exist.” This song sounds like it could be a bitter tirade against a former lover but it also, sounds like a great, emotional, melodic punk song- meaning to me, it’s real and raw and rocks and is true!
Which is why I like this band so much.
Which is why I like punk so much.
Which is why I like music and all the arts so much.
Because it’s all so much better and real than all the religion, politics, life and society have to offer you.
But if you find something better than what I’ve found to be the best, in my life, be sure to let me know.
And I think I’ve found a pretty, great band here, also.
And remember, if you find anything better than what I’ve found in life to believe in…
Drop a line, send an e-mail, send me a fax!
But I don’t expect to be receiving anything.
(Because it doesn’t exist.)
(Slimedog)
