Friday, September 14, 2012

Averman/Stonewall Split




(Pushed Too Far)

Splits are always weird beasts as all too often one band comes out on top. However they're never the mixed bag that compilations to often tend to be.
This split features two different sides of the punk rock coin from the state of Virginia. Averman are a pop-punk band and Stonewall whereas Stonewall drive in from more of a hardcore direction.

The Averman side is four songs of chirpy poppy cheer. The band remind me of Horace Pinker in that utimately they're fairly forgettable and have fast drums that sound way too loud. At times, it sounds like the Averman drummer would be way more comfortable in a thrash metal band which just doesn't blend with the melodic vocals. But hey, I had the same problem with Lifetime and one of the songs is entitled "B-side to a Lifetime Cover Set" which is pretty much the way their sound leans.

Stonewall are by far the stronger the band. The band play heavy energetic hardcore with a very slight metal edge. It'd be unsurprising to find out that these guys are huge Gorilla Biscuits fans. Admittedly Stonewall aren't quite up to that level of appeal and the vocals are more of the shouted variety rather than half sung. The band only serve up three songs. Thankfully both the vocals and instruments come through clearly in the mix.

The ratings are separate because the bands are so different.

Averman 1.5/5

Click to listen.



Stonewall 3/5

Click to listen.



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Sunday, September 9, 2012

Las Pipas de la Paz- El Mero Basilón EP




Whatever images Mexico City conjure up in your mind, I'm willing to bet that garage rock isn't listed amongst the Catholic churches and spicy food. Even trying to name a Mexican rock band is eluding. Sure, there's the grindcore band, Brujeera but those balaclava wearing pussies aren't really Mexican. Four piece band Las Pipas de la Paz will change some of that because they play sixties style psychedelic garage rock.

A slight Doors influence comes across in some of the organ playing and especially in "Psychedelic Trek" which lives up to its title but there's no doubt that these guys know how to rock. "Dance on Fire" has a simplistic but strong drumbeat pumping blood through the song while the organ supplies a healthy psychedelic vein. It's tough to pick a favourite song here or even a weakest as they are all good. It's the cliched complain that this release is too damned short because an album's worth of songs from would Las Pipas de la Paz be great. You can hear the band themselves on either their facebook or soundcloud page which are both linked below. The video to "Psychelic Trip" is a recommended fun watch.

3.5/5




La Pipas de la Paz
facebook page



http://soundcloud.com/las-pipas-de-la-paz







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Beastwars - IV

After over a year off for various reasons, we have returned solely because we wanted to review the new Beastwars album. I really w...