Flamin' Werepigs - Hellway to High LP (Kato Records)

I found this Kato records vinyl release of Palmerston North's garage rock band, The Flamin' Werepigs at Slowboat records in their rare and interesting bin. It turns out it's not really all that rare as Kato records, Smokecds and a few other places have mail order copies.

The band is fronted by veteran Palmerton punk band frontman, Boris (ex-Ethiopian Lard Farmers, Blunt etc) and helping out on Drums is Sowboy Badger(who fronted the Ashvins )who supported ALL when they played at the stomach.
The two other members go by the alisases of Rev. M.Pune(guitar) and Puck Weiner(drums). One reviewer at Savage Magazine states that The Flamin' Werepigs sound a lot like The Datsuns annother says it sounds like The Scientists mixing hard rock. As these guys were knocking around in the late 90s, I'd guess The Datsuns comparison is used because they're the New Zealand garage band most people know. The Scientists comparison is more accurate. This is far more lo-fi and there are a few AC/DC hard rock blues swagger riffs here and there however on my first listen John Spencer Blues Explosion came to mind although The Flamin' Werepigs budget was obviously far lower. I wish the vocals had been stronger but ultimately who cares when the overall lo-fi sound is actually very good.

As this has Kato Music 002 I guess it was the Andrew Tolley (ex-Hasselhoff Experiment)'s label second release. Good on him for getting it out.

The Crucified - Pillars of Humanity

A couple of days ago the new Metallica album was rumoured to have leaked. Many people including myself downloaded the album only to find out it was a Christian metal band called Eternal Decision. It's possible the whole thing was Metallica's continuing quest for revenge on those who share music as if releasing St.Anger and poorly ripping off the Misfits(in the form of the song, Vulturous) isn't enough revenge on both file sharers and the general public.

Anyhow the whole debacle reminded me of a Christian crossover band named The Crucified who released an album called The Pillars of Humanity back in 1991 if the lyrics weren't taken notice of could pass for Short Sharp Shock or Municipal Waste or even D.R.I.

The band claim that they were influenced by a Bay Area band called Corrupted Morals and a straight edge band called Head First. On Pillars of Humanity Slayer influences can definitely be heard in places.

The lyrics are often the repent or die type nonsense and have the usual self-righteousness of fundamentalists. However the best song Mindbender seemed like an attack on mindless drones who do nothing but sit around and watch TV all day which is easier to relate to.

The song Fellowship of Thieves which appears on The Pillars of Humanity album can be heard on The Crucified myspace page


The Crucified's Pillars of Humanity album can be downloaded here.

Nazgul

Nazgul were a Wellington 80s punk band who featured members, Craig and Dave from Compos Mentis. Nazgul formed after Compos Mentis split and were around in 87/88. Nazgul released a 12 inch on Out of Order records which is as rare as hen's teeth. Out of Order also released a compilation which features a Nazgul song. The entire 7 inch can be heard here. After the split of the band, Michelle the singer became involved the biker scene. I also remember reading in Wellington punk fanzine Anti-System that the drummer traded in his drums to buy a Harley-Davidson.


Nazgul Bebo page(yes, that's right) is the place to hear most if not all of their songs . To my ears they sound like The Avengers and the excellent Texan band Signal Lost but that could just be due to the strong female vocals. I really wish I'd caught Nazgul live.

BB Bomb

Live photo taken by me at Nuno's Live House in Taichung.

I've had a few posts about Japanese bands but haven't mentioned any Taiwanese bands despite spending half a decade in Taiwan. BB Bomb are an all girl punk trio from Taichung, Taiwan where they play regularly. BB Bomb play fast, tight catchy punk which is heavier than most punk from Taiwan. I caught them live a few times while I lived in Taichung. They seemed to play nearly every weekend.

BB Bomb formed in 2003 and have had a number of neverlasting drummers. However Nico, the latest drummer has been a stable member for a couple of year now.They have had a male drummer and an extra guitar player but went back to being a female three piece. The band gave Japanese punk girl band Akiakane a demo which led to a Japanese record deal. BB Bomb claim Bikini Kill, Japanese punk girl, Thug Murder and Taiwanese punk girl band, Ladybug as their biggest influences. Thug Murder are name-checked in one of BB Bomb's songs.




BB Bomb can be seen performing 'Say Goodbye' in this youtube clip.

BB Bomb have a myspace page which features their newer songs.

Their 14 minute 3 CDEP can be downloaded here.

40 Engine

40 Engine are a recording project featuring ALL's Scott Reynolds and Stephen Egerton (from both ALL and The Descendents) and they came to life this past weekend. Here's their song Sunny Disposition. Bass is played by Brian Gorder and the Drums by Brian's brother, Andy. Here's the live youtubage from Fort Collins filmed by Matt from Daghouse.


And She's Got Everything which was a song Stephen Egerton wrote as a Christmas present for his wife.

Lyrics

She's Got Everything.

V1:
It's almost Christmas day, and I can't find a thing
I lay awake at night and I tossed and turned
stared at the computer till my eyes burned
but nothing I can find is making any sense

I hope that she won't be upset

CH1:
But what am I supposed to get for the girl who's got
everything
a laugh that makes you smile
a touch that puts my heart to rest
something in her eyes
and I already bought the diamond ring
she's got everything

V2:
She's not the kind of girl who wants the finer things
doesn't want a closet full of fancy clothes
doesn't need a pile of ribbons and bows
but I want her to know how much she means to me

I don't want to make her upset
cuz I wouldn't ever forget

CH2:
But what am I supposed to get for the girl who's got
everything
the moon, the stars and sky
a touch that puts my heart to rest
something in her eyes
and I've got everything she'll ever need
she's got everything

V3:
Now it's Christmas Eve and I'm still at a loss
it looks a little empty underneath the tree
and I know this reflects pretty badly on me
I really hope she knows I'd give her anything

I hope that she won't be upset
cuz I wouldn't ever forget
and I don't want to regret

CH3:
But what am I supposed to get for the girl who's got
everything
a laugh that makes me smile
warmth that helps me sleep at night
something in her eyes
that shakes me like no thing I've ever seen
she's got everything

ALL reunion show

ALL played a reunion show on 27 January 2008 with Scott Reynolds (who left ALL after the excellent 1992 Percolator album) on vocals. Here's a youtube clip of ALL at the Aggie filmed by Jeff Reese.

TonyALL - New Girl, Old Story

This album is a Descendents or ALL oddity. It features four members of both bands. In some ways that's not a hard feat considering some consider ALL to be The Descendents with a different singer.

TonyALL was an album made for Tony Lombardo (the bass player on The Descendents albums, I Don't Want To Grow Up and Milo Goes To College)
Tony Lombardo wrote all 12 songs on this album. He sings on five songs and his vocals are something of an acquired taste for the average rock fan. However Scott Reynolds(ALL singer at the time) sings on a five tracks and his voice is far easier on the ear. Bass player Karl Alvarez was Tony's replacement in ALL and The Descendents. Karl appears on the track Guitar Case which is possibly the strongest song on this album. Karl's vocals are melodic here and unlike his recent vocals on his Underminer project where years of smoking show their effect.

The song U R Super has a very fifties feel which is emphasized when Tony sings Scoobie Doo. The lyrics are the same style as ALL which are mostly cute songs about getting girls and losing girls. Download TonyALL's New Girl, Old Story here.

If you download this album please comment whether you think it's good or bad.