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The Players:
Jimmy Reject – Drums
Marcus Arvan – Bass
Chaz Matthews – Vocals, Guitar
Nick Fitt – Guitar
Complaints Dept. - The lyric references to Rolling Stones
and New York Dolls have given irresponsible critics
a cheap, easy comparison to punch in. With that logic, they
sound just like James Dean. In spirit and energy, the Dolls
thing is a forgivable stretch. Sonically, they are more akin
to the Dead Boys. In no way do they sound, walk, shoot,
or smell like the Stones.
There’s one of each kind of guy in this band. One rockabilly,
one new wave mod, one glamboy, and one biker punk. It’s like
the American version of Young Ones without the hippy.
Maybe he’s in the current line-up, I guess there was a shake-up.
Long Ride To Nowhere is unashamedly messy, off-key,
out of time garage rock lacking in production. Yup, this is
rock n’ roll that’ll slap the horn-rims off your Weezer
loving, trend following face, you name-branded sheep. Ooops,
was that out loud? While they lack the locker room humor of
Loose Lips, and the cartoon goofiness of The Demonics,
they make up for it in maturity and not being goofiness…wait,
those are good things to be lacking in.
The hammer goes down from the start of "Have You Ever
Been So Low" with bluesy Sun Records style guitar,
presumably provided by the now-absent Nick Fitt. Chunky rhythms
and papery drums underneath the snotty singing. "Good
Times" drives with revved up energy that buzzes the speakers.
Straight-ahead delivery with a story that puts you in the
backseat for the enjoyable ride. Matthews has a feel for where
the playing is headed, and shovels a shitload of words in
before it gets there. His phrasing overlaps neatly over the
guitar-work. The smoother highway of "Crash And Burn"
lends the credo, "We could follow our heroes to the
places they died. Go underground until we’re back in style."
The lines are spit out with sleaze.
The fast-paced "Death Is A Star" bitterly celebrates
the connection of fame and dirt with the sweetest step down
vocals in years. The nice exploration of glamour includes
all the grit and irony. Fuzzed out guitar tones injecting
venom into the mix. "Wreck With Me" is the trashy
slow-down presented with such earnest that Chaz’s voice cracks.
It’s a real nice touch, and being Rock ‘n’ Roll, they leave
it in where it belongs. The bass hums in muddled tones that
blend into one sorrowful pass.
Had a mistaken lyric moment on the high-octane "That
Girl’s In Love With Death." I thought she was in love
with dad. And yes, I like my version better. The singers rush
over the music in trying to beat them to the end of this drag
race. The Haloes succeed in the biker movie music The Demonics
were attempting without trying to do such. The Peter Pan
ethic of "Stay Young" is a question of priorities
in an eternal theme. Re-iterating the "You either
crash and burn or you learn how to fly" philosophy
stated previously. It slows down like the concert finale to
send you out with a positive message. Hug your friends and
sing along on the way to the car. Instant classic "Kids
Want Some Action" has Chaz spitting out smart ass words
as fast as his little lips can carry him, "Forget
your promises of satisfaction. The kids don’t care about your
market saturation." Reminds me of The Vibrators.
I especially appreciate the nod to Youth Brigade’s
old man bars. The stories are identifiable and suitable for
everyday use in your home or job situation. Musically it’s
energetic and applicable to the blue-collar everyman. Up yours,
corporate rock!
On the blue-collar everyman scale: one being the sailor and
ten being construction worker, Long Ride To Nowhere rates
a nine: Indian chief!
— Ewan Wadharmi
Track Listing:
- Have You Ever Been So Low?
- Good Times Gone?
- Crash And Burn
- Death Is A Star
- Wreck With Me
- That Girl’s In Love With Death
- Stay Young
- Kids Want Some Action
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