Naked Ape - 2 EPs

This flyer would have been a dream show for me back in the 90's. Some people might not be familiar with Triggerman (featuring future Ignite/Killing Flame singer and ex No For An Answer guitarist), but Naked Ape are probably the underdog on this bill.

I've always loved OC hardcore, going back to Uniform Choice and the more straight forward bands. But in the late 80's and early 90's, that area seemed to expand the sound in the best ways, mixing in pop punk, indie rock, DC influences and more. Back then I mail ordered everything I could from labels like Workshed, Nemesis, Ringside, etc. When I finally got to visit the area, I went nuts at Zed's Records and got to see a show representative of the area and time: Ignite, Circle Storm, 1134 and Gameface (although they didn't end up playing).

So in the course of my record buying frenzy, I discovered Network Records. I believe the label was started by an ex Outspoken (and many other OC bands) member and showcased the more varied side of the OC hardcore scene. The label already had a good track record with a Gameface 7" and the Stone Telling album, so I took a chance on a band called Naked Ape.

Naked Ape were definitely the farthest outside the hardcore scope at the time, even for the Orange County stuff I was into. Very "alternative" sounding, but with strong vocals and a little bit of bite. Gameface might have been poppy, but these guys almost sounded like the Gin Blossoms! (The other day I actually tried to revisit the Gin Blossoms to see maybe I didn't give them a fair chance back in the day. Nope, they still stink.) There are some "cooler" influences going on, like post Taang Lemonheads or maybe Buffalo Tom, but I could have seen these guys getting bigger in the alterna boom of the 90's if they would have had the same media saturation as similar bands on big labels. Or if you dig later Gameface or Jeff Caudill's side project, March, this really isn't too far off.

They only left us with a small recorded discography, but according to an old Myspace page, they also had a demo and an unreleased album, both of which I would love to hear. (ahem!)

Until then, enjoy their 2 eps.

Laws Of Gravity CDep (Network Sound, 1994)
   01) Lazy Saturday
   02) Green Light
   03) Loaded
   04) Mine Tastes Like Purple
The Band Without Fear 7" (Lethal, 1995)
   01) Understand
   02) Mr. Man
   03) Somebody's Out There

Naked Ape - 2 EPs (vbr 0)

Check Out: Murmurs

Probably one of the most criminally unknown pop punk bands in recent years is the Seattle band, Snuggle! Their sole album Zero Real Hearts (on 1-2-3-4 Go! Records), blends speedy guitars, rapidfire drums and cool basslines with a singer who more than resembles Jason from Samiam. Probably the best East Bay (sounding) record since the glory days of Lookout.

Unfortunately, I don't think Snuggle! ventures out too far from Seattle and they have little to no web presence, so I'm not even sure if they're still around, although they did just release a song on a 7" compilation recently. And from looking for information on them yesterday, I came across Murmurs.

Murmurs features at least one member of Snuggle! (the singer, who also has an acoustic project called Pipsqueak). Their sound is a little beefier than Snuggle!, reminding me a little of The Fucking Cops. With the same familiar voice that I really enjoy.

They're set to release a limited CD and cassette called Fly With The Unkindness, which can only be streamed from their bandcamp page as of yet. Of course they're playing SF soon when I'm not there anymore. Hopefully I can get the album somehow soon.

Check Out: White Lung

If you haven't heard White Lung yet, their album Sorry is one of my favorites from this year. An awesome mix of garage rock, post punk and hardcore, with melodic female vocals and one of the more interesting guitar styles I can think of in a while. Breakneck jangle with plenty of cool intricate parts.

But if you need an introduction to the band, check out their new European tour 7" on bandcamp. The first song, "Two Of You," is my favorite by them so far. Fast and melodic with crazy, noodley guitars. I have a tiny toy guitar at my parents' house that makes a really similar sound to the guitar part in the song. The second song is no slouch either with discordant guitars and a slightly more aggressive approach, but just as catchy.

And you can't complain about 2 awesome songs for 2 dollars Canadian.

After Cannibal and Grease 2,

This is probably my favorite musical:

Commando: The Musical - Jenny And Me

Flag Of Democracy - 23 (Buy Our Records, 1988)

I'm sure a lot of suburban punks like myself were only familiar with FOD by name from their mention in the Dead Milkmen song "Bitchin' Camaro." That was pretty much my only knowledge of the band for years, until I lucked upon this CD along with the CD of Adrenalin OD's first 2 albums, both on Buy Our Records and both now long out of print. I've actually never seen a copy of either CD before or after that.

I was already a fan of Adrenalin OD's raw thrash sound, and Flag Of Democracy was in a similar vein, but I noticed that they seemed to have more of a sense of melody. Listening to them now, they almost remind me less of a hardcore band and more of a pop punk band playing at hyperspeed. And even though the vocals are completely spastic (the singer was often compared to Jello Biafra), there are still great harmonies and backing vocals. That weird mix of mania and melody reminds me a bit of The Accused, another favorite of mine.

Although their debut, Shatter Your Day, has more of the "hits," 23 is a great followup with songs like "You're Fucked," "Teen Beat" and "All That You Need" displaying their humorously cynical look at things. Plus it was my introduction to the band, so it remains one of my favorites.

FOD is still going these days with 7 albums under their belt. They released an album about a year ago that is as great as ever. They've also just re-released Shatter Your Day with tons of cool bonus stuff. Hopefully a remix of their 3rd album, Down With People, is on the horizon since it's their muddiest sounding recording. Still awesome though.

Flag Of Democracy - 23 (I've replaced the download link with the bandcamp link since the preorder for the remastered reissue of 23 is available here.)

And this is craaaazy...

The Bevs - Call Me Maybe

If you didn't hate this song before, well, then you're like me. It's actually pretty catchy. But this "cover" is a little disturbing.

Ed - Nailed To The Board (Agipunk, 2007)

Ever since the Italian label FOAD Records reissued the Wehrmacht albums a few years ago, I've been checking in with them on occasion to see what other stuff they have on the horizon. Besides the long overdue reissue of the first Lethal Aggression album, they're also about to release the discography (including a brand new album) of current Italian thrashers, Ed.

Ed's first album, Nailed To The Board, is one of my favorite hardcore albums in recent years. Cruising by in just under 15 minutes, it's a blistering mix of Verbal Abuse, RKL (whose "Think Positive" is covered) and classic Italian hardcore. Bones Brigade would be a more contemporary comparison. Fast as fuck, but still throwing in time changes, wailing solos and a good sense of melody.

Apparently some of these dudes also played in Ban This!, who were also really good, playing more of an Annihilation Time style.

Ed - Nailed To The Board (vbr 0)