Roctober Reviews

Screaming Females "Castle Talk"

(Don Giovanni) Marissa Paternoster is a real rock star. Anyone who has seen these Exit 9 refugees on any of their high profile opening gigs over the last year can attest that she is electric, slinging guitar tough, wailing solos, singing like a badass, and commanding the stage. Jarrett and Michael are no slouches either, and this band that looks like some cutesy indie kids rattles cages when they are revealed to be a true Power Trio. This beautifully designed and amazingly recorded CD comes as close to living up to the live shows as can be expected. It's a scream!

The Undertones digital reissue series

(Union Square Music) Though rarely discussed when people mention the biggest UK punk bands, in '78 and '79 the Undertones were making some of the catchiest punk tunes in England (via Ireland). After releasing the great "Teenage Kicks" they were signed to Sire and their self-titled debut may be the closest thing to a pop punk prototype this side of the Ramones debut, and like that record, it's hard to imagine it could be better or to compare it to anything except itself. I never actually had any of their other three albums, "Hypnotised" ('80) "Positive Touch" ('81) and "Sin of Pride" ('83) so it was good to pick and choose through the tracks...each record has a few gemd ("Whizz Kids," "His Good Looking Girlfriend," "My Perfect Cousin"), but if you don't get to download them free like us reviewer bigshots they also are packaging a best of compilation.

The Adicts "Life Goes On"

(Peoplelikeyourecords) Chanty pub punk is one of the purest forms of awesome. It just has to sound good, it's almost impossible to mess up. And if you do it for a few decades you get pretty damn good...and the Adicts have it down. These Droogs know what they are doing, and if there's anything worth noting it is that the September of their punk years may have mellowed them a little. However, this doesn't sound half-hearted or weak, it just sounds like a late, late night when the pub is getting sleepy. Also, I suspect they recorded "Reaky Deaky Boys and Girls" for their grandkids...it's better than anything on "Yo Gabba Gabba!"

The Static Age "io"

(Flix) In addition to being the least aggressive band ever named after a Misfits record, these guys are the least staicky band I've heard in a while, Dark lush melodies haunt, caress, and seduce...but they don't ravage. But Danzig would.

Copy of a Copy "This Is It"

(Flix) This is not it.

Channel 3 "To Whom It May Concern"

(TKO) Not the 70s black vocal trio of the same name but the 80s California punk band that was one of the pioneers of melodic hardcore. And not a reissue or a new recording, but an amazing lost demo. And not a bullshit demo, but a slightly rawer version of the songs they later recorded that I kind of like better. Kids, turn on this Channel!

Mad Sin "Burn and Rise"

(www.peoplelikeyourrecords.com) Amazing psychobilly pushed so far beyond the speed limit it becomes something else...sure as hell not Nascar-billy, but some kind of evil street racing equivalent.