SEVEN INCHES OF WAX 2009 alphabetical

Brain Killer - self-titled 7" (Deranged)
Wow! This one threw us for a loop. We were expecting pretty generic angry hardcore of the studs and spikes variety but what we got was an explosive mix of Discharge and Extreme Noise Terror played with a furious tempo reminiscent of the glory days of Japcore. It's noisy and loud but very well performed. Not much info is known to us except that they're from Cambridge MA and have released one demo prior to this record. Deranged has certainly become a very versatile punk label and we here at AKG appreciate it. (RA)


Fear of Lipstick/The Creeps - split 7" (Fucking Scam/Scared To Death)
Here we have two Canadian bands (from Ottawa and Moncton) trading off cover versions of each other's material and then each adding a track of their own. Both bands fit in the pop-punk mold nicely with punchy Ramones-inspired guitars and good melodic vocals. Not one dud in the four songs but the obvious standout is the FoL track "In That Town" which details a not too fond memory of growing in Riverview NB. It's nice to see two indie labels working together on this release. (RA)

Marvelous Darlings - The Only One For Miles b/w Follow Me Home 7" (P.Trash)
The A-side is what you expect from this band. Good medium-paced number with great vocal melodies. The flip side has great bubblegum stylings and is perhaps superior. Why aren't these guys famous? Rock n' roll radio should be all over this. (RA)

Marvelous Darlings - Shoot The Piano Player b/w I Want My Brand 7" (Taken By Surprise)
With a vocalist that can sound equally sweet or angry like the Sweet's Brian Connolly at the forefront, this band's compositions epitomize catchiness. adddd jhhjsahfaflf. I Want My Brand is a fast rock n' roll number which is not common for this band but works well. (RA)


Statues - We're Disparate 7" (House Party/P. Trash)
Another excellent release by this Sudbury trio showcasing their trademark angular stop/start hyperactive punk pop. The playing is fast and sharp with crystal clear vocals and is a welcome addition to the record collection. For fans of the Buzzcocks, The Jam, Pointed Sticks and Futureheads. (RA)

The Strawmen - Jack Rabbit 7" (Foul & Fair)
Two noisy guitars, some high pitched yelps and a primitive drumbeat make this release instantly memorable. This trio of local scenesters are channeling the ghost of young Jeffrey Lee Pierce to great effect on the A side which could have easily been a lost Gun Club song circa 1979. The B side offers up two tracks of equal quality with the first being an old Greg Cartwright composition "Sour And Vicious Man" and then the acoustic "Red Barn" with tasty harp playing added to brighten things up. Impressive and recommended. (RA)

Suspect Parts - Change Your Mind b/w Then He Kissed Me 7" (House Party)
This is a pop-punk supergroup of sorts with members from Clorox Girls, the Briefs and the Red Dons. The A-side is a great danceable power pop number featuring nice retro vocal harmonies. The flip is a cover of the Crystals' classic Then He Kissed Me. It's been covered by the Hollywood Brats, Hard-Ons, Rachel Sweet and the Flying Lizards among others but this is by far the best version because they don't speed it up and it sounds like it is played from the heart. Cool release by a cool label. Ugly picture sleeve. (RA)

Tyranna - self-titled 7" (Boppa Do Down)
This band was a minor player in the fertile Toronto punk scene of the late seventies. They were known for their provocative female singer and their appearance on the No Pedestrians compilation. Local drumming legend Cleave Anderson (Battered Wives, Blue Rodeo) also joined their ranks for a stint. Here we have five songs from two sessions dating from 1978 and 1979 and make no mistake - this is authentic punk from the golden era. Something about the songwriting and the delivery automatically distinguishes it from today's crop of fine imitators. I hear a bit of the Avengers and some bubblegum laced with negativity. Top track is "Neighbour". (RA)