Posted on August 2, 2010 - by Editor

EP Reviews: Trenchtown/ Nox/ The Grozerians

Trenchtown
Trenchtown

Trenchtown are a Californian (Hermosa Beach) based band who have a reggae-rocking surfer punk rock sound, very East coast and with a healthy dose of radio friendly feel good music. With bands like Sublime, Pepper, Unwritten Law and even Authority Zero leaving their trace influences on the band, combined with producer Billy Graziadei’s (Biohazard, Sick Of It All) touches, this self titled EP is a great little intro to the band for new fans. With leading track ‘Ay Oh’ certainly initiating the party vibe, the six songs move through a range of pace and tones; ‘Murderer’ shifting between slow groovy chorus and faster paces verses, hook filled and ironically upbeat ‘Unpaid Holiday’ and poppier but catchy ‘Let It Go’ all add some diversity to the bands output. Moving forward it will be interesting to see what the guys can produce but there are some healthy indicators based on this EP already.

Mad In Italy
Nox
Nox Records

Six songs of Italian Psycho, surf rock and roll mayhem, although lyrically it’s below my radar as my knowledge of Italian is nonexistent. Benito Petra, Furio M Nestor, Valter doc Fasol have been playing together since 1993 and this is an enjoyable EP despite me not understanding a single word, as the music itself is a mix of crazy, fun and dark broodingness that brings together a classic touch of psycho. ‘Dark Boulevard’ is particular catchy and enjoyable song, with the distinct upright double bass plucked away, the crazed vocals and whistle ending finale. ‘Titty Gang’ is a largely instrumental piece with some random grunts, and high pitched squeals along the way but a finger clicking and bop along song nonetheless. ‘Dentro Il Covo’ is a lengthy and again upbeat slab of psycho whilst the final two songs are b-side alternative versions of ‘Titty Gang’ and Dentro Il Covo’.  If you need a ray of psycho mad sunshine, give Nox a go.

Squatter
The Gozerians

This three piece punk band from St. Louis, Missouri have only been together for about 18th months and this is their first EP. The pace and vocals on the opening title track hint heavily at a NOFX influence although the band have describes the EP efforts as a “new rockabilly and suburban inspired sound, a new style, and a new attitude”. I’m not sure what the rockabilly or suburban references allude to but the second track ‘Local Show Routine’ is a bit more fun pop punk (think Mike TV for UK readers but less harmonies) before the opening chords of ‘Victim of Absurdity’ again hint at NOFX’s guitars and Fat Mikes whining and vibrating vocal delivery. Other bands that spring to mind are Frenzal Rhomb so its places The Grozerians in that fun pop punk mould but not the cheesy teenage-emo pop melodies routine,  the rocking ‘Hey Psycho’ and ‘Pornable Education’ both fast paced and fun tracks ending off the EP.  It’s a mixed bag really, no huge wow factor in the originality department, but if you are up for some adolescent humoured and blazing pop punk it might just be your new favourite band.