Deadcuts / Diablo Furs - Split 7" - Purple Vinyl (/250)

Punk Fox / Speedowax (2018)

The first band on this split 7" is Deadcuts.  A band that I really feel like I should be listening to more of, since they feature two members of the mighty Senseless Things.  But every time I've tried to give them a listen, it just hasn't grabbed me like those old Senseless things records do.  I realize it's tough to compare a band releasing music right now to records that that I really love from twenty five years ago, but if I know there's dudes from Senseless things in the band, I go in with a certain set of expectations, fair or not.

So by that measure, the two Deadcuts songs on this split 7" leave me a little flat once again.  I think it's because they're just not pop enough.  Both songs are more goth inspired, Cure sounding affairs with big swirling guitar sounds and raw, dark vocals.  There's just nothing I can sink my teeth into as far as hooks go so once again, I feel like I'm missing something.

In stark contrast are Diablo Furs on the other side of this 7".  This is a band that is nothing but hooks.  I'd reviewed a 7" of theirs a few years ago, but the two songs on this split are infinitely better than what I've previously heard.  "The Pressure Don't Stop" is bouncy with an older 80s mod-ish influence and is essentially a nonstop singalong chorus.  It's simple, but endlessly catchy.  "Hearts In Motion" is a more well rounded pop number with "whoas" in the right place and it drives relentlessly forward with energy and enthusiasm.

So while I don't really care for the two Deadcuts songs on this split, the Diablo Furs songs are definitely keepers.

Deadcuts - "Single":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z1RxbAPrH8

Deadcuts - "The Less I Want The Less I Need":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtqh9duL368

Diablo Furs - "Pressure Don't Stop":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8cWH-hLcZ4

Diablo Furs - "Hearts In Motion":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAlB9w_Lqjo

Nervous Twitch - That Weird Guy 7" - Yellow Vinyl

Punk Fox (2017)

I hadn't heard anything from Punk Fox in a while, so I'm glad to see they're still at it.  Though I don't always like their records, I can certainly appreciate the desire to keep putting out the records you enjoy.  Even better is that this Punk Fox release is by Nervous Twitch, the one band of theirs that I tend to like the most.

While this is still a fun little 7", I can't say that it's been my favorite Nervous Twitch 7" to listen to.  I feel like they've turned the sneer way up in the mix this time.  The songs are still poppy and the guitars are still jangly, but the vocals are a bit more defiant than on prior records.  It's fine and I'm not even saying it as a complaint, I just tend to favor vocals that lean towards the melodic side a bit more.

Two of the three songs on this 7" will also appear on an upcoming full length that the band has coming out.  I'd be curious to see if the rest of the songs are similar in style to this new batch, or if they also still have some melodies hidden somewhere.

Nervous Twitch - "That Weird Guy":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWafhb3rVjg

Diablofurs - Sweet Janine 7" - Red Vinyl

Punk Fox (2016)

This is another record that was sent to me to review that I let sit around for much longer than I should have.  Apologies for that to Punk Fox.  I wish I could say it was worth the wait and a gushing review is about to be written, but sadly that isn't the case.  On the plus side, I didn't hate it either.

Diablofurs are a band that's mashing together a bunch of rock and roll influences with mixed results.  A side "Sweet Janine" has a really fuzzy, yet somehow slick guitar sound.  In some ways it reminds me a lot of Ash, but only from a tone perspective.  While I do enjoy the main guitar riff and the music in general, the vocals don't really do it for me.  They also employ a fuzzy distortion that doesn't really work for my taste.  That being said, it's not bad at all, I just don't see it being the sort of thing I'd listen to very much.

Of the flip side is "Flowers To Burn."  I don't like this one as much.  The fuzz is still there, but it's not as catchy as "Sweet Janine."  The song moves along at an okay clip, but for me it kind of falls off a cliff at the end where the band just keeps shouting "Flowers to Burn" for a while.  Perhaps if you're into some mid eighties style fuzz-punky throwback, this might be up your alley.  I think I can only throwback to the 90's without adverse side effects.

Diablo Furs - "Sweet Janine":

https://diablofurs.bandcamp.com/track/sweet-janine

Gutter - Rut 7" - White Vinyl

Speedowax / Punk Fox (2016)

I always approach any record I'm sent with some trepidation.  This Gutter 7" was sent over by Punk Fox who, though I have not liked quite a few of the records they have released, have kind of been on an upswing for me.  Plus it was co-released with Speedowax records, a label I have known and trusted for many years.  So maybe my hopes were a bit higher than they should have been or perhaps I just really had no idea what I was about to listen to, but I am absolutely not the target demographic for this record.

Gutter have that really slick sheen that I don't like on punk rock.  These guys sound like they're making a run to be on Equal Vision or one of those other labels that put out the sort of schmaltzy punk rock crooning that has never done anything for me.  It's not particularly dynamic and is really cookie cutter punk.  I could see it appealing to the younger folks that have taken over the Vinyl Collective message board, but it doesn't work for me.

I like my punk rock a little rougher around the edges,  I like things a bit catchier and I need to really feel like the band is excited about what they are doing.  Maybe the guys in Gutter love every one of these songs, but that enthusiasm just doesn't show through the recording.

Gutter- Rut 7":

https://gutterx.bandcamp.com/album/rut

Les Chaussettes - Triple Water 7" - Red Vinyl

Punk Fox (2016)

I had reviewed the first Les Chaussettes 7" when Punk Fox had sent it to me for review.  I said some less than flattering things about it, but then again I less than enjoyed it.  You could say I felt some trepidation about firing up this latest 7" of theirs, but it turns out their new one is significantly better than the last.

On this 7", Les Chaussettes is definitely moving more in the direction of jangly guitar bands like Baby Shakes.  I realize that Baby Shakes are becoming a somewhat common reference point that I use for female fronted guitar bands, but since they are undoubtedly my favorite of those kinds of groups it should be taken as a flattering comparison.

The songs are more upbeat than on the prior Lew Chaussettes single.  I still think the vocals are the weakest part of the band.  While they're a massive step up from the dead inside monotone of their last record, I still never get the feeling that they are really all that excited about singing these songs.  I just wish they had a bit more oomph.  Still, I particularly like the little Pizzicato Five-esque chanting part thrown into "Russian Boy."  As a whole it's such a big improvement from their last 7" that I'm curious to see where they go next. 

Les Chaussettes - Triple Water 7":

https://leschaussettes.bandcamp.com/album/triple-water-russian-boy

Yawners - So Long 7" - Splatter Vinyl

Punk Fox (2016)

Up today is another 7" sent to me to be reviewed by Punk Fox records.  This time they've tapped the city of Salamanca and released three songs by Yawners.  As long time readers of this website know, Punk Fox has not been a label that I have enjoyed consistently, however they have a winner on their hands this time with Yawners.

Female fronted, high energy pop songs are what you're going to find on this 7".  This is a band that picks out their three chords, lets the drummer loose and cranks out catchy songs with nice loud, crunchy guitars.  They remind me a bit of Baby Shakes, but with less harmonies and a meaner sounding guitar tone.

Although Yawners are not reinventing the wheel, these are three pretty fun songs.  Worth checking out if you wish Cub used a bit more distortion on their songs.

Yawners - So Long 7" (This is actually a stream to a full album of theirs, but the first three songs are the three songs on this 7"):

https://yawners.bandcamp.com/album/dizzy

Nervous Twitch - I'm Sorry That I Made You Cry 7" - Tri Color Vinyl

Punk Fox (2016)

Punk Fox graces the pages of this website once again with the second Nervous Twitch 7" they've released.  You may or may not remember that the first Nervous Twitch 7" was the one that finally broke the streak of me not really liking any of the records Punk Fox had sent me.  For the most part, this new 7" keeps that on track.

The obvious highlight of the record is lead track, "I'm Sorry That I Made You Cry."  It's got an upbeat tempo and those jangly guitars that I love so much.  Very reminiscent of Baby Shakes to my ears; it's just a fun slab of rock and roll.  On the B-side is the mid tempo, surfy instrumental "East Coast Rumble."  As far as surfy instrumentals go, it's no better or worse than any other I've ever heard.  If nothing else, it sort of acts as a palate cleanser between the other two songs.

Unfortunately, the 7" kind of ends on a downer as "A Little Self Discipline" is the least enjoyable of the three songs and of anything I've heard by Nervous Twitch.  It's intentionally slow and deliberate, but I just get the feeling that I'm being scolded while listening to this.  The vocals are very direct and not particularly melodic.  Honestly, it kind of sounds like a different band than the one on the prior two songs.  I like the band of those first two songs much better.  Still, "I'm Sorry That I Made You Cry" is a strong enough song that this is still a 7" worth looking into.

Nervous Twitch - "I'm Sorry That I Made You Cry":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePGAd1r6uig

High Hi - Calm Down Sir 7" - White w/ Splatter Vinyl

Punk Fox (2015)

I have a somewhat complicated relationship with the Punk Fox record label.  On one hand they were one of the earliest supporters of my dumb little website, sending me review copies of records before almost anyone else.  They're also incredibly loyal, having sent me every single record they've ever released.  Additionally, I've got to give it up for a small UK label trying to make their way in the world releasing vinyl with little to no web presence.  With Snuffy Smiles and Rugger Bugger being at the very top of the list of record labels I respect, seeing someone else take a similar path is exciting.

The complicated part of the relationship comes in because I haven't really liked most of the records they've put out.  Not all of them, there's been a few that were pretty good, but the bulk just haven't been up my alley.  This brings us to High Hi, a band that I feel just as conflicted about.  

On one hand, it's really not bad at all.  A-side "Calm Down Sir" is instrumental for the first 3 minutes or so, with crunchy guitars and a leisurely tempo.  The energy gradually builds throughout the song and when the vocals kick in, it's pretty triumphant.  On the B-side is "Tommy" which is a more traditional and straightforward song.  The guitars are a bit more swirly and the vocals a bit more structured and pointed.  

That's the one hand.  The other hand is that even though these songs are alright, I don't really like them all that much either.  Again, they aren't inherently bad or anything, but this sort of thing just doesn't really do anything for me.  I like my rock a bit punchier I guess and every time I listen to this record I tend to start zoning out. I'm sure there are folks that would like this, though I'm not positive they'd turn to my website for recommendations...

High Hi - Calm Down Sir 7":

https://highhi.bandcamp.com/album/calm-down-sir-tommy