GORILLA
GARAGE - Jesse Hector (RPM)
With so many “riff rock” bands incapable of writing a decent riff
these days, this Jesse Hector compilation makes me appreciate the art of the
riff all the more. In more than four decades of music, including the past
30 or so playing the type of bar-band hard rock 
that
comprises most of this CD, Hector has never forgotten that to win over the
crowd, you need that one simple, repeated phrase that’ll stick with
them as much as the taste of stale ale in their mouths the morning after.
Hector and the various bands he’s fronted are chock full of riffs. Bolstered
by his soccer hooligan mentality and penchant for simple lyrics about sex,
drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, this CD burns with originals like “Carolina”
and “In My Soul” by Jesse Hector and the Gatecrashers, “Outa
My Brain” and the punk-rhythmic “I’m a Liar” by the
Gorillas, “I Need You” by the Hammersmith Gorillas, and “Factory
Grime” by Crushed Butler.
The covers of “Summertime Blues,” “Foxy Lady” and
“You Really Got Me” are also impressive, as solid rearrangements
make commonality sound hip. It’s also interesting to note that in spite
of the date disparity for material recorded from the early ’70s up to
the early ’90s, the sound is very consistent, featuring Hector’s
Cockney wail and gutty guitar, plus drummers who rely more on ride cymbal
beats than the usual high-hat methodology.
Judging by the booklet photos, Hector and his bands also stood out with their
fashion sense, a sort of antagonistic mod-meets-punk look that parallels the
music. The catchy Gorilla Garage title lumps that music in with the latest
trend, but in reality, Hector and company are really just rock ’n’
roll in the end, and pretty damn good rock ’n’ roll at that. -
Doug Sheppard
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