RECIPE
FOR DISASTER - SICK56 (JSNTGM) In the world of SICK56, it's still 1977, England's on the brink of anarchy, and the dole queues are overflowing into streets filled with rubbish, but they continue to fight the good fight anyway. A quarter-
century
ago, band like this were a dime a dozen, but it ain't 1977 anymore and I'm all
out of pocket change. Nonetheless, after a few listens, SICK56's tradition-steeped,
amplified ruckus latches on like a fungus and their cholesterol-laden riffs
gain a certain heroic appeal for persistence, if nothing else.SICK56's record company, JSNTGM, is an acronym for "Just Say No To Government Music," and it's primarily the British government these street urchins, comprised of ex-members of One Way System and Pink Torpedos, hunker down and rail against on 12 songs filled with dirt and hurt. UKNige barks like a smog-belching pit bull and mates Craig Halliday (lead guitar), Mark Booth (drums), and Tom Roberts (bass) adhere to a keep-it-simple-stupid philosophy, bringing the noise to an unkempt boil behind him.
"What's Wrong With The Truth" actually features a scuzzy attempt at a reggae riff and a few semi-fluid lead breaks, Nige pissing and moaning about taxes over the whole mess. Robust yet ragtag brainshakers like "For The Nation," "No Accident," and "It's Your Call" all contain a healthy dose of 100-proof limey rage, drink-sodden spirit, and the ghosts of UK Subs, The Exploited, and a hundred faceless Oi bands.
It's with no small degree of surprise then that SICK56 end this scrappy grimefest with "Fall From Grace," filled with honest-to-goodness pop hooks. Just so there's no confusion though, do what the back cover says and "File Under - English Punk Rock." - Clark Paul
