STRIPPED
DOWN, FUELLED UP - Electric Frankenstein/Jed Whitey/The Puppies/IRONBOSS (Out
of the Loop)
New York's best bad ass punk rock 'n' roll outfit Electric Frankenstein,
join Australia's West Coast (in 
name
only) high energy punk rock merchants Jed Whitey, LA's soon-to-be gift to
Japan The Puppies and Baltimore's hard rockin' bad boys IRONBOSS to rock from
go to whoa on this 15-track CD.
Electric Frankenstein begin the rage with four killer tracks. "Tear it
Down" has the rhythm section propelling the band into somewhat surprisingly
hard rock territory, while maintaining the snotty punk energy and vocal stylings.
"Who's Watching You" lifts the pace somewhat and then"'Sweet
Baby Arrogance" proves the hard rock antics in "Tear it Down"
were anything but a fluke. "Super Coo"' gets back to the catchy,
high energy punk you expect from Electric Frankenstein.
Jed Whitey lose nothing in comparison on their opening salvo "Hands Up
If You Think I'm Cool". "Kill Radio" is high-energy, sharp,
slashing Detroit rock meets New York punk and has to be a highlight (among
several) on the CD."Bad Taste Antidote" maintains the energy and
sonic power, and you can't but be impresed by a cover of Discharge's "State
Violence/State Control", which not surprisingly fits incredibly well
the bands three other contributions to the CD.
The Puppies are fronted by (the much travelled) Heidi May and contribute three
tracks. They come across as a formidable mix of AC-DC and The Runaways, with
impressive hard rock sounds backing up some Kim Fowley-esque vocals from May
and vocal cohort Leslie Gardner. When The Puppies chime in with a tune about
two of the most legendary Asian Kung Fu film stars Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan
"'Jackie and Bruce", this reviewer can't help but admire their spirit.
Last but not least, IRONBOSS and their four songs close the CD. On "Go
Go Go" more guitar histrionics appear than most bands can hope to record
in a career. "Chrome and Gold" is heavy and solid enough to lay
any steroid-amped weightlifter or bodybuilder flat on his back. "The
Jig is Up" is a dose of hard rock Oz legends Buffalo would take pride
in. The finale "Hung like Horses" is stomping hard rock al la AC-DC
and shuts it down as it should be - loudly.
"Stripped Down, Fueled Up" might have been released at a time when
"rock is back", yet none of these bands could probably care as they
proceed to rock like it was everything and yet the same can't be said of some
rock's new breed of 'saviours'. -
Simon Li
1/2