Descendents
Cool To Be You
Fat Wreck Chords, 2004

It’s time once again to marvel at the aceness of the pencilled interpretation of Milo Aukerman on a Descendents release. After an excruciating 8 years, the Los Angeles punk legends have released a riff-rammed full length in Cool To Be You.

The song writing is split almost evenly between 3 of the members, bar guitarist Stephen Egerton. The band has never in their 25 years claimed to be about politics, and it would be a tragedy if they were. Instead they stick to their usual areas of expertise: Girls, high school, and things that suck (like stupid people). If you aren’t familiar with The Descendents, don’t be mistaken; this is no group of whiny floppy-haired fucksticks. Songs like “One More Day”, “Maddie” and “Anchor Grill” are as tuneful as ever – but they’re not quite as fast paced as previous Descendents love songs. There’s no stinkers here, but Aukerman’s classic voice is put to best use on the title track, “ ‘Merican” (the song Green Day SHOULD have written) and “Blast Off”. The familiarly titled “Mass Nerder” is arguably a little weak in comparison as the trademark fast and simple song (though it fails to be under 40 seconds). “Dry Spell” is the usual brilliant super-melodic album-ender.

The Descendents have had more line up changes and have broken up more times than you’d think a band could survive. Hopefully, this time, they won’t split up after they have rounded up yet another generation of eager new fans with this amazing record.

5/5

James Lamont.

Morning Pizza, 3BDS Down, Revenge of the Psychotronic Man, Built From Scratch
Sunday 22nd August 2004
The Attic, Manchester

"This ones for everyone who went out on the pull last night and then went home and had a wank."

Tonight a great pop-punk gig took place above The Thirsty Scholar, and for once, I’m not just using pop-punk as an alternative term to the latest onslaught of 47th wave emo.

Built From Scratch recently gave away a free demo CD, and their live show proves just as fun. Name another band with a song about bedding Dot Cotton. They kept saying they were shit though, which is a little off-putting.

The chaps from Revenge of the Psychotronic Man are the ones that put this free gig on, gave away a free demo CD and put together a free fanzine ("That’s Not Skanking"). How nice are they? The 3-pieces songs are all totally irrelevant film titles.

3BDS Down (featured in above zine) have a 4 hour drive ahead of them so seem to think playing faster will aid an escape. I don’t usually start reviews with quotes, but that had to be kept on record (there was one about arse sex too but I thought I’d spare you all).

After a year of playing gigs in the Northwest, Morning Pizza play to their biggest crowd at this gig in their first headlining slot. The band are really getting to sew out their own tight sound with songs about the music scene, and get more than a warm feedback from all the people that came to support local music tonight.

We’re informed there are talks to make this a monthly free night of unsigned bands, which is just what we need.

4/5

James Lamont.