Labels: Tiny Engines
Review by: Alex Deller
Rare is the press bumf that can enthral and intrigue, but one surefire way of grabbing my attention is comparing any given band to the likes of Swiz and Rites Of Spring. Heck, it was enough to help me overcome any fears that this lot’d be yet more gruff punk grist for the mill given the Leatherface lig of their name, and, here I am now, having listened to the thing several times in a row. While there’s an undeniable whiff of beardy punk about proceedings this four-track 7″ at least leans more towards the taut, chunky post-hardcore of Self Defense Family and all the mid-80s Dischord influences that entails: jagged-edged chords, speedy melodies and hoarse vocals delivered with hectic, hurtly aplomb. ‘Wait’ slows the pace just a dash with its pleasant opening twinkles, but in reality all this does is tack a minute’s worth of languor onto what’s otherwise another two-minute barnburner. Decent stuff for sure, with the only real downside being the digital-only Fugazi cover which comes off rather glib and bloodless when placed alongside the band’s own material.