Labels: Panic Button
Review by: Ian Cavell
‘Major Label Debut’ enters the arena kicking and swearing. six tracks of Fat Wreck / Lookout style punk-rock which is absolutely fantastic. For someone expecting a more friendly Screeching Weasel (ie if you’ve heard ‘Cool Kids’ from the recent Fat Wreck sampler or their ‘Bark Like A Dog’ album) its surprising to hear that this 12″ is blazing punk and mightily pissed off. Blink and you’ll miss the first two tracks, yet the band still leave plenty of time to ‘get annoyed’. From taking swipes at the on-line community (which, erm, would be us then) to ‘D.I.Y.’s less than enthusiastic viewpoint on limited talent bands and their self-financed efforts.
‘Compact Disc’ shifts down a gear – and into the more melodic regions of punk-rock. Lyrics are a scathingly brilliant belittling of the music industries fixation with CD’s. In a similar vein ‘Racist Society’ continues the worthy trend of having ‘something-to-say’…
“Did you know your parents were fucked
When they taught you to fear anybody who wasn’t white enough”
Not as trashy as the full-throttle raucous punk of ‘Hey Asshole’ that preempts it – ‘Racist Society’ even manages to introduce some pop-punk backing vocals and a big, bright pop chorus. Final track ‘Nightbreed’ ends things, predictably, at 100mph plus with more incessant drumming coupled with raw vocals and rounds off an outstanding Lookout release.
‘Major Label Debut’ is a perfectly judged mixture of all the best elements from the realms of punk-rock. If you like punk that ranges from no holds barred shout fests to fast paced songs with melody then this 12″ has them all. And has a point to make along on the way.