 Haven't heard of these guys in a long time, and the ironic thing is you can't help but hear 'em in so many others groups. Six or seven songs in on the twelve and you're getting an earful of the Sex Pistols, Sham 69, Dead Boys . . . Revolting Cocks, NOFX . . . the list goes on, but basically anything your bourbon soaked brain can conjure stemming from an unclassifiable and indefensible exposure to all things punishable by fine or imprisonment - I mean we're onto The Dickies, The Vines, The White Stripes, and here's this Eddie Money lookalike behind the mic fronting a fashionably late coming and loud group of grown up kids, and let's not forget the white coats!?
The Stitches are the punk rock garage sale on record, where Lydon and leisure suits share the same space, and young, loud, and snotty are words to live, die and torture elderly neighbours by. And 12 Imaginary Inches is their first record since '95 and it may as well be '85; there's not a lot of sound revolt going on here, but then when you're submerged in your own subculture for so long, styles don't mean a fuck anyway - you're who and what you are at the end of the day, and more and more people seem to be noticing anyway.
Electroshock Carol, Foreign Currency, and maybe Better Looks . . . okay, had to backtrack a second, and dig that stick it to 'em slapstick style that's eternally young, proud, and sloppy (look again, not the same). All killer and no filler? Yeah close, there's a couple of replays here and there but damned if I'll complain - I mean, it's like Faster Pussycat with Frenzal Rhomb for a rhythm section.
Kings Of Camden and Automatic (the included video track) are two of the catchier standouts that make ya wanna hop on your board and do a little drain piping across your local childhood merchant's counter top and cash register . . . and you want sense? Who cares, take it for what it's worth - 12 Imaginary Inches - I mean, it's got that just picked freshness and ol' school appeal that's made them underground legends that are still fun to listen to . . . and maybe they'll inspire you to start a little trouble with the garden hose . . . :: Vinnie Apicella |
