The embodiment of Rock n Roll independent style out in the wild, growing organically via the interweb and the power of Rock n Roll, Amen brothers and sisters, just how the good lord meant it to be.  

Hailing from the good old town of Portland, this eleven-track of down n dirty good time rock n roll is free from the shackles of trends and fads and runs on instinct and what’s in their gut. Inspired by the good and the greats who set the templates for the wise (and not so wise) to follow. Kicks off in a sleazy low lit late night dive bar kinda sound, no bells and whistles or fanfare gimmicks to announce that Celebrity Telethon are in da house, but ‘Skin Flick’ has honking horns and some slack, low-slung guitars to ease you in with a mellow shot of Rock n Roll. Don’t get too comfortable, folks, because this one bobs and weaves its slinky body of work. 

‘Undercover’ is a bright and breezy fuzzed up slice of Rock n Roll with a dash of ‘Some Girls’ Stones for good measure, and some ole blues licks for good measure, at least some were paying attention. It’s roughed up around the edges as the vocals sound like three sheets to the wind, but oh so righteous. ‘Neighborhood Regulars’ is a side step with a filthy backbeat and some Grungy fuzzed up Bass guitar taking the limelight as the song grooves for the next three minutes, punctuated midway with some absolutely dirty low down horn honkin that The Ashtons would have been proud of during some Funtime back in the day, what a great tune.  

As the record wears on with its badges of honor worn on their sleeve it schizophrenically jumps from sleazy punk n roll to garage to dirty blues with infinite ease and that’s the beauty of this free spirit that’ll scare the hell out of and some listeners ‘Salems Lot’ sounds like it was belched from the depths of Satan’s back yard via his lounge band. Cool Tune, no question about it. The story is narrated like prime time Green On Reds Dan Stuart on a tequila bender. 

Hell, this record gets better on each play, and it begs to be turned up as we ease back with some fuzzy countrified rock n roll on ‘Film Noir’ with the out of step yet perfectly timed guitar break. Can I hear a Yee Haw for ‘How’d You Get From Here From so Far’ showing the lighter side of Jack Habegger’s storytelling and thigh slappin’. 

‘Rock N Roll Matinee’ is a straight up horn honkin’ romp through some fine laid-back rock n roll, whereas ‘The Rumours Are True’ is more of that good ole country honkin’. It’s not all a good time as we kick back with a ballad, ‘Latkes & Brisket’ that has visions of Pavement or Cracker. The album is closed out with a romp through Stonewall Jackson’s ‘I Washed My Hands In Muddy Waters’ that sounds loose and late at night with the exquisite, talented playing of Joe Dog lending a hand.  My advice is don’t brush over this review, a true melting pot of styles and sounds that actually works really well, get this in your ears and play it loud and many times, and you can come back and thank me later.

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Author: Dom Daley