Fast, loud, tight, melodic punk rock gnawing away at your brain is about where Pack Rat sits. After a debut LP a couple of years ago, Patrick McEachnie (Chain Whip) decided he had more in the tank so he’s back with a stunning sophomore LP ‘Lifes A Trap’.
Where the first LP was Pat taking care of everything, this time it is a full band, resulting in an album of bouncy, power-poppy rippers with great hooks and pop sensibility, inspired by the less abrasive, more melodically driven side of ’70s punk. 13 brand new songs with boundless punch and a whole heap of fun from the opening tick, tick, boom of opener ‘Heart Beat’ right through this old – New Wave its a blast and so infectious. to full in love with. Summer never tasted so good.

It’s old school but still manages to sound fresh as fuck. Like a melting pot of Buzzcocks, 80s new wave and a heap of American big beasts hook after fuckin hook ‘Neighbours’ has that bubblegum girlie call back adding a high school bounce to proceedings over the buzzsaw guitars. ‘Ask A Punk’ begins with the lo-fi bass thump whilst the lyrics are barbed and McEachnie has his tongue stuck in his safety-pinned cheek.

‘Can’t Stop’ and ‘Electrified’ are as punk as fuck and Jello would kill to pen songs this cool in 2024. Once the keys on ‘Rat Trap’ get in your ear that’s it game over this will quickly become your go-to punk rock record for the first half of 2024. ‘Pure Trash’ is Ramones for the rats and a thumping runaway train of a track. The fact that bands are making records this bloody good in 2024 is heartwarming and a joy to listen to. Don’t take my word for it get over to Bandcamp and fill yer boots because ‘Lifes A Trap’ is a show pony of a record and I love it. Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

The driving keyboard is what will get you in the end. Insanely catchy as the songs drive on mowing down everything in its wake. It’s like hypnosis through punk rock. ‘A Casual Death’ is anything but. Christ pre-pandemic (remember that?) there was a band out of Vancouver called The Corner Boys and they released one fantastic album then split. Another great record was Chain Whips well since Covid drummer/songwriter Patrick McEachnie has stayed as active as possible using his time to great effect by picking up a guitar and playing. Basically, he made an excellent record all on his own, and if you were paying any attention to his other releases you will know. Those who do just simply know what to expect, sure, of course, this is fucking right up there flat out excellent.

‘Coming After You’ is rapid and right to the point. Making a racket and finger-wagging and full of menace. The title track is a tub-thumping cross between some bedroom homage to the UK Subs and Tubeway Army it’s the synth that’s humming away throughout as the guitars sound like a twenty-year-old Tascam four-track at best only adds to the intensity and manic feel.

‘Two Sides Of Your Heart’ is akin to Chubby And The Gang in some ways – just thrashing away around a hypnotic melody and a blitzkrieg keyboard solo that is a face melter. The record isn’t hanging around either bopping til it drops with songs around the one and a half to two minutes long. Kick-off turn in an awesome melody – kick the listener in the tits then fuck off. Jobs a good un- Next!

When the tempo is turned down a shade (‘I’m No Sustitute’) it’s a killer with a twisted melody and that fuzzed-up synth. It’s not new at all, it’s not big or clever and it’s nothing to write home about if you’re after a polished modern production. Its infectious, banger after banger – twisted melodies layered upon thrashing guitars and monotonous melodies playing with your head. You know you like it but you haven’t the foggiest why? Is it the ripping pace? The Melodies? the mindless pogotastic beat? is it the Ramones love in of ‘Lost Cause’ and ‘Stay Away From Me’ reminding you what it was like to fall in love with punk rock? Of course, it’s all of it. A top tune is a top tune no matter what style it’s done in.

Hell, that was a blast! Ten songs in twenty-something minutes – perfect punk rock for the masses. Now how do we get to the masses? People need a face full of this DIY bad boy as soon as possible. Quality record – just buy it!

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Author: Dom Daley