THE WEAKLINGS *_ DEEPFRY BONANZA_* ON THE LONG DRIVE BACK FROM MY PARENT?

S HOUSE TO CHAPEL HILL TODAY I LISTENED TO THE DEAD BOYS? YOUNGER, LOUDER, SNOTTIER (IF YOU?RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH IT, IT?S A COLLECTION OF DEMOS THAT PREDATED THE ORIGINAL YOUNG, LOUD AND SNOTTY LP) AND I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE DEAD BOYS WERE ONE OF THE LAST REAL ROCK AND ROLL BANDS (HELL, THEY MAY HAVE VERY WELL BEEN THE LAST SUCH BAND WE?LL EVER SEE). SURE, THERE HAVE BEEN ZILLIONS OF GREAT BANDS AFTER THE DEAD BOYS; IN FACT, JUST ABOUT ALL THE BANDS ON MY LIST OF ALL-TIME FAVORITES EITHER STARTED OR DID THEIR BEST WORK AFTER THE DEAD BOYS ISSUED THEIR PEAK MATERIAL. HOWEVER, ALMOST ALL OF THESE BANDS ATTRACT ME WITH SOMETHING DIFFERENT: MELODY, SONGWRITING SKILL, ARRANGEMENT, ETC. I CAN?T THINK OF A SINGLE OTHER BAND (SAVE, PERHAPS, THE EARLY REPLACEMENTS) WHO SOUNDED AS DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS AS MY OLD DEAD BOYS VINYL. THE WEAKLINGS ARE CLEARLY GOING FOR A SIMILAR THROWBACK TO THE TIME WHEN YOU DIDN?T KNOW IF YOU WERE GOING TO BE STABBED AT A ROCK AND ROLL SHOW, AND WHILE THEY DON?T QUITE SEND SHIVERS UP MY SPINE LIKE THE DEAD BOYS, THEY HAVE ENOUGH OTHER THINGS GOING FOR THEM THAT ROCK-N-ROLL OWES ME LANDS SOLIDLY IN THE KEEPER PILE. THE WEAKLINGS HAVE GREAT ROLLING STONES (BY WAY OF THE NEW YORK DOLLS) MEETS AC/DC RIFFS AND THEY?RE EXTREMELY GOOD AT WEAVING THESE RIFFS INTO MEMORABLE SONG STRUCTURES. THE VOCALS, WHILE HARDLY ANYTHING SPECTACULAR, ARE CERTAINLY COMPETENT AND THE PRODUCTION PUTS THOSE RIFFS RIGHT UP FRONT WHERE THEY BELONG. IF THERE?S A REASON THAT ROCK-N-ROLL OWES ME WON?T LAND ON MY LIST OF BEST RECORDS OF 2003, IT?S THAT THE WEAKLINGS MAKE GUITAR ROCK ALMOST TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL OF THE OTHER INSTRUMENTS. THE RIFFS ARE GREAT, BUT WHAT THIS RECORD LACKS ANY REALLY GREAT, MEMORABLE CHORUSES. AFTER ALL, WOULD THE DOLLS HAVE BEEN THE BAND THEY WERE IF YOU WEREN?T LEFT HUMMING "JET BOY" OR "TRASH" FOR DAYS AFTER HEARING THE SONG? THAT SAID, IF YOU?RE LOOKING FOR A PUNKED-OUT VERSION OF AC/DC THAT MAKES YOU DO CRAZY ANGUS YOUNG DANCES AROUND YOUR ROOM, THE WEAKLINGS ARE A SOLID PICK. *_SLEAZEGRINDER _* JESUS, WERE TRUER WORDS EVER SPOKEN? ROCK N? ROLL SURELY DOES OWE ME, AND WHILE ROCK N? ROLL IS AT IT, HELL, LAY A LITTLE SUGAR (OR WHATEVER) ON PORTLAND?S OWN WEAKLINGS, LAST SEEN (BY ME) ON JUNK RECORDS' INFAMOUS "GOING AFTER PUSSY" COMP FROM 1999, WHICH ENDED UP KILLING HALF THE BANDS ON IT (NEW WAVE HOOKERS, WHERE ARE YOU?). NOT THE WEAKLINGS, THO. USUALLY, IT?S EASY TO KILL WEAKLINGS, BUT NOT THESE FUCKERS. MUST BE THE BOOZE FORTIFYING ?EM. ANYWAY, THIS HERE IS A VINYL-ONLY RELEASE, WHICH SCARES OFF THE SALES FOR MOST OF THE UNDER-25 CROWD AMONG US, BUT THAT?S OK, MAN. THE WEAKLINGS DON?T NEED TO SELL A MILLION OF THESE THINGS, THEY JUST HAVE TO GET IN THE SWEATY HANDS OF ENOUGH BIG MOUTHS TO GENERATE THE SORTA BUZZ THEY DESERVE. AND DESERVE IT THEY DO, CUZ THEY ARE EASILY THE BEST GARAGE-SLEAZE-PUNK BAND SINCE THE BLACK HALOS, IF NOT THE ALMIGHTY DRAGONS THEMSELVES. WHAT PUTS BANDS LIKE THE WEAKLINGS OVER THE EDGE IS NOT THE COPPED EDDIE COCHRAN RIFFS, THE JOHNNY THUNDERS SOLOS, OR THE NARCOTIC HAND-CLAPS ON THE CHORUSES ? I MEAN, ALL THE STUFF IS BOSS, BUT IT?S ALSO PRETTY EASYWHAT REALLY KNOCKS YOU OUT WITH AN OUTFIT LIKE THE WEAKLINGS IS THE UTTER CONFIDENCE WITH WHICH THEY SWAGGER AROUND. I MEAN, THESE CATS KNOW THEY ROCK, THEY HAVE NOT WHIT OF SELF-DOUBT IN THAT DEPARTMENT, SO ALL THESE SONGS ARE REALLY JUST THE WEAKLINGS RUBBING THEIR COCK-ROCKITUDE IN YR FACE. JUST SMEARING IT RIGHT IN THERE. AND I AM DOWN WITH THAT. BEST ON DECK- "ON WITH THE SHOW", A TEXAS TERRI MEETS GARY GLITTER GLAM-ROCK-CUM-SEX SHOW THAT JUST ROCKS ALL OVER THE PLACE, AND THE HEADBANGIN? FLASH ROCKER "STRAIGHT FLUSH", WHICH WOULD MAKE BOTH AC/CD AND JUNKYARD PROUD. AND IT?S GOT COWBELLS, TOO. THIS IS A MASSIVE RECORD, BABY. YA MIGHT HAVE TO GO OUT AND BUY A DUSTY OL? REKKID PLAYER JUST TO LISTEN TO IT. YOU OWE THE WEAKLINGS THAT MUCH, I RECKON. *_ UNCLE DAN'S HOUSE OF SMUT _* AFTER THEIR KILLER JUST THE WAY WE LIKE IT ALBUM, THE WEAKLINGS SEEMED TO DROP RIGHT OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH. WELL, AFTER A FIVE YEAR ABSENCE FROM RECORDING, THESE SCOUNDRELS ARE

BACK TO ROCK YOU ONCE MORE. WITH ROCK N ROLL OWES ME, THE WEAKLINGS SEEM DETERMINED TO REMIND EVERYONE JUST WHO THE HELL THEY'RE MESSING WITH. AS IF ANYONE COULD REALLY FORGET. LONGTIME WEAKLINGS FANS WILL BE RELIEVED TO HEAR THE BASE OF THEIR SOUND IS MORE OR LESS INTACT, SINCE LAST TIME--AT ITS HEART, THIS IS TOP SHELF THUNDERS/HEARTBREAKERS/DEAD BOYS ACTION. THAT SAID, THE BLASTING TEMPOS OF YESTERYEAR HAVE EASED TO A NASTY SWAGGER. ALSO, ROCK N ROLL OWES ME BOASTS MUCH MORE OF A 70'S ARENA HARD ROCK SLANT THAN BEFORE. REST EASY, THOUGH--THAT PATENTED WEAKLINGS ROCK N' ROLL RAUNCH ISN'T FORSAKEN FOR EVEN A MOMENT. THIS STILL SOUNDS VERY MUCH LIKE THE WEAKLINGS YOU KNOW AND LOVE. AS USUAL, THESE GUYS HAVE COME UP WITH A SOLID BATCH OF TUNES. THE ALBUM OPENING "LOSIN' MY ELECTRICITY" SETS THE PACE WITH ITS AC/DC INSPIRED RIFF. THIS IS FOLLOWED BY "ON WITH THE SHOW," FEATURING A LICK AKIN TO THE NON-DISCO PORTIONS OF KISS' DYNASTY, AS WELL AS DUELLING MALE AND FEMALE VOCALS WHICH RECALL THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN JIM DANDY AND MISS RUBY STARR FROM BACK IN THE OLD BLACK OAK ARKANSAS DAYS. "SPRAY" SEES THE WEAKLINGS' ROCK N' ROLL AND HARD ROCK HALVES IN A STALEMATE, CULTIVATING A BIT OF NASHVILLE PUSSY VIBE. STILL, ROCK N' ROLL EVENTUALLY WINS OUT ON ROCK N ROLL OWES ME WITH THE DISC'S TWO BEST SUCH TRACKS, "LAYIN' LOW DRINKIN'" AND "NEVER KISSED HER," BOTH LEAVING PERMANENT FOOTPRINTS ON YOUR POSTERIOR. CAP IT ALL OFF WITH A COVER OF LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH'S "LITTLE GIRLS PLAY WITH DOLLS" (RETITLED HERE WITH "BOYS" REPLACING "GIRLS") THAT MAINTAINS THE DARK AND SINISTER ENERGY OF THE ORIGINAL WITHOUT ACTUALLY DELVING INTO GOTH, AND ROCK N ROLL OWES ME COULDN'T GET MUCH BETTER. FOLKS WHO'VE BEEN WAITING IMPATIENTLY FOR A NEW WEAKLINGS ALBUM WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED IN THIS DISC. IN FACT, NEWCOMERS COULD EASILY MAKE ROCK N ROLL OWES ME THEIR STARTING PLACE, SINCE IT'S JUST AS GREAT AS THE BAND'S TWO SUPERB PREVIOUS OUTINGS. EITHER WAY, THIS LONG OVERDUE SLAB IS GONNA KNOCK YOU OUT. WELL WORTH THE WAIT. *_NOW WAVE ZINE _* HEY, COME HERE FOR A MINUTE. I?VE GOT A CONFESSION TO MAKE. COME A LITTLE CLOSER, I DON?T WANT EVERYONE TO HEAR THIS. SOMETIMES, WHEN I?M ALL ALONE IN THE CAR, I?LL TUNE MY RADIO TO THE CLASSIC ROCK STATION, AND HOPE THAT I?LL HEAR SOME THIN LIZZY, OR JAMES GANG, OR (GULP) SOME GRAND FUNK RAILROAD. AND WHEN I DO, I SING ALONG AND PLAY AIR DRUMS. I KNOW, I KNOW, IT?S EMBARRASSING FOR A CERTIFIED MUSIC SNOB LIKE ME TO ADMIT THIS. THE FACT IS THAT IT DOESN?T HAPPEN ALL THAT OFTEN, AND WHEN IT DOES I ALWAYS FEEL DIRTY AFTERWARD, FOR ENJOYING THE THREE-MINUTE GUITAR SOLOS. STILL, IT DOES HAPPEN. BUT NOW THAT THE WEAKLINGS? ROCK N ROLL OWES ME HAS ARRIVED IN MY MAILBOX, I CAN SATISFY MY NEED FOR RAUNCHY, SWAGGERING ARENA ROCK WITHOUT COMPROMISING MY SNOBBISH NEED FOR LISTENING TO MUSIC THAT NO ONE ELSE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD HAS EVER HEARD OF; AND WITHOUT THE THREE-MINUTE GUITAR SOLOS. THE LP HAS 11 SONGS, TOTALING JUST OVER 33 MINUTES, INCLUDING A COVER OF "LITTLE GIRLS PLAY WITH DOLLS" BY THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH. THIS IS DOWN AND DIRTY ROCK AND ROLL, WITH NO FRILLS AND NO PRETENSIONS. THE WEAKLINGS SING ABOUT DRINKING, GIRLS, AND DRINKING WITH GIRLS, AND NOT MUCH ELSE, WHICH IS FINE WITH ME. AFTER ALL, IT?S ONLY ROCK N ROLL, AND I THINK YOU?LL LIKE IT. *_KNAC MAGAZINE_* PORTLAND'S THE WEAKLINGS CRAWL OUT OF THE WRECKAGE OF THEIR OWN SELF-DESTRUCTION LONG ENOUGH TO FIRE OFF THEIR BEST ALBUM TO DATE, ROCK 'N ROLL OWES ME, AVAILABLE ON VINYL THOUGH DEAD BEAT RECORD (CD ON WAX VACCINE RECORDS). THIS RAW AND RANDY FOURSOME OWE A GREAT DEBT TO THE STOOGES AND THE NEW YORK DOLLS ON THEIR PREVIOUS EFFORTS, ALL LOADED WITH FAST, ANGRY PUNK RAWK BASED AROUND CHUCK BERRY RIFFS AND STIV-ISM VOCALS. YET ON ROCK 'N' ROLL OWES ME, THE BAND SLOWS DOWN A HAIR TO OFFER SOME STRAIGHT-UP BAR ROOM ROCK 'N' ROLL ALA AC/DC, MOTT THE HOOPLE AND?WELL? THE STOOGES. BUT THIS MORE "COCK IN MY POCKET" METALLIC KO SLOPPY-PUNK-BOOGIE THAN RAW POWER OR FUNHOUSE. LET'S RUN IT DOWN, SHALL WE? "LOSIN' MY ELECTRICITY" SOUNDS LIKE "SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING"-ERA ELTON JOHN IF HE SNORTED BLOW, PICKED UP A GUITAR AND WENT PUNK. "ON WITH THE SHOW" TAKES GARY GLITTER'S "ROCK 'N'

ROLL PART TWO" RHYTHM, ADDS SOME BAY CITY ROLLERS BUBBLEGUM TO THE CHORUS AND SIPHONS IT ALL THROUGH AN IGGY BLENDER FOR GLORIOUS RESULTS. "STRAIGHT FLUSH," "STILL AIN'T HAPPENING" AND "FAR TOO LONG" TAKE THE BACKSEAT BOOGIE OF AUSSIE'S FINEST, TOSSES IT UP AND GETS IT PREGNANT WITH THEIR GRIMY OREGON SEED. "NO LOVER," "LAYIN? LOW DRINKIN'" AND "SPRAY" ARE OLD SCHOOL WEAKLINGS THREE-CHORD PUNK, WHILE "FIT FOR A KING" COULD BE A DEAD BOYS OUTTAKE. AS IF TO DRIVE THAT POINT HOME, THEY EVEN COVER THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH (DEAD BOY STIV BATORS' POST-DB BAND) ODE TO THE NEW YORK DOLLS, "LITTLE BOYS PLAY WITH DOLLS." CAN YOU GUESS WHAT KIND OF ALBUMS ARE IN THESE GUYS RECORD COLLECTIONS YET? IF FRONTMAN BRADLEY SHAVER -- HE OF THE INCREDIBLE BROKEN GLASS VOICE AND SCARS OF BROKEN GLASS DOWN HIS CHEST -- DOESN'T KILL HIMSELF FIRST, THE WEAKLINGS WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD, FUCK YOUR GIRLFRIEND AND DESTROY YOUR HOUSE. THANK GOD THERE ARE STILL BAND LIKE THIS AROUND TO REMIND US OF WHEN ROCK 'N' ROLL WAS DANGEROUS? *_ HIGH BIAS _* THE PISSED-OFF GUTTERHOUND SIDE OF ROCK STRIKES AGAIN WITH ROCK-N-ROLL OWES ME, THE FIREBREATHING NEW LP FROM THE WOEFULLY MISNOMERED WEAKLINGS. THIS PORTLAND CREW SEES CHUCK BERRY, THIN LIZZY AND ANTISEEN AS BEING PART OF THE SAME LINEAGE, SO THIS RECORD IS NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED. THERE'S NOTHING WEAK ABOUT ROCK-N-ROLL OWES ME?THE RECORD OOZES RIFFS, THUDS, SNEERS, SNARLS AND ENOUGH BAD ATTITUDE TO MAKE JOHN LYDON RETIRE, AND IT BOASTS THE BEST TITLE IN A DOG'S AGE. SHOWING THAT THE BAND'S HEART IS LOVINGLY PUT IN THE WRONG PLACE, THE VINYL VERSION HAS A RIPPIN' TAKE ON THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH'S "LITTLE BOYS PLAY WITH DOLLS." *_ ROCK ALCOHOL & FUCKING_* IVE EARLIER REVIEWED A WEAKLINGS DEMO, SCROLL DOWN A BIT AND YOULL SEE WHY THIS FULL-LENGTH CD HAS BEEN ON MY WANTED LIST. YOU KNOW THE FEELING OF HITTING THE DITCH WHEN YOURE DEAD DRUNK AND NOTHING BUT THE FINGER TO SHOW THE WORLD? WELL, YOURE NOT QUITE DOWN THERE, BUT NOT FAR FROM IT EITHER WHEN YOU PUT THIS DISC IN YOUR PLAYER. THE WEAKLINGS PLAY DIRTY AMERICAN ROCKN ROLL WITH HINTS OF AC/DC BOOGIE. BUT ITS A PERFECTLY FIT PRODUCTION FOR THIS KIND, ITS NOT SLOPPY SOUNDING. THE VOCALS ARE LOUD AND CLEAR IN THE MIX WITH LOTSA COOL BACKING VOCALS ON TOP. IT SWINGS BIG TIME! TEN ORIGINALS (ELEVEN TRACKS BUT ONE IS A FIVE SECOND BASS-SOLO!) THATLL UPSET YOUR WHITEWINE-SIPPING BUDDIES AND SHOWTIME IS ON FOR THE BEER-DRINKING HELLRAISERS! SOMETIMES IT FEELS SOOO GOOD TO PUT ON HONEST STRAIGHT AHEAD RNR. SOME PEOPLE WILL NEVER GET IT, BUT WHO THE FUCK CARES?! *_LOWCUT_* TWO FIRST ALBUMS BY THIS PORTLAND PUNK'N'ROLL COMBO GAVE ME A WOODY THE SIZE OF STEVEN SEAGAL'S EGO SO THIS FUCKER, THEIR FIRST FULL LENGTH RECORD IN 5 YEARS, IS MORE THAN WELCOME TO TERRORIZE MY STEREO. "ROCK'N'ROLL OWES ME" IS LESS SPEEDY THAN PREVIOUS ALBUM WHICH ACTUALLY SUITS THE BAND NEATLY SINCE THEY THIS TIME GO FOR A MORE GLAMPUNK-ISH FEEL NOT UNLIKE JOHNNY THUNDERS & THE HEARTBREAKERS/MOTT THE HOOPLE/DEAD BOYS (JUST LISTEN TO "ON WITH THE SHOW"!) WHILE STILL KEEPING THAT AC/DC HARDROCK TOUCH ("STRAIGHT FLUSH"). BRADLEY WAYNE SHAKER'S VOICE HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER, OOZIN' WITH SWAGGER AND GRIT, AND APPARENTLY HE SHOULD BE A GENUINE IGGY ANIMAL ON STAGE, SO GUYS - GET YOUR FUCKIN' BEHINDS TO COPENHAGEN, OKAY? IF ANYONE FONDLY REMEMBERS THE WONDERFUL LOOSE LIPS THIS IS THE RELEASE FOR YOU, BABY! A KILLER COVER OF LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH'S "LITTLE BOYS PLAY WITH DOLLS" IS ONLY FEATURED ON THE 11 TRACK VINYL VERSION FROM DEAD BEAT, A 10 TRACK CD IS AVAILABLE FROM WAX VACCINE RECORDS, SO NOW YOU KNOW. *_THE CRUTCH_* OLD SCHOOL NYC THUNDERS-INFLUENCED GUTTER ROCK FORM PORTLAND. CLICH AT TIMES (DRUGS, BOOZE, SPENDING YER RENT MONEY ON THE TITTY BAR ETC... LIKE A MIKE NESS WET DREAM!) BUT CHOCK FULL OF HOT RIFFS AND SLINKY LEADS. REMINDS ME OF LA?S THE HUMPERS A LOT. THROW IN SOME OF JERSEY?S DEVIL DOG?S WHILE YER AT IT. RUMOR HAS IT THIS IS THE BAND THAT GOT SCOTT WEILAND AND SLASH TOGETHER TO FORM VELVET REVOLVER. OKAY, SO I JUST MADE UP THAT RUMOR. BUT YOU UNDERSTAND NOW DON?T YOU, PUNKY? IT?S TIME TO CASH IN THAT IOU AND BUY THIS GEM OF A DISC. OR BURN IT, WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT. MORE

IMPORTANTLY, GET IT. AS IMPORTANT AS SUBWAY TOKENS, MATCHES OR TOILET PAPER. WHAT? THAT MADE NO SENSE TO YOU? YOU USE IT EVERYDAY AND TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, BUT BOY WOULD YOU MISS IT IF IT WAS GONE. GODDAMN SIMPLE CRUTCH READING, MOTHERFUCKERS. *_ AUDIO MEATUS_* THE DIRTY GLAM OF THE WEAKLINGS "ROCK-N-ROLL OWES ME" IS LIKE A SKID ROW HOOKER IN SIX-INCH STILETTO THIGH-HIGHS AND TOO MUCH EYE SHADOW. MIXING THE STRUTTING SWAGGER OF GLITZY STONES OFFSET BY A NORTHWEST RAWNESS SIMILAR TO THE MURDER CITY DEVILS, THIS ALBUM IS AS TASTY AS THE BAD BEER AND CHEAP STEAK IN YOUR FAVORITE LOW END STRIP-JOINT. I?M NOT SAYING THIS IS THE CD YOU SHOULD BE PLAYING WHEN TROLLING FOR HOOKERS WITH A POCKET FULL OF ONES, BUT I COULD THINK OF WORST THINGS YOU COULD DO. WITH MARK RHEMREV FILLING OUR HEADS WITH MUSICAL GRAFFITI OF THE DISTORTION HEAVY ROCK-GUITAR WE LOVE, AND CONTRASTING THE STEW THICK RHYTHM SECTION OF DAVE DILLINGER ON BASS AND STEVE MICKELSON?S DRUMS. "ROCK-N-ROLL OWES ME," SHOULD BE DESIGNATED THE OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK OF EVERY LUSCIOUSLY SINFUL PART OF THE DOWN AND DIRTY BAR ROCK LIFESTYLE. BRADLY WAYNE SHAVER FRONTS THIS MOTLEY TROOP LIKE A COCAIN HAGGARD RAG-DOLL, AND GIVES THESE SONGS THE SHAKE AND SHIVER OF A WEEK LONG BINDER FILLED WITH ALL THE DEBAUCHERY THIS GREASY ROCK INSPIRES. THE MAD CRISP MUSIC MAKE SONGS LIKE "ON WITH THE SHOW," AND "LOSING MY ELECTRICITY" ROCK TREASURES. WHILE SHAVERS SINGS LIKE HIS BALLS ARE THE SIZE OF WATERMELONS AND HIS EGO HAS ITS OWN ZIP CODE. THIS IS THE STUFF YOU PUT ON AND SHAKE WHAT GOD GAVE YOU LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. I REALLY WANTED TO HATE THIS ALBUM, CAUSE THE FIRST TIME I SAW THEM LIVE THEY RUBBED ME THE WRONG WAY. BUT, I HAVE TO CONCEDE, THIS CD IS JUST TOO DAMN GOOD AND HAS QUICKLY BECOME A FAVORITE. AS FOR ROCK?S OUTSTANDING DEBT, I?M SURE IT?S FOR THIS ELEVEN-TRACK GOSPEL OF DRINKING, WOMEN AND ROCK-N-ROLL. LUCKILY THESE GUYS PUT OUT MUSIC ALMOST AS QUICKLY AS THEY BURN THROUGH BAND MEMBERS. SO, HERE?S TO GETTING A FEW MORE RECORDS OUT OF THEM BEFORE ALL THIS FUN FINALLY CATCHES UP. *_TERMINAL BOREDOM_* A FEW YEARS AGO, I FOUND MYSELF IN NEW ORLEANS ON MY 30TH BIRTHDAY AT SOME SHITHOLE BAR. THE WEAKLINGS AND CANDY SNATCHERS WERE PLAYING (THOUGH ONLY SOME OF THE 'SNATCHERS COULD MAKE IT TO THE STAGE, AND THE REMAINING ONES WERE TOO SHITFACED TO STAND UP). I'D SEEN THESE BANDS UP IN GREEN BAY A WEEK OR SO EARLIER, AND THOUGHT THE WEAKLINGS WERE OK/WHATEVER JUNK RECORDS ROCKERS. THE DUDES SEEMED LIKE TOOLS, EXCEPT THEIR TOUR BASSIST, SOME GUY NAMED CASEY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHO WAS A DECENT FELLER. WELL, IN NO, CASEY (OR WHATEV) DECIDED THAT I NEEDED TO BE SOMEWHAT MORE FUCKED UP, SO HE KEPT ORDERING TONS OF SHOTS FOR ME. EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE BAR SEEMED TO THINK THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA (IT WASN'T, OF COURSE), AND BEFORE THE WEAKLINGS EVEN MADE IT ON STAGE, I WAS IN THE BATHROOM TRYING TO STAND UP WHILE I PISSED AT A URINAL. SOME GUY IN THE SHITTER SAID "LOOKY AT THIS! HOLY FUCK!" AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGEMENT, I INCHED OVER TO SAID TERLET, AND SAW THE MOST DISGUSTING GREENSHIT EVER FLOPPING OUT OF AN OVERFLOWING PORCELAIN BOWL. I INCHED BACK TOWARDS THE URINALS, EENIE-MEENIE-MINEY-MOED, AND YAKKED ALL OVER THE ONE ON THE LEFT. THREE WASTE-UNITS, ONE TO GO. I WENT OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN, GATHERED SOME THOUGHTS, AND CHECKED OUT THE WEAKLINGS, WHO SOUNDED PRETTY FINE TO ME AT THE TIME. SO YEAH, THEY'RE BACK WITH THEIR FIRST ALBUM IN YEARS, AND IF YOU FEEL LIKE PUKING ON A URINAL IN A SCUMMY BAR IN NEW ORLEANS, YOU COULD PROBABLY PICK A WORSE SOUNDTRACK. *_ODESSYZINE_* THE WEAKLINGS HAVE BEEN HOOTING AND HOLLERING OUT OF PORTLAND FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THEY'RE BACK ROCKING OUT, SPRAYING BEER AND SHREDDING THEIR GUITARS FOR YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN. IT'S BASIC, SIMPLE, SINGALONG BAR PUNK WITH SOME DICTATORS SNARL AND GLAMMY GUITAR SWAGGER. THESE GUYS SOUND LIKE THEY'D BE EQUALLY AT HOME IN YOUR STINKY BASEMENT OR ON THE SUNSET STRIP OF OLD. *_ WILLAMETTE WEEK_* WITH LOAD-BEARING RIFFS, DELIBERATE ABANDON, THE WEAKLINGS' SPOOKILY TIGHT THIRD ALBUM, ROCK 'N' ROLL OWES ME, SWAGGERS BETWEEN THEIR VEIN-THROBBING LIVE ASSAULT AND A CLASSIC-RAWK MASTER CLASS. ON STAGE, BRADLEY WAYNE SHAVER CAPTIVATES, LEADING THE

COMMUNAL HOWL WITH WEATHERED MAJESTY BEFORE A PRACTICED, GRITTY, BARROOM THRASH. BRADLEY'S A HYPNOTIC FRONTMAN AND SOMETHING OF A LOCAL PUNK ICON, BUT THIS ALBUM SLOWS THE PACE, EVER SO SLIGHTLY, TO LET THE WATERTIGHT ROCK FOUNDATIONS SHIMMER AND PULSE. *_PUNK INFORMATION DOT COM_* PUNK ROCK'N'ROLL WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ROCK. THESE PORTLAND, OR PUNK ROCK VERTERANS HAVE BEEN LIGHTING UP STAGES AND RECORDS FOR MANY YEARS NOW AND HAVEN'T LOST ANY OF THEIR THUNDER. TOTAL SMASH MOUTH GUITAR DRIVEN PUNK FOR YOUR AURAL PLEASURE. DEAD BEAT RECORDS HASN'T HAD A BAD RELEASE IN LONGER THAN I CAN REMEMBER. TOM KNOWS HIS SHIT AND PUTS OUT SOME OF THE GREATEST PUNK ROCK'N'ROLL RECORDS OF OUR TIME. *_ GARAGEPUNK.COM_* NEW VINYL-ONLY LP RELEASE BY THIS GREAT PORTLAND, OREGON BAND, AND IT'S ON DEAD BEAT RECORDS. IT'S CALLED "ROCK-N-ROLL OWES ME." GREAT RAUNCHY PUNK'N'ROLL, LIKE A MODERN VERSION OF THE PENETRATORS OR SOMETHING. GET IT! DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST OF THE YEAR SO FAR... *_ TOXIC FLYER _* WELL THE WEAKLING ARE JUST GREAT LIVE, AND THIS RECORD LIKE THE REST IS JUST PURE HELL RAISING, BAD ASS, OUT OF CONTROL ROCK N ROLL THAT'S SINFUL. BUT ON 'ROCK N ROLL OWES ME' YOU GET JUST SEX, DRUGS AND PUNK ROCK N ROLL THAT'S SLEAZY AND STILL DANGEROUS WITH A LOT OF PUNK ROCK GUITAR ACTION THAT'S NASTY. WELL WITH A KICK OUT THE JAMS PUNK FURY THE WEAKLINGS HAVE THE SAME INSANE PUNK STYLES AS THE HUMPERS, V-TIME KILLERS, CANDY SNATCHERS, ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN, HANGMEN, AC/DC, SLACH CITY DAGGERS, STITCHES, AND A JUNK RECORDS HELL BENT ON ROCK N ROLLFIRE. BUT WITH THIS BAND YOU GET PURE PUNK ROCK SICKNESS THAT'S JUST RAW, FAST, INSANE AND LOUD WITH JUST A ROCK N ROLL SUICIDE FEEL OF PDX PUNK CHAOS. WELL WITH SONGS ABOUT STRIP CLUBS, HEARTBREAK, DRINKIN/DRUG AND OTHER THINGS ABOUT THE ROCK/PUNK LIFESTYLE, THIS BAND WILL JUST DESTROY YOU. ALSO, THEIR COVER OF THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH SONG 'LITTLE BOYS PLAY WITH DOLLS' ABOUT THE NY DOLLS IS JUST KILLER. *BLOODY MARY WEBZINE* (TRANSLATED FROM SPANISH) THIRD LP OF THIS BAND OF OREGON, THAT SINGLE WITH RIFF OF GUITAR WHEREUPON OPENS THE DISC ALREADY CONVINCE AND YOU THEY LEAVE NOQUEADO, "LOSIN MY ELECTRICITY" IS THE FIRST SUBJECT WITH WHICH THE WEAKLINGS IS GOING TO US TO CHULEAR AND I DO NOT COMPLETE BECAUSE THE FOLLOWS "ON TO HIM WITH SHOW" WITH SOUND OVERDOSE GLAM IN THE GUITARS AND CHOIRS WHICH THEY CAUSE THAT IT IS MY SUBJECT OF HEAD IN YOU COMPLETE WEEKS, THE GUITARREROS WINKS TO THE BROTHERS YOUNG ARRIVE WHEN IT SOUNDS "TO STRAIGHT FLUSH" ANOTHER HAPPENING OF SONG WHO CAUSE THAT THIS ALBUM DOES NOT HAVE WASTE, LEAVE THE INSOLENCE AND STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR WHEN HE SOUNDS "SPRAY" BUT ALWAYS SHELLING ROCK & ROLL WITHOUT TO ADULTERATE, WINKS TO ALWAYS RECOMMENDABLE LAZY COWGIRLS LEAVES TO LISTEN WHEN "OFFICERS' CLUB OF REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES TOO LONG" SOUNDS AND INSOLENCE VOCAL OF WAYNE SHAVER WHICH CONTINUOUS EXTENDING TO THE WORDS AND VACILNDOTE IN YOUR OWN FACE IN THAT "STILL AINT HAPPENING", "LOVER" IS NOT ANOTHER INJECTION OF ROCK & ROLL OF WHICH THEY MAKE YOU JUMP OF ARMCHAIR AND TO ENJOY LITTLE THE THREE MINUTES OF LIFE OF THE SONG, THEY RECOVER TO SAN STIV "MARTYR" BATORS IN HIS STAGE OF SIR OF THE NEW CHURCH CATCHING FIRE TO THE GUITARS WITH "LITTLE BOYS PLAY WITH DOLLS" AND CLOSE WITH GLAM DEVOID OF GLAMOUR AND PLENTY INSOLENCE IN THAT "FIT FOR TO KING" WITH THE GUITARS GIVING LIFE WHICH WE LOVED THIS OF THE ROCK AND ROLL IN EACH ONE OF THE SUBJECTS THAT HAVE EAST "ROCK & ROLL OWES ME". OSCAR KOTJ. *NORTHWEST RADIO* GOOD TIME GOD AWFUL NOISE- AN OVERVIEW SOUND REVIEW OF THE WEAKLINGS' "ROCK-N-ROLL OWES ME" BY CHRIS ROBLEY MIX ONE SHOT OF "TONIGHT THERE'S GONNA BE A JAILBREAK", ONE SHOT OF "YOUR MAMA DON'T DANCE AND YOUR DADDY DON'T ROCK N' ROLL", AND ONE SHOT OF ALMOST ANY SONG BY KISS. NOW WATCH THE WEAKLINGS PUNCH YOU IN THE TEETH, STEAL YOUR DRINK, SWIRL IT IN THEIR MOUTH, AND SPIT IT BACK IN YOUR FACE. THE WEAKLINGS' LATEST ALBUM "ROCK-N-ROLL OWES ME" IS A GLORIOUS GOD-AWFUL NOISE THAT SHAKES WITH THE FEROCITY OF GOOD OL' BAD-TIME JUNKYARD GARAGE POP. THE RECORD IS A HEAVY, SWEATY, HULKING MASS OF POWER CHORDS AND SHOTGUN SNARE. THE RHYTHM SECTION GIVES IT'S AC/DC ALL WITH CONCRETE

QUARTER-NOTE KICK AND CONSTANT EIGHTH-NOTE DRIVEN BASS. THE VOCAL LINES (I SHAN'T DEFAME THEIR AIM BY SAYING "MELODIES") SPATTER WORDS WITH SUCH PALPITATING SNARL YOU MIGHT NEED AN EKG TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE WHOLE DISC. THINK QUIET RIOT SINGING "WHAT'S YOUR NAME, LITTLE GIRL?" THE WEAKLINGS' OVERDRIVE ROCK GETS AN ADDITIONAL REV ON THE CHORUSES WITH THE USUAL ADDITION OF BACKGROUND HARMONIES, WHICH, PER FORMULA, BLAST INTO THE RATTLING RIFFAGE OF YOUR TYPICAL (BUT UTTERLY APPROPRIATE) PENTATONIC PAGE GUITAR SOLO. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THESE GUYS LIVE, BUT IMAGINE IT TO BE A DECADENT AFFAIR, SOMETHING OUT OF 80'S LA. IN A VIOLENT BURST, THEY TAKE THE AUDIENCE WITH SWAGGER AND AGILITY, ANGER AND ABILITY. THEY GESTICULATE, GYRATE, SPIT, LICK, SNEER, AND GIVE FOLKS THE FINGER. AND AFTER AN HOUR OF POUNDING THE ROOM WITH THEIR RAW PULSING ROCK, THEY RUN OFF STAGE, FIRE-BREATHING GOGO DANCERS IN CLOSE PURSUIT, OFF TO SOME DEBAUCHEROUS AFTER PARTY. IF ROCK-N-ROLL OWES THE WEAKLINGS ANYTHING, THEY HAVE COLLECTED IN FULL, PILLAGING ALL THEY COULD FROM THE GREAT AND NOT-SO-GREAT BIG-BALLED ROCKERS OF THE PAST. I CAN'T DECIDE IF THEY ARE 100% HOMAGE OR SATIRE BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ORIGINAL ABOUT THIS MUSIC. BUT THAT IS THE POINT AFTER ALL. IN WHATEVER POST-POST ERA WE'RE IN (EVERY NEW NYC BAND POISED TO DON THE MANTLE OF "SAVIORS OF ROCK"), IT?S NICE THAT THESE GUYS JUST MAKE FUN OLD NOISE. *NO BRAINS ZINE* PROMO SHEET SAYS THIS IS VINYL ONLY RELEASE. WELL, WEAKLINGS WERE ALWAYS AROUND AND I HEARD SOME OF THEIR STUFF, BUT I WAS NEVER REALLY A FAN. OF COURSE THIS DOESN'T MEAN THE BAND IS NOT GOOD, IT'S JUST ME AND MY TASTE. LET'S SAY, THEY'RE NOT VERY ATTRACTIVE - HAHAHA, JUST JOKING OF COURSE. BUT TO BE HONEST "ROCK-N-ROLL OWES ME" IS REALLY COOL RECORD. 2ND SONG "ON WITH THE SHOW" REALLY KICKED ME STRAIGHT IN THE HEAD. IT'S REALLY GREAT COMBINATION OF GARAGE, HEAVY METAL AND 70S HARD ROCK IN AC/DC STYLE, BUT THEN WITH GOOD SENSE FOR HUMOR. I LOVE THESE BACKING VOCALS. AC/DC INFLUENCES ARE REALLY STRONG ON THIS ALBUM, COOL GUITAR RIFFS AND VOCAL. DON'T UNDERSTAND ME WRONG, THIS IS NOT HEAVY METAL OR HARD ROCK ALBUM, THIS IS PUNK! SONGS ARE FAST AND PUNK ROCKIN' ENOUGH! 11 SONGS AND MY FAVES ARE: "ON WITH THE SHOW", "SPRAY", "FAR TOO LONG", "LAYIN' LOW DRINKIN' " AND "LITTLE BOYS PLAY". *_GREEN HELL_*__ (TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN) HAHA, THEN IS GEIL!! COOLEN FOR A LONG TIME NO LONGER IN SUCH A WAY LARGE MUZZLE SKIRT BELONGED AS FROM THE WEAKLINGS, WHICH LANDED ALREADY GOOD PLATES AFTER THEIR EH ON JUNK REC. MEANWHILE WITH DEAD BEAT. THE QUARTET AROUND OBERPOSER AND DANGER SEEKER BRADLY WAYNE SHAVER AVAILS ITSELF THEREBY GENEROUSLY FROM OF THE OLLEN ROCK'N'ROLL MOTHBALL BOX AND VERB-GUESSES/ADVISES WITH PREFERENCE WELL DETACHED REEF CLASSICAL AUTHORS BETWEEN 70'S BROAD WALL SKIRT, GLAM, COCK SKIRT AND PUNK. THE RESULT IS "UNCONTROLLED" THEREBY JUST AS SPACKIG INGENIOUSLY AS THE FRONTCOVERPHOTO OF GUITARIST MARK RHEMREV IN SKIRT ACTION. AS ONLY STRANGE SONG IT GIVES ON "ROCK'N'ROLL OWES ME" A VERSION OF "LITTLE BOYS PLAY WITH DOLLS" FROM TO FIRST LORDS OF THE THE NEW CHURCH ALBUM, WHICH UNDERLINES THE BEAUTIFUL TIMELESS "CHARM" OF THE SCHNOERKELLOSEN ASI OF SKIRT OF THE WEAKLINGS PERFECTLY. *_SLAMZINE_*__ (TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN) "ROCK'N'ROLL OWES ME". YES WHAT NOW? MONEY? A BEER? AN EXPLANATION? I CAN GIVE GOODS, THAT IN REPRESENTATION: THAT IS PUNK' N' ROLL MY GENTLEMEN! WHY ACTUALLY THE WEAKLINGS? AN UNDERSTATEMENT HOW IT STANDS IN THE BEECH. THE GENTLEMEN OUT OF PORTLAND GO TO SUCH AN EXTENT INTO THE HIP THAT THE DIZZINESS LONG DOES NOT LET WAIT FOR ITSELF. ?ROCK'N'ROLL OWES ME" THE THIRD ALBUM IN FULL LENGTH IS CAN LOOK BACK, IN THE TEN-YEAR VOLUME STORY ONE HOWEVER ALREADY ON A NOTABLE ROW AT 7-INCHES. IN THIS LONG TIME, THE WEAKLINGS MIGHT HAVE STUDIED SINGED CLIMB CAN THE PUNK' N' ROLL DETAILED, FOR WHO ALREADY WITH THE FIRST ?LOT MY ELECTRICITY" SO INTO THE GAS, HAS THAT PREMONITION THEREFROM, WHAT WANTS THE MOB. THAT DEMANDED NAMELY AFTER BOISTEROUS GROOVE SINGE WITH AN ASS FULL AND SNATCH UP TO THE NIGHT ENDURING. ?ON WITH THE SHOW" GOES THROUGH WITH SWINGENDEN BACKGROUNDVOCALS DIRECTLY AS A R' N'

R-CLASSIC AND AT THE LATEST IF IN ?LAYIN LOW DRINKIN'" UNHOPED FOR THE DOUBLE-BASS-ATTACK USES IS CLEAR, WHAT OWES ?ROCK'N'ROLL" THESE FELLOWS: A PLACE IN ITS ?HALL OF FAME". MARTINA HOLLAUF (8) *_ROCK N ROLL PURGATORY_*__ THE WEAKLINGS HAVE SUCH A CLASSIC ROCK?N?ROLL SOUND THAT NO FURTHER GENRE QUALIFICATION IS NEEDED. IT?S GOT THE BIG GUITARS & THE PLODDING 4/4 BEAT THAT DRAGS YOU INTO ITS SWIRLING VORTEX OF SMARM & CHARM. PRETTY COOL STUFF THAT?S HARD NOT TO LIKE. - BL *_LONG GONE LOSER #10_*__ ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVE BANDS. BACK WHEN I HEARD THEM AROUND THE TIME I WAS PUTTING OUT ISSUE #2, I WAS IMMEDIATELY HOOKED AND HENCE THE INTERVIEW ALL THE WAY BACK THEN. THEY'RE STILL GOING STRONG AND THIS ALBUM IS ANOTHER VOLUME IN THEIR STORY OF KICK ASS STONES INSPIRED ROCK N ROLL. NOTHING TECHNICAL HERE, JUST BASIC ROCK N ROLL THE WAY WE LIKE IT. I RATE THE WEAKLINGS HIGH COS THEY'VE STUCK BY ME AND STAYED TRUE TO THE MUSIC I LOVE. IF YOU LIKE YOUR ROCK REAL, DRENCHED IN BLOOD, SWEAT AND BEERS THEN YOU NO DOUBT LOVE THE WEAKLINGS. IF YOU DON'T, YOU'RE A JOBBER! HOP TO IT. (DAMO) *_NOT LAME RECORDINGS_*__ A MORE PERFECT NAME FOR THIS TYPE OF BAND WE`VE NOT SEEN.....WELL, IN A FEW WEEKS. BUT ANY BAND THAT REMINDS US OF ROSE TATTOO AND AC/DC ON A GARAGE BINGE IS GOING TO BE A-OK IN OUR BOOKS. OF COURSE, THERE`S THE RADIO BIRDMEN, STOOGES AND, NOT SO OBVIOUSLY, JOAN JETT/RUNAWAYS INFLUENCES TRYING TO GET ON STAGE WITH THE BAND. THIS IS WHAT BRUCE`S BAND BUZZKILL U.K. SOUNDS LIKE FOR THOSE WONDERING. SCARY, EH? BUT FOR THE BLESSED FEW OF THAT `GET` THIS SORT OF THING, SSSSWEEEETT IS THE WORD. RAWK, NO ROLL. *_UP YOURS_* FOR THOSE FAMILIAR WITH THE WEAKLINGS FROM PORTLAND, OR? EVER WONDERED WHAT HAD BECOME OF THESE SLEAZOID RUBBER BURNERS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. EVER SINCE THEIR DRAMATIC AND CHAOTIC PERFORMANCE AT THE LAS VEGAS SHAKEDOWN 1 THEY SEEMED TO HAVE VANISHED. THIS 4-PIECE UNIT WAS NOTORIOUS FOR THEIR FIERCE, LOATHSOME AND OBNOXIOUS TRAIL OF LIVE PERFORMANCES (ESPECIALLY DUE TO ITS LEAD VOCALIST BRADLEY SHAVER, WHO WAS ALWAYS ON THE EDGE OF KILLING HIMSELF FIRST IF NOT HURTING OTHERS AND CAUSING LOTS OF TURMOIL). RECENTLY RECORDINGS MADE SOON AFTER THEIR APPEARANCE AT THE LV SHAKEDOWN 2000 WERE EVENTUALLY RELEASED BY LOCAL PORTLAND WAX VACCINE RECORDS (ONLY ON CD). DEADBEAT RECORDS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO FOR THE VINYL OPTION (INCLUDING AN UNRELEASED LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH COVER AS BONUS AND VINYL-ONLY TRACK). WHERE THE WEAKLINGS STARTED OUT AS A LOUD FAST AND MEAN DANGEROUS PUNK-ACT SET ON WRECKAGE AND SOMETIMES THEIR VERY OWN SELF-DESTRUCTION, THEY NOW HAVE ON "ROCK?N?ROLL OWES ME" ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES WITH SLOWER SOAKED AND LOADED BARROOM ROCK TYPE OF MUSICAL OUTCOME. THUS THE WEAKLINGS TEND TO REMINDING OF LATER ?METALLIC K.O.? AREA STOOGES TEAMED UP WITH SOME LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH, SOME OCCASIONAL AC/DC AND FRINGES OF NEW YORK DOLLS AND HEARTBREAKERS. I GUESS IT PRETTY MUCH EXPOSES THE FULL OCCUPANCY OF THE WEAKLINGS RECORDS STACK. ADD UPON THIS THE STILL HARD TO BELIEVE BROKEN GLASS VOICE OF SHAVER, THE FLUENTLY QUIVERING GUITAR LICKS AND HOOKS (SOMETIMES SLOPPY BOOGIE WAILING LATER ON ALL LOADED UP WITH FAST, ANGRY PUNK RAWK SLASHES).THE ALL OVER ?NEVER SAY DIE? ATTITUDE WHICH STILL RULES AS THE WEAKLINGS MOTIVATION MAY HAVE COST THEM SEVERAL DIFFERENT MEMBERS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, BUT IT GAINED THEM A LOYAL FAN BASE. IT ALSO GAINED THEM A REPUTATION WHICH THEY NO DOUBT STILL HAVE STUCK UP SOMEWHERE IN THE BACK OF THEIR BEWILDERED MINDS. "ROCK?N?ROLL OWES ME" IS RUDE AWAKENING, A WARNING SIGN STATING THE WEAKLINGS WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD, FUCK YOUR GIRLFRIEND AND DESTROY YOUR HOUSE? AND AS FAR AS I?M CONCERNED : THIS STILL COUNTS! *_ASSERT_* GREAT ROCK N ROLL FROM THIS PORTLAND BAND. THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING SINCE 95 AND STARTED OUT AS A NOISY PUNK BAND. NOT THE CASE ANYMORE. I AM GOING TO PASS THIS CDR TO MY BUDDY STEPH, HE IS A BIG FAN OF AC/DC AND NASHVILLE PUSSY. THIS IS A LP ONLY RELEASE FROM DEAD BEAT RECORDS. IT WOULD BE A SWEET ADDITION TO ANY LP COLLECTION. I WAS TOTALLY IMPRESSED BY THIS BAND, AND THIS BANDS NEW RECORDING. GREAT ROCK N ROLL THE WAY JESUS WOULD OF WANTED IT. *_ PDX ROCK-N-ROLL _* THIS IS A BLISTERING

ASSAULT OF ROCK N ROLL GOODNESS FROM ONE OF PORTLANDS LONGEST RUNNING AUDIO INSTITUTIONS,THE WEAKLINGS. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS MUSICIAN ROTATIONS OVER THEIR IMPRESSIVE ELEVEN YEAR RUN BUT THE SINGER AND OVERALL SOUND HAS ALWAYS REMAINED TRUE AND THIS RELEASE IS NO EXCEPTION. THINK BIG BALLED GUITAR BASED ANTHEMS AND PUNKABILLY ROOTS ROCK THROWN IN A BLENDER WITH A FIFTH OF WHISKEY AND SOME BROKEN GLASS FOR GOOD MEASURE. MOST OF THE TRACKS ROLL ALONG WITH DERAILED TRAIN INTENSITY WHILE OCCASIONALLY STRAYING INTO OVER THE TOP ARENA ROCK FORAYS. THE THIRD TRACK STRAIGHT FLUSH SOUNDS LIKE AC DC CIRCA 74 WITH A DIFFERENT GOOD SINGER AND ALL COWBELL JOKES ASIDE, KICKS SOME SERIOUS ASS. SYNTH POP AND EMO FANS NEED NOT APPLY, THIS IS GOOD OLD FASHIONED HOT LICK ROCK WITH SNOT PUNK ATTITUDE. THE GUITAR WORK IS SPOT ON WITH SCREECHES, SQUEALS, STRING SQUAWKS, AND RIFFS WORTH WRITING HOME ABOUT. THE DRUM WORK IS TIGHT AS FUCK TOO AND MANY OF THE SONGS HAVE INFECTIOUS CHANT ALONG CHORUSES THAT STICK IN THE EARDRUMS LIKE CHEWING GUM. THE BASS IS STRONG BUT TASTEFUL SO YOU MOSTLY HEAR IT WITH YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS, AND LIKE A SOCCCER GOALIE, DON'T APPRECIATE IT PROPERLY WHEN IT'S DOING ITS JOB RIGHT. THERES A CERTAIN ELEMENT OF TRADITIONAL ROCK PUNK THAT THE WEAKLINGS NEVER ABANDON AND THEY WORK WONDERS WITHIN THEIR CHOSEN GENRES AND DO IT FAR BETTER THAN MOST, WHICH IS PERHAPS WHY THEYVE LASTED SO LONG AND BEEN FEATURED ON NUMEROUS COMPILATIONS WITH THE LIKES OF THE DWARVES, NASHVILLE PUSSY, ZEKE, BANTAM ROOSTER, AND THROWRAG, JUST TO NAME A FEW. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO SAY IS THAT THERES A HARD LIVIN ROCK AND ROLL SINCERITY THAT JUST CANT BE FAKED AND COMES ACROSS CLEAR AND TRUE. I LIKE IT. THE SWEDE. APRIL 2006