Calling your band Whore is probably a good indication that you’re not really that fussed about upsetting people, which is probably a good thing in this case. This five track debut EP from ex-Norma Jean man Jake Schultz and friends is about as close as you’re going to get to a mescaline-induced nightmare without taking any drugs. The sheer intensity and depth of the bass in the riffs contained on this release could easily result in eye-socket rupturing vibrations when cranked loud enough.
If you’re not rocking backwards and forwards in the corner clutching your knees to your chest after opener ‘Daddy’s Money’ then the over-driven sludge hypnosis of ‘Fake Life’ should leave you wandering round in confused circles whimpering like a small child, and the stabbing mind-fuck of ‘Shower Time’ should please fans of The Jesus Lizard, Harvey Milk and serial killing.
The only possible way to gain any more enjoyment from this record would be to smoke an enormous reefer before listening to it, something which is probably only advisable if you’re of a strong disposition, as the chest-tightening lurch of ‘Straight Down’ will utterly destroy any sense of normality and sanity you are clinging to before resulting in a whitey to end all whitey’s as the EP reaches its frantic conclusion.
If you like big fuzzy riffs, grunge, plaid shirts and nodding very slowly to hypnotic guitar music, ‘Ruiner’ comes highly recommended.
JAMIE OTSA