Haste is very much the name of the game for Harrisburg, PA outfit, Handguns. This blink and you’ll miss it “E.P.” (six tracks in 11 minutes is more a statement of intent than an E.P.) is chock full of fast guitars, kick-pedal scorching drums and a relentlessly up tempo brand of pop-punk.
‘MMIX’ (2009, Latin lovers) is the type of release that’s coated in its creators influences. Think Fat Wreck types Lagwagon and Strung Out jamming with New Found Glory and The Movielife, and you’re pretty much there. There’s not a whole lot of originality going on here, but let’s be honest, this isn’t a genre that’s a flush with novelty and uniqueness. It’s a case of ticking the right boxes, and for the most part Handguns achieve this.
Opening pair “Two Weeks” and “This Isn’t Fair Anymore” stand out as highlights, a one-two punch of rampant guitars, husky vocals (which on the record as a whole are a bit hit and miss) and quick, quick drumbeats. It’s a little rough around the edges, which works. This is by no means the polished-to-within-an-inch-of-life type of pop-punk, sounding like it’d fit nicely live in some grotty, basement “venue”. “She Blinded Me With Science” even has a wicked gang chorus crying out for drunken shout-alongs.
‘MMIX’ does a job. It’s not outstanding but if you like your music fast and spiky it’ll sate you appetite, well for a few minutes anyway. Sure there are lots (and lots) of other bands out there doing this sort of thing, but Handguns are worth keeping an ear on, after all, there’s kind of a Set Your Goals ‘Reset’ vibe to this, and look what happened to those guys.
Alex