The God Awfuls aren’t usually a band that I would listen to, but because I’m in the priviliged seat of the music reviewer I get sent all kinds of CDs that I usually wouldn’t purchase. Some of it ends up on the ‘never-to-be-heard-again’ pile while others sit proudly in the discman, providing me with hour after hour of great music. On receiving ‘Next Stop, Armageddon’ I didn’t expect too much, so I was pleasantly surprised upon first listen to discover that this was quite rocking. Ten listens later and I can tell you that this album is extremely rocking and a fantastic way to start the new year.
Hailing from LA, The God Awfuls are anything but what their name suggests. With a dozen songs loaded with hooks, punk rock sneers and a powerful message, this is the face of punk rock for 2004. Influenced by the likes of The Clash, The Cockney Rejects and Rancid, there’s an old-skool feel which is distinctly British, odd for a band based in LA. Still, it’s refreshing to have the tables turned so let’s make the most of it – this is an album which grabs you by the bollocks, pulls you in close and then gobs on you with some force. Throw in the 70s sneer, a dash of 80s west coast hardcore and the melodic sheen trademarked by the likes of Rancid in the 90s, and you have 13 golden tracks that serve up a kick in the bum as much as an adrenalin rush.
Produced by Blag Dahlia of The Dwarves the record kicks off in style with ‘Disconnected Youth’, which comes complete with gang-style ‘oi’ shouts. But despite the number of songs with huge hooks and guitar riffs, there’s an underlying message which makes these tracks stand out further. ‘Power Animal’ is certainly anti the establishment (“they’re selling flags and spinning lies/while sending someone else‘s sons to die”), while ‘Choices’ is a call to arms to try and fight back (“We all have a voice, it may not be the loudest but at least we made a choice”). But while the latter is certainly more 80s than 90s, tracks like ‘East Side One’ have huge choruses which will have you singing along just as Social Distortion did back in the day. I usually dislike bands who preach, but TGA seem to portray their message in a way which isn’t overbearing – it’s why tracks like ‘1979’ and ‘NRA’ work so well.
Having already shared the stage with The Buzzcocks and Social Distortion, you can probably tell that New Found Glory fans will run a mile. The truth is that ‘Next Stop, Armageddon’ is the best record to be put out so far this year. It’s early days I know, but this is an album you really should try and check out.
www.thegodawfuls.com
Kung Fu Records
Paul