When I was sent this release I was warned that if I didn’t like girl-fronted pop-punk I should pass it on to someone you should! There’s nothing like advanced warnings, if only some releases we received were given certificate ratings, maybe then we’d be able to filter through some of the guff that we do get. Ah well. All Nite Records are back now and with a Zatopeks record on the way, this three-way split, spanning three countries, will be enough to whet your apetite in the meantime. The Hunchbacks (from the UK), The Battledykes (from germany) and The Waukees (from Italy) all do their girl fronted pop-punk thing better than many of the more popular bands around (and yes I am talking to you Tuuli and The Halo Friendlies).
All three bands on offer have strong vocalists, but for me The Hunchbacks offer the most. Their melodies are as sweet as anything I’ve heard for a while, especially when the backing vocals serve to act in glorious harmony. Songs like ‘My Car Is Cool’ are on the juvenile side, but there’s an element of The Ramones that works well, and of course the vocals on ‘Five Years’ are enough to melt any man’s heart. The other two bands aren’t as strong, but both prove to be listenable fare. Maybe it’s the name, but The Battledykes have a little bit about them that reminds me of Fabulous Disaster, but tracks like ‘Wicked Girl’ are a little bit samey and predictable. The Waukees are better, with ‘Oh Yeah’ a bit of a 50s surf-pop throwback, which in a day of side-partings and tight black t-shirts is rather nice.
This split is perfect summer listening and is perfectly pallatable stuff. It won’t set the world alight, but if you’re crying out for something a little different, and some top quality tunes, then this may well be for you.
www.thehunchbacks.com
Paul