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 | Lars Frederiksen and the BastardsLars Frederiksen and the Bastards2001 Hellcat 
 Review by: Adam See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
Hellcat Records (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on April 10th 2001 The band sounds enough NOT like Rancid to stand out on its own. However at any given time there are too many common factors not to mention Rancid. Big Jay Bastard, The Bastards’ bass player, is Tim Armstrong’s guitar tech. The same goes for drummer Scott Abels, a member of Hepcat and Brett Reed's drum tech. Tim Armstrong also helped write and produce the album. The Unknown Bastard’s roaring intro seamlessly blends into the fantastic “Dead American.” A lot of the songs, such as this and Anti-Social, remind me of the Exploited. “Six Foot Five” incorporates some fast 16 bar blues and better represents the album’s overall tone. There’s a lot of subject matter about Lars’ past, as evident in “Cambell, CA,” “Subterranean” and “Skunx.” The Bastards also do a few covers. Their version of Billy Bragg's "To Have and to Have Not" is amazing, and will most likely be a single. Motorhead's "Leavin Here," is also done very well. “Wine and Roses” is a personal favourite, but I’m hard pressed to find a bad song on this album. Lars has recorded a great set of traditional punk rock anthems. The audience can shout along with most of the songs here. I hope that Lars does more than a single tour before shutting down the Bastards. The music is so catered to the audience it would be a crime not to play the occasional show. I’d love to say, “I’m not a Rancid fan but I love the Bastards,” but I am a Rancid fan. However don’t let your opinions about Rancid carry over to this, listen to it as it’s own work and it stands out. The album seems rather short to me; probably due to the fact that it’s barely left my CD player. - Adam White (Shindo)
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Love lars Fucking awasum album! Lars fredrickson steals records from kids who let his bands stay at their houses. hello, I love Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards self title album. It rocks and hope to hear Viking soon. Only bought the first installment, LARS ROCKS!!! Well besides the point I love Lars Frederiksen just as himself... Brilliant album. If you like the early Rancid stuff (before ...And Out Come The Wolves) you should like this. hehe, yeahh, lars and his fucking bastards come to switzerland and I (!!) 'm going to see and feel them! hehe cool record from a cool musican man has anyone else noticed that the cover of To Have and to Have Not sounds a lot like Ruby Soho? I love the cover, and it's different enough to be good, but anyone notice that? Anyone out there? This is a great album, Lars rules. You gotta love the Billy Bragg cover "To Have and To Have Not". It's freakin' spectacular. I loved the band, until they fuckin canceled all their shows last year and refuse to reschedule them. This album is awesome, by far the best I've ever heard. There isn't a song worth less than 5 out of 5 on this record. If you haven't got it, go buy it because it's the best album you'll ever buy. Great thing about this album: no mumbling on Tim's behalf. Lars should sing every rancid song. One of the best of 2001. Acctually its a tribute to his FRIEND, Ben Zanotto, who died not long ago. (Lars' Bro actually died too, but after they had recorded it). actually, its a tribute to his BROTHER. not his friend (although i'm sure they were pretty good friends). this cd kicks ass, and is a perfect addition to the 'rancid' saga. think about all the great music thats come from the people in rancid, which includes all the rancid cds, the op ivy releases, and now this side project. lars tears it up on this cd big time, it fucking shreds. This is one of the best punk albums that I have heard in years. Rarely do you get a album anymore that you can listen to start to finish and actually have your ass kicked by each and every song. This is punk at its best and purest and should be left alone at that. There is nothing wrong with perfection so leave it as it lays. Lars Frederiksen is the Grand Master Punk. There aren't many true punk bands left, but Rancid is still one of them, and Lars is the punkest punk that ever did punk. Quoting last dude: 'traditional punk rock' |
