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The Explosion

The Explosion
2000
Jade Tree

The Explosion - The Explosion (Cover Artwork)

Review by: KirbyPuckett
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Jade Tree Records (link)

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Published on December 20th 2002

”…but while your back was turned, we crossed the bridges that you burned. We gotta get it there’s a fire in this town tonight. Off my feet into the street, we’re gonna do it right.” – The Explosion

A quick glance at the members and the artwork you would probably think this record came out in the 70’s Punk “explosion.” But you couldn’t be more wrong, as you’re about three decades off.

The Explosion formed in 1998 and with nothing under their belts aside from a few demos and a couple of live performances the five members were signed to the popular Jade Tree Records. With little time wasted the band put the finishing on touched on the demos and put out this self-titled EP that I like to refer to as a hidden gem.

The record starts with “These Times” and has a really nice bass intro by Damian Genuardi. Then the rest of the band kicks in as Matt Hock delivers his volatile voice that I would describe as a combination of Blake Swartzenbach (Jawbreaker) and Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers). The song is filled with powerful guitar chords, strong drumming, excellent vocals by all members, and some “hey hey hey’s” go get you moving.

Next up is “Hero” which has Hock singing rather than shouting this time. The instrumental part also mellows down from the opener. The party song “Out Tonite” follows and is a perfect example of how a Punk Rock song should sound. Short catchy intro, fast captivating music, scratchy authoritative voice, and lyrics about going out and having fun.

A short twelve-minute, six song EP that combined the best of the Stiff Little Fingers, Descendents, and Jawbreaker made it pretty easy for me to put the Explosion on a pedestal high above most of today’s Punk Rock bands. Simply because they do just that, play Punk Rock, it’s all I really want in this world surrounded by hyphenated terms (i.e. Pop-Punk, Ska-Punk, Emo-Punk, Hardcore-Punk, Post-Punk, etc…). It was really refreshing for me to hear this release and if you like what you hear here, your ears will be pleased, as their full length “Flash, Flash, Flash” is incredible.

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 14, 2003 at 10:35 PM (EDT)
My Score:

hey man, im the 666th person to read this review! Man thats crazy!!! i am now officially having a good day. Thanks Punknews.org

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 27, 2002 at 12:25 PM (EST)
My Score:

Interested in this CD? Own it today... check out this link below.

http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/exchange-glance/Y04 Y1430679Y4102797/103-5802593-7327001

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 25, 2002 at 2:43 AM (EST)
My Score:

I saw these guys live with one man army and madcap and they kicked fucking ass. I really didnt listen to any of their shit untill i saw them live and now that i have i listen to them all the time and i like these ep a lot.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at 6:23 PM (EST)
My Score:

Comic Book Guy says "Worst Band EVER!"

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at 5:58 PM (EST)
My Score:

Go fuck. You obviously haven't heard those bands if you still like this shit. In twenty years, will people honestly think back and say "Ah, yes, the Explosion, they were better than the Clash." You can RIP OFF somebody and "do it better", but you can't be hailed as genius for doing so. Thats like me creating a really great Clash coverband and thinking "Boy, I have more talent than the Clash." In any case, the Explosion do not accomplish the "do it better" part, but succeed in the area of blatantly ripping the old bands off. But since you know nothing about punk BEFORE 1985, you couldn't reply with an educated statement.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at 3:31 PM (EST)
My Score:

honestly, i've listened to the buzzcocks and the clash and the saints and i'd rather listen to the explosion. They may rip them off as you say, but they do it better than they did.

Posted by waste_elite on 2002-12-23 23:22:10
My Score:

"I didn't know this was the second graders' punk board. Sorry."

no problem, the 1st grader's punk board is down the hall and to the left.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 23, 2002 at 5:37 PM (EST)
My Score:

What's wrong the word dork? The only thing that is second grade here is your defense of your first grader comment. Oh yeah, I agree, no one is impressed. Is this more grown up? Fuck yourself.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 23, 2002 at 5:23 PM (EST)
My Score:

"Dork"?

I didn't know this was the second graders' punk board. Sorry.

Posted by waste_elite on 2002-12-23 02:52:01
My Score:

"Buy the Clash S/T and the Buzzcocks' 'Another Music...' and you'll never look back at the Explosion. Its more like the Explosion of people ripping off old punk bands."

hey guess what! i own that buzzcock's album and almost everything the clash has ever done and i still like the explosion.

you're such a fucking dork, nobody is impressed.

Posted by graynoisenet on 2002-12-22 21:54:25
My Score:

This band is one of the best live acts I've ever seen.... THEY FUCKING ROCK

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 22, 2002 at 9:49 PM (EST)
My Score:

God bless the SOS

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 22, 2002 at 8:58 PM (EST)
My Score:

Buy the Clash S/T and the Buzzcocks' 'Another Music...' and you'll never look back at the Explosion. Its more like the Explosion of people ripping off old punk bands.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 22, 2002 at 3:04 PM (EST)
My Score:

This is what punk rock should be like.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 22, 2002 at 4:17 AM (EST)
My Score:

The best explosion song is:
No Revolution - The opening track off of their Flash, Flash, Flash album.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 21, 2002 at 1:41 PM (EST)
My Score:

I love this band

Posted by pope_schlomo on 2002-12-21 01:43:02
My Score:

What a great introduction to a great band. "Flash, Flash, Flash" is one of the best records I hold in my possession.

Ramo

Posted by recordings on 2002-12-20 21:10:18
My Score:

flash flash flash is of course, probably better than this one. but none the less, this record is still quality.

at their show in november, matt did mention something about an upcoming release and they played one or 2 songs from it. one was titled "crashes." not too shabby.

Posted by Hamish on 2002-12-20 18:52:22
My Score:

I love the full length and the newer EP, but this one leaves me cold. I think they were still getting their shit together and they hadn't quite gotten all that good yet. I do love "These Times" though. Start with either of the other 2 releases.

Posted by burstandbloom on 2002-12-20 18:51:56
My Score:

I like Flash Flash Flash better.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 20, 2002 at 6:45 PM (EST)
My Score:

A couple years back I saw the Explosion and bought Flash (x3) after the show. It is amazing. So I bought the s/t from Jade Tree mailorder. It blows. I think it is terrible. I never listen to it now. So there...

Posted by waste_elite on 2002-12-20 17:58:30
My Score:

this is a great disc, though it's not quite as good as flash flash flash.

i would recommend picking up "steal this" too

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 20, 2002 at 4:51 PM (EST)
My Score:

...well I guess its okay as a compliment to old punk bands. But there is really nothing original here, not even the cover design or the lyrics.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 20, 2002 at 4:33 PM (EST)
My Score:

My cover art is different. This album own you.

-sickboi

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 20, 2002 at 4:17 PM (EST)
My Score:

Listen to some of the bands they were influenced by, and you'll never look back at the Explosion. Check out the Clash, the Dead Boys, and the Saints, if you want to know who these guys copied off of.