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Staff IconThe GC5 - Kisses From Hanoi/Horseshoes and Handgrenades (Cover Artwork)

The GC5

Kisses From Hanoi/Horseshoes and Handgrenades (2003)
Thick Records

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: FortyMinutesWest
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Published on August 26th 2003


I’ve been to Cleveland twice, and both times it’s been a miserable experience. The first time, I nearly wrecked my car. The second time, I lost my keys and spent an entire day retracing my steps to get them back. So the way I look at it, Cleveland owes me. The GC5 is a start. Thick has re-issued the previously out of print “Kisses From Hanoi” LP and the import only EP “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades”, all on one neat little disc.

With this re-issue, you get 19 tracks of working class punk rock. Drawing influence from bands like The Dropkick Murphys and The Business, they’ve crafted an album that is melodic, yet aggressive, with some definite street punk sensibilities. Things get started off right with “Nothing but These Songs”, about taking strength from the music you listen to. Most of the songs on “Kisses From Hanoi” have a bit of a bit of a drinking song vibe, which is where the Dropkick Murphys comparison comes in. But don’t think these guys aren’t capable of being a little more aggressive. The song “Currency” starts out with some old fashion rock n’ roll guitar, before it shifts into high gear. This is easily the most intense song on the album. With cutting guitar, snarling vocals, and pounding drums. The shout along chorus also ensures that it is one the catchiest songs on the album. The thing that really surprised me was the guitar solo, as it had an almost Agent Orange feel to it. Bands of this type have a way of boring me, but The GC5 manage to inject their own style and originality to the mix.

“Horseshoes and Hand Grenades” which came out a year later than “Kisses From Hanoi”, has more of a melodic feel to it. That’s not to say its all flowers and sunshine, but the guitars have a lighter sound on this recording. But fear not, the gritty vocals are still intact. Aside from being more melodic than on “Kisses From Hanoi”, the guitar playing is also better on this EP. There’s no “Currency” on here, but the band still maintains its aggressive streak. “Bastards of Young” is the most powerful track on here, it’s thoroughly compelling. It compels me to get myself a beer, well, most things do that, but it usually doesn’t sound as good as this does. Overall, the EP is more solid, tight, and focused than the full-length. It provides a good look into what the future would hold for this band (i.e. “Never Bet The Devil Your Head”).

This band is like a precision machine, designed to play this style perfectly. The gritty, yet melodic vocals, the cutting guitar, the fantastic the bass playing (there’s some great scaling going on here), the heartfelt lyrics, everything falls into place rather nicely. It’s strange that this band hasn’t gotten more national attention. I can’t see how any fan of the Murphys or the Business would be disappointed by this release.

You should really check this band out; it’s abnormal for a band like this to really catch my attention, so you know they’re good. This music is as ideal for drinking a few rounds as it is for a class uprising, and neither would be done halfway.

City Lights MP3



People who liked this also liked:
Rancid - ... And Out Come The WolvesBomb the Music Industry! - VacationThe GC5 - Never Bet the Devil Your HeadRancid - Rancid (1993)The Aquabats - The Fury Of...The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Devils Night OutThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Question the AnswersThe Suicide Machines - Destruction By DefinitionThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Don't Know How To PartyRancid - Let's Go

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    Anonymous (September 1, 2003)

    it is said the being close only counts with Horseshoes and Handgrenades.

    Anonymous (August 28, 2003)

    Good band. I like their song "white flag".

    -c22

    Poisonthesink (August 28, 2003)

    One of the fews bands today that can come out of such a crappy scene like here in Cleveland.

    Kelly Holcomb, 2004 Super Bowl MVP

    Anonymous (August 27, 2003)

    "close" only counts in horseshoes and handgranades (probably in small thermal-nuclear devices as well but who is keeping track)

    TurboACsOwnYou (August 27, 2003)

    almost only counts in horseshoes and handgranades... or something like that

    sk8punx4evr (August 26, 2003)

    i am owning up to my idiocy. is horseshoes and handgrenades some kind of saying or phrase? i've seen it used elsewhere [knives out song].

    recordings (August 26, 2003)

    these guys are great. and yes, bestards of young is a cover. check out the hudson falcons if you dig this type of stuff.

    Anonymous (August 26, 2003)

    Damn good band.

    ...evildeadalive

    Anonymous (August 26, 2003)

    'Technically, since the apostrophe replaces letters on both sides of the n, there should be apostrophes on both sides.'

    mmmm...well, technically...
    Shut up! ok, just shut up!

    Anonymous (August 26, 2003)

    hmm...does the apostrophe come before or after the 'n' in rock (')n(') roll?

    Technically, since the apostrophe replaces letters on both sides of the n, there should be apostrophes on both sides.

    Anonymous (August 26, 2003)

    I'm a big fan of Cleveland, my g/f is from there...It's just too bad they have the Browns.

    - Scott
    http://www.local-felons.com/
    (In C class...)

    Anonymous (August 26, 2003)

    Saying that "Bastards of Young" is the srongest track, kind of refutes the rest of the review as it is a cover song (originally by the Replacements).

    Anonymous (August 26, 2003)

    Long live the GC5!

    -Painaxl

    InaGreendase (August 26, 2003)

    hmm...does the apostrophe come before or after the 'n' in rock (')n(') roll?

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