The Ripcordz

The Ripcordz: What If We Held a Revolution and Nobody Came?What If We Held a Revolution and Nobody Came? (2003)
Union Label Group

Reviewer Rating: 2.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: adamAdam
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Published on October 7th 2003I never know what to say about bands like The Ripcordz. You know the type: second generation punks of the Exploited / GBH / D.O.A era that seem completely oblivious to most musical developments post 1982. Montreal's Ripcordz have been at the game for 20 years now and I doubt they're too concer.

I never know what to say about bands like The Ripcordz. You know the type: second generation punks of the Exploited / GBH / D.O.A era that seem completely oblivious to most musical developments post 1982. Montreal's Ripcordz have been at the game for 20 years now and I doubt they're too concerned with whatever criticisms I, or anyone else, has to offer at this point.

To their credit the Ripcords can write a really catchy hook. While it's obviously a requirement for fist-in-the-air anthems, it gives their songs a lot of fun energy that makes up somewhat for their formulaic approach. The band's at their best when they speed things up. Paul Gott's menacing growl sounds much more believable on tracks like "D'oh Canada" or "Gone Too Soon" then on some of the more banal "sing-alongs for the sake of sing-alongs" like "Punk Rules." Where the band does explore beyond their usual boundaries is on a few interesting X / Social Distortion inspired tunes like "Freedom Fried" or "Door 9." However the Ripcordz suffer from the same weakness that plagues other street punk groups: live they're a blast but their recorded material doesn't have the depth needed to hold the listener's interest very long.

The Ripcordz are like old soldiers, they've been fighting the war for years now. The band doesn't offer anything new, but one doesn't get the impression that they're trying to. If you're a fan of early 80s Oi and street punk, this should satisfy.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (June 6, 2004)

Fuck you all the ripcordz are amazing and they have been doing this longer than any of you assholes who have nothing better to do than make fun of people who are doing something with their lives ............. you all are so fucking jugmental oh they suck cause thye have a z in their name well fuck you ......and they sound like they can't play their instruments well lets see playing for like 20 years can do that to you and all you fuck ingnorant shits i hope you all rott in hell fuck you im out

Anonymous (October 11, 2003)

Thats the next Nelly album MFers

Anonymous (October 10, 2003)

What if they made an album and nobody cared?

Anonymous (October 10, 2003)

oh i thought crust meant "crusty" as in "rusty" as in they haven't practiced much, and can't play their instruments worth shit.

Anonymous (October 9, 2003)

hahahhahahahahha. Crust, as in "fringe". They are on the "crust" of the political pie. thats what it means. you dumbasses

Anonymous (October 9, 2003)

crust is a description of a band's clothing. nothing else. I've never heard of a crustist or a member of the crust party. have you?

the casualties are 'hot topical' otherwise known as 'mallpunk'

this band gets props, at least for the title.

Anonymous (October 9, 2003)

"crap crust punk better than refused and blood bros? i hate originality too. let's start a club. we can listen to the casualties."

You obviously have no knowledge of what the hell you speak of... Crust is a description of a band's politics, but since it's also a sound, let me explain: Crust is a mixture of speed metal and punk, traditionally with male and female vocals. The Casualties are sure as hell not crust... And if I had to pick, I think I'd listen to Nausea over Blood Bros and Refused...

-BSD

Anonymous (October 9, 2003)

this definitely isnt the best band around but ive seen them too many times to count cause theyre from montreal and so am i. its kinda like "hmm what should i do tonight? oh look! ripcordz are playing! ill go see them again."

they put on a rad live show and they deserve props for their cross canada treck a few years back when they did something like 40 shows in 40 nights.

-boba_fett

(i have no idea what this album sounds like though, that score was for the ripcordz as a band and as cool people)

ElVaquero (October 9, 2003)

crap crust punk better than refused and blood bros? i hate originality too. let's start a club. we can listen to the casualties.

Anonymous (October 8, 2003)

I agree with the dude right below BSD, and well, BSD too for that matter... (not the better than Refused comment, but the inagreendase comment)

...evildeadalive

Anonymous (October 8, 2003)

"Ripcordz better than Refused...right...see, you would think it's sarcasm if not for that "-BSD" conclusion that tells you "ohhhh.""

Kid, look at your name. Stop kidding yourself, we know you've never heard the Ripcordz, so fuck off and go listen to your trendy fake hardcore bullshit.

-BSD

Anonymous (October 8, 2003)

Ripcordz have been doing this punk thing longer and better than most of the shit bands who are around today.

Also, if you haven't heard the album, or the band, and you're just posting because they have a z in their name, shut the fuck up. Listen to a few songs, and stop being an ignorant jackass.