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 | The SpitsThe Spits2002 Slovenly 
 Review by: YourBloodyValentine See others by this writer Official Spits Site (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 Published on November 25th 2003
Dear Adam, How’s it going? Do you remember me? Earlier this year I was the pompous ass who anonymously posted to your Top Ten list, proclaiming your choices bunk because you failed to mention the unbelievable records released in 2002 by Pacific Northwest (Portland, Seattle) bands: the Exploding Hearts, the Epoxies, the Cripples, and the Spits. Then you recommended I should do a review helping explain why the “Pacific Northwest owned in 2002.” Yeah, I’m a little late in writing. Or more honestly, I find reviewing records excessively difficult. I wanted to share with the Punknews crowd how great these bands coming from the Pacific Northwest are. But alas, my confidence as a writer waned after reading too many Pitchfork reviews. Although they can be very exclusive and discriminatory, they write reviews with all sorts of allusions, humor, and music terminology. I wanted to be like a giant jackass and disrespect hard working bands. I don’t care if a band tours 9 months in a broken-down van, I wanted to write an indulgent review—drawing more attention to myself than the record itself. It didn’t matter if a band always tried their best to put on a live show for fans, I wanted to give their record a 2.1 because they used a passe ska riff on one song. You see Adam, I did not want to enter the stage of album reviewers because there are better writers out there. But then something unexpected happened. At the private school I attend, we got this substitute teacher named Mr. Schneebly. He told me I was cool, and showed me the handshake. Mr. S showed me how to play electric guitar, even though my overbearing Nazi father wants me to study classical guitar. He also let me be in the top secret rock band school project he was directing. And when I got stage fright and was drained of confidence, he told me I wasn’t fat at all, but one of the best writers he has ever seen. Mr. S also introduced me to bands like the Ramones during Rock History class. Do you like the Ramones? Well, this band called the Spits reminds me a lot of the Ramones. They have the same, “1-2-3 Go!” riffs and rhythm. On this album, they sing silly songs about parties, drinking in alleys, and wanting girlfriends. The guitars buzz and the drumming is fierce and aggressive. In fact, I often find myself air-drumming to this record. The Spits also use a synthesizer that whirrs in the background. This is what makes the Spits the unique punk powerhouse that they are. The synthesizer is used in every song and it adds to the music rather than distracting the listener’s attention. The Spits are legit rockers—no synth-band novelty here! Although the Spits have the Ramones “sound,” the vocals are sung with more anger, tenacity, and emotion. The song Rat Race is an excellent example. There’s a lot of punky anger in this song and it get’s me rockin’! This is how angry Joey should of sounded when the KKK took his baby away. My favorite song is Bring. The drumming is relentless and primal, and the synthesizer drones like a rabid robot contaminated with rabies. It’s a song about girls and here’s a lyric, “You know it’s true, I’m sniffin’ glue / girl you know you’re bringing me down.” The synth and drum combo in this song is infectious. I could listen to this song all day on repeat. The Spits are a fun band. They even dress-up in different costumes for every show. When I saw them live, they were wearing cloaks and the synth player was a robot costumed in a cardboard box, aluminum foil, and silver paint. I like them even though some people will call them juvenile, moronic, or retarded. Adam, you just gotta here their song Bring. Hell, you got to hear the whole album. Since this album was released on a small independent, Slovenly Records, it can be kind of difficult to find. However, it is on Interpunk. This album will make you a fan! They also have a new album coming-out on Dirtnap Records this month. I hope things are going well in your Punknews responsibilities. I look forward to seeing your best of 2003 list. Sincerely, John
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The Spits are goddamned geniuses, and too whoever went to see them with Rocket from the Crypt and thought they were the equivelent of anal rape and nails on a chalk board.... blah blah.. etc. "SHUT UP!! You are foolish" Meanwhile, yes those of us in the PacNW do have a butt load of rad bands right now. We fucking rule. Portland especially. What's really cool is that a lot of these kids and bands have been around for awhile- it's not some new thing- people are just starting pay attention as our bands go out and tour more. Oooh, so Tragedy is from over this way, and someone else metioned the Triggers already, but how about the Hunches? They have a self titled album on 'in the red' that is way tough. Also Electric Eye is from here, they are way sweet Rawk/Punk, absolutly insane stuff- and great live.How about the Fliptops/the Minds?the bands share members and they both are awesome. The minds have a girl on keyboards, the fliptops don't (that's the real difference between the two bands). Ahhh... and the exploding hearts... i was so glad too get to see them when i finally did...and then that accident... i will say this, Adam Baby was the nicest band dude i've ever met anywhere. They are universally loved over here. I thought they were called the Spics. Twat is next in line to get cut up... Do your chores. I'm feeling a bit psychedelic today. twat, you're on my ban list. That means you might as well stop posting, cos nobody likes you. Now go home and beat your meat thinking about making your mom doing your chores. Damn it janelle! I thought I told you to go make babies. I can't believe your husband lets you use his computer. You better have dinner ready when he gets home. He put in a hard day at the office and all he wants to do is relax. The middle paragraphs of this review sound like a take off of "School of Rock." "The fat guy on the synth did rock though." Do these guys sound anything like the Cripples? I do love me my Cripples... The exploding hearts ! This band is absolutely horrible live. I have not heard this album so I can't comment on it, but based on their live show (opening for Rocket from the Crypt), I do not think I'll be checkin' it out. These guys dressed in bunny suits and proceded to make my ears bleed for 30 minutes. It sounds like they played one long sloppy ramonesy style song with screechy vocals as every single song was the same style, speed, and drumbeat (perhaps the lyrics could have been different but one has to be able to decipher the singer's mumblings to conclude this). I always forget to change the "score" when I comment on albums...this is not the case here...anything the Spits do deserves a 5 star review. This album is amazing and I expect the new one to be just as good if not better. Erin (the bass player) does some incredible 4 track stuff that they don't play live, but is some of the most intrguing, simple, and warped stuff around. Update: "It sucked that I didn't even hear or the Exploding Hearts until that horrible accident. There latest (only????) album is quite the hidden gem." I liked the review..the only thing that I disagree with is...."This is how angry Joey should of sounded when the KKK took his baby away"..Joey sounded just fine i like this band a whole lot This is officially my favorite review ever. It's great to see I have a power of suggestion that spans months. This review was good, but here's how I would make it better: YES!!! This record Rules! If you dig this, check out Nazis From Mars, The Cripples, A-frames, The Intelligence, The Epoxies, Servotron, Polysics, The Stuck-ups, The Screamers, ect........ The NW, Empty and Dirtnap records in particular, fucking rules these days. Better recognize. "the pacific northwest owned in 2002. but because of bands like pedro the lion, minus the bear, pretty girls make graves, the decemberists, and waxwing. It sucked that I didn't even hear or the Exploding Hearts until that horrible accident. There latest (only????) album is quite the hidden gem. the pacific northwest owned in 2002. but because of bands like pedro the lion, minus the bear, pretty girls make graves, the decemberists, and waxwing. |
