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Sixgun Radio

Please Press Me (2003)
Bankshot! Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Adam
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 16th 2003

A reviewer lamented earlier about a band being "the type that Epitaph should pick up" and I'm tempted to reuse that comment here. That sentiment has nothing to do with label preference (Bankshot’s an awesome label), it’s made out of longing for a style the powers-that-be in the punk scene are no longer paying attention too. This is that melodic hardcore sound that was everywhere in the mid 90s, championed by Californian labels like Epitaph or Fat Wreck. It was a time when pop punk was nothing more than Ramones-inspired tunes from the Lookout! stable and when the rise of emo music was nothing more than a bad campfire story we'd use to scare kids.

Of course I'm romanticizing that style, but Sixgun Radio fits into that period so well.

The most obvious comparison here is with Down By Law, although Please Press Me is certainly more aggressive then the latest DBL record. Geography plays a factor too, as the influence of the New York hardcore and New Jersey punk scenes is definitely present in the music. The most important thing about Please Press Me is how fresh it sounds. Bands from the 90s skate punk scene that are still around may put out some decent records, but that fire of youth is long gone. Sixgun Radio gives the style a much-needed shot in the arm.

Despite the importance I'm putting on their genre, Sixgun Radio don't mind deviating a bit from an otherwise strong set of punk rock songs. "Bring It Back" is a good example, as the tune jumps out the gate like an early Forgotten single, only to lead into a ska bridge and conclude with a light hearted instrumental. Furthermore the acoustic "Kings And Queens" and rollicking cover Billy Joel's "You May Be Right" keep things from falling into a pattern. Choking Victim / Leftover Crack frontman Stza even makes an appearance on "Bitter End." However it’s in well-written hooky punk rock that Sixgun Radio really shines, especially on tracks like "Hard Work Big Dreams," "Arrowed!" and "Culture Crave."

Of course there's a few small problems here. The drums in a few songs seem to be a bit too high in the mix. Furthermore if you're looking for high-art or striking originality you won't find it here. However Please Press Me should definitely please those of us who grew up with bands in this style, a style that desperately needed some new blood.

MP3
Arrowed!
Culture Crave

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Anonymous (January 10, 2005)

This Album is fucking great the best in Melodic Hardcore mixed with a few other styles to make it interesting the problem is its better than most of the stuff Epitaph/Fatwreck were putting out back then as its more diverse and harder, get this album.

P.S. The Living End are fucking Lame corporate punk

Anonymous (May 6, 2004)

Living Ends new album is the best

Anonymous (April 15, 2004)

after we released this album we had to build a halfpipe. weird. the next album will want to make you do something else though. it wont be an extreme sport however.

Anonymous (February 20, 2004)

I love this cd!!! Seriously, this band will be huge.

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

for those of you in the know, E-40, the original ballaholic, has a song called mustard and mayonaise. it is the fucking shit.
sincerely,
funk. (it died.)

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

this is a very awesome album .. i heard these guys lately their newer shit is just ridiculously great GO SEE THEM LIVE

Anonymous (December 18, 2003)

"head cheese" is one of the few terms that has two meanings that are both equally disgusting. I saw some ham with cheese injected into it at the store the other day, it made me think of that stuff that was peanut butter and jelly in the same jar."

It makes me think of mustard and mayonaise in the same jar. Mustardaonaise!

Jim

Anonymous (December 18, 2003)

Whoa--hey, this be some good shit.
-MATEO D'CAY

boba_fett (December 17, 2003)

i downloaded arrowed! cause it reminded me of teen girl squad!

MSG'D!

TheOneTrueBill (December 17, 2003)

i downloaded Arrowed! based solely on the fact that it was favorably compared to Down By Law.

I'm not dissappointed

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

Living end= feb 2004-oldpunker-

Anonymous (December 17, 2003)

dude the ends new album isnt all that great so calm down

CallingLondon (December 17, 2003)

someone tell me. when the FUCK is the living end's album coming out in the US? they waiting for the end of the world or something?

boba_fett (December 16, 2003)

and id say the music is good too

boba_fett (December 16, 2003)

when the rise of emo music was nothing more than a bad campfire story we'd use to scare kids.

that line made the review. 10 points.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

The singer reminds me of the singer from Trial By Fire at times.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

i'm going to go drink a 40

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

this album fucking rules, and is that stza singing on track 2 as well, i swear thats him.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

In french, "eggnog" is called "lait de poule". That translates into chicken milk.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

or bloodwurst

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

what about "olive loaf"?

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Cerebellum'd!

skajester (December 16, 2003)

They must tour. They must come to the MidWest. They must play Lawrence, KS. I will do everything in my power to see these guys live, even if it means booking the show myself.

FortyMinutesWest (December 16, 2003)

"HOLY SHIT Please tell me "Arrowed!" is a TGS reference."

"POSSUMS!"

FortyMinutesWest (December 16, 2003)

inagreendase (December 16, 2003)

HOLY SHIT Please tell me "Arrowed!" is a TGS reference.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

I got a worse one...."Head Cheese"

-sickboi

FortyMinutesWest (December 16, 2003)

On a semi-related note, bologne is disgusting, but it's not as bad as pimento loaf.

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

"when the rise of emo music was nothing more than a bad campfire story we'd use to scare kids."

If I liked men Adam, I'd be all over you like a Bum on a Bologne sandwich.

-sickboi

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

the mother could be you!

FortyMinutesWest (December 16, 2003)

I do what I can, each day is another chance to make a difference!

Also, this band is pretty cool, reminds me of skateboarding, and how much I sucked at it.

shindo (December 16, 2003)

What can I say Forty, you're an inspiration to us all.

-adam

FortyMinutesWest (December 16, 2003)

"A reviewer lamented earlier about a band being "the type that Epitaph should pick up" and I'm tempted to reuse that comment here."

Now who would say a thing like that?

Anonymous (December 16, 2003)

Pretty cool, i feel like goin skatin-oldpunker-