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Sixgun Radio

Please Press Me
2003
BANKSHOT!

Sixgun Radio - Please Press Me (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Adam
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BANKSHOT! Records (link)

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Bankshot! Records (Logo)

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



People who liked this also liked:
Operation Ivy - Operation IvyNOFX - The DeclineChoking Victim - No Gods / No ManagersLess Than Jake - Losing StreakFlogging Molly - Drunken LullabiesNOFX/Rancid - BYO Split Series Volume 3Less Than Jake - Hello RockviewBouncing Souls - Hopeless RomanticRefused - The Shape of Punk to ComeMinor Threat - Complete Discography



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    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 10, 2005 at 9:00 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    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

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 6, 2004 at 4:55 PM (EDT)
    My Score:

    Living Ends new album is the best

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 15, 2004 at 11:11 AM (EDT)
    My Score:

    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.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 20, 2004 at 3:47 PM (EST)
    My Score:

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

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 22, 2003 at 10:06 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    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.)

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 20, 2003 at 1:03 PM (EST)
    My Score:

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

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 12:43 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "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

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 3:14 AM (EST)
    My Score:

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

    Posted by boba_fett on 2003-12-17 21:39:50
    My Score:

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

    MSG'D!

    Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2003-12-17 14:10:43
    My Score:

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

    I'm not dissappointed

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 6:21 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Living end= feb 2004-oldpunker-

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 5:52 AM (EST)
    My Score:

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

    Posted by CallingLondon on 2003-12-17 02:56:27
    My Score:

    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?

    Posted by boba_fett on 2003-12-16 22:09:37
    My Score:

    and id say the music is good too

    Posted by boba_fett on 2003-12-16 22:04:29
    My Score:

    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.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 8:29 PM (EST)
    My Score:

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

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 7:05 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    i'm going to go drink a 40

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 6:44 PM (EST)
    My Score:

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

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 5:57 PM (EST)
    My Score:

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

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 5:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    or bloodwurst

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 5:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    what about "olive loaf"?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 4:59 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Cerebellum'd!

    Posted by skajester on 2003-12-16 16:21:06
    My Score:

    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.

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-12-16 16:17:01
    My Score:

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

    "POSSUMS!"

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-12-16 16:15:56
    My Score:

    "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.

    Posted by inagreendase on 2003-12-16 16:11:40
    My Score:

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

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 4:00 PM (EST)
    My Score:

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

    -sickboi

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-12-16 15:58:46
    My Score:

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

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 3:51 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    "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

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 2:21 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    the mother could be you!

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-12-16 14:20:56
    My Score:

    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.

    Posted by shindo on 2003-12-16 14:11:53
    My Score:

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

    -adam

    Posted by FortyMinutesWest on 2003-12-16 14:01:59
    My Score:

    "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?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 1:57 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Pretty cool, i feel like goin skatin-oldpunker-