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Hank Jones

Saturdays Of Thunder (2005)
Undecided

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Contributed by: KirbyPuckett
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Published on June 28th 2005

In 2003, a little Canadian band known as Comeback Kid burst onto the hardcore scene with the explosive Turn It Around. A few release dates apart, former members of Kid Dynamite, Lifetime, and a few others put out CVA under the moniker Paint It Black. The two groups paid homage to the early roots of hardcore, but were refreshing and innovative enough to spur relevance in the new era. Both bands have again released stunning albums within the same calendar year; however, there’s a new kid on the streets giving the former two a run for their crowns.

Meet Hank Jones -- no, the legendary jazz pianist has not traded in smooth soul for booming breakdowns; I’m speaking of the roaring Hank Jones quartet from Erie, PA. Sliding in at just over twenty minutes, Saturdays Of Thunder is one non-stop fist-pumping and vocal stretching ride. Simply defined, it’s an impressive release that’s just as aggressive as it is fun and one that grabs the listener from start to finish.

Distinguishing Hank Jones from the cookie-cutter hardcore mold is the unique work performed by guitarist Nick Warren and vocalist Mike Torti’s inimitable wails. Instead of supplying overly predictable chugs and breakdowns on the strings, Warren strums out riffs that are clearly influenced, but dispense their own originality -- check out the solo on “Where Did It Go?” and “125 Chestnut’s” brutal pace. The most substantial part of Saturdays Of Thunder would be the harsh shouting spewing from each of the thirteen tracks. Torti’s vocal chords are tough as nails on the opener “Get Pissed” yet coarser than sandpaper on the thumping “Preaching To The Choir Of Molested Boys.”

The recording quality for this Undecided Records release aids in the appeal, not nearly as glossy as the majority of the material being released now. The rugged edge further emphasizes the throwback to early hardcore albums. Despite the raw appraisal, there are times though when the drums sound hollow and clicky; thankfully, the fast-paced songs whiz by and this hardly becomes a deafening issue.

Highlighting the debut record is your new favorite song -- “Pizza Party.” No further explanation is needed for the gang vocal-laden anthem; just grab a slice with your friends and enjoy! It’s the ideal approach to listen to this surprising unveiling of Hank Jones.

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mattramone (June 8, 2008)

This band is terrible.

Anonymous (January 7, 2006)

Easily one of the worst bands I've heard in a long time.

I liked this album better when Minor Threat did it first.

"tXc" = tardcore.

It's a good tXc album, if you like Schiavoing all over the place.

Anonymous (November 10, 2005)

HJ is easily one of the best new Hardcore bands out there, and they're only gonna get better, check this shit out

Anonymous (November 10, 2005)

Hank Jones owns you all.

Anonymous (July 4, 2005)

First off, Hank Jones totally rules. Second, where's this supposed "gimmick" at? They have one goofy song, so what? If you want a gimmick look at The Aquabats or The Locust (whom I both enjoy thoroughly), not HJ.

WE'RE GONNA HAVE A PIZZA PARTY TONIGHT!!

Gregg, Operation Super-Catch
x412x

Anonymous (July 3, 2005)

bottom line: this band sucks. and gimmicks are dumb

xmiketortix (July 2, 2005)

haha, i think that gainseville show was the beginning of us being very very sick, hahaha! If you think this stuffs bad, wait till you hear the new songs. they suck even more!!!

oh, and you can go here for stuff.

www.myspace.com/hankjones
www.undecidedrecords.com

and go here

www.erieshows.com

im glad we're someone's plus's for going to school here. this place can get pretty shitty...

Anonymous (June 30, 2005)

Ok, so i was really curious about this. So i bought the cd, and god damnit, are you serious about this? sounds like all the terrible minor threat clones from '88, only, like, worse.

Anonymous (June 30, 2005)

Back then they didn't want me, now I'm hot they all on me.

I'm Hank Jones ... holla at ya boy!

bizzlebrizzle (June 29, 2005)

This review makes it sound like there's only 3 bands in the entire world playing "old school" hardcore. What a shame.

I concur!

I still need to hear this record, but so far the best hardcore record of the year is still Paint it Black's new one.

gladimnotemo (June 29, 2005)

This review makes it sound like there's only 3 bands in the entire world playing "old school" hardcore. What a shame.

And this "Pizza Party" trash? No. "TV Party" is the only "party" song one needs, for life.

exploitedyouth (June 29, 2005)

Pizza Party!!

~exploitedyouth~

Anonymous (June 29, 2005)

HANK JONES!
WHO?
HANK JONES!
280-330-8004

lou (June 28, 2005)

this band is one of the things i like about going to school in erie.

etwiels88 (June 28, 2005)

I like the cover art

Sally_Field (June 28, 2005)

Score is for going to a party in Edinboro with some of the dudes in HJ and hearing the Pizza Party song for hours straight.

Anonymous (June 28, 2005)

i cannot listen to the aquabats' pizza day over and over, however i had the hank jones video play like 10 times in a row while pfresh and i talked about how awesome it was.

- kirby

maverick (June 28, 2005)

Good dudes, good tunes, good times.

-Scott

Karasu (June 28, 2005)

More like Jones the Bones.

Anonymous (June 28, 2005)

score is for MIke Torti who sets up amazing shows in Edinboro, PA

keep up the good work!

andrew13 (June 28, 2005)

the singer is a nice guy... he runs erie shows and is treyed to get them to play the punk rock formal in clarion coming up this friday... sadly, we already have 5 bands on the show, including the Code... i'll have to pick this up when i travel to edinboro and see them playing with the Code and Mustard Plug July 15th... shoud be a great night...

Anonymous (June 28, 2005)

The Aquabats' "Pizza Day" > Hank Jones' "Pizza Party"

Anonymous (June 28, 2005)

I saw these guys in gainesville with NMDS. Hank Jones was not good at all. NMDS was fucking great. Fifth Hour Hero played too (also way better than hank jones). And so did Billy Reese Peters (also way better than hank jones).

punkcorekid (June 28, 2005)

i hear good things about these guys.

backupdork (June 28, 2005)

mike torti rules.

bizzlebrizzle (June 28, 2005)

I want this record.

inagreendase (June 28, 2005)

Pretty good stuff; Jordan from Pastepunk put it best when he said this was the first in a long time he was able to genuinely mention Minor Threat as a comparison. One song they even completely rip off the chord progression from "I Don't Wanna Hear It."