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Cheap Sex

Headed for a Breakdown (2004)
Punkcore Records

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

Published on March 21st 2006

I don’t think anything good has ever resulted from cheap sex. Hell, I don’t think anything good has ever resulted from anyone paying for sex in the first place. Arrests, the clap, or just knowing that you had sex with some hideous back alley trick because it was the best you can do is enough to piss anyone off. So if that’s where Cheap Sex is drawing inspiration for their name, or their record Headed for a Breakdown, it fully explains why they’re so damn pissed off.

Vocalist Mike Virus spits fire on this record, and it’s evident not only through his venomous delivery, but the lyrics that remain heavily focused on social and political issues. It’s more the latter, as clearly evidenced by “Raped by the FCC:”

I turn on the radio the other day, Howard Stern was taken off the radio waves / I don’t care if you are a fan, I just want you to see / How the first amendment was raped by the FCC / Indecency is a word for the freedom invasion, from the Christian right and the Bush administration / Church and state is his agenda, drop a bomb in a heartbeat but a boob offends ya?

They make no qualms about their beliefs, as the majority of other songs on the record hold similar ideals. It’s refreshing to see a band stand up for what they believe, and convey it in a rather intelligent manner, one that really does give their words the credibility that a lot of bands simply don’t have. In addition to their political affiliations, the song “Raped by the FCC” is just a damn good song. Between Mike Virus’ hardcore-like shouting, and Chris Blitz's lightning quick guitar playing, a very formidable combination is formed.

All through the record, the buzz saw guitar work is loud and dangerous, the vocals volatile, and the bass and drums strong and present enough to really flesh out the sound. There isn’t a weak song to be found on the entire album, and even when some tracks are waning, Blitz’s guitar work is right there to pull the song from the muck and hoist it into the sky. They don’t relent for even a moment, their gritty punk storm casting over every minute of the record. Mike Virus’ scruffy vocals at the forefront of it all. It’s an energy and conviction, a raw power that punk rock was founded on, and it’s terrific to see that that spirit is still alive and kicking these days.

So now I’ve invalidated my own introductory paragraph, something good has come from Cheap Sex, and who knows, maybe they’ll send Dick Cheney a copy.

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VOLDY (December 27, 2009)

Street punk kicks a$$!

anti-conformity (April 5, 2008)

These punks are from my home town any yeah i think its rad since they portray(show) their thoughts through angry lyrics.

Keith19 (August 29, 2006)

Howard Stern is terrible. Opie and Anthony are much funnier and wittier than Stern will ever be. Naked girls ont he radio. HAH!

Anonymous (March 27, 2006)

since when was there different styles of punk

punk is punk so fuck off

and nomatter what cheap sex kicks ass

Anonymous (March 23, 2006)

Is that Mike Burkett on the cover?

-Not-To-Regret

Street punk sucks.

Anonymous (March 23, 2006)

"i'd rather punk music be universally hated than universally loved."

That's because you're selfish.

"street punk captures the energy intensity and speed that punk was supposed to be in the first place"

Really? because I thought punk was supposed to be about originality and innovation. This is same ole, same ole' crap. Patti Smith, The Velvet Underground, Elvis Costello, Warren Zevon, The Voidodids, that was punk was about: this is what punk has been reduced to, and it's because of narrowminded people like yourself, who refuse to break any stereotypes associated with punk music, that all music marketed as punk is either sold in masses (Green Day etc) to clueless "rebel" teens, or this type of redundant, tired, cliche trite.

Dude, you obviously havent heard of the golden rule. If you think you're punk, you're most likely not. By that very ideology (put forward by the Greats of the genre, including Henry Rollins, & Don Letts) this band are not Punk, and you are not Punk. You're living a pipe dream and you need to grow up.

I still have hope for this genre, and will continue to support punk music, in fact there is still a multitude of bands that I would consider to fit the attitudes and etho's of the punk mentality that are out making amazing, original music: you just wont find the names sprawled across the back of some kids plaid jacket, and you certainly won't see them touring with the fucktards on "punkcore" records.

And as for the Mars Volta comment, why would you assume that every one "anti Street Punk" would be a pretentious Prog Rocker. Well, I guess when you listen to so much music all trying to be lumped under the same category, you would start creating labels for any and everyone.

FuckYouOiOiOi (March 22, 2006)

i'd rather punk music be universally hated than universally loved. and street punk captures the energy intensity and speed that punk was supposed to be in the first place. go listen to mars volta art asshole.

Anonymous (March 22, 2006)

This Exploited style "Oi Oi PunX" is a retarded, tired album, created by fuckwads who are much scene-killers as the "pretentious art fags" they mock in the "Fuck Emo" track.

This is why everyone hates punk music.

Something fresh, please.