Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 


Reviews



On the list of people I hate, few are higher-ranking than Bam Margera. Margera represents just about every quality I dislike in a person, and molds them into one spoiled brat doing literally anything he wants on MTV’s tab. Not only that, but his band, CKY, is absolutely terrible. So my hatred comes from multiple angles. However, he does have a friend that shockingly to me, has a much better band than Bam.

You may have seen him in CKY or other assorted movies skateboarding and beating the holy hell out of people. That friend is Mike Vallely, and Revolution Mother is his attempt at a little bit of hardcore and a little bit of punk rock.

First impression -- not bad, not bad at all. It’s nothing remotely original but they do get one thing right straight off the bat, and that’s the energy. The energy needed to be in a band of this type is more a requirement than any musical skill or writing prowess, and luckily for Vallely and the other three members of Revolution Mother, they have it.

The bass intro to the opener, “Goodbye” evokes a good omen, as that kind of beginning to a song is a punk rock staple. Once you hear the plucked bass strings, you know right what you’re in for, or at least think you do in this case. Followed quickly by some spoken word, that bass doesn’t lead into quite the fast-paced rhythm that was expected. The verses of this five-minute track are mostly Vallely’s spoken word over some very light drumming and guitar resonance, but there’s a definite air of danger in his understated delivery. It becomes very apparent why when the chorus comes in -- slow churning metal riffs underneath Vallely’s torrid and surprisingly strong screams of “goodbye!.” “Second Thoughts” follows up that curveball with the more traditional punk rock fare that I was expecting, and the band is able to cram plenty of hard-hitting aggression into the minute-and-a-half duration.

Switching back to the more hardcore and metal aspect of their songwriting for “Neverdie,” the band matches Vallely’s harsh vocals with some really terrific riffing that even after hearing the four songs prior, I was not expecting. Guitarist Jason Hampton lays down some incredibly smooth solos and they’re actually able to go without vocals for half of the song’s six minutes and not lose a bit of the intensity they began with.

Bam, take notes, because while you were off painting your mom’s PT Cruiser while she was at work, your buddy Mike accomplished something you’ve yet to -- recording a good album.



People who liked this also liked:
Jonah Matranga - There's a Lot in Here [CD/DVD]Casket Architects - Dance on the Death NerveCross Examination - The Hung JuryBracket - RequiemNo Thanks - Demo / Live: CBGBs [reissues]A Global Threat - Where the Sun Never SetsPolar Bear Club - The Redder, The BetterIron Age - Constant StruggleA Northern Chorus - Bitter Hands ResignBand of Horses - Everything All the Time



Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 29, 2007 at 3:55 AM (EST)

    wow, that was a 'punk'd' out review... of bam! It's pretty punk to be just ridiculously irresponsible with your poop tossing, isn't it? Remember the days when the band your reviewing mattered? Figure it out jackass... don't be a jealous ellis.. go back to your power pop reviews and leave the 'punk' to someone else.. like Mike V. God Bless Mike V. Leave Bam out of it, especially sinnce you've got too much 'angst'. god this website is so punk!
    -glomb

    Posted by SilentStorms on 2007-01-26 09:57:11

    Hey Anchors, you write great reviews, but you must admit you dropped the ball here. Not on the actual review, just on your research. That is all.

    Posted by Anchors on 2007-01-25 16:40:45

    Hey, man, I think you uh, dropped something there.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 2:38 PM (EST)

    Working your hatred of Bam Margera into a review of Mike V's album is extremely weird. BTW: You don't know Bam. You know his television/film persona. He's a truly awesome guy... but who cares. This is SUPPOSED to be about Mike V's MUSIC.

    Regardless of your opinion, this is probably the most poorly written review I've seen in 20 years.

    How old are you? 14? Is this supposed to be written by a pro? It looks like something a 12 year old would scrawl on MySpace.

    Mike is working on new material now that blows this CD away... BTW.

    Posted by nocigar on 2007-01-24 16:25:33

    Um, it's his brother thats in CKY. Oh, and don't be jealous cause he can do whatever the fuck he wants and gets paid for it.

    Posted by mustard on 2007-01-24 16:23:18

    I saw these guys with none more black once...It was the worst thing i ever heard.

    Posted by rinjonjori on 2007-01-23 20:42:34
    My Score:

    This reaks of My War era Black Flag and Rollins Solo stuff. I dig the style but he needs to add something to the mix-- which he doesn't. Still it's wortth tuning in for the upcoming LP.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 6:02 PM (EST)

    I don't understand why you even bring bam up. Mike V made a name for himself years ago for being a gnar dog. Long before bam and all his bullshit.

    Posted by wentz_equals_death on 2007-01-23 17:42:39

    i forgot to mention that bam is NOT in cky

    Posted by Holy_Balls on 2007-01-23 17:42:00

    Your mom is a revolution.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 5:21 PM (EST)

    you dont know a fuck about mike! fucker!shut up and stop wasting everyones time w/ shit reviews.

    Posted by theonetruebill on 2007-01-23 15:38:01

    Oh man, nice Deviate reference. A .

    Posted by Anchors on 2007-01-23 15:15:51

    Posted by Anchors on 2007-01-23 13:48:01

    My mistake, it's Jess Margera in CKY. Easy thing to confuse.

    Do you kids honestly have nothing better to do, though, than parrot the first person who pointed out my mistake? I'm not immune to them.

    But, please, let's have another 10 keyboard warriors reply with 'ANCRZ UR A FUCKIN IDIOT ITZ NOT BAM IN CKY U ASSHOLE.'

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 2:20 PM (EST)

    "That friend is Mike Vallely, and Revolution Mother is his attempt at a little bit of hardcore and a little bit of punk rock"

    He has made numerous attempts. Check out the EP on Indecision records "Mike V and The Rats." Total Black Flag worship.

    Posted by wentz_equals_death on 2007-01-23 13:58:47

    i saw him and his (former?) band, mike v and the rats, a good number of years ago, and i tell you what, he was channeling henry rollins for the whole damn set. it was kinda cool but for all i knew it could've been a whole set list of black flag covers -- i had yet to hear the gospel at that point. extra points for him being pro skateboarder mike vallely and also for it being a deviates show.

    and, fyi, bam isn't in cky. (it's his brother.)

    Posted by Anchors on 2007-01-23 13:48:01

    My mistake, it's Jess Margera in CKY. Easy thing to confuse.

    Do you kids honestly have nothing better to do, though, than parrot the first person who pointed out my mistake? I'm not immune to them.

    But, please, let's have another 10 keyboard warriors reply with 'ANCRZ UR A FUCKIN IDIOT ITZ NOT BAM IN CKY U ASSHOLE.'

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 12:39 PM (EST)

    Sure I can understand your dislike for Bam and all but seriously your last line has no relevaance at all because Bam hasnt even recorded anything. Figure it out!!!!

    Posted by dietcokeofpunk on 2007-01-23 12:18:17

    not a big fan of spoken word, usually leaves me wanting more. however, this isn't too bad.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 12:05 PM (EST)

    Dissing Bam is one thing (and thats like saying water is wet) but saying that he plays in CKY is just retarded. Check your facts.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 11:54 AM (EST)

    Vallely's definitely breaks the "Jackass" Mold....and Revolution Mother is a solid band with great upside. But the previous post is right....Bam's bro is in CKY....and that still doesn't make them a good band.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 11:48 AM (EST)

    i loathe bam as well, but i'm pretty sure it's his brother that's in CKY.

    © 1999-2006 Punknews.org • Terms of Use • Privacy • FAQ • About • ISSN 1710-5366 • RSS RSS Icon