Blatz

Cheaper Than the Beer [7-inch reissue] (2009)
Silver Sprocket

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Brian
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Published on September 28th 2010

One of two Silver Sprocket's major 7" reissues last year, Blatz's Cheaper Than the Beer is probably the lesser of the pair, but by no means an awful listen to cue up again, and has curiously interesting moments that make it worthwhile.

Cheaper Than the Beer--a self-deprecating reference to what was one of the cheapest national brands of alcohol at the time--was initially issued in 1991 on Lookout!, and featured five tracks of Blatz's super scrappy, early '90s Bay Area punk with tinges of anarcho and crusty character. The band found themselves in the same scene as acts like Crimpshrine and Filth, though their style seems only tangentially related--in a straight musical sense--when one considers their piercing, female yelps (Anna or Annie Lalania--I'm not sure) and Jesse Dangerous's apathetic snarling.

It's hard to back their stance in "Fuk New York" with its facetious slogan shouts and Warzone put-downs; for shame, Blatz. But mid-record standout "Lullaby" makes up for it with its sudden venture into more ambitious territory; it's slow and creepy and the spoken-shouted vocals guide it through a more interesting sphere than the band's other, more basic punk romps. For the first minute of "Blatz to the Future," it's like Blatz is propelling the Germs' ominous hardcore into raw, ominous post-punk territory.

Blatz's more straightforward moments provide a raw and moderately enjoyable snapshot of a perhaps bygone Bay Area scene, but they definitely had a little more in them that warrants such a look back.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

ryang (October 8, 2010)

I remember ordering this and Love Songs for the Retarded from Lookout in the same order back in the day and hoping that I would get the mail before my mom when it came. Damn, that label put out some good stuff for a few years.

Rastid (October 7, 2010)

this is a great record, and i say that as a new yorker.

Hey_Asshole (September 30, 2010)

I have been waiting for years for a Blatz review to show up here, just to see if Jesse would post in the comments for it. do not have this, but, have the split with Filth. that is a good split

xbat-mitex (September 29, 2010)

I saw em back in the day, very horrible live band. Was very sad they didn't play the Filth reunion back in June. Filth more than made up for it. 4 sloppy as fuck shows! I was laughing at all the kids that paid to get in who were expecting a tight band but treated to starts and stops mid songs. Oh how awesome the early 90s were!

publichousing (September 28, 2010)

As per usual, mikexdude speaks the truth.

lushj (September 28, 2010)

Dante for the win!

http://berkeleyrentboard.org/

Dante3000 (September 28, 2010)

One thing is for sure, no one in this band is ever gonna hold elected office.

I guess I hold a soft spot for most 1990's bay area bands. Also, this band had members in The Criminals, who I enjoy as well. So..I can't have an opinion.

hobbzoid (September 28, 2010)

in hindsight, lots of what came out of this era sucks eggs. This included.

mikexdude (September 28, 2010)

Also, crust is awesome.

mikexdude (September 28, 2010)

I've had the Shit Split for about 4 or 5 years and I still don't like Blatz that much.

Half_Idiot (September 28, 2010)

Popofchili-town has obviously never heard this band before.

"Fuk New York" still holds up and is the only song to play whenever the Yankees win anything; don't care if it's about the idiot youth crew/thug scene of the late 80s, it shouts the title in the chorus and that's enough for me. Definitely going to play the Shit Split CD with this tacked on as bonus tracks now.

A six pack of Blatz is still super cheap but not cheaper than 7"s. One of my budget favorites.

thepopeofchili-town (September 28, 2010)

Eww... crust punk.