Do It Yourself! Volume #8


Gaza Strippers
"Outasight"
More than just a killer name, the Gaza Strippers offer up some high octane punk rock that could only come straight outta the midwest. When I finally get into my first high speed chase, my first move will be to reach for the stereo to make sure this track is at maximum volume.

The Planet Smashers
"Explosive"
Who knew that with ska in full retreat here in the states, that it'd find safe haven just north of the border. That's right, these guys are from Canada, but show off their street cred here with featured  toasting from Neville Staple of the legendary Specials. Good stuff.

Eagles of Death Metal
"I Only Want You"
I coined the term, "tourrettes rock" to describe these guys. They have a spasmatic, yet cool as hell vibe that's hard to resist singing along to... even though you know there's no way in hell you're gonna be able to span the distance between that falsetto and the deep southern fried, elvis-swagger. Good luck.

MC Chris
"DQ Blizzard"
This is the guy that does the voice of Hesh on Sealab and MC P. Pants on ATHF. Is it a novelty act? Close, but you just can't front on a track that name checks Adobe Photoshop, Fred Savage and Fraggle Rock.

The Briefs
"Poor and Weird"
There's more to Seattle than flannel, baby. Hows about snotty, safety pin punk rock straight outta the London underground circa '76? Yup, it's time to don those vinyl, multi-zippered bondage pants and revel in your own eccentricities.

Calibretto
"When I Think About You"
These (now defunct) Indiana natives channel a little bit of the Dead Milkmen and a little bit of the Violent Femmes to bring you some decidedly uncool dork-punk. When I hear this song, it reminds me of the late Sunday nights back in the day watching 120 Minutes on Mtv. It's like college rock from back in the day when college rock existed.

The Peacocks
"Warning"
These guys are from Sweden and can do the modern American punk-a-billy thing better than most of the U.S. bands out there working overtime to wear the genre thin. Forget the horror and nostalgic trappings usually associated with this style. These guys are thoroughly modern traditionalists.

The Eyeliners
"Sealed With a Kiss"
There's a dichotomy in the realm of female punk rock outfits. Slutty or scary. The girl you wanna get it on with or the girl that can drink you under the table. Somewhere outside of this loop are the Eyeliners. These are the ladies you want your friends to see you with. Sweet, innocuous rock with just a hint of rebelion.

The Reunion Show
"Art of Nothing"
Edna's Goldfish were the fresh faced darlings of the ska scene when it hit the skids in late '98. When the fan base grew smaller, the Goldfish retreated, only to return a few years later as the decidedly un-ska Reunion Show. This one's a crunchy dose of pop rock infused with a hint of new wave synth.

Atom and His Package
"I Am Downright Amazed..."
One man and his synthsizers. This is the music that Aldous Huxley promised, but the world never delivered. Way too out there for the mainstream, but still completely catchy. This story of a young man with no proficiency in the industrial arts hit closer to home than you could ever know.

About the Artwork:
Back in the day before Hef secured a young man's right to wedge nudie mags between his box springs and mattress, "gentlemen's magazines" were a decidedly tamer affair. Heavy on the chauvenism and about as titilating as a Sears catalog, these relics of the past are pretty funny to see now. Plus, you can't go wrong with Bettie Page.