F-Minus, F Minus

F-Minus, F-Minus (Hellcat, 1999)

I really do not know much on this band at all, coming from California and this being there debut album. At the time punk was sort of coming back in a real way. Green Day and other pop/punk bands kind of re ignited many younger people into the style. But this is for many fans of that music a little bit of a progression. Out with the pop part and well simply a real punk band.

Well it is more of a crossover in a way, I am happy to add them to the hardcore  bands from the time and I think live they could be as solid as many who were about in the late 90s. But anyhow I am not debating what/why they are but why you should get this album.

Again it is not all sing along but it is shout along stuff. The first track is a whopping 35 seconds long. This gives you an idea of what is on offer. But it is done very thoughtfully as many of the tracks really do gel into each other very well. "Slave Labor" is a title that may not get it listed on radio one but for me it gets my ears interested. The 90s were all about pop punk and then into skate punk. I really didn't give two fucks about those bands. Where I grew up if you went about dressed like that you were looked on as a rich kid. And most likely would get mugged.

Tim Armstrong (Rancid) produces this album and I think he done a great job, simply play. The drums at times sound bad and very much un professional but that gives this album its real spite. The constant kick on the bass drum that sounds like it is 25 years old and so far out off tune it would make the big name producers cry. By the way this band were later produced my Steve Albini so there sound really was catching peoples attention.

The songs do have at times some nice melodic parts, mostly in the vocals. Feel free to raise a fist and shout along as that is what it is all about. Many bands were making it and I think F-Minus were given much respect but the sales were not there. Later moving to Epitaph who have many times sold a shed load for punk bands. I have no idea why this band didn't make it as many hardcore band don't entice the punks to listen and this band did easily cross the border of the two styles. I had friends into punk liking them as much as UKHC (UK hardcore) fans.

If you like early Black Flag and much of the music on the Dischord label early days this album will slot right in and make that hellish bus ride to work on a Monday just a little bit easier. I makes me want to accidentally whack my guitar out of tune and make a hell of a racket. Job done!

Very easy to get this via Amazon indi sellers here

Twitter: 29xthefun

Classic Album Review, Rollins Band, Get Some Go Again

Rollins Band, Get Some Go Again (2000-Dreamworks SKG)

Who does not like Rollins Band! Come on! *Shyly put up my hand*

Yes I was never a fan. Well I do like Henry Rollins and Black Flag but this being has band after Black Flag I struggled. I think it is more me as much of his releases were done when I was a fan of rock and not into punk as much (Mostly due to Offspring and Green Day blinding me).

Bu 2000 comes my tastes have some what changed. Sex Pistols reform and I finally get it, britopop dies and rock is back but the bands love punk and then so do I. Rollins Band pretty much broke up before this album with long standing members leaving the band. He had sung in this band for well over ten years and it must have hurt to start again.

Henry was looking for a change in direction in his music and also looking to make an album that rocked. He had produced the band Mother Superior just before looking to start his new project. Blown away by the bands sound and by how fast the get things recorded in the studio he asked if they would be his band. Some writing later and this album is recorded.

It could be unfair to still use the Rollins Band name as the past members were in it for so long but the band does has his name. Also as Henry says it actually is Rollins and a band so the name stayed. But the sound did swap from the post punk/hardcore/jazz to an all out rock n roll sound.

The band and Henry know each other so well the album just sounds so great, as if friends for years it plays so well.  First song feels a little different and helps ease you into the album 'Illumination' is a mix of old and new. Punk and hardcore with the great bluesy style riffs that are so loud you may have to turn it down a bit. Lead single and the album namesake 'Get Some Go Again' is a great start to the album nailing the rock n roll all out hit the dance floor song on the head. A song about how many bands at the time were not rocking and this song does prove him right. The whole album follows this song in style but add in some nice interludes and great rhythm section the album just kicks in the speakers.

'Monster' reminds me of Sabbaths 'Iron Man'. A big iron bloke is replaced with a monster. Chunky riffs that are all over this album. 'Love's so Heavy' is similar with nice solos and Henry's voice being more sincere.

'Thinking Cap' is one of my favorites with a song about the bullshit we all put up with in normal life. From the way you have to be better than everyone else from the bigger mortgage to the looks and a nice little narration on henry pulling some sort of glamor model apart.  'Are You Ready' is a fantastic cover of the Thin Lizzy classic. It is very much like the original but a little faster, more punky and all round a nice version. The co writer and Guitarist Scott Gorham plays guest on this as well.

The album ends with 'Illuminator' a remix of the first track it does sound good and adds in a small bonus to the albums price.

I say end, not yet the UK edition has a hidden track clocking in at 14 minutes. Simply a session of the band and Henry in the studio. Bass bends and riffs a plenty its a jam worth listening to. And here we come to why this album never made the band bigger or at least the same level. The record company just did not seem to know what to do with this album and so badly they even messed up the production of the album. Missing out Illumination and the Remix on the American album was just stupid. A very important song in building this album, who would by an album with music missing?

The record company should have pulled the albums and redone it but no. You had to write to the record company and ask for the tracks on another CD. Over in the UK the album was out in a 2CD with videos and many extras. I know the album was well received here and given great reviews. Also targeting the the rock market in a time nu metal was starting to really make it was hard.

Such a shame I love this album and I never hear any reference to it by rock or punk fans. I have been at Rollins Band gigs and talked to fans who don't have it. Well if you didn't know about it you do now.

Get Some Go Again is available but get the UK edition or the Re Release 2CD (Done by Rollins himself) so you get all the tracks.