Tuesday, July 1, 2008

The Backwards Slide of Mass Genocide

It's time to take a break from the crusty stuff. Why would I want to do that? Good point, but sometimes good punk rock melodies are the just the call of the day. I can't think of a better fix than the three EPs by Portland's The Observers. This band came on the scene in the mid 2000's, dropped some jaws, released one full length, were touted as one of the best things to happen to punk in a long while, then abruptly fell off the face of the earth. Not really, as some key members are carrying on in a very similar band, The Red Dons. Both bands play punk rock/post punk with a bittersweet undercurrent to the music, and fairly dark themes to the lyrics. I hear a little Youth Brigade (LA), and some influence from The Wipers, but the bands are doing their own thing, and it's excellent! There's energy, intelligence, and infectious melodies popping out of every pore of these songs, and once in a while the drummer even treats us to great little drum solos. In 20 years, I can see myself complaining that they just don't make records like this anymore...

These seven inchers seem to be sold out everywhere, except Deranged Records has limited clear vinyl versions of "Lead Pill" for 8 bucks!... and some other stragglers may be found here.

Get These EPs here

Tracks:
Lead Pill EP
1. "Lead Pill"
2. "Can't Be Sad"
3. "Short Day"
4. "Normally Normal"
Walk Alone EP
1. "Walk Alone"
2. "The Void"
3. "Slipping Away"
Where I Stay EP
1. "Where I Stay"
2. "Manipulator"

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

great bunch of guys incredible first lp ; saw red dons last week
recommended listening
johnny

javier said...

the feel good eps of the year...

Anonymous said...

this is really nice sing along punk rock. a bit melancholic at times, but really fine! i like bass sound. another good thing is that they got no tragedy members. it's kinda refreshing...
roman

rearache said...

such an awesome band, one of the picks of portland bands, gotta hear the red dons

Batguano said...

It's good to see this band getting the appreciation they deserve. I can't tell you how relieved I was when I heard the Red Dons and find that they were continuing on the same musical bent. And yes, a Portland band that's NOT related to Tragedy... a refreshing surprise indeed! (I mean, don't get me wrong, I LOVE Tragedy...)

javier said...

no tragedy members.... jejejeje...
no luck finding anything else by the observers or the red dons... someday, someday...