GROOVIE GHOULIES
"Monster
Club" (Springman Records; 2003)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
"Monster Club," by the Groovie Ghoulies, probably deserves more like two-and-a-half chainsaws than three, but the CD is so much fun to listen to, it garners another half chainsaw on pure enjoyment alone.
A simple combination of the classic Ramones sound with Misfits-like lyrics, "Monster Club" is peppy punk that will at least get your toe tapping, if not your head banging.
Highlights include "The Lizard King" (which pits Jim Morrison against Godzilla), the retro cover of the Herman's Hermits hit, "Don't Go Out in the Rain (You're Going to Melt)," and a straight-on cover of the Ramones' own "Pet Sematary."
Fans of Ramones-style punk will find something to like on "Monster Club" despite the fact that the Ghoulies never near the apex of brilliance that the Ramones mastered. Compare the inane comedy "Running with Bigfoot" to the sly genius of "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg (My Brain is Hanging Upside Down") and you'll see what I mean.
For more information, check out http://www.groovieghoulies.com.
"Appetite
for Adrenochrome" (Lookout Records; 1989)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
"Appetite for Adrenochrome" is a virtual cornucopia of punk rock styles, ranging from the raw hardcore sound of the Sex Pistols to the driving force of the Ramones to the looser, horror-based work of the Misfits.
This variety is both a good and a bad thing. It's a good thing because, for the most part, the Groovie Ghoulies do pretty well in all the different styles. It's bad because the CD doesn't have any real flow and feels like songs gathered from several different albums rather than songs recorded for just one.
None of that will be very important to the band's fans, who will find all of the music here to their liking, as will those who just want to have fun with their punk rock. With songs like "Do the Bat" and "Ghoul Chant," it's hard not to have fun with the Groovy Ghoulies.
A cover of the Rolling Stones' "2000 Man" (one of three cover songs on the CD) is a highlight.
Groovie Ghoulies: Kepi - vocals, guitar; Rudge - guitar; Vetty - bass; John Philip Sosa - drums.
For more information, check out http://www.groovieghoulies.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised:
18 Mar 2024 13:45:56 -0500.
