UNCLE SLAM
"Will
Work For Food" (Restless Records; 2006)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
There have been rumblings that this Los Angeles thrash band is re-forming. I don't know if that's true or even if it's possible. But Uncle Slam is worth reviewing because of their ties to Suicidal Tendencies (drummers Armery Smith and R.J. Herrera both beat the skins for Uncle Slam) and for their straight-forward, thrash metal that may not have offered much in the originality department but more than delivered when it came to rocking hard.
"Will Work For Food" was originally released in 1993 and features fast-paced, guitar-driven tunes with vocals that are surprisingly understandable and lyrics that range from the frivolous ("Cold Fire," featuring the lyric, "I'll be the hammer, you'll be my nail.") to the socially conscious ("Will Work For Food," which contains the lyric "People stare at me like I'm some freak on the loose; I've gone insane but insane is the way I choose."
Also featured herein is an decidedly unique cover of Led Zeppelin's "Dazed And Confused," speed-metalized.
The bottom line is that Uncle Slam was a pretty good band. Don't pay $20.00 if you come across their out-of-print CDs at a record store, but if you can find them on Ebay for a fair price, buy 'em.
UNCLE SLAM is/was: Simon Oliver - bass, backing vocals; Todd Moyer - all guitars, throat; Amery "Awol" Smith - drums, percussion, backing vocals.
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 © 2000 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
