Clit 45
- Self-hate Crimes
By Travis Becker
I promise, this is the last review I’ll
do of a band named after the female anatomy. At least for a while.
That being said, Clit 45’s new album, “Self-hate Crimes”, their first for
new label BYO Records, proved a fitting and satisfying end to this little
mini-series/Tour De Vagina (for those who have no idea what I’m talking
about, see my review
this month of Magnolia Thunderpussy’s recent release). Continuing
in the violent Street Punk tradition of the California beaches, Clit 45
deliver a taught set of Mohawked anthems, all in less time than it takes
to watch a Simpsons rerun. This is no concept album, no Punk Opera,
just fourteen songs that get to the point like a spiked skull ring to the
eye socket. They’re not the Huntington Beach thugs from the early
eighties or the Hermosa Beach goons, but their Long Beach home still has
its own tradition of sex, drugs, and violence (Snoop Dogg anyone?) and
what more do you need for a nice bolus of Punk Rock good times.
Don’t forget to wash it down with a 40 oz.
Clit 45 plays Punk with no frills, no
filler and one emotion only-anger. The songs on “Self-hate Crimes”
are almost instantaneous bursts of raw, flesh-off-the-bone, three-chord
punk. The band allows nothing to stand on its own, even guitar solos
are relegated to one note breaks or bursts of feedback.
Unlike many Street Punk bands, however,
Clit 45 avoids falling into the trap of banging out dissonant lumps of
noise with no sense of melody or structure. The songs are fast, but
catchy. Liberty Spikes must be dipped reverentially to the bass playing
on the album which carries the melody of the songs while the stock drum
beat keeps the pace and the guitars and vocals try to dismantle everything
around them. “The Storm is Over” stands out due to the tight little
bass line underneath all the noise at the surface. The vocals are
handled well, with a tandem of singers sharing the piss and vinegar. Obviously
a well-oiled touring machine, the band plays professionally and the record
never comes across as sloppy or unfocused.
Other standout songs include, “Caught in
a Crack” and the simply toe-tapping, “Gimme Death”. Elements of the
Stooges and Sick of it All are all at work here in Clit 45’s bare-wired
approach and obvious passion for what they’re doing. It’s hard not
to like what bands like this stand for, the obliteration of Punk Rock fashionistas
for one thing. Eyeliner and haircuts don’t rule the day for Clit
45 and for this band, the only thing “Pop” in Punk should be a pop in the
mouth for Ashley Simpson and her ilk. (Neither I, nor would I imagine the
band would condone hitting an actual woman). While it’s true that
the destructive glory days of California Punk will never return, it’s nice
to have bands like Clit 45 to remind the faithful of better days.
Punk, after all, was born in the streets and someday it will die in the
gutter, but for now there’s still a pulse, just mention Clit and you’ll
hear it quicken just a little.
CD Info
Clit 45
- Self-hate Crimes
Label: BYO
Records
Rating:
Tracks:
1. Can't Stop The Bleeding
2. Dead Ends And Debauchery
3. Killed By Life
4. No Sanctuary Sanity
5. Teeth On The Floor
6. Caught In A Crack
7. Over My Head
8. Gimme Death
9. What's Left
10. Misery On A Mainline
11. Kid's Aren't Alright
12. Who The f***...
13. Storm Is Over, The
14. Just Exist |
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