Damn Broads – “Loud, Fast and in the Dark”
I’ve gone on enough in the piece, “Women, Punk & Society” that was sparked when I first thought about reviewing this cd. Suffice to say all that I say in that article works in tangent with this review. I will say I like the name “Damn Broads,” as it suggests to me the way the “N” word is used today by young blacks and terms like “queer” and “dyke” by gay folks; which I believe, is positive because it saps the power out of all those hateful words. But enough of my pontificating, this cd is too good not to talk about.
I had only seen this band once, months before, and I was impressed, but I was not prepared to review a cd I would like this much. This is an all-girl hardcore band from Connecticut, fairly young and fairly new. But like the Red Line Rebels, I believe they fully grasp what it means to play hardcore/punk and though they have a more serious lyrical approach I feel they both “get it,” in spades.
I would describe this band as Minor Threat if they were girls, because they have the same intensity, clarity and simplicity in their songs and performance. They zero in on the subject and never lose sight of their prey. Granted, I’m sold on the idea of women in rock but I feel this is one of the best bands we have on our site. Songs that are two minutes or less, rhythms that change within the song- from hardcore to punk and back again, passionate vocals, shouted group choruses, energetic but precise playing, they have it all and all is well written, arranged and performed. Damn Broads, more like Damn Good Broads, to me.
I like all the songs on this cd but let me talk about my favorites. The first song starts with a galloping beat and an almost country/rockabilly lick that you could imagine East Bay Ray of the Dead Kennedy’s playing, then the vocals kick in- Fuck….Fuck….Fuck….Fuck pay to play shows! No doubt about what they’re talking about here. Somewhere they insert about twenty seconds of “Stepping Stone by the Monkees, I’m thinking the Sex Pistols version but I’m thinking they’re thinking the Minor Threats version. It’s a great lead off and a great tune.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/Pay To Play-Damn Broads! – ex.mp3|titles=Pay To Play]The next song is my favorite song on the cd. It’s also my favorite song on our site. I know that’s saying a lot but this song really gets me. It starts with a scream then blends into an energetic rush of noise and emotion, “We’re in their hands, there’s no escape!” a plea of desperation and hopelessness ignited by an energy that’s trying hard to find a way out. But toward the end of the song they go around the band with each member singing two lines. Towards the end one of the dames goes, “Fool me once, but don’t you fuckin’ try again,” and another voice comes in and says, “I can see through your lies, I’m onto your plans. I’m gonna get out, while I still can,” that works so effectively that when they break back into the chorus that, no matter what they say, you know they WON’T be held back, they SEE the way out and they ARE gonna break the binds of the “powers that be” into freedom. This song is powerful, exciting, intense, emotional and great beyond words.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/In Their Hands-Damn Broads! – ex.mp3|titles=In Their Hands]“I Love CCPTV” is another good one. I was told what it stands for but I forget! I do know it has to do with the Connecticut punk scene. It has a double time beat hardcore section in the middle that’s perfect for moshin,’ I’d say.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/CTCP-Damn Broads! – ex.mp3|titles=CTCP]My second favorite tune on the cd is “We’re Livin’ In A Nazi State,” that has a more moderate punk beat but still grooves along nicely with a great Black Flag like group sing-a-long chorus. Before I forget can I give a shout out to whoever did the artwork on this cd?
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/Nazi State-Damn Broads! – ex.mp3|titles=Nazi State]“Girl Bands Suck,” is another headlong rush of sound that uses tempo changes effectively as do most of their songs. A part of the lyrics goes, “Nobody wants to listen to a bunch of fuck’n’dames.” Well, before you hear this song I want to say- I have, I do and I will. I encourage all to do the same.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/Girl Bands Suck-Damn Broads! – ex.mp3|titles=Girl Bands Suck]
(Slimedog)
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