Ditch Boys – “Seven Minutes With Ditch Boys”
Ditch Boys are a band that I have no idea how I came across.
That’s not totally true. I know they’re from Connecticut and I like a lot of bands from there. I’m sure I saw them on a bill of bands I liked and I checked them out.
And after passing a stringent, background check including a thorough drug test that, I’m happy to report, they passed with flying colors, I decided to review them.
If you’re expecting some heavy modern hardcore, you won’t find it here.
Or some pallid, paint by the numbers, emo/indi pop punk- well, you’re shopping in the wrong aisle, as well.
But if you’re looking for some excellent garage/proto-punk/ early melodic punk/new wave influenced music- well, you’ve probably come to the right spot.
Let’s count how many items they have selected for you, now placed in your cart, and let us proceed to the registers and check them out:
“I’m getting ready. I’m ready for shots of love with you.” So starts “Shots Of Love.” And, so kind of you to offer, but I’ll stick with my usual of Jagermeister with a cough syrup chaser- thanks. Some might think of this song as pure, pop fluff but I hear it as really good melodic, new wave/punk. It reminds of the best from bands like The Plimsouls or The Romantics. “I saw you in the back of the club. Next thing I knew I was under your thumb.” There’s the grit and propulsion of the rhythm section, the rude slash of the guitars, a bit of a sneer in the vocals conjuring up the ghosts of Johnny Thunders and Stiv Bators. As backup vocals “wooh” in the background, and lust and desire is brought to the fore front. A simple, but effective guitar solo plunges in leading into a short, thrilling, falsetto chorus before crashing back into the chorus. This song is a shot that contains one part pure emotion, one part pure punk and one part indescribable joy that combines to intoxicate all ears within range. “I got a fever, I got a fever, honey.” This song makes me hot for shots and love, too. It makes me lust for wild and fun times, also. This song embodies when you’ve had one too many shots but the fun that transpires is well worth the hangover.
Four beats of bashing chords followed by a bluesy, garage lick starts “Hot Tongue,” that continues its’ vibrant assault into the verse. Eventually, the rhythm kicks in with some more swooping, falsetto background vocals leading into a chorus with a melodic hook worthy of The Ramones or Buzzcocks. The second verse brings it down into a more fifties/glam tone. And hey!- I’m thinking of Cockney Rebel listening to this song, but I won’t mention them as I’m sure you won’t know who they were. “We’ll pull down the shades. Make sure the neighbors behave.” I think the great chorus lyrics are- “I don’t want to spend no day without you.” You could do worse then spend all your time with this song.
“I don’t care what you’re talking about,” is how “No Exit” begins. Which is the phrase I hear most from people commenting on my reviews, strangely enough. This song has charging, chugging rhythms and some more falsetto vocals that make me think of “Jet Boy” by the New York Dolls. It leads to a terrific, chorus that says, “No Exit, no exit for me.” A great, gritty, guitar solo makes its’ presence known. “It doesn’t matter if you’re willing and able. We’ve put our chips across the table.” Somewhere there’s a shout out of “Is this Chuck Berry?” No, not quite as good but a wonderful piece of music. After an apt nod to Johnny Rotten – “Aw, shut up,” is how this song and great EP, exits.
So I can imagine some of you disagreeing with me on the worth of the Ditch Boys. There’s no use hiding behind that pole- I see you there! You’re saying they’re not aggressive enough, not abrasive enough, not another word beginning with “A” enough for you. (Could it be asshole? Assholic?)
But I grew up in the seventies, Boston punk scene (and somehow, I never really grew up as I’m still, seemingly stuck in the same place I was forty years ago!) And I’m not complaining, offering any apologies or making any excuses for who I am.
‘Cause in my heart and ears and soul, I still love the early punk and proto-punk and everything about this band just seems to scream that out to me.
So, instead of ditching these Ditch Boys, I would suggest ditching your preconceptions of what punk is, and open your ears and mind a bit-
To songs full of energy, emotion and heart.
I bet you, if Johnny Thunders, Joey Ramone and Stiv Bators were sitting around a table right now, smoking cigarettes, drinking beers, hearing this band for the first time, that they would be digging these tunes. And for all I know, as who am I to say- that this isn’t happening right now?
I can just verify, that is what I’m doing- this very moment.
Wanna join us?
(Slimedog)
