Honest John – “Soul Machines”
Honestly, I don’t like the name. When I first saw the name Honest John and it was being sent to TNB…well, I wanted to forward it to the Boston Phoenix but damn, all those earnest hippies have long passed away, resting in their marijuana/granola graves. Honest John- sounds like some Greatful Dead/ Hot Tuna band from 1970 or maybe a current jam band noodling away mindlessly on the cosmic sphere.
But hey- looks are deceiving. I’m ugly outside but inside…Ah, a beautiful, wondrous soul exists. Now those who’ve reached inside my pants may come away disappointed but those who have reached down and touched my very soul- Now, they come away with a special prize. (Editor’s note: must be a Crackerjack prize, no doubt).
But this ain’t a name review; this is a music review Goddammit! So let’s get to it. This is a Providence hardcore band that seems to have caught the experimental bug that has resided amongst bands there for many years. And though experimental can mean unlistenable and obscure to me and others this band falls on the good side of that by being creative while still communicative. They are a band not afraid to be a little different but one that fans with open minds and open ears should be able to relate to. (Me, I have merely an open fly).
It sure helps that this is uncompromising, unrelenting, aggressive hardcore. It’s also good that bands like Black Flag, Mission of Burma and Wire are recalled to my mind while listening to this CD. A lot of the songs are short bursts of energy, often comprising two parts and are done after a little over a minute. A couple are made from sound bites with little music. But most hit hard and right into your mind and gut.
Let’s check out a few, shall we?
“Neon Nightmare” starts with a blistering, unrelenting sheet of sound with a propulsive rhythm formed by a faster than the speed of sound guitar chord change. While that is going on some fierce yelling/vocals tag along competing with the guitar to destroy anything in their vicinity. But before long the song comes crashing into a grooving, dissonant, metal like riff leading a march to the inevitable end. Original, effective and a great song.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/01 Neon Nightmares.mp3|titles=Neon Nightmares]
“Teetering” starts with a great, guitar garage riff before the vocals fall in to join in on the fun and decimation. The tempo is moderate but the vocals are full speed, full force in your face supreme. This song kept me teetering on the edge of madness and ecstasy and for the pleasure of listening to this song I choose either one with ease.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/02 Teetering.mp3|titles=Teetering]
“Hellmouth” is a raging, stomping number that is experimental in its sound reminding me a bit of Mission of Burma. This song pounds and screams away until a descending line bring us to the depths of hell. There a lonely bass chugs along by itself (hell is a bass solo) before the guitars and drums roar back in to lead the song out in an ominous display.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/03 Hellmouth.mp3|titles=Hellmouth]
“End Of An Error” is another abrasive gem. Make no mistake that this song is an upbeat rant with shards of dissonant guitar licks protruding from its insides. Like a blast of flame from a fiery furnace this song leaps out to scorch your eyelids off. Then it cools off only to stick those daggers of sound deftly into your eardrums.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/04 End Of An Error.mp3|titles=End Of An Error]
I don’t have much to add except that Honest John is an excellent, experimental hardcore outfit that I’m looking forward to seeing live which seems very likely as they’re playing my home, I mean, the Midway, matinee show, Saturday December 7th. On their facebook their genre is listed as Hardcore/ Punk/ Noise/ Sad which I’ll go along with except maybe the sad part. You see, I can’t see their facial features and it makes me happy to listen to them.
(Slimedog)
Thanks for this awesome review! We look forward to meeting you at the next show.
Also a huge thanks to everyone who comes out and supports local music, you are as important as the people playing the music(if not more)
Even if one person comes up to me after the show n says “Hey, awesome set!” or “Dude you guys fuckin’ killed it!”. It makes all the driving around and not gettin paid to play worth it. Thus we shall continue to “kill it”. Come to the show on Saturday Dec 7th and come show some love in the Pit. I personally play in 3 bands(all different genres) And Slimedog i agree with you, I’m happ as fuck when listening to or playing this music.