Jerry Lehane – “Jerry Lehane”
This recording is put out by a local label, Rum Bar Records, who I wish to commend on releasing some great music.
Though somewhat focused on Boston’s original punk scene, they’re also keeping the spirit alive with more current bands.
This is the debut from the singer of The Dogmatics, one of the more popular Boston punk bands in the early days, and this EP was recorded a mere twenty-nine years ago.
Though some of these songs seem a bit more subdued than what would’ve have been playing at The Rat- late seventies into the eighties, and believe me, I was there- they are still wonderful.
And my memory is justifiably foggy from that time, but I will never, really forget what it felt like to be there.
These are songs that grew out of that time from someone on that stage while I was part of the crowd.
They are maybe a bit quieter, more reflective- the kind that would’ve been written alone in your room after the crowds have all dissipated.
But the realness, the intensity, the strong feelings still reside in you and will still come out in these songs.
And that’s what I hear in Jerry Lehane’s music that reminds me of the old times but also, how great some songs can be.
With a faint feedback being framed by a few arpeggiated chords “Kiss My Tattoo” builds up slowly, with a tension mounting intro that sounds like a stick of dynamite right before it blows. And once the music kicks in we’re well aware that we’re in for some rockin’, rompin’, punk’n’roll.
“Hanging out, end of the bar. She didn’t look that far. She called me down with her mouth…She said, “Kiss, Kiss- my tattoo. And I forgot all about you.”
The rhythm, the gritty guitar, the melodic vocals are all enticing much like the female protagonist/seducer of this song.
“She was a devil in the flesh. That got me in this awful mess. There was nothing I could do. I forgot all about you.”
A great, inventive guitar solo incorporating both Chuck Berry and noise/skronk guitar seems to musically reflect the tantalizing rewards and torture, this mix of pleasure and pain within this song.
And though the singer may have some regrets about his actions, I have none in hearing a song as great as this one.
With some loud, crashing chords and an almost country roots feel that recalls X to me, “Runaway With You” starts off with that refrain sung several times before the answer finally spirals in, “I know I’m going to.”
This is a simple, but effective, heartfelt song with sadness and hope running sidelong with longing country and blues licks to create a terrific, roots rock/punk rock song.
“C’mon let’s take a ride, down by the riverside…C’mon let’s have some fun. We got to do it while we’re young.” These lines are followed by the somewhat harrowing, chilling chorus of “Do you feel, do you feel like dying?” from the song “Feel Like Dying.”
“Maybe I’ll come back, maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll come back, again I won’t.”
Sounds to me like a reflection of the perils in life that the young are braver to take without fear of the consequences.
“C’mon and take a trip on my rocket ship. Do you feel, do you feel like dying?”
Not sure if this song is a cautionary tale or one embracing nihilistic abandon. All I know is this song seems very poignant to me- my favorite on this release.
With another exciting, driving, energy building intro “Fish” (not to be confused with that naughty song by The Damned) erupts into a wonderful garage’n’punk’n’roll number.
“Well, I was waiting inside but I never got in. I was on the outside …Gotta move where I want, don’t know where I am. Gotta move with the fish!”
This song is a great ending to a great EP.
So there’s a bit of country, and of roots rock’n’roll, of early Boston garage punk on this release.
There’s also a ton of heartfelt, honest words and music that may not sound like the most punk rock thing that you’ve ever heard- But if you really listen, then you might actually think so.
I put this release in the category of what Lenny Lashley does now. Which has none of the typical trapping of punk or hardcore in the music, but where the heart and soul of what punk was and what punk is- shines clearly through in his songs.
Which is what I hear and feel in Jerry Lehane’s music, as well.
Which makes me feel like living.
(Slimedog)
