Nervous Eaters – “Record Ten”
So the Nervous Eaters was the first punk band I ever saw back in 1977. They were opening up for The Cars, before that band had a record deal. At that time, The Rat would only have two bands that both played two sets, a night. (There wasn’t that many punk bands at the time).
Nervous Eaters went on to record on a major label, as well, but didn’t have the same success as The Cars, obviously.
They had great punk/pop/garage songs that were catchy as, say a band like The Romantics, but probably too sexually explicit lyrics for the time. “Just Head” was one of their popular local songs.
But they reappeared and have been back awhile now. Led by /songwriter/lead guitarist Steve Cataldo, they also have always had Alan Hebditch on rhythm guitar. And now Alan’s son, Nick, plays bass for the band. (You may know Nick as the singer/songwriter/guitarist of the hardcore band Fast Times).
I’ve always thought of this band as garage/punk with dirty lyrics and great pop melodies. And they were definitely one of the best bands of the early Boston scene. And now, they’re back to show that that still might hold true.
Let’s check them out:
“The Tide” leads off this album with a back beat groove that recalls more classic seventies Stones than punk with great,
bending guitar licks zooming into a terrific, melodic chorus. Just a wonderful, punk’n’roll song washing in with the water towards our ears.
“Last Chance” happens to be my favorite song by this band. Little slower, less wild and more moody than a lot of their best known tunes. The song conjures up an old, black and white detective noir show like “Peter Gun”. “He wakes up and finds he’s alone. His hotel room is no consolation. He takes a cab and heads down to the waterfront. He meets his girl, Angel, they go for a walk and have a smoke.” There’s a falsetto proclamation of love from Angel. “The things that they say are just the things that they mean. What you see now is just what it seems.” There is such a simple, poetic eloquence to this song that I lack words to express it’s subtle beauty. There’s also, a heart-tearing guitar solo reminiscent of Television (an early, great New York band). “When we walk? Yes, we walk together. And when we run? Yes, we run together. And when we love? Yes, we love together. And when we cum. We cum together.” Very simple, very true and finally, very perfect to me. Towards the end where the music builds gradually and eventually, rocks out is superb and sublime. A perfect ending to a perfect song and perhaps, the best local song I’ve ever reviewed.
“Girl Next Door” was one of their most popular tunes. A pop/punk classic that could’ve easily been a hit except for lyrics like, “Though we just met, my pants are soaking wet,” and the now changed line of, “I hope she comes to my place and sits right on my face.” With its’ ringing three note hook and soaring high, harmonies- it’s a song that the Buzzcocks wish they wrote. One that can’t be denied as top caliber of its’ genre.
“You’ve Heard These Chords Before” perhaps, the most honest song title of all time. And my favorite song of the new ones on this album. There’s a soulful/gospel vibe and maybe a little Billy Idol influence in this tune. Yeah, I have heard these chords before but not as many songs as gutsy and real as this one. “Ooh, yeah. Ooh, yeah.”
“Where’s Johnny” is about a guy in trouble. Maybe a junkie? Maybe about Johnny Thunders? “Sometimes he’s up and sometimes he’s down. Sometimes he’s here and sometimes he’s gone.” High energy garage groove with slicing, Chuck Berry licks flying in like delectable, dangerous darts of desire and destruction. That musically, causes no harm, just adrenaline overload to your body and brain. This song may raise some doubt about Johnny, but there’s no doubt that this song is energetic, exciting and excellent. And maybe Johnny’s disappeared but the wild, abandon and creative, spark and energy and joy of this song is alive and kickin’ right here.
I know I believe in punk but I know there’s something I believe in more. I guess it might be rock’n’roll, you know, the original fifties rock’n’roll and also, the forties and fifties R&B that led into that. But I also, believe in music that reflects guts and passion and realness and feeling. That grabs you by your heart and rips apart your soul. That expresses the frustration and sadness of your life as much as the ecstatic joy within it. And that joy might reside in just a small part of your life but the love and release you experience makes up for anything you have to endure to get to those few pure moments of pure pleasure. There’s nice beats, great guitar licks and truthful words that create, ultimately, great songs that lead me to love this album.
I know I believe in punk. I know I believe in rock’n’roll. But I also believe, more so, in the emotions and thoughts expressed in this album, this music. And I don’t think I could give a better recommendation than that. As I really can’t think of anything better than that or this.
This is those few, pure moments.
(Slimedog)
