Sourpunch – “Sourpunch”
Sourpunch is a band I’ve only seen live recently though Andy Bang raved about them in a review a while ago. When I saw them they were without a bass so it was just down to Jenn on vocals and guitar and a drummer. I’m not a big fan of the two man band but in this setting the songwriting really shone through and I could see that these were well written, well-crafted songs that were delivered with a passion and fire that could, and should, scorch your soul.
I was reminded seeing them live of The Velvet Underground, The Modern Lovers, Jesus & Mary Chain but mostly of Joan Jett, not as a copy but as a strong influence. And I look at Jenn’s music not so much as punk but rock’n’roll, the good stuff before punk arrived. When she screams in the first song it makes me think- there’s a scream worthy of Iggy Pop, Jim Morrison or Roger Daltrey in “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” This album is garage punk rock’n’roll- its beer drenched, dark cavern, noise onslaught, primal lust that sparkles real and pure and true. Let’s check out the first tune.
1-2-3-4 and just like a Ramones song blaring out of the speakers, this song borrows the opening chords of “I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You,” by that band. But once the vocals and drums come crashing in the song stakes a place of its own with its onrush of passion and pride. “That’s my girl,” a declaration, a boast, a joyous decree topped off with buzzsaw guitars, growling vocals and a rhythm section with an insistent beat out to make us believe. And as the drums chop on every beat to send us out in a blazing, hot cyclone of sound, a scream leaps up to greet us!
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/01-THAT’S MY GIRL.mp3|titles=THAT’S MY GIRL]Guitar quietly gesturing until the drums propulsively roll into a cut and slash beat. Drums slammin’, vocals bleatin’, background vocals with a sad longing, linger until a scream leads us into a Chuck Berry like solo that shreds your heart to bits. This song sounds like a roller coaster ride at an amusement park that’s made to rip into the night that awaits unknown.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/02-ORANGE BLOSSOM HONEY.mp3|titles=ORANGE BLOSSOM HONEY]“Stumbleina” stumbles out of the gate with echoes of Eddy Cochran, Richie Valens and any fifties rock’n’roll, rockabilly star that just wanted to blast your brain across the sky but had the good sense to get your hearts and loins moving along with it. This song does that until the crushing guitar solo comes in smashing all against the walls until it returns you to the relative security of the boppin’ verse.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/04-STUMBLEINA.mp3|titles=STUMBLEINA]This is desperation and desire looking for its destination- denied and discouraged along the way. Defeated, faith depleted, destiny delivering a decidedly downcast plea. “I told you long ago/ That I always loved you so.” Emotion is smeared in the tracks of the song and the joyous beat hides a love that’s longing but urgent at the same time. “So if you don’t think I’m telling you the truth/ Baby, let me prove it to you.” This song is called “Lost Cause” but it convinced me and one listen to this song should convince anyone, of the very least, how great a tune it is.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/07-LOST CAUSE.mp3|titles=LOST CAUSE]“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” by the Shirelles, one of the great “girl groups” of the sixties, the most underrated genre in rock, I believe. “So tell me now/So I won’t ask again,” is it a one night stand? Does passion erase with the morning light? Not in this boys eye concerning Sourpunch; not in anyone’s eyes in their right mind. This ain’t no punk rock hardcore, this is rock’n’roll, pure and raw as Chuck Berry, Eddy Cochran, Little Richard and it surely does grab you by your throat, and genitals and makes you glad for it.
Sourpunch packs a punch into your pelvis, into your heart, into the emotion of your being. It’s a knockout, baby and you should be down for the count. It’s a TKO!
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/08-WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW_.mp3|titles=WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW_]
(Slimedog)
