The Drunk Nuns – “A Parting Shot”
So The Drunk Nuns have been reviewed by me before in these very electronic pages. And at first I was mistaken that they were a female gospel group that recorded old sixties girl group songs substituting “Jesus” or “The Lord” for “Johnny” or “Billy” in the tunes, “Oh, now it’s Satan’s turn to cry…” and they’re being sponsored by Narragansette.
Of course, if that was the case, nothing could beat that but we got a pretty good pop/punk band instead. One that mentions the usual suspects like The Clash, Ramones, Green Day, Rancid as influences, but still deliver enough punch and passion along with some of the best lyrics on our site to be anything but ordinary. And for some unknown reason I’m a sucker for words.
This is their new five song EP, three new songs and two recorded live. And it still looks like they’re walking in the path of enlightenment as everything still sounds great and probably better with even more grit and guts thrown in.
On their facebook page they quote us- “Good songs, excellent guitar and great lyrics”- TNB. Well, I don’t recall that though I do agree. Chances are I was drunk at the time.
So let’s sip some sacramental wine, take some sacraments, confess some really good sins and imbibe of their songs.
“A Parting Shot” is a song about an unhappy break-up. Is there any other? With a kind of shit-kicker country beat rambling along that recalls The Stones or Cracker rather than some lame-o like The Eagles. Lots of grit in the vocals and the words. “A shot of spite/ One for the road.” A great rave up guitar solo in the middle- “Young love is like a loaded gun/ More times than not he’s just hit and run,”- along with a chorus that’s just catchy enough without being annoying. “I’m putting in my resignation/ That’s the way it has to be/ Another chapter, turn the pages/ Line ’em up this rounds on me.” Spite never tasted better.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/01 A Parting Shot.mp3|titles=A Parting Shot]
“Future Is King,” is a cover by another local Boston band called Hookerclops who I have never seen. This song is a good introduction for them, though, a kind of garage punk tune that moves along at a fast clip with just a short breakdown for the chorus. This song has a blistering fast rhythm guitar with the drummer running at full speed just to keep pace. Nice snarling vocals, great guitar and a real winner at the finish line.
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/02 Future Is King.mp3|titles=Future Is King]
The last song, “POF” was recorded live at the majestic Midway and just a few months ago. With its gritty recording and sleazy subject matter- a one night stand- this song makes me think I’m listening to some long lost song by some early band like The Dead Boys. This is pop/punk with an edge and passion with all the niceties sliced away. “Morning came and it was time for me to split/ Said we talk, but we were both full of shit.”
[audio:https://www.thrashnbang.com/wp-content/music/05 POF.mp3|titles=05 POF]
I still haven’t caught The Drunk Nuns live and after hearing the last song it makes me think I’m really missing something. Well, I do have the two live songs on this EP and it would appear that live these guys let all hell loose…or heaven. With their wild live performance and solid songs they’re reminding me of our beloved Pity Whores (who I truly despise) as they seem to be a mix of punk, pop and whatever the dog dragged in.
So a toast to these holy people who imbibe only sacramental wine and only in the church of rock’n’roll. No they are not hardcore, nor are they heavy New York hardcore metal either. But they worship at the altar of punk and not only have they embraced enlightenment but they have a few passages to add to the faith.
And may they continue to go in pieces and swerve the road.
(Slimedog)
