THE SPOILERS / LOADED TO THE GUNWALES / 5 SONG EP
The Spoilers play rock ‘em sock ‘em, no holds barred punk rock’n’roll with a propulsive, driving rhythm section (thanks Cindy and Kevo), blasting, scorching guitars (my compliments to the chefs, Chris and Chrissie) and snarling, lead vocals by Chrissy Spoiler who sounds like a cat cornered in a dark, back alley- spit flying, claws fully out.
This fine ep starts with (“Sincerity)” a bass drum thumping and guitar buzzing until the drums bring it in to a grooving rock beat- “I don’t know who you think you are/but I can’t see this going very far”- it’s Chrissy calling out someone who’s either false, fake or too demanding in their schemes, a recurring theme of hers. When the chorus hits she screams- “For you-ooh-ooh” which feels like to me, “Fuck you-ooh-ooh.” And on the last one where her voice goes up on the last syllable she reminds me of the, recently deceased, Poly Styrene from the great X-Ray Spec.
After the second chorus we’re back to the bass drum beat, buzzing guitars, Chrissy complaining about being “locked in a box” and then Chris Brat throws his able wild solo in. Back to the vocals, up a notch- “I think sincerity is tough for you” (maybe being sincere and also accepting it) -into the killer chorus again and this great tune is done.
Next up is “Same Old Song” “You sing the same old song/ You act like nothing’s wrong.” which is a hardcore rush with effective stops and starts with another screeching solo thrown in by Chris as if his life depended on it ( all 47 previous guitarists for the Spoilers have disappeared amongst “mysterious circumstances” according to police reports) so who can blame him? But in all “sincerity” Chris solos shine on this record.
Another speedy hardcore beat starts “What You Are” till it settles into a rock beat for the chorus. I like how the drums pounds away leading into the chorus only for the band to drawback into an almost jangly guitar and straight beat. My favorite part of my favorite song on this record is when after the solo they flow into that part but this time without vocals and musical bliss reigns supreme. But no time to dwell on that, kick start the engine and we’re back into the verse- “Now I see what you are/ Now I see what you are/ Now I know that you’ve gone too far/ See what you are/ I see what you are”- Chrissy sings in a voice that’s accusatorial as well as pitying with maybe a bit of horror thrown in as well.
‘I’m losing my sanity/ I’m losing my mind/ I’m looking for clarity/ But that’s something that I can’t seem to find’- “Losing My Sanity” another hardcore-ish dangerous ride around the cliffs of the mountain and another nifty song, to boot.
“Fuck You I’m Drunk” is the last song, which I think may be a cover, and is an Irish sounding sing a long which I can’t condone because I believe it promotes alcohol use, loose morals and Communism. But hey, whadda-I-know?
Stop wasting you’re time reading this, get this ep into your hands and ears, pronto. Better yet, check them out live; The Spoilers are a rock ‘em sock ‘em, aw, fuck, I already said that.
(Jimmy Thrash)
