In a world where punk has lost most of
its original meaning, and beyond that, most of its relevance, many "post
punk" bands are trying to find their niche and redefine the genre. Like
most bands, Northern California's Red Tape attempt to survive in the wasted
landscape that is modern punk rock by returning to its roots. In
the case of bands like Red Tape, those said roots are the roots of hardcore
punk from the early to mid 80's. This isn't today's often bland and
painted-by-numbers hardcore, with its tiring grizzly growls and double-bass
pedals, but the hardcore of such bands as Husker Du, Corrosion of Conformity,
Black Flag, Refused, ect. The group takes the classic style of said
bands, and gives it a slightly more modern feel. Led by frontman
Jeff Jaworski, the band was formed in 1998 due to Jeff's life-long love
of local punk/hardcore acts. In fact, drummer JD, guitarist Mark
Meraji, and bassist Twig Von Wussow are all from local bands of the punk/hardcore
scenes (especially Twig, who has played in at least four other bands, most
notably Fatso).
The first track of Red Tape's new CD, Radioactivist,
showcases the political overtones and undertones that litter the music
of this CD. Strangely titled "A3Xe4Bcr," this track sets the mood
nicely, its fractured title perfectly fitting the 30 seconds of ominous,
garbled static and disjointed newsbytes. This is a preview of the
band's worldview; our world is in turmoil, and we must help it. "Damage
Control" next erupts into an excellent rocker seemingly decrying abuse
of Draconian power and threatening to destroy it. The traded vocals
on this song should have many people thinking as well as jamming to the
powerful riffs.
"High Revoltage" is a quick-and-tasty little
thrash jam, with some group vocals that could have easily been bummed off
of A.F.I. The band's single, "Stalingrad," starts with a low, grating
bassline (we're talking 20,000 leagues under the sea low) before exploding
with some nice sing-alongs, heavy riffs, and jangling, static notes.
"Radioactivist" easily earns the namesake of title track with its sense
of urgency and its power riffs traded with a catchy groove riff thats
old-school rock at its core.
"Divebomb" kicks off with a nice drumbeat
and some wavering but strong notes just before kicking off with a slamming
rocker of a song. The title is easily fitting; frontman Jeff Jaworski
shouts "DIVE-BOOOOMB!" and lets his vocal range fall just like a Daisy
Cutter in the mountains of Afghanistan, and its almost danceable solo halfway
through is totally great. "Droppin' Bombs on Your Moms" is an urgent
and particularly powerful song. It attempts to convey the foolishness
of using bombs and other weapons of mass destruction. "Reactor" is
an almost rapped song about how change and revolution are personal matters
that are brought on by many people wanting them together. "Strike
Tonight" is a totally roots hardcore style song that just plain rocks.
"El Salvador" is the album's last highlight
for several songs. It's a righteous, fast-paced, and drum heavy song
that starts off mediocre but ends as a real gem on the CD due to its good
build-ups and a wicked little guitar solo. "Social Meltdown," and
"Golden" are both inspirational but mediocre hardcore songs, and both of
them, mainly "Golden" seem to be filler space on this CD. "The Waltz"
starts next, possibly the entire album's best song, featuring urgent vocals
decrying "The way of the gun", excellent changes of rhythm and melody,
and almost poppy hardcore. After this excellent track, the CD closes
in an anti-climatic manner with the two relatively forgettable songs, "Shoot!
Move! Communicate!" which is saved by its excellent guitar parts, and "Blast
The System" which ends the CD on an almost sour note due to its lack of
originality.
All-in-all, this is an impressive debut
for such a relatively new rock act. They could be posed for great
success as they know how to play their style of music (albeit without making
anything new out of it) well, they are members of the successful Roadrunner
Records label, and the album was produced by none other then Amir Derakh
(guitars/synth) of Orgy fame. This CD, though weak in some minor
spots, is generally a nice album and one that will hopefully make old-school
hardcore kids proud.
CD Info and Links
Red Tape - Radioactivist Label: Roadrunner
Records
Rating:
Tracks: 1. A3Xe4Bcr
2. Damage Control
3. High Revoltage
4. Stalingrad
5. Radioactivist
6. Divebomb
7. Droppin' Bombs on Your Moms
8. Reactor
9. Strike Tonight
10. El Salvador
11. Social Meltdown
12. Golden
13. The Waltz
14. Shoot! Move! Communicate!
15. Blast The System!
