Bad Guys | Bandcamp | Facebook
Released through Riot Season
The first word that popped into my head when I hit play on the Bad Guys' first full length album was "finally". This London based, no nonsense rock band have seemingly been around forever, tearing up this city with their incredible live shows and nothing beyond a 2 track EP to show for it.
But here it is, all teamed up with the ferocious British record label Riot Season who have put out face melting noise rock releases from epic bands such as Todd and Hey Colossus, this is a match made in the most awesome underground rock bar in heaven.
The good news is that Bad Guys is worth the wait and then some. ‘Brick Toothpick’ kicks off the proceedings with some absolutely shit kicking riffery… think ‘Rusty Cage’ by Sound Garden wrestling with some classic 70s hard rock jamming. The tortured vocals rip into it and you know you’re onto something truly bruising yet wonderful. There’s nothing terribly original about Bad Guys, a little bit of Melvins, a handful of Torche, a splattering of Sabbath, but the album somehow feels like a new approach to kick ass hard rock.
Imagine Metallica and Lou Reed really nailed Lulu and it was everything it should have been (instead of absolutely terrible)… a metal band hammering out more earth shattering riffs than you could shake a stick at with some lunatic crazy man spouting his nonsense over the top. That’s exactly what this is. Their man on vocal Stu has some important things on his chest; you can imagine him propped up at bar growling every thought that pops into his chemical ridden brain.
It’s all pretty consistent, the dual guitars work in absolute harmony together and have wonderful little hooks and quirks which keep pulling you back into Bad Guys’ fun yet brutal little world. It’s scientifically impossible not to nod your head with a scrunched up face in appreciation to some of riffs that ‘Alcowhore’ fires out.
‘Witness a new low’ has a wonderful cheesy 70s vibe but is still delivered with sludgy edge.
‘Fat Labrador’ is not only a brilliant song title but has a British feel to it. Lyrics such as “I see you at the chip shop, I see you at the park”, this album does not take itself too seriously.
The final track ‘Hurl’ what can you say apart from that it’s one of the best songs EVER! The first few minutes of heavily distorted slow stoner rock jamming could never prepare anyone for the animal, which is unleashed when things gets moving. It will make you want to throw your laptop at the wall and try start a mosh pit with your girlfriend and cat in the middle of the living room (I didn’t do that honest). The guitars are fast, dynamic and the commanding vocals scream “You weird like prick, come and suck my fucking dick” sure some might think it’s not the most grown up or intelligent lyrics in the world… but us rock fans are not meant to be grown up or intelligent and we’re damn proud of it! The break down has some wonderful soft electric noises floating around and playing with the deep distortion, almost like Neu! or Circle turned up to help them play the album out. We’re then treated to one last blast of carnage, the band are absolutely owning it whilst the vocals roar “Let’s get a fucking beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!” and they’re right; we’ve just had a power hard rock master class so come on…let’s go get that fucking beer!
