The Curb Slappys: Working Class Exploder

The Curb Slappys: Working Class Exploder
Label: No Front Teeth Records
Release Date:
Review Date: 4/12/05

Working Class Exploder! What a great name for a record. The Curb Slappys name may conjure up imagery of skate rock from days gone by, but these guys are anything but retro re-hash. The best skate rock bands always had a couple of obvious skate-related songs thrown into a mix of otherwise secular punk rock. Attempts at 100% 24-7 skateboard lyrics and posturing always seem forced at best, no matter how honest the ambitions, as is the case with Denver’s Frontside Five release titled No Pegs. The Curb Slappys are a whole different animal. A solid punk rock outfit with shared vocals and a unique sound. These guys have a good sense of humor (12 Year Old Lunch) balanced with an acid bite (No Style, or Slashin Tires Tonight). I detect traces of 77 punk as well as hints of another recent favorite, Smogtown. “Collars Up” has the best saxophone in a punk rock record since Naked Raygun. If there is any fault with this release it can only be that the track listing is incorrect on the cover and it’s only 10 songs and 15 minutes! The Curb Slappys are not a touring outfit as far as I know. If you want to hear them you need to head to the Cleveland area or buy a copy direct from Factory 13 Skateboards or No Front Teeth Records. Here’s to hoping that there are more songs in the works and other bands like the Curb Slappys ready to come out of the woodwork.

Online Action: www.bowlrider.com/factory13
Online Action: www.nofrontteeth.co.uk