http://www.youtube.com/theyliveofficial

How the hell I know these guys? BACK STORY!

Minneapolis…well…affluent Richfield band “They Live” members used to come to my work all the time trying to grift me out of cookies. The only time I actually gave them cookies thier buddy got collared for theft. Sons a such n such.

Anyhoo, vainly attempting to “trade” with me They Live would oft times give me fliers to all of thier shows. At which time I was busy every fucking time they were playing so I had yet to figure out if they were even actually a band or just some kids with a drum kit.

Narrowly dodging thier misplaced arrogance I agreed to write a music review for them. In return I would get a free CD of thier stuff and I could formulate a fair and even handed opinion of them.

Myspace band that they are I wasn’t expecting much.

Seriously. Myspace. Blech.

I got the trade, “No Escape”, and stuck that sucka in my CD player and listened to the lads on my mind numbing bus ride to work.

And lo and be fucking hold I was astounded. It hurt. They Live. Is really good. As far as Danzig influenced punk rock is concerned. But I like Danzig. So it works out well for me and my tastes. As the bile was rising in my throat I couldn’t get over thier sound. Not to toot the cliche terminology used in every review but if I were to apply it here I’d say these guys play straight forward dark-ish punk rock. I hate when people mix genres and then say how something is “straight forward” But I’m gonna allow it this time. An exception to the rule, which is apt for these guys.

This was right on the money as far as what I was looking for at the time. Making my dreary out look on local rock a lil more sunshiny, minus the “No escape from the reptile rape” sticker they gave me. Clever.

These guys are good. They Live gives me hope for the possibility of good music. Despite my  inability to understand why they feel they’re entitled to be so…GAH! Sadly though they do have the right to be snooty. They’re good. Damn it all. If you’re tired of listening to The Misfits (WHEN THEY WERE GOOD! PRE MICHAEL GRAVES!) and you know all the words to every Black Flag song, these boys would most certainly be what you’re looking for. With a hint of some sort of samhain inspired haze over thier melodic guitar intros.

Just, if you see them in person, ask them where they got thier cheese cake.

Casey Boyd-guitar/vocals

Greg Johnson-drums

Brandon Strate-bass/vocals

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008 at 1:54 pm and is filed under Barista Girl's dusty old music revue. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.