Band : Static Thought
Album title : The Motive For Movement
Label : Hellcat
Distributor : Epitaph – Concrete Web Promotion Office
Release date : 09/09/2008
Release : CD

Formed in 2000 in Richmond, California (more commonly known as part of the South Bay of San Francisco) by frontman (lead vocals/ guitar) Eric Travant, drummer Travis Davant, and former bassist Charlie Vincent [who left in 2003 to be replaced by Mike Leon (left in 2007, replaced by Johaan Hill, who also does backing vocals), returned as rhythm guitarist in 2005, and replaced by Daniel Garcia (also doing backing vocals)], this Punk Rock act is really influenced by all styles of music, be it mainstream Hard Rock alà AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, or Van Halen, Country alà Johnny Cash, singer/ songwriter alà Bob Dylan or Tom Waits, Pop Rock alà The Police, Reggae alà Toots And The Mayals, or Heavy Metal alà Iron Maiden and Metallica, Hip Hop alà Public Enemy, and many others...but they see their music as a means to propagate their views on anti-ignorance and all forms of dehumanisation (racism, sexism, homophobia, fascism, etc). In other words, this is a foursome which is quite passionate about their socio-political views! They promote unity and self-improvement to better one self and the community we live in, and do this in a very direct way, both in their music and individual behaviour.

Little is known about the recording history of this band prior to the release of their 2007 Hellcat debut In The Trenches (because even the band itself does not relate any details on that part of their existence). Musically, the band has a somewhat peculiar style, occasionally turning down the knob on the distortion (like the bit of Reggae-ish intro of "3rd World") pedal, which gives the whole of mid-eighties flavour. "Splinters And Stones" contains a movie sample in its intro, and the album is closed by an emotionalnice speach by the band's frontman...which shows what a truly awkwardly hoarse but appalingly attractive voice he's got. Somewhat of an English accent too, and I have to admit that prior to finding the info necessary to make this review, I actually thought this were Brits! Prior to signing to Hellcat, this band had already undertaken two independent US tour, then toured the US with label mates Nekromantix, The Heart Attacks, and Left Alone, followed by a full Canadian tour in support of Canada's Action. Somewhere along the line, the boys also made it to Europe, but I ain't sure of either the places they went ór the time they were there. Earlier in 2008, a split 7-inch with Society's Parasites titled From The Bay To LA (a title apparently quite often used in the music industry), the band strating their 2-month Summer tour of the US with Down We Go in late June. And even while that tour was happening, they were added to the 2-week Dirty Devil Tour with Throw Tag, Roger Miret & The Disasters, Lower Class Brats, and Viva Hate, starting on Sept. 18. As yet, no news about a possible return to Europe...guess we'll have to wait for the regional sales figures to be positive enough!

For your couple of audio samples, surf to myspace.com/staticthought to find two songs off each of the band's albums...but be warned! If you're into '80s Punk and Hardcore, you may very well fall in love with what these guys offer, and a hunger for your own copies of the band's material (with as result that you'll see your cash flow deminish) may result from your listening to this truly great act!

89/100

Tony.