Band : Weakonstruction
Album title : 18 Minute Revolution
Label : Granny Records
Distributor : /
Release date : February 2009
Release : (7-track) Mini-CD

For years on end, you hardly hear about bands from the small Dutchy of Luxembourg, and then (mainly because our editor-in-chief made some good connections over there) you get in touch with one act after the other. Self-claimed Punk Rock act Weakonstruction (sounds almost like “weak (on) construction”, don’t it?) is one of those bands.

From the North of Luxembourg, they started out as a trio (of which only singer/ guitarisy Pascal Alff remains) in 2005 under the monicker of Rebellux (how original!). After 6 months of rehearsals they did their debut gig in Wiltz as support to Acid Rain, and having kicked their drummer just prior, they had that band’s drummer sit in to play with them. 2006 saw the band play some 20 shows around Luxembourg (and one in Arlon, Belgium), and they held onto that tempo during 2007 and 2008. Drummer during that time was one Thierry Kill, and on the bass 3 guys vame and went before Ken Hermes joined. Towards the end of 2008 the drummer upped and left as well, so Thierry Didelot took over the drum stool.

One of the first things the band did in 2009 was to record & release their 7-track debut demo, the second to recruit Philippe Brecht as second guitarist. And frankly, a second guitarist is what this outfit neeeds in order to grow. The claimed “Punk Rock” tag should be taken with a grain of salt, and a description of Pop Punk would be more at home. At any rate the strict meaning of the  word “punk” certainly applies (check it out in the dictionary, and you’ll find it explained as “beginner”) but at the end of the day you might even categorize this band as an Indie Rock act with Pop Punk flavourings! The problem, as I see it, is the singer…I mean, after singing/ playing/ composing for more than 5 years he still can’t hold his tune occasionally, and the music he writes is still rather basic! Nice “abnormalities” (as compared to the reigning simplicity) on this demo include the album opening instrumental “Intro”, and the song “Dicke Bertha”…a ballad played with acoustic guitar, it even gets some string keyboards on top. In spite of their “youthful” defaults, the band managed to get their demo’s producer Charly Stolz to perform some backing vocals on the demo’s rawest track “The World I See”. Aditionally, Versus You’s Eric Rosenfeld provides backing vocals to both “Dicke Bertha” and the luke-warm EP closer “These Days”. Check out a couple of the more “up-beat” tracks (one as a video) at myspace.com/weakonstruction.

End conclusion? Weakonstuction are still a bit weak on construction! So, let’s hope the addition of a new member will help the band on their way somewhat, because at this very moment, a concert by these guys is not something I would pay money for to see!

70/100

Tony.