| CD REVIEW Die! Chihuahua Die! |
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Band : Die! Chihuahua Die! Call me a wacky, but bands with names such as this Cardiff (South Wales) based act invariably attract my attention and somehow also get a possibly more open-mind approach from my side. Not much to tell about the band's history, because it's not been around that long yet, having been founded out of the remains of various other bands by guitarist Joe Mensor and drummer Tom Conway during the Summer of 2007 when they auditioned Paul Davies (of Black Market Movement) for the position of frontman. There's no mention of a bassist in those early days, but I suppose there must've been one, because the guys soon started destroying a multitude of their instruments and gear at the stages they played their explosive shows at. In early 2008 they recorded a first demo, which soon enough found its way onto the airwaves with exposition by both local radio stations and the more national ones (including BBC1 and XFM). Following several failed attempts to add a bassist to their fold on a permanent basis, the band eventually enlisted Marc Real (formerly of Johnny Mental and Ashoken) in 2009. The band has since (and/or before) played support slots for the likes of Astpai, Attack! Vipers!, The Arteries, Solutions, Black Cesar, Outcry Collective, Rat Attack, the Cumshots, and many more...and was strangely well-matched to each and every one of 'em. The band itself cites the likes of Cancer Bats, Everytime I Die, Zeke, The Bronx, QOTSA, Letters Organize and Melvins among the band they like best, and therefore it should not be a surprise to find their up-tempo Hardcore Punk'n'Roll laced with Southern (say also Stoner) influences on the one side, and with Garage Rock flavourings on the other. What with the vocal stylings being rather harsh all of the time, I personally even found the guys flirting with melodic Power Violence at moments. At any rate, the music is highly attractive for those into such melodic heavy shite, and I'm sure most listeners will look up with some dismay at their 9-track album needing to get re-started after barely 26 minutes of playing time. For your pleasure, the band started pages at twitter and facebook, but it's at (www.) myspace.com/diechihuahuadie that you'll find 3 of the album's songs posted. If the above is somewhat to your liking, you'll know what to do to get acquainted with the band...but be warned: once you hear those tracks you'll want more, with the purchase of the complete album (either as download or as hard copy – if I'm not mistaken the album also comes in a vinyl version...gotta have, gotta have!!!) as the inevitable result! 98/100 Tony. |