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NOW
WAVE
Album of the Year: Radio Reelers - The Next Best Thing!
So I've been going back-and-forth on this one for weeks. Radio Reelers.
Fevers. Fevers. Radio Reelers. It's still a tough call, but I gotta give
it to the Radio Reelers by a hair. Side 2 of the Fevers LP is just about
perfect, but Side 1 is kinda just okay. Both albums are heavily represented
in my list of the 40 best songs of 2005 (see below), and you'd be an idiot
to not buy both. Since the three-chord punk rock n' roll thing is our
fave musical genre here in Waveland, it needs to be noted that The Next
Best Thing is the best LP of that style to meet my ears since the year
2003. Pretty good, eh? If you haven't heard it, imagine it as a bad-ass
blend of the Rip Offs, Devil Dogs, Heartbreakers, and Real Kids, done
up with right-on attitude and great fucking songwriting. Put the album
on, and do whatever you do when you listen to great rock n' roll: drink,
dance, fuck, enjoy life. Music like this is what we're all about at Now
Wave Magazine.
SCANNER
ZINE
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
Third slab of blazing Punk Rock 'n' Roll from this San Fran 4-piece. The
band feature former and current members of such notable quotables as THE
FELLS, THE BODIES, TRUST FUND BABIES and WESTERN ADDICTION and, with a
CV like that, it should be no surprise that this rocks out with bloody
conviction. There's a definite early SAINTS vibe from the off as 'Devil
On My Shoulder' rips it up with the same infectious zeal as 'Erotic Neurotic'.
From there, 9 more turbo-charged, barroom Punk songs zip past. 'You're
My Habit' brings things down to a slow-burn simmer before the title track
brings it all back to the boil. There's a CD-ROM track on here too - but
it wouldn't play on the House Of Scanner computer. Gum-chewing, Bud-swigging,
guitar-swinging, attitude laden Punk Rock - with a swagger! Just how I
like it!!
NOW
WAVE
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
Album of the year, motherfuckers!
Fuck! Have the Radio Reelers always been this good?! The Next Best Thing
is the best punk rock n' roll album I've heard in two years. Dare I say
it approaches the greatness of sub-genre landmarks like Kill The Infections
and The Rip Offs' Got a Record? Uh...yeah! Okay, so maybe it's a little
early for me to be nominating this album for the hall of fame. But if
the classics mentioned above were perfect tens, then The Next Best Thing
has to rate a 9.1 or something like that. It's not that the Radio Reelers
have dramatically altered their musical approach. They're still slinging
(in the words of singer/guitarist Adam Caine) "the same old retarded
three-chord punk rock 'n' roll". And Troy Thrills' description from
2003 still nails it- "Imagine if Johnny Thunders, Chuck Berry, Andy
G from the Devil Dogs, and Greg Lowery formed a band." But although
the Reelers haven't reinvented themselves, they sure as hell have raised
their game, unloading a new batch of songs that blows the shit out of
anything they've done before. The first two tracks are alright but hardly
extraordinary. But from track three on, it's hit city, baby! The band
dishes out a great mix of blazing rockers a la The Infections and mid-tempo,
almost poppy numbers a la the Real Kids. And it all comes together awesomely.
"Criminal Mind", "(You Got Me) Reelin'", "You're
My Habit", and "The Next Best Thing" are all in the running
to make my top ten list for best songs of 2005! The Next Best Thing is
loud, simple, fun, trashy, stupid, exciting, wild, raucous, and chock
full of incredible songs. In short, it's everything that great rock n'
roll should be. I could go on, but I'm resolving to do my reviews the
way I do my girlfriend: get in and out before it gets boring or painful
for her. All right, then. Radio Reelers rock!
PUNK
INFORMATION DIRECTORY
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
Holy shit! One listen and I knew this was the album of the year. This
one jumps up and grabs you by the gonads and never let's go even when
it slows the tempo down to play Real Kids style rockers. If you like your
songs with enough energy to light the Bay Area and enough melody to make
Joey Ramone smile in his grave, you will thank yourself repeatedly for
buying this album.
NO
FRONT TEETH
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
I remember when I first heard the CANDY SNATCHERS and they just blew me
away, the way they fused simple rock 'n' roll with crazy fun and total
unpredictability grabbed me by the throat and I never forgot that but
I can tell you that I searched and searched to get that feeling again
and until I heard the RADIO REELERS' 'Shakin' At The Party' I thought
I never get it again. The RADIO REELERS are everything about that- straightforward
RAMONES riffs, speeded up rock 'n' roll, entertaining, electrifying and
impulsive.this record never let's fucking go, it's the best I have ever
heard them and they blew my mind the first time. The RADIO REELERS really
are non-stop. Non-stop fun, non-stop energy, non-stop power, non-stop
party. The vinyl gives you a bonus track and the CD gives you a bonus
video, cool shit. This record is reason enough to have a party so get
it and call all your friends and you'll have a fucking blast and you can
make it a weekly.
RAZORCAKE
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
Back in the mid-'90s, Razorcake's own Rev. Norb came up with a punk rock
theory that held the universe together: The Holy Trinity (Troika?) three
bands that kept the underground from falling in upon itself and creating
an inescapable vortex into which all would disappear. If memory serves
correctly, at one point the troika consisted of Teengenerate, the Devil
Dogs, and the Rip Offs. The Radio Reelers would have fit in nicely with
that group had it been a quartet (fourka?). One gets the feeling any of
these guys could fall over at any time and fuck up the whole operation.
Rock'n'roll played fast, loose, and all boozed up. Josh Benke
LOWCUT
RADIO REELERS - The Next Best Thing
It's no secret that I'm a huge Devil Dogs fan, and Radio Reelers' previous
"Shakin’ At The Party" album sent me right off into orbit,
and fortunately "The Next Best Thing" is yet more of the same;
short 2 min. blasts of speedy rock'n'roll/punkrock that fuses the very
best of Chuck Berry, Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, and The
Ramones. The CD has short bonus video with Radio Reelers on tour, these
boys like to rock and drink beer, so get this fucker and go see 'San Francisco's
Only Rock’n’Roll Band!'. Radio Reelers make this ol' wanker
dance like a loon on German diet pills!
SUGARBUZZ
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
I anticipated climbing the stairs to my front door but decided that a
better strategy would be to pull myself in and crawl through my front
door. I shuffled through my living room to the washroom and pulled myself
up to the porcelain god of projectile vomit. One simple cough and I was
spewing up my street meat (hot dog! You fucking pervert!) in addition
to the countless beers, I had consumed. Wiping my mouth with my jacket
sleeve, I sat back and took a breath of relief as a sense of accomplishment
washed over me. It all started to repeat itself again, when one simple
sniff of the old nose and a piece of regurgitated hotdog that was lodged
in my nasal passage shot down my throat. Oh, God here we go again! Nothing
like retching and reeling on a completely empty stomach. As I looked down
into the toilet, at the bubbling yellow water, I thought to myself, “What
a great fucking rock and roll show. Ladies and Gentlemen, I had just been
to see the Radio Reelers. The Radio Reelers hit you over the head with
their high-energy rock and roll with such force you are in a constant
state of blacking out. Coming at you like The Heartbreakers on speed combined
with early Humpers and a heavy shot glass full of Teenage Head. “The
Next Best Thing” brings you back to the altar of real rock and roll.
Pray, bow or let the Radio Reelers hear your confession. There is no doubting
that they will be your new religion. Our father who art in drunken heaven,
lead us to temptation and deliver us to evil for thine is the Kingdom
of the Radio Reelers. An essential purchase!
ROCTOBER
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
This is the kind of unrelenting poppy punk trash that is just the boiled
down, concentrated defenition of fun. If you don't like this, you don't
like rock. And if you don't like rock, you are probably a sad person.
Cheer up. Like this!
SLEAZEGRINDER
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
The Reelers are so redolent of 'L.A.M.F.' you might imagine I'm about
to lay into 'em. Not today, not ever. For they possess the same spirit
and goofy Elvis top-lip curling naffness as The Heartbreakers in all their
greatness did. (Put it this way, 'Unless I'm With You' veers between Supersuckin'
bravado and 'Jilted John'). And anyway, what's to be so precious about?
It's just the same as the 'Louie, Louie' riff being a permanent base point
for every true hearted garage band ever. So that 'Devil On My Shoulder'
beats the riff to 'One Track Mind' matters not seen as it's a juddering
jag of wired frenzied silverback scaring high rollin' Rock. And anyway
Thunders copped em all off Chuck 'n' Keef o' course. Fast as fuckery,
party pill punk Rock'n'Roll has never scarred speakers like this I'm sure.
The Heartbreakers don't make me smile like this, but The Crybaby's sure
do...Steeped in classic songwriting in a similar way to The Boys if they
were let loose in a country that didn't close its bars at 3pm like the
UK did in their day. Like the cooler older brothers in some teen movie,
who the young kid idolizes but they treat like a turd as they speed off
in their hot-rodded pick-ups, but they show up being sweethearts in the
end, the end of the film, taking 'em under their wing for a ride through
town, scaring 'em shitless in the process, but still captivatin' em and
setting em on the road to righteous renegadism. Straightforward Rock'n'Roll
may sound simple people but it's piss simple to do wrong, genius to make
it right, and as right as this at that.
PUNK
INFORMATION DIRECTORY
I know that I ended the Pick of the Week a few weeks ago but the new album
by the Radio Reelers, "The Next Best Thing", is just too good
not to give a plug for. This things rips like a motherfucker and
then rips some more. If you like your punk with a solid dose of
rock, great songs and melodies and a searing guitar attack, this is for
you.
THE
ODYSSEY
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing" CD
Chalk another one up for these boys. The Radio Reelers are a great band,
and they manage once again to deliver the goods. Toe-tappin' blasts of
primitive punk rock and roll charged with hyper R&B and way cool,
snarling choruses. They're not totally unlike the Devil Dogs, Leg Hounds,
Teengenerate, etc. so they're in great company. Once that awesome crackling
trebley sound kicks in you're ready to crack open a gluek (only $10 for
a 24 pack right now!) and get partying. Their keen ear for old-school
punk and pop melodies wins me over every single time. It's about as fun
as rock and roll gets. Give it a try.
JERSEY
BEAT
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
Most of us have blood in our veins, but this four-piece band from SF is
so energized I think that they have triple strength espresso running through
them instead. Let’s make this simple, if you like high energy, no
b.s. garage/punk type rock and roll, and if you don’t please explain
why you’re reading this now, you are just going to love this CD.
It will not only get you moving, it will get your furniture moving. If
you listen to the whole thing straight through, your neck will be hurting
from the headbanging you will find yourself doing involuntarily. If you
are married or living with someone and your Other does not care for this
kind of stuff, you will find excuses to get out of the house and go somewhere
you can play it. Yes, it’s that good. This is raw, hard-driving,
catchy stuff. Formed by alumni of such west coast bands as the Trust Fund
Babies, the Fells and the Bodies, this sound brings together early Real
Kids, Ramones, MC5 and others, plus enough Chuck Berry to keep some rockin’
roots and a few blue notes in the picture, in a CD which kicks hard from
start to finish and also includes a bonus video track. It’s edgy
and snotty, but not hostile and there’s not a wasted moment anywhere.
If I could change anything, I would have brought the vocals up in the
mix a little bit, although we’re not talking Dylan-quality lyrics
here. It’s mostly your basic rock and roll food groups – the
opposite sex, partying/drinking, general misbehavior and band touring.
The guitars are loud and distorted, the chords and hooks grabby and the
energy fun and unflagging. The title of the disk may or may not prove
to be an accurate prophecy, but these guys sure deserve it. Don’t
pass this one up.
HIGH
BIAS
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
Not quite punk, not really roots rock, sounding too influenced by the
Jam and the Ramones to really be a garage rock throwback, the Radio Reelers
bang out ten nuggets of timeless, trashy rock & roll on The Next Best
Thing. Like the Devil Dogs with less irony or the Real Kids with more
anarchy, the Reelers effortlessly entertain with high-energy, low-maintenance
tracks like "Criminal Mind," "Silver Ball" and the
title tune. Ties to Tucson garage punks the Fells add some extra credibility,
but this band doesn't need anything to validate its worldview but its
own crackling hot talent.
PEACEDOGMAN
RADIO REELERS - "The Next Best Thing"
So…which decade am I in again? Alright, confession time. I have
no idea how or when it happened, but somehow my music diet got way too
damn serious. I suppose I can blame the KATATONIA, BORKNAGAR, ARCTURUS
and OPETH for that. I forgot that music didn’t have to exist solely
for artistic expression, be all emotionally deep and have so much emphasis
on technicality. Well, along comes these here RADIO REELERS with "The
Next Best Thing" to add some well-needed fun and lightheartedness
to my listening habits. This raucous bunch with their black leather and
greased hair play some of the most damn authentic sounding proto-punk
no-nonsense rawk ever to reach these ears.
Now if you want to pinpoint the sound of these guys, look no further than
punk pioneers like THE RAMONES. From the 70s guitar tone to the ferocious
power chords to the harmonica solo in "Criminal Mind" and the
hand claps, it’s clear that the mission of the RADIO REELERS is
the exact same as that of the aforementioned punk pioneers: to bring rock
and roll back to its simplistic, pure origins. I also love the names the
band members have given themselves: Howlin’ Hot Dog Adam Caine,
Lightnin' Jeff G., Morgan Grimm and Bad Chad Whiskey. Yeah, fun's the
name of the game here. If you're looking for something groundbreaking
that you’ve never heard before, it won’t be found here. Then
again, this is hardly the point. Time will tell if the RADIO REELERS can,
or even want to, find their own musical identity, but for now they’re
having a good time partying and drinking and playing good ol’ rock
and roll and I totally have to give them my respect for it. I said it
before and I’ll say it again: because of my age I’ve missed
a lot of important musical movements, one of them being when a bunch of
kids said "Fuck you" to EMERSON LAKE & PALMER and brought
back rock in the form of punk. Then again, it's nice to know that this
raw, fun style is still being played, and if you missed the original movement
like I did, the RADIO REELERS and "The Next Best Thing" might
just be, well, the next best thing.
SHREDDING
PAPER
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin’ at the Party!"
Revved-up and ready-to-go rock ‘n’ roll that sent all my tics
in a tizzy I was so excited. Rather than make me wish Johnny T. and Jerry
N. were still alive and the Humpers, Devil Dogs, and – while I’m
at it, what the hell – the Fun Things were still together, this
San Francisco-based band (featuring members of the Trust Fund Babies,
the Fells, and the Weird Lovemakers) holds its own and keeps the party
going even after all the kegs have run dry. An energetic, catchy treat
that lasts longer than (and is just as addictive as) a snort of white
powder from atop the toilet tank – how can you possibly pass this
up? Lily
NO
BRAINS ZINE
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin' At The Party!"
"Shakin' At The Party!" is one of the greatest punk rock records
I ever heard. 1000% loaded with fast dirty raw r'n'r - punk'n'roll at
its best. Radio Reelers play the riffs so angry and loud that I have feeling
my speakers will blow up, I can almost see smoke coming out. This is perfect
record to loose your weight. From the moment the needle touches the record
you can't stand still. If you check the photo on the back cover - it's
obvious that you must have Radio Reelers album in your record collection.
Just look at all these empty beer bottles and records like Ramones, Teenage
Head, Kamikazes, Devil Dogs... You get 10 songs - all 10 are killers.
From "My Stereo" to "Shakin' At The Party". Radio
Reelers are definitely in my favorite bands top 10. So if you don't like
them stop reading this zine - go turn on MTV.
PLEASE KILL YOURSELF
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin' At The Party!"
Not since the Devil Dogs has there been a band that should be played at
every party. I mean every fuckin' party man. From your little brother's
7 year old birthday party to your grandparents 50th wedding anniversary.
I started a party just now because I put the record on (In no time at
all will I be throwing barstools and pulling out my dick at the first
person willing to watch). When you buy this record, and you will buy this
record, buy an extra copy to give to your best-friend. Fuck buy 10 give
them away as party favors. I'm not going to say anything more except "wow
this is one ragin' party!!!!!!!!!!"
PORTLAND
MERCURY
RADIO REELERS, THE MINDS, KRAV MAGA
S.F.'s Radio Reelers play punk rock like they're foaming at the mouth
with cheap beer, tripping in Chuck Taylors, and unsuccessfully trying
to score with clean-looking chicks. Confusing a heavy helping of pop "oo-oo-oohs"
with the old standard scuzz, they're fun. What's funner is playing two
mp3s of their same song at the same time, but slightly off time. They
sound amazing , the exact sonic reproduction of being incredibly, blurrily
drunk (you know, when everything is "in a round"). I bet that's
how they are live. MARJORIE SKINNER
SMASHIN'
TRANSISTORS
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin' At The Party!"
Isn't it really dry and parched in Tucson, Az? Does the arid climate leave
a person brain floating in a steam bath? What happens if you play rock-n-roll
and bail out of that city and relocate to one known for it's fog? Does
it cause some type of fiery combustion? Well, if you're formerly of the
Spites, the Weird Love Makers, the Fells, you wonder the same. Foggy towns?
No! Not London, San Francisco is where you hop the bus to! Then you rank
on the rip chord harder than that on an old lawnmover and open the choke
all they way so everyone for blocks can hear the commotion. If the New
Bomb Turks and the Rip Offs made a suicide pact-the Radio Reelers would
be the highest bidders to get their tainted souls. They might have to
take a loan against their own to afford it but they're just gonna make
sure they get complete use out of them as they persue their own deathwish.
HOUSE
OF SMUT
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin' At The Party!"
Trying to start over again after having been in a much beloved band can
be rough. Of course, the best way to avoid any pitfalls for your new outfit
is to simply deliver the goods in grand fashion with your new one. In
Shakin' At The Party , the Radio Reelers have done just that, crafting
an album which lives up to their stellar pasts. Featuring former members
of the Fells and Weird Lovemakers , the rock n' roll pedigree of this
outfit couldn't be much more impressive. However, even more than those
bands, the Radio Reelers seem to most resemble the Devil Dogs , in terms
of style. This is high octane rock n' roll at its best. For the Radio
Reelers, it's all about finding the party then being the life of it. If
the music on Shakin' At The Party is any indication, mission accomplished.
Over the course of these ten tracks, you're greeted by one hook-laden
chorus after another. For the most part, the Radio Reelers give it to
you in the form of blazers such as "Saturday Nite" and "Target
On Your Heart." However, Shakin' At The Party is at its best when
the band slows down just a hair on songs like "Treat It Alright."
This slightly slower pace allows the inherent melodicism of the music
to really take hold of you. Still, any way you look at it, Shakin' At
The Party is a winner. Just as impressive is the fact the Radio Reelers
have managed to forge their own path in the face of their much lauded
pasts. Highly recommended
LOWCUT
RADIO REELERS - Shakin' At The Party!
From the press release: "The missing link between The Devil Dogs,
The Dialtones and 1977". Well, for once there's truth in advertising
cuz it aint no fuckin' lie! The Reelers hail from San Francisco and have
been in previous combos like The Fells, The Shrinks, The Tramps and The
Weird Lovemakers. "Shakin' At The Party!" (their 2nd album)
is a short but highly infectious and catchy punkrock'n'roll affair not
unlike Campus Tramps, Phantom Rats or The Infections. Everyone of the
10 stompin' tracks rock and made this middleaged beergut weirdo jump around
in my flat like I was a zitfaced teenager again! Killer tracks like "Drink
With Me", "Saturday Night", and "Jukebox" don't
pretend to say anything clever on psychos like George W. Bush, it just
puts THE FUN back into rock'n'roll and what the hell is wrong with that?
I WANT MORE!!!
TERMINAL
BOREDOM
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin' At The Party!" LP
Todd: I like this album a lot - it sounds like a cross between the Leg
Hounds and Kill-A-Watts. I play this when I'm doing dishes or ironing.
I'll bet Jordan hates it.
Jordan: Man, this collage on the back has been done by so many bands...Big
Black, Streetwalkin' Cheetahs...
Matt: Dag Nasty, Lagwagon...
Todd: I'm not sure how you'd know that, Matt.
Matt: This is a good tune ("Strange Attraction"). I always go
for the faster stuff, I think it's a personal defect or something.
Jordan: ("Treat it Alright") has a Real Kids thing going on.
Good song. Geez, Otis Redding cover.
Matt: Seems odd that they'd cover this song, with the Clone Defects doing
it recently.
Todd: They do it a lot differently. Alright, neu-Dogs and Rip Off fans
(like me) will dig this one a lot. Good songwriting and a decent amount
of variety in pace & song structure for a band like this. WAY better
than the Trust Fund Babies! (TK)
CULTURE
BUNKER
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin' At The Party!"
This record kicks some pretty good ass. It's solid rock n' roll and the
R word is mentioned frequently in the lyrics. Lots of guitar crunch over
crashing drums, and nearly every song comes right out of the gate full-speed
with nostrils flaring and hooves stomping. Good fun material that cruises
at a breakneck pace while still maintaining its rock roots. At different
points I detected influences from guitar oriented punk bands like Black
Flag, The Dead Boys, The Lazy Cowgirls, and the Supersuckers. Most of
the material is played good and fast but not overwhelmingly so. There's
a couple slightly slower ones, but they don't appeal as much and tend
to sound long after a couple listens. The singing, while still ably done
and certainly as good as it needs to be, is probably the weakest of the
elements involved. This doesn't matter for shit during the more adrenal
songs (think of Eddie Spaghetti of the Supersuckers), but becomes more
exposed in the slower numbers. Still, overall the majority of the record
is populated by solid high-energy tunes and it's a fun listen. Many of
the songs are practically designed to holler along with, and there are
plenty of catchy rockers that grow on you instantly. A good record to
play loud when you need a rock fix. --- The Swede
MORE THAN
MUSIC FANZINE
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin' At The Party!"
Hailing from the Bay Area of San Francisco, this is much better than the
album cover led me to believe, and they bring more of a say Detroit rock
edge to the scene more than what I expect from that part of Cali. This
is some damn good stuff on one of my favorite new labels, Dead Beat, and
very deserving of some attention by the underground cult followers. Probably
put on one hell of a live show judging by the catchy refrains found on
here. This is high energy garage (vaguely punk influenced) rock and roll.
Short songs CHECK, lots of attitude CHECK, catchy hot guitar riffs CHECK
and hey they'll have you shakin at the party too.. (CC)
COSMIK
DEBRIS
RADIO REELERS - Shakin' At The Party!
(Reviewed by Alan Wright)
Gotta love a band that kicks off their CD with a song called "My
Stereo." The Radio Reelers are all about rock and roll, and a have
a healthy Devil Dogs sound. Mix in some Johnny Thunders and Chuck Berry
riffs, and you got some good music. They bill themselves as "San
Francisco's Only Rock'n'Roll Band," which is quite a claim, but these
guys are really good. They got together in 2001, and include former members
of the Fells, the Shrinks, the Trust Fund Babies and the Weird Lovemakers.
On the back of the CD is a picture of a bunch of records, and in amongst
them is the first Teenage Head album which shows they got great taste,
too. It ain't anything new or terribly original, but it's great rock and
roll.
AMP
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin' At The Party!” CD
The RADIO REELERS have made a record that virtually assures the continued
success of Miller High Life in the San Francisco Bay Area. They might
be doing more for the beer crowd than any other SF band, and for that,
they have my undivided attention and blessing. I’m calling this "Longneck-draining
punk," but you’d probably call it Rip Off Records influenced
scuzz. Both descriptions are fitting. There’s no point reinventing
the wheel if your just gonna get a D.U.I. (Mitch Cardwell)
X2RR
RADIO REELERS "Shakin' At The Party!"
This record is the hottest thing I’ve got my hands on in a long while.
This stuff is fast, pure San Francisco punk rock n' roll. I know
this stuff is being done a lot nowadays, but these guys are the real thing.
No imitators here, the Reelers put the balls back in rock n' roll in a
big way. I haven't been this excited since the Smut Peddlers put
out Tarball 2000. (MG)
THE
ODYSSEY
RADIO REELERS "Shakin' At The Party!" CD
These ex-members of the Fells, Weird Lovemakers, Trust Fund Babies, etc.
have already made a bit of a name for themselves. If you haven't heard
of them, let me introduce you to "Shakin' At The Party!" This
energetic punk rock explosion is just waiting to lube up your speakers
with some catchy, amphetamine-powered jukebox madness. Every tune is a
little nugget of great, late-70s-style punk rock perfection. Chuck Berry
riffs in hyperdrive, get-up-and-holler attitude and a big fat dollop of
F-U-N are the primary ingredients in this baby. If only the radio were
half this good. (Phil Hunt)
DEEP
FRY BONANZA
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin' At The Party!"
Will Dead Beat Records EVER release anything that isn't specifically recommended
by this web site? You can tell by the constant quality of all of their
releases that Dead Beat really cares about what they put out, and the
latest album from San Francisco's Radio Reelers is absolutely no different.
Those of you who are smart enough to be familiar with the rest of Dead
Beat's catalog won't be surprised to hear that the Radio Reelers play
amped-up, punked out garage rock with a shitload of melody and an even
larger amount of pure rock energy. If you're looking for contemporary
references, think of what the Exploding Hearts would have sounded like
with the raw energy of Dillinger Four; or if you're looking for classic
references look at the albums in the photo on the back of the record (the
Ramones, Teenage Head, etc.) and think of those bands playing like they
were competing with In God We Trust, Inc.-era Dead Kennedys' for punk's
land speed record. Speed and energy are, to some extent at least, dime-a-dozen
attributes in the world of two-song DIY singles, and what separates the
Radio Reelers from this massive pack is some truly inspired songwriting
chops. The ability to sound downright infectious without sounding corny
and bubblegummy is phenomenally rare, and the Radio Reelers have it; just
check out tracks like "Saturday Nite" and "Drink with Me"
if you don't believe me. If you're looking for real garage rock revival
instead of self-indulgent art school white boy blues, throw away your
White Stripes CD and check out Shakin' at the Party. If your party is
in need of some shakin', these guys will supply it more quickly than anyone
this side of Chuck Berry.
NOW
WAVE
RADIO REELERS - Shakin' At The Party! CD
After reading my review of another recent Dead Beat release (The Black
Jetts' Bleed Me), Chaz Halo emailed me in a drunken rage demanding to
hear the album, presumably to get his rock'n'roll fix. Chaz and others
better keep this disc out of their garage-junkie grasp, cause it'll likely
induce a punked-out sonic pop overdose. Before I attempt to describe in
words what I hear blazing from my speakers, some visuals might help you
put a finger on this flavor of rock: Lightning bolts and sunglasses and
a "Rocking Sound" motto. Beer bottles and vinyl (Teenage Head
and Ramones LPs, among others) strewn about the place. Howlin' Hot Dog
Adam Caine is like "We came to rock." Red Hot Hector Jaime is
like "Ya damn right." Lightnin' Jeff G. is like "So let's
dance!" And Tony Taco is like "You don't wanna rock? Well, then
fuck off!" From start to finish it's pretty much one big highlight
reel, but here's a breakdown for those who desire it: "My Stereo,"
"Saturday Night," "Shakin' At The Party!" and a few
more are the flat-out, catchy-as-hell, sing-along sizzlin' HITS that Now
Wavers crave. "Treat It Alright" and "That's How Strong
My Love Is" provide you with the pop-infected stuff that make you
raise an eyebrow while convulsing like an overjoyed dance-crazed lunatic.
Exploding Hearts fans will definitely dig 'em. At a smokin' 23 minutes,
"Shakin' At The Party!" is the premier record for revving up
your beer bash/dance-a-thon. Recommended. (Mark Hughson)
MAXIMUM
ROCKNROLL
RADIO REELERS - "Shakin' At The Party!" LP
I'm a certified RADIO REELERS fan. In fact, if I were a female, some might
even call me a groupie. Hell, the verdict is still out on my sexuality,
so who knows... With a jacket that features a photo composed of empty
beer bottles, a TEENAGE HEAD record, a LURKERS record and a KAMIKAZES
record, you've got to figure it's okay stuff. This is not okay stuff;
this is the shit. If you like catchy punk rock that is rock'n'roll and
punk at the same time and delivered with a fistful of energy, you should
look for this one. You'll get ten rockin' tracks, none of which last for
more than a couple of minutes and none of which belonged in the bin. If
you too need to hear some rock'n'roll right now, this is your ticket.
I really do hate to gush over a record, but once in a while a record actually
deserves it. (Kenny Kaos)
THE
RAWK
RADIO REELERS - shakin' at the party!
san fran foursome featuring former fells guit raper jeff g, this is some
righteously rackety garage punk that'll peel paint from your walls that
you can sniff and eat while you dance around the joint like an idiot!
the funnest record i've heard in a long while! need an adrenaline rush?
buy buy buy!!!
r.i.y.l.: new bomb turks/revelators/rip off & crypt bands
PUNK
INFORMATION DIRECTORY
Willy's Top Ten of 2003
4. RADIO REELERS "Shakin' At The Party!"
Hailing from San Francisco, they know how to pile on the punk rock'n'roll
with a heavy dose of garage. Super songs layered on top of guitar driven
anthems make this an easy choice for the top 5.
SLEAZEGRINDER
RADIO REELERS "Shakin' At The Party!"
Oakland, CA shaker makers the RADIO REELERS drill a hole right through
your rotten skull and fill it fulla 4 dollar champagne and infectiously
catchy rock n’ roll on this shameless ode to the good times and the
bad girls that come with ‘em. I could rattle on for a few hundred
hair-splitting words on exactly where and how the aptly named RADIO REELERS
scored their formidable rockabilities, but that’s just not the kinda
mood these fuckers put you in. Hell, I’m surprised I’m even
still sitting down with this ‘un blasting away. Suffice to say, every
song is about rockin’ the party all nite long, and every song sounds
exactly like it’s gonna rock the party all nite long. How’s
that for truth in advertising? If you have any interest at all in roof
rattling, punked-out garage rock, or in the simple pleasures of acting
the king fool on Saturday night, or just in having a good time for once
in yr miserable fuckin’ life, then you just gotta pick this one up,
man. If every jukebox in every bar in the USA had “Shakin at the
Party” in ‘em, not only would everybody –including you,
even- get laid more, but there would probably be less people getting socked
in the nuts or knocked out cold with pool cues. And maybe we’d defeat
terrorism too, I dunno. Just get it, man. It can’t do you anything
but good.
NOMA
BEACH RECORDS
TOP TEN LP/CDs OF 2003
-Riverboat Gamblers "Something To Crow About" (Gearhead)
-The Marked Men "s/t" (Rip Off)
-The Ends "Sorry XOXO" (Pelado)
-The Kidnappers "Ransom Notes And Telephone Calls" (Alien Snatch)
-Tower 13 "Compilation" (Hostage)
-Triggers "Shoot Your Mouth Off" (Dirtnap)
-The Bronx "s/t" (White Drugs)
-RADIO REELERS "Rockin' Sound" (Radio Blast)
-Zodiac Killers "Society's Offenders" (Rip Off)
-The Stitches "12 Imaginary Inches" (TKO)
AMP
Al Quint's Best of 2003: LP's/10"/CD's:
BONES BRIGADE-I Hate Myself When I’m Not Skateboarding
BORN/DEAD-Our Darkest Fears Now Haunt Us
CAREER SUICIDE-self-titled
CAUSTIC CHRIST-Can’t Relate
CUT THE SHIT-Harmed And Dangerous
FROM ASHES RISE-Nightmares
INEPSY-Rock ‘n Roll Babylon
KAMIKAZE-Destroy Everything You Think You Know
MUNICIPAL WASTE-Waste ‘Em All
NO TIME LEFT-self-titled
RADIO REELERS-Rockin' Sound
THE STAKEOUT-On The Run
STREET TRASH-self-titled
VON ZIPPERS-The Crime Is Now
VARIOUS-Histeria 2
NOW
WAVE
RADIO REELERS "Rockin' Sound" LP
That fuckin Adam Caine is a garage punk genius. I loved the Trust Fund
Babies, and his new band doesn't fall too far from the tree. Taking the
dum-dum garage punk aesthetic created by Greg Lowery (who got his inspiration
from those Angry Samoans), the RADIO REELERS kick out 10 hits of high
energy garagey punk goodness including a killer cover of the Nips' "King
of the Bop"... alright, so some of the songs sound the same... who
gives a fuck, right? Originality is the enemy. Imagine if Johnny Thunders,
Chuck Berry, Andy G from the Devil Dogs, and Greg Lowery formed a band...
they would have sounded like the RADIO REELERS do on this LP. This LP
rules... and they also released another record this year on Dead Beat
Records... I've only heard a few songs from it; but from what I've heard,
they could be the band to make everyone forget about the Devil Dogs. (Troy
Canady)
AMP
RADIO REELERS "Rockin' Sound" LP
Any fan of San Francisco punk should already be acquainted with the RADIO
REELERS. This band features folks from countless other great bands (WEIRD
LOVEMAKERS, SPITES and SHRINKS to name a few). Their debut album features
stuff that is clearly influenced by the 90s punk/garage boom, in particular
the Rip Off Records sound of TEENGENERATE (though far less manic) and
PROBLEMATICS. A fan band that I never skip seeing live. Quality shit here
folks, take note! (Mitch Cardwell)
AMP
RADIO REELERS "Rockin’ Sound" LP
Jeez, it sure the fuck IS a rockin’ sound and an irresistible, catchy
one at that. Hard driving punk rock ‘n roll with the fired-up spirit
of ’77, Thunders riffs and played at a healthy clip. Sure, they strut,
they wear shades, they scowl but these songs flat out MOVE and have killer
hooks to match. Guitarist/vocalist Adam used to ply his wares in the smokin’
Trust Fund Babies and these guys are just as good. Maybe better. I can
never get enough of this kind of scorch. (Al Quint)
THE
STRANGER
ROTTEN APPLES, THE RADIO REELERS, THE MINDS, THE MATERIALISTICS
Now, do I really have to tell you to go see this show? Four great bands,
one night, lots of beer. The headliners are Empty Records' own Rotten
Apples--think a garagey L7, but maybe that's just because of the female
vocals. The RADIO REELERS feature none other than Jeff Glave from the
Fells and Hector from the Weird Lovemakers, and this San Francisco treat
puts on a rock 'n' roll show like no other, whether or not the members
are wearing suits. For those who remember, these boys smoked when they
blew through the Sunset Tavern a year or so ago--great bursting rock songs
with a good deal of pop sensibility. From what I hear, the Minds feature
a few members from the glorious Fliptops, so I'd keep an eye on them.
Last but definitely not least are the Materialistics. Featuring Alan from
Teen Cool, these high-energy Texans are sure to impress. All in all, Zak's
books another great show! (Willie Crane)
STRANDED
V/A - "California Ain't Fun No More" LP
Be sure you get this one on vinyl though, because the best song is a bonus
track! It is the RADIO REELERS' "Can't Be My Baby." I don't
know anything about this band I'll try to check on them from now on! 13
bands from the sunny US state, most of them rather good (Loudmouths, Loose
Lips, Bitchschool). It is a pity The Flakes' contribution is a cover.
The Pinkz' one is a cover as well, but that doesn't surprise me since
all I hear from them are covers!! To be fair I have to say there is a
song I don't like, the one from the Rehabs.
THE
STRANGER
S.F’s RADIO REELERS are ex-members of the Fells, Weird Lovemakers,
and Trust Fund Babies. Their “Radio Feelin’” 45 is one
of those records you throw on to get in a good mood, one you can give
multiple listenings to and still get caught up in its immediate rush.
In an era awash with dull nth-generation Dead Boys/Heartbreakers copycats
(minus what made those bands great), the REELERS seem aware that “punk”
used to be able to encompass bands as different as Teenage Head or the
Suicide Commandos and still have a “fast rock’n’roll =
FUN” aesthetic that breathes life into their noise. (Heath Heemsbergen)
NO
BRAINS ZINE
RADIO REELERS "Radio Feelin'" 7" EP
RADIO REELERS kick ass!!! “Radio Feelin’” is super catchy
and fast punk and roll loaded with energy and what else I can say about
this r’n’r madness -- it just drives you mad. On side B there
is a super fast and ass kicking punk’n’roll cover of “Let’s
Have A Party.” If you expected something different from their 3rd
track, you’re very wrong - hee hee. RADIO REELERS didn’t change
a bit and why should they - punk’n’roll is definitely the best
they know and I love it. Gimme more RADIO REELERS and I won’t miss
Devil Dogs.
DISCORDER
RADIO REELERS "Radio Feelin'" 7" EP
Shifting into high gear, we turn to the RADIO REELERS to provide some
relief from this strange batch of records that have assaulted our senses
so far. An ex-Fells and an ex-Weird Lovemaker make up half of this rockin’
outfit from San Francisco who deliver supercharged punk ’n’
roll like so many bands who no doubt inspired them (Devil Dogs, The Humpers,
et al). Two great originals are to be had in “Radio Feelin’”
and “No Respect” (and a throwaway version of Wanda Jackson’s
“Let’s Have A Party”) at least get the shindig shakin’
properly. Only 500 of these babies were pressed, so better snatch ’em
up quick! (Bryce Dunn)
PUNK
INFORMATION DIRECTORY
RADIO
REELERS "Radio Feelin'" 7" EP
Every time I read about this band they are being hyped as Adam of
the Trust Fund Babies’ new band, featuring Jeff from The Fells on
guitar. There is nothing wrong with that, of course. Both the Trust Fund
Babies and The Fells were great, but those guys are only half of the band.
When I first got this record, I was surprised to learn (via the photo
and captions on the sleeve) that this band also features the rhythm section
of the Weird Lovemakers. What an underrated band! The five people reading
this who are familiar with that band now have the extra incentive to pick
this up. As for this record, the RADIO REELERS pound out three punkers
along the lines of the Trust Fund Babies, The Shrinks, The Bodies, or
The Trends. I really like all of those bands and I like this too. Nice
looking sleeve design and red vinyl. What are you waiting for? Check out
other fine Zaxxon Virile Action 7”s by The Kamikazes and Smash Up
Derby while you are at it. And what ever happened to the Weird Lovemakers?!?
(Mario Solis)
SMASHIN’
TRANSISTORS
RADIO REELERS “Radio Feelin’" 7" EP
I wish I had the radio these guys are talking about. Whenever I listen
to mine I just wanna throw it out the window but the REELERS get a “Radio
Feelin’” that makes comb the hair, drink a ton and act all dumb
like the TRUST FUND BABIES. Jeff of the Fells is the guitar player here
and it sounds like he takes a big swig of octane with loud volume additives.
MAXIMUM
ROCKNROLL
RADIO REELERS - "Radio Feelin'" 7" EP
I love ZVA! I have yet to hear a record that sucks on this label. The
raucous energy of the RADIO REELERS is just what I need to bring me out
of my winter doldrums and get me pogoing all over my stuffy apartment.
This has the feel of old rockabily, but the speed necessary to fuck shit
up. (Donna Poole)
SDZ FANZINE
RADIO REELERS "Radio Feelin" 7" EP
Le nouveau groupe de Jeff Glave (ex-Fells) nous en met plein les oreilles
avec ce premier 7” tonitruant. ”Radio Feelin” est un bonheur
de chanson speedée et jouissive dans une lignée Vibrators/Devil
Dogs/Briefs. Un refrain hyper simple et un groupe qui assure! “Let’s
have a party” ponctué de nombreux “Yeah!” et autres
“Waouh!” est tout aussi cinglant. Seul “No Respect”
est un peu moins convaincant mais au final on tient là un 45t bien
killer qui met les RADIO REELERS sur la carte des meilleurs groupes US
de punk’n’roll. (Nico)
BLANK
GENERATION
RADIO REELERS "Radio Feelin'" 7" EP
First off, cool cover design. Yr standard punk rock cover... Not too innovative,
but cool none the less... Okay, The RADIO REELERS, outta San Francisco,
rockin’ the 70’s type punk rock ’n’ roll... You know
who they remind me of? The Bodies...but more amped-up. These guys are
fast rocknrollers, and all that, but it’s just that their tunes lack
a catchy spark that makes me wanna listen to ’em over an’ over
again... Songs like “Radio Feelin’,” “Let’s Have
a Party,” and “No Respect” are, again, not too innovative,
and they roar right by without entangling me in their the webs, dragging
my corpse on the pavement, scarred and mangled... No...no...I’m alright...
And that’s not alright... (JD)
ALIEN
SNATCH RECORDS
TOP TEN 7”s OF 2002
10.) Mondo Topless - Panty Sniffer (Get Hip)
09.) Dimestore Haloes - Dumb Radio (Wax)
08.) RADIO REELERS - Radio Feelin' (ZVA)
07.) Columbian Neckties - Rejected #7 (High School Reject)
06.) The Easys - You´re High Maintenance (Just Add Water)
05.) Exploding Hearts - Making Teenage Faces (Vinyl Warning)
04.) The Briefs - This Age (Crystal Songs)
03.) Loose Lips - Addicted To You (Just Add Water)
02.) The Bomb Pops - Everything looks like her (Rapid Pulse)
01.) The Ghetto Ways - Heart Attack (Outlaw)
