Rockfreaks.net

Teenage Bottlerocket

Mutilate Me EP

Written by: PP on 04/06/2011 03:41:26

Today's your lucky day, dear reader, if you're into no frills pop punk. The next release I'll serve you on your dinner plate tonight is the new EP by the beloved Teenage Bottlerocket, arguably the pioneers and leaders of the retrospective no-frills old school pop punk movement. They're the band that sounds most like a modernized version of The Ramones, but that doesn't remove any of their appeal, quite the contrary.

To remind us that they still exist, Bottlerocket have gotten together to release a short, beneath five-minute collection of three punk rock songs, two of which are originals by the band and the last one a faithful cover of a lesser known Bad Religion track, "Henchman". Though the cover is interesting and well-played, the focus is obviously on "Mutilate Me" and "Punk House Of Horror", both of which are once again excellent renditions of no-frills pop punk. If you thought that "Skate Or Die" was a little too tightly produced in comparison to the band's earlier material, then especially "Punk House Of Horror" will take you back to the "Bloodbath at Burger King" days with its looser and rawer feel. The title track is a little more melodic and, obviously anthemic in its chorus, but still not as cleanly produced as the latest album. Some will like this, but it's merely a matter of preference. Both styles work just fine.

What more is there to say about a three-song EP? Not much. It serves as a timely reminder that Bottlerocket aren't in hiatus, and hopefully as their way of saying "hey guys, we have an album coming out soon". Fingers crossed.

Download: Mutilate Me
For the fans of: Screeching Weasel, The Ramones, The Dopamines
Listen: Myspace

Release date 12.04.2011
Fat Wreck Chords