Cerebral Ballzy
Cerebral Ballzy
Williams Street Records
2011
Cerebral Ballzy is a brand new skate/hardcore punk band and a rather unusual one at that. A close association with Cartoon Networks’ “Adult Swim” branch has meant that the band, still in its embryonic first phase, has been able to garner nationwide airplay of both their music and numerous videos while most of their contemporaries are struggling to break out of the dingy basement. A coveted slot on soundtrack of million selling computer game Saints Row: The Third has helped cement their burgeoning cult status. The bands star is so quickly on the rise that punk stalwarts and commentators may be alarmed and even a little perturbed at the way in which this relative unknown has muscled its way in so easily.
Those detractors who would be quick to dismiss Cerebral Ballzy as corporate puppets or sell-outs can leave their fears and preconceptions at the door because their brand of blistering yet sloppy Hardcore is as legit as it gets. From the menacing 3 chord snarl of “On The Run” to the lightning fast off kilter breakdowns of “Anthem” the band barely pauses for breath during the records brief, yet perfectly paced, 24 minute run time. Honor Titus’ vocals sound like a cross between Keith Morris and Darby Crash. He has the ability to sound slurred yet brutally fast and direct when the situation calls for it. The guitars are belted out at full speed and full volume at all times and the rhythm section is as tight as it gets, even when the band is going full throttle during some of the insanely fast breakdowns. Cerebral Ballzy manage to distil the spirit of the best 1980’s Hardcore and yet still manage to make it sound fresh and contemporary. Ditties dealing with self loathing and dependency such as “Junkie For Her” and “Drug Myself Dumb” are mixed in with fun, brainless odes to skating and beer a la JFA or Gang Green. Joby Ford’s production is top notch, as you’d expect, which means the songs loose none of their live ferocity once committed to tape. Gang vocals in the right places as well as a decent amount of melody sprinkled in for good measure make for a set of rousing skate-rat slacker anthems. The band get it aesthetically spot on as well having enlisted the help of legendary Hardcore artist Raymond Pettibon, who was the genius behind all of Black Flags’ iconic imagery. The band may not be breaking any new ground with their sound or approach but if they are the band that is going to drag Hardcore kicking and screaming into the mainstream then so much the better…and you know what I wouldn’t bet against them after this.
Score: 9/10
For Fans of: OFF!, JFA, Black Flag
BadIdeaDan for MLM
Those detractors who would be quick to dismiss Cerebral Ballzy as corporate puppets or sell-outs can leave their fears and preconceptions at the door because their brand of blistering yet sloppy Hardcore is as legit as it gets. From the menacing 3 chord snarl of “On The Run” to the lightning fast off kilter breakdowns of “Anthem” the band barely pauses for breath during the records brief, yet perfectly paced, 24 minute run time. Honor Titus’ vocals sound like a cross between Keith Morris and Darby Crash. He has the ability to sound slurred yet brutally fast and direct when the situation calls for it. The guitars are belted out at full speed and full volume at all times and the rhythm section is as tight as it gets, even when the band is going full throttle during some of the insanely fast breakdowns. Cerebral Ballzy manage to distil the spirit of the best 1980’s Hardcore and yet still manage to make it sound fresh and contemporary. Ditties dealing with self loathing and dependency such as “Junkie For Her” and “Drug Myself Dumb” are mixed in with fun, brainless odes to skating and beer a la JFA or Gang Green. Joby Ford’s production is top notch, as you’d expect, which means the songs loose none of their live ferocity once committed to tape. Gang vocals in the right places as well as a decent amount of melody sprinkled in for good measure make for a set of rousing skate-rat slacker anthems. The band get it aesthetically spot on as well having enlisted the help of legendary Hardcore artist Raymond Pettibon, who was the genius behind all of Black Flags’ iconic imagery. The band may not be breaking any new ground with their sound or approach but if they are the band that is going to drag Hardcore kicking and screaming into the mainstream then so much the better…and you know what I wouldn’t bet against them after this.
Score: 9/10
For Fans of: OFF!, JFA, Black Flag
BadIdeaDan for MLM