Favorite Tracks: Last Night, Cruisin, Crack Up, and Blast Off
Sounds Like: Greenday, Blink 182, and The Ataris
I like to call Slap Happy a straight up CPRA band. They started back in the early days of CPRA by sending us videos asking if we liked their music. They invited us out to many shows and now we can finally review their brand new EP, “Crusin”. The EP starts out with, “Thousand Yard Stare” this track totally reminds me of Greenday’s, “1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours”. It has the garage feel, that seems to be really lacking in major commercial releases.
The next track up is, “Last Night”. This is my favorite track. It’s quick and has a great little intro. The drums are killer! “Danger Days” is next and not to be confused with MCR’s album of the same name. This track is probably the fastest on the EP. Personally I really dig this song as well. This song is quite catchy and seems to bounce from riff to riff. “Cruisin” follows and is the only purely instrumental tune. It has a real kickass surf sound. I love it. Fans of King Shelter, and even older fans who like Dick Dale should give this track a listen.
“Crack Up”, follows and brings back that Slap Happy sound. The bass and guitar absolutely shred! The last track is “Blast Off” with a great drum into. Let me call this a wrap. Slap Happy is 6 tracks of pop punk bliss. This is a great sample of the future of Slap Happy. Be sure to pick this one up on 6/26/2019 here, https://slaphappytunes.bandcamp.com/.
Production: Mixed and produced by Felipe Patino at Green Door Studios (Bricheros) and Ira Decther who mastered (OverTime)
Current Lineup: (Per Facebook)
Blake Pendergrass, drums
Hans Meyer, vox
Lindsey Housel, keys and vox
Jason Tollen, bass
Taylor Pendergrass, guitar
Track listing:
“Streets”
“Talk”
“Only One”
“Riots”
“Kill You to Live”
Normally when writing a review, we choose a few of our favorites…but I can’t choose a song I like best on this EP! I love every single track. Things that stick out to me: the opening riff of “Streets” is awesome and I love the vocal delivery. Great choice as the EP opener. “Talk” is one of the faster tempo tracks, and the lyrics are awesome. It’s upbeat, rhythmic and relatable.
“The more they talkity talk
The less you walk walk walk
And the more they squakity squak
The more we walk walk walk away!”
“Only One” is perfectly aggressive, the guitar riff on “Riots” is infectious and has quintessential sing-along vocals: “The bell tolls. The riots roll!”
“Kill You to Live” has an awesome breakdown and the build up is well placed and timed.
Reminds me of: Suicide Machines, Black Flag, Bad Brains, Pennywise, The Buzzcocks, Rancid, Ten Foot Pole, Dwarves, Murder City Devils, TSOL, The Muffs.
Overall: Production wise, I think this EP is very well done. The drum sound is punchy and in your face but not overpowering, the bass and guitar tones are energetic yet still warm, the keyboards are mixed very well, providing a lush harmonic noise floor, and both vocalists deliver tireless, passionate words that you know they believe in. This band is not posing at all! This recording captures their energy and enthusiasm which I can only imagine is equally as good live.
Be sure to catch the Wild Lives EP Release Party this Saturday at Streets Of Denver with Cheap Perfume and Vic N’ The Narwhals. Get your tickets soon as this banger is likely to sell out!
About The Reviewer:
Megan Kelley is the front woman for Denver based post-punk band Married a Dead Man. She is an accomplished pianist, keyboardist and singer, with a full time private music teaching studio. She is also a composer, songwriter and holds degrees in classical voice and piano, as well as a second degree in sound engineering. Music is her entire existence.
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Denver’s PCP has been some Busy Beaver so far in 2019. They released their infamous Christmas album, “White Elephant” back in January. You can read that review and other Animal Farm Chronicles here, https://coloradopunkrockarmy.com/tag/people-corrupting-people/. The Orwellian based band continues to bring truth and justice to the masses. Kids pop in some PCP Tarts. It’s time to dig into, “Busy Beaver”.
So before I go all long and drawn out. Let me point out that, “Busy Beaver” is FREE. I know you were ready to fork out thousands of dollars for some quality ska punk. So save those dollars for the bar or best of all PCP merch. The EP kicks off with “Two Minutes Hate”. In a way I feel like every person can relate to this. You pick up your phone to check out Facebook and can quickly get your “Two Minutes Hate”. It may be some religious zealot friend, some orange haired ogre president, or even a relative. You don’t need that negativity in your life.
“Building 7” is the next track up. This song reminded me of a documentary I watched recently regarding the Emperor Constantine. The documentary offered proof that Constantine was never a Christian, and that he stayed true to his pagan roots. He even built monuments to display his pagan beliefs. One was a statute of the Roman Sun God, Apollo. Constantine was said to have hid bits of the True Cross inside this statue. He merely adopted Christianity to preserve the Roman Empire.
Back cover of Busy Beaver
So in part, Constantine played a massive prank on all believers of Christianity. This is what the United States has done to all Americans since 9/11. While claiming our “Freedom” is being protected, it’s actually being whittled away. Our Dear Leader spouts non-stop hateful rhetoric, while we stand by and listen. What is the wizard doing behind the curtain?
OK sorry for my rant, but I guess I needed to get that out. Let’s move on to the next song. “Bacteri-Yum”. This track is so damn catchy. I constantly find myself humming along. For fans of ska core this is your song. This track has some amazing bass and guitar, including the lovely Jen on violin. Personally they really should consider getting this song accompanied by a full orchestra.
A love song featuring the X Men? “Ex Man” is just that. Not only is this song hilarious, it kicks serious ass! Will the X-Men, help out our Ex Man? “Brad Mosh Pitt” is the next track. You will be running for the pit as you slam each other as PCP lists of movies by Brad Pitt. Wait what? I really dig this tune.
So back in the 80s there were 2 superstars Chevy Chase and Paul Simon. Paul Simon wrote and recorded, “You Can Call Me Al”. This mega popular song ended up on his Graceland album. I am no means a Paul Simon fan, but I love “You Can Call Me Al”. I think my love for the song mainly comes from the video. Chevy and Paul go rounds in the hilarious video. PCP needs to remake this video now!
PCP’s cover is excellent. Everything is harder, heavier even the trombone. The drums really stuck out as well. Due to some local controversy I am skipping the next song. CPRA believes in the Denver Scene, and we will stay that way. On, “Washington”, the ska core comes back with furious animosity. Nate’s rap is pretty bad ass, while a slow island like jam plays along.
“Cum All Ye Faithful”, follows with a raunchy blast towards religion. As, Nick Cormier sings you can feel him preaching to the choir. This is by far my absolute favorite track on the album. A big shout out to Mike Lebofsky as his theremin skills add a super creepy edge. The last and nerdiest track is up next with Goku Vs. Superman. Dyl’s drumming and Nate’s shredding give this song the perfect combination.
It’s time to call this one a wrap. People Corrupting People’s, “Busy Beaver” is another excellent addition to the Animal Farm Chronicles. PCP may not be concerned about getting rich in the music industry. They do pour their heart and souls into making some damn good music.
