THE SPEARS – People are Bad 7”

Choking Hazard Records – Tampa (2008)

People Are Bad

Upset Down

Bullet Proof

Chris Barrows: vocals

Sam Williams: guitar

Gary Strickland: bass

Hunter Oswald: drums

Olde-core from Tampa. As with all records featuring either Chris Barrows (Pink Lincolns, Jackie Papers) or Gary Strickland (Hated Youth, Plastic Stars, Honeyrider), it’s a recommended purchase. Not sure who the other 2 dudes are. They must be tops among Tampa low-life. This is fairly standard mid-tempo punk rock – nothing here would sound outta place on a Pink Lincolns record. People are Bad (not a bold statement) is good though both B-side songs are probably better – especially Bullet Proof – it’s short & to the point. I’ll be scanning the internet looking for the next installment.

PLASTIC STARS – Sheena Gets Around / Shut-Up 7”

No Front Teeth – Clearwater (2008)

Gaz (Gary Strickland) - vocals, guitar

Johnny – bass/ vocals

Ian – keyboards / vocals

Tommy – drums

Plastic Stars falls somewhere between two of Mr. Strickland’s previous bands – Hated Youth and Honeyrider. Honeyrider made the Beach Boys sound gloomy by comparison and Hated Youth sound exactly like one would expect a band named Hated Youth to sound. This is much closer to Honeyrider territory – almost an exercise in nostalgia for 70’s melodic punk rock – like Buzzcocks or Undertones without the limey accents. No Front Teeth is in fact a UK label. Gary is as good a singer as he was a yeller in HY and I hope there are more singles to follow.

INCESTIVAL -- 7" compilation EP

KISS OF DEATH RECORDS -- Orlando (2008)

Four bands: New Mexican Disaster Squad, Polluted Youth, Gatorface, Virgins

Personnel:
Sam Johnson -- NMDS, Virgins
Alex Goldfarb -- NMDS, Gatorface
Eric Pitman -- Virgins, Polluted Youth
Rob Ferry -- Polluted Youth
Richard Minino -- NMDS, Gatorface
Nick Allam -- Polluted Youth, Gatorface
Bryan Quilty -- Gatorface
Phil Longo -- Virgins
Brian Wayne Etherington -- NMDS

Songs:
NMDS -- Yesterday's Faults
Polluted Youth -- Carcinogents
Gatorface -- Risky Business
Virgins -- Our Words

The personnel list above explains the title of this solid compilation of related Orlando bands. All of this stuff is straightforward, fairly quick punk rock. Side one is a little rougher, side two more melodic, but don't fret this stuff never gets too rough or too melodic. If I had to pick a standout, I'd probably point to Gatorface. But there's no call to be picky here. Play it all the way through.

ELECTRIC BUNNIES – 2nd 7”EP

Florida’s Dying – Miami (2008)

Chewing Gum
Love Radiation
Super Fluorescent Hippo Flashback
The Stranger

Eldys Diaz - guitar, vocal
Victor - guitar, vocal
Thomas - drums

Excellent follow-up to their wonderful Eskimo single. Essential Florida weirdo-rock. Chewing Gum is deadpan vocals over a bubblegum riff – kind of annoying, kind of great. Love Radiation is a catchy punk rock song – the most conventional song here. SFHF is a semi-throwaway trashy noisy punk song – it’s ok. The Stranger is brilliant – slow noodley music with occasional noise bursts all about feelings of isolation and alienation and basically being the stranger. Once again, cool cover art.