A Columbus Feeling
(Boss Tuneage)
myspace.com/spermbirds
Kaiserslautern’s Spermbirds were one of the leading lights of the mid-Eighties Euro-Hardcore explosion, and their debut album ‘Something To Prove‘ (from ’86) is hands down one of THE definitive records of the era. Picking up on the North American Punk sounds that had started to drift across The Atlantic these German dudes nailed short and snappy melodic songs influenced in part by the likes of Agent Orange and the Angry Samoans. But giving them a real killer edge was having a gen-u-ine American singer – hot dang! Indeed, Lee Hollis (a former GI) proved to have the most sneering fuck-you voice this side of Checkpoint Charlie. The reputation was set.
There’s been plenty of blood, sweat and beers under the bridge in the past 25 years for The Spermbirds, but the great news is that they are still with us. ‘A Columbus Feeling‘ is their first album since 2004’s ‘Set An Example‘, and as soon as the thumping opener ‘Matter of Fact’ comes blasting out of the speakers… big riffage, pounding drums and Lee’s snottier-than-thou vocals… I’m in familiar territory, been digging these guys for 23 years… and am instantly digging this brand new collection of songs, ear candy for the OG’s, hah!
The Spermbirds were always about sharp and catchy songs (‘She’s Got V.D‘ anybody?!) and the 13 tracks on ‘A Columbus Feeling‘ carries that tradition ahead in spades… cracking melodic Punk anthems, loaded with plenty of bite and vehemence, and with an average song time of about 3 minutes… no fucking around… right down to closer ‘Honestly’ that has a funky kinda Big Boys feel to it.
There’s talk of some UK dates later this year. I’m already there!
Pete Craven
The album is due out on September 3rd but you can stream some tracks from the band’s myspace and learn more about the album below…