Triclops - Cafeteria Brutalia
< author: The GRB >
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Triclops Cafeteria Brutalia Label: Sick Room Release Date: 02/06/07 |
I was excited to find out that Triclops features Johnny from the Fleshies on vocals. In late 2003, the Fleshies made their only Virginia Beach appearance opening for the Candy Snatchers. While some locals might hold the Candy Snatchers on some bar-punk pedestal, the Fleshies stole the show that night with their crazed circus-like killing spree brand of punk rock. Johnny climbed on pool tables, dining tables, headbutted lightbulbs, kicked glasses over, and pissed off the staff. Too bad the room was nearly empty. The Fleshies deserve their own article of accolades, but it seems they’ve been inactive as of late and Johnny is now making a home for himself in the San Francisco-based Triclops.
As soon as you press play, you are immediately hit with riffs that come at you like knives, baseball bats, and flamethrowers. Now imagine yourself on a beat up beach cruiser bicycle riding through a land where no one gives a fuck anymore. This might be the soundtrack for futile attemps to avoid any potential damage. It’s that crazy. The production seems to have done some wonders, because I couldn’t imagine this band sounding thin elsewhere. The sound is full and it really highlights the talent that’s within this band. Vocally, I am reminded of Sam McPheeters(Born Against) and David Yow(Jesus Lizard). Hell, there’s even some later period Born Against styled vibes coming out of this E.P. and they even move at a hectic Nation of Ulysses pace. While there are some moments of angular, semi-mathy garage rock going on here that fans of Drive Like Jehu could appreciate, there are times when the band will take a slow lurching break during the songs. Oddly enough, I get reminded of Jane’s Addiction, in the same way that they would be able to slow down, get a little elegant, while still managing to be heavy and brooding. For example, refer to 3:10 into “Mi Plisboy,” and it’s like taking a slow-motion incense fueled drive off of a cliff.
These guys do not waste any second of going beyond the typical three minute-song formats. “Bug Bomb” is a ten-minute plus song and it manages to stay innovative throughout the whole composition. Also, don’t get me started on the Black Sabbath meets a freak-out noisy-jazzy-punky-psychedelic free form jam band vibe that I get on “Jewel of Oakland.” It’s a track that truly rocks.
I feel that this might be a punkier alternative for kids who find the hipster-oriented mathy/progressive/garage rock genre to be a bit elitist and devoid of any fun. The music certainly does not conjure up images of coke-snortin’ shaggy haired swaying zombies, that’s for sure.
Triclops - Mi Plisboy