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World War IX have hit their stride. While they’ve been active in their current lineup featuring original members guitarist Justin Melkmann and drummer Jon Kleinman, this is the first release to include both new bassist Ryan Thompson and new-ish singer Mike Wontor. It’s intense, debaucherous, sloppy fun – everything I’ve come to love about “New York’s best trashy punk band” (to quote myself).
Where there was usually a strong GG Allin influence, particularly in his Jabbers mode, these songs reek of Black Flag‘s maniacal, paranoid, anti-social anthem of an album Damaged. Clocking in at under two minutes, the songs stop and start uncomfortably as feedback becomes more prevalent. Song subjects include inebriation (“Destination Blackout,” “(What’s Wrong With) Drinking All Day”), male frustration with female counterparts (“Fishing For Compliments”), obsession with trash television (“Slugfest on Channel 11”) and friendships gone wrong (as in the title track). It’s the kind of punk rock that makes you want to get extremely drunk and act like an idiot, and I love every second of it.
Grab some alcohol, gather your friends and throw this nasty gem on the stereo when everybody’s nice and sauced. You’ll be glad you did.
