If you listen closely to the music on the surface of this unapologetically raw exercise in psychobilly madness, there is plenty to engage any well-rounded rock fan’s tastes. You can hear some cool and welcome 60’s garage punk influences at work here, as well as some of the gnarliest guitar tones ever immortalized on tape. Fantastically loose, the 100 Proof Band is like a train with a drunken conductor that could fall off the tracks at any moment. Miraculously enough, this train never gets derailed. Velcro’s voice reminds me of my friend Reuben, which could be a plus or minus depending on what mood I’m in when you ask me. It’s uncanny. They even talk about the same shit (drinking, frozen tundra, etc…) I’ll try not to hold that against him.

But if you really listen to the forces at work here, this record will give you a dirty feeling in the depths of your soul. The mood on here is darker and dirtier than what most “doom” bands working today could conjure up. Even though this EP is only four tracks, it’s almost too much. Listening to these songs, it’s apparent how filthy these guys are. There is no question that they “live the life.” By the end of track four, “Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’?,” you will feel filthy, too. I was ready to quit my job, live on the streets, and start blowing dudes for cocaine money, so you could say that the vibe that they exude is genuine.

If you are looking for a musical deconstruction of the human experience, leave that sunnO))) crap to the kids. VELCRO LEWIS is the real deal.

- Broadbent

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/velcrolewis

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