GOVERNMENT WARNING play 82/83 hardcore a la "Cause For Alarm" and other pre-jockcore NYHC. At it's worst it's totally generic. Example: the opening riff to "Ghost Town" is taken from the ANTIDOTE "Thou Shalt Not Kill" EP (trivia : ANTIDOTE featured Arthur Googy from MISFITS on drums and John Joseph pre-CRO MAGS doing back ups). That's not to say that this is bad. I just own too many records that sound like this that command a little more respect (probably due to their age and newness back in the day or simply the fact that I played the ever loving dogshit out of them).

So, much like a lot of the current crop of hardcore bands, I imagine this is something I would have to see live, if only to see if GW can pull off the memorable tunes like "Self Destruct" in a live setting. It's got some cool surfy rock n' rollin' guitar to it and a great vocal that lets vocalist Kenny actually sorta sing. They also lay off on the throttle a bit, and that's a good thing because the speed thing is only good in doses. If you thrash your way thru every song you're on your way to most people's "skip" pile. But, to give you an idea of how good that one track is, I am playing that track again. And, to think, I was going to toss this thing into the blah pile but that one tune saved it. Reminds me of why I love beach punk stuff like THE SIMPLETONES' "I Like Drugs" and other filth of that sort.

Again, if I was to say anything about this band I would say that they are at their best when they lay off the throttle and let it rock. Their fast stuff just sounds too much like the obvious influences. The more rocking stuff is good enough to make you forget that you've heard it before. Not to mention that Kenny has a great snotty vocal and he doesn't have a chance to use it. Guitarist Brandon also has some good licks up his sleeve that don't get room to breathe when slammed up against a breakneck pace. Third listen to that track and I'm still not sick of it. One more go!

Yup! Still fresh! The funny thing is, I bought this EP when it came out, played side one and filed it into the archives with a couple hundred 7" records that I will probably never listen to again. I have since rescued this EP and put it back into the coveted "G section". And, yes, I keep them in order by first letter. Anyone who's seen my record room would understand why this is critical. I about had a heart attack (eating nothing but fast food, chain smoking, drinking, and fast living hasn't helped, folks) when I couldn't find the first NEOS EP this past weekend - total sweats! Just had a partay here at thee manor and was paralyzed by thoughts of theft. Thank whatever that it was just filed into the soul records in a moment of drunken stupidity. So, off this goes to rest between THE GIZMOS and GO SAILOR (hey, I have a soft spot for them you dicks!). Another collects dust.

- Two Tub Tony

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/governmentwarningrva

RELATED ITEMS: GOVERNMENT WARNING - "Arrested" EP, 2007