Ninety Pound Wuss sure has some bones to pick with the church, society, lost loves, and apathy. And despite the name of the band this is not wimpy music! It's hard, screaming punk. These bones have some meat on them!
The credits include Dale Yob on bass, Marty Martinez as the excellent punk drummer, two guitarists named John (Himmelberger and Spaulding), and Jeff Suffering at the helm as the vocalist and lyricist. It seems that John Himmelberger plays on about 2/3 of the songs and John Spaulding plays on the rest, but the band's sound does not change a lick with the guitar changes. Jeff screams his biting poetry at a fierce pace, while the music strains under the power. There's no question that punk music is a powerful medium, and 90 Pound Wuss uses it to hammer some powerful messages.
Check out these lyrics from a song about the "faith movement" in the church, called "Sick and You're Wrong":
how can you say to the mentally retarded that their pain is wrong
how can you say to the physically handicapped that they can't glorify the Lord
well you're wrong
your idol worship is making me sick
I want to puke right in your face
how can you hurt someone when it's not their fault
then turn and blame them saying they have no faith
I think your definition of faith is wrong
and you've changed the Word of God
You're the one who's handicapped
You're the one to blame
I rebuke you, repent, repent! your disability to believe truth ails me
Graphic and powerful, 90 Pound Wuss's lyrics are indeed poetry. I'd like to reprint more of them here, but of course I don't have the time or space. There is another song on the CD called "Backwards Thinking" that also addresses the church, talking about cultural prejudices and bigotry toward punkers or other believers that do things a bit differently or have different tastes than most of the organized church.
I don't think this music will do much to bring the church together, however. Not only will most of the church not hear this record, but if they did they wouldn't be able to understand a word Jeff is screaming. This music would drive most of the organized church (read: parents) up the wall! For old school punk fans, this is a very well-done, worthwhile spin. This 90 Pound Wuss is no one to kick sand at.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
7ball #17Reviewed by Chris M. Short90 Lb. Wuss stormed on the scene last year with a record of old-fashioned, hardcore punk rock. Sort of a 1990's Dead Kennedys mixed with The Crucified. The record was characterized by equal parts fun, seriousness, life experience, and Christ-centered lyrics. Now, it's 1998 and 90 Lb. Wuss has grown up some. Where the Meager Die of Self-Interest takes the band in another direction in a furious…Similar sounding releases
2003Ambitious Career Woman...To Avoid a Lawsuit
1995Season to RiskIn a Perfect World
2003The First StepOpen Hearts and Clear Minds
2004Black CrossWidows Bloody Widows
2005Jeromes DreamCompleted 1997-2001
2004Silence The FoeSweet Sweet Suicide
