The kids in Refused had it right when they released "Songs To Fuel The Flames of Discontent." With their darkly dramatic post hardcore/punk rock sound, they knocked the piss out of a seemingly dead scene both in the states and their homeland of Sweden. When they released "The Shape of Punk To Come" later on down the road, their progression was marked heavily with influences of electronica and techno. After that, the band split and went on to other projects (read: The International Noise Conspiracy among others).
Enter Showbread. Known for live performances that parallel the active destruction and tearing down of abandoned buildings and the doing away of pop culture stereotypes, they've wowed audiences nationwide; touring with bands like Squad Five-O, The Kick and The Combat Junkies. They're even slated to tour with The Death Campaign and As I Lay Dying later on this year. They've released several EP's since their inception and this one; a mix of those EP's does a fine job of showing off their dark post punk music. Lead vocalists Ivory and Josh sound like beasts trapped amidst a fire as their vocals rip and shred across the musical landscape that their band mates so mercilessly lay down.
"Your Friends Are Fake" in particular is anthemic as anything that Bon Jovi could have ever done with its dueling guitars and catchy singalongs. On and on the record goes in this vein, lending its influences to The Refused and Ninety Pound Wuss as if taking on the flame that they laid down is a point of national urgency. With more energy than a truck load of pixie sticks and jolt cola, this record proves a testament to the band's live show and the enthusiasm that they so happily exhibit and possess.
B
