Side Walk Slam is one of the plethora of new punk bands signed recently by Tooth & Nail Records. They seem to get younger and younger all the time (either that or I am getting older, hmmmm). Side Walk Slam is a trio of early twenty somethings in a genre dominated by, well, early twenty somethings. Can they separate themselves from the rest of the similar bands on their own label let alone the rest of the industry?
Past Remains is the first label release for Side Walk Slam. They put out several independent releases over the last few years. It's your straight forward punk rock album. Melodic, melodic, melodic, hardcore, melodic... for 17 tracks at about 2 minutes each. There is nothing musically or lyrically that jumps out, but it is put together solidly. There are a few standouts on this disc. The opener, "Yesterday," is a solid track. The best song on the record is "I'll Be Waiting at the South Side Tracks."
I see you in a distance you're standing with a smile now
I haven't seen your face in so long you say I'm good and ready
now that I stand so steady but I think you are so wrong
Overall, Past Remains is a slightly above average punk effort. It has a few very good songs and a few not so good near the end of the album. If you are a fan of punk in general or Tooth and Nail then Side Walk Slam is for you.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis January 2002Reviewed by Nate BaileySidewalk Slam is a new addition to Tooth and Nail records and their music speaks of many topics including marriage. The album was recorded at The Blasting Room. Side Walk Slam's music rides the range already explored by bands like Green Day and MxPx (SWS started off as a MxPx cover band). Their songs have the melodic punk feel complete with cuts, sloppy vocals (I didn't know Billie Joe sang for…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Brian A. SmithIf pop punkers Green Day ever decide to give up fame and the attentions of MTV, and embrace Christ, they would sound a lot like Side Walk Slam. Past Remains would not be out of place in a CD mix with Green Day, MxPx, Ghoti Hook, or early '90s band Ned's Atomic Dustbin. The title, Past Remains, is in reference to the things that hold on to us after conversion--the importance they once had and the…Similar sounding releases
2000ShorthandedForever Yours
2005A Wilhelm ScreamRuiner
2002Near MissThe Gentle Art of Making Enemies
2002Strung OutAn American Paradox
2004El CentroProhibido
2005Strike AnywhereTo Live in Discontent
