Trash Talk

Trash Talk

Eyes & Nines

(Hassle Records/Trash Talk Collective)

The release of Eyes & Nines by Sacramento’s Trash Talk comes on a spate of dates with Rolo Tomassi and Throats where the band have literally destroyed venues across the UK and been thrown out venues such as the Garage in London in support of Cancer Bats. This is another short and relentless offering from the band which lets you discover the substance behind the aggression in studio form.

Working with Joby Ford, guitarist with The Bronx, he has helped the band progress by mixing together the various styles of previous albums “S/T” with its slow and sludgy nature with the frantic short paced blasts of “Plagues… Walking Disease.” It sounds and feels different without forgetting about the band’s fundamental violent sound.

In the album’s opening track “Vultures” his production style is evident with an instant, simple fuck shit up track formed on the basis of a basic riff with drums rolls linking it all together, which gets you bouncing along in appreciation.

“Explode” is the album’s single which is accompanied by a very well shot live video documenting their live performances which have become so legendary and controversial at the same time. If you still haven’t experienced Trash talk it gives you a taste of what you are letting yourself in for.  Its circle pit inducing drum beat isn’t for the faint of heart. Vocalist Lee Spielman’s bark is ferocious and piercing as ever. And just when you think it is safe, Spielman is joined by Matt Caughthran, also of The Bronx fame to make his mark with his distinguishable LA voice. But oddly enough this is about as stable and groove laden that Trash Talk get.

“Hash Wednesday” is a throwback to the sound of 2008’s self titled, Steve Albini produced album. It’s slow, despondent and mesmerising five minutes which is easy get lost in and get transported to another world.

Trash Talk don’t do fancy and with this collection of much longer tracks than we are used to, the band don’t want to throw you about for a few seconds anymore but give you a pounding and to test your stamina.

Like their contemporaries’ Ceremony and Trap Them, they are producing a wave of Hardcore punk which just doesn’t just grab your attention but hits you around the face with it.   Combining traditional punk fusing it with the hardcore and rage of Black Flag and Minor Threat, Trash Talk are keeping the spirit of DIY and punk rock alive in their own unique way.

Manoj Koeri