The Von Ehrics – Loaded (Music Review)
By Andrew Gable • Oct 23rd, 2009 • Category: Categories, Punk/New Wave/Hardcore, ReviewsThe Von Ehrics
Loaded
Crustacean Records
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Hooboy! Southern-Fried punk rock at its best. For fans of A Planet for Texas, Lucero, 9-Pound Hammer, and Alabama Thunderpussy. The Von Ehrics bring southern twang, punk rock punch, mix in a few bar fights, a vial or two amphetamine (to taste) and use a severe lack of daily bathing as a chaser. To continue the description by comparison, this album is what Charlie Daniels or Lynrd Skynrd would sound like if they played modern punk rock, or maybe if Tim Barry(of Richmond, VA’s Avail fame)’s solo project was plugged in and allowed to have a bit of fun. Loaded is a 10-track (plus one hidden track at the end of track 10) album recently released on Crustacean Records earlier this year.
No, the legendary Von Ehrics have not risen from the grave to record a wrestling album, a la the WWF record put out in the 80s featuring Hulk Hogan and Junkyard Dog (RIP) singing songs about their wrestling personae; this is awesome Dallas, Texas punk rock, unashamed of their country roots.
The record is quick, as punk should be (minus the last two tracks), but deep in value. Skirting grunge and punkabilly styles, Loaded delivers. “Jimmy Blades” is an awesome 2:30 song about a friend living life at a faster level. Starting with a hillbilly surf guitar intro and staying light and airy on the verse, then plugging in all the holes on the musical interludes. If this track doesn’t get you up out of your seat, you need to check your pulse. The next track, “Old Chunk of Coal” uses fast punk beats and a slide guitar (no foolin’) to relate the notion that someone may not be much now, but will in the future. “Well I’m just an old chunk of coal, but I’ll be a diamond someday.” “A Week of Living Dangerously” is another gem of a track about exactly that- a weeklong abandonment from logical living. Who hasn’t had that? Maybe a few too many? Maybe the last 30-something years? No comment….
The hidden track, at the tail end of the lumbering “Lost.Found.Free” is (I believe) called “Outlaw Holiday.” Also easy going, the hidden track sounds like it was recorded over the telephone (no midtones or bass, no “ass” in the song at all). Dammit, the singer’s voice is almost pretty. Dirty, kicked around, and scratchy, but pretty.
Though I am not one or much of any southern-influenced anything, Loaded is a surprisingly good listen. Lots of twang, lots of fast beats and buildups, a few references to “the lawd” that i suppose are hard to escape in southern rock, but it didn’t ruin anything.
Check out the sample, then buy the CD. Curse you, ZapTown- you’re making me keep another country- influenced band on my iPod. Curses!
Links:
Von Ehrics Home Page: http://www.vonehrics.com
and on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thevonehrics
Crustacean Records: www.crustaceanrecords.com/
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Andrew Gable is a 30-something journalism student in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has played in a few local bands and is an avid collector of music. Outside of sharing his opinion with many people who don’t ask for it, he can be found drawing, skateboarding, and drinking copious amounts of coffee at local coffee establishments.
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