Buzzkill
Up (Alternative Tentacles)
by Austin Nash
Sure, if I wanted to ride a 10 speed down the side of Mt. Washington. Maybe, if I felt like making a pit out of myself, a chainsaw backed up by a lawnmower, and eight empty garbage cans, I’d feel more comfortable with Buzzkill in my place. Is that how I’m supposed to feel? Like the punk rock is just letting me sit on the couch and drink beer? Buzzkill’s debut, Up, commands just this kind of attention.
This band comes at us from the bowels of New Joisey and is currently fighting City Hal… I mean MTV, for rights to the band name. It would seem that Buzzkill was originally called Butthead till MTV made, you know, that poorly sketched cartoon for people who only thought they had nothing to do when they were watching another Metallica video and flogging their dongs off to the hot blond girls prevalent within. The latest news has MTV releasing another fine piece of cinematography entitled, you guessed it, Uncle John! Buzzkill. Is it possible that the gods are taking cues from Jesters after all? I want to see Buzzkill wear jock straps on their heads.
Up is supermegabonus punk. Imagine a video clip of a kid with Buddy Holly glasses and a huge nose scraping down a 30 ft. rail on a skateboard while we get that oh-so-punk view of his brains from three inches off of the ground. There’s even a cover of “Hellbent for Leather.” Very dynamic in places, always entertaining, plainly hilarious. It will drive the rats from your house and make the neighbors’ kids start screaming.