Riverdales
“Blood on the Ice” / “No Sense” (Honest Don’s)
by Scott Hefflon
It’s about time Ben and the boys rediscovered the enthusiasm of playing Ramones-style punk rock. Sure, we let that Joey hoodlum drone on and on in that distinctly too-cool-to-care monotone for a decade or two, but why not enunciate, and at least pretend you’re singing about issues you give a shit about? The Riverdales are doing that Beach Boys bubblegum schtick now, much like The Queers and all the up-and-comers (often referred to as “trend-hopping, no-talent wanna-bes”) they inspired. And while the hockey motif is well worn (“puck rock” was funny the first coupla times we heard it, but recent legislation has been passed which allows self-appointed Guardians of Hipness to beat the living snot out of dweeboids who didn’t get the email saying the phrase was passĂ©), at least they play it energetically. “Blood on the Ice” is available on Storm the Streets, “No Sense” is exclusive to this record.
