Fireball Ministry

Ou est la Rock? (Bong Load)
by Craig Regala

I think when Howard Wolfling called DC3 (the band) successful at striving after an early ’70s “de-brained paganism” he predicted a large chunk of the useful future. This is part of it. Like a grunge band focused on the bottom-end with open ears towards rocker/doom metal, Fireball Ministry weld a mid-tempo groove to smooth natural vocals and the abiliy to strap on the big kick drum/cowbell when the proceedings start to bog down (not too often). If you like Leadfoot, Alabama Thunderpussy, and others working the rawk! side of the burgoning desert/Southern kickass stompiness, I don’t see why this wouldn’t appeal to you. It does seem kinda restrained though, my guess is it’s fuller live and more chuggly. It’s interesting how much this and other similar bands remind me of what’s come to rock proper from R&B as well as the blues. I mean, this stuff is premised on the rhythmn, the more they dig in and lean on it, the more powerful it is. Along with Mammoth Volume, Fireball Ministry will keep rock hounds happy until that damn Dozer disc comes out. I’ll bet they have pretty lively arguments over which Thin Lizzy rec. makes their desert island list. Now if I can just get a hold of that Sunride CD…
(PO Box 39557 Los Angeles, CA 90039)