Beatsteaks
Living Targets (Epitaph)
by Scott Hefflon
If you think Epitaph punk these days is all too-cool Mod tiptoeing/angular-jerking, check out a few slabs of Beatsteaks (but not the single, “Let Me In,” which is kinda distant and cool, despite the howling chorus that reminds me of less wall-of-guitar The Sheila Divine, which it finally builds into). This Berlin-based band is sure to never hit it big with the trendies, but anyone who likes the dark rockin’ of the Dwarves (mid-tempo, lots of guitar noise, melodic but not pussy vocals, and a tendency to roam the streets, wasted and lookin’ for trouble, secretly wishing to be with that special someone who’ll have nothing to do with you cuz yer such a drunk asshole), is sure to find a few things here to punch mirrors to.
(2798 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026)