The Rumblers – Hold On Tight – Review

The Rumblers

Hold On Tight (Switchblade)
by Scott Hefflon

The Rumblers are part greaser rock and part melodic punk. Sure, there’s thoughtful, hard-livin’ lyrics (Social D being the easiest namedrop), and there’s some charging Reverend Horton Heat pleasers, but there’s also some countrified punk, and most importantly, a ’50-style whoa-whoa sense of melody and harmonies infused throughout. The Rumblers did a split with the Gotohells, and have included members of the Teen Idols, Screeching Weasel, The Queers, Common Rider, The Beautys, The Eyeliners, Fat Ass, and the 440s. So while I appreciate the greaser image and work ethic (at least they’re not whining about girls who won’t talk to them like other “punk” bands), we’re talking about some pretty melodic fare, good’n’catchy, peppy’n’playfully sneering, ya know? Good stuff… Actually, it’s pretty surprising The Rumblers aren’t more of a “name” band, seeing as they can play this well, this diversely, and Hold on Tight sounds good, recorded at Sonic Iguana in Indiana, where The Queers, Screeching Weasel, Squirtgun, and others have done fine work.
(www.switchbladerecords.com)