Published on Nov 9, 1999
Every once in a while, I stumble upon the opportunity to review
a new band. Sure, there are the easy ways like browsing through a
site like MP3.com, but I just don’t have the time or patience to
look through every single listing.
One such accidental discovery came thanks to an auction I won on
eBay – a four-cassette lot offered by the charmingly named Mr.
Thermos. In one of his messages to me, he included a link to his
band’s site. I offered to review his band’s disc, and he
accepted.
That band, Drawing Flies, captures the best lessons learned by
groups such as Metallica, Megadeth and the Red Hot Chili Peppers,
and throws in more than a touch of humor. C’mon, how could one
resist a song that glorifies the struggles of one Wile E.
Coyote?
Their CD
Dead Dog Lie has many moments of such promise, including a
production quality which is quite impressive, with very few
drawbacks. In an age where metal is poised to make a commercial
comeback, don’t be surprised if you see this Boston-area band near
the top of the heap.
Thermos handles the vocals and bass chores in Drawing Flies;
guitarists McCarthy and White and drummer Von Hellmut (no full
names are given, though I do know Thermos’s real name) round out a
group whose sound echoes that of classic mid-’80s metal. Thermos’s
bass lines remind me a lot of those of Megadeth’s with their snap,
while the music itself walks the line deftly between funk (“Not
Like Me”) and thrash (“Cockroach”, “Running With Scissors”).
As humorous as I can find a song like “Chin Music”, you know
there’s going to be someone (hell-
ooo, Tipper Gore) who’s gonna blow a gasket at some of the
commentaries. Ten words: If you don’t like it, don’t listen to it,
okay? ‘Nuff said.
Dead Dog Lie shows the band’s true talents by remaining cutting
edge musically. Tracks like “Fireclown,” “(Good Mourning) Amerika”
and “Knucklefuck” all keep the listener on their toes – and, in a
sense, that’s what good metal should do.
But they show their twisted sense of humor often. “a.c.m.e.” is
the Wile E. Coyote song previously mentioned – and every time I
hear it, I can’t help but laugh my ass off. (The use of cartoon
sound effects is perfect, by the way.) And, if you can’t help but
hanker for the classics, “Clusterfuck” tries to wrap up the history
of hard rock/heavy metal in under six minutes. It must be heard to
be believed – and it is quite good.
Did I say something about minor potholes? Really, they’re not
that bad. I’d turn up the volume on Thermos’s vocals a little bit,
and try to enunciate a little more. But otherwise, it seems like
this band is well on its way towards making a strange, little name
for themselves – and I think that’s just the way they’d like it to
be.
Dead Dog Lie is an exciting hint at what is to come from
Drawing Flies – and could well be some of the best money I spent on
eBay. Chances are you’ll be drawn to this disc like flies to a
garbage pail – just save some room for me.