Cheap Freaks are a relatively new band from somewhere in Europe. Not really sure where since they recorded this in Dublin but some of the other shit was done in Berlin, so it’s a toss up. Somewhere across the pond. You get the idea. But what they’re shaking at is COMPLETELY American. Total sleazy rock-a-billy stomp punk n roll, with poppy elements such as Farfisa, tambourine and straight up great vocals. The debut LP Bury Them All starts with “Naked In The Rain”. The singer sounds sorta Crampsy in the delivery, and DEFINITELY in the rockabilly slapback on the vocals. It’s got that countryesque shuffling drum feel, with some squealing organ. Retro in many respects but sorta melting it all together in a new and exciting way. Kinda like how DMZ did it (and this band definitely owes a bit to DMZ). It’s not often you get guitar chord hooks in songs (ya know where there are just 4 chords in a row without any vocal, key, or lead guitar hook. That’s great). Uncommon and caught me offguard, but still catchy as shit. Get more growly and low endy, like a happier Spits with an accent and less Mongoloid bashing. Maybe it’s more Jon Spencer than the Spits. Especially with how country the inflection of the vocals are. There’s a really simple but gnarly guitar solo in this burner too! And it throws in some psych delay shit about 2/3rds of the way through. GREAT. Other standout moments are the guitars inverting and the Farfisa slaying on “Cryin’ Shame”, and the ballady “Cruel World” where the singer channels his internal Lux Interior. But everything about this record is ripping. There are so many genres tugging at the soul of this band, and somehow they manage to put it all together really impressively. Bury Them All is a collection of songs that all have their own thing going on while still having the common thread of great songwriting and instrumentation scattered throughout. In the simplest terms this is dark punk-a-billy that centers on garage and punk production. Some of the stuff is pure country blues, and some of it is straight rock-a-billy, some of it’s surfy, and some of it’s psychy….but it’s all rock n roll with soul AND FUZZ. FUZZ THIS OUT. PLAY LOUD.
ps. I should mention what a great band name I think “Cheap Freaks” is…cuz I’m one of em.
Hear “Asaharas Nightmare” below:
Cheap Freaks – Asaharas Nightmare by cheapfreaks
