Crítica, In The Hangman's Shadow, por Peachy Pérez

En la sombra del hombre del ahorcado: Peabrains

Publicado por Crazy Love Records en 2020

Fecha revisada: 14/05/21

Quién revisó P. Pérez Perez

A la sombra de un Hangman, The Peabrains presentan su primer álbum en vinilo!! lanzado por el prestigioso sello: Crazy Love Records. Los Peabrains levantaron el infierno desde Lynwood, California. Práctican psychobilly con una mezcla de sonidos occidentales y letras similares a las baladas. La banda que no querrías perderte si tuvieras la oportunidad de verlos en vivo. Este álbum captura el sonido y la energía bien desarrollada que ponen en espectáculos. La primera portada de arte del álbum fue hecha por un respetado y talentoso artista psychobilly Oscar Hertin desde Barcelona, España. Las obras de arte del álbum pintan increíblemente el sonido de la banda.

Los Peabrains son: Abe en la guitarra y la voz, Robby en el bajo doble y Alex en la batería, los gritos y la voz de este álbum.

Los Peabrains se formaron en 2007 con Abe al bajo, su hermano Adrian en la batería y Louie en la guitarra.

Más tarde lanzaron un e. p al año siguiente, la formación terminó moviéndose un poco más tarde con Abe en la guitarra y Robby en el bajo doble con y Alex en la batería.. Han tocado en patios traseros y otros lugares a lo largo de los años y vendiendo merchandising muy limitado. Hasta 2020 Crazy Love Records lanzó esta joya.

Reseña: Si te gusta el poder de ritmo rápido y la gran letra, este álbum es el elegido. Increíble voz y riffs de guitarra que tienen un tono impío que puede teletransportarte a diferentes estados y eras de la miseria, el Wild West y la rabia. No hay una tediosa línea de bajo doble en este álbum! Los tambores tocando en la espalda realmente agregan poder a las canciones. Un trío estupendo como mínimo.

1. ritmo monomaníaco: una gran introducción, este instrumento se hunde en tu cerebro con un sonido desorientador agresivo derritiéndose todas tus neuronas.

2. Leon: La canción con la icónica introducción. Te lleva de vuelta al espectáculo sabiendo que va a ser una gran noche. La emoción en la voz traducida al tono de la guitarra, genio! El tempo acelerado y constante tiene ese efecto de corte en la cabeza y luego te golpean con el coro que te urge a simplemente gritar ′′ ohh Leon!" Con el tiempo eso te hace querer balancear tus brazos hacia atrás y adelante mientras los tambores ritmo alto y claro. El bajo para agregar ese sonido del corazón que golpea para hacerte sentir vivo!

3. Dicen: la introducción de la canción establece un escenario occidental, un hombre y su mente, lo más difícil de controlar. Sus acciones se definen como un acto de locura. La canción con la que todos podemos relacionarnos. Las posibilidades son si tienes este álbum, esta canción fue hecha para ti.

4. Whistler: los primeros ráfagos lentos en el principio emparejados con la voz rayada se mezclan perfectamente, el dolor de un vaquero occidental que falta a su mujer,

5. * En el sol: esta canción está cargada con el poder de golpes producido por los bajos y tambores, Un hombre en su caballo galopante en una misión con dolor y tristeza a seguir. Esta canción me teletransporta al Wild West, el tono de la guitarra que te arrastra hasta el lejano desierto de la miseria y la tristeza. El poder de la voz definitivamente hace que sea una canción para cantar después de beber.

6. * Cavando una tumba: comienza con una alegre melodía pegadiza, perfecta para poner el ambiente para cavar esa tumba sin remordimientos. La canción continúa con un tempo optimista para cubrir letras oscuras. Con un puntal como las notas de la guitarra y las letras de lo que podría haber sido una relación duradera interrumpida. Mientras los bajos y los tambores funcionan como topes profundos. Robby deslizándose en esas triples bofetadas en Bass contribuye a la intensidad del efecto de sobredrive da a la canción un gran tono en general. Dos pulgares arriba, en mi opinión un gran ejemplo del sonido Psicobilly en LA.

7. Vive rápido muere joven: una introducción de carga te deja en un estado caótico aturdido, con un tempo rápido nada más que malas decisiones. Adelante. El sonido del bajo se destaca en esta canción, perfectamente correspondido con la voz de esta canción.

8. A través del bosque: comienza con un bajo galopante y tambores para compadecer el caótico estado de un hombre con los pensamientos condenatorios de la mente sola, en el bosque.

9. Habla con tus armas: grandes letras. ′′ Habla con tus armas y haz preguntas por última vez ′′ es la esencia de la canción, con el sonido occidental. Un peligroso pistolero con un propósito.

10. Enfermedad y cura: comienza con un tono ominoso, rápido acelerado para decir lo menos como se escuchan sonidos nómadas (gruñidos), un tono oscuro de guitarra. Una clásica canción psicobilly.

11. Todas las cosas buenas: una canción de ritmo lento con una guitarra twangy, balanceándose como un show exótico tarde de medianoche. Como todas las cosas buenas, este álbum se acerca a su fin.

12. Deranged: La canción comienza como un cargador de energía que viene de la combinación de este trío, mantienen la canción estable con un tremendo tornillo de energía. Batería, guitarra infernal y contrabajo juntos haciendo esta malvada gran canción para terminar el álbum.

Recomendación: Al sol y cavar una tumba.

Lista de canciones:

1. Monomaniaco ritmo

2. Leon

3. Dicen

4. Silbidos

5. en el sol

6. Cavando una tumba

7. Vive rápido muere joven

8. a través del bosque

9. Habla con tus armas

10. Enfermedad y cura

11. Todas las cosas buenas

12. Derivado

Traducido por H.Plasma

English version:

In Hangman’s Man's Shadow, The Peabrains with their first album on vinyl!! released by the reputable label: Crazy Love Records. The Peabrains raised hell from Lynwood, California. Psychobilly with a mix of western like sounds and ballad-like lyrics. The band you wouldn’t want to miss if you get the chance to see them live. This album captures the well developed sound and energy they put out in shows. The front cover Artwork on the album was done by a respected and talented psychobilly artist Oscar Hertin from Spain. The album's artwork paints the band's sound for the album incredibly.

The Peabrains are : Abe on guitar and vocals, Robby on double bass and Alex on drums, back up screams and vocals for this album.

The Peabrains formed in 2007 with Abe on bass, his brother Adrian on drums and Louie on guitar.
Later releasing an e.p the following year the formation ended up moving a bit years later with Abe on guitar and Robby on double bass with and Alex on drums.. They remained playing backyard shows and venues throughout the years on and off selling very limited merch. Until 2020 Crazy Love Records released this Gem.

Review : If you love fast paced thumping power and great lyrics, this album is the one to pick out. Amazing vocals and guitar riffs that have an ungodly tone that can teleport you to different states and eras from , misery, Wild West and rage. There isn't a tedious double bass line in this album! The drums thumping in the back really adds power to the songs. A stupendous trio to say the least.

1. Monomaniac beat : a great intro, this instrumental sinks into your brain with an aggressive disorienting sound melting all your neurons .

2. Leon : The song with the iconic intro. It takes you back to show knowing it’s going to be a great night. The emotion on the vocals translated into the guitar tone, genius! The steady fast tempo has that head bobbing effect and then You get hit with the chorus that urges you to just scream “ohh Leon !” Eventually that makes you want to swing your arms back and forth as the drums pace loud and clear. The bass to add that thumping heart sound to make you feel alive!

3. They say : the introduction of the song sets a western setting, a man and his mind, the hardest thing to control. His actions are defined as an act of craziness. The song most of us can all relate to. Chances are if you own this album this song was made for you.

4. Whistler: the first slow strums in the beginning paired with the scratchy vocals blend perfectly, the pain of a a western cowboy missing his woman,

5. *Into the sun : This song is charged with the thumping power produced by the bass and drums, A man on his galloping horse on a mission with pain and sorrow to follow. This song teleports me to the Wild West, the tone of the guitar drifting you away to the distant desert of misery and woe. The power of the vocals definitely makes it a song to sing after drinking.

6. *Diggin a grave : starts on a cheerful catchy tune, perfect to set the mood to dig that grave with no regrets. The song continues with an upbeat tempo to cover up dark lyrics. With a strut like guitar notes and lyrics of what could have been a lasting relationship cut short. While the bass and drums work as deep thumps. Robby sliding In those triple slaps on Bass contributes to the intensity of the overdrive effect gives the song a great tone overall. Two thumbs up, in my opinion a great example of the Psychobilly sound in LA.

7. Live fast die young: a charging intro leaves you in a dazed chaotic state, with a fast tempo nothing but bad decisions. ahead. The sound of the bass stands out on this track, perfectly matched with the vocals on this song.

8. Through the woods: starts with a galloping bass and drums to compliment the chaotic state of a man with the damning thoughts of the mind alone, in the woods.

9. Speak with your guns: great lyrics. “Speak with your guns and ask questions last “ is the gist of the song, with the western sound. A dangerous gunslinger with a purpose.

10. Disease and cure: begins with an ominous tone, fast paced to say the least as nomadic sounds (grunts) are heard, a dark guitar tone. A classic psychobilly song.

11. All good things: a slow paced song with a twangy guitar, swaying sound like a midnight late exotic show. Like all good things, this album comes close to an end.

12. Deranged: The song starts as a power charger coming from the combination of this trio, they keep the song steady with a tremendous bolt of energy. Drums, hellish guitar and double bass together making this wicked great song to finish off the album.

Recommendation: Into the sun & Diggin a grave.

Track list:
1. Monomaniac beat
2. Leon
3. They say
4. Whistler
5. Into the sun
6. Diggin a grave
7. Live fast die young
8. Through the woods
9. Speak with your guns
10. Disease and cure
11. All good things
12. Deranged

Buy here

Interview with The Lab Ratz by Charly Martin from the website Go Psycho!

 

1. Hi, who are the Lab Ratz and what instruments do you play?

Hello! The Lab Ratz are a classic power trio from good ol’ Montreal Canada.

There’s Charly, on vocals and upright-bass, Mick on guitars and Custom Pat on drums and backing vocals.

2. What is the musical genre of the group?

We never said we had to sound that style or that style, but as a trio who play some fast and angry Rockabilly, I think you could easily think we’re Psychobilly related! haha!

3. Why The Lab Ratz as a name?

I was looking for a catchy name, something easy to write (no Ü or É or any accent at all!) and something who could lead on some interesting stories.

The concept of “laboratory rats” is pretty cool because when you see people acting in society, they actually look like some lab rats, so there are a lot of songs to write here!

And also, the Cats were the rockabillies in the 80’s, so on the dark and dirty side, which appears to be the Psychobilly side, it seemed obvious to me that we had to be some Ratz!
I just didn’t notice that a Rap band had the same name! haha! But I don’t think it is a big problem as we don’t reach the same crowd!

4. Where are you from?

We’re from Montreal, Canada (province of Quebec).
Charly actually comes from France, but he moved to Canada 16 or 17 years ago. The 2 other Ratz grew up in the sewer of Montreal.

5. When did the Lab Ratz start playing?

In 2014. Charly was playing in a Psychobilly/Garage band who was called the MAÜ-MAÜ, but the band splitted. So Charly and the drummer decided to set up a new Psychobilly combo.

As we couldn’t find a decent guitar player, Johnny Toxic (from the Gutter Demons who were working on their come-back back then) offered to play with us just to record our demo. He finally enjoyed himself with the Lab Ratz and stayed a little more than a year. We did a lot of shows and recorded our 1st album with him.

Then Mick came on board. He brought a lot of attitude on stage and is an amazing guitar player. He used to play in a Surf combo, but he’s definitely happier in a lab than on a beach!!! :-D

Then our first drummer left for family reasons I guess, and we had the chance to find Custom Pat, who was the original drummer of the Gutter Demons and who was between 2 projects!

6. Do some of you play in other bands?

Charly used to play in several bands, including the Hypnophonics, Joel Kaiser & the Devil’s Own, the Dusty Dodgers, … but he only plays for the Lab Ratz now.

Mick used to play with the Men In Grey Suits, and he is actually jamming in some Vampire Rockabilly project....

As I said, Pat was the original drummer of the Gutter Demons. He also played in a lot of Rockabilly and Punk bands (like the Alley Dukes, the Northern stars, Tailgunners, etc.). Before the Covid breakdown, he was playing with us and with the Fast Food Fairies, a Beachboy-Surf-Punk-Ramone-style kind of band.

7. Influences? (Music, literature, movies, etc.)

Most of my musical influences are pretty much classic for a Psychobilly band, I guess! So I’d say 50’s Rockabilly, 60s Trash, 70’s Punk, 80’s Garage, and the whole Psychobilly scene in general.

I listen to a lot of different music, like 80s dark wave, some metal industrial, or French Punk alternativ from the late 80s, but I can’t say it shows in our music!

Other influences come from real stories (those where someone turns into someone else in a heartbeat are pretty much obsessing to me too), movies like Tarantino’s or Cohens’, and more generally bad taste and dark sense of humour

8. What are your favorite bands?

That's a tricky question! There are so many great bands who inspired me… But If I had to name a very few, I’d say the Long Tall Texans for the attitude on stage, Frenzy for their creativity, the Krewmen for their arrangements, and the band who impressed me each time I had the chance to catch them on stage, the almighty Batmobile!

9. Do you have something recorded? Tell us what you have. Are you going to record something soon?

Actually yes we have 2 albums out on Crazy Love Records: “Terror Is Loose!”, our 1st one has been released in 2016 on vinyl and CD, and “Escape From The Lab!” has just been released a couple of months ago on colored vinyl. CDs should be released somehow soon. You can both order them on Crazy Love Records Website as on usual major records retailers.

It sucks that because of that covid shit we couldn’t do a proper “Release show” for our 2nd album, so we are probably going to record some new songs soon to have some new recordings ready when we can perform on stage again!

We would have the material to record a 3rd album, but no show for a year means no money to pay the recordings, so I don’t know yet how many songs we will be able to record!

https://www.crazyloverecords.de/crazy-love/3941/lab-ratz-terror-is-loose-lp

10. What do your songs talk about?

Love, Sex, Nurse, Monsters, adultery, murder, mice, alcohol, buzzy nights and fuzzy women… but mostly love. If you don’t get the 2nd degree, just stick to the music! ;-)

Most of our songs are en English, as it’s the international Rock & Roll language, but we also have a few songs in French. Songwriting is a little bit different when you change the language, and people like it when we sing in French. We try to keep at least 2 or 3 songs in French in our sets.

11. With whom and where have you played? Upcoming events of your band? Streamings maybe?

We’ve done a lot of shows, mostly in Canada (Quebec and Ontario). We played with some really cool Psychobilly acts, like the GUTTER DEMONS, the CREEPSHOW, REZUREX, BANANE METALIK, the BRAINS, etc. But, here in Canada, the Psychobilly scene is not that large, so we usually have to play with bands from different styles (Garage, Punk, etc.) and it’s cool because we usually have some great responses by these crowds too!

We played at the BEDLAM BREAKOUT festival in 2017 in UK (with SLEEPWALKERZS, MOONSHINE STALKERS, STAGE FRITE, DEMENTED ARE GO, and dozens of amazing bands). That was one of the highlights of our trips!

We also played in New-York just before the big shutdown and we were planning some European trip soon, but the Covid19 changed it all, so we’ll see in a few months what we can do!

I don’t think we will do a streaming live, because I have no real interest in doing a show without a crowd.

12. Are there good psychobilly bands in your environment?

Well, if you like Rock & Roll, Montreal is a really cool city. We have 2 of the main canadian Psychobilly acts here: the BRAINS and the GUTTER DEMONS. We also have some really interesting Rockabilly projects like Danny Duke’s bands, the ALLEY DUKES and the NORTHERN STARS,. I could name another Psycho/Rock band who are awesome when they grant to play, MATCHLESS, and also the HYPNOPHONICS who sound like the Sting-Rays of the XXIst century! But the Psychobilly scene is pretty small here!

Anyway, we’re only 6 hours from New-York where you can find some very interesting bands, like Laura’s SCREAMIN REBEL ANGELS, MEMPHIS MORTICIANS, etc. And also 6hours drive from Ontario where you can find some really cool acts like EVIL ELVIS, the MATADORS or R.I.P., our allies from Toronto.

I just don’t know how many venues will still be on in 2022...

13. Last Words?

Well, these last months have been tough for everyone, but especially for all the people who work in the night industry (bands, technicians, bartenders, etc.). I don’t know what will be left when all this is over, but I really hope that we’re all gonna be able to meet around a stage soon!
And support big festivals, but also support small concerts, they’re both very important for the R&R scene!

See you in the pit!

The Lab Ratz on Facebook