The Condors 3/4

 

If there are any indie labels out there looking to sign a good rock ‘n’ roll band, I suggest you check out The Condors.  This three-song demo presents some solid tunes that are as original as they are catchy; especially “She’s Not The Girl For Me”.  Each high-energy track shows considerable promise and will leave you wanting more.  Contact: The Condors, P.O. Box 6673 Alhambra, CA. 91802  -NIN

 

Fighting Jacks – The Inside Trade Agreement   1/4

 

Fighting Jacks are a 4 piece band out of my hometown (SJ, baby!)  The Inside Trade Agreement is their first e.p., and a self-released one at that.  These guys are fairly prolific for a bunch of college age guys – they play a number of shows every month, and keep on posting new songs to mp3.com.  But are they worth your download time?  I think so.  With their all-out guitar sound, Fighting Jacks sounds a great deal like Jimmy Eat World, with less of the heartfelt emo-shoegazer crap that I can’t stand.   And they have some of the harder yet poetic sound of Good Riddance (another South Bay favorite).  If you can only find the bandwidth for one song, go with “Your Lurking Shadow”.  Dial in and enjoy, and check out www.fightingjacks.com to see if they’re coming to your town soon.   Contact: Sound Management/Andranigian Media  –J

 

The Saints of 35th Street - A Breath Away From My Last 

 

The Saints of 35th Street are definitely ready for a label deal.  The fourteen tracks that make up A Breath Away From My Last have substance and are rounded out by catchy hooks, lively beats, memorable melodies, and somber lyrics.  The band’s bio touts the New York based unit as goth-punk.  They may be Goth in looks, but punk most certainly.  It’s a rare occasion that a demo stays in my CD player past the review date, but this one has and I’m not complaining.  These vibrant, upbeat tunes immediately rocket from your speakers.  The production is crisp and the musicianship is solid.  The Saints of 35th Street are a tight band that knows the value of dynamics.  All the tracks are good but standouts include: “Just What I Needed Right Now,” “Bad News,” “Wasted,” “K.Y.G.,” “1,000 More Reasons,” “Have Another Drink On Me,” and “World Without Me.”  If you like AFI, The Vandals, or Riddlin’ Kids check out The Saints of 35th Street.  Contact: Steve Trilivas 30-12 35th St. Astoria, NY. 1103 or saintsof35street@aol.com www.saintsof35thstreet.net  -NIN  

 

Sparrows Point - How Can You Blame Me! You Fuckin’ Made Me  3/4

 

Sparrows Point is somewhat of a comical version of Powerman 5000 mixed with a little bit of Alice Cooper and Danzig.  Their sound is a bit dated.  Furthermore, the vocals leave little to be desired and the musicianship is mediocre.  The band put a lot of work into the packaging of this CD, which I give them credit for, and the production is decent.  Two of the tracks on this disc had some element of catchiness to them.  A few others will make you want to raise your fist, flash the devil sign, and bang yer head.  I could have done without the cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” in addition to a couple of tracks that came towards the end of this disc.   Contact: www.sparrowspoint.org or www.arielpublicity.com  -NIN