Review: The Eruptors - Microwave Massacre

Label: Fixing a Hole Records

Released: February 2009

Ken Decter, infamous leader of Florida fun punks F, once said of his band, "We don't have a message. If we had a message, we'd put out a newspaper. We're just a stupid band." That statement could be applied to any number of punk bands from the goofball antics of Adrenalin OD to B horror movie shenanigans of the Misfits. At a time when punk was freeing itself from its nonsensical nihilistic beginnings, it immediately found itself in danger of being too serious. But there were still bands out there warding off that threat by not taking it all too seriously and having fun. While a sense of seriousness may have saved punk on one hand, in a sense these are the bands that kept things honest. Amidst the sometimes overbearing weight of post-hardcore's musical challenges and of emo's over-dramatic emotion (not to mention NOFX's posturing as a political force), good time bands are as essential as ever and the Eruptors do a great job of reminding everyone to keep it fun.

Microwave Massacre's title alone shows its hand and with tunes like "Cannibal Holocaust" and "Whöregazm," there can be no question where things are going. However, just as a string of clichés about tenderness and longing don't make a great love song and posturing and received opinion aren't the ingredients of the theme to the revolution, fun is more than just the sum of a few silly titles. The Eruptors are a band that understand that. Their raw punk spontaneity meshes perfectly with their wild, offbeat humor to create classic punk rock silliness. Sure, the echoes of Cocksparrer on "One Minute Decision," an excellent holdover from the last record, and the strange psyche leanings of "Cannibal Reprise" play out a little more seriously, at least musically, but those pace changes help make the party, not hinder it.

Punk needs a laugh from time to time and right now, there are few bands as good as the Eruptors to deliver that comic relief.

Ratings
Satriani: 6/10
Zappa: 5/10
Dylan: 6/10
Aretha: 8/10
Overall: 7/10

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