One More Drink
Dead Beat, 2021
9/10
The Los Angeles rockers The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs are back with their first record in nearly two decades, and they’ve brought along guests like John Easdale (Dramarama), Rikk Agnew (Adolescents) and Paul Roessler (Screamers/ 45 Grave) for the diverse set of rock’n’roll anthems.
“Ain’t It Summer” starts the listen with some atmosphere and layered vocals before bursting into a loud, raw display of old school punk that’s power-pop influenced and full of bouncy bass lines from Dino Everett, and this energy continues to the fuzzed out and swift pace of the throaty “Fast, Fucked & Furious”, as well as the garage rock fun of “Bad Vacation”.
The middle tracks offer us the blistering punk rock of “The Rejected”, where Mike Sessa’s acrobatic drumming and guitar solos from Agnew add much to the gritty landscape, while “Let Me Out” flirts with metal ideas while recruiting brass from Geoff Yeaton into the powerful yet melodic climate. “Scorpio Rising”, the album standout, then balances a punchy pop approach amid tuneful punk nods in its highly memorable delivery.
Near the end, “Warzone” produces thick riffs in its rough and hard hitting formula that brings to mind AC/DC and the Stooges in a knife fight, and “Switchblade Knights” exits the listen with a thumping rhythm section and keys from Roessler complementing the retro rock setting that’s got plenty of soul alongside its thundering execution.
The CD version comes with a pair of bonus tracks, “Escape From New York City” and “Fuck The Future (I Want Now)”, which both illustrate the band’s visceral roots in the underground punk scene, where frontman Frank Meyer’s robust vocals don’t disappoint and Bruce Duff’s guitar skills lead the charged, and, in the case of the former, harmonic song craft.
Comeback records are rarely this good, and let’s hope that these guys keep the drinks flowing, as their Stooges, Cheap Trick and Dead Boys nods make for a rock’n’roll adventure that will have you reflecting on your days in the pit and your most triumphant bar fights.
Travels well with: Foxy- Can’t Stop Us/X-Ray Spex Tribute; Professor And The Madman- Live At The 100 Club