By request of !Shako! after Seanford's recent post on MIDNIGHT:The first two long-players from Oakland's own ANNIHILATION TIME. The conventional wisdom on this band is as follows: They sound like Black Flag crossed with Thin Lizzy. I agree, but I hear the Flag influence much more distinctly (especially on these two albums). And really, is sounding like Black Flag really that heinous of an offense? I mean, Bl'ast has been doing it since '82 (an idea that Annihilation Time seems to reference on the final song of their second album, "Bl'ast Off").
These denim-clad Bros are unashamed of their influences -- shit, their guitarist even rocks the same model Lucite guitar Greg Ginn played back in the day (see below). They even put out a 7" single in '03 titled Bad Reputation, which featured as its centerpiece their own faithful rendition of this Thin Lizzy classic. Hey, there are worse bands to worship. I find absolutely nothing wrong with Annihilation Time's honest-to-gosh homage-via-mimicry. They always put on a fun, ass-kicking show, and their records are consistenly awesome. Crack a beer, pull a couple tubes, and check out these two face-melting, 100% Bro-approved albums. Super gnar.
(Side note: The first album is the only A.T. release to feature original vocalist Fred Hammer, who was replaced by Jimmy Rose after their first U.S. tour. So there's that.)
(top left) Annihilation Time (2002)
(bottom right) II (2005)
Myspace / Last.FM
Dude. These guys know how to party.
ReplyDelete"Cigarettes and Skateboard decks.......the Worm!!!!!".....yes I second Manslaughters comment These 'Dudes' know how to party!!!!!! Jimmy quit the band,they have a new singer and are now called Lecherous Gaze......4 of the 5 Annihilation Time menmbers....I'm sure it rips.
ReplyDeleteI played with them a couple weeks ago. New singer is Marcus from Hatchet.
ReplyDeleteMimicking Flag is always fine in my book, and these guys did it so well. The Bad Rep EP is fucking all-time - Rock'n'Roll California always gets me air-shredding. Looking forward to hearing Lecherous Gaze. Looks like they're gonna have a sleazier vibe ala The Lewd. I've actually got a BL'AST song on my upcoming B.I. comp and almost added "Fast Forward to the Gore" by these guys too. Another BF worship band I love: It's Casual.
ReplyDeleteawesome, needed that first one! i remember seeing these guys in baltimore and as they kicked into the first song, their singer lit up a string of firecrackers that was taped to his chest. also at said show dude from new jersey was selling bags of dank so everywhere you looked people were lighting up some greeeeeeen greeeeeen bud, good times. wish they were still around. where can i hear LECHEROUS GAZE?
ReplyDeleteDon't know anything about Hatchet????? Dude's got some serious p.rock shoes ta' fill. Glad A.T. decided to change their name. Shelby how was the Lecherous Gaze.....I know some of the songs were recorded awhile back so I'm sure the music rips....how about the vocals.....oh ya Jimmy Rose from A.t. is playing guitar in a band called Short Dark Strangers and some crusty band...the name is slippin' my mind.
ReplyDeleteTo be quite honest, I was somewhat nonplussed by Lecherous Gaze. The music had much more of a "sleazy bar-rock" feel than A.T., which isn't neccesarily a bad thing, but the Hatchet dude was all "YEAH ALRIGHT LET'S GO LET'S ROCK ALL YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE LET'S PARTY ALRIGHT YEAH MAKE SOME NOISE" the whole time circa Ozzy '78 and it was kind of a bummer. I mean, I understand the enthusiasm but I don't like being told what to do at rock shows. Ease up, buddy.
ReplyDeleteLECHEROUS GAYS you mean. More importantly Chris went on to play in Saviours. Graham went on to play in Witch. "Witch" you can download here...somewhere. Cobras, where the hell is the search function on this bitch?
ReplyDeleteSearch window is in the top left corner dum dum. although if you're looking for witch you probably need to put in "witch j mascis" or something...
ReplyDeleteBwah!
ReplyDeleteAnd you deliver, yet again.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Shelby, you truly are a bro of the highest caliber!
Hey... sittin here suckin my own dick. thanks for he kind words.
ReplyDeleteall you foos that wanna hear Lecherous Gaze (nice one on the "Gays" Manslaughter, totally didnt think of that when cumming up with the name) check our website: www.lecherousgaze.com. Marcus has since left us, so we gotta new singer who has even more obnoxious stage banter.