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Formed and recorded over 'that period', you would probably think that THE HAZMATS, a new project with members of CHUBBY & THE GANG, GAME and BIG CHEESE among others would probably be giving you more of the same. However they've clearly been reaching for their Teenage Fanclub LP's, C-86 comp and The Clouds 7"s and have done what few have achieved, successfully applying their songwriting skills and coming up with a record that is neither a genre exercise, nor destined for the seemingly never ending indie landfill.
This first 7" brings you two pop gems that will have you turning the record over and over, just like it should be, and thankfully just a sign of things to come.
Limited to 300 copies on white vinyl in pocket sleeve with lyric sheet.
Our take: Static Shock Records brings us the debut single by the Hazmats, a new UK band featuring a bunch of people who play in hardcore and punk bands doing something more melodic. The Hazmats nail the late 80s / early 90s UK indie vibe here, with a sound that’s pure pop at its core but drenched in the boisterous fuzz that was so popular at that time. These two songs sound like something I would have stayed up late to catch on 120 Minutes circa 1990. While there are many people who live and die for this style, I’m not one of them. There are some bands in this vein / from this era that I like a lot (Lush, My Bloody Valentine, the Jesus and Mary Chain, etc.), but it’s not like hardcore punk where I’m going to be interested just because of the aesthetic… a band like this needs good songs to catch my ear. And thankfully, the Hazmats have them! The simple guitar hook in “Empty Rooms” is an instant classic, but rather than resting on their laurels and padding out the rest of the song with filler, the Hazmats frame that brilliant hook with some classic pop tension and release. “Today,” on the other hand, emphasizes the vocals with its big chorus hook of “today will wear me out.” Like a lot of great singles, it feels like peeking through a keyhole into a much larger room. What I can make out is very intriguing, so let’s hope the Hazmats open the door for us.
This first 7" brings you two pop gems that will have you turning the record over and over, just like it should be, and thankfully just a sign of things to come.
Limited to 300 copies on white vinyl in pocket sleeve with lyric sheet.
Our take: Static Shock Records brings us the debut single by the Hazmats, a new UK band featuring a bunch of people who play in hardcore and punk bands doing something more melodic. The Hazmats nail the late 80s / early 90s UK indie vibe here, with a sound that’s pure pop at its core but drenched in the boisterous fuzz that was so popular at that time. These two songs sound like something I would have stayed up late to catch on 120 Minutes circa 1990. While there are many people who live and die for this style, I’m not one of them. There are some bands in this vein / from this era that I like a lot (Lush, My Bloody Valentine, the Jesus and Mary Chain, etc.), but it’s not like hardcore punk where I’m going to be interested just because of the aesthetic… a band like this needs good songs to catch my ear. And thankfully, the Hazmats have them! The simple guitar hook in “Empty Rooms” is an instant classic, but rather than resting on their laurels and padding out the rest of the song with filler, the Hazmats frame that brilliant hook with some classic pop tension and release. “Today,” on the other hand, emphasizes the vocals with its big chorus hook of “today will wear me out.” Like a lot of great singles, it feels like peeking through a keyhole into a much larger room. What I can make out is very intriguing, so let’s hope the Hazmats open the door for us.