Not exactly hot off the presses, but certainly still relevant, Troubleman's debut CD contains eleven tracks of no-fuckin'-around Detroit rock & roll that derives its energy from bashing guitars and pounding drums, and most of it's sound from heyday garage/punk bands like The Stooges, The Clash & The Ramones. But while exploring and acknowledging its many influences on this disc, Troubleman may have already found itself. Click "Read More" below. Band: Troubleman
Title: Troubleman
Year: 2002
Recorded at: Woodshed Studios - Oak Park, MI
Recorded by: Tim Pak
Band Members: Timmy Tann (guitar, vocals); Sean O'Lucky (drums); "D" (vocals, guitar); Fish (bass, vocals)
Troubleman's self-titled debut CD begins with a psychobilly number called "Irish Roullette" that wastes no time in rocking your face off. A rapid-fire snare attack is followed by some lethal guitar work that reminds me of southern-rock slingers LBS. They revisit that sound on the CD's final cut, entitled "10/30" (i.e. Devil's Night) with a chorus that finds the 'motor city burnin' tonight', but tracks two through 9 hint at other rock-combo derivations.
Identifying with all things raw and wild, the band assumes more of an early Clash sound on "Unchained Felony" (track two) and "All About Style" (track three) on which the sonic quality is deliberately and effectively scoured for garage-fan consumption. Continuing in that devolution, "Every Nite" revives The-Stooges sound contrasting grungy guitars with live hand-claps and The Ramones predilection for three-chord progressions and Johnny B. Goode licks. The Ramones paradigm is further explored in the more poppy "High School Baby" and an appropriate tribute to The Stooges ("Loose" circa 1970) appears on track eight - eery in its instrumental accuracy.
I get a jolt of de'ja-vu from "Something Wrong" (track 10 - I've heard this before in some other context). This gem is the boiled-down essence of their influences, including everything in the stew, but revealing a taste that is uniquely Troubleman.
This is balls-out, working-class, never let the energy slide rock n' fuckin' roll. DD (Distortion Dave) is going to love it.
- Mitch Phillips