Hardcore/aggressive punk literally reaches out and grabs hold of you often like a choke hold, compelling odd behaviors like two-stepping in circles, piling onto groups of people, diving off stages, and screaming out lyrics until your voice is gone and the Old-Timers bring plenty of this. Yes, an ep from a punk band does seem a bit odd as most punk bands can pack a full length into an ep when songs are less than 2 minutes long, but getting new material out there is always a good thing and after all, punk bands have short songs in terms of time, but that’s only because they pack 4 minutes of music into 2 minutes or less.
For those not familiar with The Old-Timers, the first song on the ep “Mammon” quickly lets you know where they are coming from. The rapid galloping bass intro with Matthew 6:24 and Mark 8:36 being spoken over the top while some guitar feedback steadily gets louder until the end of the verses when the song takes off at high speed. Dave Emmerson’s vocals are rough, gritty and in your face as they should be with this genre and he manages to keep them right at the ragged edge while screaming “You can’t serve God and money”. Guitars and drums are fast and dirty and provide the perfect sonic backdrop. One thing I like about the Old-Timers is the layered guitars add an air of complexity to their sound and songs while still retaining the rough, dirty punk rock feel.
Should you be concerned about this being overly deep material for a punk band to take on, the Old-Timers throw in a fast respite from the seriousness with a homage to one of their favorite movies with the song “Goonies Never Say Die”.
Throughout the ep and on their full length Soli Deo Gloria, the Old-Timers pull no punches, lyrics are Biblically inspired, consistent with their Facebook description of being “three men on a mission to glorify God, gather friends, and go have fun getting the gospel out. At the same time, the music will draw in fans of fast, aggressive punk rock. The Old-Timers songs remind me a lot of Minor Threat, not so much in style and the music but definitely in the approach. Lyrics with a lot of meaning and heart behind them are barked out over fast guitars and drums and production is at the right level, clean enough to be very listenable and yet still retaining that overall feel that you’re standing in the midst of a swirling pit. Songs are catchy and while aggressive in nature and sound still manage to impart a sense of joy and hope.
Rating: 7.5/10
Tracklist:
1. Mammon
2. On My Knees Again
3. Goonies Never Say Die!
4. Joe #1
5. Love Alone Is Strength
6. Carpe Vitae Part II
7. Axios
Band members:
Mixmaster Don – Geetar & Bass
P. Davey – Vox
Matt-O-Matic – Tubthumping
Record Label: Thumper Punk Records, Dec. 2013
Studio Albums:
“Punk’s Not Dead, Nor Are We!” (2011) [Album review]
“Soli Deo Gloria (2012)” [Album review]
“Spiritus Sanctus” EP (2013)
Weblinks: Facebook / Bandcamp / Twitter
Interview With ‘The Old-Timers’ [Feb. 2012]