Back a few years ago, I had a gig as the night manager of a local newsstand / convenience store in the university area of Nashville. As one of the few places in town that sold the notorious Jolt Cola, we had a regular weekend crowd of young punks, cybergeeks and metalheads who would buy this high-octane gutrot by the caseload. I got to know several of these customers on a casual basis, often talking music/computers/politics with them. I was old enough to be their father, but I listened to them, supported their dreams and accepted them for what they were, which was a diverse, creative lot with a lot ahead of them.
What a couple of these young Jolt guzzlers had in front of them was Java Christ, the finest young band to emerge from the Nashville scene since the Teen Idols first took the stage (which, although not really that long a period of time, says something nonetheless considering the large number of truly mediocre bands that come and go in the Music City in a year’s time). Thanks to the fine folks at House O’ Pain, Java Christ make their vinyl debut with the 7” Songs To Confuse Slam Dancers EP, an altogether red-hot slab o’ punk rock fun that comes with an iron-clad Reverend K guarantee: if you buy this disc from House O’ Pain and don’t like it, send it (in good condition, naturally) to R.A.D! and we’ll give you yer cash back on it. Yes, it’s that good.
Side one of the EP kicks off with “Gasoline,” an infectious ska-tinged rocker. Layers of fuzzy guitar punctuate the tune’s rock-steady rhythm, with the entire effort burning as bright as its name and subject matter. “Suburbia” opens with gonzo rock chords, flashing quickly into a fast-paced, mile-a-minute musical romp. The second side’s “Insomnia” is anything but a snooze, hard and fast chords underlining a classic tale of love lost (and delivering a the most effective lyrical “piss-off” since Dylan’s “Positively 4th Street”). The disc closes with “Clue,” another delightful ska-fest, chockful of energy and attitude.
After seeing Java Christ play live at this year’s House O’ Pain/Lucy’s Record Shop Anti-Extravaganza show, I can say that they’ve got a bright future ahead of them. They’re charismatic and likeable, with a solid punk ethic that just can’t be beat. Songs To Confuse Slam Dancers is an entertaining and impressive recording debut that manages to capture enough of the band’s live energy to scorch your turntable. (House O’ Pain Records)
Review originally published by R.A.D! music zine, 1996
