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"Legends Bleed" Marky Ramone & The Speedkings |
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Be fooled not by the name - The Ramones were a sacred union of Punk Rock origination that led throngs of followers, supporters, and doubtless naysayers who finally succumbed to their hallowed infamy, and Marky, their great drummer, and featured member on the smokin' "Legends Bleed." I've never heard of The Speedkings, but I've heard of Marky, and I've appreciated his work with said legends, and even followed a little of his solo work with Los Gusanos some years back but indications here are "Legends Bleed" is twenty track point to prove that does so in quick order. Led by the chaotic fretwork of Dee Skywalker, he of dual guitar duties and in serious need of a downer, lets 'em fly from the opening scream - "Saturday Night," "Girls & Gasoline," "Burning Rubber," "Fuck Shit Up…" why stop there? Mainly cuz I need a breath. MR & TSK are not a Ramones emulation, tribute, or cheap imitation out to market a few extra bucks with one of the last remaining players, though who better to do so if they wanted? We're led down the dark alley by way of sixteen original tracks of piss, vinegar, pride, power and pinched nerves before yielding to the four song pleasantries of live bonus coverage of Ramones' classics at the conclusion. So it's a twenty cut cruise down memory lane that begins with the best in classic NYC Aggro/Punk done with brat beating intensity and ends by paying homage to the leaders. Could end it right here and there's enough to go on-what's not to like? But bullshit artist that I am, Marky and co. deserve a little more print and I'm enthralled with these Speedking characters and cover image-table turning death sentence survivors of a Son of Sam era. Marky's playing is the glue that holds an otherwise crumbling construct of ill-timed wails, anxiousness, and rhythmic primacy together; he of a bullet rate beat that easily surpasses previous work and expectations. In spite of The Speedkings as a group, his participation's never called into question. Are there similarities to…? Sure but not so apparent as one might think. This is more down tuned and crude by comparison, fast, loose, foul-mouthed, fucked in the head and funny. For all their denim and leather exploits, The Ramones were cool, but much craftier songwriters than outsiders might realize and Joey's voice, soulful croon to playful hipster to catch your death with effortless resolve. "It's different and the song structures allow me to play differently than what I played with The Ramones," Marky is quoted as saying of his sit in with The Speedkings, and there lies the main distinction between the two. Similarities? Yeah, let's examine something like "Animal Boy" or "Wart Hog" and leave it alone… However a tune like "Teenage Rock n' Roll Suicide" tears a page right out of that classic Ramones, Dictators book, full on with speedealer excess and South Street chorus… the perfect anti-anthem for a future going CBGB scene. "Hot Rods R-Us" and "R n' R Asshole" are a perfect one two combination where one leaves ya floored and flat while the other pisses over your still limp carcass. "Sex Phone Girls," throws off a brief "Teenage labotomist…" vibe in their somewhere… Overall it's purebred NYC bar brawl the way you remembered it but were damn near forced to forget since no one does it much anymore. The track titles first gave me hope this might step beyond the typified glee club radio Rock stuff guised in Punk fabric and my momentary prejudice was immediately exhumed by an intensified seven or eight track kick off that still smarts! Best bang for yer buck Hard Rock n' Punk record since Zeke's "Death Alley" and more to sink yer teeth into! Released by Thirsty Ear Records Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu] P.O. Box 20252
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