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Red Tape - Radioactivist
by Mark Hensch

In a world where punk has lost most of its original meaning, and beyond that, most of its relevance, many "post punk" bands are trying to find their niche and redefine the genre. Like most bands, Northern California's Red Tape attempt to survive in the wasted landscape that is modern punk rock by returning to its roots. In the case of bands like Red Tape, those said roots are the roots of hardcore punk from the early to mid 80's. This isn't today's often bland and painted-by-numbers hardcore, with its tiring grizzly growls and double-bass pedals, but the hardcore of such bands as Husker Du, Corrosion of Conformity, Black Flag, Refused, ect. The group takes the classic style of said bands, and gives it a slightly more modern feel. Led by frontman Jeff Jaworski, the band was formed in 1998 due to Jeff's life-long love of local punk/hardcore acts. In fact, drummer JD, guitarist Mark Meraji, and bassist Twig Von Wussow are all from local bands of the punk/hardcore scenes (especially Twig, who has played in at least four other bands, most notably Fatso).

The first track of Red Tape's new CD, Radioactivist, showcases the political overtones and undertones that litter the music of this CD. Strangely titled "A3Xe4Bcr," this track sets the mood nicely, its fractured title perfectly fitting the 30 seconds of ominous, garbled static and disjointed newsbytes. This is a preview of the band's worldview; our world is in turmoil, and we must help it. "Damage Control" next erupts into an excellent rocker seemingly decrying abuse of Draconian power and threatening to destroy it. The traded vocals on this song should have many people thinking as well as jamming to the powerful riffs.

"High Revoltage" is a quick-and-tasty little thrash jam, with some group vocals that could have easily been bummed off of A.F.I. The band's single, "Stalingrad," starts with a low, grating bassline (we're talking 20,000 leagues under the sea low) before exploding with some nice sing-alongs, heavy riffs, and jangling, static notes. "Radioactivist" easily earns the namesake of title track with its sense of urgency and its power riffs traded with a catchy groove riff that's old-school rock at its core.

"Divebomb" kicks off with a nice drumbeat and some wavering but strong notes just before kicking off with a slamming rocker of a song. The title is easily fitting; frontman Jeff Jaworski shouts "DIVE-BOOOOMB!" and lets his vocal range fall just like a Daisy Cutter in the mountains of Afghanistan, and its almost danceable solo halfway through is totally great. "Droppin' Bombs on Your Moms" is an urgent and particularly powerful song. It attempts to convey the foolishness of using bombs and other weapons of mass destruction. "Reactor" is an almost rapped song about how change and revolution are personal matters that are brought on by many people wanting them together. "Strike Tonight" is a totally roots hardcore style song that just plain rocks.

"El Salvador" is the album's last highlight for several songs. It's a righteous, fast-paced, and drum heavy song that starts off mediocre but ends as a real gem on the CD due to its good build-ups and a wicked little guitar solo. "Social Meltdown," and "Golden" are both inspirational but mediocre hardcore songs, and both of them, mainly "Golden" seem to be filler space on this CD. "The Waltz" starts next, possibly the entire album's best song, featuring urgent vocals decrying "The way of the gun", excellent changes of rhythm and melody, and almost poppy hardcore. After this excellent track, the CD closes in an anti-climatic manner with the two relatively forgettable songs, "Shoot! Move! Communicate!" which is saved by its excellent guitar parts, and "Blast The System" which ends the CD on an almost sour note due to its lack of originality.

All-in-all, this is an impressive debut for such a relatively new rock act. They could be posed for great success as they know how to play their style of music (albeit without making anything new out of it) well, they are members of the successful Roadrunner Records label, and the album was produced by none other then Amir Derakh (guitars/synth) of Orgy fame. This CD, though weak in some minor spots, is generally a nice album and one that will hopefully make old-school hardcore kids proud.

Red Tape - Radioactivist
Label: Roadrunner Records
Rating:

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