Search - Voodoo Glow Skulls :: Band Geek Mafia

I love what these 7 guys put together!!!!

10/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It totally rocks. Take the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, make it 5 times louder, 5 times faster, and 5 times more PUNK! The songs are real moshy, jump around, and beat your best friend silly. Put this in, and any punk fan will be moshin with you. The good songs are all of them, except Left For Dead, which is too slow for me. Hit A Guy With Glasses has hilarious lyrics, like "The science club is pissed and they are after me, they want compensation for the optomitry." Human Pinata is great, and The Band Geek Mafia (The Horn of Justice) is more slow, but hardcore metal/punk and great. Don't miss this. "If we all try to walk the same path together, sooner or later someone will fall astray.""

For Serious VGS Fans Only

Mags | San Francisco, CA United States | 07/29/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I first heard Voodoo Glow Skulls' first album, "Who Is, This Is?" I immediately became attracted to their super fast, horn-heavy, ska/punk/hardcore sound. Then I saw them live in 1996 at the Cactus Club in San José, CA and fell madly in love with these seven boys from Riverside. It goes without question that "Who Is, This Is?" is the Glow Skulls' finest CD, with "Firme" coming in at a close second. So, when I found out that VGS came out with a new CD, I was very interested to see if they could redeem themselves after their dismal last attempt ("Baile de los Locos").And it sounds like they have. Somewhat.Their newest album, "Band Geek Mafia," starts off in classic VGS style with "Human Piñata," a raucous thrash-fest replete with a compelling bass guitar hook and horns, horns horns. The title track delivers much of the same satisfaction. The juxtaposition of tribal tom-tom drum beats ("And meanwhi! le, back in the jungle...") played off against what can only be best described as Chubby Checker-esque piano riffs - yes, I said Chubby Checker-esque - ("And meanwhile, back in the States...") makes "Stranded in the Jungle" the most refreshing track on the whole CD by far.What I didn't like about the CD, however, is how easily the boys can fall into the same pattern and commit the same mistakes they made on Baile; by nature ska/punk/hardcore plays hard and fast; but there's a difference between an adrenaline rush and an aneurysm. Apparently, it is possible to go too fast; after a while, every song blends into each other, and the melody is lost. If you compare this CD to "Who Is, This Is?," be prepared to be disappointed. I haven't heard anything in their following CDs that even comes close to such classics as "Dogpile" and "Ugly Stick." However, "Band Geek Mafia" does have its bright moments. Buy this CD, if on! ly to fill out the rest of your VGS collection. There are e! nough good tracks on the CD that validate listening to it over and over again. Who knows; the rest of it just might grow on you.Favorite tracks: "Human Piñata," "Brodie Johnson Weekend," "The Band Geek Mafia,"Stranded in the Jungle.""

My Introduction to the Voodoo Glow Skulls

Mags | 02/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is absolutely rockin'. It was my introduction to the Voodoo Glow Skulls, and it has hooked me thoroughly. It's got the fast beat of a punk band merged with the unique sound of ska horns. Songs such as "Human Pinata", "They Always Come Back", and "Band Geek Mafia" have great sounds and "Stranded in the Jungle" is downright addictive. I definitely endorse this album; it is a must have for any ska or punk fan."