Regular Columnists

Artist: Band:Attack Ships On Fire
Album: Punches Are Free
Website: http://attackshipsonfire.com
Genre: Punk-Rock
Technical Grade: 10/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 10/10
Overall Talent Level: 10/10
Songwriting Skills: 10/10
Best Songs: Punches Are Free, Let Me Be, Back To You
CD Review:

Punches Are Free is the new release from Attack Ships On Fire, a punk rock band with a sense of humor and some pretty good chops. These guys play intense, hard-hitting punk. In other words, it’s very loud and very fast with an in-your-face attitude. But yet, there’s a little more. Attack Ships On Fire brings intelligence and a witty sarcasm that sets them apart.

This Portland, Oregon based band consists of Mike Bell on vocals, Matt “Knuckles” Theodoroff on guitar, Allan Carter on drums, and Kevin Cameron on bass. The band co-wrote the songs and co-produced the CD and the result is cohesive and well done.

The songs are intensely angry and loud. Let Me Be assaults the listener from the very beginning and never lets up. Knuckles’ guitar riff sears the brain while Carter and Cameron attack their instruments with a vengeance. Punches Are Free, the title cut, made me laugh out loud while my ears were ringing. But these guys aren’t just loud and fast, they display a level of musicianship and intelligence that many punk bands just can’t pull off. Back To You, one of my favorite cuts, starts off like the Ventures on a bad meth trip before exploding. Bells’ vocal, on this and all the other cuts, is a perfect blend of snarling passion and righteous indignation.

Attack Ships On Fire is in the mainstream of punk rock. They know what they want to do and they deliver the goods. With strong songwriting and excellent performances, Punches Are Free is a winner. If you are a fan of punk then definitely check out Attack Ships On Fire and their new release, Punches Are Free.