Review Summary: Small and Obscure punk band
After inserting the CD with fake finger prints on it and big red letter writing that reads CHOREBOY, it loads on the computer and I notice something interesting. There are 69 tracks on the album. But 14-68 have nothing recorded on them. I think this odd and just come to the conclusion that the band probably got a kick out of seeing ‘69’ on the back of their CD.
Although I’m not completely sure what the band Choreboy is, I do know that it consists of some band members, a couple of vocalists and guitarist from Skatenigs, Poison 13, and Big Boys. Deceiving as it may be, this album has some of the best punk I’ve heard in a while. The songs have just enough variety to where they are not boring and, unlike other punk albums, have some musicality differences. I can quickly skip down through the track list and literally hear the difference between each song which to me is refreshing.
The first track starts off with a heavy riffed guitar and a fast beat with chanting vocals. Anything you’d really expect from punk. Guest singer Sean Neil’s voice reminds me of Fat Mike from NOFX, but Choreboy’s main singer, Chris Gates, sings with a lower tone voice. You can really hear this in the second track which kicks off a little faster than the first and is a little less pleasant sounding as it digresses into a minor key. Unfortunately for track three, it sounds pretty much the same as tracks one and two.
As you get deeper into the album, it turns more pop punk as the guitar takes on more of background chords then quickly switches to more thrash metal-like towards the chorus especially in the track entitled “Dollar Signs”. Since the beginning of the album had a more mainstream punk feel, I was appreciative at Choreboy for bringing in some hardcore. Choreboy features a guest singer on this track, Gibby Haynes who sings with a low growl, perfect for some hardcore punk. Choreboy’s drummer is experimental and makes the album interesting because he switches back and forth between tempos and changes up the beat/sounds from track to track.
Every so often on the tracks, I catch a few small glimpses of what may very well be some Stevie Ray Vaughn influence as some of their songs have a blues swing and soulful guitar riffs. It definitely helps me take a closer listen, but the influence only goes so far, as the punk/hardcore genre of this album must continue. Some of Ray Vaughn’s influence can be found in “Ain’t Dead Yet”.
Overall, Choreboy was a great experimentation, combining some of the unique talents of Skatenigs and Poison 13 (although small and obscure they are). They bring out the best of punk in the 21st century.
