by theblameshifters, Newest Members 02/03/09 22:09:46

TSM Radio-Well, well, well. Give me ‘American Punk' and you are often signing up for a rant
about how much I can't stand it in general. (I know I like Rancid, but
that doesn't COUNT) So when I was given a Blameshifters cd to review, I
eyed it with suspicion for some time, (even though I thought the sleeve
was cute-as) and eventually bit the bullet...and really really liked it
and would like to adopt them. So there.





One of the most reliable bands on the Northern California punk scene



Mat Loman (guitar and vocals) Pigman (bass and vocals) and Steveness
(drums) got together in about 2003 and have swept through Californ-i-a
like an enjoyable infection, playing shows with Social Unrest, Agent
Orange and The Dickies to name but a few, they're hailed as one of the
most reliable bands on the Northern California punk scene, they
apparently put the punk into punctual (and bloody good too-punctuality
is the politeness of Princes don'tcha know!)

They released their debut album Feast before the Famine (which was independently recorded) in 2005 and their second Disenfranchised Anarchist was again, independently recorded and released in late 2007. They also feature on the compilation It's Not A Sinking Ship! on Abandon Hope Records in 2008.

I'm completely digging on the sinister intro of Not Religious
which is tongue-in-cheek amusing considering the content (Priests and
Nuns doing...what?!) and the melodies and delicious bass lines on Happiest Boy in America
are a delight and you get a real value-for-money sense from the album
as a whole, as not only do you get 15 kick **** songs, but they pack so
much into each song that it's like listening to three songs at a time
(which is a damn good trait in a band that I like to encourage) I'm off
to once again shift my attention to The Blameshifters. Enjoy.-Becca Switchblade

by theblameshifters, Newest Members 02/03/09 22:03:02

review from Fungal Punk

Coming out of Stockton, California The Blameshifters rightly fly the DIY flag and this three piece happily promote themselves as good old fashioned melodic speed punk. An initial independently recorded and released album entitled 'Feast Before Famine' was inflicted on the North California scene in 2005 and again 'Disenfranchised Anarchist' is another true independent release.

After hearing a couple of taster tracks from the album, I had high hopes of an American band who did not go down the so predictable American pop punk route, and I wasn't disappointed.

The album kicks off at a great high speed tempo with 'Fish in a Barrel' and gives a hint of the tongue in cheek sarcasm of the lyrics that flow through the album. Although all tracks on first listening give you a familiar feeling (NOFX, Bad Religion and even musically The Dickies flashed through my mind at some point) without sounding like anybody in particular, out of nowhere comes a riff that makes the track easily distinguishable from the next and a closer listen to the lyrics on future plays brings a wry smile with the bands take on American life. It's a difficult choice but 'Not Religious' is the highlight of the first half of the album with its catchy riffs, harmonies and anti-priest lyrics all packed in under two minutes two seconds. An irritating highlight as I had the tune and chorus in my head for the best part of a day! No mean feat if you know me and my short term memory.

Riffs, melodies and harmonies are prevalent throughout the album and it's obvious a lot of thought has gone into crafting each of the songs, without over doing it. A lot of albums suffer midway through, not this one. Some of the strongest tracks keep the attention span in check particularly 'Our Flag Rules' followed by the title track 'Disenfranchised Anarchist' and my personal favourite, 'Those Guys'. With the very occasional drop in tempo this album comes to an all too sudden close with the final two tracks 'We're not that Dumb' and 'Stupid Drunk Kid', both follow a similar format to earlier tracks, but again new elements are thrown in to drag your attention back

Overall a well crafted album with high quality production for a DIY release and a worthy addition to anybody's CD collection. If two minute catchy melodic speed punk is your thing, then it's a definite buy.