A Close Last: Demo 2002 (Self released)
	'One Better' opens this demo with the fastest, funkiest bass intro and is soon joined by some equally fast and furious drumming and guitar work. There's a nice contrast between the bitter sounding vocals and the happy backing vocals with the overall sound of the song being very uplifting. Even more frantic, if that's possible, is 'No Turning Back' which is a brief blast of a song with more happy, upbeat sounds of the summer type choruses. 'Jealous' is still pretty upbeat but shows a more morose side to their lyrics, which is reflected in the lead guitar sound. 'Stop Being A Cow' follows in a similar vein but with a bit more bounce and a few more "woah"s! And just when you think you've got them sussed there's the manic, minute-long 'Fight Neds' that shows both their hardcore side as well as the killer sense of humour that is reflected in their energetic and entertaining live shows. It opens with tweeting birds, a squeal of feedback and a much heavier guitar sound takes over as Ross tunefully screams his way through the verses and is joined by some backing shouts and they all yell "neds!" as the music drops out. This kind of diversity and humour certainly makes them stand out against the deluge of pop-punk bands.
Zelda
This 5-track demo CD is available FREE from the band, at gigs or via their website A Close Last Website

The Aforementioned: Demo 2002 (Self released)
	If you like your punk to be a rowdy, political affair with heaps of attitude (and who doesn't?) then The Aforementioned could be just the band for you. Although there are a couple of songs that sound as if they need a bit more work, some of the timing and vocal delivery is a bit off, there are still some quality songs. 'Corporate Killing' with its spoken, news-style intro is reminiscent of those anarchist/political eighties punk bands and 'New America' is still a powerful song in spite of the dodgy timing. 'Stick In The Fire' has a great tune and a stick in your head chorus of "You're a fuckwit, yeah, yeah, yeah" whilst the straight to the point 'Straight Edge' puts a big daft grin on your face as does 'The Aforementioned' with its catchy, riff-laden, rap inspired style. Lyrically they vary from articulate political views to wry-humoured rants that up the "fuck" count considerably and aren't for the easily offended; all delivered in a thick Scottish accent that might need subtitles outside of our dear, green land. But they certainly have potential and only being about 18 also have plenty of time to work on the technicalities but they have no shortage of ideas or opinions and have an obvious talent for producing boisterously catchy tunes.
Zelda
8-track demo CD is available FREE (at the moment!) from the band members and at gigs The Aforementioned Website

Beauty School Dropout: 'Palookaville' 2002 (Unreleased)
	In 'One For Sorrow' there's everything you've come to expect from Beauty School Dropout; bitter lyrics, cutting guitar, pounding drums and booming bass. 'Ed Bankys Car' takes it up another notch with a driving bass line and wall-to-wall drums and cymbals. Add to that high-pitched vocals full of spite and it makes for a real blast of a song. 'Passing Thru' has their trademark catchy and brief guitar solos throughout and some new funky bass ones too. 'Pick Me Up' has a guitar intro and what sounds like trumpets bringing in the solid rhythm. It's about as slow as they're going to get; still well paced with dual vocal parts on the chorus and possibly the most uplifting lyrics of this EP. 'Blue' is the one that will still be rattling around your head tomorrow, with that gorgeous chorus and the classic bit where it stops and he sings "So I fucked up" and everything comes crashing back in at once. Effortlessly perfect pop punk that just makes you miss them all the more.
Zelda
Beauty School Dropout Website

The Day I Snapped 2001 3-track CD available free from the band
	Combining all the best elements from melodic and pop punk, 'Unwound' heads off at a good pace, with loads of drums and an excellent guitar sound. The vocals are bursting with emotion and build up throughout the song. Slower but none the less powerful is 'Everlast' where the vocals have a detached, floaty appeal, but the solid rhythm keeps it moving along. There are also soaring backing vocals that help drive home the sentiments that "good things never ever last". Picking up the pace again is 'I Could Try But What's The Point?'. It has a long build from the start; first guitars, then bass and heavy drums with crashes of cymbals and finally how could you fail with that line? Variances in pace, knowing how to build and when to change style within the songs keeps it all exciting and you'd never guess two of the songs are around four minutes long or that this is their first recording.
Zelda
The Day I Snapped Website

The Distillers: 'The Distillers' 2000 Hellcat Records
	The Distillers attracted a great deal of attention simply for the fact that the female singer/guitarist and main songwriter is married to Tim Armstrong. Now having a husband who just happens to be in Rancid is a very difficult association to live up to indeed. Difficult, but not impossible; The Distillers style is one of aggressive, raw melody coupled with relentless drumming and big, thumping bass lines. The lyrics are oblique so that you get a sense of the anger, frustration and social comment but without the over bearing style of some punk songs. Brody's voice is the perfect gravelly, spittle-filled growl, more associated with old school punk than today's hum along pop punk, yet she can still hold a tune and some very rockin' ones at that. The weakest song on the album is a cover of Patti Smiths 'Ask the Angels', which in itself is a great compliment to Brody Armstrong's song writing capabilities.
Zelda
The Distillers Website