...REVIEWS !!       

LEG HOUNDS - Ready to Go LP

MAXIMUM ROCK-N-ROLL (USA) #253 June 2004 Some punk labels can be hit or miss, they´ll put out a few great records one month and then follow those up with couple of duds the following month. However, there are some punk labels that are dependable as the day is long and ALIEN SNATCH! is, in my opinion, one of those labels. This is fukcin´hopped-up punk´n´roll that hits the gas coming out of the gates and never looks back. If you like bands like the DEVIL DOGS, DIALTONES or SMASH UP DERBY, then you need to search this out. C´mon, get off you ass(KK)

SMASHIN TRANSISTORS (USA) NOVEMBER 2003 Is it strange that even though all 3 of the LEG HOUNDS albums were recorded in one marathon weekend session there's a progression that can be heard through them? One explanation could be that they recorded their songs in the order that the originally wrote them. The first album was the one where everyone jumped up and yelled The DEVIL DOGS when they heard it and the band didn't deny it one bit. The second one. "Date Your Daughters" also garnered the a lot same reaction but it's also where these Sheboygan, Wisconsin skirt chasers started to develop that sound into something of their own. On "Ready To Go" the third album of their Bulge Records trilogy the LEG HOUNDS sound like the LEG HOUNDS. Those harmonies, those blasting guitars...Smidgens of the Teengenerate, dashes of Phil Spector, Chuck Berry doses and Southside Johnny relocating from the Jersey shore to the banks of Lake Michigan can all be heard running through the carburetor and firing the spark plugs of this motor but it's the lead foot of the LEG HOUNDS that is leaving the skidmarks on the streets and the smell of roasted tire treads in the air. Whether your parties consist of drinkin', smokin', fightin', or lovin'-this record is all you'll need for the next one.

NOW WAVE MAG (USA) NOVEMBER 2003 The LEG HOUNDS sound like greasers but have the decency to wear white shirts and red skinny ties. More prolific than a stadium full of Mormon polygamists, these three lads now offer you yet another album you can fuck to. Like the band's previous two long-playing spectaculars, Ready To Go! is chock full of good-time rock n' roll tunes that owe nothing to the past 25 years of musical progress. I know what you're thinking: PLEASE no more goddamn punk rock Sha Na Na retro-ass wannabe DEVIL DOGS pseudoFonzie pompadour crap! I feel your pain, brother. In this day & age of garage rawk chic, you can't afford to go apeshit for every glorified bar band that comes out of the woodwork slinging three chords & promising to "take it back to the basics". Really, one can only take so much "high energy rock n' roll" before the whole sub-genre starts to seem played out. But Sheboygan, Wisconsin's LEG HOUNDS will make a believer out of you! The line between timeless rock n' roll & silly retro schlock is a thin one, but these dudes don't cross it. Sure: their revved-up attack is imbued with the spirit of Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis. But the almighty Hounds suffuse their throwback boogie with Chuck Berry-via-Angus Young hot guitar licks & the supercharged thump of 70s punk. They rock WAY too hard for your grandmother's tastes. The pill-popping teenage dirtbag who's screwing your little sister is a far more likely candidate for LEG HOUNDS fandom. So how is it that The LEG HOUNDS manage to pull off a style that far too often comes across as cliched, cheesy, or downright stale? Because they got the chops, man!!! The fucking chops! These fellows really know how to write a good song. They're as much Real Kids as they are DEVIL DOGS. On the surface, tunes like "Ready To Go!" and "Drowning In Whiskey" may seem like corny formula rock. But they're so fucking catchy & energetic that you'll be singing along and bopping to the beat before you even know what hit you. Ditto for the infectious "Wristbreaker". And the great "Tight Pants" (written for the band by Mr. Nato Disgusting) is simply the best song of 2003, period. How could I NOT dig a band that reminds me of the Swingin' Neckbreakers (Josh Rutledge )

GERMAN

ROCKASS (GERMANY) OCT 2005 Noch eine geile Neo-Wave-Punk aus dem Nordwesten der US of A! Hatte schon eine 7” Aufmerksamkeit im letzten Jahr erregt, kommt nun der Longplayer hinterher, der über die zugegebenermaßen nicht allzu lange Vollspielzeit mit melodischen Brit-orientierten Punkrock mit Wave-Einschlag (Billig-Szinti und so) das Herz erfreut. Die Band kommt aus Portland und die CD ist auf Dirtnap erschienen, also auch da zusammenhänge mit Briefs, Epoxies und Konsorten. Die hervorragende Aufmachung mit schweren Vinyl und gefütterter Innenhülle lassen den Vinyljunkie erstrahlen. (Pete)

Dig It ! (France) # 31 2004 Ça y est, le troisième album du groupe de Sheboygan (Michigan) met un point final à la trilogie introductive du groupe. Rappelons que les morceaux figurants sur l'explosive triplette ont tous été enregistrés en quelques jours il y a déjà trois ans et sont distillés depuis de façon espacée par le label Bulge Records aux Etats-Unis (en Cd) et sur Screaming Apple, Demolition Derby et Alien Snatch pour l'Europe (en vinyle). Le premier LP voyait les Leghounds s'installer dans le paysage comme de sérieux prétendants à la "couronne" Devil Dogs, le deuxième confirmait l'impression et démontrait qu'en plus les Leghounds étaient un EXCELLENT gang garage-punk maîtrisant royalement les critères du genre. Quant au petit dernier (Ready To Go ! sur Alien Snatch), il est à deux doigts de nous faire oublier les D. Dogs, ce qui par ici n'est pas un mince exploit. Dès le torride discours d'intro (se terminant sur un radical "This band should need no introduction, so FUCK IT !"), le ton est donné, ça va saigner ! La recette est connue mais toujours aussi efficace, 80% de speed songs et 20% de "ballades" mid-tempo (comme qui vous savez) subitement déchirées par des guitares poussées dans le rouge et des refrains à grimper sur la table. Ni hard rock, ni pop (mais pas dénué pour autant de mélodies méchamment accrocheuses), ni new wave, les Leghounds piochent dans le 50's/60's rock'n'roll alimenté au méthanol et la punk attitude aiguisée comme les surins à cran d'arrêt qui dépassent de la poche arrière droite de leurs jeans. Ready To Go ! est LE disque qui nous file des fourmis dans les pattes ces jours-ci. Bon... Passons au GROS bémol maintenant : Cet album a été tiré à seulement 350 exemplaires... Daniel Snatch (désormais partout surnommé Perfectionnist Daniel) n'est pas content du mastering et n'a conséquemment pas jugé utile d'en sortir davantage. Bon sang, ici on n'a pourtant rien à redire du mastering ! A part peut-être, c'est vrai, sur "Graduation Days", une ballade parfois sauvagement écrêtée, d'où fluctuation du niveau sonore. Mais pas vraiment de quoi fouetter un caribou... Bonne chasse quand même, d'autant qu'ici on a fait diminuer le stock en commandant une demie caisse dès la sortie du disque. Vous pouvez toujours aussi essayer de dénicher la version CD sur Bulge Rds, ils y ont mis la version mono ET la version stéréo pour le même prix (GC)

LEG HOUNDS - Prisoner of Love 7"

german

LONG GONE LOSER (OZ) OCT 2002 Yay! The LEG HOUNDS! Never heard of them but I'm glad I have now. 50's rock played garage style ala The DEVIL DOGS. Fans of the Dogs will be all over this. We needed another band like this since the Dogs split a few years back. Was quite sad to see them go but at least we can rest easy knowing that Alien Snatch has put out another winner in the LEG HOUNDS. Limited to 500 copies so get yours quickly. Top stuff!.(damo)

HIGH HEELS SLUTS (BELGIUM) SEP 2002 It seems like the folks at ALIEN SNATCH! have been digging some hidden vaults in Wisconsin, cuz next to the TEENAGE REJECTS they dug up the LEG HOUNDS for one of their latest 7" releases, proudly presenting their 3-song debut. And proud they should be! Wow, this has just about everything a greasy rock'n'roller would pop a boner for! It's got the sleazy guitar riffs, the rock, the roll, the right amount of grease'n'filth and above all, it makes you swing every limb that's still attached to your body. The LEG HOUNDS bring vividly to mind a superb DEVIL DOGS, which makes them match perfectly with their -split up, damn!- labelmates the Kamikazes. I hope the LEG HOUNDS will last a lil' longer and will supply us with heaps more of thrilling teenage kicks. Fuck yeah!! (wim)

NOW WAVE MAG (USA) AUGUST 2002 All I’ve really got to say about this record is FUCK YEAH!!!! The LEG HOUNDS’ latest is simply a KILLER rock n’ roll single, one of the best 7” slabs I’ve heard in ages. I hate to sound clichéd, but this trio plays ROCK AND ROLL, pure and simple! You know: raw, loud, fun, and catchy stuff. I kid you not: These dudes rock harder than R. Kelly in a hot-tub full of 15-year-old girls! If rock n' roll really IS a feeling that emanates from the pits of hell, THE LEG HOUNDS have clearly partied with Satan in a BIG way! The mid-tempo A-side number is a surprisingly poppy little tune with great melodic guitar lines and a country-fied SOCIAL DISTORTION vibe. On the flip, the band picks up the pace and squeezes mucho fabulousity from the “Chuck Berry-on-speed” approach to rock n’ roll, bashing out a pair of nasty n’ hooky blasters a la The DEVIL DOGS or Bon Scott-era AC/DC. Hell, yes! Thanks in no small part to great production that enhances the impact of this band’s kick-ass guitars/powerhouse drums wallop, this EP is ANYTHING BUT your typical “punk rock n’ roll” bore-fest. This record is HOT!!Woo! (Josh Rutledge )

SHREDDING PAPER #13 (USA) Summer 2002 I´m not a huge fan of "dirty"rock and roll, bus this Wisconsin band has has agreat sound and maybe the best songs I´ve heard this year. The pair of tunes on the B-Side are scorchers with fast efficient guitar breaks, but it´s the A-Side where these guys set themselves apart, "Prisoner of Love" (an orginal) is a mid-tempo stunner with brilliant drum bashing and a loud rythm guitar that kicks butt with a tremendous vocal, slightly distrorted for maximum effect. Classic!! (Mel)

UP YOURS! (BELGIUM) MAY 2002 Snatch 012 is the very first outing by another Wisconsin band, THE LEG HOUNDS. The bands 'Prisoner Of Love' 7" has 3 tracks which'll burn your ass if your unprepared for the blistering, frontal attack by THE LEG HOUNDS. With a high dose of DEVIL DOGS-influence adrenaline running through their veins the LEG HOUNDS hold the ability to surmount the comparision. Their songs run on a tempo ranging from midtempo to uptempo with an omnipresent scorching, actionpacked guitar which grabs you by the bals and cuts off one's breath. Basically we're dealing with fullfrontal, upbeat rawkin' roll with all the active ingredients running smoothly. With these cuts and their contributions for the Wisconsin sampler "902 Blues" THE LEG HOUNDS have layed down their own trademark of no-stop-no-hold punk'n'roll. Something which I can only recommend highly to all of you yet unaware (bo)

BLANK GENERATION (USA) APRIL 2002 I heard the LEG HOUNDS off of Todd’s "920 Blues" compilation (get that, by the way), but this is the first time that it’s hit me – the LEG HOUNDS are the DEVIL DOGS! And I don’t mean in that lame, "we can’t think of our own music so let’s just be whoever" way, no the LEG HOUNDS don’t come off like that. Picture right after Saturday Night Fever… Picture the DEVIL DOGS never breaking up… The LEG HOUNDS sound like if the DEVIL DOGS never broke up; which means, if you’re a fan of rock ‘n’ roll, you will get the LEG HOUNDS. (JD)

BLANK GENERATION (USA) MAY 2002 These three cats ripped through the twin cities of Bloomington-Normal some months back and left the largely unsuspecting audience with its collective jaw on the sticky floor. Why? Probably ‘cause their brand of ‘50s-damaged punk ‘n’ roll honestly challenges the DEVIL DOGS in sheer catchiness, and this 45 perfectly captures their sound. Don’t expect a rehash of the same ol’ shit, though—these guys are destined for their own sorta greatness, as the vocals and the guitar work are in a league of their own. Chalk another one up for the state of Wisconsin… (EL)

SMASHIN TRANSISTORS (USA) APRIL 2002 A couple of years ago one of these guys called me asking about getting a show booked in Detroit. I had never heard of 'em and was trying to get an idea what they were about about so I asked "What do you sound like?"
"A lot of people tell us 'The DEVIL DOGS'" He replied.
"Yeah, right!" I thought to myself. Y'know a lot of bands try to emulate that sound but don't pull it off right so they try to masquerade the fact with black wifebeaters, a tube of Brylcreem and pointing to the men's room calling it their "office." They forget the about the choruses swiped from tough doo-wop groups, the dirty street shamblings of the NEW YORK DOLLS, the melodrama of PHIL SPECTOR and the pop hook under the raw-dawg guitar roar of the MISFITS (Not a reference point you usually see mentioned with the DEVIL DOGS but trust me...it's in there). I blew the call off. Who'd ever thought a band from Sheboygan, Wisconsin would get it right. The LEG HOUNDS do sound like the DEVIL DOGS but in a "High Praise" way. The sound of any smalltown losers dreaming beyond the nowhere to go and nothing to do cept watch things rust rig-a-more-row, celebrating what they have and what they want. They've gone past sneaking up the stairs loaded and way past curfew hopin' they don't wake the folks up. More like sneaking up the stairs to not wake the parents of the girl who's bringing them in to stay the night.

MOLOKO PLUS (GERMANY) MAY 2002 Dieses Trio aus USA spielen feinen Rock´n´Roll zum Tanze auf. Drei Stücke vertonten sie für diese Plastik, von denen die A-Seite mit dem unglaublich gefühlvollen " Prisoner of Love" besobders heraussticht. Die beiden Stück auf der Flipside sind flotter unterwegs und gehen nicht minder gut ins Ohr, fressen sich aber nicht ganz so stark ins Hirn wie der A-Smasher. Starkes Viynl, wie irgendwie alles auf ALIEN SNATCH! rauskommt.(tr)

FLYING REVOLVERBLATT #23 , OKTOBER 2002 : Eine neue Singles offensive aus dem Hause ALIEN SNATCH! beschert und auch diese sehr schick aufgemachte 7". Von den LEG HOUNDS habe ich noch nie etwas gehört, was sich aber hinter diesen drei Songs verbirgt, ist es aber allemal wert, dass Licht der Öffentlichkeit zu erblicken. Das Label wirbt hierzu " Songs the DEVOL DOGS never wrote". Und tatsächlich spielen die drei Jungs aus Wisconsin mit Ihren schwarzen Hemden und weissen Krawatten nichts anderes als wirklich gelungen rolligen punk rock im Geiste eben dieser NY´er Helden. Besonders in deren schnulzigen Momenten.

CHOKE #7(AUSTRIA) JUNE 2002 Und noch ein Hammer ! Da hat der der Herr Daniel von ALIEN SNATCH! wirklich klasse Pferdchen im Stall! Auf der Dingens hier gehts eindeutig in Richtung DEVIL DOGS, wobei mir der Titelsong einen Tacken besser gefällt, da gibts ein MiniGlam Einschlag. Beim Mailorder deines Vertrauens einfach mitbestellen.(el)

FLIGHT13 Mailorder (GERMANY) FEB 2002 Fantastischer Opener (= Titeltrack), der in feinster Glam-Punk Tradition daher kommt, die beiden anderen Tracks gehen dann eher in Richtung DEVIL DOGS und sind schön schnell und irre punk´n´rollig mit Elvis-like Vocals. Wieder mal ´nen Hammer 7" auf ... * Alien Snatch

OX Magazine #46 (GERMANY) MARCH 2002 Aus Arsch der Welt, Wisconsin kommen die LEG HOUNDS, deren "Prisoner of Love" 7" eine weiter feine Veröffentlichung auf ALIEN SNATCH! Records ist. Der Opener ist schon beinahe eine Ballade, eine Sixties-Garage-goes 90´s Punk Hymne, die sofort ins Ohr geht, auch die beiden Songs der B-Seite gefallen: Thunders-mäßig abgehender Punkrock den Labelboss Daniel als "songs the DEVIL DOGS never wrote" beschreibt. Nur ein kleines wenig zu hoch gegriffen, das.. (8/10) (Joachim) yeah yeah yeah !

JENZ BUMPER PRIVATE DIARY LINERNOTES #1 (GERMANY) 2002 Der DEVIL DOGS Fan Club spielt drei Hits und ich tanze auf dem Sofa.Großer
Spaß.