Psycho-sonic - Sonics (The) > Reviews > Three chords, two tracks, one hell of a band.

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	The will to live when you're feeling down (not that I am)
Disadvantages:	None whatsoever

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Alas, as is the case in the present day, bands in the sixties who were clearly head and shoulders above their contemporaries were often overlooked for no plausible reason. One listen to The Sonics debut LP, “Here are The Sonics” and you’ll be wondering exactly the same thoughts. The Sonics were simply a band who’s music hits the listener like the dropping a nuclear bomb, and a big one at that.

Lead by Gerry Roslie, singer and organist, The Sonics produced one of the dirtiest, roughest sounds around, all of which was played very LOUD. Even if you turn the music down real low, the sheer magnitude of the sound still penetrates to the bone.

Some quotes…

Bob Bennett (drums): “We were a wild, dirty, kickass band”
Larry Parypa (bass): “We were nasty. Everything you’ve heard people say about us is true”
Andy Parypa (guitar): “I mean, the Sonics were savage”

saved the best ‘til last from the head-case himself…

Gerry Roslie: “When we played I would scream! Well, I would scream my brains out trying to be as loud and strong as I could”

This LP is a combination of their own work and some standard rock ‘n’ roll covers which seemed to be the thing to do at the time, just ask The Beatles. The only difference being that the covers that The Sonics performed were done in such a way they far outstripped the original versions.

The music was simple but the energy input is staggering. As for Mr Roslies vocals, listening to his visceral screams is like landing somewhere in the middle of a field with someone being prodded by a very hot iron rod where the sun don’t shine on one side, and the cackle of a bunch of crazy hyenas who’ve stayed up all night watching ‘the’ dance from The Office on the other.

They have no doubt influenced hundreds of bands over time who have in turn influenced other bands or got kids to ask their parent for their first guitar. Their importance to a lot of music that came thereafter, though impossible to quantify, must be considered significant.

Pretty much every track is of exceptional quality however particular faves are Witch, Boss Hog and Psycho of their own doing, and Good Golly Miss Molly from the covers.

The album version referred to here has been replaced by a re-mastered version and as I don’t have it I cant really comment but if anything, it’s gotta be better than this version, its has been re-mastered after all! You can probably pick this version up on e-bay and if you do a search on amazon you can listen to sections of a few tracks to try before you buy – trust me, you will.

Enjoy the non-silence.

Please note I've given two of the three reviews I've done thus far, full marks. I dont intend on giving these willy nilly but these albums are truly exceptional.