Electric Brad - Pandemic Rock

I'm still really loving this current explosion of home-recorded, digitally-released punk rock music. This adaptive way of doing things lends itself especially well to the garage punk genre. After all, this is the way garage punk is supposed to be to begin with: you write songs on the spot, turn on whatever low-tech recording equipment is available, knock out the tunes in one or two takes, and get that shit online ASAP! Brad Daugs is a freaking legend in American garage punk - having abused people's eardrums and delicate sensibilities for a quarter century with the Last Sons of Krypton and several other budget trash greats from the mighty state of Wisconsin. His new solo release begins with the instant smash "I'm A Wylde Chykyn" - a song originally intended to be a group project. But then the shit hit the fan, and Brad soon realized this was going to be all him.

One new song eventually became a full album called Pandemic Rock. Its creation was accomplished in a remarkable 27 hours. Brad started on Easter Sunday with just a few ideas for song titles. By the following evening, he had recorded four brand new tracks along with new versions of a few of his old songs and several Rev. Norb and the Onions tunes. He immediately mixed and mastered the album, took one photo for the cover art, and started uploading to the Internet. And so Pandemic Rock - which did not yet even exist in Brad's mind one week ago - now exists as a digital album! Perhaps this project could have floundered in the hand's of a lesser artist. But given Brad's extensive experience with lo-fi DIY recording, it's hardly a surprise that this album is totally killer. He worked out several of his new song ideas via scratch track, picked the best four, and recorded the entire album "live" playing guitar, bass, and real drums. This is a one-man operation that genuinely sounds like it was recorded with a full band. I appreciate that even with the spontaneous nature of this endeavor, Brad exercised quality control with the material. He quickly scrapped the idea of writing all new songs for this album, and the ones he ultimately chose are absolute rippers. Honestly, I can't imagine any LSOK fan not loving the likes of "I'm A Wylde Chykyn" and "Tire Inflator". The older songs fit in perfectly. You may recognize "Unsustainable Lifestyle" and "Left My Baby At The Laundromat" from the 20 Years of Brad X compilation. And if you ever wondered what "She Got Thought Crime" would sound like without Rev. Norb singing, well now you can find out!

Every time I hear solo Brad Daugs, it makes me wish he did more stuff on his own since he's got a great voice for snotty punk rock. Well I suppose my wish has come true! Pandemic Rock is a garage punk masterwork! An interesting thing is that this album has been released as one single digital track. So there's no skipping around. Pop open an adult beverage, push that play button, turn up the volume, and enjoy a full half-hour of blown-out rock and roll genius from the pride of Manitowoc, Wisconsin!



-L.R.

https://lastsonsofkrypton.bandcamp.com/track/electric-brad-pandemic-rock
https://theonionsmanitowoc.bandcamp.com/