Well here's something new and exciting: The Vains are what happens when New England, U.S.A. meets New Brunswick, Canada. They are like the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Bridge of punk rock. On vocals is Maritimes garage punk maestro and former baseball great TJ Cabot, taking a much-needed break from his strained relationship with disgruntled bandmates Thee Artificial Rejects. In The Vains, he joins Connecticut-based punk rock luminary Jeffrey Thunders and friends to form your favorite new garage punk group. If you were thinking The Vains might sound like TJ Cabot and Thee Artificial Rejects with better musicianship and production, you're not far off. Out now on Die Hipster! Records, The Vains' debut EP My Ammunition smashes through five tracks of lo-fi punk rock and roll in less than seven minutes. While not quite as "budget" as the TJ Cabot releases, this EP draws from similar influences (Angry Samoans, Saints, Crime) and rips just as hard. Clocking in at just 45 seconds, the title track walks the line between garage punk and hardcore. "Worn Out On You" is exactly what I would have expected from a Cabot/Thunders collaboration, and I love it! "Pinched Nerve" cranks like a long-lost Rip Off Records 45. "Quit Dragging Me Down" recalls some super-tough American punk rock of yore, which is no surprise considering the principals (and principles) involved. Rumor has it that these folks travel to band rehearsal by boat and record in international waters. They are too fierce for one country. The world never heard of The Vains until yesterday, so now you've got a chance to be a founding member of the fan club. Remember this review when you're literally fighting your friends to get your hands on this band's record in a year or two.
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