When the Hangmen formed in L.A. in 1987, they were just heavy enough to gig with metal bands. They also had a rootsy and punk rock attitude that made them fit in just as easily with such legendary underground icons as the Gun Club and Tex & the Horseheads. Their trademark dual-guitar attack combines the classic-rock drive of the Rolling Stones and AC/DC with the hard-charging swagger of Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers and the sinister allure of the Cramps.
In fact, on their latest album, "East of Western," the track "Big Red Rooster" is an homage to the late Lux Interior, who lead singer Bryan Small lovingly describes as a "teenage bastard of the chosen one." The opening garage punk track "Homesick Blues," sets the tone of the album with a driving fury. Other stand-out tracks include the Gun Cub-esque bluesy "I'm Your Man," and the rough-and-tumble ballad "Had a Girl".
At ten tracks total, "East Of Western" is a well-paced Rock 'N' Roll record from start to finish. It's got enough balls to rock hard at times, and adds in a nice dose of melody and repetition to make the tracks accessible to fans of all rock-related genres.
25 years of hard rockin' magic is no small feat. Here's to 25 more from The Hangmen!
Staff Rating
4.00/5
User Rating
3/5
