Underride – One of Us (Release Year – 2008)
I have to admit I cringe every time I hear a band is from the Seattle area, mainly because I still hold all of the “grunge” bands responsible for killing the hard rock scene back in the 90’s. Of course there are exceptions namely Queensryche, Metal Church, War Babies to name a few. Now you can add Underride to that list. Underride are about as far from “grunge” “post grunge” or any other genre with the word grunge in it as you can get. These guys are a straight up in your face, kick ass, take no prisoners, make no apologies, rock-n-roll band and they will be more than happy to show you on their new album “One of Us”, which is actually their third full length album and along with 2 e.p.’s I am really surprised I had never heard of them before. With a sound that falls somewhere between Beautiful Creatures and Velvet Revolver they definitely made a believer out of me.
“One of Us” gets started with “Side By Side” try to picture if you can Joe Leste singing for the Backyard Babies. Lead singer “Rev” channels Joe Leste to perfection with bassist “El Barto” laying down some fat bass lines, while guitarists “Rex Nomad” and “Dr. Pondscum” battle back-n-forth. What really surprised me was the fact that drummer “Double A” arms and feet did not fall off after not only this song but the whole album he is playing at 120 mph.
Oh before I forget, if you are looking for a ballad on this album you will be sadly disappointed, there is nothing on this album that even comes close to a ballad. As a matter of fact there is nothing that even comes close to being considered a mid tempo song. But every song is worth rolling down the windows and being played at maximum volume.
Just as “Rev” channeled his best Joe Leste on “Side By Side” he channels Scott Weiland just as well on “Candy Girl” it reminds me a lot of “Crackerman” off of STP’s debut “Core”. It has a great groove with a sing a long chorus. “On The Radio” is up next and it seems like “Rev” finds his own voice instead of mimicking other people and it is actually quite good. Like the two songs prior it has a great sing a long chorus with out giving up it’s heaviness.
“Throw It Away” is a slower rocker with a Theory of a Deadman feel to it, it isn’t a bad song but I could also live without it too.
“Upstart Coming Up’ is a balls out rocker and it has the one thing that was pretty much missing from the four songs before it…a solo a pretty damn good solo at that. “Kink Into My Heart” finds the band back in STP territory but once again it has a great groove and another smokin’ solo.
The rest of “One of Us” is filled with more straight up rock-n-roll with “Lights Off Baby”, “Riot Stick” and “No Means No” the best of the bunch.
Hopefully with the release of “One of Us” Underride will finally get the attention they deserve. They definitely got my attention and they delivered with some kick ass music in return.
Track Listing:
1. Side By Side
2. Candy Girl
3. On The Radio
4. She Gets Paid
5. Throw It Away
6. Upstart Coming Up
7. Kink Into My Heart
8. Road To Nowhere
9. My Little Hell
10. Lights Off Baby
11. Shotgun Breakdown
12. Riot Stick
13. We Don’t Want What We Want
14. No Means No
Underride is:
Rev – vocals
Rex Nomad – guitar
Dr. Pondscum – guitar
El Barto – bass
Double A – drums
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