Wynona Riders (The) - Artificial Intelligence

Name: Wynona Riders (the)

Album: Artificial Intelligence
Year: 1997
Style: Punk
Similar Bands: Low Budgets, Dead Milkmen, Generation X, Clash
"One-Word" Review: Catchy Slacker Punk
Based Out Of: San Fran, CA
Label: LookOut! Records #162

Cover, Back, CD Tray, CD

Liner Notes & Lyrics, CD Back

Artificial Intelligence (1997)

1. Good Luck Bison 3:24
2. Sprang 3:45
3. Bang Bang Orangutan 3:29
4. Corrupted To Hell 3:16
5. Masquerade 4:26

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Dave EC (Henwood) - Drums & Outrage (Vagrants, Pot Valiant, Filth, Toyboat, Crimpshrine, Greenday)
• Richie (Bucher) - Bass & Farm Noise Toys, Art (Albany Dread, Buggerall, Courtney & The Crushers, Juke, Prick, Soup, Sweet Baby, Top Ten, Unskilled Labor, Here Kitty Kitty, Crimpshrine, Raoul, Green Day, Hunx and his Punx, 2 Lazy Boys)
• John Silly (Selby) - Guitar, Vox (Bonstones, Three Years Down)
• Skip (Ron Greer) - Vox, Surly Disposition (Dead Kennedys, Here Kitty Kitty, The Killer Smiles, Running Man)
• Andro / Andy E (Ernst) - Recording, Keys (Sass, Andro & Ross, Diabolical Exploits, Julian Vilante, MC Sway & DJ King Tech, Toyboat, J Grooves, Subincision, Green Day, Link 80)

Unknown-ness: I don't thin i knew who this band was, but i did know Lookout! Records, and i trusted the discount CD bin at Philly Record Exchange when it was just below South Street for a $3 bin find. It can't b too serious of a record with such an obvious name-play. Assuming it will be goofy juvenile punk stuff.

Album Review: The band formed in 1988 under the name Miss Conduct, but changed to WR a year later. Later in their career, they also released an EP under the name The Nation of Wenonah (tribute to The Nation of Ulysses). It seems this EP was recorded just before they broke up for good...as "for good" not referring to their reunion shows in 2017. Current bands Bonstones (San Fran) & Running Man (IL/IA) feature members.

Lots of feedback fuzz and snotty vocals kick off the record. "Sprang" has a more slacker alternative punk aesthetic, while "Bang Bang" is the most in your face aggressive of the tracks. "Corrupted" sounds like if the Clash covered They Might Be Giants song "Spy." Masquerade is a straight up New Wave track.

Stand Out Track: Masquerade

Links:
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Lookout!
Lookout! Blog

(the) Lashes - The Stupid Stupid EP

Name: (the) Lashes
Album: The Stupid Stupid ep
Year: 2004
Style: Pop / Rock
Similar Bands: Head Automatica, Lit, Blink 182.
"One-Word" Review: Generic Pop
Based Out Of: Seattle, Wa
Label: Lookout Records

The Stupid Stupid - Cover & Back

The Stupid Stupid - Liner Photos, CD Tray & CD

The Stupid Stupid (2004)

1. Death by Mixtape 3:54
2. Ex-Mas (Young Man in Love) 3:14
3. Pop Song 2:42
4. It's Your Party 2:57

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

John Goodmanson - Producer & Mix
Kip Beelman - Engineer
Troy Glessnew - Mastering

Michael Barber esq. - Executive Producer

Robin Laananen - Photography (redhedpictures.com)
Nate Manny - Art Direction & Design (halftonedesign.com)
Ben Clark - Vox
Nate Mooter - Bass, Vox

Eric Howk - Guitar

Scotty Rickard - Guitar

Jacob Hoffman - Keys Vox

Mike Loggins - Drums

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of this band, but judging from the style and year, they seem to fancy themselves an emo answer to the strokes phenomenon. They are on Lookout! Records for this release, so perhaps there is a bit of pop-punk in there too. Either way, this 4 song ep should not prove to be too much trouble if it is bad, but I have a feeling that this will be mediocre; listenable at the least.

Album Review: “Death by Mixtape” begins with a rocking wall of noise which becomes diluted with a keyboard and then submits to catchy pop chords as the vocals start. This kinda feels like manufactured generic pop. The vocals have an emo quality to them. The guitar is relentless and echoes throughout the song even when it is not being played.
“Ex-Mas (Young Man in Love)” starts with a guitar that trickles down the scale, like a dream sequence of someone falling into another world. Then the cocky nasally vocals come on and the song becomes predictable and usual. The wall of sound is used again for the chorus.“Pop Song” rolls into form with a drum beat. And then power pop guitars bridge the gap until the vocals begin. Despite the distortion used on the guitars, the song is still basically a power pop song, with chord changes and a focus on the lead guitar. Unfortunately, the song is broadcasting itself as a pop song via the title, so it loses some of its uniqueness thanks to its spitting out the generic label. The song could be a more upbeat and rough Strokes song, but not nearly as stylized.
“It's Your Party” starts out like it could be a pop punk some ala Lit. It tries to be bold. It does have lots of energy to spare, even some Weezerish guitar sections, but over all, it feels like a complete façade.

Stand Out Track: Pop Song

Links:

Myspace
Wiki
Article on Eric's Injury

Pure Volume

Allmusic

Blog Critics

(the) Hi-Fives - Welcome to My Mind

Name: (the) Hi-Fives
Album: Welcome to My Mind
Year: 1995
Style: Pop-Punk, Surf
Similar Bands: Smugglers, Ramones, Dead Milkmen, Fabulous Fondas, Beatles, Ventures,
"One-Word" Review: punk-updated-oldies
Based Out Of: Oakland, Ca
Label: Lookout! Records

Welcome to My Mind - Cover & Sleeve
Welcome to My Mind - Back & Sleeve

Welcome to My Mind - Record & Lyric Insert

Welcome to My Mind - Record

Welcome to My Mind (1995)

1. Welcome to My Mind 2:43
2. Transister Sister 1:50
3. Seven Years 1:42
4. Gone Gone Gone 1:21
5. How Narvell Felt 2:23
6. Mr. Moto 2:27
7. You'll Screw the Pooch 0:58
8. Love You Better 2:11 /
9. I Go Feral in Just 3 Days 1:30
10. Angie 1:19
11. Humping Away 1:52
12. Let's Hear a Cheer 2:16
13. Beauty Is the Mind 2:21
14. Losing Sleep 1:40
15. Out Of Control 3:18

Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:

John Denery - Guitar, Vox (Ne'er Do Wells, Thee Shatners)

Chris Imlay - Guitar, Vox (Ne'er Do Wells, Thee Shatners)

Jess Hillard - Bass (Ne'er Do Wells, Thee Shatners)

Julie - Drums (Red #9)

Andy Earnst - Recorded, Engineered, Produced

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of these guys. I got this from the same friend who was moving and gave me her records she did not want. Right away, I noticed the Look Out Records label, and the English Beat like cartoon kids on the back. At least that is what it reminded me about. The name, font and pictures make me think of an oldies inspired rock-a-billy band, especially with the energy of the name Hi-Fives and the picture of the guitar that fills the cover. And in 1995, the style was just beginning to come back in a big way.

Album Review: From the first bit of research about them, they used to be another band that went by both thee Shatners and Ne’er Do Wells, whom I have heard of. These guys went to tour with some of the moderately big names in alternative pop punk of the mid 90’s Green Day & Pansy Division, Mr. T Experience.

“Welcome to My Mind” starts the album off with the title track. It is jagged pop punk with driving drums, fuzzed guitars playing simple chords, and nasally jittery vocals. The difference is the harmonized chorus. Otherwise the verse sounds like a c0mbination of Ramones and Dead Milkmen.
“Transister Sister” is a fast burst of quick changing chords and energetic pop punk. The speed lends itself to punk, but the vocals are excited, not angry and very non-threatening. You can hear influences of the Beatles buried in the songs.
“Seven years” touches into surf a little with repetitive guitar riffs and accompanying bass. The production of the guitars feels very much like a stereotypical guitar from the mid 90’s. The vocals almost sound cartoonish.
“Gone Gone Gone” comes off as a short burst of disjointed energy, featuring a whining guitar instrumental similar to Social Distortion near the end.
“How Narvell Felt” is a 60’s oldie updated to be even faster, grittier and “moshed” to rather than danced to. But sure, you could still twist to it.
“Mr. Moto” is a straightforward surf instrumental.
“You'll Screw the Pooch” is a very nasaly, very fast three chord energy releasing song. There is a fun La La La harmonizing section, but the song really sounds like any number of Dead Milkmen songs.
“Love You Better” slows the pace down a little bit, just a very little bit. Mainly, the vocals are a little slower, but that’s not saying much. It is a fun melody to follow along with, again, relying on ground set by the Beatles. The hook leading up to the chorus is the catchiest thing on the record yet.

“I Go Feral in Just 3 Days” begins the second side with speed and chugging rhythm guitar. It has a nice build to release as it approaches the chorus/namesake lyric.
“Angie” another fast three-chord, two section energy-release song. Oh and it features a short little break near the end. This is basically like a miniature song.
“Humpin Away” is a good combo of Devo in the bass line & a bit in the vocals and the Ramones again. Thus it is not as fast as the first few songs, but it is still quick.
“Let's Hear a Cheer” speeds away after a German numeric count off. Its fast, blending in with the majority of the songs on this album. Similar chord progression and nasally vocals. And after an early ending, it comes back for one more vocal phrase.
“Beauty Is the Mind” sounds like a combination of surf music and like a Mega Man level. It breaks down with some great production that has that oldies garage band feel the verse-like hook lasts for 3 visits, and gives the main attraction to the instrumental.
“Losing Sleep” begins with call and response lyrics, “Don’t’ keep me up,” which doubles as the chorus. For some reason, perhaps it is the simple structure or completely repetitive nature of the song, but this has been my favorite, or most memorable song.
“Out Of Control” finishes off the album with a vocals surf song. It is the most structured like a full song with longer verse sections that lead into the chorus. It is repetitive and does feel even more so with its placement after the song “Losing Sleep”

Stand Out Track: Losing Sleep

Links:

Wikipedia

Allmusic

Lookout records page

Meet The Hi Fives

Metro Active Green Day Tour article

Myspace

UK Real.com

Discogs Discography

Last FM