“Good things come to those who wait” – But to wait 37 years to release your debut album is surely stretching the patience of your most committed followers. That said and as advised by stated proverb, ‘Accelerator’ was worth the (considerable) wait.
Like me, you may be wondering quite how a long defunct, obscure Airdrieonian punk band initially formed by school friends have ended up with an album courtesy of New York-based Tarbeach Records. Apparently we can thank the financial difficulties of Airdrieonians F.C who finished the Scottish League One 2015-16 season placed #5.
Reaction are all Airdrie supporters and after agreeing to reform in 2014 for a couple of charity gigs to raise funds for their team, Joe Whyte was brought in on guitar and cello, alongside Scot Van Den Akker on bass – once back together it was clear that the preceding 37 years had not dimmed the band's love of all things punk rock; rather it had honed their tastes which are evident within this raucous debut.
Opener ‘Dead Boy Racer’ as its title cheekily hints references the early 76’ New York sound stemming from the Bowery, an energetic call to arms that neatly precedes ‘(I Wanna Be Your) Dee Dee Ramone’ with its ultra-simplistic yelped lyric that reflects the title. Don’t be fooled, this no mere copy; Reaction have crafted their own sound, a sound that perfectly combines howling buzz saw guitar, thundering drum refrains with clear rabble rousing vocals, and not to mention hints of balls to the wall rockabilly as ‘Puta Madre’ (‘Fucking’ for those of you whose Spanish only just stretches to “Una cerveza, por favor") thunders down the Will Rogers Highway with a convoy of State Troopers in pursuit.
‘Hey Patty Hearst’ thunders through at a manic sub 2-min pace; now this certainly lyrically reflects Reaction’s heritage – I seem to recall the misguided Ms Hearst was the subject of any number of early punk releases, most notable being Luke Haines early Baader Meinhof guise.
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‘F.U.B.A.R’ (acronym for Fucked up Beyond All Recognition) is a real curveball, much slower, a darker more ominous track that looks towards someone’s cherished Gun Club/Cramps collection and that’s no bad thing - ‘Johnny Weissmuller’s Blues’ they had me at the title alone. I recall watching all those Weissmuller films on a Saturday evening as a kid, in preparation for Dr Who with your dinner on your lap, throw in the lyric “I’m a treetop legend/I will never die” – very clever!!
‘No Man’s Land’ is similar to early ‘In Heaven’/’Wreckin Crew’ Meteors, particularly the vocal snarl, not sure why we needed the Cover of Elvis’ ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ – surely Reaction are old enough to remember “no Elvis, Beatles or The Rolling Stones”, I guess we can forgive them this one mistake
Closers ‘Fireball XL 5’ almost nicks the refrain from ‘Is Vic There’. Personally I preferred the ‘Dub Mix’ curveball which is perhaps the band's desire to broaden their church; or at least recognise the influence of Killing Joke which is never a bad thing!
Reaction have created a fine album, an album that is worthy of your attention, and surely if enough of you react we might not have to wait another 37 years for the follow up!
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