As a reviewer, the risk in raving about a debut release and hyping a band on the basis of their potential is that you might end up looking like a complete bozo. You place your reputation at stake over such things. Of course, the chance is worth taking because there's also satisfaction, a sense of vindication if you like, to be had from spotting a band right at the start. Damn Vandals' debut made me prick up my ears, and this, the follow-up is a more than worthy successor.
Intelligent, articulate and cool with a hint of sleaze, a dash of swagger, 'Bayonet' loiters in the same smoky blues bar as Grinderman. Jack Kansas has the nonchalant, knowing air of Nick Cave, and manages to imbue every line with telling inflections, while the music serves as the perfect foil to his delivery. Dramatic and perfectly poised, it's the very definition of cool.
Damn Vandals on MySpace
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