News,
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>>
Reviews
>>March
2005
www.shreddingradio.com
Jabbers
- "American Standard CD
Jonesing for pottymouthed garage raunch inna GG Allin
stylee? Look no further than this mob, former backup
band to the undearly departed reprobate GG hisself.
Supercharged, fueled on nitro, too much cheap beer and
Jagermeister, this is a slab of punkrock palaver that
just can't keep it in its pants. Good guest spots on
here from Jeff Dahl and Joe of the Queers only up the
ante. MLH
>>February
2005
Diggingfordirt.com
Written
by Jimmy Reject
In 1978 (or thereabouts) future scum fuck rock star
G.G. Allin got together with his gang of fellow N.H.
miscreants and recorded an album ("Always, Was,
Is and Always Shall Be") that was a rare success
in its confluence of Ramonesy guitars, blistering leads
and astral choruses sung by the then unspoiled voice
of the Mad Man of Manchester. It was perhaps a moment
of punk rock glory never to be matched.
Well those miscreants have recently gotten back together
sans the dead GG, and while this certainly doesnt
come close to capturing the catchy punk perfection of
the first full length, its not without its own
base, snotty charm. The playing here is nothing like
that of "Always Shall Be", I really cant
stress that enough. The song structures are way dumbed
down and the guitar is muddier. But for those fond of
the primitive ire of 80s punk, this is a sure
bet for you. Hints of 1st EP era Queers (Joe Queer sings
on a bonus track), Angry Samoans (Jeff Dahl sings on
bonus track "High on Drugs", more on that
later), and Antiseen (Jeff Clayton sings on a cover
of the bands old song "Nuke Attack")
can be found here, and with lyrics that range from the
silly to the profane, this should bring memories of
snot flinging, skate punk tomfoolery to you older readers.
Albums best song: "High on Drugs." You
couldnt pick a better singer for this than Jeff
Dahl, since this mines the bands proto punk roots
for all their worth. With great, simple lyrics like
"Youre the pusher/ Im the whore"
this hits the nail right between the Stooges first LP
and early 70s, speed fag, solo Lou Reed. Perhaps
this is the definition of glam punk right here, and
not Motley Crue or American Heartbreak, great though
they are. Its so faggy and druggie. The lyrics
read like a jonesing queen ready to shoot up rivers
of high price glamour into his veins, while the dead
simple beat nails it to the ground, keeping root in
a mood as earthly as the most listless indulgences of
an every day kid fucking off his parents basement.
While hardly the fastest or most political song ever
done, its certainly one of the punkest. Im
intrigued by it.
So youre probably guessing that I think "High
on Drugs" makes this worth the price of admission
alone, and perhaps youre right. If you come to
this CD expecting a sequel to the first one, youre
setting your sights way too fucking high. But for some
basic punk carousal, this is youre cup of tea.
>>
january 2005
Uncle Dan's House Of Smut
- Best 10 CDs of 2004:
# 6. THE JABBERS -"American Standard"
GG Allin's guys back after 20 years to show everyone
how punk rock is really done. Wimpy from Queers/Tunnel
Rats is a great replacement on vox, and the Jeff Dahl
fronted bonus track is drippin' with swagger. Amazing
listen.
>>
November 2004
Uncle Dan's House Of Smut
Most
renowned for having had the late GG Allin as their frontman,
the
Jabbers are back making music after a twenty year absence.
The punk rock landscape has changed a great deal over
those two decades but you'd never know it listening
to their new album American Standard. In a time where
any semblance of authenticity in this kind of music
seems on the verge of extinction, the Jabbers come through
with the real deal. The
result is a platter which is at once triumphant comeback,
tasteful
throwback, and magnificent modern masterpiece.
Soundwise,
the Jabbers have made a slight shift from their glory
days. American Standard occupies a sonic slot just between
their classic Always Was, Is, And Always Shall Be album
and GG's efforts after he became master of the doo doo
shotput. This alchemy produces a slightly scummed out
take on the early punk rock style they're best known
for. It's a cool platform without any other direct reference
point and should appeal to both old Jabbers fans and
those who continued to follow GG after he struck out
on his own.
From
a songwriting standpoint, American Standard is a real
jaw dropper--completely without flaw. "Vampire
Girlfriend" should click well
with fans of the New Bomb Turks' best work, while the
Jabbers
approximate a scummified New York Dolls on "Gone
Insane." The vintage
vibe really hits on "Redneck Zombie" which
structurally recalls a great
deal of 60's garage rock. Still, this album is definitely
pointed in the
scum punk direction and "C*nt Sandwich" proves
a new rallying anthem for the form. It should be noted
that former Queers/Tunnel Rats dude Wimpy does a superb
job as the new Jabbers vocalist--no one is going to
be disappointed in this reworked lineup. That said,
American Standard also boasts a trio of bonus tracks
with guest vocalists--the short and sweet "Hang
You High" with Joe Queer front and center, "Nuke
Attack" featuring the clearest recording ever of
head ANTiSEEEN heel Jeff Clayton's voice, and the incredible
Jeff Dahl fronted pure rock n' roll of "High On
Drugs." As killer as they all are, these nice excursions
don't hold a candle to the actual album--high praise
that has certainly been earned.
Ultimately, American Standard is one of the best albums
of this year, or
any other for that matter. Crucial stuff.
Uncle
Dan's House Of Smut
Razorcake #23
Wow, I wasn't expecting much from the band I'll venture
to guess is the same band that once backed GG Allin,
but this was pretty good. It's
interesting to note that at least two members of the
Queers (Wimpy and
Joe both contribute vocals) are on this , 'cause there's
a definite "I'm
Useless"-era feel to many of the tunes here, which
fit in nicely with
the post-Iggy scum punk vibe of the remaining tracks.
Also contributing
vocals to a couple of tunes are Jeff Clayton and Jeff
Dahl. Surprisingly
good.
Jimmy Alvarado,
Time
2 Rock and Roll
http://www.x2rr.co
The
Jabbers American Standard
Steel Cage Records
GG Allins ex band-mates have reformed with Wimpy
(of Queers fame) on lead vocals. Fine record from
some real glorified sleazy mortherfuckers at the reigns.
This incarnation sounds more like the first Queers (pre-bubblegum)
recordings than it does the Jabbers (in all of their
proto punk wisdom) of old. That having been said,
this is waaaayyyy better than 99% of reformed bands
releases out there. Cameos by Joe Queer, rock
legend Jeff Dahl, and Jeff Antiseen. Includes
a take on GG and the Jabbers seminal classic, Dont
Talk to Me.
MG
Toxic
This
is the first Jabbers studio record in a good while and
it features
new singer Wimpy Rutherford from The Queers/Tunnel Rats.
The Jabbers are better known to GG Allin fans, but fans
of total old school punk with
that early '80s to even '70s feel of just sick and fast,
out of control
punk mayhem. The evil as fuck punk of the Jabbers have
the same
dangerous feel as The Dwarves, GG Allin and DayGlo Abortions
to the punk of The Queers, Ramones, Fear, ANTiSEEN,
The Germs, Dead Boys and Angry Samoans. The lewd, fast,
out of control wildness of this band is what got me
into punk; totally old school from hell. The Jabbers
will give
you some sick boy punk full of raw bloodshed anthems
full of what
created the scene. This is just excellent punk that's
still raw. The
record features such guest performers as Jeff Dahl,
Joe Queer and Jeff
Clayton. Destroy it all punk rock.
Billy Whitfield, Toxic
Shit
Mate! Here's a blah review from some Aussies!
I-95 Bar (Australia)
AMERICAN STANDARD - The Jabbers (Steel Cage)
If The Jabbers were a car they'd be a battered F-100:
Full of dents, looking like shit but still ticking over
after having the crap flogged out of them on dirt roads
for a week of Sundays. They certainly wouldn't be a
shiny Pajero or Range Rover, and they wouldn't be within
a bull's roar of an Audi or Jaguar dealership. Unfashionable?
Yep.
That's why you have to give GG Allin's former band a
measure of respect for still fronting up to the mark
and doing what they do. And what that would be is fairly
rote, mid-tempo punk rock. Unadorned and not pretty,
but it does the job, to a certain extent.
(Long
history of the band removed by us)
It's
20 years later and the newest Jabber recruit is singer
Wimpy (ex-The Queers). He belts it out on 13 of the
16 tunes here, with guests Joe Queer ("Hang You
High"), Jeff Dahl ("High on Drugs") and
Jeff Clayton ("Nuke Attack") bringing up the
rear. Most of the songs are written by the guitarists
(Ron Basso and Chris Lamy).
Basso's leadwork provides some highlights, but there's
a shortage of memorable material that stops this album
getting out of second gear. That, and the apparent absence
of irony. I mean, can you really sing songs like "Cock
Magnet" or "Cunt Sandwich" and not grin?
Grizzled veterans they might be but over the course
of an album, The Jabbers don't come up with many new
tricks. This will work for some, but you can colour
me grey.
Garbage
Dump (Italy)
Oct 24, 2004
THE
JABBERS
"American Standard" (Steel Cage Records) CD
Wow, I have been waiting so long for this record, and
finally it's here!! THE JABBERS are one of New Hampshire's
hidden secrets, and they are nothing more than GG ALLIN
first band ever if we don't consider MALPRACTICE. Yes,
the same band that delivered one of the best punk albums
ever, "Always Was, is and Always Shall Be"...
are you shakin' right? You will be shakin' again once
this CD will be spinning into your stereo.
THE
JABBERS play punk rawk as they never left off for 20
years, they play simple and raw and their sound is so
similar to the original seminal american punk bands
you would never notice any difference.
Wimpy
Rutherford from THE QUEERS and THE TUNNEL RATS is serving
vocal duty and I can tell you GG will not spin in his
grave: Wimpy is raw, melodic and tight at the same time.
13 great songs including three bonus tracks were the
JABBERS team up with punk icons Joe Queer, Jeff Dahl
and Jeff Clayton providing vocals. The only weak point
in my opinion is THE STOOGES' cover of "I wanna
be your dog". I understand the boys can be so influenced
by this band, but I would have loved to hear something
more original, if not another new track. Top notch punk
rock to get at all costs, believe me!!
Garbage
Dump
Portsmouth
Herald
Oct 14, 2004
The
Jabbers,
American Standard
(Steel Cage Records)
By Eric Saeger
Hate-filled
speed-punk with lyrics more vile than Snoops wildest
dreams projectile-vomited by some of GG Allins
former band (in)mates, delinquents who were doing punk
while Green Day were in diapers. GG fans may miss the
on-stage bodily fluid relief but the monstrous verbal
gross-outs live on. The wounded-moose beer-breath vocals
of "Im A Mess" made me laugh so hard
the neighbors called for a SWAT team. Some things just
wont go away, and lets hope that keeps applying
here.
DiscSpace
Oct 07, 2004
By Johnny Angel
THE
JABBERS
American Standard | SteelCage Records
This
is a complete miracle. These grizzled Northern New Englanders
were backup band to the notorious and late GG Allin
20 years ago and, with that in mind, one would expect
the worst kind of easily ignored musical travesty. Instead,
we get crunchy 60s garage plus vintage 1977 punk
topped by former Queers vocalist Wimpy Rutherford,
recorded strictly low-fi and, as such, a total relief,
given what these guys kids (or grandkids at this
point) probably would sound like.
Disregarding the unneeded and overdone I Wanna
Be Your Dog cover, the balance is smoking, crude
and vile, and unceasingly catchy and funny too. Porno
Stars and Muscle Cars and Hang You High
sport perfect sing-alongs, the cover of Bob McKenzies
classic Dont Talk to Me sounds like
the Nuggets tribute it was intended to be, and Rob Bassos
psychedelic guitar blare lends real color to the three-chord
drone. Plus, special guest singer Zola Santiagos
sweet asides take some off the edge off for comic relief
and (hard to believe this) melody.
Punk bands of today are clean, they whine, and theyre
pro-tooled as heavily as Britney Spears. This is the
dirty, roaring, raucous opposite. I love it. (JA)
SLEAZEGRINDER
Sept
30, 2004
Y'know,
it's funny, the Jabbers have got to be the LEAST likely
gang of aging scuzz punks to still be alive and kicking,
but here they are, in all their craggy, sour-puss glory.
As
you probably already know, the Jabbers were GG Allin's
back-up band in the late 70's, right before he werewolfed
into the psychotic drug-rape shit eater you knew and
loathed so well. Back then, they plied a primitive-but-tuneful
sorta proto-punk, as evidenced by rollicking snot rockers
like "Beat Beat Beat", "Automatic",
and the pop-funky "Cheri Love Affair", from
their 1980 album, Was, Is, and Always Shall Be. Then
GG went quite mad, and the band dissolved. Now, 20 years
later, after a spate of raucous reunion/GG tribute gigs,
the original Jabbers all of 'em- follow up their
seminal punk rock mess-terpiece with a contemporary
sounding clutch of nasty-ass punk n' roll songs. Vox
are handled by Queers-man Wimpy (with guest spots from
Jeff Dahl, Joe Queer, and Antiseener Jeff Clayton on
"bonus" tracks), but the rockin' and shockin'
is pure Jabberish.
In
light of their GG connection, the fellas push a lot
further in the gross-out direction then they did when
Geej actually WAS in the band, so prepare yrself for
middle-aged gutbuckets cranking out sleazebag stuff
like "Cock Magnet" and "Cunt Sandwich".
On the classier side, theres a redux of the ol
Jabbers classic "Dont Talk to Me", which
sounds, strangely, like "Gloria" now, but
rocks like crazy anyway. The haulin' ass trucker-punk
of "Porno Stars and Muscle Cars" is pretty
fuckin boss, too. I coulda done without the umpteenth
punk-fuck rehash of "I Wanna Be Your Dog",
but you, know, you can't tell a Jabber what to do.
Certainly,
GG hisself woulda been proud of these salty old fuckers,
and if yer in the mood for some raunchy, paunch old-skull
sleaze punk, the Jabbers'll be more then happy to stuff
yr ears full of the stuff.
Sleazegrinder
February
2004
>>
02.22.04:
Chris and Wimpy's interview with Italy's Garbage Dump
magazine is posted here.
>>
02.12.04:
Ed Flynn of WPKN in New Haven CT does a 15 minute phone
interview with Chris about the upcoming show at Rudy's...
and what it means to be a signed band. If we get a copy
we will post it here.
>>
02.04.04:
Rolling Stone does a piece on
a new GG documentary.
>>
02.02.04:
California's Orange County Weekly does a bit on "Punk
Rock Karaoke" and of course, GG Allin &
The Jabbers are mentioned.
>>
02.01.04:
February...It's the month three of the five Jabbers
grow another year older and wiser. It is also the month
the record labels says we either finish up our f'ing
CD or get our ass kicked. We have decided to finish
and will not be playing any shows this month. We will
also be ordering new merch and new guitar picks this
month. Here is a little know fact...we get our custom
guitar picks from the same place as Ted Nugent and the
blonde guy from STYX. yup... no shit.
January
2004
>>
01.30.04:
Chris and Wimpy are interviewed by a bunch of European
magaines. We'll post the interviews as we get 'em. so
that you can read what we had to say about Merle and
the other Jabbers behind their backs.
>>
01.24.04:
The Jabbers play Philly. Killer show with a killer crowd.
Thanks to everyone who went and to all the fans that
traveled from New England to attend. If anybody bothers
to review the show, will post it. BTW, Chris, Mike,
Rob, and Wimpy really did have a great time. Alan, had
a bad time because his Philly Cheese Steak had, honest
to God, two onion bits on it, though he distinctly "asked
for it with NO onions".
>>
01.11.04:
From the Philadelphia City paper... We couldn't have
said it better ourselves..."The Jabbers Jan. 24,
with ANTiSEEN, The Bad Vibes and The Dead Kings, The
Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888. Do you remember
when punk was dangerous? G.G. Allin's old bandmates
do. That's why they've enlisted Wimpy (of hardcore idiots
The Queers) to sing lead for them in this sort-of reunion
tour. Let's see what goes down when the shit hits the
fans.
Heh-heh.
Heh. What made this double enjoyable for us was the
fact that on the same page they were touting Sting and
Elton John shows.
December
2003
>>
12.27.03:
Mass Movement: Gospel X... Hey, it is the title of a
coffee table book..from the Olde Country (Merry olde
England, ya dumb punk). Chris has been asked to submit
an entry for this book which is going to be a "gospel
for the generation x'er"... Because, brothers and
sisters, it's time to testify. Religions rise and religions
fall, but one thing is definite, there has never been
a religion for the common man, and there never will
be, so it's time to rewrite"The Gospel" for
Generation X, the slackers and for those of us for whom
the idea or notion of religion and omnipotence have
no bearing whatsoever. It is time to produce a guide
to everyday "life", with commandments and
lessons laid down for posterity.
Who
the hell knows when it is coming out. We sure as crap
don't.
>>
12.22.03:
The new Fat City Magazine is out with a great piece
on the 10th Anniversary shows. Also in the new issue,
Chris does a guest bit for their "Worst Sing of
All Time" piece. You'll have to buy the mag to
find out what the song is. Okay, screw it... he chose
"Funky Man" by Dee Dee (Ramone) King.... "It
would have been to easy to pick a Bob Seger or Styx
song... Funky Man was just too disappointing" he
said.
>>
12.06.03:
Ahh... The Blizzard or '03. Our Rudy's show is canceled
and is to be rescheduled for February or March 04.
>>
12.03.03:
Rob is Interviewed for a special GG Allin & The
Jabbers edition of "Sonic Space" on WPKN out
of Bridgeport CT. Their signal doesn't carry this far
so we have no way of knowing what Rob said about the
rest of us.
November
2003
>>
11.24.03:
The Wire (Portsmouth NH weekly) ran a full page on the
Jabbers as a sort of transcript of selected portions
of the NHPR interview.
>>
11.22.03:
Maximum Rock N Roll's Bruce Roerhs does a piece on our
Vegas Show. Read it here,
fella.
>>
11.13.03:
The Portsmouth Herald did a bit on the Jabbers. The
best line in the piece, you ask? Here it is..."An
old fan at a Boston gig told us that seeing us was the
first beer she had in five years," Wimpy states,
with a droll smile. "Its because we spit
it on her." Read the entire piece here.
>>
11.12.03:
The New Hampshire Public Radio
audio interview with Alan and Chris is posted on
NHPR's site. Ahhh... the beauty of New Hampshire...
Surprisingly, those two didn't say anything too stupid.
NHPR does edit most of the embarrassing groupie stuff.
>>
11.10.03: The
very few Las Vegas photos we have are posted in the
Pictures section. Yup, that's
blood on the little fella's forehead.
>>
11.07.03:
Alan & Chris do the New Hampshire Public Radio "Front
Porch" interview. They only get water to drink
during the interview, which they feel "threw them"
creatively. It will air Wednesday the 12th on you local
NHPR station. You can also listen online to an archived
version here
after the broadcast date.
>>
11.03.03:
John Clayton of The Manchester Union Leader (and NH
Cross Roads) does a small bit on the upcoming Manchester
show. You can read it here.
He did a real good bit aunt 10th anniversary show as
well.
October
2003
>>
10.27.03:The
Jabbers sign with Steel
Cage Records. Look for our full length CD in the
spring of 2004.
>>
10.25.03:
Reviewer Magazine out of San Diego does a brief review
of our promo-only Badass CD EP. They like it. Read what
they had to say here.
In the same issue they pan the video of us and the Murder
Junkies at the Middle East. Read that review here.
It is actually more of a story about the show and the
GG phenomenon. It is still pretty cool.
>>
10.24.03:
Chris and Alan have been asked to appear on New Hampshire
Public Radio's show "The Front Porch"... The
Front Porch for those of you out of state, is kind of
a NH lifestyles type of interview show about "the
people who make NH and interesting place to work, live,
and visit" (or something like that!). It is a half
hour long and done by a guy named John Walters... who
does know a ton about music and who has also interviewed
our friend Joe Queer for a show about The Queers. Check
back here for an air date and an archived link to The
Jabbers broadcast.
>>
10.20.03:
A possible record deal... or two... or three... More
info when final but it does appear we have a few labels
interested.
>>
10.05.03:
Las Vegas COS Super Show review.
There have been a few reviews of the shows in print,
but this is one of the few digital ones forwarded to
us.
>>
10.03.03:
Wimpy Drives Through Vegas... actually Harlan from the
Tunnel Rats did the driving on our day off in Vegas
(on a switchblade hunt). The show was a gas. Folks from
Europe, Canada and all over the US flew, drove, or hitchhiked
in for the show. Wimpy bled and Chris heaved a mic stand
into the crowd. We did a lot of drinking and sitting
by the pool doing interviews in our spare time. Wimpy
learned to play Black Jack and only got yelled at a
couple times by the dealer for using two hands to look
at his cards and for saying "hit me". Of course
any news about our show there was over shadowed by the
Roy Horn tiger attack, which is why you no doubt heard
nothing about how good we were.
September
2003
>>
09.20.03:
The DVD's legal paperwork is finally done. Look for
the Jabbers and The Murder Junkies sets from the 10th
Anniversary of GG's Death show at the Littleton Opera
House. Merle had some bonus GG footage tossed on there
ta' boot.
>>
09.10.03:
The Boston Groupie News review,
with some pictures too, of the Return to the Scene of
the Crime show at TT the Bear's.
August
2003
>>
08.30.03:
Middle East "Return to the Scene of the Crime"
Show featuring The Jabbers & The Queers.
>>
08.20.03:
Boston fanzine FNS does a piece on the 10th Anniversary
show. Sorry for the quality, it is from a scan we were
sent... see it here
July
2003
>>
07.07.03:
Official Boston Groupie News coverage
of the 10th Anniversary of GG's Death show at the Middle
East, by cub reporter Miss Lyn.
June
2003
>>
06.30.03:
The Caledonian Record of St. Johnsbury VT reports
"all's well that ends well and that it was all
blown out of proportion".
>>
06.27.03:
NHPR reports "Police Brace for GG Allin Anniversary"
Hear
the streaming audio report here (this is going to
take you to NHPR's site).
>>0
6.27.03:
Hey! Some more intelligent pre-show coverage
of the 10th Anniversary show from the Boston Phoenix.
>>0
6.27.03:
Intelligent coverage of the 10th Anniversary hullabaloo
by a guy who remembers GG... The Manchester Union Leader's
John Clayton. Here ya' go!
>>
06.17.03:
The Littleton Courier story which mentioned digging
up GG and hiding his body for the weekend! This
one is good. Real good.
>>
06.17.03:
The Caledonian Record of St. Johnsbury VT pre-show hysteria.
|