COPYCATS - Demo - CD-R - 2011

   As I have said before, I agreed to write demo reviews at MRR a while back because their stacks of poorly recorded, shitty CD-R's were piling up and no one really cared to talk about them in print. Oddly, not many of the punks there are too excited to listen to the new 3 song demo by BUTT SMELLER or  the bedroom project of DON'T FREAK OUT THE BEARDED DRAGON (the latter is real, by the way). For some reason, I'm into it. A good friend of mine once said that the beautiful thing about punk is that anyone can start a band, but that doesn't mean that they should. I think that's a terrible thing to say, but it pains me to admit that I agree with her.
   In addition to the piles and piles of crap that MRR gets every month, there are also hundreds of incredible punk songs that fly out of their stereo speakers. One of the bands making those sounds is COPYCATS from Granada, Spain. They definitely wear their HEARTBREAKERS, WIPERS and GUN CLUB influences firmly on their ripped sleeveless t-shirts, but they do it well. While never reaching the greatness of the aforementioned bands (who can?), they still manage to crank out quality rock 'n' roll that sounds both timeless and crucial. When music like this is done badly, it can be the worst thing ever, but when a band pays attention to the details like this, it really shines. This is perfect nothing-to-do-all-day-but-sit-in-the-park music. Alternately, it also works well for a 5 am last-drink-of-the-night album or just to get you up in the morning. Take your pick.

Download COPYCATS

For fans of the aforementioned bands, FROZEN TEENS and good, straightforward punk.