 On Pist 'n' Broke, nearly everything is used in the right way. Ironically, by diversifying Spector 45's punk-rock roar, Campagna and crew have discovered ways to vent their frustrations outside of the expected range.
Pist 'n' Broke preview by Darryl Smyers, Dallas Observer - December 2008
Considering that Spector 45's members just got to drinking age, it's kind of a marvel that their sound is so rooted in the rock sound of days long gone. Here's the recipe: tow parts Reverend Horton Heat, one part Misfits and one part Alice Cooper. The result: A Punkabilly sound that, despite these aged influences, manages to come off fresh.
Spector 45 preview Dallas Observer Music Awards showcase - July 2008
| 'This is a very addictive album: high-energy popabilly music
stripped down to its most basic forms, without the added bells and whistles -- just an
honest, emotional musical effort.'
Frankie 45 & Ben Martin review - December 2006
Todd Maternowski / Pegasus News, Dallas, TX. |
'Ramones meet the soundtrack to Grease'...
Theresa Gubbins / Dallas Morning News - 2003 |
'The Sex Pistols on Red
Bull'...
Five to See Live - Ayo / Quick - 2005 |
'Singer Frankie Campagna's drawling yowl distinguishes
some rather formulaic rants ("Liquor Hard" and "Social Reject") as
bassist John Murray and drummer Anthony Delabano flail away like an engine about to throw
a rod. It's just this kind of sloppy cacophony that gave punk rock a good name to begin
with.'
2006 We wanna Go! review - Darryl Smyers / Dallas Observer
Musically it's hard to fathom that these kids are so young.
The musical punch they pack is heavily built upon some serious guitar playing; squealing,
southern solos all over some good punk beats. They can shred with the best of them, with
music that's infectious and just jumps all over you. '
Jake Bright / Chemical X - Issue 3 - 2006 Austin, TX.
|
'Punk plain and simple this album is punk. Not pop punk, not emo,
not hardcore, not post punk not proto punk, not anything remotely associated with punk,
just punk. Think The Ramones, New York Dolls, think punk.
2005 Sampler review
J. Stone / WMUC 88.1 FM College Park, MD. |
'Coming from Dallas, this young band fresh
out of high school is already putting shame on many of the hacks whove staked claim to the
greaser punk territory over the years. This disc is definitely haunted by some 50s Rock
& Roll melodies, in much the same way that the Ramones were, but this doesnt come off
another as bargain bin clone aping that formula. Instead, those familiar elements are
twisted into a sarcastic punk album with pop hooks and an earnest delivery.'
2005 Sampler review
BL / Rock & Roll Purgatory, Cleveland, OH. |
'The bands I like right now
are Split Lip Rayfield, The Legendary Shack Shakers, Deke Dickerson, he's awesome - great
music. There's a new band from Dallas called Spector 45 that's pretty cool. You know man,
I'm just not the one to keep up with all the new bands.'
Reverend Horton Heat interview / Chemical X - Issue 1 - 2006 Austin, TX. |
'Spector 45 is wild, fun and
genuine, just like Rock used to be.' - Tulsa Music Pulse - 2005 |
'This is what
Rock n’ Roll should be, loud, fast, strong, rebel Rock, for kids by kids'
2005 - Suite108 iRadio / Indie Airplay Podcast, Los Angeles CA. |
Unlike many of their contemporaries, whose
memories don’t extend any further back than Green Day, the boys in Spector 45
probably can all identify Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, and Johnny Thunders both visually
and by name. More importantly, their music’s informed by the same sense of joy and
stoopid fun as punk progenitors like the New York Dolls, the Ramones, and the
Nervebreakers themselves. For proof, check out “Ms. Price,”
“Beach Party,” and the “Grease Tribute.”
2003 Sixteen w/a Bullet review
Ken Shimamoto / Fort Worth Weekly |
The boys call themselves greaser punks and cite influences from the
founding fathers of rock and roll and punk. Their sound is a riotous union between giddy,
goofy, Girltroversy-era Darlington and the rumble and rockabilly of old-school Reverend
Horton Heat. Singer/guitarist Frankie Campagna sings out his girl craziness and apathy
toward school and home with a mature swagger and tongue in cheek. Acoustic guitars give
Spector 45's sound a more furious, anxious, textured sound than electrics could. It's
fuller and grittier.
2004 Girls, Cars & Rock n' Roll review
Shannon Sutlief / Dallas Observer |
Spector 45 is quartet of young, young
Dallasites reared on greasy cars, upright bass guitars, and fast women. The boys have been
together for a few years and are now playing everywhere, daddy-o, in support of their new
e.p., the appropriately titled Girls, Cars & Rock n’ Roll! A chopper of slappy
monster beats overlaid with clinky buzz-saw guitars and hi-fi rollerama, it’s the
sleeper of the summer of ‘59.
2004 Girls, Cars & Rock n' Roll review
Anthony Mariani / Fort Worth Weekly |
The music just burns, with fast
punk tempos, not too serious lyrics and guitar playing that would make Texans proud to
claim it. It's lyrically honest and there are plenty of southern flavors added to the rock
stew, ranging from country, gospel and even a bit of a Bobby Darin swinging number. If you
support your rockabilly scene, they deserve your attention.
2006 We wanna Go! review
Chemical X - Issue 5 Austin, TX |
|