|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
The Insaints:
Sin of Saints
San Francisco, early 90s, was a burgeoning mecca for any lost punk band looking to receive a bit of recognition or even just escape. With venues like 924 Gilman and zines such as MaximumRockNRoll, among others, you could not find better allies in any other city. This is where the Insaints come in. Transplanted from Modesto, California after their inception in 1988, they arrived to golden San Fran in 1990 to create a mess. With the illustrious Marian Anderson, guitarist Daniel DeLeon, current member of the Deep Eynde (also reviewed on LOTD recently) founded the Insaints. Unfortunately they were only a band from 88-94, but caused quite a stir in their fair city during their short-lived career. Combining speedy, hardcore punk a la Black Flag and Minor Threat with sultry Deborah Harry influenced vocals, they created a catchy blend of punk. Although Ms. Harry is an obvious resort for cheating the review, Marian still sings with the cadence of a young Henry Rollins, at times sounding dare I say even tougher than him. Im reminded of Lunachicks vocalist Theo Kogan in more ways than one as well. Anyway, this quartet was known mostly for their lewd onstage conduct, which for obvious reasons gained them a heavyweight reputation and curious following. Marian was a runaway dominatrix and sex art performer by trade, inspiring the content of much of her songwriting. At the same time, this increased their popularity at their live shows, as she would bring along work buddies to enhance their artful expression, landing her in court more than once. At a show billed with G.G. Allin, she strove for the almost impossible to out-lewd the king himself. Legend aside, this is a good piece of collected history from a now-defunct band. The sound here is nothing terribly new and punishing, as punk goes; but it is powerful, expressive, heart-felt and real. The vocals are pained and dark; the guitar flies back and forth over the fretboard, hardly holding any chord for any memorable length of time, as the drums and bass are clubbed, beaten and driving. In punk these days, its not something cutting edge that youre looking for all the time (although it does help) but rather something with true emotion, be it pain, ecstasy, unrest, something political, satirical or even extreme indifference that stands out. With only three chords and one scale to work with, its what you back the music up with, your attitude or personality, your devotion and gut, that sets your sound apart from someone elses. My question is what makes your punk different? Why should I sit through an entire album to review when I know what it sounds like in the first thirty seconds? Feeling. This band has it, thanks to the wonderful presence of Marian Anderson and her desire and belief in loosening boundaries and social acceptance limitations. Check it out. Rest in peace.
This album can be purchased at Amazon and CD Universe About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
