Short but sweet, this three track single from Steroid Freak Pussy is a riotous, adrenalin-fuelled ride through post-guns ‘n’ roses territory with a healthy (or should that be unhealthy?) dose of Motorhead thrown in for good measure. Essentially music to ride motorbikes too, ‘D.O’R’ starts quiet but quickly shrugs off any pretensions to subtlety when a throbbing bass comes charging in with all the force of Duff McKagan wielding an exocet missile. It’s all here, the whiplash solo, the gruff vocals backed with plenty of harmonies, the pounding drums – nothing particularly original, but delivered with a ferocious verve that marks SFP out as one of the better acts to be toeing this particular line, particularly as so few bands seem able to deploy this level of energy.
Of the remaining two songs, ‘if it ain’t broke (we’re going to break it)’ opens as a sleazy, full-tilt monster before upping its own tempo for a track with a healthy dose of power and a swaggering attitude that perfectly suits the band’s whiskey-soaked riffs. ‘Genosha’ (this double A-side single’s exclusive b side) is a more sympathetically written ballad that takes a single acoustic guitar and massed vocal harmonies to great effect, only adding in bass as the song progresses. It’s a brave move – most rock bands preferring kitchen-sink-style production than such a naked approach – and it does much to underscore the fact that SFP are actually excellent musicians and songwriters and not just leather-clad gunslingers with a bottle of whiskey in each hand and a fag hanging from their lips.
With some sweet artwork, decent production and plenty of attitude there is no doubt that if old school rock ‘n’ roll is your thing then Steroid Freak Pussy are set to become your new favourite band. With blazing riffs, decent songs and memorable choruses, the band are well worth checking out.
