Here's some classic new wave punk influenced rock for you, courtesy of Born Twice Records, A Retroactive subdivision that is dedicated to Jesus Music artists and their releases (both past and present). Classic being the key word in that Bill Mason Band arose out of the mid-seventies UK based punk scene - alongside Sex Pistols and The Clash - and made its mark by gigging for several years, including three shows at the famous Greenbelt Festival, prior to releasing its first and only album, No Sham!, on the Kingsway label in 1979.
Teen pun label is not without merit, the group's raw and driving sound has been descried as the "first Christian response to the Ramones and The Clash: (keeping in mind that Southern California groups such as Undercover, Lifesavers and Alter Boys, which BMB predates, also deserve mention), although some heavy new wave elements also make their presence felt. In it press material, as a matter of fact, BMB even goes so far as to state "we always felt we were more new wave" and correspondingly, list Bloomtown Rats and Elvis Costello as influences. So I guess the best way to describe BMB would be combining many of the aggressive overtones of punk with the more pop aesthetics of new wave.
Up-tempo rockers "Billy & The Rola's" (with its driving riff mentality), "Out on the Streets" (short but fiery at just two minutes) and "Stand Up & Be Counted" (energy and melody in equal doses) reflect this best. Maintaining the one-two punch of angst and hooks are "Radio", delivering the classic line "Ain't no God on that radio", and "I Got the Answers", upheld by pounding drums, distorted solo and all! "Mr. G" also proves a classic with some slightly smoother commercial flavourings.
When BMB throws us a curve ball and slows the tempo, quality does not diminish. "Detectives", for instance, come across calm and laid back with some borderline jazzy moments, while "I Don't Want You" hints at a reggae-injected The Police type sound. "Get Inside" proves bottom heavy and sludgy with its distinct heavy rock vibe and "Lost Years" the albums best as a result of its atmospheric and emotional overtones.
Equally notable are strenghts in terms of production, particularly for a late 70's independent release (as always credit the re-mastering of J Power of Stenhaus), and musicianship. No, nothing virtuoso but this is NOT some three chords and a cloud of dust punk-wave band either (the instrumental moments to "Get Inside" and "Lost Years" are quite deftly done).
In no way can BMB be classified as metal or even hard rock, keeping in mind they do get quite heavy in places, but if you are a fan of either genre then I can see No Sham! being of potential interest. If, furthermore, your tastes strain towards a new wave or punk influenced sound then by all means get this (and add 10% to the final grade in he process) in that you will not be disappointed!
Grade: 80%
