By Vinnie Apicella

If volumes 1 & 2 weren't enough to convince you I trust numbers 3 & 4 will do the job quite effectively! So come on and get with it, you know there ain't no satisfaction to be found on today's substandard radio dial… so here's your chance to show your grit and hop on the rock and roll express-destination? To the far left of the fifties and sixties, making a quick stop in the seventies and eighties, and finally ending up in the here and now… yes, your complete trip full circle from what rock once was and what shall always be, rebellious, outspoken and cranky! Or like those fabulous Dead Boys once gave us, "Young Loud & Snotty!" True rock and roll should be all of those things and on these latest two volumes, while new acts virtually pay homage to the leaders of yesterday's revolution, it all hangs loose again-remember the time when groups like The Stooges and The Ramones weren't exactly what you'd call household words… well neither are Toilet Boys-well maybe "toilet" but Valentine Killers, Stunt Men and Stitches? No… not quite, but give 'em all half a chance and let's see what we got in a few years! The Toilet Boys start off Volume 3 and the NYC freakshow gets things started about as you might expect… a trace off center, brandishing a little flash and knack for the heavy groove that's little by little bringing itself off the mat again! Whatever happened to the catchiness that defined so much of the past? Even going back to the fifties on this-and take a gander at the liner notes from each recording and get a little taste in the rich history we're uncovering here-It's like everyone decided at once that if anyone's got a sense for grooving or rhythmic tendencies, something's wrong. It ain't good enough unless you're wailing away on yourself or someone else! These collections feature the finest breed of American and Canadian born talent that you've never heard of… yes we're talking firmly embedded beneath the underground here but we're gonna do our part to change things right? Enough is enough of people asking whatever happened to this, or why aren't they doing… The "Fistful of Rock & Roll" series features all bands-that's right all of 'em-playing catchy pop-infused, heavy rock and punk with not even the slightest trace of fear or regret! Most of these groups that elbowed their way on these two latest collections are still relatively green and that is what is perhaps their most endearing quality… no, they've yet to be corrupted by the latest fashion craze-they don't fit in period-and this can safely be said even without seeing what they dress like! There are those few that have either developed out of the ashes of other prominent acts-like ADZ, made up of ex-members of The Adolescents and 45 Grave, or just finally arrived as an up and coming new group as have Murder City Devils who can be found currently residing on the Sub Pop label! If it's musical quality you're after, support your local-I know it's cliché, but screw it, Gunfighters-well shit, it's basically what they're doing right… we're all in a fight to preserve the history of rock and roll and I can't think of a better way than these amazing new collections!

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