Hammer Damage - Official Bootleg

Hammer Damage - Official Bootleg

Hammer Damage
Official Bootleg

A fixture of the Akron/Kent punk scene of the late ‘70s, Hammer Damage garnered a huge following headlining local spots like The Bank without ever releasing a full-length album. The band has recently been gathering for the occasional gig and released a collection of singles and covers recorded during the band’s heyday simply called The Official Bootleg CD a few years ago. The collection showcases the band’s versatility, generally avoiding a specific style or sound, he main focus is riff-based, punk-influenced rock. There are straightforward takes on standards like “Love Me Two Times” and “Eve of Destruction”. The guitar-driven tunes, like their silly ode to AC/DC, “Bon in a Box,” “She’s My Girl” and “Courage” establish the band’s heavy blues influences. The band’s most popular single, “Automatic Lips,” and others like “4/4 Time,” “Little Miss Misery” and “Party Favors” with its hints of ‘50s teen idols, are great, catchy power-pop songs. There’s also plenty of punk, such as the manic “Swinging A Go-Go,” “Laugh” and the new wave “Night People”. Recorded 30 years ago, this collection easily holds up against the newer generations of pop-punks. -Jim Reynolds

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