Murder Party!

Murder Party! [EP] (2013)

TomTrauma

Three serial killers who formed a band. That's how Murder Party! describes itself. It's like a darker version of those better known, colorful ski-mask wearing, pseudo criminals. If the band continues to write songs as good as the ones on their debut EP, they're not going to need a gimmick. Opening track, "I'll Kill, I Swear", is one of the catchiest songs I've heard in the last couple of years. Others I've played it for agree. It will get stuck in your head. It's the story of a crime spree gone bad, set to music that's somewhere between horror-punk and rockabilly.

Second track, "Motor Psycho", is a revved up surf-punk song about a dangerous miscreant. "Mr. Lazy Bones" is a sped up blues shuffle, with typically wry lyrics and falsetto backing vocals. Guitarist/vocalist Tommy Gun delivers the words in a sort of deadpan shout. "Afterlife Boogie" speeds things back up. "Jingle Jangle" is proof that even cold-blooded killers need love. Closing track, "Dressed to Kill", is probably the EP's second strongest after the opener. It once again plays into the band's strengths as songwriters and even manages to incorporate a bit of ska.

I usually describe Murder Party! as a cross between Johnny Cash and the Misfits. The Grand Rapids, MI band's music has a lot of familiar elements, but still manages to sound fresh. The early rock and roll influences are undeniable. It sometimes conjures up images of Jerry Lee Lewis standing up on the bench, pounding down on the piano. This is really good stuff and you should check it out. Murder Party is at least temporarily back in print on CD, and is also available on Bandcamp as a name your price download.