Daycare Swindlers

Heathen Radio (2002)

Forrest A. Hainline IV

From the downbeat of Heathen Radio, the latest offering from Washington DC's Daycare Swindlers, one thing is very clear; this band kicks ass. Songs are brief, uptempo, anthemic and heavy. Clocking in at under twenty minutes with twelve songs, the motive is simply rock and roll music that leaves nothing for the listener to ponder except how to catch one's breath after the record has finished spinning. This is a band that truly lives for the moment, spending their seven years presenting only the intensity and honesty of music to appease the muse of punk rock, one exhausting performance after the other. It's a rare discovery in punk to find musicians who love the music more than the scene, but judging from their lack of tattoos and piercings, not to mention the several years as part of the underground, these guys are exactly that. The music is what's important, scenesters don't get the crowd hoppin', and it's refreshing to find a band that acknowledges this.

This quintet rips through songs like a raging juggernaut powered by drummer Reiter, bassist Mike, guitartists Scrote and Stevie, and steered by frontman Noah screaming, "I'm gonna get my party on/I'm gonna get my party on/I ain't done yet". Daycare Swindlers are the kind of band that makes punk both appealing and accessible, tackling both the everyday and the absurd in its lyrical content, usually presenting the only discernible words in a chorus that is almost always all inclusive (so sing along!), and the few metaphors are easily interpreted and unpretentious (hooray!). There aren't any selfish motivations behind this record; this is music that is meant to be heard and participated in. Today's punk is littered with self-important bands who think the audience should always dwell on the singer's insecurities and short-comings, and in effect wish to move the audience emotionally rather than physically. Good thing the times of Minor Threat and Black Flag have not been forgotten, for the Swindlers proudly brandish these influences and ideals on every note they play. "Sick of things the way they are/It's about time that we had a break" could be an inclination to how they feel about today's music, but then again the following song claims "Same old crap/but different day". Why bitch when you can rock seems to be the attitude here. Either way, this band would probably prefer their audience to rock out rather than dissect and interpret.

This is one dangerous band sporting some razor sharp musicianhip and an extremely charismatic singer. Songs such as, "Framed," "Holy Suicide," and "U.S. or Bust" really showcase what this band is capable of; kickin' ass and takin' names the old school way.