Let's strike a blow for the here and now (or at least recent times because I think they've broken up) and say it doesn't matter jack shit that this version of Californian garage band The Morlocks contains only one (almost) original member in vocalist Leighton Koizumi. "Easy Living…" is good enough to kick whatever passes for authenticity out the window and onto the roadway to land on its skinny arse.
This is a record that rocks in a ramshackle yet regal way. The band has its shit together but never forgets to let the songs breathe. The acrid "Sex Panther" is a case in point. A floor tom beat, an ominous vocal and creepy chorus give way to slide that sounds more dangerous than playing pass-the-parcel with a broken hospital sharps bin. Vicious guitar jousting points the way out over the top of a brief burst of Saints-like riffing. The raucous cover of the Groovies' "Teenage Head" that follows makes perfect sense.
Nine studio tracks, two live ones and an interview make up "Easy Living…" If you stick it out, the latter will convince you that the living is often anything but easy. Leighton Koizumi is one of garage rock's true originals and clearly a vocalist with charisma. He's reputed to have cooled his heels in jail after kidnapping a drug dealer and was killed by mainstream media (no less than Spin magazine) long before Twitter came along and such events became regular. If that all sounds intriguing you can read his very entertaining blog here. It's in its early days but is mucho recommendo.
Bit back to the music and the clattering "You Burn Me Out" careers along with maximum malevolence, courtesy of some caustic guitar playing from lenny Pop and Bobby Bones. It's also worth mentioning that drummer Marky Arnold is one monstrously good player who swings like Tarzan and hits hard.
If you like hot wired guitars the band introductions on "Cat (On A Hot Tin Groove)" and the creeping lurch of "the familiar Get Out Of My Life Woman" will row your boat just fine. If you recognise "Just a Little Bit" as another oft-covered song by someone else you'd be right. It also sounds crazed in the hands of The Morlocks.
As I said, the current state of The Morlocks is unclear but you don't have to slum it on eBay to find a copy of this. It came out on Italian label Go Down Records in 2008 so clicking here will pay off. It's lamentable that not enough bands make records like this anymore.
1/3
