It's not often that a band name will make me laugh out loud – and that's coming from a guy who owns records by Ramoms, Operation Cliff Clavin, and The Cast Of Cheers – but Dad Brains, and their clever cover art did just that.
Consisting of four fathers from California, Dad Brains is a parody of the legendary punk outfit Bad Brains. They retain the bristling intensity of their namesake but apply it to lyrical themes that surround changing diapers, taking naps, and mother's milk. Although it might seem like a not so serious affair, there's no joking about the searing riffs and charged hardcore present on this 7” EP.
“Daddy Guilt” gets the album off to an ultra-quick pace of frenetic drumming and blistering guitar work as the vocals spew out from Pat Pedraza with nods to New York City Youth Crew 1988 style delivery, where breakdowns provide a bit of melody. “Little Things” ends Side A with a slower pace where a thumping rhythm section and biting singing in the anthemic delivery make this one an immediately memorable.
Side B leads with the more Southern California influenced punk rock of “Dadditude,” whch sounds like it could soundtrack a circle pit with its pummeling intensity, and “Father's Day” ends the listen on a high note with chunky bass lines and gang vocals in the finger pointin', head bobbin' fun.
The members of Dad Brains have paid their dues in outfits like No Motiv, The Missing 23rd, Creep Division, and The F-ing Wrath, and with that experience in their arsenal, the hardcore veterans deliver a comedic record that is sure to appease the aging dad with a faded Gorilla Biscuits shirt.
Whether you're a fan of early Dischord Records, the heyday of Revelation Records or the countless Southern California punk rock bands, you're going to want to hunt this one down, regardless of whether you have any offspring.