"The Dirt That Makes You Drown" - Gapers Block

May 1, 2008

"Bang! Bang! does this strange sort of thing: they play rock music. Like, actual rock music. It's loud, it's course, it's invigorating, and it's a load of fun. Called by NY Press "an explosive set of sex-charged rock and roll", the self-described gender dynamics are not as obvious as their appearance and bragging might seem, but this works out most certainly for the better. Only really noticed when the female/male vocals are interspersed with ease, the instrumentals are grinding guitars and etching bass lines as if from the original punks of Chicago. And with five studio releases under their belt, they are just about as professional and noteworthy as these originals. Their music certainly plays that way.

Their 2007 release, The Dirt That Makes You Drown knocks you over with the same force that attacks in their live set. It's a no holds barred melee of punk that's honest and damn good. What would result if the Hives grew a spine, they'll be performing in Daley Plaza from 5:00-5:30 PM. Looptopia takes pride in being weird, or so it seems from the lineup of artists. But hardcore kids can find solace amongst the ubiquitous avant garde-ism in Bang! Bang! They play in 4/4 time, they scream, they dance, and you won't see a MacBook anywhere near the set. Really, it's a beautiful thing to look forward to."

"The Dirt That Makes you Drown" - Venus Magazine

April 2, 2007

"...chock full of chunky guitar riffs, interesting and straightforward lyrics, and musical influences that vary from glam to post-punk to prog-rock."

"The Dirt That Makes you Drown" - All Music Guide

April 2, 2007

The Dirt That Makes You Drown finds Bang! Bang! returning with two new members (both on loan from New Black) and a sound that is, if anything, even more frantic and crazy than before. On songs like "What We Need" and "Prefab Nation" the band sounds like the mutant love child of the Cramps and the B-52's -- warbly female vocals and junk-shop keyboards rub lasciviously up against Jackie Flash's gulping post-rockabilly amphetamine stutter while crappy guitars slap themselves silly in the background, and it all happens at about 80 miles per hour. At times they actually evoke a swampy version of the Dead Kennedys. What's not to like?