In the tradition of the Buzzcocks, Cheap Trick, the Pixies, and X comes southern California’s BANG sugar BANG. Since the band’s inception in 2001, the foursome has consistently led the attack with their irresistible frenzy of punk, rock n roll, and swaggering power pop that would nurse The Replacements hangovers. In a trusty Dodge Ram known as the “Land Ship,†they have toured the United States again and again, recruiting a faithful alliance with their growing army of fans, and proving themselves to be what the L.A. Weekly calls “a crowd-pleasing band-of-the-people.â€
After two independently released records--Greatest Hits (War Room Records, 2003) and the critically acclaimed Thwak Thwak Go Crazy!! (SOS records, 2005)--, a three-month national tour with UK’s The Adicts, and songs featured on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and MTV’s Road Rules(to name a few), BANG sugar BANG are releasing their third full-length album this September, entitled Victory Gin (2007). The album’s title, taken from George Orwell’s 1984, shows perhaps a more serious side of L.A.’s favorite band to drink with.
Victory Gin marks a musical departure for the band, as their songwriting and musical style has broadened far beyond their grit-rock roots. The tracks are still infused by the wild energy of L.A. punk and while many of the tracks contain BSB's signature snottiness, songs such as "Farewell to Arms" and "Seventeen" are evidence of deeper, starker, more personal songwriting; getting drunk with pals has been replaced by reflections on conformity, futility and senseless death.
It’s clear, however, that the inspiration for Victory Gin involved more than current events. In the months leading up to the recording, the band faced a diabolical series of calamities that came to be known as “Disas-tour!â€â€”the loss of a drummer (Vancouver), hotel fire (Illinois), burglarized van (Seattle), skunk permeated lodging (Indiana) and finally, guitarist Southwell severely breaking his hand while loading gear (California). Despite a tour that would have broken up most bands, BANG sugar BANG have proven to be as indestructible as their songs, finishing the record and finally performing again after a nine-month rehabilitation period for Southwell’s hand. If nothing else, Victory Gin is a simple testament to one band’s stubborn refusal to accept defeat. This 12-track offering is sure to hit home with fans, and like Lollipop Magazine, make them “marvel at the fact that the radio plays such awful shit when there are bands like this around.â€
