Paybacks - Knock Loud

  by Andrew Carver

published: 14 / 11 / 2002

Label: Get Hip
Format: CD

intro

Spectacular "helping of premier quality twin-guitar rock’n’roll" on debut album from the Paybacks, which former Rocket 455 axeman Marco Delicato on guitar

Right from the first crunching riff of the Paybacks debut LP, 'Knock Loud', you know you’re in for a helping of premier quality twin-guitar rock’n’roll. In a 33 minute, 10-track rush the Paybacks weld singer-guitarist Wendy Case’s iron tonsels  and chunky riffing to the guitar sizzle of Rocket 455 vet Marco Delicato. It’s a match up made in heaven (or at least in Detroit). The Paybacks also have a hard-driving rhythm section — Mark Latulippe on drums, John Szymanski on bass — nabbed from the Hentchmen, but the real action is up front. No other female vocalist in the rock’n’roll underground combines sexiness and toughness better than Case, with the possible exception of Bellrays singer Lisa Kekeula. Unlike some other growlers — Texas Terri or Laura Bitch of Aerobitch, for example — Case’s voice is nimble and tuneful enough to suggest more than anger. Case’s vocalising was five years ahead of its time set against the retro styled, organ-driven garage music of her previous band, Ten High (the curious can check out 'Party Store” on Alive/Total Energy, 1996). Rocket 455 frontman Mark Walz meanwhile never had a vocal presence to match his stage antics. Case’s black-leather-lunged singing is best heard on the fist-pumping opener 'Just You Wait', ” where she sings “Just you wait till I get home ... I know ... it’ll be better than before/When I walk right through that door I know I won’t be afraid to love you anymore.” It’s the best juxtaposition of danger and desire since the Pretenders’ 'Brass In Pocket'— just much tougher. 'Don’t Lay It On Me', a put-down to the cooler-than-thou, is perhaps the catchiest song, but once again, it’s hard to choose a track that’s the best on an album without any weak moments (well, the quality might dip very slightly on 'Hollywood'... mmm .... nah!). The high point of Delicato and Case’s guitar interplay comes on 'Tie Me In A Knot' where both play lead. With a thundering rhythm section, masses of extra-width guitar crunch, great background harmonies, smart songwriting and that vital ingredient, Wendy Case’s husky howl, the band never sets a foot wrong. The Paybacks don’t just knock loud — they tear the door right off the hinges.

Track Listing:-