Apache - Boomtown Gems
by Andrew Carver
published: 27 / 9 / 2008

Label:
Birdman
Format: CD
intro
Snottier-than-thou New York Dolls-influenced punk on debut album from San Francisco band, which includes former members of the Cuts
Apache was formed by a quartet of San Francisco garage rock veterans, including members of the Cuts, but its heart lies on the other side of the U.S.A. The New York Dolls’ sloppy glam is obviously a big inspiration -the cry of “Let’s go!”, hand claps, lyrics like “It’s summer time and the girls are hot!” and a song titled ‘Chelsea Girl’ are dead giveaways for those who missed the band’s own admission of Doll fandom. Other New York combos inject their DNA, with Apache’s boy’s night out attitude contributed by the Dictators and the occasional musical sneer provided by Jane County and The Electric Chairs. The band has a good sense of musical history (though they might be loathe to admit it, maaaaan): ‘Nazi Knife’ twists a Velvet Underground lyric - "Here she comes, she’s all dressed in black" - around first-generation British punk’s fascist style appropriation. Add in touches like the cat cry at the start of ‘Bullet Train’ which straddle the line between goofy and cool, and the basic catchiness of its stomping rock and you have a winner for anyone who demands their daily required dose of snark in 11 tracks squeezed into half an hour (and tight pants). Fans of bands like the Richmond Sluts (or their successor, Big Midnight), Nice Boys, Exploding Hearts, The Time Flies, Stalkers and The Sick Fits will enjoy their snottier-than-thou punkisms.
Track Listing:-
1 Boys Life2 Bullet Train
3 Nazi Knife
4 Real Shit
5 Russian Roulette
6 Crystal Clear
7 White Hammer
8 Charlie Go Home
9 Sugar Glidin'
10 Chelsea Girl
11 Ride Apache Ride
most viewed articles
current edition
John McKay - InterviewCathode Ray - Interview
Robert Forster - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Spear Of Destiny - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Chris Wade - Interview
Shrag - Huw Stephens Session 08.12.10 and Marc Riley Session 21.03.12
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleVinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Little Simz - Lotus
HAIM - I Quit
Pulp - More
Lapsley - I'm a Hurricane, I'm a Woman In Love
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart