SUICIDE BOMBERS – Criminal Record

Back in the late ’90s, a band formed out of Oslo, Norway called Trashcan Darlings, which was a very unique and fresh mix of Glam Metal and Punk … sort of a blend between The New York Dolls, The Ramones, and The Sex Pistols, but with a better sense of oddity and humor.  Regretfully, Trashcan Darlings called it quits a few years ago, but one of the leaders of that band, Chris Damien Doll, is now re-emerging as the leader of a band called Suicide Bombers.  Instead of just guitar duties, Chris also mans the microphone for his new band, along with Lazy Leather on guitar, James Nero on bass, and T-Bone beating the drums.

Suicide Bombers have issued their debut CD entitled Criminal Record under their own label in 2012.  As you can tell by their names, the band clearly is out to have fun with fun via this debut release, and the song themes are basically light in content as well, focusing mainly on various forms of partying and (light) sleaze, and they often come across a bit tongue-in-cheek.  If you’re a fan of the Trashcan Darlings, you’ll be pleased to find a number of musical similarities, however, there’s more Glam and Party Rock this time than Punk.

There are 12 full-length tracks in total, and the highlights certainly include the first 3 tracks:  “Let’s Rock ‘N’ Roll”, “Easy Access”, and “Napalm Heart”, along with “High On Explosives”, which comes in during the second half of the CD.  All of the tracks possess their own merits when listened to on a one-on-one basis, however, strung together, the album tends to “tire” a bit.  Still, this is a solid effort from top to bottom, and one worth checking out if Glam/Party/Sleaze/Punk Rock is within your wheelhouse.