ROCK 'N' ROLL STORMTROOPERS
Bulldozer
rock ‘n’ roll is here in America!!! The Rock ‘n’
Roll Stormtroopers, always seen at their fashionably best in rockin’
tight denim shorts and cut-off jean vests, have come to tread
on your senses with their all out German punk attack done only
the way this Sindelfingen band knows how. They deliver 100%, straight-ahead,
uncompromising, raucous bulldozer rock ‘n’ roll at
an energy level that is nothing short of amazing, both live and
on record.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers have been playing
their uncompromising, power-packed rock ‘n’ roll assault
across Europe since the beginning of the decade, with their wacky
and degenerative live show blowing the ears, eyes, and minds of
both new-comers and enthusiastic and fanatic fans alike. The punked
up AC/DC, Twisted Sister, and Slade-inspired Stormtroopers, with
front man and guitarist Tex Torpedo leading the onslaught, now
bring their rockin’ selves to the USA. You know with players
like Rockin’ Ingwer on guitar, Olli Overkill on bass, and
Floey Maketheshowy on drums, this bunch could have been the reason
Spinal Tap made their guitars go up to eleven, if only they had
been around.
As the denim-clad Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers say,
“We won’t stop rockin’ cause you think it’s
too loud / If you don’t like it man then get the hell out
/ Cause we will kick it ‘til the fuses blow out!”
PRESS:
NO BRAINS – ABOUT ON FIRE:
This is great surprise! The Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers are already known to No Brains readers from before with two 45s that were released on Incognito Records quite some time ago. I thought that was all from this great band, so I'm glad to get this CD! I guess this is their first full length, and it took some time for them to release it. A lot of things have changed in the meantime, but not the Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers. The music is still great, and this is one of the wildest and snotty punk rock ‘n’ roll albums ever – or as they call it, “bulldozer rock ‘n’ roll”. If you like the Ramones, AC/DC, The Real Kids, Dead Boys, and other primitive and simple rock ‘n’ roll bands, this is something for you. All the songs are hits, and this album sounds like the best of.
SUGARBUZZ – ABOUT ON FIRE:
Full charge ahead! The wrecking crew is here with their bulldozers, steamrollers, and wrecking balls, ready to tear down the existing crap that is pumped out on radio and shoved down societies ever so willing deep throats. You will do as you are told. You will listen to what you are told. What were once today’s media darlings will be tomorrow’s trash.
It is always fresh as a deodorized sanitary pad to hear bands that throw caution to the windbags and play rock and roll for the sake of playing rock and roll, with no umbilical cords attached. Hailing from Germany, the Rock 'n' Roll Stormtroopers are vying to come to your shores in their tiny cut off jean shorts and assault you with the virtues of Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, The Dictators, AC/DC, Slade, and The Kids, rock and roll style. Serve with Becks beer.
RAZORCAKE – ABOUT ON FIRE:
This silly band from Germany wears their influences on their sleeves: Cock Sparrer, Slade, AC/DC, Ramones, Rose Tattoo. It’s an upbeat, fun record with catchy riffs and ridiculous lyrics. Sample line: “We are bulldozers on the loose / Roaring, steaming, pounding!” The music frankly kicks serious ass. Plus all four guys are wearing Turbonegro-esque, Daisy Duke-type shorts on the insert photo, in a background of lightning bolts. What could be better then a little furry man-leg action?
RAZORCAKE – ABOUT ON FIRE:
Goddamn, this is fun! Catchy and rockin’ mid-tempo glam punk from this great German band. The first thing that hit me was they sound a lot like early Vibrators. The guitar sound is pure Knox. It reminds me a little of their fellow Germans Hollywood Teasze at times as well, since both bands are fun without being goofy. This album has the most song title references to “rock” I have heard since the classic C’mon Let’s Go by Sweden’s phenomenal The Let’s Gos. This band is obsessed with rock! My favorite tunes are “Keep Rock Clean” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Guitarman” which have a real cool Sweet meets Slade vibe, and the slower “Waste My Time” which is a real cool Faces/Diamond Dogs-style song. This grows on me more and more with every listen! These bulldozers on the loose are ready to rock and they’re gonna rock you! You gotta keep rock clean if ya know what I mean!
EAR CANDY – ABOUT ON FIRE:
These four German punk rock ‘n’ rollers deliver a lethal dose of high-energy bulldozer rock that’s guaranteed to make your jaw drop. We won’t talk about the fact that they wear cut-off daisy dukes while rocking out. This is fun filled, hyper drive, good old three chord rock ‘n’ roll action that brings to mind all those great bands like Sweet, Dead Boys, New York Dolls, The Heartbreakers, and such. You can hear traces of AC/DC here and there, but for the must part it’s more of a Sweet style glam feel with a dash of the Ramones from time to time. Think Desolation Boulevard. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed. Favorite track: “Astrogirl”.
NO FRONT TEETH – ABOUT ON FIRE:
I’ve been asking now for a few years what the fuck has happened to the fun in punk rock? And I finally found the answer – the Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers took it!! I don’t think they’re giving it back either!! This is what it’s all about – straightforward, fun punk rock ‘n’ roll. No bullshit posing around, no phony “fuck the system” sloganeering, no fashion crap – just pure rock ‘n’ roll exuberance. I mean, these guys with their cut off denim hot pants with the pockets hanging out, aviators, and sleeveless demin jackets with nothing underneath, are way cooler than all the try-so-hard so-called punks with their £50 bullet belts. This is in the true spirit of punk rock, totally simple and totally fucking rocking. If you don’t get this then you just don’t get punk rock at all. This is so badly needed in these times of serious and whiny “punk” that’s just so far removed from what punk rock is supposed to represent. The Germans do punk rock like nobody else. Get this or give up.
GLITZINE – ABOUT ON FIRE:
Where do you start with this album? I have to say this took me completely by surprise, one look at the album cover and I was convinced I was gonna dislike it. The cover is reminiscent of Overkill's Taking Over album… if Overkill had all had haircuts, dropped the guitars, moved to Germany and wore the tightest denim cut off shorts imaginable. Seriously, the shorts are like speedos made of denim. Status Quo's swimwear range. On playing it though, I had a huge surprise… this album has “big dumb fun” stamped all over it in great big letters!
You cannot fail to smile while listening to this. Sure it's cheesy as hell – song titles include “We're Gonna Rock You”, “Rock 'n' Roll Guitarman” and the cheese-tastic “(We Are) Ready to Rock!” – but you really can't help but love it. Each song clocks in around that perfect three-minute mark ensuring that they never outstay their welcome. Vocalist Tex Torpedo (no, really!) has a strong accent that may take some getting used to but the songs themselves are pure surf-punk, similar in style to The Queers, The Nobodys or a more poppy Ramones.
Opener “Bulldozers On the Loose” sets the template for all that follows with a huge chorus, some great simple guitars and even handclaps. Second track “Astrogirl” has a typical "Hey Ho!" opening but even though it's completely generic it still feels quite fresh. Lyrically it's totally throwaway, don't look for anything deeper than "She's a discomaniac / she's always giving boys the sack."
Production is great for the vocals, bass, guitar, and drums, but all the other small touches like little bits of piano get completely lost in the mix. This is full of songs that stick in your head long after the album ends, even the slower song “Waste My Time” has a huge sing-a-long chorus. I love this album and am now a total convert to the fun world of bulldozer rock 'n' roll. Still not convinced about the shorts though!
LOWCUT – ABOUT ON FIRE:
This issue’s award for the ugliest album cover goes to these krauts, four bare chested blokes in ripped short jeans/hot pants standing on top of a volcano, straight outta some mid ‘80s Metallica-wannabe back cover. And their name ain’t that clever either. Well, I didn’t like the first song, “Bulldozers On The Loose”, but then something strange happened, maybe due to too much Jamaica rum… I dunno, but track by track they won me over by the end of the record. It’s stupid and vulgar power pop/punk mixed with cheesy ‘70s glam/hard rock, but since when have nerdy philosophy students ever made great rock ‘n’ roll? Disrespect your I.Q., get drunk, and bang yer head to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroppers! I sure did, and so would Claus Powergrill, haha. If you dig: The Vibrators, The Boys, or Rose Tattoo. Four stars!
DIGGIN FOR DIRT – ABOUT ON FIRE:
This is a real treat. For fans of Kiss, Sweet, and Hanoi Rocks, this is a modern, punked-out take on those rock greats. These guys have obviously been around a while since one of the tracks, "Keep Rock Clean", appeared on the Pelado Records comp “Three Chord Heroes”. That is actually one of the weaker tracks here, one that favored spacious rawk stylings over the 4/4 mayhem that drives the rest of this 1975 candy pop fest. Putting that track on here is an unintentional means of showing how the band has developed and has captured that sequin, platform, and denim feel within the taught structure of punk rock. They even have a song called "Do the Pogo" which claims "It's the brand new dance." Ha. The funny thing is that, from modern day concert halls and clubs featuring bands ranging from Green Day to The Briefs, this proves to be true, and has proven to be true for quite some time. Thanks to Full Breach Kicks and the boys in the band for this holiday treat. The slacks and sweaters I'll be getting under the tree will have a hard time competing with this one.
VEGLAM – ABOUT ON FIRE:
I hope that the way this German band looks won't put you off. Someone once said that there's no accounting for taste. When you think about the number of American bands that would sell their mother and father to get a record deal, the fact that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers got some attention from a label located on the other side of the Atlantic is a real feat of strength but also a quality sign. Far from the usual German rock 'n' roll band clichés, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers are more into vivacious songs. If we guess that they've been influenced by bands such as Twisted Sister (themselves an all-denim band in their early days!), Slade, or even AC/DC, their music is actually deeply rooted into punk rock with catchy choruses. You won't find any trace of depression on here, and each song contains a good mood dose that will get a smile out of the more obstinate among you. Indeed, how could you remain impassive while listening to songs such as “Astrogirl”, “Saturday Night (Feelin Alright)”, or “Rock ‘n’ Roll Guitarman”? On Fire is definitely a pleasant and refreshing surprise, an album without any weak moments or lull that should allow this likeable band to reach a wide audience and get an international reputation.
CLASSIC ROCK – ABOUT ON FIRE:
Buncha sweaty German fellas gleefully mashing the loony rentboy death punk of Turbonegro with the grease paint power pop of Kiss and Gary Glitter. I know, that soundsreally creepy, but On Fire is actually a handclapping, boot stomping delight, marred only slightly by all the, umm, visible bulges.
MAXIMUM ROCK ‘N’ ROLL – ABOUT ON FIRE:
This German rock-ish punk band has lots of background vocals here to sing along to. A little Die Toten Hosen, a little Andrew WK, and a little Dead Boys. Fun stuff for the kegger crowd.
NO BRAINS – ABOUT THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL STORMTROOPERS:
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers are a very good punk ‘n’ roll band in the ‘77 style with small touches of the Ramones and the ‘70s New York punk scene. They are very melodic and catchy and every song is a punk hit. The songs "Bulldozers on the Loose" and "Hanging Out with the Boys" are great with very melodic choruses and guitar work just the way I like.
MOD POP PUNK ARCHIVES – ABOUT ON FIRE:
From Germany the Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers have their first CD release in the U.S.A. On Fire out now. Loud punk 'n' roll taking influence from AC/DC and punk '77!
DIG IT – ABOUT ON FIRE:
Le bon coup du trimestre chez Full Breach Kicks c'est L'édition cd de l'album On Fire des Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers paru en vinyle il y a un an sur Hulk Rackorz Records en Allemagne (il y a un morceau -inédit- en plus sur le cd). Imaginez The Rezillos passant à leur moulinette comix-punk le patrimoine glam british de la première moitié des ‘70s et vous ne serez pas loin du compte. On se marre, on tape du pied et on entonne des "We Are Ready to Rock", "Saturday Night (Feelin’ Alright)" et autres hymnes déconnants traversés de solos teigneux estampillés "100% Bulldozer Rock." On avait découvert le groupe à travers deux EP's irrésistibles chez Incognito Records. Leurs deux hits d'alors, Bulldozers On the Loose et Hanging Out With the Boys (1999-2000), se retrouvent ici en versions toutes neuves et bénéficient d'une production rutilante qui ne lésine pas dès qu'il s'agit de pousser le potard des riffs saignants. Le tout est joué pied au plancher par une bande d'allumés drivés par Tex Torpedo, soit Tex La Torpille, qui ne se prend pas une seconde au sérieux mais réussit à concocter des morceaux dignes du fameux "juke box idéal". Trois étoiles et les oreilles!
3rd GENERATION NATION – ABOUT ON FIRE:
Letztes Jahr kam diese Scheibe in Europa als CD und LP auf Hulk Records raus. Die US-Version hat zusaetzlich noch den Track "(We Are) Ready to Rock!" als Bonus zu den regulaeren 11 Songs anzubieten. Die Schwaben-Punks mit dem grossen Hang zum ´77er-Sound sind sicherlich keine Unbekannten mehr in der hiesigen Punkrock-Landschaft. Nun versuchen sie ihr Glueck in den Staaten. Und mit On Fire koennte das durchaus gelingen. Allerdings macht es sich die Band doch ein wenig zu einfach. Der Refrain bzw. Groel-Chorus steht bei fast allen Songs zu sehr im Vordergrund und wiederholt sich innerhalb eines Stueckes viel zu oft. Das ist wie Karussell fahren, ohne mal einen kleinen Stop einzulegen. Musikalisch koennen die Vier wesentlich mehr, da bin ich mir ziemlich sicher, aber da alles nur auf diesen einen speziellen Moment im Lied zugeschnitten ist, kommt bei mir recht schnell Langeweile auf.
SLAM ROCKS – ABOUT ON FIRE:
Sorprendete terzo full-lenght album dei tedeschi Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers! Il punto di forza di questa band è la capacità di unire un felice connubio tra rock’n’roll e punk, cui va aggiunta una massiccia componente ironica e trash. Partenza bruciante con un poker di canzoni composto dalla spumeggiante “Bulldozers On The Loose”, seguita a ruota dalle movimentate “Astrogirl” e “Do the Pogo”, fino a giungere alla festaiola “Saturday Night (Feelin' Alright)” con tanto di corettini “parappapaaa”.
I Rock ‘n’ Roll Stormtroopers sono 100% party rock ‘n’ roll, una versione moderna e punkettosa degli Slade, dove non è ammesso rimanere immobili con song del calibro di “Were Gonna Rock You”, “Hanging Out with the Boys”, o Rock ‘n’ Roll Guitarman”. Questo disco piace per la sua semplicità, per le sue atmosfere spensierate, la colonna sonora ideale per una notte di bagordi tra amici, fiumi di birra e di fanciulle di cui il giorno dopo non ricorderete neanche il nome!
