Punk rock lives on the Northshore. Based in Covington and Mandeville, Bad Moon Lander specializes in fast and furious audio assaults. New York’s Ramones and London’s Sex Pistols and Clash come to mind. Nearly every one of the 10 songs on Chinese Lanterns are fast, furious and—running around the three-minute mark—short. “Chinese Dave” is the exception to the trio’s three-minute, lasting just 53 seconds.
Formed in 2013, Bad Moon Lander features original members T.J. Reetz, guitar; Stone Wall, drums; and newer member Earl Dawson, bass. All three sing. True to punk rock’s minimalist aesthetic, the band’s singing and playing usually stay simple. Songs typically begin with a quick, noisy guitar intro, followed by exploding drums that hammer charging accompaniment for unadorned vocals. Some songs feature guitar solos, but these solos may be better described as noise solos. In the context of Bad Moon Lander, that fits. Traditionally, musical skill and prog-rock excess were despised in the punk-rock world.
The characteristic “It’s Time” follows a no-nonsense Clash-and Ramones course, with grinding chainsaw guitar, unison vocals and one of the album’s raw semblances of a guitar solo. “Combo,” with its snarling vocals and smashing drums, bursts with punk rock-inspired rage. Speed and fury also fuel “Nightmares,” plus there’s some unexpected surf-rock guitar. Bad Moon Lander pulls a bait and switch in “Mansplaining.” The song echoes the studio-manipulated sound of Joy Division at first, but then reverts to the primitive punk-rock template that guides most of the album.
Concluding Chinese Lanterns “Dime Store Zealot” may point to Bad Moon Lander’s future. The album’s most complex and musically diverse song, its pieces don’t fit so well together, but, as the time goes by, Bad Moon Lander may evolve from its primal punk foundation.