American Speedway
“A Bigger Boat”
Prophase Music 2011
By Rich Cocksedge
(SugarBuzz UK)
SugarBuzz Magazine
American Speedway clearly favour the approach of complete and utter balls out rock and roll. On this, their sophomore long player, there’s no slowing down for the often obligatory down tempo number, this is 0 to 60mph from the get go and it’s at full tilt until they hit the wall at the end of the final track.
A friend described American Speedway as being like “Zeke meets early AC/DC … or actually Gaza Strippers”, on top of which this would not be out of place if you like bands such as Motorhead, Nashville Pussy and The Supersuckers (when they actually rocked). This should provide you with enough reference points to get an idea of where American Speedway are coming from and it’s a full frontal assault that connects with the precision of a pitcher throwing the perfect
game.
This is rip roaring rock/punk/metal with a battery of drums, ear tingling leads and a thick sounding guitar that all blend into the perfect backing for the vocals of Mike Kerchner, which have just the right amount of gravel to add extra bite to this release.
From the opening track, “Howl Ya Doing” all the way through to the excellent “Watch Your Step” this is pure entertainment that invigorates the soul, gets the pulse racing and puts a huge grin across your face as it rages on and on.
Saving the best for almost last, American Speedway unleash “Get Off The Cross” as the penultimate track and one which is impossible not to get hooked on; clearly my highlight of the album and a track that demands use of the repeat button.
Apparently the wonderfully nicknamed Lorraine ‘Dirty’ McGurty, formerly of metallers Wench, has joined the band since the first album “Ship of Fools” was released
and her lead guitar across the album is something to behold as it helps keep the pace of the songs at full speed, with no sign in letting any slackness take hold at all.
This whole album is good fun.