Big Rock Finish… reviews of independent music

Name: Strap-On Tools Album: Phase ThirtyNine Released: Warped Tour 2006 Members: Brando - Vocals/Guitar Chaddy - Drums Dunk - Lead Guitar/Vocals Mikey S. - Bass Guitar Website: www.strapontools.org Label: Label Records Favourite Song: I Wish My Lawn Were Emo (So it Would Cut Itself)

The long-fabled EP released by Strap-On Tools for their debut performance at Warped Tour. Got to love the Clerks the Cartoon reference. Phase Thirty Nine is in reference to the first (real) episode of Clerks the Cartoon only available on DVD. In it, there was a diabolical plan to take over the town, with which Phase Thirty Nine of the plan was Robot chickens. (Quick, turn your CD over right now. Notice a robotic glint in the chick’s eye?)

I would classify Strap-On Tools as 98% pop and 2% punk. The right amount of punk in which they play their own instruments, write their own songs, wear their own clothes, and only jump when they’re in the mood for it. Their songs are similar but they’re original. Does that make sense? They use some of the same elements in different songs, but in different ways I suppose. The lyrics are always catchy, and insightful while many times being really funny.

Personally, I don’t get a lot of the deeper meaning behind some of the songs since the band has a tendency to go heavy on metaphors and smilies. I generally take things at their face value, and not look deeper. I have yet to figure out how “Rugburn” is a true story, but I haven’t asked. I’m a big supporter in the song titles not being a lyric from the song, and an album title not being one of the song titles, it makes it confusing for me to remember what song I’m listening to.

This is definitely a CD I keep in my car on a regular basis, and it’s something I’ll listen to while chilling at the computer, or in my room. And they would make a great kegger-party album. Some songs are high enough energy to bring to the gym, but not all of them, leaving me to rip/mix/burn to an available mp3 player first.