Reviews of the Self-Titled 7":

Well played Illinois snot core. Catchy, youthful, speedy, and most definitely rad. Certainly more proof of why "generic" mid-western hardcore is such a swell thing. Certainly worth your while. (LD)
Maximumrocknroll issue #145 June 1995

I am really glad I got the chance to pick this up. This album is straight ahead punk, just what I like to hear. The vocals aren't too emo at all. It has little melodic parts and none of the songs were too long. This is one of those albums that I liked upon first listen. If I did a top ten list I would put this album on it.
Man Will Fester issue #3 (Tallahassee, FL)

Reviews of The Madman 7":

The 4-Squares do not stop to take a breath as they barrel through four distortion-ridden "punk" hits. This clear vinyl single will make you want to drink malt-liquor and buy lots of metal spikes.
Punk Planet issue #17 March April 1997

Reviews of the Save the Clock Tower CD:

I love this band like an old friend. When I got the package from Quincy Shanks, I was like "oh please let it be the 4-Squares" and it was – so I was stoked! This is a full length CD of energetic adrenaline punk rock – and I absolutely love it; so much that I keep listening to it repetitively!! I drink a lot of coffee, but I don't get a buzz from it at all: bands like this do to me what coffee does to most people. Yippiee! The 4-Squares play a super catchy sorta punk that is high speed and totally kick ass. I wouldn't dare call it pop-punk due to negative connotations: but someone else might call it that. It's only as pop-punk as Anti-Flag are, which in my eyes is a category that defines the name and just delivers pure passionate punk rock in the nittiest grittiest way. Fuck yeah!!! –Christine Boarts
Slug & Lettuce issue #54 Richmond, VA

Collected works from '94 to '97 by this midwest punk band and everything they've put out, so far, has been worth hearing. Cut-loose punk with touches of melody, brought into sharper definition on the songs recorded at Sonic Iguana, but not succumbing to the pop/punk disease. 4-Squares rant'n rave their way through their songs with speed and spirit. From the gut and played with impassioned drive.
Suburban Voice issue # 42 Lynn, MA

Reviews of the Steve's Hamper CD:

This spirited punk with good drive and momentum is definitely a cut above, but the best part is the echo of D. Boon and the Minutemen in the tight, terse, shouting vocals. Some funny tracks, to—what is the deal with Steve's hamper, anyway? Maybe we don't want to know. (DAL)
Punk Planet Issue #58 November- December 2003 Chicago, IL

Damn good album by this veteran band—the 4-Squares are in the solid tradition of midwest bands who bring a striking melodicism to their punk sound and there's also a good amount of the fired-up emo-core of a band such as Fuel. "Fanatic" has a Ruts-ish skank in the guitar. Restless, Impassioned vocals and a stinging compositional style that's played for keeps. I even dig the oddball pop displayed on the title track.
Suburban Voice issue #46 Lynn, MA

If your idea of punk runs more to T.S.O.L. or Agnostic Front than Green Day or Blink-182, perhaps you're getting nostalgic for some old-school hardcore. If so, The 4-Squares are the weapon of choice. Steve's Hamper (Quincy Shanks) is a blistering attack of 17 tracks crammed into 31 minutes. They serve up furious guitars and tom heavy drumming mixed with gruff, bellowed vocals. On the title track and "The Edge," The 4-Squares display typical punk attitude by shearing off the catchiest melodies and sabotaging them with grating vocals. Their sneering fury will have you fondly remembering all those SST and Dischord albums you sold for cash.-- Patrick Conlan
Illinois Entertainer Chicago, IL

This is like a glass that contains twelve parts cordial to two parts water. While it's no means as sickly sweet as the aforementioned concoction it 's the closet I've come to pure unadulterated "fuck everyone" punk rock in a long time. It's gruff, angry and pretty fucking ugly. Imagine if Black Flag, D.R.I. Fear and the Circle Jerks came from the suburbs of Chicago and were housemates of Hot Water Music. I'm tipping there would be fights at their shows. But the good kind of violence - the kind that involves skinheads and punk rockers bashing the shit out of emo guys in their varsity t-shirts and fucked up haircuts. From the first bass note of the lead-off track, "your mission" to the choking sounds on the last track, "starz" the disc rocks. Pale bleached jeans punk rock baby!
screamingbloodymess.com Newtown, Australia

The layout on this album is very eye-catching and simple. That is what I like. It has a bright yellow cover with some teeth here and there on it. By my description, you might be turned off. Anyhow, please don't. These are some pretty good punk rock jams. Fast and melodic jams that would be fun to skate to (if I skated!). Good catchy punk rock that you'll enjoy…loaded with some sing a long parts! Oh, and they have a song called "Lakeland" so that definitely earns them lots of extra points in my book!!!
invisibleyouth.com webzine Lakeland, FL

Screaming out of Chicago like the Bollweevils with their heads on fire, this snot-nosed quartet plays a fast, fuzzy and furious brand of old school punk rock, replete with three-chord ramming, "fuck you" lyrical tirades and ninety-second songs. Their latest long-player is a warts-and-all sonic document of a band that spits in the face of convention, plays every song as if it's their last and whose adolescence was spent listening to copious amounts of Black Flag, D.R.I. and Inside Out at maximum volume. While they're not the most accomplished musicians on the block, they whip up a fantastic racket from time to time; the gnarly bass-figure that opens "Your Mission" is simply gargantuan, the overdriven riffs that power the aptly-titled "Sludge" are menacingly brutal, and the neck-snapping rhythms and dual-vocal wallop of "Leave it Behind" recall both the Deviates and Hot Water Music. Do yourself a favor and toss those old Rancid albums in the can; old fashioned boot-stomping punk rock don't come much bigger or better than Steve's Hamper -Jason Jackowiak
splendidezine.com webzine Downers Grove, IL

I don't know if I should right this review right now? It has a bunch of human teeth drawing pictures throw out the record. Well, today I shallow a tooth into my stomach. Ouch it didn't hurt. I've actually heard of the 4 Square before. I saw them play and bought there split after with the Bollweevils. It was funny that Baton Rouge band 4 Square played also and there still playing actually. Anyway this heavyweight from Chicago plays tight heavy hardcore-punk the 80's way. 4-S is kind of like a fiery Fear and replaces I am falling and love with a lot of big fuck you x1000 with some sarcasm. Hell yeah! I listen too every now and then, it's a good listen that's for sure. If you got the Red Line or Quincy Shanks sampler, check them out… Then trash up your dirty self. (RR)
Quick Dummies issue #15 New Orleans, LA

I like this CD a lot. Though most of the time, my only temptation is to speed it up, that doesn't mean that it doesn't have a powerful edge as is. These guys play a steadily rocking old school punk coupled with some shout-out sing-alongs now and again for good measure. They have a very similar yet very different sound which I find appealing. But, ….. who cares about me? ….. check it out for yourself and see what you think!
206 Records issue #14 Seattle, WA

The 4-SQUARES play straightforward punk with a melodic edge. They have a very beefy sound, which reminds me of DILLINGER FOUR, but with out most of the hooks. The 4-SQUARES album is heavier and more rockin'. In a lot of ways it reminds me of LOPEZ, because of how tight everything is. Unfortunately, there are no lyrics in here, which is disappointing. But I have the feeling these dudes would be really good live. Check them out if you have a chance. (WR)
MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #231 August, 2002 San Francisco, CA

Hardcore / punk that's loud and fast with just killer punk vocals that are raw and tough. Well THE 4-SQUARES have somewhat of an old school style punk sound that gives off a punk era SUICIDAL TENDENCIES sound meeting the US BOMBS, FEAR, CIRCLE JERKS with a more street punk feel as well. (TTTT1/2) (BW)
TOXIC FLYER ZINE #34 Baltimore, MD

From the first bass note of the lead-off track, "your mission" to the choking sounds on the last track, "starz" the 4-squares latest disc rocks. "Steve's hamper" consists of 16 tracks ranging from the balls out "Lakeland" to the driving "fanatic" to the steroid induced surf intro of "river road." at times listening to the disc you can imagine what black flag could have become have dez stayed at the helm. In other songs bands such as poison idea come to mind. Good songwriting, caustic lyrics, and excellent production should make the 4-squares and the Chicago scene quite proud. -BrIt SchIesser
A Season Of Our Discontent KKFI 90.1FM Kansas City, MO

Here's a case of four nice boys from Chicago playing bad ass punk in the traditions of the genre's founding fathers. Actually, they look pretty beefy and they're tough enough to be doing this since 1994. Starting out the way any good bunch of punkers should, they started with 7 inches, which is where I found them on a split with The Bollweevils in '97. The same year they put out their first full length. Gotta warn you, this is REAL punk, it's heavy, mean, and sounds like a punch in the face. Like FEAR with modern twists, great lyrical delivery and sarcasm. No wussy emotional crap here, just a big ass kickin'. Thank you 4-Squares. -David Morgan
AskewReviews.com Boston, MA

This is good shit, punk rock Illinois style! Dunno if you remember but amongst their many releases this band had a split with a great band from Chicago, the BOLLWEEVILS, a few years ago. I knew I'd heard the name 4 SQUARES somewhere before. But yes, this is punk rock done in a twist-driven way. A lot of the time its aggression brings to mind POISON IDEA without the dramatic metal overtones that could be found on some of their tracks, but then just when you think that the 4 SQUARES only hang out on one street corner, they dim the lights a little and chow down to some slightly slower, yet still pretty straight up punk rock on tracks like 'Kevin Ashley' which is just great melodic punk with almost youth crew back-ups. Overall, this is a good record if you like your punk pissed off but not a total wreckage. This came via Redline Distribution a very cool and new 'exclusively Chicago' set up, so look out for something on them next issue. (MD)
Fracture #21 Wales, UK

The 4-Squares are fucking awesome. Killer hardcore-punk from the depths of Chicago. They bring many memories of American old school hardcore-punk bands, ala Pre/Early-Rollins Black Flag . Lyrics are the most punk I've heard for a while (living in a crust/grindcore dominated area); full of piss, anger and the blights of reality. Many bands these days seem to use to much imagery to describe what they are trying to say, these guys get straight to the point. Songs range from a few melodic parts to the fast and down right insane. Steve's Hamper is a great album for the hardcore and the punk, since they go hand in hand anyway. -Brad B.
Not a Puppet (Online Zine) Altoona, WI

Here we fuckin go. Hardcore punk from Chicagoland's Quincy Shanks records. The 4 Squares mix old school punk (when it was original and harder...) with old school hardcore style singing, that at times, only when the 2nd singer is on, is sometimes similar to Hot Water Music's 'A Flight and a Crash'. Although their influences aren't hidden, with their tight, nice, fast, fun, real anthems this band has their own sound to them- mixing melody and hardcore with all the best parts of punk rock. Very strong, and realistic, this CD kicks your ass. There is an emotion here that is focused and professionally delivered. File this gem with Black Flag, Bad Brains, Rancid, etc...17 tracks from this band is terrible to miss. A must have for anyone's collection. This is what its all about. It never stops for one second to let you down, and rocks all the way through. Strongly recommended, thoroughly enjoyed. Check this band out, now. -Phil
silly rabbit webzine Staten Island, NY

This will teach me for going in to a CD with a preconceived notion. I thought by the band name and pics inside this would be a thick street punk CD. And in a way it is, but "Steve's Hamper" is much more. As the CD played on, I found myself stomping around with my walkman on in tow. The 4-Squares really got my blood pumping with their metallic and hard as nails approach to punk rock. Cool sing a longs and stomping parts are all over the release without the band treading into hardcore. "Steve's Hamper" is a straightforward strong street punk record. Very cool. -Brad Mitchell
Caustic Truths Issue #86 Toronto, Canada

Sometimes a simple element gives an incredible strength to a record, in this case I must say it was the vocals what drove me crazy. This Illinois band plays melodicore at a regular speed but the words are thrown with anger, just like darts. As a matter of fact, the throat can sound like A Planet For Texas and Motorhead at times. I liked the lack of boring tracks here, even the slower fragments were cool. Lakeland, River Road, Flash and Starz are guaranteed to grab your attention in this album; ending the release with a great song is a good tip for reviews. Are they named The 4 Squares we cuz they are a little chubby? I might sound like a broken record, but once again the faster tunes wee also the best ones.
ANARCHUZ PUNK REVIEWS SAN JOSE,COSTA RICA

Hardcore punk. This is a hard driving disc that starts out with a bang and keeps on bangin' all the way to the end. This is a good disc. The songs are catchy and not fast enough that you couldn't sing along, should you be so inclined. (MK)
IMPACT Press Issue #40 August-September 2002 Orlando, FL

I was honestly pretty surprised to get this CD cause I haven't heard a peep about this band in years, but they're a band that I really liked in the past. So I have no idea what band history may have changed over time. And this CD has no lyrics or anything, which is kinda lame. But I find that I still really like them just as much as ever. They play a catchy style of hardcore crossed with punk. A bouncing energy making for a really catchy style. The vocals are pretty deep with still delivered with a clear style. And the bouncing energy also has a very punchy start stop kind of flow to it with the vocals and back-up choruses matching. In other words – if you like catchy hardcore that still has power and some punch – then there is no way that you will not love this band. –Chris
Slug & Lettuce #72 Richmond, VA

If a CD could ever punch someone in the face, this would be the one to do it! Fucking excellent sound, kick ass guitar work, big thundering vocals and really great songs too! I usually rip bands with big overdriven guitars and growling vocals but this one's done it right! Helluva great job folks! Highly recommended!
100 PUNKS! Hollywood, CA

FREE STUFF (NO PURCHASE NECESSARY!):

Quincy Shanks Sampler ..5
Free 12 song sampler CD featuring: Black Print, Faction of the Fox, The 4-Squares, Tricky Dick, the Brokedowns, Littleman Complex & Biscayne. Get one at:
http://www.quincyshanks.com


The 4-Squares "Madman" 7"
Get a free copy of The 4-Squares classic second EP release. This release is almost out of print and will not be pressed so get your copy while you can. Get one free at:
http://www.the4squares.com