Johnny Mohawk and the Assassins
Drinking as Always
(Jib Machine Records)
myspace.com/johnnymohawkandtheassassins
Reminiscent of the very best in old-school punk, Johnny Mohawk and the Assassins' raw, in-your-face edge personifies (and sometimes caricaturizes) everything punk rock. Their newest release, Drinking as Always, is a fun and aggressive collection of tracks fueled by piss, vinegar — and lots of booze. The album's stand-out track, "12 oz of Fury" is a truly original song whose shifty rhythms and amusing lyrics make it a must-hear. Other stand-out songs include "American Punk," "Liberty Under Siege" and "Let's Get Drunk," whose catchy vocal lines, driving rhythms and bare-bones approach define the band's garage-punk sound. Also featured on the album is a cover of the late 1950s Dion classic "Teenager in Love," which is sure to appeal to an even wider variety of punk-rock enthusiasts.
— Paul Kulis