New Scheme ..15



The annoying, but undeniable line between "political" punk bands, and other punk bands has always been there. It's not that every punk band needs to be handing out animal rights brochures at their shows, but the fact that the term "political punk band" even needs to be uttered is problematic for me. I hesitate to use the term at all, but I guess these days it's sort of inevitable and I'm going to have to lob it at Sabertooth Tiger. Their songs, and both videos that are included on the enhanced portion take on pretty well worn topics like poverty and governmental and corporate apathy toward human rights. But they do it in a more thorough and thoughtful way than usual, and more than backup their biting lyrics with more brains than you'll usually see from similar punk bands

The band hails from Los Angeles and have put together an intense and impressive debut full length overall. They are a power trio made up of well-known photographer Aaron Farley on guitar, Chris Burnett on bass and drummer Dave Ferrara. Ferrara hadn't joined the band when they recorded this, so ex-Mars Volta drummer Jon Theodore played on four songs and Erin Garcia (Brother Reade) did the rest. [correction: Ferrara plays on Elephant Army]

The band's sound is hard not to trace just South of the band's actual home, with San Diego bands like Drive Like Jehu or even Swing Kids getting stylistic nods here. There is also a little more straight ahead hardcore feeling here, despite slower tempos on a number of songs. This doesn't need frantic tempos to maintain intensity, with well-written breakdowns and choppy rhythms that keep things moving throughout the record. The combination of angular post-punk and angry, almost cut time hardcore (think Tragedy) isnt' exactly groundbreaking. But it's done really well, with tightly constructed songs and perfect production from Alex Newport (who hasn't done something so good in a while). Sabertooth Tiger isn't reinventing the wheel on any of the eleven songs on their first proper full length. But they're also taking something well established and getting a lot more mileage out of it than any similar new bands. This is a powerful, clearly defined and infinitely pissed record. But it also has enough brains, musically and lyrically, to have a lot of staying power as well. I tend to be a fan of most of what GSL puts out, and this is still one of the best records they've done in some time. If you ever believed in real power of punk rock, this will be a refreshing reminder to you of exactly why.




Lost At Sea by Jeff Zanger.


When Rage Against The Machine broke up - even though they hadn't been all that potent in their latter years - there was left a void of political voice in the arena of heavy rock. Given the current global cultural/political/economic landscape, this would be the perfect time for Zack de la Rocha and company to re-emerge. Although such a scenario seems unlikely, there does exist a reason for politi-punks and mosh pit militants to get excited, as a new voice may be emerging to fill the void left in the wake of The Battle of Los Angeles.

It's a bit premature to claim that any newly discovered band is going to match the status or effect that RATM once fulfilled, but it is obvious that Sabertooth Tiger is a band with similar influences and mounting potential. The band is comprised of Aaron Farley on vocals/guitar, Chris Burnett on vocals/bass, and currently one of three drummers - Jon Theodore (of The Mars Volta), Dave Ferrara (Original Sins), and Erin Garcia (Brother Reade) all recorded drum tracks on the album. Word is the band started in 2002 and since then has been gathering an audience while playing out in LA. Extinction is Inevitable is their first crack at something material and long playing.

A quick tour of some online music review sites unearths little about the band, if anything at all - in fact frontman Farley is best known as a photographer with work spread around online indie photo galleries. Bottom line is that this album and band are sleeper picks. Even though they don't say it in their press bio (which is a good idea), their sound is heavy and angular, like early At The Drive In, they have the grungey soot of indie post-hardcore, preach like Zach de la Rocha, and still have full appreciation for the punk rock aesthetic.

From the beginning of the first track, "Death Valley," it is readily apparent where Sabertooth Tiger is headed. The guitar and bass lines are discordant, dropped tuning and forcefully energetic, similar to post-hardcore underground band Gainer (of Ground Rule Double infamy). The drums are just as aggressive with deft cymbal-snare punctuations followed by an off-to-the-races beeline into a punk rock, hyper-tempo drum beat. One of the more defining characteristics is the timbre of the vocalists - there is a confident command, a higher pitch, and the distinct filter of reverb that works its echoing magic just like whenever you've heard Jon Spencer sing.

Many bands have had equally impressive lead-ins to their albums, but few of them are able keep a consistent level of energy and creativity for any duration. Sabertooth Tiger, on the other hand, comes correct, the album running deep enough as to make choosing a cut for a mix tape anything but easy. Extinction is Inevitable isn't all killer, but the standouts include songs ..1 ("Death Valley"), ..4 ("Love Money"), ..7 ("Argentina") and ..8 ("Get A Gun"). All of them are high points of political dissemination and hardcore musicality.

Some of the lyrics - but again, not all - are just as heavy as the music. In "Elephant Army" the words are especially biting when referring to American propaganda towards involvement in Middle Eastern war: "Say don't you see the fun/ Advertised for everyone/ Yeah, it's fun for everyone/ Yeah, in the sand and in the sun/ Get your fill before we're done/ But we never will be done/ Free flight, free suit/ New gear, new boots/ Just shoot back when they stare at you."

A healthy dosage of real-world expression is something that music has been lacking of late, especially considering the current conflicted state of world affairs. Music is a forum that needs to encourage the right of discourse, and Sabertooth Tiger helps to vigorously exercise that muscle. Likewise, the band isn't just throwing out random ideas - the album artwork includes links to socially concerned websites (www.greenaction.org and www.indymedia.org to name just two), a pulled quotation from Noam Chomsky, and a short essay of personal philosophy from the band. Rest assured that Sabertooth Tiger are a band of more than just emphatic politics (what the world doesn't need is another Midnight Oil), they are a band of energy, a band that fills the void and encourages others to join in and do the same.

Reviewed by Josh Zanger
Joshua Ian Zanger, a native of rural Chicago, rocks many a world with his writing, style, and generally sweet aroma.



Kotori Magazine


Political harcore punk is the sort of shit we can never get tired of, because the intensity of the music matches the intenisty of the situations that the world surrounds us with. While we sit comfortably uneasy in this red white and blue bubble of manufactured and processed bliss, GSL brings us Sabertooth Tiger, whose teeth sink deep into the system, allowing the bubble to bleed its interbreeding stupidity and wake us the fuck up before its inevitably too late. While a driving focus of the band is the ridiculously retarded drumming (featured drummers include Jon Theodore from the Mars Volta, Erin Garcia from Brother Reade, and Dave Ferrara from Original Sins), the hardcore guitarwork and pissed off nature of singers Chris Burnett and Aaron Farley, who tackle everything from patriostism, consumerism, and economics, round out the perfect punk album. This ain't no bullshit...this is the real thing!



Hex Mag


There's a big sticker on the front of this cd comparing this band to Hot Snakes. I can see the connection in the urgent and angular rocking riffs. But this has a lot more to do with labelmates Year Future, particularly in the vocal delivery and nod to punk's past (especially in the likes of Dead Kennedys) with a eye wide open to the future as well. Maybe not as out there as Year Future, but certainly in the same vein politically and in the music's urgency Sabertooth Tiger has a good thing going for a debut cd. The linear notes, quoting Noam Chomsky extensively, then expanding on it with their own explanations were of particular interest. The ideas behind the record (and explained by Chomsky) revolve around the concept of how many species of life have lived on the Earth in it's billions of years of existence. Out of all of those species humans are the only ones who are heralding our own extinction rather than letting nature take it's course with us. And because of that silly drive towards death it makes us less intelligent than, say, beetles and bacteria, who have survived far better than humans have in their existence. Yet with this notion as ammunition Sabertooth Tiger points the finger towards a small group in control of the vast majority of civilization's resources and power and are using it irresponsibly to destroy humanity. But with these accusations they also point towards hope, such as with the song "Argentina", commenting (and sampling) on that nations current struggle with taking the power back to the people. Respect is due to this band for taking a stance and doing with some great hardcore rock to boot. (GSL, www.goldstandardlabs.com)



Sounds Like - Belgium


Een positieve vorm van anger management. Dat is zowat de eerste associatie die ik leg na het beluisteren van "Extinction Is Inevitable". Verwacht je aan politieke hardcorepunk van een intensiteit die in 2006 een zeldzaamheid geworden is. Vooral aan het furieuze drumwerk is tijdens heel de plaat niet te ontkomen. Je adem wordt gewoon afgesneden en murw geslagen word je ge..ndoctrineerd door de politieke boodschappen van Sabertooth Tiger. 'Politiek' is hier niet zomaar een epitheton ornans, maar heel de plaat ademt het gewoon uit: het artwork (cut and paste .. la Crass), de teksten, het citaat van Chomsky, de websites van alternatieve nieuwsbronnen die worden vermeld in het leaflet en de clips van "Argentina" en "Love Money" die eveneens op de cd staan. Zoals het past scanderen Farley en Burnett de teksten over geldzucht, indielabels, wapenbezit, ... vol verontwaardiging. In de opener 'Death Valley trekken ze al meteen goed van leer: "Got your drug/got your car/got your wishes/gone this far/got your home/got your gas/got your teeth/got your cash/I've got no credit/can't get credit for anything/I've just spent it". Zo rechtlijnig als de teksten, zo rechtlijnig komt Sabertooth Tiger ook uit muzikaal uit de hoek. De focus ligt duidelijk niet op de complexiteit van de arrangementen maar op de passie en energie, die dan ook heel de plaat aangehouden worden.



(can someone translate into English?)