Artist: Backyard Babies Title: “People Like People Like People Like Us” Label: Abacus Records Release Date: 5/2/2006 Genre: Hard Rock Punk Rating: 3.5/5
If you’re a fan of the slam bam Rock & Roll style of bands like Social Distortion and the Punk and edgy attitude that made up the Ramones then The Backyard Babies are one of those bands who you really should be looking into. They were formed in Sweden back in 1987 but you North American Punk fans might have only heard about them in whispers or in music downloaded by unconventional means since they are not able to come around these parts all that often. Most of their music had been unavailable until the issue of a greatest hits type of package called “Tinnitus” and a live effort called “Live, Live In Paris” which were both available on Liquor & Poker Music. Their first go at new original music and a long overdue domestic release comes to us in “People Like People Like People Like Us” and while it’s a welcome change from bands who call themselves Punk (Good Charlotte, Sum 41, Fallout Boy), its not exactly what I expected from them. I have to admit that I feel spoiled by the best of compilation since it was my own first go at the band and presented to me all of the tracks of note so when I put this one on I was expecting a little more of an assault. It’s not bad by any margin but the impact of tunes like “Making Enemies Is Good” or “Look At You” are not even come close to by the releases most notable efforts of “Blitzkrieg Loveshock” and “The Mess Age (How Could I Be So Wrong)”. Continue reading “People Like People Like People Like Us” by Backyard Babies→
Artist: Backyard Babies Title: “Live Live In Paris” Label: Liquor And Poker Music Release Date: 2/21/2006 Genre: Rock Punk Rating: 8/10
Stockholm Sweden’s Backyard Babies have been hard at work after their support of Social Distortion. The group was performing to capacity crowds and delivering some of the most rock solid punk-edged music that was seen here in awhile and resultant of this tour bring you “Live Live In Paris”. The album finds the Backyard Babies energetic and electric as they perform 15 of their best numbers before a sold-out audience. It is very easy to get into their music even at a first listen and with limited knowledge of the band. Like many in the US, I was new to them and had only delved deeper at the suggestion of another writer who gave them a high recommendation. As a fan of The Ramones, Sex Pistols and The Clash, it was great to see a band taking example from these Founders and giving you a boot stomping, beer raising good time with their songs. The four member band of Nicke (vocals), Dregen (guitars), Johan (Bass) and Peder (drums) don’t overdo anything except the attitude and drive the point straight home with this CD that ends up being a perfect introduction to their sound. The CD is made up of 10 songs from last years “Tinnitus” (the only album available domestically which is made up of tracks from their other releases). Once you absorb “Tinnitus” at full volume you will totally enjoy the vibe of the live release. It is indeed a nice companion piece to this album. My personal favorites in the bands song roster fall to “Look At You”, “The Clash”, “Brand New Hate” and “Minus Celsius”. Each of these tracks is a memorable rocker. Continue reading “Live Live In Paris” by Backyard Babies→
The Backyard Babies were rocking in the USA Brooklyn style and the performance was documented in a posting that you can read HERE. These photos by Skeleton Pete Parrella will allow you to be a part of the excitement from your computer desk.
Backyard Babies in Concert by Pete Parrella (2005)Backyard Babies in Concert by Pete Parrella (2005)
Artist: Backyard Babies Venue: The North Six (Brooklyn NY) Opener: unsigned acts Label: Liquor and Poker Music Date: 2-24-2005
Sweden’s Grammy Award winning rock group the “Backyard Babies” took an off night from their tour supporting Social Distortion to make a pit stop at the North Six club located in Williamsburg Brooklyn recently. I have to admit that adventuring out to the show in the middle of a treacherous snowstorm to see them and to absorb the surroundings of a new club made the night kick off to an interesting start. The evening was set to be full of high-energy Rock and Roll in the style of Clash and Sex Pistols with kick ass numbers and exciting stage personality from each of the performing bands. As a matter of fact, each group kicked up the level of performance a notch. I was fortunate to meet the support team for the group on the tour bus and I teased them that they brought the snow from Sweden. New York was getting more of it than back home we were told. Continue reading Backyard Babies @ North Six (2/5/2005)→
Artist: Backyard Babies Title: “Tinnitus” Label: Liquor and Poker Music Release Date: 2/22/2005 Genre: Rock Punk Rating: 8/10
The Backyard Babies have been around for about 10 years and this is far too long for the United States to have waited to get a taste of their brand of old school rock and roll mixed with a touch of Punk. Their latest CD entitled “Tinnitus” will be the first time the music will be available to us in the USA and this is due to the efforts of the folks at Liquor and Poker Music. What I first found amazing about the band was the fact that this kind of music was coming from Sweden as opposed to someplace like Hollywood California or New York. I mean, Sweden has so many grinding and dark styled heavy metal bands that it is a refreshing change of pace for those that grow tired of that stuff. This is more akin to the glory days of the Sex Pistols and New York Dolls (though some folks will argue there is Clash and Social Distortion influences in this as well). I enjoyed the CD very much and found myself with quite a few favorites after only one listen. This is no-nonsense foot stomping music, it makes you want to grab a beer and your boots and slam and bop while the band plays on late into the evening in some crap bar. Continue reading “Tinnitus” by Backyard Babies→
