Down by Law
Yellow Rat Bastard

THE REVIEW

Another band known by very few; in fact, not even a single word about Down By Law on the site.

Yet, the leader Dave Smalley is one of those key figures in the whole American melodic Hardcore scene that started in the eighties.

He also played in Dag Nasty; and there's no need to say more about the importance of this seminal band.

A three-track single "Yellow Rat Bastard" that I bought in May 1993 when I saw the band in concert in that tiny sound temple that was, but still is, the Bloom of Mezzago.

Distributed by the Roman label "Helter Skelter Records" and sold for a few thousand Lire (!!!)...

The title track stands out as the best song of the lot: a true Punk - Hardcore slingshot that seems written in 1981, so dynamic and offensive. Played with such energy that it joins an incredibly impressive instrumental technique that I didn't even expect from the "quiet" and melodic Down By Law. The track includes, about halfway through its relentless pace, a guitar passage with Noise hues that are reminiscent of none other than the noise masters, Helmet.

The remaining two tracks are no less, played with much more controlled passion; Dave and the others want to remind us that they are a legend of the epitaphic melodic Hardcore and fear very few comparisons in this regard. They demonstrate it in their own way with the opener "Punky Brewster" and with "Revolver," a cover of another anthology band: Mission Of Burma.

Now it's better; I'm no longer in trouble (with the law)...Punkrockacademyfightsong...

Ad Maiora.