ROCKWiRED MAGAZiNE iNTERViEWS SONiC REBELLiON

APRiL 28, 2010
AWAKE NOW
DUSTiN SMiTH OF SONiC REBELLiON TALKS TO ROCKWiRED
ABOUT THEiR DEBUT CD HEADS WE WiN...TAiLS YOU LOSE
SHAKiNG UP A SEDATE ROCK SCENE
AND ROCKiNG WiTH A VENGEANCE
iNTERViEWED BY BRiAN LUSH
The emo phenomenon’s passionless stance seemed to result from a weariness from the chaos and instability that came to represent the last decade. Marked by a cold, electronic sound and jet black hair covering up generously applied eyeliner, emo ushered in new romantic era in music for kids too young to know who SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHESS were while others simply could’ve done without all of the whining. Towards the end of the decade, I noticed a group of bands who seemed to be reacting to the more passive emo sound by giving rock music a pair of balls again – and they were all from New York. One was the band ZO2 who ended up with their own mockumentary series on the IFC CHANNEL and the band FIXER who brought a DAVID LEE ROTH swagger to the forefront on their debut release. Now, another band from the Big Apple called SONIC REBELLION has released their debut CD ‘HEADS WE WIN…TAILS YOU LOSE’ and like the other two acts I just mentioned are more interested in cranking it up and letting audiences go nuts. Just when I thought that the only dependable good time rock n roll came from Australia, SONIC REBELLION has proved me wrong. With vocalist ANDY SMITH’s whiskey-charred growl, LEFTY’s meaty guitar riffs, and the thunderous rhythm section comprised of bassist DUSTIN SMITH and drummer SEAN POKRESS, ‘HEADS…’ is one of those moments where you cross your fingers and hope that a change is coming to rock music. The album kicks off with a bang and strut number called ‘AWAKE NOW’ which is punctuated by AC/DC-styled riffs and ANDY SMITH’s bluesy sounding war whoop which doesn’t sound too dissimilar from BRIAN JOHNSON’s. Halfway through the track, things break down into a head banging celebration. The title alone seems to be signaling the end of the passivity that has invaded much of what folks have been dubbing “alternative” music. ‘SONG ABOUT REVENGE’ is a high octane rocker that would’ve served SAMMY HAGAR just as proudly though the line ‘I’m the baddest motherfucker you know!’ looks and sounds better on ANDY SMITH. ‘MAD AS HELL’ is just the sort of ballsy, blues-based call to arms that the US of A could use in these desperate, economically deprived times. (READ MORE)