Parasites - Retro-Pop Remasters

Myspace.com/OfficialParasites



Tracklisting
1. When I'm Here With You
2. Ronnie Is A Psycho
3. Refuge.
4. You're Gonna Miss Me
5. Crazy
6. Run Away
7. Hang Up
8. Something To Hold On To
9. Top Secret
10. Telling Lies
11. You and Stupid
12. Waiting Game
13. Never Giving Up On You
14. Someday


The Parasites formed in New Jersey in the late 80's, with Dave Parasite joining Ron Nole and Dave Ross, formerly of The Accelerators.
It seems that this band don't like to stay with one record label for too long, as in 1992, shortly after their first record on Shredder Records, Dave relocated to California and continued the band with a new line up.
Releasing 'Pair Of Sides', 'Punch Lines', and 'Pair' on Shredder Records, 'Rat Ass Pie', 'Com-post' and 'Retro Pop Remasters' on Go Kart Records and other releases on Wingnut Records and Munster Records, it seems like Parasites are pretty indesicive about things. Their current band member status on Myspace is as follows:

"Dave Parasite and many others over the years. The most notable and grammatically correct Parasites were Dan and Scott Cofer, and NJ Mega-geeks The Ergs. Now, the current and most confusing Parasites lineup yet is about to begin : I will be touring Europe soon with Tomo and Eric from the Sonic Dolls on Drums and Lead Guitar, and Stefano from the Popsters on Bass. These days even I sometimes can't remember who's in the band, but ever onwards..... "

The band played with Green Day, Rancid, NOFX, Bad Religion and The Buzzcocks during their stint in California, but what happened after this stint isn't documented. Parasites returned in 2006 with 'Retro Pop Remasters' again on Go Kart Records? It's all very confusing stuff.

Now, moving onto the music. To be quite honest, I'm not very impressed by this album. The information recieved with this CD states that the music should be filed under P for Punk, yet in the band's biography they clearly label the music Pop Punk, not able to make up your mind again?
The quality of the tracks sound quite poor and muffled and it does not have that edge of professionalism that really impresses most listeners and reviewers.
The vocals are a bit tedious and monotone but the backup of guitar riffs, drum and bass guitars give it a rather raw edge.

My personal opinion of this album isn't very high so I hope they can pull together something more impressive on their upcoming releases at Go Kart Records.


Review by Cherry Pullinger


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