Electric Eel Shock

The Gearhead Records brass must've racked up some serious frequent-flyer miles while wintering in Japan, as Electric Eel Shock is one of two (and maybe more) rising sons signed by the label recently. It hardly matters that thousands of miles separate Electric Eel Shock from Gearhead's West Coast hooch haunts; the label's sonic earmarks abound: brutally lacerated MC5 riffage, frantic pacing, and endless proclamations of rock and roll's life-saving properties.

And therein lies the main charm of Electric Eel Shock's upcoming U.S. debut, Electric Eel Shock Go U.S.!: the hilariously broken English lyrics. "I'm sorry I can't speak English well, but I wanna sing this song for you guys!" "My God is early Black Sabbath. Every day, every night, I like Ramones!" "I never gonna give it up. I gonna eat it up!" In-friggin'-deed!

While not the exploding fuzz-storm of Japanese punk demolitionists Guitar Wolf, Electric Eel Shock exhibits the universal attributes of seemingly all Japanese rock bands: an ocean-deep reservoir of energy, a healthy respect for leaving extraneous electrical noise in the mix, and a ridiculously manic, wall-bouncing live show. Not the catchiest stuff in the world, even numbing by disc's end, but a welcome departure from Gearhead's sometimes rote hot-rod punk.