Amphetamine Reptile, remember them? The legendary Noise-Rock label home to countless legends such as Helmet, Melvins, The Jesus Lizard, Tar, etc etc. In later years a newer generation of bands emerged that includes Gay Witch Abortion, White Drugs, Hepa-Titus, and of course Mr Phylzzz.
Hailing originally from Cincinnati, Ohio before relocating to Chicago, Illinois, the quirkily named Mr. Phylzzz (pronounced flies) formed in 2015. The band are ostensibly a duo consisting of Clinton Jacob – guitar/bass/vocals and Danny Sein on drums/percussion who have put out three full-length albums of which Fat Chance is their latest.
In fact, it comes a mere year after the release of Cancel Culture Club which was reviewed by Ghost Cult colleague Tom Osman and which I would recommend giving a read, not before you’ve finished reading mine though (insert wink emoji here).
The first of the album’s seven tracks is ‘Pontiac Grand-Am’, which feels gloriously stripped down, unfussy, and a straight punch to the gut which judging by the band’s comments in the promo notes was their intention when making the record. Throw in a little of Surgery‘s punky blues-sleaze with accompanying snotty vocals and you have the makings of an excellent track that makes its impact felt from the off. ‘Dirty Hands’ takes a heavier you could say grungier musical approach with parts nodding to Tad‘s sledgehammer riffing, with perhaps a couple of cheeky math rock and psych twists thrown in for good measure.
‘Maybe’ is the epitome of an earworm and if it doesn’t get stuck in your frontal lobe you may need to consult a doctor as you aren’t quite firing on all cylinders. The track may sound deceptively simple, as if it’s been knocked out in an hour, but from my understanding, it’s actually harder to write a concise tune than a longer one. Its very melodic and brings to mind what underrated Irish outfit Kerbdog produced in the 1990s with their blend of Metallica meets Alice In Chains’ quiet/loud dynamics. This may be disconcerting to fans of the band’s more experimental output (some might even scream sell-out) but not me.
‘Damp’ is like a sludge metal Nirvana with some bluesy Clutch vibes. The drumming from Danny is excellent recalling that of Jean Paul Gaster from the aforementioned Clutch and even Dale Crover of the Melvins. If long-time fans were dismayed by the preceding track there’s more chance they’ll be on board with this one.
‘Modern Life’ has a really cool rap-rock cadence a la Orange 9MM or Rage Against the Machine, some serious post-hardcore grooves, and a few industrial flourishes, and knowing the band has a wry sense of humour its easy to assume the track is a somewhat satirical take on that style of nineties metal. However, it doesn’t detract from the fact that we have been served up yet another belting tune.
‘Insisting’ is a little faster recalling as it does the scuzzy sounds of punk-metallers L7 as well as the obnoxiousness of Pussy Galore. It’s like the soundtrack to late eighties/early nineties New York when that city was a little on the edgier side shall we say. A certified favourite of yours truly. Finally ‘Pick Scrape’ at over seven minutes is more a collage of noises and sounds than a proper track per se, so if Cop Shoot Cop, Foetus, and their ilk get your motor running you’ll love this. A baffling if intriguing way to conclude the album.
Despite the band’s claim to being a more straightforward sounding record, this is hardly your average rock band. Mischievous and inventive, Fat Chance will appeal to your more discerning music fan.
Buy the album here:
https://mrphylzzz.bandcamp.com/album/fat-chance
8 / 10
REZA MILLS