'63 Monroe

In fact, everyone comes out smelling like a
rose on this CD. The songs and production
are far superior to anything they have ever
done. No stinkin’ out the joint on this effort.
Bassist Pete DeKoker gets credit for writing
some fine unforgettable tunes.
The song line-up is representative of the
band’s live act and show their favorite
influences – the Ramones and the Stooges –
Larry, Moe and Iggy. They burst out of the
gate with the hang-onto-your-hats “Dear
John.” It’s the rock and roll equivalent of
riding bareback and it sets the tone for
everything to come. Giddy-up.
They may be middle-aged and pushing 50,
but the songs are the same concerns of any
17-year-old punk – getting pissed and
getting laid. But now from a more mature
perspective which is best summed up in a
song about how the hassles of home and
work are “Keeping Me Away (from My
Drinkin’).”
Punk? Glam? Naw, this is just straight-up
Hard Rock. The boys rock long and they
rock hard, with staying power to go all
night long. No slow, tender love ballads;
just wham-bam-thank you, mam. And as the
song-writing shows, these aging rockers
ain’t shooting blanks. Feel free to insert your
own Viagra joke here.
Robert Pegg is a writer who’s been called
“smug, glib and impertinent.” Visit
www.sonnydrysdalepresents.blogspot.com
for more of his musings.
- Art Scape- London Ont.

# 8.
'63 Monroe: Last Exit to Rawk n Roll (Speed City Records)

Old glampunkers never fade away -- they just rawk, loud and louder against the dying of the night.

So it is with The Legendary '63 Monroe -- as it says, ever so modestly, on the cover -- of this fine rip from our ageless heroes. Even Tex Ritter via John Prine is embraced on the way to The Last (definitely not Lost) Exit to Rawk n Roll.

Frontman Scott Bentley parties on like a long, tall philosopher time warped back to 1977. Bassist Pete Dekoker offers nougats of punk wisdom. Everybody else makes sure the bop blitzkriegs on and on.

Words to live by: "I'm free, let it be -- if only for two minutes 38."
- London Free Press 12/22/07