Delinquints

The 8th annual Toronto Zombie Walk hit downtown T.O. Saturday, October 23, giving Hallowe’en lovers a chance to try on their costumes a little early. I caught one of the many after parties happening that night, this one at the Bovine Sex Club, where the Delinquints laid down a gritty and captivating set.

The Delinquints’ live performance is a powerhouse of noise. A raw, electric spectacle comprised of singer Jimy Delinquint’s dark, Misfit-greaser aesthetic; Beardo and Sarah’s classic punky-garage, U.K. Subs style guitars, coarsely distorted and frantically chugging away; and Dan Arget’s blistering drums continually cycling through high tempo, four on the floor beats. The Delinquints play heavy, monstrous punk, yet simple and with enough soul to stay out of the new hardcore-cum-metal spectrum. This is hardcore punk in the classic sense: Johnny Cash down on Avenue A. Back alley Elvis wielding stiletto. The Ramones on speed.

Of course, with so much punk history encroaching on their sound, the Delinquints had to pay homage to their heroes. This came with a much more core than Social D cover of Cash’s eternal psychobilly anthem “Folsom Prison Blues.” And three Misfits classics, “Horror Business,” “Hybrid Moments” and, which got everyone fist pumping, “Last Caress.” Belting out the songs at double speed, sounding almost exactly like today’s touring Misfits, all of the Delinquints’ covers were graceful nods to their forebears. This band isn’t out to prove they’re punk; they naturally strut in intimidating confidence.

Sending off guitarist Sarah Hoedlmoser in her last set with the group, plenty of Delinquints favourites were also on hand. These included “Punish The Wicked (With a 2X4),” “No Cure For” and “Criminalise The Poor.” Demonstrating their early eighties street, specifically anarcho anthem meets fifties garage sound, these tracks got local followers chanting. By the end of the set, the Bovine was packed shoulder to shoulder with people catching a glimpse of these punks who know that respect for elders trumps striking a pose. - THIS Literary Magazine

Background / Composition:
Their raucous music aside, this Toronto punk band's claim to fame is that they're friends with Kenny Vs. Spenny's Kenny Hotz. They have two EPs under their belts and more attitude than you can shake a stick at.

Grade: 85

Comment:
Time for roll call. Jimy Delinquint? "Present." Beardo Belligerent? "Here." White Fro? "Yep." Jack O'Lantern? "Aye." Precious Cargo? "Present!" These guys sound like a substitute teacher's worst nightmare.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: E
Pronunciation: G
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: E
Image: E
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
There were still a handful of people left in the Horseshoe for this closing act. Not many seemed interested in moving up to the stage area, so Jimy Delinquint started insulting them. That got a few stragglers moving, and before long, he got a "fuck you" shouted back at him. "That's the spirit!" he replied.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: G
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: G
Sound: G
Composition: G
Songs: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
It was a wild, tight and powerful set, but not quite enough to get a dozy 2 a.m. crowd whipped into a frenzy. If they'd gone on at 11:00 p.m., they'd have blown the roof off of the place.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: G
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: G
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: E
Nods To Disposible Fashion: G
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: E
Actual Ability: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Belligerent and Fro both had their shirts off before the set began, and Fro was feeling himself up during sound check. It was creepy, but impossible to look away. Delinquint was wearing a Grease-worthy leather jacket, but it worked. - CHARTattack

DELINQUINTS with SIBERIA at the Horseshoe Rating: NNNN

Local punk was the name of the game at Truth Explosion’s Saturday night showcase at the ’Shoe. Siberia, an instrumental quartet drawing inspiration from mid-to-late-90s Midwestern emo-indie rock, opened the show. For fans of long-disbanded acts like Mineral and Christie Front Drive, Siberia’s brooding melodic guitars and crashing climaxes were a welcome reminder of how good emo once was.

But make no mistake, the night belonged to gutter punk quintet Delinquints, celebrating the release their second EP, Live Your Life Like It’s Stolen. The first thing I noticed about Delinquints is that they all look the part. There’s no prefabrication here; these guys look exactly like that motley crew of dudes who used to sit at the back of the class snorting crushed Ritalins through juice-box straws.

Musically, they sound like 80s So-Cal punk filled out with some amazing guitar soloing by Beardo Belligerent, a southpaw who shreds and taps the shit out of an upside-down Fender. Led by rough-and-tumble rockabilly front man Jimy Delinquint, the band has an undeniable raw power, and in short order they instigated some rough pit action.

JORDAN BIMM - NOW Magazine

As their name suggests, Delinquints is a band that gets into trouble. But Jimy Delinquint, the frontman for these hard-living Toronto purveyors of classic California punk, proves to be a more complex character than your average troublemaker.

Primed to independently release their full-length debut, Punish The Wicked, on the heels of a successful EP and national tour with the Mahones and the Popes, the leader of the quintet says, “It’s healthy to have a bit of a bad reputation, to challenge conventions and make people think. But we try to have a sense of humour about it.”

Missing half his right ear from a bar brawl in 2005 and employed as a bouncer at various venues around town, Delinquint’s taken his lumps, and probably dealt out even more in the process. Writing raw, honest Rancid-and-Bad-Religion-style agro anthems alongside his best friend, co-founder/lead guitarist Beardo Belligerent, he says the thrill of performing has gotten him through bouts of drug addiction, anxiety and depression.

“Music helps me cope with stress. It’s so cathartic and transformative to lose yourself in the moment. It’s like your first time in a pit.”

But under the rough exterior lies a heart of gold. After noticing a spike in their younger fan base, the Delinquints organized a special all-ages Sneaky Dee’s matinee show in addition to their 19-plus CD release show on Friday.

“When I was young and went to punk shows, I remember that there were bands that were nice to kids and bands that were jerks,” recalls Delinquint. “I want to make sure we’re nice and cool to the kids.” - NOW Magazine