Down & Dirty

After reviewing Down & Dirty's 2009 debut album Live Fast, which I thought was good, I always felt the band showed a lot of promise and had a lot more to offer. Without starting to sound like a Down & Dirty cheerleader, I have to say that their new disc Taste Of Rock & Roll has proven me right.
Down & Dirty have never come across as lacking in confidence, but after a few years of obviously working hard, they seem to have stamped more authority on their musical direction and lead singer Majyk sounds more self-assured. The band have always given off the impression that they are having a good time, and from what unfolds here, this disc is no exception.
From start to finish the whole shebang is a bright and breezy listen with an optimistic feel. Everything is covered here -- from the title track "Taste Of Rock & Roll" that sails the seas of cheese (but when has cheese ever been a problem for sleaze fans?) with its intro of two girls talking on the phone about their excitement of meeting the Down & Dirty guys, the Poison-like "Party With Me", the slightly bluesy hard rock of "Get It Right", the killer low-down rocker "Wild Child" all the way to the infectious "Free & Young".
The power ballad that is "Fallin" isn't a song I would personally chose to put on when I wander over to my disc collection, but it has to be said that Down & Dirty do this kind of stuff well and seem to have really hit their stride here. The unmistakable opening riff of "Hurts So Good" showcases the boys covering the John Mellencamp tune, a song I used to love back in the day, by putting their own guitar spin on it as well as changing some lyrics (I'm pretty sure Mellencamp's original never contained 'fucking around all night long'). It is a decent enough cover version though.
Down & Dirty have come a long way baby! While Taste Of Rock & Roll doesn't equate to reinventing of the wheel, it is traditional, lively party rock and a damn solid release. Without a doubt this is a young band from Illinois that are worth giving a listen -- now excuse me while I get back to spinning "Wild Child".
Reviewed by Tania for Sleaze Roxx, June 2011

- Sleaze Roxx

After reviewing Down & Dirty's 2009 debut album Live Fast, which I thought was good, I always felt the band showed a lot of promise and had a lot more to offer. Without starting to sound like a Down & Dirty cheerleader, I have to say that their new disc Taste Of Rock & Roll has proven me right.
Down & Dirty have never come across as lacking in confidence, but after a few years of obviously working hard, they seem to have stamped more authority on their musical direction and lead singer Majyk sounds more self-assured. The band have always given off the impression that they are having a good time, and from what unfolds here, this disc is no exception.
From start to finish the whole shebang is a bright and breezy listen with an optimistic feel. Everything is covered here -- from the title track "Taste Of Rock & Roll" that sails the seas of cheese (but when has cheese ever been a problem for sleaze fans?) with its intro of two girls talking on the phone about their excitement of meeting the Down & Dirty guys, the Poison-like "Party With Me", the slightly bluesy hard rock of "Get It Right", the killer low-down rocker "Wild Child" all the way to the infectious "Free & Young".
The power ballad that is "Fallin" isn't a song I would personally chose to put on when I wander over to my disc collection, but it has to be said that Down & Dirty do this kind of stuff well and seem to have really hit their stride here. The unmistakable opening riff of "Hurts So Good" showcases the boys covering the John Mellencamp tune, a song I used to love back in the day, by putting their own guitar spin on it as well as changing some lyrics (I'm pretty sure Mellencamp's original never contained 'fucking around all night long'). It is a decent enough cover version though.
Down & Dirty have come a long way baby! While Taste Of Rock & Roll doesn't equate to reinventing of the wheel, it is traditional, lively party rock and a damn solid release. Without a doubt this is a young band from Illinois that are worth giving a listen -- now excuse me while I get back to spinning "Wild Child".
Reviewed by Tania for Sleaze Roxx, June 2011

- Sleaze Roxx

From the moment TOR&R stomps it’s leather boot out of the speakers full of teenage sass and pout, hairspray and hangovers, it’s obvious that these four young dudes – L.A. Mangano, Majyk, 9 Volt and Joey – were suckled on the teat of classic rock and glam from the glory days before these boys were even born.
Down & Dirty have come a long way since I saw them in Tulsa, Oklahoma back in 2009 – better songs, more polish, better musicianship - and they’re really sounding like a focussed unit on this, their debut full length album.
Full of youthful, raw, punky energy, the songs here may remind the listener of Motley Crue, Skid Row, Guns n’ Roses et al, but Down & Dirty have an unmistakable sound of their own through anthemic riffing rockers like the title track, ‘Free & Young’ and Led Zep/Aerosmith riffing of ‘Wild Child’.
Piano-led scorcher ‘Fallin’ shows a tender side to the band and features an excellent guitar solo from L.A., and a spirited hard rockin’ cover of John Cougar Mellancamp’s classic ‘Hurts So Good’ is a fun halfway point to the album.
From there the party is in full swing through rabble rousing ‘Party With Me’, the ferocious ‘Get It Right’, ‘You’ and the electrifying barroom boogie of ‘Gotta Luv It’.
If you like your rock with an Eighties vintage and more testosterone than a bus load of high schoolers on summer break, Down & Dirty have exactly the Taste Of Rock & Roll to soothe your soul.
By Shane Pinnegar


- The Rockpit.net

From the moment TOR&R stomps it’s leather boot out of the speakers full of teenage sass and pout, hairspray and hangovers, it’s obvious that these four young dudes – L.A. Mangano, Majyk, 9 Volt and Joey – were suckled on the teat of classic rock and glam from the glory days before these boys were even born.
Down & Dirty have come a long way since I saw them in Tulsa, Oklahoma back in 2009 – better songs, more polish, better musicianship - and they’re really sounding like a focussed unit on this, their debut full length album.
Full of youthful, raw, punky energy, the songs here may remind the listener of Motley Crue, Skid Row, Guns n’ Roses et al, but Down & Dirty have an unmistakable sound of their own through anthemic riffing rockers like the title track, ‘Free & Young’ and Led Zep/Aerosmith riffing of ‘Wild Child’.
Piano-led scorcher ‘Fallin’ shows a tender side to the band and features an excellent guitar solo from L.A., and a spirited hard rockin’ cover of John Cougar Mellancamp’s classic ‘Hurts So Good’ is a fun halfway point to the album.
From there the party is in full swing through rabble rousing ‘Party With Me’, the ferocious ‘Get It Right’, ‘You’ and the electrifying barroom boogie of ‘Gotta Luv It’.
If you like your rock with an Eighties vintage and more testosterone than a bus load of high schoolers on summer break, Down & Dirty have exactly the Taste Of Rock & Roll to soothe your soul.
By Shane Pinnegar


- The Rockpit.net

Chicago, Illinois bred Down & Dirty look like the younger brothers of sleaze rock outfit Dirty Penny and even scored an opening slot with them and Vains Of Jenna. With these connections I figured that I would like the music on Down & Dirty's debut disc Live Fast, and for the most part I figured right.
You wouldn't know it from the insipid wishy-washy stuff that gets played on mainstream radio today, but with what has come out in the last few years it's proving to be a good time for rock fans. It's especially reassuring when you get a group of young guys like Down & Dirty (who are only around 16 and 17 years old) flying the flag for rock instead of carrying the torch for boy-band pop.
Things get started with "Tear It Up" which is a lively and bouncy number. With "O' Yeah", as you can probably guess from the title, there isn't much more than "Oh Yeah", but it's so damn catchy who's bothered about lyrical genius. The pace changes for the ballad "Heartbreaker", which when it starts off I didn't think I was going to like it, and at over 6 minutes long this one overstays its welcome by a few minutes. But that quibble aside, it actually builds up into something pretty cool and singer Majyk sounds his best on this track, although he's a good singer anyway, but he adds a different twist to his vocals when he lets his voice soar in the middle of this number. It also has some lovely female backing vocals. The highlight though for me on Live Fast is the final song "Midnight Train", which is a gutsy big bang closing.
This is pretty simple stuff, but enjoyable and likeable. A few songs have a demo like sound quality to them, but overall the production is impressive considering these guys are probably still at school and presumably on a fairly limited budget.
Down & Dirty are not heavy metal, this is more rock with a party feel to it, sprinkled with a dash of sleaze. They seem to be in the business of having a good time and that's what it's all about for a lot of fans of this genre. There is promise here - from the appealing upbeat music that is at times as feisty and as energetic as Dirty Rhythm, to some fairly good musicianship, they have an enthusiastic air about them.
Live Fast is an above average effort from a band from the next generation. Maybe there is musical hope for today's youth after all. Down & Dirty are a band to keep your eye on and I for one look forward to watching them evolve and grow.
www.myspace.com/downndirtyband

Reviewed by Tania for Sleaze Roxx, November 2009. - Sleaze Roxx

Chicago, Illinois bred Down & Dirty look like the younger brothers of sleaze rock outfit Dirty Penny and even scored an opening slot with them and Vains Of Jenna. With these connections I figured that I would like the music on Down & Dirty's debut disc Live Fast, and for the most part I figured right.
You wouldn't know it from the insipid wishy-washy stuff that gets played on mainstream radio today, but with what has come out in the last few years it's proving to be a good time for rock fans. It's especially reassuring when you get a group of young guys like Down & Dirty (who are only around 16 and 17 years old) flying the flag for rock instead of carrying the torch for boy-band pop.
Things get started with "Tear It Up" which is a lively and bouncy number. With "O' Yeah", as you can probably guess from the title, there isn't much more than "Oh Yeah", but it's so damn catchy who's bothered about lyrical genius. The pace changes for the ballad "Heartbreaker", which when it starts off I didn't think I was going to like it, and at over 6 minutes long this one overstays its welcome by a few minutes. But that quibble aside, it actually builds up into something pretty cool and singer Majyk sounds his best on this track, although he's a good singer anyway, but he adds a different twist to his vocals when he lets his voice soar in the middle of this number. It also has some lovely female backing vocals. The highlight though for me on Live Fast is the final song "Midnight Train", which is a gutsy big bang closing.
This is pretty simple stuff, but enjoyable and likeable. A few songs have a demo like sound quality to them, but overall the production is impressive considering these guys are probably still at school and presumably on a fairly limited budget.
Down & Dirty are not heavy metal, this is more rock with a party feel to it, sprinkled with a dash of sleaze. They seem to be in the business of having a good time and that's what it's all about for a lot of fans of this genre. There is promise here - from the appealing upbeat music that is at times as feisty and as energetic as Dirty Rhythm, to some fairly good musicianship, they have an enthusiastic air about them.
Live Fast is an above average effort from a band from the next generation. Maybe there is musical hope for today's youth after all. Down & Dirty are a band to keep your eye on and I for one look forward to watching them evolve and grow.
www.myspace.com/downndirtyband

Reviewed by Tania for Sleaze Roxx, November 2009. - Sleaze Roxx