The Murder
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The Murder

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"Live Show Review"

SUZUKI SMITH, THE JOPO’S, THE MURDER, REFUSE RESIST
Midway Café, Jamaica Plain, MA
12/9/07

Punk is dead. So is barbershop—yet allegedly, people still sing it, and there’s an audience for it. I can’t confirm the existence of a thriving barbershop scene, but the Midway was full of people psyched to see a punk show Sunday afternoon. Maybe there’s hope for barbershop, after all.

Refuse Resist starts the ball rolling, and my inner cynic says, “Ooooh, this band is heavily influenced by ’80s hardcore. Seen it.” The rest of me says, “Minor Threat covers never get old, so fuck you—drink.” Even if you qualify sticking to the tried and true formula as a negative, there’re plenty of positives here. Refuse Resist plays unusually tight for a band opening a matinee show, and the bassist plucks sans pick, leading me to think they possess musical chops they’re not necessarily displaying. A big ole circle pit breaks out for “Fashion Show,” which smacks of In God We Trust era DKs. Good times. Cheryl Article, formerly of the Definite Article (probably not the last band the Indefinite Article will threaten to sue) accidentally drinks my beer while I’m taking notes. I guilt trip her into buying me two more. I am a genius.

There seem to be a few kids here with their parents, evoking memories of my adolescence misspent wandering around all-ages South Shore punk shows. Back then, Roach McKrackin was at the helm of Entrophy, that era and region’s grand poobah of pogo-punk party time. Roach has reemerged with The Murder, and unlike Entrophy, The Murder plays their instruments well. Therefore, it pains me to confess that The Murder is already much better than Entrophy was. Their delivery is dangerously fast, and laden with monster guitar solos and sing-along-after-first-listen choruses. The room gets amped, and even bassist J-Lanz, usually void of any discernable emotion, looks like he’s having fun. When interviewed before the show, J-Lanz refused to whip his junk out on stage, to the great disappoint of the women and bi-curious men in attendance.

The JoPo’s kind of look like they’re 14. However, they are actually significantly older. Their set makes me want to listen to Tegan and Sara, drink some herbal tea, and snuggle a kitten. They have amazing energy, but it feels like there’s too much happening at once for anything resembling a song to cut through. Bluntly, they’re too hardcore for me. I just can’t handle it. Much of the audience doesn’t share my problem, and appreciatively flail around in a circle like happy baboons. The guitar player shreds like it’s his fucking job, and this onslaught of guitar solos makes me wonder if punk is the new metal. It isn’t, but the thought crossed my mind.

I’m down the street celebrating the completion of a hard afternoon’s “work,” when I find out there’s a fourth band. Like a good little byline slut, I scramble back to the Midway. Apparently I’m not the only one who got confused, as a major chunk of the crowd has vacated. Their loss, as I enjoy Suzuki Smith far more than I predicted. I unfortunately can’t do them justice here, as irresponsible alcohol consumption has rendered my notes incomprehensible. “More melodic than the other bands,” I scribble. “But not melodic melodic.” What the fuck do I mean by that? I feel confident printing that Suzuki Smith reminded me of Pennywise, a little.

I have it on good authority that Refuse Resist left all their merch behind after leaving in a hurry when their bassist somehow broke two fingers. If they’re still looking for their swag, Roach McKrackin snatched it for safekeeping. (Barry Thompson) - The Noise (Febuary 2008)


"Dig This! Punk Rock Cheezburger"

Dig This!
Monday 6.2
punk rock cheezburger
The Murder

When you think of Charlie's Kitchen, you think of the best bar in America--Things like the bartenders, the grub, the locals and the irrational amount of Beck in the jukebox. But nearly every Monday, the gang calls up some of their favorite punk-noise rock crazies and jam the place with attitude. This week is on one of our favorites: The Murder, who write catchy songs like "Boston Burns" and skrees like "Soldiers and Senators."

[Charlie's Kitchen, 10 Eliot St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. 617.592.9646. 9pm/21+/$5. myspace.com/charlieskitchen] - The Weekly Dig


"Getting Away with Murder"

Getting away with Murder

Punk spirit alive in Roach McKrackin’s new band

By Barry Thompson
Monday, June 9, 2008

If Roach McKrackin has a powerful case of ADD, he’s made it an asset.

Having spent the bulk of the ’90s co-fronting the South Shore pogo-punk rampage Entrophy, he’s since clocked in a stint as a jungle DJ and written, directed and produced “Terrace St.,” an indie horror film scheduled to open this Halloween.

Now McKrackin (legal name: David Benedetti) is in a band again: the Murder. Strangely enough, he talks about his many undertakings as if they were one big project.

“I think it’s something of a natural progression,” McKrackin said of his foray from punk to jungle. “They both have similar influences. Reggae is a common ground for both of those. A lot of the old Oi! skinheads are also jungle DJs now, which is interesting.”

Likewise for his turn from DJing to filmmaking.

“One sort of led into the other,” he said, lounging in his Roxbury apartment, flanked by guitarist Pat Gill, drummer Jeremy G. and bassist Steve Brocone. The soundtrack of “Terrace St.,” which chronicles the ill-fated exploits of ravers who accidently wander onto the set of a snuff film, is largely a drum & bass affair.

But McKrackin wouldn’t have played in Entrophy for 10 years if punk wasn’t his first love. His affection shows on the Murder’s self-titled debut EP, an invigorating and notably well-produced slice of punk traditionalism that was recorded in McKrackin’s home studio. It exudes an unrefined disposition that’s faded from punk - the sort of disposition displayed by guitarist Gill when he explains how he became a Murder-er.

“I was trying to find a new band for a long time, looking on craigslist and (stuff),” said Gill, formerly of Mob Rule. “All the places were north of Boston or in Allston. Too far away. This is right down the street from my house.”

Geographic convenience isn’t Gill’s only reason for playing in the Murder, but you’ve got to respect his lack of self-censorship, which is nothing if not punk rock.

McKrackin also has a track record of designing clever merch-table paraphernalia. His newest innovation: a sticker depicting the state of Massachusetts and the phrase “Paint it Red.” That’s not a reference to blood and absolutely not a reference to communism. Think economics instead.

“Punks want less government intrusion in their lives,” McKrackin opined. “Realistically, the pro-government Democratic Party has all their big money social programs. Not that there’s anything wrong with social programs, but there has to be a limit somewhere. Don’t get me wrong, these neo-con Republicans, they’re no better than the Democrats. While I do not have the hatred for George Bush a lot of other bands do, his spending record is right up there with some of these big liberals.”

The Murder, with Eyewitness and To Speak in Silence, at the Abbey Lounge, Somerville, on Wednesday. Tickets: $7; 617-441-9631. - The Boston Herald


Discography

Self-Titled EP (2008)

Singles:
Boston Burns
Rounders

Photos

Bio

Based in Boston, The Murder have established themselves as a group with a dynamic and approachable sound not often heard in the genre. Always high-energy, The Murder churn out hard hitting numbers with memorable hooks and sing-along choruses, establishing a connection with an ever growing fan base. With influences as diverse as rock, country and reggae the group is at once blazing new trails in the Boston music scene while keeping true to their punk rock roots.

Since headlining their debut show for a capacity crowd in mid-2007, The Murder have shared the stage with acts as diverse as The Koffin Kats, Superpower, Dana Colley (Ex-Morphine) and many others. Although they are a relatively new group, Vocalist and guitarist Roach McKrackin, guitarist Pat Gill, bassist Steve B and drummer Jeremy G are all veterans of other notable Boston bands.

The Murder’s self-titled debut CD hits stores June 3rd 2008, and the group will be touring in support of their release through the end of 2008. Fans of Rancid, Social Distortion and The Clash will find The Murder irresistible.