Wiseguys N Scallywags

Rating 4.5/5 Stars. Wiseguys N' Scallywags goes beyond just good playing and world class songwriting. Lyrics are also an important factor for me when listening to a band or artist. In this aspect, I found Wiseguys N' Scallywags most impressive as they paint you an impressive visual between the spoken word and messages of hope, love, mystery and the love of life itself - with a side of Punk Rock hot sauce on the side. - Music Emissions

Sounds Like: Cult, Social Distortion, Rancid, Suicidal Tendencies, LinkinPark
Technical Grade: 8/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 8/10
Commercial Value: 9/10
Overall Talent Level: 8/10
Songwriting Skills: 9/10
Performance Skill: 7/10
Best Songs: Encendador, Bubblegum Jazz, What it’s like to Die

The CD explodes with “Abomination” a hard rocking intro piece that serves up driving rock rhythm, slamming rhythm guitar against heartfelt vocals from Greuel. I love the way Greuel screams. Track 2 “How I Roll” an impressive yet melodic follow up piece that whips you around like a wild tornado with more of the same punk-rock intensity and dynamic musical flow with no holds barred lyrical content. Track 3 “Better Off Undead” keeps things rocking with its melodic guitar intro, methodical musical build and heartfelt vocals. As the CD quickly unfolds I can hear influences ranging from The Cult, Social Distortion, Rancid to old school Suicidal Tendencies. The music has everything you would expect from a high octane power driven punk CD. The musical style refuses to be pinned down, the vocals from Greuel are gritty and are deep in your grill. The guitar playing is hot to the touch. Make no bones about it – this is total mosh-pit madness but there are also touches of Classic Jam band and old school Punk Rock. Greuel’s vocal style works extremely well with this style of music with its stereotypical jagged edge delivery. Vocally at times he dishes out the Chester Bennington (LinkinPark) vocal intensity. The rhythm section - lays down the low end groove thick as a brick. What I like most about the music is its rock solid intensity; note for note and song for song. Like a heavy weight boxer the songs keep coming at you one after the other - with no sign of letting up. From progressive “Common Misconceptions” to rocking “Fourteen” “Terror” and Encendador” to emotional and heartfelt “What it’s Like to Die” to grooving “Bugglegum Jazz” this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with Track 13 “The Funkness Monster va the “Fuank-a-sauraus-rex” the perfect finale statement for a CD of this caliber. - The Muse's Muse

Sounds Like: Cult, Social Distortion, Rancid, Suicidal Tendencies, LinkinPark
Technical Grade: 8/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 8/10
Commercial Value: 9/10
Overall Talent Level: 8/10
Songwriting Skills: 9/10
Performance Skill: 7/10
Best Songs: Encendador, Bubblegum Jazz, What it’s like to Die

The CD explodes with “Abomination” a hard rocking intro piece that serves up driving rock rhythm, slamming rhythm guitar against heartfelt vocals from Greuel. I love the way Greuel screams. Track 2 “How I Roll” an impressive yet melodic follow up piece that whips you around like a wild tornado with more of the same punk-rock intensity and dynamic musical flow with no holds barred lyrical content. Track 3 “Better Off Undead” keeps things rocking with its melodic guitar intro, methodical musical build and heartfelt vocals. As the CD quickly unfolds I can hear influences ranging from The Cult, Social Distortion, Rancid to old school Suicidal Tendencies. The music has everything you would expect from a high octane power driven punk CD. The musical style refuses to be pinned down, the vocals from Greuel are gritty and are deep in your grill. The guitar playing is hot to the touch. Make no bones about it – this is total mosh-pit madness but there are also touches of Classic Jam band and old school Punk Rock. Greuel’s vocal style works extremely well with this style of music with its stereotypical jagged edge delivery. Vocally at times he dishes out the Chester Bennington (LinkinPark) vocal intensity. The rhythm section - lays down the low end groove thick as a brick. What I like most about the music is its rock solid intensity; note for note and song for song. Like a heavy weight boxer the songs keep coming at you one after the other - with no sign of letting up. From progressive “Common Misconceptions” to rocking “Fourteen” “Terror” and Encendador” to emotional and heartfelt “What it’s Like to Die” to grooving “Bugglegum Jazz” this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with Track 13 “The Funkness Monster va the “Fuank-a-sauraus-rex” the perfect finale statement for a CD of this caliber. - The Muse's Muse

I give this 4/5 Skopes. Moxie and ambition is the way of the walk on the debut album from Wiseguys N Scallywags. Let’s start with the fact that the album is a 13-track LP… I’m always immediately impressed with that. I’ll take a 13-track complete catalog over a four-track sampling any day.

The debut is also self-titled. And while this isn’t unheard of, I do feel it makes a statement that the artists haven’t only created a list of songs; they “claim” them as well. That takes moxie. That same swagger shines through on the debut through a myriad of styles and facets.

This is a monster of an album both in terms of tracks and musicality. There are myriad styles that not only show versatility within one’s own sound; but those styles build these tracks into complete songs with various lush soundscapes. Another point that I like is that clearly these guys create a lot of music, much of it distorted and fuzzy. But, production created a “clean” album while maintaining the raw organic sound of the band. What else really needs to be said? It’s an ambitious first project that hits on all cylinders and delivers. - Skope Magazine

I give this 4/5 Skopes. Moxie and ambition is the way of the walk on the debut album from Wiseguys N Scallywags. Let’s start with the fact that the album is a 13-track LP… I’m always immediately impressed with that. I’ll take a 13-track complete catalog over a four-track sampling any day.

The debut is also self-titled. And while this isn’t unheard of, I do feel it makes a statement that the artists haven’t only created a list of songs; they “claim” them as well. That takes moxie. That same swagger shines through on the debut through a myriad of styles and facets.

This is a monster of an album both in terms of tracks and musicality. There are myriad styles that not only show versatility within one’s own sound; but those styles build these tracks into complete songs with various lush soundscapes. Another point that I like is that clearly these guys create a lot of music, much of it distorted and fuzzy. But, production created a “clean” album while maintaining the raw organic sound of the band. What else really needs to be said? It’s an ambitious first project that hits on all cylinders and delivers. - Skope Magazine

ROCKWiRED RADiO PROFiLES PRESENTS AN EXCLUSiVE iNTERViEW WiTH GREG KiRKPATRiCK AND ZAC SALZMAN OF WiSEGUYS N SCALLYWAGS AND CUTS FROM THEiR SELF-TiTLED DEBUT

For the past few years the Milwaukee-based band WISEGUYS N SCALLYWAGS have made a name for themselves as one of the most exciting live acts on their local scene and beyond . When faced with the challenge of bringing their raucous energy on the stage onto a thirteen-song album the band approached it just like they've approached everything up until now - with complete abandon. The band's self titled debut CD delivers the kind of rock n roll punch that is sorely missing in today's mainstream rock set . Comprised of ZAC SALZMAN (lead guitar/backing vocals), GREG KIRKPATRICK (bass), RYAN SLANE (drums) and front man and guitarist ROB GREUEL prove that they can hit all the right melodic and thematic targets with such tracks as the blistering FOURTEEN, BETTER OFF UNDEAD and the jazzy swagger of BUBBLEGUM JAZZ. - Rock Wired Radio

ROCKWiRED RADiO PROFiLES PRESENTS AN EXCLUSiVE iNTERViEW WiTH GREG KiRKPATRiCK AND ZAC SALZMAN OF WiSEGUYS N SCALLYWAGS AND CUTS FROM THEiR SELF-TiTLED DEBUT

For the past few years the Milwaukee-based band WISEGUYS N SCALLYWAGS have made a name for themselves as one of the most exciting live acts on their local scene and beyond . When faced with the challenge of bringing their raucous energy on the stage onto a thirteen-song album the band approached it just like they've approached everything up until now - with complete abandon. The band's self titled debut CD delivers the kind of rock n roll punch that is sorely missing in today's mainstream rock set . Comprised of ZAC SALZMAN (lead guitar/backing vocals), GREG KIRKPATRICK (bass), RYAN SLANE (drums) and front man and guitarist ROB GREUEL prove that they can hit all the right melodic and thematic targets with such tracks as the blistering FOURTEEN, BETTER OFF UNDEAD and the jazzy swagger of BUBBLEGUM JAZZ. - Rock Wired Radio

THE DAY TO DAY BATTLE BETWEEN OUR INNER WISEGUYS N SCALLYWAGS FIRES THE ANGSTY ENERGY OF THE FULL LENGTH DEBUT OF WISCONSIN BASED INDIE PUNK POWERHOUSE

The last time Wiseguys N Scallywags played their favorite Milwaukee hotspot The Rave, they were on a crazy disjointed bill with a local metal band, whose boisterous crowd dispersed before the emerging indie punkers took the stage. There were just a few people lingering when charismatic frontman/rhythm guitarist Rob Greuel and the boys started in on their first tune, but a few minutes into the show, folks started piling back in, sucked in by their infectious tunes and wild energy—which is what’s happening everywhere now that WNS is releasing their long awaited self-titled album.

A furiously raging staple of the scene in Milwaukee and their smaller hometown of West Bend these past few years, the group—whose longtime in the making locked in current lineup includes Zac Salzman (lead guitar/backing vocals), Greg Kirkpatrick (bass) and Ryan Slane (drums)—has blazed through shows everywhere from River Horse (the one major club in their hometown) to Chicago’s Elbo Room and even snagged an opening slot at the world famous Summerfest. When the stripped down settings demand it, they have also done their share of acoustic gigs, showcasing the melodic magic at the core of their cathartic songwriting magic, via their acoustic guitars and even a single headed African djembe!

When listeners feel the tension, it’s by design and ties in with their one of a kind band moniker. As Kirkpatrick sees it, “in all of us, there is both a wiseguy and a scallywag. It’s a never ending monkey wielding knife fight to the death as to which one wins. Some days the wiseguy wins, and some days the scallywag wins.”

Not surprising for anyone who knows these multi-talented powerhouses, but Wiseguys and Scallywags pulls off a wild coup with their powerful (and generous!) 13 track debut. They’ve done the unthinkable, translating all that unbridled onstage fire to the confines of the studio. Not an easy task, when fans in person regularly get to see the eccentric Greuel jumping and running everywhere, unstrapping his guitar, inciting bedlam and making sure the crowds have the time of their life. The others romp with their unchecked shenanigans, too. But OK, there is one thing missing on the recording. While we get to hear Greuel’s stories, experiences and life frustrations, we don’t get the members grabbing the mic between songs to tell horribly off color jokes to get the crowds laughing.

Proof of the 24-year-old Greuel’s lifelong prowess as a songwriter? Try the raucous “Fourteen,” whose original version was penned ten years ago when the singer was pissed at the world and his mom. One of the hardest, fastest jams on the album, its high octane whirlwind perfectly captures the band in all its interactive glory. Quoting quirkily from Revelation in the spoken intro, the Wiseguys—channeling “Ghostbusters”--imagine a spirited screaming zombie apocalypse on “Better Off Undead,” concluding that if the world’s turned to crap, becoming a zombie is a pretty decent alternative. Other titles convey the perfect blend of angst and humor: “Zach Is New Metal” (knocking metal musicians and fans who sneer at punk rock), the rockabilly-tinged “What It’s Like To Die” (just imagine!) and the outlaw arsonist caper “Encendador.” In the midst of the punked up madness is the groove-driven, swinging Stray Cats-like “Bubblegum Jazz,” which evolved from a hardcore tune into its current seductive arrangement.

“Make no mistake, we’re here to take over,” says Salzman. Kirkpatrick adds, “Our music is fun and different, and a nice change from what most people think is out there on the indie scene. We’re truly a mix between the Wiseguy mafia guy who’s always trying to do the right thing and the Scallywag, the scoundrel punk troublemaker who lives to incite and make people crazy with mischief.” - Rain Maker Media Group

THE DAY TO DAY BATTLE BETWEEN OUR INNER WISEGUYS N SCALLYWAGS FIRES THE ANGSTY ENERGY OF THE FULL LENGTH DEBUT OF WISCONSIN BASED INDIE PUNK POWERHOUSE

The last time Wiseguys N Scallywags played their favorite Milwaukee hotspot The Rave, they were on a crazy disjointed bill with a local metal band, whose boisterous crowd dispersed before the emerging indie punkers took the stage. There were just a few people lingering when charismatic frontman/rhythm guitarist Rob Greuel and the boys started in on their first tune, but a few minutes into the show, folks started piling back in, sucked in by their infectious tunes and wild energy—which is what’s happening everywhere now that WNS is releasing their long awaited self-titled album.

A furiously raging staple of the scene in Milwaukee and their smaller hometown of West Bend these past few years, the group—whose longtime in the making locked in current lineup includes Zac Salzman (lead guitar/backing vocals), Greg Kirkpatrick (bass) and Ryan Slane (drums)—has blazed through shows everywhere from River Horse (the one major club in their hometown) to Chicago’s Elbo Room and even snagged an opening slot at the world famous Summerfest. When the stripped down settings demand it, they have also done their share of acoustic gigs, showcasing the melodic magic at the core of their cathartic songwriting magic, via their acoustic guitars and even a single headed African djembe!

When listeners feel the tension, it’s by design and ties in with their one of a kind band moniker. As Kirkpatrick sees it, “in all of us, there is both a wiseguy and a scallywag. It’s a never ending monkey wielding knife fight to the death as to which one wins. Some days the wiseguy wins, and some days the scallywag wins.”

Not surprising for anyone who knows these multi-talented powerhouses, but Wiseguys and Scallywags pulls off a wild coup with their powerful (and generous!) 13 track debut. They’ve done the unthinkable, translating all that unbridled onstage fire to the confines of the studio. Not an easy task, when fans in person regularly get to see the eccentric Greuel jumping and running everywhere, unstrapping his guitar, inciting bedlam and making sure the crowds have the time of their life. The others romp with their unchecked shenanigans, too. But OK, there is one thing missing on the recording. While we get to hear Greuel’s stories, experiences and life frustrations, we don’t get the members grabbing the mic between songs to tell horribly off color jokes to get the crowds laughing.

Proof of the 24-year-old Greuel’s lifelong prowess as a songwriter? Try the raucous “Fourteen,” whose original version was penned ten years ago when the singer was pissed at the world and his mom. One of the hardest, fastest jams on the album, its high octane whirlwind perfectly captures the band in all its interactive glory. Quoting quirkily from Revelation in the spoken intro, the Wiseguys—channeling “Ghostbusters”--imagine a spirited screaming zombie apocalypse on “Better Off Undead,” concluding that if the world’s turned to crap, becoming a zombie is a pretty decent alternative. Other titles convey the perfect blend of angst and humor: “Zach Is New Metal” (knocking metal musicians and fans who sneer at punk rock), the rockabilly-tinged “What It’s Like To Die” (just imagine!) and the outlaw arsonist caper “Encendador.” In the midst of the punked up madness is the groove-driven, swinging Stray Cats-like “Bubblegum Jazz,” which evolved from a hardcore tune into its current seductive arrangement.

“Make no mistake, we’re here to take over,” says Salzman. Kirkpatrick adds, “Our music is fun and different, and a nice change from what most people think is out there on the indie scene. We’re truly a mix between the Wiseguy mafia guy who’s always trying to do the right thing and the Scallywag, the scoundrel punk troublemaker who lives to incite and make people crazy with mischief.” - Rain Maker Media Group