Remember how rock bands in the ’80s explicitly mentioned in the liner notes that “no synthesizers were used on this record”? It became a form of virtue signaling among bands, a rejection of shortcuts through innovative technology and a celebration of the authentic. On his new LP, one of our favorite throwback powerpop r’n’r-ers Brad Marino has a similar statement: “No upstrokes were used on this record.” It’s not just a funny dig at guitar lords taking themselves too seriously, it’s also a statement that will make the hearts of Ramonescore fans beat faster.
To be sure, Marino already covered Ramones’ Subterranean Jungle front-to-back in 2020, but on Basement Beat he goes full Ramone. For a moment, he even thought of releasing it under a different name because it is so sonically different than his other records. I am happy that he stuck with the Marino moniker, because I am convinced that this Ramones side is simply part of his genetic make up. The 12 songs on Basement Beat come across as effortlessly written and rival the best work of The Huntingtons in terms of how authentically Ramones they sound. Brad Marino is Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy in one convenient package on Basement Beat. These are all Marino originals, but you could pick any song on the record and place it on one of the Ramones records between Rocket To Russia and Adios Amigos. None of these songs would look out of place.
Basement Beat is out now on Memorable But Not Honorable(Tape), Rum Bar (CD), and Hey Pizza! Records (LP). Favorite tracks: That Girl, Nancy Is A Narcoleptic, Sick Sick Sick Sick and Brain Gone Dead.
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