East Bay Ray and the Killer Smiles / East Bay Ray and the Killer Smiles (4/5)

Alternative/punk rock. First release of a new band formed by East Bay Ray. East Bay Ray is a prominent bay area guitarist from the Dead Kennedys, a leading band in the American hardcore punk movement of the 80s.
However, this album isn’t really hardcore punk but rather a blend of British 70’s punk with surf, rockabilly, and hard rock. Most tracks are upbeat with a strong rockabilly feel and have fast rhythm and relatively simple chord progressions. But some tracks like 3,6 are more hardcore punk. Many tracks contain intoxicating guitar riffs.
Try 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12. FCC for #3.


#1 * (2:57) Upbeat, short-shouting vocal
#2 ** (4:12) Interesting guitar riff
#3 (2:51) More punkish vocal. FCC at the end ”fuck”
#4 (3:36) Quick rhythm, fast drumming, heavy reverb/echo
#5 * (3:32) More brit-pop and country. Upbeat swing rhythm, clean-tone guitar strumming.
#6 * (3:19) Much heavier hardcore punk. Heavily distorted guitar, shouting vocal and chorus.
#7 ** (3:31) More like old British punk
#8 (3:55) Begins with very heavy guitar howling and boosting bass but softens as the song progresses. Heavy echo/reverb
#9 * (3:44) Interesting guitar riff, heavy reverb
#10 (3:30) Eccentric. Leaves the impression of a Bollywood film soundtrack. Guitar riff throughout the whole song.
#11 * (2:56) Upbeat, more modern-feel alternative rock.
#12 * (2:21) Jazzy, upbeat swing rhythm. Sort of like Brian Setzer’s music with a touch of punk.