I'm obviously going to explain a bit in a moment, but in case you want just the bare facts/my opinion: Thee Isolators new single, “Crying Eyes” b/w “Close That Door,” on Iso-Tope Records, is a great fucking slab of 60s garage punk rock. The mono recording and in-your-face wall of sound kicks from the first note to the last.
Thee Isolators have been together a few years and are kind of an all-star band with a bit of a newcomer: Matt Aquiline of Revolver Records on vocals and guitar is joined by bassist/vocalist Mark Norris (Girlpope, Doombuggy, solo), Bob Hanley (The Irving Klaws, Cottonmouth) on organ and vocals and Craig Voigt (The Ramrods, Oui 73) on drums. Their live shows are a sweaty blend of 1960s garage punk rock and occasional poppier sounds, with some 1970s/80s punk and power pop roar added in and are highly recommended, especially if you haven’t done so yet.
The original “Crying Eyes” comes charging out with Voigt’s drums before the rest of the band explodes in fine punk form; Aquiline’s tough, sinister vocals detail his getting dumped by his woman, but while it hurts, he’ll pick up the pieces and get over it without trying to get her back. After a wild guitar solo, he knows she can’t hurt him any more and his pride remains. The band also covers the smoldering gem “Close That Door,” originally recorded by the Tigermen. The slashing guitar, organ and thumping rhythm section actually sound reminiscent of Buffalo’s legendary The SplatCats from the 1980s (having caught lots of shows and owning every recording of this band, I don’t say/write this lightly). Aquiline’s bad romantic luck continues; he knows that they’re through so he’s heading back from where he came, pretty much slamming the door shut, but not before tearing off another short, screaming guitar solo.
Thee Isolators’ recordings are available at Bandcamp.com, and the band can be contacted there or on Facebook and probably other social media outlets.
