Junkyard DogsBow Wow2002TR Mafia (distributed by Productions Bros.) TRMAFIA001

Junkyard Dogs - Bow Wow - 2002 - TR Mafia (distributed by Productions Bros.) TRMAFIA001

Written by Warren Dallin

Nowadays, blues covers a wide spectrum of sounds and styles. Some artists are hailed for breaking new ground while others get punished because they stray from mainstream, conventional, soul-based blues.

The Junkyard Dogs simply do their own thing while powering through a bevy of intimidating tracks. Their originals, most of which were written by J-F No and Steve Hill, venture toward the far end of the blues-rock spectrum. The band could be described as Canada's response to a more structured Jon Spencer's Blues Explosion - an assesment especially appropriate after hearing the track Goddamn Rock & Roll.

The JDs have a knack for using distorted vocals and beats, helped along by strong guitar chords and tightly-skinned drums, all designed to create a sensory-based emotional response to their playing. It wouldn't be out of the question to suggest the industrial-beat stylings of Skinny Puppy are an influence on this Montreal-based group.

Definitely worthy of mention is the harmonica work on several tracks. It is uniquely effective. For example, the strong draw notes on Vegas Slut Machine are sucked with such conviction, you believe they must have used a vacuum cleaner to achieve that sound. I'm surprised the reeds didn't rip right out of the harmonica!

The rest of the play list is notable, and consists of various old covers by artists like Bo Diddley and Willie Dixon. This Bird's Gonna Fly is their best rocking-blues cover song, displaying their potential to play hard-ass blues with some feeling. All in all, they seem to enjoy what they do, as evidenced on their version of Drunk.

Steve Hill is a major contributor to this project. Not only did he write songs, he also recorded, mixed and produced the disc.

This is a mood-based hardcore boogie recording. It is captivating and worthy of regular rotation, but it's also not for the faint of heart. One thing I'm certain of is this is the way it was intended to sound.

After all, guard dogs are territorial and smell fear in weary trespassers. Approach cautiously, but proceed with confidence.

Copyright 2003. Review by Warren Dallin.

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