His'n'Herpes - Scratch 'n Sniff EP Review
by Martin Stapleton
Although their rather risque band name splits the local music scene into a 'marmite-like' debate, there is no denying that based on this EP, these lads are developing a sound that owes more to the punk history of this country rather than our 'cousins' across the mighty ocean. Of the four tracks, only "Nowhere To Go" falls into the latter category - this song is a pure Green Day cloned adrenaline rush. The opening track "Back to Brixton" is a full on barrage of snappy riffs and is only let down by a Bedford band singing about Brixton! Boys, why not "Back to Kempston"! It would have been so much more accurate!
"Always Wrong" sees 'The Herps' raiding their parents Clash collection and having a long listen. However, this slower and more musically challenging song is my least favourite on offer. But it is an interesting departure from the norm and, perhaps in the longer term, worth pursuing. His And Herpes final effort is "Rock 'n' Roll" which is a guitar lovers chocolate heaven as "Johnny B Goode" is put through a blender and this is the liquidised concoction. It's electrifying and, typically I suppose, all done and dusted in a little over 2 minutes.