First impressions count for so much. On buying my copy of this EP, I am immediately impressed by the striking cover photograph. The trio are clad in black, standing tall in a sanded area. The inside of the cover features a montage of photos of the band. The CD itself has an 8 imprinted on it, as in the eight ball American pool game. The design is spot on, so the loaded question is - what does it sound like?

Before the EP is reviewed I will, for those of you not familiar with the band, bring you up to speed on Speedshot. Formed in October 2008, the trio could loosely be described as a 'young local supergroup'. On guitars is Danny Young, known of course as one quarter of the amazing HeKz, plus Captain Loveguns. Bass man Burkey has been a keen supporter of the local music scene for many years and formed 91 Pieces, a lyrically aware social punk trio. Michele Grimaldi, the drummer, plays guitar for metalheads Ascension (formerly Chaos Faerie). The switchover is nonchalantly seamless for such a talented and flexible young musician.

Anybody who has witnessed Speedshot live and close up knows just how much raw energy they generate. The key question: can that be replicated in a cold and sterile recording studio? As with many musicians in the know, they had the EP recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Justin Saban at Latent Lemon studios. The title is "Escaped Oafs"! According to the dictionary, an oaf is a lout, an idiot, a dolt and a changeling. Surely that doesn't describe our amiable trio! Listening to the CD, I can only really find one observational fault. I was slightly uneasy listening to the two versions of "Snakebite" back to back as there was not too much difference between them. At five pounds for three tracks (in theory), perhaps a touch expensive.

Full Throttle (3.52)
The opening track and the lyrics speak for every music fans' thoughts as Danny sings "It's my life","It's rock n roll", "You can't take my soul". A flurry of drums and guitars greets the start. Midway through, a glorious riff kicks in to exactly where it matters.

Kamikaze town (4.26)
This could perfectly describe any run-down, vandalised, chav infested town (certainly sums up Bedford). Trademark guitar intro. Michele's thumping drum work plus a slightly spaced out guitar intro. Truly the whole world is indeed crashing down.

Snakebite (4.13)
This composition from our three loveable jokers is, without doubt, the ace in the pack. It's fast anthemic rock with a raw punk vein bleeding copiously throughout. Halfway in to the song, there is an ingenious touch. A little folky interlude is a real departure from the live shows. This singalong is certainly "gonna get you".

Snakebite (radio) (4.11)
Those with a finer musical ear than this reviewer might find a difference. Otherwise it's the same as the last track!

"Escaped oafs", the first EP from this Bedfordshire power packed trio. I look forward to their next recording. Until then buy the EP, turn it up exceedingly loud and enjoy.

Back