Album Review: 3 Chords 2 Teeth by Werecats, The Atoms, Skimmer and The Crash Mats (by Dan#2)

I love a good split. They're great for discovering new bands and Horn & Hoof Records' new split "3 Chords 2 Teeth" is a great sample of what four of their bands have to offer.

The first band on the spilt is Werecats, an old-school style pop punk band fronted by Cici Wongster and Pip Arr whom I have had the pleasure of seeing multiple times. Their offerings to the split are "You Will Love Me" and "Ode To Pizza Tramp". The first is a creepy song about some ugly stalker trying to make you fall in love with them. The word choices make me picture a pretty unpleasant experience, while melody-wise it's a simple punk song with a really catchy chorus and backing vocals that make you want to sing along with the whoas! "Ode To Pizza Tramp" is a touching but lightning fast tribute to the great hardcore band... you guessed it, Pizza Tramp. I won't spoil it but it really made me laugh. This short blaster of a song made me really want to see more fast songs from Werecats!

The Atoms are the next band and are completely new to me. "I Hope She Dies" slams straight in with its chorus hook. Like it says on the tin, it's about hoping someone they hate dies – a classic punk rock song topic! I really like the "ooo"s in the bridge, they sound kinda like the Beach Boys and it really puts a smile on my face. "Steve Is A Smackrat" kicks in with a cool breeze of a high bassline, providing a nice contrast to the vocals before everything kicks in. It's about a mate turning into a smack head and becoming a c*nt. The thing that really sticks out for me in the The Atoms is their bassist: both of their tracks have killer basslines. Their harmonies are also perfect and both of these songs are fun to listen to!

I have no idea what a Skimmer is, nor do I want to know, but they are so good at what they do. I get quite a gruff punk vibe off these guys and their vocals blend into the chords really well. "Cinders" is super catchy with pretty lyrics which burn a hole in my heart and leave me wanting more. "Anastasia" is a lovely little song about being very impressed by a lady called Anastasia. I really like these guys choice of chord changes, too.

The Crash Mats are my favourite band of the whole split. They sound like they are having so much fun playing their songs and it just feels so punk! "You're A Loose Cannon McGonagall" is a joke song about being the chief above McGonagall and having to put up with all his shit. It starts with the expected sample and its kick ass lead guitar riff is so good at breaking up the choruses. Altogether, it sounds dope. "Curry Party" is a ska punk song with banging chords and the classic ska "PICK IT UP" vocals in the interludes! I really want to see what this band has to offer live.

All in all this is a great introduction to four bands with similar sounds, fans of one band will leave being interested in all four. All the songs are ridiculously catchy and fun! I'll definitely go see all these bands whenever they are playing nearby!

Stream and download 3 Chords 2 Teeth on Bandcamp here.

Like each of the bands on their respective Facebook pages – Werecats, The Atoms, Skimmer and The Crash Mats.