Workin' For the Weekend Just To Stay Alive

Sometime in the late '90s, I was sitting in my co-worker Joey Bootboy's living room in Hamtramck. I had just given him a ride home. He played a CD for me that he thought I'd like, then he lent it to me. It was "Apocalypse Dudes" from this Norwegian band called Turbonegro. It was the first I had heard of them. Not long before that, my roommate Mike first brought his discovery of Sweden's Hellacopters to our circle of friends. Then Eli found The Backyard Babies (also Swedish and connected to the Hellacopters). Not sure who found Gluecifer (Norwegian), but that was all we needed. Actually, I think Eli was responsible for Gluecifer, too. At that point in time, we were all really into stoner rock, but after hearing these four Scandinavian bands, there was no turning back. I needed amped-up rock 'n' roll.

Each of these bands were similar with their balls-out rock n roll styles, but had/have their own schtick. The Hellacopters were big on the post-MC5 Sonic's Rendezvous Band. The Backyard Babies were closer to Hanoi Rocks than anything else. Very glam. Gluecifer obviously idolized AC/DC, but Turbonegro were much more involved. Think Motley Crue meets the Ramones meets Alice Cooper - with mustaches.

Forming in the mid-'90s, Turbonegro's original sound was closer to trash-punk rock groups like The Dirtys or the New Bomb Turks. I remember talking to my friend Joe (aka Screamin' Joe Burdick) who was in The Dirtys who toured with Turbonegro all over Europe years ago. He told me how they were playing a show somewhere and the band made a conscious decision to change their sound and their look.

They already had a couple of records out that weren't all that good. Then they put out "Ass Cobra" in 1995. They claim that their signature 'deathpunk' sound started with their first album "Hot Rods and Spent Contraceptives," but its obvious that deathpunk originated on "Ass Cobra." Song titles included "I Got Erection," "The Midnight NAMBLA," and "Young Boys' Feet." This new sound was decidedly homoerotic, pedophilic, and obviously intended for shock value. They also started wearing sailor hats at this point and all grew mustaches. The change worked, and they got noticed. Noticed enough to record their 1999 epic "Apocalypse Dudes," which was that first album that I heard back in that living room in Hamtramck.

Sympathy for the Record Industry released AD here in the U.S. in 1999, two years after it was released in Norway. Unfortunately, the band had imploded by that point. Due to the underground popularity of the record here, they put out a live record, "Darkness Forever," then a tribute album ("Alpha Motherfuckers") soon followed.

In 2002, the band reformed and went on tour. They suddenly found that they had a very substantial and insanely dedicated fanbase all over the world. Because of those insanely dedicated fans, they were able to put out a fifth album, 2003's "Scandinavian Leather." The sound was cleaner, more grand and majestic, but still just as rocking as ever before.

This week, Turbonegro released their sixth album, "Party Animals." Lead guitarist Euroboy's production is amazing as normal. There are fans out there saying that any post-resurrection Turbo just isn't as good, but they can go fuck themselves. All they need to do is check out the Joan Jett backbeat in "City of Satan," or the Dead Boys style rhythm guitar in "Wasted Again" which also features Keith Morris (Circle Jerks, Black Flag). They can also look to "Final Warning" featuring backing vocals by Nick Olivieri (Mondo Generator, ex-QOTSA). How about "Blow Me (Like the Wind)" where the opening "Street Fighting Man" rhythm showcases Euroboy's stinging leads? I think its important for me to note that while their influences are proudly worn on their sleeves, they're not quite derivative. Then again, Picasso said a good artist borrows, a great artist steals. Whatever. If I gave you a dime, would you blow my paradigm? I love it.

They haven't lost it. All those people out there who think that Apocalypse Dudes was the peak can suck it. Bands evolve, and its not always a good thing, but this time there's no doubt.