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Black Noise Scam: Sound The Alarm

The Black Noise Scam from our sister city of New Haven may as well be considered "honorary New London" as far as we're concerned. They're far from strangers to to our scene... having played here and simply come to hang out and visit numerous times in the last year or so. We recently spoke with Jeff Thunders of the band and asked him why they chose New London for their CD release party and how they are feeling about the show:

"Why did we choose New London for a location to release Sound The Alarm?  Some of the most memorable shows we've had were in New London. It seems people also have a blast at our shows there. Maybe it's because it seems that most of the people have deep roots in Hardcore punk and we bring out their inner teenage angst? The real question here is Why not New London? We are all really excited to play this show. Its been awhile since we recorded the record so its going to be a blast to finally get it out there. It's also always fun playing with The Caveman Go. I know they are not a "punk" band but back in the hayday of CBGB's you had bands like The Ramones on a bill with the Talking Heads. So who really cares lets just have fun. And im really looking forward to Chasing Trinity. We've been going back and fourth for well over a year now trying to get a show together. Perfect fit for the night." - Jeff Thunders

CD Review by Adam Wujtewicz

Like hardcore punk? Of course you do. That's Why New Haven's Black Noise Scam is doing the CD release party for Sound the Alarm at the Oasis in scenic downtown New London. Sound the Alarm has everything that a punk record is supposed to have: speed, distortion and screaming anger jammed into 2 minute bursts. Rooted in the old 80's LA hardcore sound (Black Flag, Circle Jerks) Black Noise Scam also throws in breakdowns and gang vocals reminiscent of NY hardcore bands like Sick Of It All and H2O. It's true that they're not reinventing the punk rock wheel but they are making a great all-purpose tire for that wheel.

The production of the record is surprisingly big and clear, which is a nice change of pace from the current trend of intentional lo-fidelity recordings. The guitars have a more metallic sound which gives better texture and definition when playing at such high speeds. Despite these speeds the rhythm section keeps a tight leash on the songs never allowing them to fall apart or run away from the band. My personal favorite parts of the record are the breakdown during "Fade Away" which has more of a 90's hardcore sort of Snapcase feel and the bridge in "Trash Talk" which begins with a huge scream, eases into a great guitar melody through to a big rhythmic riff before breaking back into the song. Things like that are what make punk bands like Black Noise Scam interesting and viable in a genre that has been on acontinual downward spiral since it was spawned.

This is a quite a diverse bill, with the poppy dance goodness of The Caveman Go (also from New Haven) and New London's favorite high energy ska/punk boys Chasing Trinity.