Well this is a new label on me – Cider City records, apparently started up by one of Valdez. And a curious release – a licensing job, they have put out a 4 track EP from serial Californian underground underachiever, Welt. It’s a blasting rooms deal – recorded by Black Flag/Descendents drummer Bill Stevenson. But then, what isn’t these days?
The strange thing about this release is that the 4 tracks on here are actually 3 years old according to the info I can find, but then, fuck it – they are new to everyone in the UK. Jason Welt sounds remarkably like he wants to be in Social Distortion, and ‘Ashes to Ashes’ is half way to being a homage to Mike Ness. It’s got a certain charm to it though, street up punk rock to appeak to fans of SD, or maybe the Hellacopters and that kind of stuff. And, let’s be honest, there is NOTHING wrong with a good bit Social Distortion style punk rock if its done well – which this is.
The artwork is dire, but this aside, this is a nice little release. And kudos to Cider City for getting hold of it. Seems they also have released a live CD from TSOL, which would float my boat a lot more, but still….
Mike