'Every Weekend' - Dun 2 Def
CD Reviewed by Steve Norman
It would be easy to say that ‘Every Weekend’ from our virtually-very-own Dun 2 Def is a punk album, and pretty much leave it there, because that’s exactly what this is. The trouble is that somewhere amongst the whining Americans, the whining would-be Americans and the metal bands who aren’t quite metal enough to call themselves metal so they opt for punk, this might not mean what it should to a lot of people reading this…
So this is proper, old-school punk as it was originally intended to be, echoing the likes of The Damned, The Ruts and especially Crass, both in terms of the really effective use of dual vocals and the strong lyrical themes. I can’t put my finger on it – maybe it’s the carefully managed chaos – but there’s definitely something of Discharge in there as well.
‘Out of the Dirt We Rise’ probably sums up the whole of the album; a lack of control – be it taken away by politicians, corporations, your own hand or just never there in the first place - leading to hopelessness is the recurring theme… “This is our future dying in our hands’ shouts the chorus before telling us we’re “drowning in our own piss” and then simply “tomorrow’s gone.”
‘E.S.P.F.’ (Even Strong People Fade) is another standout track – it really takes some doing to create something that on first impressions gives you a good-time, Friday night kind of feeling until you start listening to the obviously biographical subject matter about losing friends to drugs, and you’re left feeling almost guilty about how you felt a few seconds ago.
Like I said before, Ferret and Mad Jon’s vocals work really well throughout, and translate from the familiar Dun 2 Def live show set-up just fine. And I hope the rest of the guys will take this as it’s intended – the music behind the lyrics is just well written, well-played punk; no frills (although there are some nice guitar licks in there!) and no surprises and certainly exactly what their audiences, in my experience of their live shows, is after.
It’s aggressive, chaotic, confrontational and ultimately intelligent – everything punk is meant to be. Time to wake up, kids, ‘cos according to my calendar September ended about two weeks ago.
(CD is available to buy from various on-line retailers, such as Amazon and Play, but it's cheapest if you get direct from the band - check out www.myspace.com/dun2def - Editor)