Registrators "Singles" CD/LP
I'm sitting here, amidst a massive Northeastern storm, snow falling heavily, and
quite comfortable in front of my PC listening to a promo of the new Registrators
CD. After months and months of waiting, Rip Off Records has FINALLY released the
Registrators - Singles CD in the USA. For those of you who don't know, this
record was said to contain the Registrators' "rare first singles." If
you don't have all their singles, which I'm certain you don't, get this CD! It
has all of the Registrators early melodic garage punk tunes, in rockin' digital
soundness. Zone out to "Let's Go Baby", "Set Me Free",
"Girl Girl Girl", "I Call Your Name", "Just Wanna Kill
Everything", a sensational unreleased track called "Surfin Girl",
and nine others that are fa-bul-ous!
Naturally I have to complain about a couple things like, Rip Off not putting
their Registrators singles or the later Registrators singles like the
"Automatic Exit" 45 on this compilation. Ah fuck it! Rip Off Records
continues to live up to their name and has erased that rueful "other"
Registrators CD from my mind. (JD)
Registrators-Terminal Boredom LP/CD
The Registrators hold their own in the existing garage scene, living up to and
being unavoidably compared to fellow Japanese garage acts, Teengenerate and
Guitar Wolf. The Registrator's first full-length album, "Terminal
Boredom" is undiluted late 70s punk, right down to the flawless title.
Sounding like the most unbearable punk rock brats, the Registrators don skinny
ties and wrap around shades, reminiscent of the new wave era, and give
"Thanks to no one" on their album cover.
Fans of past Registrator singles will recognize the band's simple chord, tight
style that make tunes like "Stamp You Out", "Scratch Your
Heart", and the title cut outstanding with their pogo-inducing catchiness.
The Registrators
16 Wires From the New Provocate
Rip Off Records
Every time I review a Rip Off release, I make some sort of comment about
the cover, but I think my shock here is well deserved. Sixteen Wires looks like
a techno record. That is, until you look closer and see the mirrored
image of these crazy Japanese sons of bitches. Rip Off is getting classier by
the day. I don't know whether to be impressed or scared.
I remember reading an interview with one of the Registrators
in MRR a couple of years back (when it was bearable). He said that they
were more into late '70s British punk rock than they were into this garage
rock thing. With the first couple of 7"s and their other full-length,
Terminal Boredom, I didn't really see much of that in
their music. They were always a little cleaner and
tighter than their cohorts at the label, but it was easier to
identify them with the Infections or the Statics as opposed to, say, the Angelic
Upstarts. With Sixteen Wires, the Registrators have definitely
widened the gap-not only between themselves and their labelmates, but
from their prior sound as well, delving into the British sound the band is so
fond of.
The first track, "Kidz and Executives," sounds very much like the
Registrators of yore. Very fast, very together, and very, very snotty.
"She's So Vibration," and a few other tracks on Sixteen Wires have
that same feeling (the previously released "T.V. Hell" shows up here
too), but most of the songs sound like a they were played by a different band.
Hell, there's even a song on this record that lasts four minutes. I didn't know
Rip Off allowed this type of thing.
The most noticeable aspect of this record is the emphasis
on background vocals. They're not just shouts anymore, but rather melodic
additions that give the songs more of a pop feel than anything on Terminal
Boredom. It sounds great and all, but I can't help thinking this is a
different band.
The Registrators manage to combine elements of early
punk rock with the sound and attitude of the most obnoxious of garage
punk bands. "Sensitive Spot" is delivered in anthemic fashion,
much like how the toothless punk rock superheroes of the late '70s used to do;
it's just a shame I have no clue what they're saying. "Pink Lipstick"
has the band doing their best impression of Elvis Costello & the Attractions
hanging out in some seedy Japanese basement, and "Boys from Nowhere"
sounds like a lost Buzzcocks tune, straight down to the squealing guitars.
The "new sound" gets even more curious when the Registrators
play bumper cars with punk rock and pyschedlia on ironically titled
"Louder Faster" (considering it is neither louder nor faster than
anything on this record). Not saying that they get all Strawberry Alarm Clock
with mohawks or anything, but they replace the crunchy
guitars with riffs that noodle throughout the tune.Alright, I take
that back. It sounds like a pop rock song that teeters on the brink of new
wave. Better?
I know it's only February, but for the time being, this is my favorite record of
the year 2000. It also leaves me wondering why t hese fuckers aren't
here, in Boston, playing in my living room. I guess this disc is going to have
to appease me for now.
-Dr. Calculus
The Registrators
16 Wires From the New Provocate
Rip Off Records
My Pick for one of the best punk albums of the year!! I was super happy to get
this because I loved the last album so much and the many singles that they have
put out. It's a double LP and every track smokes! The new wave influence is
starting to really shine through on this album and that's not a bad thing in my
opinion. My favorite song of all time now is " Louder Faster " and
" T.V. Hell " Is a close second. This is more proof of how Japan is
ruling the rock!! All hail the Registrators!!!!
-Joel Jett.