The Briefs: Off The Charts

While browsing through an old copy of Maximum Rock & Roll recently I noticed The Briefs receiving a glowing review for one of their many 7” singles. While this didn’t necessarily mean they were actually good, it meant acceptance from the most elite of punk fanzines and ostensibly a band upholding some of punk’s true values and aesthetics. Looking at the second album from this Seattle-based foursome then, it’s immediately clear where their hearts lie. With artwork emulating the cut’n’paste styles of X-Ray Spex et al and music that attempts to breathe new life into '70s day-glo punk full respect must go to them for pursuing their obvious love of this first wave of punk rock.

An obvious comparison can be made musically to The Dickies while simple hip-swaying jingles like ‘We Americans’ are the kind of stuff that The Vandals were founded upon. Their jiggering flamboyancy however, beholds a much snottier punk buzz, the likes of ‘(Looking Through) Gary Glitter’s Eyes’ and ‘(Like A) Heart Attack’ poking and proding you til you’re dancing like the jittering '70s punk reject The Briefs seem so comfortable being. They may be Off The Charts and indeed off their heads but their loveable retro stylings are contagious nonetheless.