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KatJonBand. Keepdoingwhatyou’redoing.

…except for omitting spaces. It’s confusing to me.

The dirty rockabilly-esque sound and tight drums representative of Jon Langford and the wailing (in a good way) vocals and experimental sounds of Kat Ex string together quite nicely in this new collaboration from KatJonBand. The minimalist guitar riffs are a kickback to early punk and 3-piece rockabilly. Add in a driving sixteen beat, and you have a strange post-country-folk-punk thing going on. The sound varies from straight, driving, call-and-answer (Do You?) to a more British folk-shanty feel (Albion). The British folk-punk sound is strong in this album, and is something I don’t really have enough of. The stripped-down punk seems to be in vogue these days with guitar/drums duos popping up all over the place. On the other hand, the duo format is not something that is generally done well - I’m happy to report that KatJonBand pulls through with room to spare.

Given both Jon and Kat’s histories in European punk, their pairing is a logical combination, and seems to be more reined in than either of their recent albums. Jon Langford has also had a long history with the Ex (pre-Katherine Ex) - starting with a co-producing role with The Ex’s third album Tumult. Both individuals stand out on their own, but it is the minimal sound that brings the separate rhythms and riffs together to form an intentionally gritty and powerful sound.

Order from Carrot Top Records today.

KatJonBand - Machine Gun K The Ugly Doll

KatJonBand - Bad Apples

17-09 New York NY(USA), Knitting Factory
18-09 Brooklyn NY (USA), Union Hall
20-09 Chicago IL (USA), Hideout Block Party
23-09 Madison WI (USA), Frequency
24-09 Minneapolis MN (USA), 7th Street Entry
26-09 Chicago IL (USA), Hideout Carrot Top Party

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Also, check out a review at the Onion A.V. Club, and a review of previously reviewed album (at now-defunct AuralFitness) Weinland - La Lamentor at Berkeley Place.