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REVIEWS Please note The Killerest Expression were once called The Buggers!! *NEW* Forming in 1994 under the title "the buggers", this release has been along time coming, after going to uni forming under the current name "the killerest expression". Gaining fans all over the country and gaining recognition from some of the biggest magazines in the rock industry (getting voted in the top 10 unsigned bands in the UK by kerrang readers and receiving 4K's for their self financed debut single). Finally they have released their debut album (be it a mini album) and so far, it is certainly going to live up to the good reputation it has infront of it. Starting off with "memory loss", an upbeat slice of pop punk, it begins with probably the greatest intro I have heard from a song in this genre for along time. Once the singing begins it is obvious theirs something different about this band that makes them stand out in such a crowded genre. Mixing Emotional vocals, beautiful fast-paced guitars with its heavier counterpart dynamics, Memory loss is an instantly catchy amazing affair. A great track and certainly a great way to start a CD let just hope it carries on this way. Sid's Song starts off with a delicate guitars but being overcome by it's hard driven distorted partner, Sid's song is just your average radio friendly hit single pop punk song, but with something different. It is soooo infectious and you can't help but sing along with it, which is quite unusual for me (for me to sing along to any song is quite a compliment lol). Not as good as the previous song, but I doubt few can be better. Still good song with a great chorus, this CD certainly feels special. Tears & Blisters carries on the streak on infectious catchy as hell songs, one thing "the killerest expression" can do which most can't is somehow always manage to write amazingly catchy, fun and fantastic chorus's not matter what the situation. So far this release looks grand. 30 Second song and Love Eyes are another 2 examples of catchy punk rock. Not as good as the previous songs yet still brimming full of great guitar parts vocals and sing-a-long lyrics. But it's the next track "Mogadishu" which really catches my eye, opening up with bass riff and pounding snare drum, once the guitars and vocals kick in a great song is created. The vocals and the music being created go so well together that you can't imagine anything else working with it. Everything in this song is perfectly put together and couldn't be improved in anyway, it just fits together so well. Mixing the vocal patterns of Gavin and Ben (and maybe Damion, not 100% sure) to create an atmospheric sounding vocals swooning through the entire song, and with a break to die which ends with an almighty scream, you can't really ask much more from a song. Now here come the bonus tracks of the CD, no way near as good as the original 6, but still full of life. "Colours" and "Everyday" are just lacking something, which made the previous 6 tracks so good. I can't say what it is, but a piece of the puzzle that is "the Killerest Expression has certainly been lost in the process of making these bonus tracks. But as their bonus tracks they aren't exactly expected to be great are they? Still they do have their good points, mixing TKE unique brand of emotional punk rock; they still fulfill the needs of the listener and give something fresh to a punk rock world, which has become boring and predictable. So to sum things up, this is one of the best releases I have heard from this particular genre all year, if not the very best one. I'm not usually a fan of this genre, but when a band can produce something which shows extreme talent in song writing, singing and the actually music coming blaring out of them amps how can you not enjoy it? If your fan of emotional music or modern day punk, check out this band, because if this release is anything to go by, The Killerest Expression is a name you'll be hearing alot about for years to come. Stand out tracks: Memory Loss, Sid's Song, Mogadishu Rating: 8/10 www.rockuk.com *NEW* What’s that then? Is it the most terrifying face you have ever seen, one that leads to instant death? Or is the band formerly know as The Buggers, ready to reassert their position as one of the UK’s best up and coming punk bands? Quite obviously it is the latter, and ‘Four Days That Shook The World’ is their latest release, an eight track mini album. It comes as little surprise that the band have changed their name, and hopefully, with a more respectable name, more people will sit up and take notice of them. The Killerest Expression play a brand of melodic punk rock, and they play it very well. Having been together on and off since 1994, the band have finely honed their skills and this latest release emphasises that fact perfectly. Opening track ‘Memory Loss’ explodes onto your stereo in a wall of sound. It also has a great opening guitar riff, one of those infectious efforts that stay in your head for days. ‘Sid’s Song’ is another great slice of melodic punk rock, a track that features another big chorus, one of the standout features of the mini album. For me ‘Tears & Blisters’ is the standout song. It really is as good as anything your favourite American punk bands have been producing for the last couple of years. It is infectious, melodic and passionate. What more could you want from a song? ’30 Second Song’ surprised me by actually being over a minute! (Sorry, that was poor!) However, as in most short songs, it is fast paced and catchy, and shows another side to the band. ‘Love Eye’ follows in much the same vein. It’s another fast paced and infectious song, and one that shows no dip in the song writing quality of the band. At this point you actually begin to wonder why the vocals are English and not American. Surely we can’t have produced a melodic punk band with this level of quality. As if to answer this point, ‘Mogadishu’ comes into view and proves beyond any doubt that this is a band to get excited about. The two bonus tracks on the album, ‘Colours’ and ‘Everyday’, are from another recording session, but that matters not one bit. They see the band in fine form again and only serve to enhance the album. ‘Four Days That Shook The World’ is a mini album that commands your attention, and your cash, for a number of reasons. It proves that this country is capable of producing quality punk bands, but most importantly it is simply a very strong release. There isn’t a bad song on it, and there are a couple of excellent tracks. The Killerest Expression are without a doubt one of the UK’s greatest punk rock hopes. If they continue with releases of this quality it won’t just be this country’s music fans they will be impressing…(4/5 -Punktastic.com -August 2002) *NEW*Although I could see this coming, with 'Four Days...' The Killerest Expression have truly surpassed themselves, their potency for crafting infallibly catchy music being taken to new and exciting levels which prove they are no longer a fledgling band finding their feet but are now a formidable punk rock force ready to take on the world. This exciting formula was first exercised on last year's 'Here Come The Times' EP under their old moniker of The Buggers but with a (much needed) new name, a fresh new record deal and a stonking new album The Killerest Expression will undoubtedly be a name on many a punkster's lips in the coming months. Opener 'Memory Loss' explodes with power and intricacy that surges throughout this disc, throbbing with a driving urgency and passionately delivered vocals. It's a track I often find replaying itself in my head during a particularly sunny day, it's dynamism following through into 'Sid's Song' where fast-paced and ever-changing fretwork between the guitars and bass provide interweaving melodies that could rival any of the Vagrant or Drive Thru bands. Indeed, considering their lack of American accents Killerest's potential is frightening. But then, along with bands such as The Copperpot Journals, Captain Everything, Jerry Built, Horace Goes Skiiing, Fireapple Red and countless others there is a vibrant and healthy new crop of homegrown talent waiting to be discovered and although The Killerest Expression are more than capable of spearheading this new UK punk rock scene it's ultimately up to the fickle young music-buyer to give them support. Whatever. From the intense, emotionally-charged 'Tears & Blisters', the upbeat & rocking '30 Second Song' to the poppy but cursive 'Mogadishu' (with quite possible the best bridge section ever written) 'Four Days...' is bursting with power, drive and emotion - all the right ingredients for a perfect summer punk rock record. -drownedinsound.com -July 2002 *NEW* - Following the likes of Douglas and Vanilla Pod into the 'Britpunks-who'd-be-huge-if-they-were-American' catagory comes The Killerest Expression. The youthful quartet's gritty ramalama - think Snuff meets Bad Religion - saw them bag a 'Single Of The Week' award in these very pages last year (with 'Here Comes The Times' under their former monicker The Buggers), and now this debut mini album delivers on all that early promise. Opener 'Memory Loss' positively crackles with melodic malevolence, and by the time 'Everyday' fades out in a howl of bile and feedback you'll be picking your jaw up off the carpet and reaching for 'Play' again. 'Four Days...' might not actually shake your world, but your speakers are certainly in for one hell of a pounding. MARK GRIFFITHS (awarded 4 K's) Kerrang! Magazine - July 2002 *NEW* - I guess these guys must've changed their name in an attempt to get taken more seriously & judging by this, their debut mini album they're well on the road. The KE's sound is one of a very british hard hitting yet melodic punk, in the vein of stalwarts like Leatherface and Snuff. Its powerful and definately gets the old foot tapping to the great hooks & solos. This CD is made up from 2 different sessions but still feels cohesive. A nice start & the names a great improvement too. 4/5 Big Cheese Magazine - July 2002 *NEW* - Power! the album is full of punky riffs that are infectious and make great listening, they are marketed as power pop punk! Pop punk not being my forte but to be honest i don't think they were very pop at all, its a good all round album, can't knock the recording quality and its an all round good album. Its a steal at £6 and you should all make room for it in your cd collection. All in all an infectious album (in a good way) full of punky catchy riffs - an album you'll be humming for days. Reviewed by - elmo Punknews.org.uk *NEW* -The Killerest Expression may have changed their name (from The Buggers) but they are still churning out the same, fine quality melodic emo-punk. This release has already been recieving rave reviews from the likes of Kerrang and Big Cheese, and its easy to see why, with its snappy, emo riffs, clear, tuneful vocals and well constructed instrumental parts. Opener 'Memory Loss' is a fast paced yet melodic song, and one of the softer songs on this CD. The KE are far more effective when they are belting out the more harder edged, punkier tracks such as '30 Second Song' and 'Mogadishu' with its pounding bass and rattling drum intro. The best track on here, 'Tears & Blisters' swells from a tunefully distorted riff into a driving verse, and then into a slower chorus that reminds me of 'King Kong Song' by Consumed. Two bonus tracks, recording in a different session, fit nicely on to the end of this CD, completing the package of great music, and simple yet effective artwork by drummer Sid. (Samual Parkinson -taken from UKbase) For a while I thought I was more likely to hear of a successful dot.com venture than a decent single this week and, as such, frsh faced Birmingham quartet The Buggers were about to walk off with the top accolade by dint of the vulgarity of their name alone. If came as a relief then, to discover that they've also written the weeks best tune. "Here come the times" is a shade over four minutes' worth of snappy, crackly, pop punk, all springy riffs and summery vibe. Throw in a melody more infectious than foot and mouth you're onto a winner. DAN SILVER (awarded 4 K's) Kerrang! Magazine - May 2001 West Midlands band The Buggers formed way back in 1994 and since then the punk four- piece have played with the likes of Snuff, Southport, Vanilla Pod and Capdown amongst others. When the single was released back in April it was handed single of the week in Kerrang and they made that same magazine best unsigned band end of year polls. So do The Buggers deserve the praise that they've received from Kerrang and others? The answer is a resounding yes. The Buggers are fucking excellent, the three tracks on this CD had me bouncing up and down right from the off. The title track had pure pop anthem written all over it, it's an infectious bouncy number pancked with a punchy melody. Colours follows and its less poppy more crunchy but still with an infectious hook kind of like prime time Bad Religion. The band have a real energetic sound that I'd imagine could win over almost any crowd. The final number Everyday wraps the CD up with a prime slice of melodic punk with a sharp edge. The Buggers aren't trying so sound like any of the popular American bans of the minute, they're just concentrating on writing explosive infectios bouncy songs and they seem to be doing that pretty damn well. Rhythm & Booze fanzine - Jul/Aug 2001 The Old Railway is the best kept secret in Brum. Big stage, lights, large PA, good atmosphere, get yourself a gig there now. One of the bands has dropped out tonight so The Buggers are on first with their power punk riffs, duel vocals and catchy tunes. I'm loathe to make comparison but they do contain the best parts of Green Day, NOFX et all with all the shitey Americana left out. Record companies could ruin this band but make some serious cash, me I'd prefer to keep them in Brum on a small label and watch them develop. Soundstation Website .....And with their brand of punky pop, the Fat Man chief feels The Buggers could be well on course for the top. He said: "They are a very diverse group with catchy songs and good musicianship and I am sure they will soon be on their way to stardom as they have really got it together. I hope this prize will produce a CD which will show their immense talent". Sutton Coldfield Observer - Dec 1999 The Buggers rounded off a perfect nite, with an excellent set of punky/pop tunes. A real pro` outfit, they rushed through a number of would be classics. Energetic drumming powered the whole thing along while twin guitars piled on the power. Bags of energy. The place was full to capacity tonite, and everyone had a great time! BUT - if you know the whereabouts of a 6 ft black & white "neon" banner that disappeared at the end of the nite, (made of cloth - it rolls up), neon would be extremely grateful to hear from you! JS. Neon Promotions Website 2001 At this point it looked like All-Dayer fatigue had set into many of the attendees (including myself) and as THE BUGGERS took to the stage it looked like many had gone in search of some elusive food. Well with a name like The Buggers can you really blame them? What a god awful name. However I decided to stick around mainly because the Cafe next door was closed for whatever reason! All I can say is that this band were most definitely the surprise of the day. Fucking great stuff!!! Anyone who can remember Guns N Wankers (a band with a similarly bad name) or when Snuff were good will fall in love with this band upon hearing them because this band are up there with that quality. Can’t really say enough good things about these guys because I always love being pleasantly surprised by a band. It looked like a lot of other people did as well because as they started playing people started to venture in and start watching. This band really are too good for their name! (Totally Agree - Mark) Ukbase website October 2001 The Buggers - Here Comes The Time CDEP (3 Tracks CDEP, Self Released) When I first got this release, being there first proper release even though they've been going since 1994, I thought that this would be some kind of snotty pop punk thing, but this band's name is very off putting, as this is not the case at all. The Buggers were given single of the week from Kerrang on their review of this single and as much as it breaks my heart to agree with those guys, I've got to in this case. 'Here Comes The Time' just sounds great a really impressive blend of rocky melodic punk, with good guitar work and vocals, their songs writing ability is amazing, as is the production on this release, which was recorded at the Frameworks Studios in Birmingham. They kind of remind me of a less heavier & metallic 'Kerbdog'. The Chorus' on this release are massive, wonderfully catchy, but so are the versus' which makes the differences between a good band and a great band, as your not just looking forward to the chorus 3 times or four during the song, as i'm sure alot of people can relate to, you actually enjoy the whole songs. The tracks on this release are 'Here Comes The Times', 'Colours' & 'Everyday' and I really can't find one thing thats wrong with any of it, this truly is a great release and at last I can dissagree with Kerrang, as I would have given this five K's. But don't take my word for it check out the mp3 on their page. Summary : Great Release, you've got to check this band out Ukbase website July 2001
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