The Hypnophonics – The Last Band On Earth

Pychobilly-garage-punk with a retro twist: that’s the best I can do when describing the bizarre world of The Hypnophonics. 

Hailing from the typically twisted Montreal physchobilly underground, The Hypnophonics crew sports a formalwear meets 3D glasses get up that at first looks gimmicky, but eventually just makes sense in the band’s own peculiar context.  Despite emerging around labelmates The Creepshow and The Brains, The Hypnophonics leave the horror behind, instead coming across as pyschobilly’s spirited answer to comedic ska quintet The Aquabats.

Consequently, their Stomp Records debut, The Last Band On Earth, is thirteen tracks of pure insanity seldom experienced outside of a live show.  At the centre of the madness stands “Angus!”, a psychotic vocalist well deserving of his self-assumed exclamation mark sporting nickname.  Falling somewhere between the shrieks of legacy acts like Mad Dog Cole and The Cramps, “Angus!” channels a psychotic energy.  When coupled with backing vocals credited to local psychobilly heavyweights like The Gutter Demons, The Hellhounds, and Lil’ Homewrecker, the vocal madness takes on a life of its own.

Furthermore, “Angus!”’s three bandmates enhance this psycho-rama with spastic tempos and instrumental ferocity.  Upright bassist “Charly GoPsycho” might be the closest thing to Gutter Demons’ bassist Flipper since the band’s demise.  He plucks away at his clicking strings for a rich sound, giving body to the album’s intentionally garagy production value.  Meanwhile, guitarist “David Don’t” helps make a soundtrack to sweaty mosh pits and destructive house parties alike by blending chilling psychobilly chords with sloppy garage rock riffs.  When it all comes together the band pumps energizing, sing-along choruses, making “Scream” and “Youth On The Loose” sure fire crowd pleasers.

While the band finds its strength in its fresh take on psychobilly, the album also finds the quartet pushing boundaries.  “Outpost 13” concludes the album by going country, providing a gunslingers account of paranormal activity in a secluded western outpost.  Twangy guitars and a hint of spaghetti western transform the affair into an undeniable toe tapper, with hauntingly deep guest vocals carrying the track – and the album – into the sunset.  As strong as The Last Band On Earth is, “Outpost 13” hints at a sound for future pursuits, and makes out The Hypnophnics as a band teeming with potential.

As a debut, The Hypnophonics exercise little restraint.  I doubt many psychobilly fans will have seen this one coming, making the result all the more mind bending.  Fans of garage punk and scratchy old school psychobilly need this.