MAXIMUM ROCK-N-ROLL - THE PRIMATE 5 "SMASH HITS" EP
This simian-themed garage bunch deliver a slicker sound than on their Rat City EP. Includes "Ape Ape Ape," the venerable
chesnut (most famously from the RAIDERS' songbook) "Make You Mine" and two organ heavy instros. One of the latter is
(unintentionally?) new wave tinged, while the more R & B "Show Stopper" is my personal pick of the litter.
MULTIBALL - THE PRIMATE 5 "SMASH HITS" EP
Yes, the world did need another masked garage-rock outfit. Especially when, by all counts there are either four or six of
the Seattle knuckledraggers, in Monkey face. Obligatory "Ape! Ape! Ape!" serves as the Theme song, except that beyond
standard fare and shouts are these fantastic breakdowns into pell melled frenzy. Following this is a real theme, "Theme
From Central Control" that is a big lie and I know it, with some fine organ crawl that gets laid down before more full
bore action. Side B steals "Make You Mine" and throws on a clunker "Show Stopper" just for the sheer whatever of it.
Ingenious in pushing all the right buttons, and you can be to. It's the one with the 'P' on it. Right, for "phono". Yes,
this will lift your arm as well and you'll be on automatic return yourself to spin again.
PUNK PLANET - THE PRIMATE 5 "SMASH HITS" EP
The Primate 5 have a surf sensibility that sticks out in the late nineties that was real prevalent around 5 years ago. I
am glad that there are only a handful of bands doing this, and the Primate 5 are GOOD. Four song single including a
ripping cover of "Make You Mine" that almost rivals the Devil Dogs. Gotta Love this single.
UNDER THE VOLCANO - THE PRIMATE 5 "SMASH HITS" EP
Whaddaya get when ya cross a buncha goofballs wearin' monkey masks that live and die by cheesy 60's garage punk and do a
great cover of "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" by The Shadows of The Knight??? A band of furry Lance Link lookalikes that'll
mistake Annette Funicello's rack for a lovely bunch of coconuts, you betcha bippy. Sure they're a novelty, but then
again so was the legendary Smoking Monkey(YEAH!!!!) and if you dont fuckin' like it then just remember this one thing:
Ape must not kill ape, but humans can be ripped to shreds and used for scientific experimentation, Bright Eyes!! Ol'
Charlton Heston should be runnin' for the nearest missile silo once he reads this.
FLIPSIDE - THE PRIMATE 5 "SMASH HITS" EP
These retro fiends are a bit tighter, but are on a similiar wavelength as the dearly departed Mummies. They are inspired
by the same cheesy 60's excitement, wear outlandish matching costumes and rely rather heavily on the classic sounds of an
Farfisa. I quite enjoy this single and will keep an eye peeled for more of their recorded mayhem. Side one opens with,
"Ape! Ape! Ape!" which is a basic tribal chant interspersed with Sonics style tempo shifts. Next up is a spirited instro
raver called "Theme From Central Control." Side 2 opens with one of the more covered gems from the Pebbles era, "Make You
Mine" which is followed by another vocally challenged romp, "Show Stopper." I'll bet those monkey masks reek after a
half hour set.
THE KINGS OF TRASH R'N'R - THE PRIMATE 5 "SMASH HITS" EP
A bunch of guys dressed up as monkeys, God help us Dr. Zayuss!!
CARBON 14 - THE PRIMATE 5 "SMASH HITS" EP
Decent 60's garage surf rock complete with an organ-sometimes too much organ. Four tunes; the peppy bits peppy, the slower bits
(few and far between) slower. I wonder if these guys actually sweat their faces off and wear the ape masks live the whole time?
Good Schtick, but only if they keep the masks on the whole time.
GO METRIC - THE PRIMATE 5 "SMASH HITS" EP
Guys wearing monkey masks and churning out excellent, organ-driven garage rock; I ask for no more. Further, the more astute
observer will note that there are but four members of The Primate 5. This is the kind of idiocy I seek out. This is the kind
of idiocy I urge you to support. Bravo!
WSUM - THE PRIMATE 5 "SMASH HITS" EP
Organ driven and somewhat surfy rock and roll - think Knuckel Drager or early Man or Astro-Man. "Make You Mine" is a cover of a 60's song by the Shadows of Knight. Every garage band in the history of the world has covered this song, but these guys do a pretty decent version.
