The Disasters are a new quartet fronted by none other than legendary Agnostic Front main man, Roger Miret. Miret, together with Vinnie Stigma, ushered in the era of New York Hardcore, when they formed the nucleus of Agnostic Front in 1982. However, if you are expecting the self-titled ‘Roger Miret and the Disasters‘ to be an album full of Miret’s trademark hardcore sound you are in for a surprise. The Disasters play anthemic street punk with influences ranging historically from The Clash to Rancid. With this release Miret has once again proven his versatility and managed to challenge his audience of loyal fans. Most importantly though, he has put together a band of talented individuals with a passion for punk rock.
From the moment album opener ‘Run Johnny Run’ screams onto your stereo you know you are in for a treat with this album. It is a fast paced, hook filled track, that will have your fist in the air within 30 seconds, especially when the chorus kicks in. It sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the album and by the time the second track ‘Kiss Kiss Kill Kill’ waltzes past your eardrums you realise just how much talent Miret and The Disasters have.
‘Roger Miret and the Disasters‘ is a collection of songs that stick to Miret’s brutal and honest song writing themes of social alienation, state oppression and his dreams of unity. As such, this is an album that people many people can relate to. The themes are not new, but seem so refreshing compared to the mass of pop punk themes we are constantly bombarded with. However, Miret doesn’t ignore the notion of love, he just presents it in a more truthful light, as seen on ‘Just Us’ and ‘Gal Friend’.
At just over thirty minutes, the album isn’t overly long, but is lengthy enough to contain fourteen of the finest street punk anthems you will hear this year. Every song is solid and well written, with great bass lines, snotty vocals and good use of gang choruses. There are too many good songs to give merit to individually but a couple of standout tracks are worthy of a quick mention. ‘Give ‘Em The Boot’ and ‘It’s Alright’ will be lapped up by Rancid fans whereas the last track ‘New York Belongs To Me’ shows a different side to the band. It is a rousing sing along with great work on the drums by Johnny Kray. It is fitting that the place where it all started, musically at least, for Roger Miret, should form the subject matter for the album closer.
The Disasters have produced a fine album with their debut offering. Given the current state of the punk scene it is a breath of fresh air to hear an album of well written and performed street punk, by someone other than the usual subjects (Rancid, The Distillers etc.) Roger Miret has proven once again that he is worthy of all the praise heaped upon him, and that same praise should be heaped on the rest of the Disasters, Johnny Rioux, Rhys Kill and Johhny Kray, who all contribute to the overall sound of the band. This may not be one of the most original albums of the year, but if you want to hear what punk rock should sound like then buy this!
Mark