French
Toast
Bug Man Ep
Arrest Records, 2002
ARE001
It seems that the Washington DC scene is enjoying a resurgence of musical talent not felt since the 1980s. The Nations’ Capital has given us a good foundation of Politico-Punk from Dischord, Electro-Clash from the kids of TransAM, and punky-pop from the kids at Teen Beat. So when prog-punkers Jerry Busher and James Canty formed the duo French Toast, you know it would be nothing but good.
The Bug Man EP delivers in spades. It is party electro, part punk, and has all of the smooth reggae influenced stylings of a Dischord set. Too bad for Ian that they aren’t on the label, but Dischord’s stables seem to be full of talent these days, so you know he’s not hurting. French Toast aims for a cleaner sound than punk rock could ever appreciate, and produces an intelligent sound in the process. The guitars are smooth and full of bouncy chords, while the drumming of Jerry Busher keeps a nice, snappy beat.
“Skull-Head”
is my personal fav. The song drops back and forth between ambient electronic
cracklings and thrusting guitar assaults that climax with the explosion of
Cantys’ vocals, creating a final volatile masterpiece of chaos and control.
Another goodie is the final track “Where Did You Go?”. The song
has a slickness to it that never wavers. It is if the tired punk on the corner
is plaintively calling out to his tribe, disappointment brimming in his eyes,
wondering where it all went.
-John Southern