When longhaired cretins like these make a real effort to get down to the dirty base of pre-UK oriented PUNK, it's either gonna come out horrible, or amazing. Despite having Andy from the Cuts in the band, Oakland's Time Flys manage to capture the swarthy belligerence of a world before shaved heads and mosh pits were the signifying features of a wild night out blasting unhinged rock'n roll music and spilling your drinks on anyone within arm's reach. You can tell from their range, that there's something more going on with these guys than they let on, and that's because the spot they are carving out for themselves is a sadly overlooked racket that forged the direction of the 1977 'sound' yet not even letting their silky clothing get ripped in the process. We're talking Hollywood Stars, Ruby & The Rednecks, Wayne County, Berlin Brats, O.Rex, Shady Lady, and Victoria Vein & the Thunderpunks-style mayhem here, and that may or may not include some fancy scarves scratching your neck while you're shaking uncontrollably. Such an authentic slice of primo LA sleaze (except from the Bay area instead) that even Kim Fowley would be proud. They easily handle the fine line between sloppy and technical, and you definitely cannot say these guys are driving down the same redundant Queens streets as the Ramones were in their '74-75 incarnation, so it's fair to give them your attention with a pure heart and a glass of shitty red wine. Just what is their secret? Probably their inability to care, coupled with their wonderfully blown-out dual-layered lead vocals that instantly get you on your feet, then right back down to your knees. Their first midwest performance at Horizontal Action's 2006 Chicago Blackout last month was mind-blowing to some and repulsive to others, and I doubt they'd have it any other way. Shitty music comes in all forms and emanates from all hairstyles, but the Time Flys are a classic rock'n roll machine that's got enough brown leathered elbow grease and puke 'n vinegar to make them stand out in the oversaturated landscape of real music in the mid 2000's. Their debut album, Fly, was the number one underrated album of 2005, and produced by Greg Ashley, (of the Gris Gris and Mirrors) it has a glorious sound and feel that's so grimey and real, it stinks in need of a bath. Their new single "Reality is a Rock Band" is out now on Birdman Records, and their second LP, Rebels of Babylon is due out on the same label, later this year. Check out their bonafide hit of Summer '06, "Little LA" and more yet-unreleased tracks from the upcoming LP HERE
