Review
Red Hot Rebellion
Self Titled

Independent (2012) Scott Wilkinson

Red Hot Rebellion – Self Titled cover artwork
Red Hot Rebellion – Self Titled — Independent, 2012

Red Hot Rebellion are a band that was destined to be. Formed as the result of a want ad placed on Craigslist, they are now part of the music scene in Dayton, Ohio that has been strong for years now. As they say in their bio, they were “formed with a singular goal: to rebel against the watered-down excuse for Rock of the status quo.”

From the first cut off the album, “Wait And See,” to the last, “Two Fisting,” this three-piece band pumps out a sound loud enough to grab your attention and kick you in the ass at the same time. Lyrically punk, but musically a blend of classic rock and guitar-driven blues, they crank out what they lovingly refer to as “the soundtrack to a bar fight.”

The aforementioned lead-in song “Wait And See” tells the story that everyone with a job can relate to. An overbearing boss in a seemingly nowhere job and the building frustrations that end with the refrain, “If you think I won’t explode/ Just wait and see.” Another classic line, “It’s better to die behind a guitar, than die behind a gun,” from the song “For The Benefit Of Evil” proves their love for rock and roll, the guitar in this song is what old school classic rock is all about.

I think what impresses me most about the band’s lyrics is that they aren’t afraid to say what you wish you had the balls to: from the song “Devil’s Rope” you get “My back is sore from you riding on it every day.” Who hasn’t wanted to say that at least once in their lives?

Tunes like “Wild One,” “Cooking With Gas,” and “Two Fisting” stay true to the punk/classic rock feel and flat out rock. The entire album is a rock and roll feast, with every emotion from breakups to I-hate-my-boss, my-job-tinged-with-fury, and in-your-face-onslaught.

I was also impressed with the package deal they are marketing where they offer the cd\red vinyl LP\T-shirt\Comic book. The comic, written by bassist Jim Tramontana and artwork done by Peter Wonsowski works quite well and puts each song on the album into a common story line.

Red Hot Rebellion – Self Titled cover artwork
Red Hot Rebellion – Self Titled — Independent, 2012

Related features

Red Hot Rebellion

Interviews • April 11, 2012

Related news

New EP from Red Hot Rebellion

Posted in Bands on June 4, 2013

New High On Fire Mp3

Posted in MP3s on December 29, 2004

Advertisement

DCxPC 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

The Cure

Songs of a Lost World
Capitol, Fiction, Lost Music, Polydor/Universal (2024)

It's been sixteen years since The Cure released their last album. I don't know if anyone really knew what to expect, but it's one of the most influential bands in history so expectations were high. The Verdict? Those expectations were met. It'd be silly to say Songs of a Lost World is a "return to form" as the band and … Read more

City Mouse

So Far Out
Brassneck Records, It's Alive (2024)

There are few bands that hit with the mix of raw emotion and musical talent as a live City Mouse show. There are even fewer bands that can capture that live feeling on a record. It’s been a long 7 years since Get Right, but So Far Out keeps it moving as if no time has passed. Of course, the … Read more

Machine Girl

MG Ultra
Future Classic (2024)

Ideally, I would be a bit more interested in art. In visual art- paintings, sketches, MS Paint monstrosities- whatever. I wish I knew more about the meaning of a brush stroke or even had the desire to know more about the meaning of a brush stroke. I spend a lot of time listening to music and, subsequently, I see a … Read more