SIMON CHAINSAW… Australian by birth and firmly rooted in the Australian Rock meets Punk tradition…. His roots draw on (among others) punks SAINT’S, RADIO BIRDMAN mixed with early AC/DC and ROSE TATTOO. IN SIMON'S MOST AMBICIOUS ALBUM TO DATE HE BRINGS A MODERN MIX OF EARLY AC/DC, HELLACOPTERS ROLLING STONES, SAINTS, FOO FIGHTERS & LEONARD COHEN YES, HE’S STILL PISSED.... BUT AIN’T THAT THE WAY WE LOVE HIM? CHANNELING HIS AGGRESSION INTO SUCH SWEET RAWK! 10 FURIOUS TRACKS & 1 CROONER.... YOU NEED THIS ALBUM!! CHECK OUT THIS FRESH REVIEW!!! ALPHA NEGRA - Simon Chainsaw (Dark Roasted Records & Tapes) This would have been solidly positioned in the Barman's personal Top Ten for 2008 but for an accident of timing. Which means it arrived in December (slipped under the door - now that's service) and went away on Xmas holidays. It's been played incessantly since. Surrounded by Brazilian players of his choice, Simon Chainsaw has delivered an 11-song set that anyone with an ear for high-energy, focussed rock and roll of the Aussie '80s/Birdman/Saints sort couldn't help but like. A participant in that late-'80s scene, Simon's always had a great ear for pop hooks going back to his Vanilla Chainsaws days, but his penchant for marrying pop to punk power is simply going from strength-to-strength. The triple-punch that kick-starts proceedings tells the tale: "Deaf Ears" is an emphatic opener, punchy and lyrically clever with a fluid lead break. It's a perfect lead-in to "You Ain't Me", a punky call-and-response and Chainsaw's best vocal on the album. It roars out of the speakers like an aural mugging. "I Drink" doesn't let up, with some chiming chords and a rise-and-fall melody line leavening the downstrokes. The band brings a metallic feel that doesn't detract from the songs. Lead guitarist Ricardo Adamatti is fluid and with a touch of flash - but not overly so. The engine room rocks and the time recording them in a higher-grade studio was well spent. It's hard to pick a favourite. "Bruna" is chugging punk-pop and fairly irresistible, while "Sticking Up For Myself" comes across as a harder cousin to "Deaf Ears" with another big chorus. The title track's another contender with its rippling riff-a-rama and snaking lead guitar. The closer is a real departure. "No-One To Blame (But Myself)" is an acoustic lament that thousands of rheumy-eyed chasers of stardom playing sh*t-hole bars all around the world could relate to. A little out of place but it works a treat regardless. It's a million miles away from being autobiographical but some of the best songs are, despite what Lou Reed's more rabid fans might tell you. Simon Chainsaw's been favourably compared to cult punk faves like Kevin K and Sonny Vincent which is fairly on-the-money. Miss this one at your peril. You can snap it up here. - The Barman rated 4.5 / 5 http://www.i94bar.com/reviews/simonchainsaw.php