As I get older I find it harder to find bands that inspire me and that I'm excited about listening to. I'm pretty sure it's a common thing with other people of my age but it is a curious development for me as I was a working musician for 20 + years.
I first heard OFF! months ago and was a little scared to check it out because it's very easy for musicians who have been around the block to sound dated or even out of touch. I was completely taken aback by what hit my ears and eyes as the video for the song, "Black Thoughts" spilled out form my unit. Sounds just like the first Black Flag record I thought? But that's okay. Is that okay? Alot of processing going on in my mind. Keith is screaming just like he did on the brilliant Nervous Breakdown ep, a record that blew my mind as a musically deprived teenager growing up in a suburban Edmonton, Alberta. So that's fine, great actually. Steve McDonald of Red Kross on bass and two other credible players to round it out. (Burning Brides Guitarist & Drive Like Jehu drummer??) Raymond Pettibone who did the orginal art for Black Flag does all the artwork for OFF! as well. Of course! Another brilliant decision by the band. Amazing stuff for a punk rocker in his 40's. I'm a little scared to be fanatical about the whole thing but I did order an OFF! hat from their facebook page. Oh well, nice to feel excited about music that feels like, it's made for me.