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(Review by Steve Shafer)
Just in time for what promises to be a close-to-normal Halloween comes a fantastic treat from Mento Buru. Their new Skalloween EP (Digital, self-released, 2021) contains two boss ska covers of novelty monster cuts from fellow sons of Bakersfield, CA, as well as a Spanish language version, and three choice dubs by Dubrobot. "Goo Goo Muck" is a 1962 garage rock single by Ronnie Cook and The Gaylads about a teenage vampire on the prowl for, um, blood (the sexual subtext is hard to miss) that was famously covered by The Cramps on their 1981 album Psychedelic Jungle. Mento Buru's revved-up version (replete with horror movie sounds) is completely winning--even the undead couldn't resist dancing to it! "(It's a) Monster's Holiday" is a 1974 country track by Buck Owen (and covered fairly recently by Reagan Youth) about repeatedly running into the classic Universal Studios monsters (Frankenstein, Wolf Man, Dracula), though there's no real danger--think Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Mento Buru keep their take light and fun--and very appropriately quote The Munsters theme towards the end before a "Nite Klub"-inspired outro. These tracks are worthy--and sure to be popular--additions to any ska Halloween party mix (see Hoi Polloi skazine's extensive 500+ track list!).
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Just in time for what promises to be a close-to-normal Halloween comes a fantastic treat from Mento Buru. Their new Skalloween EP (Digital, self-released, 2021) contains two boss ska covers of novelty monster cuts from fellow sons of Bakersfield, CA, as well as a Spanish language version, and three choice dubs by Dubrobot. "Goo Goo Muck" is a 1962 garage rock single by Ronnie Cook and The Gaylads about a teenage vampire on the prowl for, um, blood (the sexual subtext is hard to miss) that was famously covered by The Cramps on their 1981 album Psychedelic Jungle. Mento Buru's revved-up version (replete with horror movie sounds) is completely winning--even the undead couldn't resist dancing to it! "(It's a) Monster's Holiday" is a 1974 country track by Buck Owen (and covered fairly recently by Reagan Youth) about repeatedly running into the classic Universal Studios monsters (Frankenstein, Wolf Man, Dracula), though there's no real danger--think Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Mento Buru keep their take light and fun--and very appropriately quote The Munsters theme towards the end before a "Nite Klub"-inspired outro. These tracks are worthy--and sure to be popular--additions to any ska Halloween party mix (see Hoi Polloi skazine's extensive 500+ track list!).
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These guys keep Bakersfield hoppin' with their skill and spirit!
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