The rock group from Basel, Switzerland known as Stiff Staff have released their anxiously awaited, debut record, “Mean Machine.” Literally funded 121% by Stiff Staff’s rabidly enthusiastic fan base, the full-length album has been proudly published as an independent release without the support of the corporate music industry.
“Mean Machine” contains nine original tracks for an approximate total listening time of 40 minutes. Screaming and wailing, pounding and crushing, “Mean Machine” from Stiff Staff is the latest sign that hard rock hasn’t gone anywhere – it’s more brutal and sex-charged than ever. Fans of the early ’80s hard-rock sound have plenty to look forward to from this volatile quintet from Central Europe. Never ones to shirk from plain speech, Stiff Staff have consistently described their music in two eloquent words: sleaze rock.“We are Stiff Staff,” they write, “and we play sleaze. We take one serving Mötley Crüe, a part of Guns N’ Roses and a shot AC / DC, stir well and taste with cheap bourbon. The result is highly explosive and must extend into the rock world.”
Much about the overall character of the band’s music can be derived from the members, themselves. Stiff Staff are lead vocalist Randy Andy, guitarist and backing vocalist Dick Fuxxx, guitarist Lex Climaxx, bass guitarist and backing vocalist Eddie Quicksilver, and drummer Nicky Sick.Their debut LP “Mean Machine” showcases the group’s ability to play all along the spectrum of rock, with tracks like “Rock This City” and “It Ain’t Worth” lying on the traditional hard-rock axis, and tracks like “Down the Highway” and “Mean Machine” edging closer to speed or thrash metal. There are tracks with plenty of soul which bespeak the original blues roots of rock music, too, such as “Pose Your A– Off.” There’s even a ballad-esque closer, “Stayin’ Young,” which proves Stiff Staff that can be earnest, too, and what’s more, the final song turns out to be one of the best numbers on the record.
All in all, “Mean Machine” from Stiff Staff is far-and-away one of the best rock LPs to emerge this year. It becomes available online worldwide at over 600 music stores beginning 19 September 2015. Get in early, rock fans.
01. On We Go
02. Rock This City
03. It Ain't Worth
04. Scream My Name
05. Downtown Love
06. Mean Machine
07. Pose Your Ass Off
08. Down the Highway
09. Stayin' Young
Randy Andy / Vocals
Dick Fuxxx / Guitars, Backing Vocals
Lex Climaxx / Guitars
Eddie Quicksilver / Bass, Backing Vocals
Nicky Sick / Drums
Stiff Staff – Mean Machine (2015)
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