| Below are Live reviews as well as
CD reviews. Click here for full text reviews no longer available in print or on the web. |
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| "The City That God Forgot" review (Black Angel Promotions) |
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| Thrasher
Magazine Port Halcyon (Red Eyed and Rowdy review) Skratch Magazine |
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| B92
Music Indy Rock (Spanish Site) Mladina (Slovenian Site) danas.co.yu (Serbian live review w/ pictures) |
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| In
Music We Trust (review of Round Up) Candy for Bad Children Baby Sue |
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| Indieville CD Baby (Six Shooter review) kcm.hr (Croatia review w/ pictures) ispodzemlje.com (Serbian live review w/ pictures) |
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| Epitonic Varla Magazine (Six Shooter review) |
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In
Music We Trust (review of Cowboys and Aliens) |
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| In Music We Trust (interview) |
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| In Music We Trust (review for Hardcore Honky Tonk) |
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| In Music We Trust (demo review) |
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| Bradley Torreano- All Music Guide |
| "Round Up is a really cool EP
from a shockingly versatile band. Unlike their debut album, their penchant for country music bursts wide open on the six tracks here. With four original numbers and two covers, they actually make a great little country album without a hint of their usual snotty humor and punk rock sound. Actually, they sound a little like Cracker does when they do these same sorts of genre experiments, which is fairly impressive considering how long David Lowery was in the industry before he attempted country music. The best compliment this album deserves is a simple one: you can't tell the difference between the Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard covers and their original compositions. You would think there would be an obvious difference in lyrics or mood, but Speedbuggy USA can write good country music, and should seriously consider a change in direction after this solid EP." |
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| KNAC.com, Janiss Garza: |
| The problem with most country punk bands is that they can't decide which side of the fence their hearts truly sit -- since they're afraid they don't have the chops to be a real country band, they just play fast and loud and hope the mistakes get lost in the noise. A few groups (the Supersuckers come to mind) are good enough to transcend the genre altogether. The Los Angeles-based Speedbuggy USA, however, doesn't have to transcend their country punk label -- they play both punk and country with equal flair. They can certainly bang out a tune, as evidenced on "Nevada," but with a slower number such as "Larronger," guitarist Steve Kidwiler really lets his mellow tones twang. And no disc of this ilk would be complete without the requisite drunken ballad -- this one here is entitled, appropriately, "Live Through This Pain." So the quartet has both halves of the equation working, but they're best when they bring it all together -- the tails of woe, the hard-bashing rhythms, and those licks. "GTO" and "I Won't Be Near" are big, brawny tracks, and the more melody-driven "Big Blue Sky" has just the right amount of edge. Those outlaws Hank Williams and Sid Vicious would both be proud. |
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| All Music.com, Mike DaRonco: |
| An album
that could inspire a dance craze of moshible square dancing. Cowboys
and Aliens features a nitty, gritty side of dirt punk that could
appeal to the masses who have grown tired of wimpy ballads and love
songs. With a reflection towards the rock and roll roots of country, Speedbuggy are living proof that a punk band can have slide-guitars and cowboy hats without getting laughed at. |
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| Mean Street Magazine, Rodeo Dave : |
| SoCal's SPEEDBUGGY may just represent the next evolution in punk rock. Their stellar sound, which mixes together high energy punk with rockabilly and classic country (like George Jones and Johnny Cash),is too unique to be categorized, yet too good to be ignored. Ironically, for all SPEEDBUGGY'S uniqueness, the band never intended to do anything different. "As far as our sound," remarks vocalist/guitarist Tim Gruse, "we really just fell into it. When Steve (Kidwiler, guitar) and I got together, we found our selves naturally writing songs that had elements of country and punk." When we added Brady Sloan on Bass and Vet Drummer Pat Muzingo; it all came together. SPEEDBUGGY'S country influences come from the old days. Gruse continues, "People don't realize that old country has a lot in common with punk rock. The old country singers had a total antiestablishment mentality that made villains of the mainstream." SPEEDBUGGY is making a big noise in the underground with what is arguably the most vital new punk sound in years. |
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| Happy Magazine, Tiffany Worthy : |
| Modern punk bands have been adding scratchers, samples, and other 'hip-hop' elements to try to evolve the genre, but SPEEDBUGGY instead has turned to our American musical roots. "Punk rock and old country mixed easily. We cover Hank Williams, Buck Owens, and George Jones... it's kind of strange to see kids jumping off stage... during a cover of I Saw the Light." The band has already completed three national tours (including Bad Religion, Punk Rock Karaoke tours) and have released three albums. Their hard work is paying off as people realize more and more that SPEEDBUGGY may just be the best new cow-punk band in the nation. |
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| Bam Magazine: |
| "With emotionally fueled lyrics supported by speedy guitar riffs and driving percussion, SPEEDBUGGY proved to be not only clever songwriters, but talented musicians as well... the band have created their own hybrid style which will put them on the forefront of what could be the 'next big thing'..." |
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| Flipside Magazine: |
| "... Galloping straight ahead punk rock with a real strong twang and honest to cowboy real country trappings... flys with the true Hank Williams fans... love the cover art." |
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| KERRANG! |
| Countrified pacey rhythms, down-home lyrics and twanging geetars to create a cow-punk sound that's considerably more 'YEE-HA!' than 'OI!',and consequently infinitely more interesting than many of the production line punk outfits around today. ....MARK GRIFFITHS |
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| Cent Magazine |
| "Speedbuggy USA prefers to call its sound "cowpunk," but
there's a lot more cow than punk. And just enough rock and roll and
folk to drop this smack dab in the middle of the dread "alt.
country" morass. Actually, the closest reference point I can find are the Mermaid Avenue projects, where Billy Bragg and Wilco wrote music to accompany a number of unfinished Woody Guthrie songs. The loose arrangements and spirited playing would fit in well there. Just a fun set, even if it's way too short. Six songs? Sixteen would have been much more welcome. Speedbuggy USA's laid back style is most welcome in these here parts." |