HoZac US Vinyl & CDs

Review: In the midst of the 90s math-rock/shoegazing scenes marrying themselves to the progressive Midwest emo movement that had stemmed from hardcore and grunge, one short-lived act too pissed off to play ball was The Brides. Referred to in the underground circles as "Chicago's Best Band of the 1990s", their approach was simplistic and singular: jagged edged, lo-fi cutthroat punk rock too fuzzy to be called garage yet refusing to recognise the hardcore aggression of latter days. Suburban Vermin 1996-98 catalogues the entirety of the band's brief discography, including their eight previously unreleased 1997 legendary demo tracks, blistering 7" cuts as well as previously unheard alternates and live demo takes. Nasty, arrogant - and better than every band you listen to - The Brides were the last stop off the cliff of ballsy punk n' roll, and this studious compilation is sure to wet the beak of any fans of the likes of Crime, Viletones, Pagans, Weirdos, or Heartbreakers.