Umea, Sweden's Regulations have been kicking it for a while now. Most of SJ's following should be pretty familiar with the band via their excellent, Dead Kennedys-tinged "I Can't Do Whatever" song on the first compilation we put out. The rest of the record buying public know who they are because they consistently put out amazing music.
The first time I heard the Regulations was at a basement show in West Philly. I had read a ton of stuff about the band being good. I didn't really remember what the band was supposed to sound like but I usually tend to go to shows with bands from far away lands. I mean when will I get the next chance if they're great? So, with almost zero expectations, Regs took the stage and made me an instant fan.
I've heard this band likened to pretty much every late '70s and early '80s punk band from the US. And they are warranted comparisons. Germs? Check. Circle Jerks? Check. Black Flag? Oh, definitely! Most of their songs stand toe to toe with the greats, but they very much add their own style into the mix. With each release the band gets better and their sound branches out a little bit more.
The new E.P. Different Needs is no exception. With new timings, and bit cleaner production than the last record, Different Needs plays like the Germs Lexicon Devil 7" if it was made by a bunch of guys that used to play in a hardcore band.
Band Site: www.myspace.com/regulationshc
Label Site: Havoc Records
Written Thoughts and Photos by Justin R.