Here we have four tracks each from four of Steve Caballero's past bands, spanning over a decade of music in chronological order (sans the final two bonus cuts, which were just tacked on at the end regardless of recording dates). Clearly best known as a skater, Caballero plays either bass or guitar in all of these bands, and some of this shit is actually pretty damn good. The Faction (1982 - 1985) drops some great hardcore/punk with a little bit of a crossover metal influence happening at times (mainly through some ripping solos and awesome breakdown riffs). "Accelerate" is even a previously unreleased track that was recorded for their reunion show in 1989. Odd Man Out (1987 - 1989) is a fitting name for a band that plays an unusual form of darkly melodic, rocked out "hardcore" (if you could call it that) - complete with keyboards and unique singing vocals. Perhaps there was a slight Joy Division type of influence going on or something... I don't know, it's not new wave or anything like that, but there's definitely a weird new wave element happening in there. I mean, shit, "Mommy Says" even messes around with some reggae stuff. Weird. Shovelhead (1991 - 1994) is heavier midpaced rock with gruff singing vocals and some solid songs, despite the fact that it's not the most memorable material in the world. I like the music more than the vocals, especially the riffs that have a great sense of unusual melody. Maybe if the vocals were mixed a bit lower in with the music I'd like it more, but I don't know... the vocals don't fit in very well, and I think they should play a little faster too. Although the "ballad", "Underneath it All", is actually pretty damn good because the vocals are cleaner. Despite existing for only a short time in the mid-90's, Soda (1995 - 1996) has more in common with Caballero's early days in the Faction than any of this other material, playing a melodic, somewhat upbeat form of catchy hardcore/punk with awesome female singing vocals. The bonus tracks aren't that hot. "To Have and to Hold" is I guess a cover song written by the band Arthur, and Steve recorded it all himself (acoustic guitars, a drum machine, and vocals) at home on an 8-track in 2000. Let's just say this track is anything but essential. "Hidden Lies" was originally released under the name of the Super Cool Tough Guys for a Thrasher magazine flexi disc, recorded in 1989 on a 4-track (with fellow skater Tommy Guerrero on guitar). It's sort of a weird mix musically, not unlike the Odd Man Out material with a drum machine and better vocals (and no keyboards, thankfully). The layout's actually very well handled. Inside the front cover are album covers from all four of the bands whose songs are included herein. After some opening liner notes from Caballero himself, there are two pages per band, with plenty of old photos, and liner notes from other former band members. Visually it doesn't look the best, but it's nice that they have documented something properly here. This is a cool collection, but for my money it's all about the Faction and Soda, so I'll at least be trying to track down some of their material thanks to this disc.
[Sessions]
Running time - 60:19, Tracks: 18
[Notable tracks: Skate and Destroy, I Decide for Me, Underneath it All, Worth It?, See the Inside]
Sessions Records - http://www.sessionsrecords.com
