APPETIZER / SOUP'S ON

How's that for a band name? This latest gem to be unearthed by the tireless Numero Group researchers marks a departure from the rare soul reissues that tend to be the label's bread and butter. Johnny Lunchbreak were a mid-'70s bar-room rock band, formed in Connecticut. During their time together they never had a proper album release to speak of, so instead the music on this disc is culled from demos recorded between 1974 and 1975. Although a garage band by definition, this is a bit more refined than that branding might suggest, having more in common with goodtime Kiss-style riffing than the nascent punk scene that would have been stirring in other American basements at the time. The slightly dubious production values combined with the kooky approximation of classic rock posturing brings to mind the sort of long-lost ephemera you'd come across on a Galactic Zoo Dossier compilation: check out the shoddy potting shed boogie-woogie of 'The Same Could Happen To You' or the After The Goldrush-on-a-budget charm of 'Not A Dry Eye In America'. No one's going to try and tell you Johnny Lunchbox is a band of any great cultural significance, but this reissue does give you a peak into a humble world of Saturday afternoon jam sessions and small town aspirations. Inspired stuff - Recommended! (Article paru sur le site Boomkat)