Drive Like Jehu might just be the most important band of the 90's for the progression of the emo and noise rock sound and its history. Their sophomore record Yank Crime completely changed the way I, as well as countless other musicians view song structure and the use of noise in a satisfying and musical application. The atonal and wildly experimental string work on this record has infected many other acts musical taste since its 1994 release and will continue to do so.
Notable bands citing influence from DLJ include mathcore gods Botch, weirdo grind legends The Locust, noise rock act KEN Mode, and most notably Deftones with their cover of Caress(off the debut self-titled record). The opening track Here Come the Rome Plows rips into you with an off kilter pace so jarring and full-tilt it inspired the name of my very own project.
John Reis and Rick Froberg's guitar compositions weave in and out of each other's phrases, often picking up where the other left off. Bends going out of tune, intricate progressions that make you wish you wrote them, and batshit high squeals of feedback that are simply a "Fuck You" to the listener's ear. Kind of makes you question if your own guitar playing is interesting. Drummer Mark Trombino (who also produced the record) lays down crisp and driving percussion that ties the intensity of the guitars and bassist Mike Kennedy's perfectly tight and straightforward grooves together.
The production of Yank Crime is fast and no frills, evoking the sensation of sitting in the middle of the studio as the band frenetically records the tracks. Dry and roomy.
Yank Crime was Drive Like Jehu's 2nd and final record, but their short discography has been resuscitated over the years with reunion tours as recent as 2016. Some shows even utilized a live organ player that only furthered their style of pushing sonic boundaries in atypical ways. Sadly, vocalist/guitarist Rick Froberg passed away June 2023 and all hope of another reunion tour was shelved.
STANDOUT TRACKS
Sinews - a 9 minute epic with a slow burn intro dissolving into a beautifully dissonant lick that sets the track on fire for the rest of the song. Some meaning you may gather is the deterioration of a relationship throughout the lyrics and that the breakup is symbolized with how the song falls apart a la sinew and muscle degradation.
New Math - an odd meter start/stop of a song with guitar lines that shouldn't work but do and a punk ass attitude. The bass and drums are unrelenting; barrelling you towards whatever the hell New Math will teach you.
Hand Over Fist - with a cheeky intro putting you at ease, this track explodes in your face with a thick sound that inspires a hand over fist attack of your local p*dophile. Gives way to a surprisingly catchy and almost surfer rock chorus. This track is a "beating you deserve."
RIP Froberg.
