OC Rippers - Public Scene (Guest Review By Ralph J Rivera)

  

  As always I gotta thank the most honorable Mr. Mick Fletcher for always allowing me to help support my thriving New Jersey Punk scene. I've written about the OC Rippers many times before. I've been their #1 supporter since the first time I saw them. I've known 2 of the members since they were teenagers and playing in local Punk bands. I've been lucky enough to have seen some of the best bands to ever come out of our beloved "Jersey Shore" scene. Adrenalin OD, Bouncing Souls, Turning Point, Underdog, Lifetime, The Ergs and especially Night Birds. NJ is a close knit community and most of us have known each other forever. It's crazy in this modern world but some of us have been friends for 30-40 years! So... back to the OC Rippers.

  The first time I saw these guys it was like watching the "New Bomb Turks" back in the late 90's. Pure energy and full tilt ROCK AND ROLL. They are Lyle Delmeier on vocals, Robert Goodson on bass, Chris Burmeister on drums and Johnny Giordano on guitar. 4 guys that LIVE Punk/Rock & Roll.

  Their new album "Happy Hours Air Travel" https://ocrippers.bandcamp.com/album/happy-hours-air-travel-club is the culmination of endless practice, live shows and precise knowledge of the past. Their last album "Wasteland Blues" was just a warm up for this one. Songs like "Touch", "Money Bands", and "Late Night TV Lover" show just how much they've grown. Johnny's guitar playing is spectacular on this record. I can't wait to see these new songs live and as always - OC Rippers will steal the show.

  My highlight song is "Public Scene". One of their best Punk Rock jams yet! Thank you guys for bringing REAL Rock & Roll back and a huge thank you to guitarist Johnny for personally delivering the vinyl copy #1 to me. LISTEN! ENJOY!...

OC Rippers - Eyes Of Satan

  

  A raucous cover for you today of a song originally released by Cleveland, Ohio punk legends The Pagans (check out the original version here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JCOBqPgCTU). 

  OC Rippers are from Beachwood, New Jersey and earlier this year released a very fine album called Wasteland Blues. A song from it and accompanying write up by Ralph J Rivera featured here :  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2021/04/oc-rippers-heart-to-heart.html

  The band are back with 3 more tracks of energetic, sleazy punk n roll in the form of the Born To Fuck (Fall '21 Demo) and as with the album, it's an excellent listen. HI octane, bad taste rock at it's finest, you can get it here : https://ocrippers.bandcamp.com/album/born-to-fuck-fall-21-demo-2

  This is The Pagans cover. It's not always easy to do justice to a song by what many people consider to be one of the classic bands in the genre but OC Rippers knock it out of the park. This is Eyes Of Satan... 

OC Rippers - Heart To Heart (Guest Review By Ralph J Rivera)

    

  Another one of Ralph's enthusiastic recommendations today. As he admits, this time around he's biased as he's known the members of the band for decades but I've listened to the album to make sure he's not just palming us off with any old crap and I can confirm he's spot on. It's great... 

Okay so this is actually my first ever biased review. I've known the guys in this band for DECADES. Can't even tell you how many times I've seen their guitar player Johny's old band "Dead Heroes" back in the the day. Their singer went on to front one of the biggest bands in Punk Rock but that's Jersey History.

Now speaking of that let me introduce to you THE best band that's come out of the Jersey Shore since "Night Birds". OC Rippers have a pedigree that runs a mile long... As long as the influences they've all absorbed. They just dropped their statement to the World called "Wasteland Blues" and you all need to listen up!

After dropping two amazing demos and a teaser EP this is the culmination of YEARS of experience. This band can do the slow burn jams ("Brats" & "Feed Me") along with the balls out rockers ("Born In Waco" & "Just Gotta Run"). I know we all LOVE comparisons so let me give you this - If you were to take the best elements of the MC5 and combined that with the total recklessness of the Candy Snatchers you would have this beast of a band! Do yourself a favour if you LOVE Rock & Roll as much as OC Rippers and I do - Hit that Bandcamp link and prepared to hear REAL 2021 MUSIC!

https://ocrippers.bandcamp.com/album/wasteland-blues

My choice for best song off this masterpiece is "Heart To Heart". A TRUE NJ statement!