Ghetto Ghouls

The Austin, Texas–based Ghetto Ghouls are an unapologetic punk band. They don’t stray from their intention to make a brief, powerful noise with sweetened harmonies or buzzy little pop songs. There's no deliberate "retro" tag here, either; no vintage organs or carefully cast vintage look. The band say they recorded this self-titled album in just four hours, and they’re likely telling the truth. The band members also claim to have played together since they were 14 years old—and considering their natural chemistry, that’s completely plausible too. Corey Anderson appears to sing into an overloaded amp, while guitarist Dan LeVine, bassist Garrett Hadden, and drummer Ian Rundell play live in the room, as if they were onstage at any given punk club. There’s a natural aggression to songs like “Peepshow,” “My Hands,” “Living Alone," and “Atomic Bomb” that’s much like the raw power heard from OFF!, Mission of Burma, F****ed Up, and other go-for-the-throat performers. “Simple C,” the album’s longest cut by far at nearly four minutes, feels as concise as the under-two-minute pieces.