FYPM (Fuck You Pay Me) - Dumbed Down [Tankcrimes - 2017]Dumbed Down, the new “full-length” by Cleveland hardcore band Fuck You Pay Me sure sounds familiar. A quick look at the label blurb and I realize why this sounds so recognizable….Tony fucking Erba. One could argue that geography defines a band’s sound, but in this instance, one look no further than Tony Erba, who has spent time in a number of legendary Clevo bands, including Face Value, Gordon Solie Mother Fucker, and 9 Shocks Terror. Being a hardcore kid during the mid-90’s to early 2000’s, I unfortunately missed out on on seeing any of Erba’s aforementioned bands live, but I distinctly recall friends retelling me a crazy story about 9 Shocks Terror show involving several bags of flour at some mid-west hardcore festival. I guess I had to be there.
Dumbed Down, available from Tank Crimes in digital, vinyl and cassette formats, is basically a no bullshit, straightforward, tough-as-nails hardcore record and I mean that with the utmost affection. 9 tracks played at breakneck speeds, that wraps up in 17 minutes...you get the picture. Erba’s raspy vocals collide with winding buildups, chunky breakdowns, machine gun drumming, and fast-as-fuck punk guitar (with just a tad of melody thrown in for good measure). How can you go wrong with pissed off anthems like “Ammosexual”, “Douche Chills”, and “50 White Dudes with Machetes” delivered in Erba’s humorous/sarcastic tones? These guys won’t get an award for the most innovative, intellectual album of the year, but that’s kind of the point.
Those into any of Erba’s earlier work should be very pleased with Dumbed Down. No frills, just fury!    Hal Harmon
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