Vancouver’s Bootlicker is clearly and concisely hardcore punk —no genre-mixing here. Their self-titled debut, released June 18, 2021 on Neon Taste Records, is raw, greasy and ready to roll. Self-admitedly influenced by and staying true to early ’80s hardcore, the band does not deviate from songs that rip-roar rapidly from opening to final dirty note. With 14 songs coming in at 18:31, Booklicker LP is at a ferocity level comparable to the classic 1980 Circle Jerks album Group Sex, that comes in at 14 songs in 15:25.
Driven by poundmaster Lucas on drums, the group does not come up for air until the last furious power chord is struck. Lewis’ vocal scowl reminds me of Motorhead’s rebel rouser Lemmy and that is a good thing. For the pure sake of dynamics, it would be interesting if the band explored the odd tempo change, but again, this is uncomprimising hardcore. The lyrics can be hard to understand, but good news vinyl lovers! Physical LP’s come with a “16 page zine-style lyric insert full of illustrations by band member and visual artist Athena,” exactly the kind of goodies that get asses off lumpy, beer stained couches and returning to record haunts across the city.
Bootlicker has kicked (or licked) around since 2017 and previous efforts include two demos and four EP’s, this easily being their most complete work to date. The opening track, Conscription, begins with a little morse code ambience and then gets right into it and never looks back. We are slapped silly with a wall of sound production approach that screams projectile punk. If this LP had a mission statement “all killer, no filler” seems fitting. For me standout cuts include “The Cold” – with its infectious clean guitar run, “Jackboot” – sinister, aloof, so very engaging, and “Losing Game” -opening with the vaguely cheesy audio clip – “Have you been hallucinating lately? / No, should I be? / …Yes!” I think hallucinogens may not be necessary with a band like Bootlicker, they will take you anywhere you want to go at a no nonsense, accelerated pace. —Todd McCluskie
