Cold Burns

"Punk rock" is too small a phrase to contain Starvin Hungry's second album. The Montreal quartet has consumed influences from every era of rock to cook up something that recalls the highly individualized "thinking man's punk" of early pioneers like the Voidoids, Wire, and The Wipers, as well as the ferocious sexual splatter of The Stooges and Pussy Galore. Cold Burns brings something new to the table through the use of alternately tuned guitars and unusual chord changes served on a warm plate of classic hooks and danceable punk. Recorded by the infinitely versatile Jace Lasek of Besnard Lakes fame, this is the sound of rock `n' roll moving backward and forward. Originally formed as a two piece by singer/guitarist John Milchem and his twin brother Glen Milchem (drummer of Blue Rodeo), Starvin Hungry gradually expanded the formation to a four-piece that has had members of D.O.A., SNFU, Deadly Snakes, Soft Canyon, and Tricky Woo in its evolving lineup. The band's current incarnation has cemented their reputation as one of Canada's hottest live acts, and recently toured the US with the Besnard Lakes.