Album Review: Rex Banner - 'The Good Times Are Killing Me'

How good was the mid 90’s?!

Seriously!! Epitaph were churning out great releases by the dozen and

there was no better feeling than having your XXL NoFX t-shirt delivered

to your front door 2 weeks after you’d placed an order from the booklet

that accompanied all Fat Wreck Chords releases. That’s right kids…

this is pre-internet!  

Do you know who else was paying

attention in the 90’s? The dudes who play in Rex Banner, that’s

who! Not only have they taken all the trademark elements from seminal

bands like Propagandhi but they’ve managed to incorporate a genuine

metallic element to their songs which is as melodic as it is technical. 

Opening tune “We Used To Be

Groundbreaking…” is a prime example of what Rex Banner are all about.

If you’re after pounding drums, sing-able melodies and wailing guitars

that would have the guys in Strung Out green with envy then you’ve

come to the right place.  

“We Can’t Stop Here, This

Is Donkey Kong Country” has been getting thrashed on my Ipod for the

last few months and it still sounds as fresh as the first time I heard

it. Although “Rain Or Hail Mary” moves to a furious beat it’s

a more straight forward and less metallic tune than its predecessor.  

If anyone was to accuse Rex Banner

of being a one dimensional punk band then “Now This Is Happening”

would certainly shut them up. Seamlessly melding the melody of punk

rock with the guitar acrobatics of an 80’s metal band this is by far

my favourite track on the record!

From start to finish this EP is

near flawless. My only gripe is that at only 6 songs in length, you’re

left hanging for more. If this is an indication of what Rex Banner are

capable of I can only imagine what their full length will sound like!  

1. We Used To Be Groundbreaking,

   Now We’re Derivative

2. We Can’t Stop Here,

   This Is Donkey Kong Country

3. Rain Or Hail Mary
4. Now This Is Happening
5. Waste Deep At Scary

   Time