When I received the songs and promo material for LJ Sleeze’s new album, Dead or Alive, one of the first things I noticed was that they were playing a show at one of my favorite Richmond bars, The Cobra Cabana. I haven’t been there since pre-Covid when I flew into town for the Avail reunion show with Iron Reagan opening. So it was with my love of Richmond hardcore and punk in my heart that I tuned into the music. While it didn’t hit me with traditional RVAHC vibe, it was impossible not to make the connection with 1970’s era CBGBs music and equally impossible not to love. In fact I felt like any song from here would have been great on Live At CBGB's 12” comp from 1976 with bands like Tuff Darts, Stuart’s Hammer and The Miamis. With that being said, they lean towards the raucous side and would be more fitting with bands like The New York Dolls, The Dead Boys, or England’s T-Rex.

The album opens with “Ain’t Easy Being Sleezy” which gives you exactly the dirty raunchy rocker you’d expect from such a song title. It’s a mix of early punk with blues based rock that you might hear from George Thorogood. I could see many a beer and whiskey being spilled as people sing along to the title throughout the song.

“Don’t Wanna” comes up in the middle and continues the blues based punk rock with solid riffage and lyrics that remind me of early Black Flag when Keith Morris sang for them. Kick ass guitar leads throughout add some flavor to an already tasty fucking track.

“Rolling with the Reaper” is the closing track that opens with a rad as fuck bass intro followed by a dope drum pattern with guitar feedback before the guitars come crashing in and brings the song to your fucking front door and kicks it down. This track reminds me a bit of NYC The Bully’s who did that street tough Ramone-inspired punk rock n’ roll.

This is a solid as fuck release full of bangers, and my only regret is that it’s not on vinyl!

Check them out on Bandcamp and buy their digital album!

You can also listen on their Spotify or on my Punk Playlist

Also follow them on their IG and FB

And if you’re in Richmond on the 4th, get your ass to the Cobra Cabana and check this out live and then send me the video!

sbmt.to/dcxpc-live

Want to mail a vinyl for review? Message me at dcpcbooking@gmail.com for the address

No tapes and no CDs, I can’t play either of them.

Also make sure to check out DCxPC Live’s store where I have vinyl release of live albums by amazing hardcore, punk, ska and metal bands! We are a small DIY record label doing our best to document the scene we love in the way we love it most—LIVE!