This disc has DIY written all over but for all it’s low budget superficial appearance it’s actually a fairly entertaining set of tunes. This trio hails from the Northeast U.S. and are reminiscent of a "let’s try-this-kind-of-music-the-kids-seems-to-be buying-it" new wave band from the early 1980s. They are kind of rocking, politely goofy and in the end, fairly talented. "Skateboard Surfer" is low on the intelligence-o-meter but has enough of a guitar charge to keep even the most jaded reviewer bopping. "Dad’s Desoto" careens nicely too with its squaresville organ surges. The goofy song title count is high including such winners as "Stubby The Runner," "In Heaven There Is No Beer," "Sergeant Stupid" and "Drag Racing Robot" to name a few. Their re-arranging of the Ramones’ template in "I Wanna be Santaded" (no typo) should be added to your next left-of-the-dial Christmas mix. Sincere and silly in equal measure. Let’s all page Mike Hunt while you tear the label off your next mattress! (46:25 playing time.14 tracks.)........... (Jeff Monk/Mohair Sweets)

JUNE 2000 : MUSIC REVIEW MAGAZINE

DONUT KINGS

FAPLUNK : CD

PINEHURST RECORDS

"Surf punk" with a twist would be the best way to describe this trio. There's some funny stuff, and some nice music here."Drag Racing Robot," sets the tone for the CD with a kind of Weird Al sensibility. But the second track "Stubby The Runner," is enough to keep you listening. The lyrics are odd, but their delivery is great, with an upbeat tempo and a very full sound, leaving no dead space. By "In Heaven There Is No Beer." It's fairly obvious that we're not going to get any serious fare. "Be Honest" is a fun song, asking us to fess up to the things we all secretly do: "Did you ever run a red light at 1:AM /Did you ever ask the operator, please page Mike Hunt?" "Spider Goo" is an odd song, focusing on one of America's finest underground fears. "I Wanna Be Sedated" rounds out the album, with a remake of the Ramones classic. Take all the things you knew about the original add a touch of Kris Kringle, and voila! If you want to take the world a little less seriously for forty-five minutes, and maybe even have a little fun, pop this disc in.