Power trios punch up sound on new releases

A pair of power trios power the latest roundup of Vegas music releases:

■ THE PSYATICS, “Oderint Dum Metuant” (facebook.com/thepsyatics): Rob Bell is at his best when sounding as if someone just dumped some hot coals down the front of his trousers.

The Psyatics singer-bassist gives good “oooowwww!,” his primal, from-the-gut eruptions suggestive of a disgruntled barfly upon being informed he’s been cut off.

“You’ve got to live it up!” he howls on a raucous, overheated cover of the Hoodoo Gurus’ “Dig It Up,” which segues into the cocksure strut of “Stole Your Girl,” where guitarist Jack Ball unleashes all manner of blues of hellfire.

Ball’s a beast, powering the band’s hard-swinging, harder-drinking garage rock with guitar hero chops, though he often favors feelings over fireworks — even though there are plenty of those as well.

Drummer Jimmy Krah’s steady hand keeps things somewhat anchored in place, though even he gets loose on the harmonica-fired freakout “Today’s Big Thing, Tomorrow’s Old News.”

From rockabilly mushroom clouds to slow-simmering vamps that could soundtrack a striptease, these three show little restraint on their debut, whose title is a favorite saying of Caligula’s.

Roughly translated it means, “Let them hate, so long as they fear,” though there’s little reason to be scared when in the company of this fun-lovin’ crew — unless you get between them and their bourbon.

■ BOUNTY HUNTER BROTHERS, “Paid in Full” (facebook.com/bountyhunterbros): He compares the object of his affection to a particularly nasty weather phenomenon, and the song follows suit.

“I’m stuck in your love tornado,” singer/guitarist Bobby Pesti announces on “Love Tornado,” his voice rising from a disaffected drawl over a surging riff that roars by with the unimpeded force of a funnel cloud tearing through a kid’s lemonade stand.

Three songs in, it sets a suitably tempestuous tone for the Bounty Hunter Brothers’ promising debut, which recalls the early ’90s grunge explosion, back when big hair was replaced by even bigger guitars.

“I want to destroy everything beautiful,” singer-bassist William Davenport informs on the very next tune, “Golden Age,” giving voice to this band’s operating principle, as they scruff up pretty melodies with raw-throated singing and constantly cresting guitars.

If MTV was still home to “Alternative Nation,” these dudes would qualify for citizenship.

Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com
or 702-383-0476.