G.G. Elvis & the T.C.P. Band – Back From The Dead


Band: G.G. Elvis & the T.C.P. Band
Album: Back From The Dead
Genre: Punk Rock
Label: Mental

Tracks:
1. Intro/That’s All Right Mama
2. Viva Las Vegas
3. In The Ghetto
4. Don’t Cry Daddy
5. Suspicious Minds
6. Burning Love
7. She’s A Ghost
8. Blue Suede Shoes
9. A Little Less Conversation
10. Little Sister
11. Wonder Of You
12. Love Me Tender
13. My Way/Outro

It may seem a bit strange for anyone to be doing a punk tribute to Elvis, but if you hop in your Delorean and travel back in time, you might see some similarities between the King, and the music that pissed off the Queen. From day one of his popularity, Elvis Presley was a nightmare to parents. He was supposedly corrupting the youth of America with his sexually suggestive gyrations and his racy lyrical content about love and nefarious jailbirds. Today, parents hate punk because it’s corrupting the youth of America, with it’s anti-establishment message or some malarkey. With that in mind, a punk tribute to the King is considerably more appropriate than one might think. G.G. Elvis and the T.C.P. Band is comprised of punk rockers from Bad Samaritans, NOFX, Aggression, and Ill Repute. When their rock ‘n’ roll powers combined, they craft one heck of a punk/rockabilly tribute to Elvis (or Captain Planet).

The album starts with an intro combining “That’s All Right Mama,” with the Ramones Classic, “Blitzkrieg Bop,” and while both songs follow the same chord progression, it actually sounds a bit hokey on the album; Elvis doesn’t need the Ramones to sound like a punk. From there on, the album is a actually a pretty good combination of ripping punk and sappy Elvis lyrics. One of the things to be appreciated about this album is that the group doesn’t take every song at break-neck pace. If a song is slower, the group takes it into a late 80’s slow-punk vibe.

Of course this album is filled with Elvis classics, sans a few hits, most of the songs are recognizable tunes that have stood the test of time, including “Viva Las Vegas,” “Love Me Tender,” and “Burning Love.” One of the standout tracks on the album is the Sex Pistols-esque rendition of “Suspicious Minds.” The original track is a sappy love ballad featuring a beautiful melody adorned with call-and-response backing vocals. While the version on this album is considerably different, the group managed to not completely lose the melody and the backing vocals, and even brings in the horn section to complete the vibe. G.G. Elvis and his crew also do a hopping rendition of the Carl Perkins penned hit “Blue Suede Shoes,” which was a giant hit for Mr. Presley. The group delivers the song in very rockabilly fashion that is certain to get the toes tapping, and in the tradition of Elvis, the panties dropping.
As good as the album actually is, there are a few areas of discontent that may hit a sour note while giving it a listen. “Devil in Disguise,” is really just kind of a lame song, and G.G. and crew make it even more evident with their arrangement, which could be considered the low point of the album. The only other area in which the album drops the ball is in its inability to include all of Elvis’ hits, but that would probably be a five disc tribute. What the hell, pop this disc in, go crazy, then eat a peanut butter and fried banana sandwich.

*Written By: Matt Bullock*
GRADE: 6/10

James Shotwell
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