Impetuous, snotty and full of confidence, this album finds Chandigarh band, the delightfully named Anus the Menace at their most potent. ‘Revenge of the Shit’, a six song EP of juvenile punk rock is one not commonly seen in the metal dominated Indian rock scene and probably for good reason. Breezing through in roughly 15 minutes, this record doesn’t offer much in terms of musicality or scope but is enjoyable in its own chaotic sort of way.
For a punk rock band, this album starts oddly on a funky note with ‘Disco Fever’, a foot tapping number with the ability to stick in your head as a result of its markedly comical lyrics, while at the same time tending to be upbeat and melodic.
Before you know it, the album leads into its second track called ‘Government Sucks My Balls’ (I swear I’m not making any of these names up) predictably featuring repetitive diatribes against the government. Though limited in approach and lyrical content, it does bring to mind the independent hardcore punk movement of the 80’s. In some respects, the song could be a lost Minor Threat song with its heavy riffing and anti-authority rants, even given the failed over the top introduction. A bouncy bass line starts off ‘Right Now’, soon turning into an outlet for the band to dispense their advice on living life with a suitable groove complete with back up gang vocals.
The point where the album falters quite clearly though, is the apathetic direction of every song. The harder edged songs never sound as raw or urgent as they should while the poppier songs ultimately sink in half baked hooks. But in all fairness the band does make up for its lack of musical proficiency with buckets of fun, playful energy packing in old Bollywood movie recordings and attempted feminine voices on the part of the vocalist. In parts sounding like drunk frat boys with instruments, which notably isn’t all that far from their purpose, they manage to inject their sound with a youthful exuberance sorely lacking in rock music. Nowhere is this truer than the fall down hilarity of Chinese song, a song completely sung in an amusing imitation of the Chinese stereotype.
‘Placebo’ is as unremarkable as they come in any context or genre and only contributes as commonplace filler for increasing the album length. The last song ‘I’m So Punk….Not!’ features the first riff off the album into which you can actually sink your teeth and is probably closest to the sound the band tries to achieve throughout the album which is the three chord racket of bands like the Descendants or the Adolescents, ending the song with a chugging rhythm and what unusually sounds like a well played harmonica.
Complimented by crisp production and some excellent drumming on the part of Nidhaan Puri, this largely ignored album does provide Indian punks with something to turn to. With a little more focus this band could have been well on its way to actual success, however with vocalist Vilphin Vincent on his way to greener pastures, more specifically Mumbai, the band’s future has been put in serious doubt, possibly limiting this to their eponymous as well as sole musical output.
