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Park a Tiger EP (released fall 2005 )
"This is one of the most real, gritty albums I have heard in a very, very long time" - SoundtheSirens.Com "Loud, crunchy guitars reminiscent of Shesus and the Cinch with a slightly darker hue." - -PunkPlanet.Com "The production on Tiger gives you the sense of what it might be like hanging out at the Reptoids' rehearsal space and getting loaded on Old Style tall boys." - Chicagoist.Com "I parked this tiger, and after a dozen listens, none of the excitement has leaked out. And they play with Evil Beaver? But of course."- HybridMagazine.Com It's raw, gritty, and damn heavy for a punk band" -PunkNews.Org “The only real low point is the fact that there is certainly room for a few more songs”- Indie-Music.com “Since getting this CD about 4 or so days ago it has been all I've listened to”- RockNWorld. com "musically raw and aggressive, earning their reputation for a strong musical future."- ChurchofGirl.com Self-titled EP (released Fall 2004 )
PunkNews.Org - Nov. 2005 by Anchors“They got me right off the bat.” “Really good stuff.” JimDeRogatis, WXRT Sound Opinions “Hopefully, the future holds more CD's from The Reptoids” - Illinois Entertainer “I didn’t realize how much I’ve wanted to hear L7 play Mudhoney’s equipment until I heard this”- Punk Planet "it's a muscular, sinewy rocker" -Splendid e-zine Park a Tiger EP(released Fall 2005) SoundtheSirens.Com - Sept. 2006 by Trent Moore Listening to the Reptoids’ latest EP, Park A Tiger, almost invokes voyeuristic tendencies. You can’t help but feel like the dorky kid down the street, balancing clumsily on a garbage can below the window at the super cool neighbor girl’s garage while her band rehearses beside her vintage Mustang. This is one of the most real, gritty albums I have heard in a very, very long time. ProTools is for wimps; and on Park A Tiger it feels like there’s nothing but amped-up guitars, some angry girls (and a fellow on bass), and a microphone in the room. PunkPlanet.Com March/April 2006, Issue #73 by Amy Adoyzie Loud, crunchy guitars reminiscent of Shesus and the Cinch with a slightly darker hue. Solid rock slow cooked with subtle solos and firm vocals. Sounds like the soundtrack to a film about an indignant teenager who has to reluctantly fight slow-moving zombies in order to save his high school peers. Chicagoist.Com - May 2006 by Scott Smith Reptoids on the Rock Campaign Trail. Metromix’s annual Rock ‘n’ Vote contest is on again with ten local bands vying for a chance to play a show at Metro. Voting continues now through midnight Sunday. Currently leading the vote tallies are The Lifeline, The Emerald Lizards, and Otter Petter (which sounds like it would be nice work if you could get it). One of the bands we’re hoping gets a few more votes thrown its way is Reptoids. They’re a four-person band, three-quarters of whom are women. We realize this fact shouldn't matter at all, but for some it’s still a surprise that women can just flat-out rock. And good Lord, do Reptoids ever rock. We recently got our hands on its Park A Tiger album. It’s six tracks of unapologetic punk with none of the pop sheen some of their male counterparts layer over their songs so they can snag a spot on the cover of this month’s issue of J-14 or Bop. While it may not convey the energy they have live, the production on Tiger gives you the sense of what it might be like hanging out at the Reptoids' rehearsal space and getting loaded on Old Style tall boys. The low-fi sound gathers the twin guitar assault of Kay Oh and Melissa, the punch-in-the-chest drums of Meg and the death bass of Chris into a stew of blood, sweat and fears. But what really makes the album stand out from all the other bands who’ve got three chords and attitude to spare, is the underlying, rumbling sludge throughout many of their songs that is unmistakably metal. It’s most evident on “9 Times,” a song that whiplashes with a fierce complexity between Sabbath crunch and the amphetamine burn of an old Misfits record. Lyrically, Reptoids adopt a “fight or flight” ethos on tracks like F.U. (streaming mp3), a classic kiss-off that pulls no punches or “Mexico Fiasco,” a buzzing, fiery track that proves there’s always a group of kids trying to leave a town full of losers. If you want to see the candidates in person, Reptoids are playing a show tonight at Betty’s Blue Star Lounge (at Grand and Ashland) or next Thursday at Cal’s Liquors (at Wells and VanBuren). Illinois Entertainer - April 2006 by Terrence Flamm In the beginning the punk was void and without form. And Hilly said, "Let there be CBGB's. " This is music that isn't preoccupied with the punk rock sorting hat. Reptoids have more passion and direction than technical ability, which is precisely why punks created this whole pastime in the first place - to rail against Guitar Institute Of Technology gits. All you have to do is have a good musical or lyrical idea (which they've got both) and bring it to life. That's not to say that they aren't decent musicians, they just avoid showboating and appear on the same page. Singer Kay Oh tries to be neither too cutesie nor unearthly evil but irresistibly strong and tough. The sonic thrills are an amalgam of minor-note garage rock and artsy darkness perpetrated by Melissa's avalanche guitar licks and like-minded bass from Ari Joffee. "F.U." demonstrates perfectly how they take each part and pull the threads together into something vivid knitted by Meg's skilled drumsticks. The backup vocals blend so well that it sounds like studio technique. I parked this tiger, and after a dozen listens, none of the excitement has leaked out. And they play with Evil Beaver? But of course. A reptoid is merely a theoretical proposition. The hypothetical product of the evolution of humans if the dinosaurs didn't become extinct, nothing more, nothing less. Fitting then, that Park a Tiger finds the band Reptoids one eagerly playing for the past, playing for when punks' only criteria was "we go to eleven." Even so, in that right, Reptoids more than succeed. Loud, bratty, and straight to the point, they make no qualms about the music they play. It's raw, gritty, and damn heavy for a punk band. In just sixteen minutes, Reptoids are able to establish and peak interest, and end just as strongly. There's not much deviation from song to song, but oddly enough, that almost seems sort of trivial with this release. The focus isn't supposed to be on anything but the rock, and songs like "Soft Living" deliver it in pretty large doses. "Crimes Against Humanity" opens up with some strong bass work, while Kay Oh's tough, no-frills vocals take the lead, and not only does she perfectly suit the guitar work, but she's playing a good deal of it herself. She and guitarist Melissa contrast some clean leads over the heavily distorted rhythms, and the product comes out surprisingly smooth. As you listen more and more, the more apparent it becomes that there's more depth to the music than just turning the amps up as high as possible. But still, it's damn loud. "Mexico Fiasco" shows Kay Oh's vocals essentially getting lost under the sea of fuzz and distortion. "Permanent Mark" feigns the band slowing down for a 15-second acoustic lead-in, but that's pretty short-lived. Even so, it seems to be a slowdown for the band, a brief reprieve, and the only one that's going to be found on the album. I'll keep this short and sweet, just like this album, and hell, the band's own words can sum this up better than I can: "Prepare for war now, this is open fire." Indie-Music.Com - Nov. 2005 by Derek Blackmon When I first heard Chicago-based Reptoids latest EP Park a Tiger, my immediate reaction was that some music is only viable if the musicians can draw blood in a pillow fight. There’s a void in chick-rock with Reptoids level of intensity, and considering the competition is primarily Courtney Love’s pathetic headline-grabbing need for attention, it’s clear the scene could use more talent and less desperation. I can only assume that if Ms. Love had kept her job retrieving lost coins from sewer drains to pay for smack we’d still be enjoying the music of her late husband. That aside, Reptoids are a welcome break from the tantrums of the Bruised One. Trading off vocals and guitars, Kay Oh and Melissa (surnames are apparently optional) split their time just sounding angry. Primal Scream therapy could be eliminated solely by the amount of aggression released in these sixteen minutes. Playing out the rest of the band are bassist and sole male emissary XYZ and Meg, the sexiest drummer in rock since Dave Grohl had long hair. Kicking off with a face-shredding “Mexico Fiasco,” there is no build-up or warning. Silence one moment is followed by the complete destruction of all sound. Grinding through tracks like “Permanent Mark” and “9 Times,” the only real low point is the fact that there is certainly room for a few more songs. These six tracks play well but could use some more company. The highlights are “F.U.” and the too brief “Crimes Against Humanity,” but nothing lacks, possibly explaining the short song selection. Caveat Emptor: These ladies aren’t the kind you take home to meet your mother. Oh no. Typically, they meet your parents while breaking into your house late at night to steal jewelry and antiques to peddle for drugs and tattoos. Just one more reason to support their cause. RockNWorld.Com / AntiMusic.Com - July 2005 by Greenmuse Few things in life are as great and soul stirring as a good female fronted band, The Reptoids are a prime example of this. Since getting this CD about 4 or so days ago it has been all I've listened to(aside from some test listens to the latest sendings from TKO Records). I've listened to it while driving, I've listened to it while getting dressed, I've listened to it while playing Gran Turismo. etc etc, you get the idea. The Reptoids hail from Chicago and well frankly kick the proverbial shit out of a lot of other bands out there. You can rest assured that The Reptoids will strip paint from your walls at 30 ft. The vocals here are reminiscent of L7 or the Distillers(minus the VERY Courtney love-esque thing Brody has going on). In other words the vocalist(I want to say her name is Melissa, but I don't have the CD case on me at the moment so I can only go on memory)has the great sort of voice that just fits so well in a rock setting. The guitar work is top notch as well, a nice, tight 2 guitar attack. But like my hero, Joe Strummer said, "a band is only as good as its drummer". This drummer does an excellent job of keeping everything anchored well. Then there is the bass player(the only male in the band). He simply tears it up on the bass. Hopefully this band will start touring out of the northern part of the country and start coming down to my neck of the woods. I bet they put a killer live show on. My personal favorite track is "9 times". If anything just for the delivery of the opening verse. it has a nice arpeggiated intro followed by a short blast of cymbal, then they pop in with the verse. "This is war now, prepare for open fire. thermo nuclear acid rain, when the smoke clears, there'll be nothing left, your lives in a shallow grave". Seriously. Bob Ross smiles on this band. Would you expect anything else from a band that named themselves after the hypothetical product of the evolution of humans if the dinosaurs didn't die? Church of Girl.com October 2005 Unforgiving + Rock Solid The Reptoids are earning a reputation – and Church of Girl is helping to spread all the juicy gossip! The band is a ¾ female grunge-punk power house featuring Kay Oh (guitar, vocals), Melissa (guitar, vocals), Meg (drums) and Ari Joffee (bass, vocals). They formed in mid 2003 and are based in Chicago. Strong and growing, The Reptoids receive terrestrial airplay on Chicago stations and have been reviewed in the Illinois Entertainer and Punk Planet. Their music is aggressive and touches on subjects like bladder infections, L7, stolen guitars and UFO conspiracy theories. Kay Oh and Melissa trade off vocals and guitars, providing a little extra variety on their 6 song release, “Park a Tiger”. We particularly like the song “Crimes Against Humanity”, showing off the more melodic, power pop face of the band. Overall, the CD is musically raw and aggressive, earning their reputation for a strong musical future. Scene Point Blank Sept 07 by Matt Andrews Chicago's Reptoids, signed to RRRecords, play a female brand of grunge/punk rock. This six-track EP, clocking in at sixteen minutes, shows a fairly wide-ranging sound, taking in early Nirvana, through to a more rock and roll/punk sound reminiscent of 70s acts mixed with grunge vocals. Singer Kay Oh often reminds me of Courtney Love, but musically the band provides a different backing than Hole. Guitars, handled equally between Kay and Melissa, are interesting and some clever production on opener "Mexico Fiasco" has some panned chords sifting between the rhythms. Backing vocals are provided by Melissa, and former bassist Ari Joffee contributes too. With regards to the bass, it often sounds a tad high school band on this EP, with relatively simple and uninteresting lines, but from what I can tell, the band have since replaced him. "9 Times" is probably the standout track, as well as the longest on the record. With an unexpected breakdown midway through it's the most developed track with a catchy vocal hook in the chorus. Compared to the mid-tempo opener, this track demonstrates more of the energy that the band undoubtedly possess and I would predict utilize well in their live show. More like this! Self -Titled EP Illinois Entertainer - June 2005 by Terrence Flamm The Reptoids didn't need to confirm their indie cred by including the barely audible "Mexico Fiasco Live-which is from a bootleg tape of one of their performances-on their three-song, self-titled CD. Not when the four-piece band has "15 Track", a midtempo but sharp-edged rocker and the vintage punk of "Cowboys Scars," which offers bitter observations from vocalist/guitarist karen like, "If you think you've got control, you just don't know what the future holds. Hopefully, the future holds more CD's from The Reptoids. Punk Planet by Rex Reason - March/April 2005 Issue #66 I didn't realize how much I've wanted to hear L7 play Mudhoney's equipment until I heard this. That's not to say Reptoids don't bring their own stink to the grunge-o/punk-o mix. WXRT (93.1) Sound Opinions - Feb. 15, 2005 by Jim DeRogatis also posted on JimDero.Com on Jan 28, 2005 Used amps, stolen guitars, bladder infections, UFO conspiracy theories, L7, too many cigarettes, jilted ex'es-these are afew of the favorite things this Chicago quarted lists in its bio, and that roster summons a pretty good description of the group's ultra-attitudinal brand of grungy puk (heaviest perhaps on teh L7). Inspirational lyric form "Cowboys Scars" off the combo's three-track debut EP: "Total loss of commuinication/Forget about the joys of masturbation. ***********See our Music Page to hear and download the Sound Opinions Clip*********** Splendid Magazine by Brett McCallon Aug 2005 If there's any doubt in your mind as to what the Reptoids are all about, just take a look at the (hopefully staged) back-cover close-up of a bloody hand hovering over a guitar, ready to strike another red-stained blow for three chords and the truth. None of the self-titled disc's three tracks clock in at more than three minutes; that's not a lot of time, and thankfully, the Reptoids don't waste it. "15 Track" kicks the disc off with a snarl; it's a muscular, sinewy rocker that culminates in a driving power chord chorus. The vaguely sinister vocals add a welcome air of danger, and the song ends well before it wears out its welcome. The talkier "Cowboy Scars" is more uneven. The chorus does a nice job of combining a fairly flat vocal style with a melodic guitar riff, but the verses meander a bit more than they should. Closer "Mexico Fiasco" is unaccountably represented here by a poorly-recorded live version. While including a live track can serve as a nice showcase for a band's onstage energy and presence, it's generally a good idea to make sure that the live recording in question sounds good in the first place. Reptoids is available on the band's website for a paltry $3.75 -- almost as cheap as iTunes (and that price includes shipping, folks). Give them a shot. |
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