Record Label: Chair Kickers Music
Genre: Punk
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

Chair Kickers Music put forth this offering back in May 2005 but it has only recently fell into my hands and onto my computer. The Keep Aways are a three-piece alt-metal punk mixing of Minnesota based musicians that met at a Hallowe’en party in 2001. The three gals guitarist/vocalist Mindy Johnson, bassist Nikki Moeller, and drummer Shanna Willie felt an instant connection and decided to jump headlong into the music industry.

The Keep Aways have introduced a respectable release with this EP but at only 17 minutes it’s hard to take seriously. The obvious comparisons to be made here are to Courtney Love, L7 and the Distillers all of which (even Crazy Courtney) are head and shoulders above the Keep Aways. The growling vocals of Mindy are overshadowed by the dirty guitar work. What has the potential of being a solid sound comes off rather as a sonic assault that would make your grandmother age before your eyes. With that being said, I can respect and appreciate the attempt. The opening track File it Away’ is a throwback to punk beginnings where recording techniques were not as prominent or advanced as they are for today’s musicians. The entire album gives the impression that it was recorded on a dusty old four-track in someone’s basement. There’s something to be said for that however. In a world of over-produced music, it’s nice to hear a band recorded on pure energy alone.

One of my main concerns with this album pertains to the drum work. I can appreciate the lack of production but it seems that this recording was done in the absence of a metronome. The drums feel all over the map and the guitar work suffers because of it. But once again, maybe this is the raw sound they were going for. Although the future for this band is not all diamonds and bubbly, I envy them for what they do. The Keep Aways seem content with their sound and are just having fun playing straight ahead old school punk rock and for that they should be commended.

Bottom Line: If you need something to fill the void, post Courtney Love Craziness, this could be for you.
Notable Tracks: File it Away, Standards
Overall Rating: