FM Knives - Keith Levine

Artist: FM Knives
Title: Keith Levine
Year: 2003
Label: Dirtnap Records
Tracks: 1.) Keith Levine, 2.) Valentine

FM Knives were a bit of a Sacramento supergroup from the early 2000's. For a while I had trouble pinning down their sound because they don't have the same garage and rock 'n' roll structures most of the bands on here do but eventually it dawned on me FM Knives are pretty much just updated sounding Buzzcocks worship. I've never really found bands inspired by Buzzcocks to be impressive but FM Knives do a good job being inspired by the spirit of Buzzcocks and not just rehashing the same stuff. Also, the lyrics are a bit more abstract than the typical bands posted on here. This is all probably because some of the members' musical careers started before the contemporary punk rock n' roll movement. 

Guitar player Chris Woodhouse was first in Pounded Clown, Los Huevos, and other bands before FM Knives and has since gone on to be an in demand producer. He's also a tight drummer. Drummer Ed Carroll was in Nar, Los Huevos, and others. Bass player Zack Olson was new to the scene at the time and thus has the strongest rock pedigree. After FM Knives he went onto a short but prolific time with The Pets. Singer Jason Patrone was in Pretty Girls with Chris and Ed and later did a group called Photobooth. 

This is probably the best band any of them did. This is their last record. They did an LP and 7" the year before. I don't know how much they played out but I do know they played the 2003 Horizontal Action Blackout in Chicago. I don't own their first 7" at the moment but it's on my list. 

Sample: here