About: The Contract Killers featured Darrel Wojick (formerly of The
Burdens), Forrest Maestretti (formerly of Romeo's Dead and The
Burdens), J.T. Bontrager (formerly of Siren and Burnside) and Garren
Hanon (formerly of Ted's Girlfriend) and Rob Cowan (formerly of The
Burdens) Rumor has it they might reform--featuring, like, Darrel and
Jason (formerly of Romeo's Dead). Who knows. Rather than continue with
a rather uninteresting bio, I'm just going to reprint a record review
written by Barry "Red Devil" Lazarus, which will tell you
everything--and possibly more--than you want to know.
The Contract Killers Dressed To Kill
A reviewer's biggest challenge is writing about a music style
that they are not well-versed in. Plus, The Contract Killers' sound is
so unique regardless--well, here we go.
The foursome is based in Cotati, which is a great start. Cotati
rules. By press time the band will have been around a tad shy of one
year. They are fronted by Darrel Wojick, ex-bassist of Santa Rosa's
popular yet defunct Burdens.
This time Darrel has taken lead singer duties as well as bass
playing, new territory for him. Other Burden alumni are drummer Fory,
who plays on this release but is no longer in the band (instead he's
back with his other old band, the re-formed Romeo's Dead.) His
replacement is Rob Cowan, formerly of guess who--The Burdens. The two
guitarists are J.T. Bontrager on rhythm and backup vox. He goes way
back, having been in such luminary North Bay bands as Siren, Escape
Goat and Burnside. Last, but certainly not least, we have Garren on
lead guitar and more background vocals. He's justly famous for his
past witticisms in section M, and for being a great guy.
Not being accustomed to The Contract Killers sound, I did not
know what to make of this five-song EP on first listen. Folks, this is
why REPEAT LISTENING is very fucking important. I was unsure about
some of my now all-time favorite bands on first listen, and this puppy
has definitely grown on me.
The first track is my fave, "Catch Me On A Good Night". It's
catchy and I find myself humming the tune and singing the chorus when
I'm not even listening to this. Great line: "Catch me on a good night
baby, and I'll show you who I am." To me their biggest influence is
mid to late period Social Distortion--from the song structures to
Garren's ringing lead guitar. The second track, "Gin and Tonic", has
similar anthemic riffs with a very faint country feel. Darrell cites
Merle Haggard for that. I love gin and tonics. Very little tonic and
lots of lime please. (That's my line by the way.) Song #3, "She
Rocks", has a bouncier sound that reminds me of the 70's English pub
rock scene, such as Eddie and the Hotrods. There's definitely some UK
influences sprinkled in here and there on this record, maybe Chelsea
or even some older Dropkick Murphys. Darrell also mentions obscure
90's glam-punkers The Dimestore Haloes as an influence, as well as
D-Generation. Track four, "One Step Closer", is too slow for me, but
I'm a bit of a speed junkie. (Not the asinine chemical, fool, I'm
talkin' speedy rocknroll.) The set closer, "Pressure Situation",
returns with big rhythm guitar and catchy background vocals.
It pleases me that we have a new North Bay band that has a
harder edge. We need 'em badly. By the way, they do dress well.
by Barry Red Devil
Discography:
Dressed To Kill
Recorded at "The Mouse" studio
Engineered by Dan Kelly
J.T. Bontrager: Rhythm Guitar/B. Vox
Garren Hanon: Lead Guitar/B. Vox
Darrel Wojick: Vocals/Bass Guitar
Forrest Maestretti: Drums
Released on International Crime
Records, 2003
To inquire about The Contract
Killers, or to purchase this recording,
write:
INTERNATIONAL CRIME RECORDS
P.O. Box 546
Boyes Hot Springs, CA
95416
e.mail: killer1@ap.net
I got lost on a straight highway
Going the wrong way
Running down a dead end street
To the place where the crossroads meet
And all I found when I got there
Was an empty cell filled with despair
And I can't see no escape
And there's only me to blame
And the price keeps getting raised
To pay for the mistakes I've made
And I'm one step closer every day
To the devil dancing on my grave
