Conservative Punk review: The FlipFloppers

The FlipFloppers
(Purevolume songs 2-1-07)
www.purevolume.com/theflipfloppers
1. Michael Moron
2. Hanoi John
3. Ballad of Dick Cheney

(Until the Rationalhardcore and Conservative Punk CDs come pouring in, we’ll settle for Purevolume.com accounts that have the feel of a “complete” demo CD. The FlipFloppers are a good example.)

The FlipFloppers offer an oldschool-styled punk/hardcore sound with programmed drums and song titles like “Michael Moron”, “Hanoi John”, & “The Ballad of Dick Cheney”. These Conservative Punks are ‘Crush Kerry Compilation’ alumni, and “Hanoi John” was included on that disc. They deliver their critical messages with a sense of humor, and the metronome that begins each song makes this metallic punk duo all the more endearing.

“Michael Moron” is the most intense song of the three, featuring alternating vocals and a heavy metal riff in all transitions. The quick chorus part ends with “Michael Moron has brainwashed you”. Michael Moore is certainly a fitting subject for a punk rock song. “Hanoi John” moves the crosshairs to the next obvious target, this time with more focus on the beat. The pre-chorus pickscrape gets you all geared up for the almost Big Black – reminiscent awkward beat that follows. “Ballad of Dick Cheney” is one of those songs that builds slowly and has little or nothing to offer when you get to the peak. It’s like a crappy waterslide with a long line, or maybe a campus bar. “Ballad” works in the context of the other songs because it is different, but it is nothing special.

The FlipFloppers could move on to other subject matter. Their current approach of telling political celebrities to shut up and go away results in songs with which people can identify, but probably only for as long as it takes to change the channel. Still, I enjoy their songs and I appreciate their fidelity to a 1980s punk rock sound. Conservative punk bands would do well to model themselves after The FlipFloppers when starting out. I would like to hear more from this band soon.