Kind Turkey Records

Mess Around by TRENT FOX AND THE TENANTS by kindturkeyrecords

BEST OF 2011 - 1/3rd Edition - DRYVETYME ONLYNE
In TWO staffers Top Tens at MAXIMUM ROCK N ROLL - June 2011

"The song ["Mess Around"] — lean, serrated and a little dangerous, with an infectious yeah-yeah-yeah refrain — is the title track (and opening number) from a new five-song 7-inch EP, due Feb. 22 on Kind Turkey. Truth be told, all five songs are killer garage-rock rave-ups, full of scuzzy guitar, cacophonous drums and snotty lyrics about memorable ex-girlfriends, mom jokes and scoring with that fetching older woman from around the way."
- Listen Dammit! (Click to read the whole post)

"The hooks are undeniable, and the songs are memorable enough to keep this on the toe tapping side."
- Still Single (Click to read the whole review)

"Jangly '50s rhythm guitar, jukebox era jams. Trent is definitely driving this disc from the very first track with a maniac laugh in 'Mess Around' over the backup harmonies and his offbeat lyric choices, that definitely bring this forward into today, but essentially this is working in that early garage period that Hunx or Shannon and the Clams are recreating with a contemporary angle...The B-side, 'Sounds fine to me' is essentially an ode to listening to records, and then going next door to the liquor store...am I getting punk'd? It's like some kind of twilight zone episode where the record is playing exactly what I'm about to do? Freaky. Of course any band that sings about listening to records is alright by me, it's almost too easy guys...you're impossible to hate."
- 7-Inches Blog (Click to read the whole review)

"You know back when I lived in Woonsocket in the 90s I was actually Rick Fox' tenant when he was on the Celtics. I mention that only because, believe it or not, he only listened to raw, jangly garage rock 45s, mostly vintage stuff, but he was kind of into Rip Off Records and some of that Planet Pimp stuff (though he hated the Mummies; he was kind of a purist about Northwest garage bands and couldn't dstand to hear Wailers covers). Foxy would have definitely dug this youthful, fun, intense Milwaukee band, he probably would've even gone to see them after a game if his team had won (I think he's still banned at the Cactus Club after he started a brawl at a Boris the Sprinkler show after he shot 2-for-16 at the Bradley Center in a Bucks blowout). If there's any rock n roll justice, pretty soon these awesome kids will rock their way to having mansions and marrying Miss America just like my old landlord."
- Roctober (Click to see the post)

"Surf-influenced pop punk, as if the Ventures mated with the Queers and this is the bastard offspring. Reminds me a lot of mid-’90s surf revival (Satan’s Pilgrims, Man…Or Astroman?, the Exotics, etc.), only with lots of vocals and a sloppier, seemingly drunken (read: fun!) sound. It’s not surprising that the Tenants are from Milwaukee; nobody does this sound better than the MiddleCoast between Shorewood and Cudahy. Really good stuff if you’re into this sort of thing."
- Razorcake (Click to read the review)

"Trent Fox and the Tenants crank the party up a couple of notches with some home-brewed, surf-laden, garage pop of the highest order.  "Mess Around" is pure garage-rock retro heaven with shrieks, "yeah, yeahs" and a damn singable chorus.  "Outta My Mind" is a time warp of amp-sliced fuzz and surf kicks with a stuttering beat and harmony vocal line straight outta 1964.  "Jokes!" ups the ante a bit with a The Beat-esque punk attitude and some killer surf guitar.  "Old Lady" and "Sounds Fine to Me" round out the set with the whole shebang clocking in at about 11 minutes playing time. A brief burst of garage glory, like a flashing meteor.  Always cool when you when you catch one of those."
- The Ripple Effect (Click to read the see the post)

"The Beach Blanket Blowout beat of "Mess Around", a not so cautionary tale of boy telling girl she better behave while he's gone or there will be trouble, kicks this 5 song EP with a hip moving beat, splattery guitar twang, maniacal laughs and more sing along "YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!"'s than I thought was even allowed anymore. With such a high revved up opener some records drop the energy a bit in the next couple songs but these Wisco-revelers keep it going with the hyped on caffeine and pizza Country-Soul turned up to 12 "Outta Mind" and side closer, the three chorded soon to be party favorite "Jokes". The songs on side two, "Old Lady" and "Sounds Fine To Me" were recorded 10 months later. They show a little bit of "maturity" in the song writing but it's not like it's comparing the Seger System's Mongrel to ol' grandpa Bob's Fire Inside or something as the band is still spun up and at punch weight. Both tracks remind me of the night at a party when the Deadly Snakes convinced some Black Lips they you could snort No-Doz and challenged them do it. Now, if they only would've went in to a studio that night (sans horn players) and cut two on fire tributes to the Replacements and the Real Kids."
- Smashin' Transistors (Click to read the whole review)

"Yup, trashy garage from Riverwest Milwaukee (some dive town back there). Surf beats, reverb, urgent feel, great guitar and vocs, nothing gratuitous. Great stuff for fans of Okmoniks, Holly Golightly, all things Estrus Records."
- KZSU Zookeeper (Click to read the whole review)

"While the record starts out strongly, it’s the B-side that really defines the record.  Following the first three songs, which mix garage singalongs with dirty lyricism and a touch of swagger, the singer ups the ante by adding more emotion to his delivery,  effectively combining the arrogant swagger with a relatable good guy,  all layered into the hooky bass and the peppy guitar and drum.  While the r’n’r sounds dirty and up-to-no-good, it simultaneously reflects real emotional consternation and reflection.  By the time of the doo-wop fused “Sounds Fine to Me,” it’s hard not to sing along to his suffering, even if the lyrical coping comes in the form of a Mario 3 reference." - 7.5/10
- Scene Point Blank (Click to read the whole review)

"The only thing that needs attention is Trent Fox and The Tenants, and the fact that they have release a bloody excellent debut 7 inch...Flourishes of Noubnny and Hunx and His Punx can be heard through out, especially in the heave use of vocal melodies; there just aren't enough "yeah, yeah" chants in garage these days. There is also a snottiness to the band as well which can be heard on every song particularly in the killer title track."
- Creative Intersection (Click to read the whole post)

"Millies on bass, Kris on drums and vocals, Rudy on guitar and vocals, Mikey on vocals… there’s no Trent Fox listed in this band! What a rip-off. Did he recently quit or something? Rather than stress over this upsetting realization any further, think I’ll just spin this 7″ and relax to their good-time old-time rock n’ roll. They’ve undoubtedly studied the moves of The Black Lips, but there are worse bands to emulate, and Trent Fox (RIP) and the gang know their way around an electric beat and the guitars that energize it."
- Yellow Green Red (Click to read the post) 

"The Mess Around ep features five relentlessly propulsive, hook-filled tracks written by a guy with a no doubt impressive collection of 50s/60s rock, country and soul and the knack for creating his own sound from a wealth of influences–in much the same way Oblivian Greg Cartwright has throughout his career and, in particular, with his current project, Reigning Sound. Down and dirty, melodic and messy, this shit is rockin’ and on the rise."
- Los Grillos Collective (Click to read the whole post)

"Led by “Mess Around” and “Outta My Mind,” the Mess Around EP is a raucous collection of short, punchy tunes that might not be fancy, but they’re definitely catchy and laden with time-honored hooks. Trent Fox and The Tenants have crafted an irreverent, tongue-in-cheek take on vintage rock-n-roll, but with a high degree of respect for the past."
- Dryvetyme Onlyne (Click to read the whole review)

"All the songs on the Mess Around EP are full-on party starters, sounding like the Black Lips, but without all the flower power and hipster annoyances. All tracks have a certain buoyant fun to them, but it’s the final track that really got me. That closing song, “Sounds Fine to Me,” bops along with some downstroke guitar, and lyrics about heading out, hanging around drinking and listening to records. It’s almost too sloppy, holding itself together all the while with that guitar work. It almost disintegrates as the chorus kicks in, but manages to kick along with a doo-wop backing vocal, collapsing in a relieved heap at the end."
- Nuthouse Punks (Click to read the whole post)

"Trent Fox & the Tenants have been gaining attention amongst Milwaukeeans and otherwise for their straight-up garage-rock sound, mussed up with a little dirty blues for good measure."
- Sonic Diet - WMSE (Click here to see the post)

"The title track from this album seems to bring these two cities together via Detroit, with nods to the scuzz and fuzz of Iggy Pop and MC5. Listen even more closely and you'll hear traces of Van Morrison's version of the Big Joe Williams' blues-rock classic "Baby, Please Don't Go." Handclaps and "yeah yeah yeahs" crackle and pop alongside sharp drumming, snazzy hooks and some very sinister laughs. A juicy dose of spring reverb -- or something like it -- gives the tune an extra touch of trash. Like many garage-rock outfits, Trent Fox & the Tenants' sound is tailor-made for party crashing, bar hopping and other scenarios that call for live music. In other words, the live version of this song is worth seeking out."
- The Isthmus - MadTracks (Click to read the whole post)

"Garage rock with a twist of punk and a little bit of rockabilly thrown in and you have this upbeat song that demands you dance along."
- Beehive Candy (Click to read the whole post)

"Trent Fox and the Tenant's title track kick starts the album with an upbeat, head-bopping diddy which makes your ears perk up and take notice. Overflowing with percussion and heavy guitar, "Mess Around" manages to maintain its peppy feel while also evoking the image of frimy, unwashed hipster males around the age of thirty. if you ask me, that's a pretty impressive feat."
- Fistful of Words (Click to read the whole review)

"And just when this man thought garagepunk was a goner, I hear a Mid-West heartbeat from Trent Fox & the Tenants...They got that filty'n'fun thing down baby, with snotty songs on a party platter made to shatter yer shimmy pretentions! A very Black Lips-friendly sound, yet a bit more focused on the meat'n'potatoes subject matter & music of us sore losers...the a-side of this seven-incher sets the record straight with some traditional slop pop...the b-side gets a bit more adventurous but still socks ya with a wallop...5 frenzied songs in all!"
- Raunchy Noise! (Click to read the post)

"The Mess Around EP was released in February and it's loaded with 5 rocking tracks that breeze along with the energy and swagger of a band that's been doing it a while. "
- Chromewaves Radio (Click to see the post)

"If you like authentic pop-fuelled, garage rock rave-ups then check these guys out..."
- Doubtful Sounds (Click to see the post)

"One of my favorite garage rock traditions is when the folks singing backup sound like they’ve knocked back a couple of shots before taking the mic. Such is the case in the title track to Trent Fox and the Tenants‘ forthcoming 7-inch, Mess Around. There’s also some excellent surf-styled guitar holding it all together, making for a single that I’m looking forward to hearing all of."
- Rock Star Journalis (Click to read the whole post)

"Milwaukee four-piece Trent Fox & The Tenants are an energetic bunch, who play visceral garage-pop with a doo-wop edge."
- Centuries Music (Click to read the whole post)

Their debut 5-song EP Mess Around (Kind Turkey Records) is loaded with youthful punk attitude and lots of jangly garage guitar. The music of this quartet of 20-somethings recalls the sonics of the 1950s, but updated with a little Black Lips or early(er) Smith Westerns. And that aforementioned attitude, reflected in lyrics like “Why can’t you take a joke baby, when I tell you that your face is ugly? When I tell you that your mom is…”
- altInterstate (Click to read the whole post)

"Label Kind Turkey Records are bringing out some sweet releases this month, none more so than the new 7" by Milwaukee's Trent Fox and the Tenants. It's five tracks of garage/pop/rock n roll with swagger. They have played with the likes of Nobunny, Jaill and Thomas Function, so their brand of sloppy garage rock is assured. I still cant get into the Smith Westerns - and believe me, Ive tried - and I feel that Trent Fox and the Tenants are what those upstarts should be, with a healthy devotion to the altar of Black Lips to boot."
- Sonic Masala (Click to read the whole post)

- The Indie Machine (Click to read the whole post)

"...this band from Milwaukee is awesome if you like that catchy garage thing the kids are so crazy about these days. Well I'm one of "the kids" and I'm crazy about it so I'm into these catchy tunes...Their songs are good...they have a lot of the same qualities of those other awesome Milwaukee bands, including Goodnight Loving and Jaill. Man, Milwaukee is a crazy place, what with all the beer and cheese and whatnot (I got a mimosa there that had bacon in it!) but they put out music that is catchy... catchy like a fox!"
- Pop Jew in Brooklyn (Click to read the whole post)

"Mess Around is the debut EP by Milwaukee’s Trent Fox & The Tenants. It’s five tracks of garage infused rock n roll with added swagger and a whole bunch of attitude...Highly recommended for fans of the Black Lips, Nobunny, Wheels on Fire and the Smith Westerns first LP..."
- Mad Mackerel (Click to read the whole post)

"Their recent wax – the Mess Around 7″ – sounds like a midwestern White Wires doing their take on the first rolling stones ep, and making damn sure to keep all that slick sleazy manic punk pop goodness."
- Night Fevah (Click to read the whole post)

- Indie Blog Shot (Click to read the whole post)

"Trent Fox & the Tenants = walking around w/ my headphones on listening to 'Beelzebub'. Sunny, spring day, wishing I was with you"
- 1 Line Review (Twitter)

"This Trent Fox & the Tenants record is pure fun. Nothing you haven't heard before most likely but as I said, pure fun, which goes a long way in my ears."
- Auxiliary Out (Click to read the whole review)

"Sortie le 22 février 2011 du premier single de Trent Fox & The Tenants, groupe rock'n'roll garage de Milwaukee, Wisconsin, sur le label Kind Turkey Records. Formé en 2008, Trent Fox & The Tenants a joué avec les meilleurs du moment : Nobunny, Holly Golightly, Wheels on Fire, Mondo Topless, Lover! ou encore Thomas Function. Le disque a été enregistré par Josh White des White Faces et masterisé par Justin Perkins, qui a reçu en 2009 la récompense de "producteur de l'année" de la Wisconsin Area Music Industry. Les cinq morceaux du 45 tours rappellent parfois les Goodnight Loving, Black Lips et Smith Westerns. Du très bon boulot pour ce jeune groupe. Les 100 premiers exemplaires du disque sont dorés. Le label précise que les rondelles sont vertes et que le vert et l'or sont les couleurs des Green Bay Packers, l'équipe de Wisconsin qui a gagné le trophé de la NFC au Super Bowl 2011."
- FRANCE - Contre Cultures - (Click to read the whole post)

"Avec trois excellentes pistes ("Mess You Around", "Outta Mind", "Old Lady") et deux pistes de très bonne facture ("Jokes" , "Sounds Fine To Me"), Trent Fox & The Tenants fait une entrée remarquée sur la scène garage rock. Un groupe de plus à suivre, qui confirme par ailleurs l'excellente tenue de la scène nord américaine."
- FRANCE - Raw Power Magazine - (Clcik to read the whole post)

"Es lo que nos ha pasado con Trent Fox & The Tenants, un combo de Milwaukee que acaba de editar, vía Kind Turkey Records, su disco de debut. La verdad es que los tipos tienen un buen rollo durante los cinco cortes del disco absolutamente contagioso. Su sonido es algo así como Pop-Garajero. Los tonos bajos no son lo suyo: guitarras estridentes, temas absolutamente simples de tres-cuatro acordes, estribillos del tipo “yeah yeah yeah” (gran frase con grandes connotaciones), y mucha, mucha distorsión. La vieja fórmula sigue dando resultado. Los cinco temas de Mess around son pura dinamita, comenzando por el titular (el mejor corte) hasta Outta mind, Jokes!, Old lady o Sounds fine to me. Cinco pildorazos que retumban en tu cerebro tras cada escucha, particularmente si los oyes con auriculares, como suelo hacer."
- The Janglebox (Click to read the whole post)