THE REAL HEROES
(Rec Center)
A bit poncey, but not in a bad way, Austin’s Real Heroes are the newest branch of the Duckhills/Bongo Hate silly tree. Their debut follows in the fine footsteps of bygone real heroes El Flaco and the Adults by balls-out rocking whilst seemingly on the verge of collapsing into uncontrollable hysterics. It helps that the music is so engaging, walking that fine line between power-pop and cheez-metal in a funhouse of Bowie (“This Plastic Voyage”), Weezer (“30 Days”), Cheap Trick (“Stop Breakin'”), the Knack (“26”), and some Blues Explosion for that ass on “NY Bitch.” “Self-referential” as they are, the Heroes are the sort of local band one either loves immediately or is consumed with the desire to interrupt rehearsal with a fire hose. Nevertheless, even those who can’t stand a little cheek with their rock & roll would be hard-pressed to deny the songs’ inherent catchiness, particularly the creeping closer “Kiss the Mechanic.” With lyrical topics (birthdays, restraining orders, record geekdom) that seem like they’ve somehow installed a webcam in your ceiling fan, the Real Heroes could be poised for a prosperous run as the They Might Be Giants of the Red Eyed Fly set. Anyone who can bridge the much-more-than-one-letter gap between Queen and Ween, as they do on cunnilingus celebration “Spelunker,” is certainly worth my $9.99 at Waterloo.
This article appears in February 2 • 2001.