The Threat, a �rock-us� bass-driven quartet, has a punk attitude and image, but its music is equal parts surf-guitar and manic rockabilly (a.k.a. psychobilly). That's not to say there isn't some "killer" lead guitar work happening here. I was introduced to the band's music at Hamilton's Casbah, on a bill of multiple performers at Amp Records� benefit for a women�s shelter in Hamilton, Ontario. Sadie Threat fronts the band as lead vocalist, teamed with guitarists Jet and Johnnie Threat and drummer Colt Threat. Sadie was kind (or savvy) enough to donate a self-burned copy of the band's self-titled 3-song demo CD, a cost-effective way to get the product into the hands of die-hard and potential fans. I personally enjoyed both their energetic live performance as well as the recorded versions of �New Orleans�, �Not the Only One� and �Spirits of the Dead�.
That being said, my barely-teenaged son and stepdaughter (who happen to be much closer in age to this band than I am) failed to detect the musicality on this recording. They did listen (without squirming) almost to the end of the third track before politely asking me to �turn that down�. Apparently, The Threat doesn�t compare to Sum 41, whose own (admittedly rockin�) concert performance at Mile One Stadium on February 7 was still resounding in their young ears two days later. While speaking with Sadie at Casbah, she was excited to hear that I was moving to St. John�s and bid me say hello to a particular booker here, whose name has now escaped me. (Don�t fret; I�ll find him eventually!)
The band has already secured somewhat of a cult following at www.myspace.com as well as at its own website (www.the-threat.net). If, like me, you were a fan of Joan Jett and/or Girlschool, you'll love this band.
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