(12-TRACK LP)
One of Hull�s longest-running and best-loved �underground� bands, Scarper! members are scattered over the UK, so gigs are quite scarce affairs. Guitarist Russell Remains is the editor of the massive, distributed-worldwide �Fracture� fanzine that covers all things punkishly alternative, while I�m presuming it�s Mac � the vocalist and 2nd guitarist � who lives in Hull and works at �The Adelphi� Music Club. As a 12-track LP, punk doesn�t get much better than this� firstly because Scarper�s punk is melodically pop based � and, second of all, there are no inflated egos in the ranks, a fact which shines through in each track. Kirstie�s backing trumpet manages not to sound tacky or played for the hell of it, genuinely adding depth to their songs, immediately backing the other 4 lads on opener �Invitation Elsewhere� (�It may be that life leads nowhere, but I�m happy to go nowhere with you�). If you think you�ve heard every way to choke �Na na na na na,� then think again, as the murderously catchy �Words Apart� follows, while Group Think�s fun-based, as they contemplate writing a song� and in the process of musing over if they can really be bothered to do so, they actually push their quirky song-writing talent through the �input� blender to bear this, their most light-hearted and un-adulterating detour. But it�s the endearing, sweet melodies - and sincere vocal deliveries - gracing �Whispering� and the late, deep LP highlight �8 Million Ways To Die� (�Cut open my throat and you will see the words. The ones that stuck there when I tried to tell you how I feel� I don�t know what makes me happy. I don�t know what makes me sad�) that thrust Scarper into the limelight � they�re both perfectly emotionally charged, just without the rebellious rawness of punk circa the Late 70�s, or the unnecessarily OTT anger �ardened by metallers in their loomingly doomed dark days and ages. �Shut Up And Kiss Me,� likewise, makes you wonder why they�re coined as pop-punk at all � it�s a love song, honest and simple� edgily frustrated (�Does it seem that all your plans are fucked up?/ I know that it�s all shit� now I�m borrowing lines�), yet zestfully �innocent.� Such melodic greatness is repeatedly given a strum for its money by Mac�s sensitive, sporadically poetical lyrics� �The biggest lie is fooling yourself you�re a friend� (�Stonewalled�). But, again, it�s imperative I emphasise that these 5 twentysomethings aren�t copping-out and giving into soppy temptation. With every listen of these tracks, each bordering on anthemic, this band sound better. �Every Turn,� because of their willingness to innovate with their lyrical love-fancies bared over a more urgent-yet-inoffensive rock chug, is thus quite possibly one of the coolest Alt.-pop records ever pressed� which goes acres in explaining how it�s been acclaimed the world over. Bright, and breezy� yet - amazingly - never cheesy. (STEVE RUDD)
CONTACT SCARPER!� PO BOX 43, HULL, HU1 1AA or
www.bosstuneage.com