Poppy punks make no apologies, play Asylum today

By JAMES DOOLITTLE
Collegian Arts Writer

For all those out there in Happy Valley who were weened on a steady diet of Dookie in 1994, Sinkhole's Space Freak is another fabulous entree of punkish pop to get you through 1995.

But beware -- your eyes may be bigger than your stomach -- for Space Freak is a mighty filling dish. While Sinkhole does not win any points for originality, coming from the same school of poppy punk a la Green Day and Weston, these boys still churn out some of the catchiest hooks this side of Oz.

With "See-Through," the album's first track, Sinkhole sets the mood with their feverish guitars and unapologetically poppy beats.

"I know all you do/'Cause like your dress you're see-through" cries Jon Clark with a voice that could probably carry the weight of the world. Speeding along like a runaway bus piloted by Bill (or was it Ted?), the band spins out such instant car-stereo classics as "Anyhow, Anyway" and "Spooge." And unlike many of their contemporaries, when the album slows down, especially on the blissful "Sit and Stare," it does not come to a grinding halt.

Of course any album with an entire song dedicated to a "Fudge Bar" has to be cool. Then again, any band that can sound convincing singing an ode to a fudge bar has to be a potentially combustible unit. Based on the promise of Space Freak, it really should not surprise anyone if Sinkhole grabs some of Green Day's spotlight in 1995.

Note:

-- Sinkhole will be playing tonight at The Asylum along with punkers Blank and Bender.