MATTHEW GRIMM & THE RED SMEAR: Dawn's Early Apocalypse

Matthew Grimm & the Red Smear

Dawn's Early Apocalypse

© 2006 Matthew Grimm (634479533693)

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Humbucker-driven, unabashed leftist rock & roll with heavy doses of punk and spices of heartland roots rock, anchored by disarming melodies and lyrics by turn poignant, venomous and hilarious.

notes

PRODUCED BY PETER LUBIN AND PETE ANDERSON
MIXED BY TONY RAMBO AND DOUG JOHNSON

What if a legendary multiplatinum L.A. producer helped some no-name schmuck from Iowa make a splendorous, seething, unabashedly leftist rock record and even the hipster indie label community almost universally deemed it, to quote one indie hipster’s rejection email, “too in-your-face” to release? Do even the "edgiest" of our cultural gatekeepers now toe the line as to what art is acceptable, what ideas listenable, in homogenized, “wartime” America? Well now you can answer that question for yourself.

That CD, the now self-released DAWN'S EARLY APOCALYPSE, is the net of songwriter Matthew Grimm’s two-week stay at the Burbank, Calif. studio of Pete Anderson, widely considered one of the world’s best guitarists and producer of the bazillion selling records of Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked and others. Yes, this record seeks to blast the dentures off the America’s prim and proper groupthink, often profanely so—and wouldn’t be doing its job if it didn’t. As Anderson’s stewardship evinces, it also offers blazing guitars, immaculate production and lyrics that echo the rage of millions watching their country slipping away from them.

Grimm earned some renown in the roots rock or Americana arena over 10 years with the New York band The Hangdogs, but his first 'solo' record under the aegis of Matthew Grimm & the Red Smear dispenses with all pigeonholing. This is a f—ing rock record. It is a punk rock record, a pop rock record, a roots rock record, a rock record in the best tradition, drawing on the many tributaries that have fed the river of American music. It is in fact a snarling dissent against the amorphous mass of corporate crap that has dammed that stream and made a fetid swamp of our culture, and an attempt, inthe same breath, to give voice to common sense and the common man where few others will.

Still, Dawn's Early Apocalypse more than matches Grimm's revolutionary verve with songs utterly disarming in melody, soul-rattling instrumentations and, above all, words by turn poetic, furious and funny. It is a testament to all that has been winnowed out of our once-great forum, countless voices not considered Clear Channel- or MTV-friendly, thus generally going unheard at the very time we need them most.

“Me, I’m gonna play the hell outta this stuff, stick it on mix CDs, blast it on my radio program, rock the tavern on my weeklyDJ night and force every hard-working, beer-guzzling, non-voting dumbass friend I have to listen to every word of it. Until I hear stuff like this rammed down my ear-holes as fervently and repetitively as I currently do “patriotic” pabulum like TobyKeith, Pat Robertson and Bill O’ F—ing Reilly, I’ll consider it my duty as a proud, practicing, rock ‘n’ roll preachin’ American . . .” —Pulse of the Twin Cities

“Those who like their rock ‘n’ roll pretty and polite should avoid Matthew Grimm & the Red Smear, as wanton a band ofaural barbarians as ever assaulted a soundboard . . . That [Grimm] couples his populist protests with a slashing wit makes it all the more imperative that the tracks on Dawn’s Early Apocalypse find a wider audience.” —Playback:StL

“. . . the hardest hitting leftfielder this side of Manny Ramirez.” —Iowa City Press-Citizen

“GenXers have rarely had more articulate spokesmen.” —Ottawa Citizen

READ MATTHEW'S VOLUMINOUS, SEDITIOUS PROSE AND DOWNLOAD AMATEURISH LIVE TRACKS AT REDSMEAR.COM

reviews

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  • Finally - the Truth!
    author: Chase Colton

    It's about time a group comes together that can voice what many are thinking and feeling but just can't seem to express! The truth of this music is powerfully moving as well as reassuring in that there IS a check and balance to injustice - it's in the voice of everyday people! The lyrics are well crafted; the music is beautifully blended with some intriguingly wonderful lead guitar lines. I look forward to what this band may offer in the future. Put me on the reserve list for the next disc!

  • Fuck your Capitalism.
    author: Dinesh Dhananjaya

    America is the womb of this filthy social system.We hate you from the very bottom of our hearts as we are the people who are rejected by your wicked social system.I am Sri Lankan and look at the abject poverty not only in my country but in the whole region.(forget India.they always kiss your ass..)You folks give hope to our poltical struggles here in third world.We belive there are still people with hearts in USA.Thanks for your music.

  • DEA pokes at the spots that make the middle class uncomfortable
    author: GeckoBanzai

    Not only is DEA a highly listenable CD with lyrics that stick in your head long after you have turned off the music, but it has important things to say. This is the first CD I have bought in at least 5 years, its that good. Matthew Grimm is an artist worthy of peoples support.

  • This CD will blow your nuts off (and then make you think)
    author: Dale Proctor

    Grimm may be "full of liquor, wings and rage" but this CD is all the better for it. A thinking person's album to help overthrow the Man's fascist white regime, "DEA" is full of tunes that are as skilled and GOOD as they are angry. Enjoy!

  • One of the best cd's I've heard in ages!
    author: Michael Huff

    Dawn's Early Apocalypse is one of the best cd's I've heard in ages! It rocks, it's filled with black humor and rage and it is an angry, meaningful rant about the state of our nation. It deserves a national audience. Everyone I've played it for is left wondering why they never heard of Matthew Grimm & the Red Smear.

  • Controlled anger, well, kind of controlled.
    author: Mark

    Matt Grimm became famous to a few people about ten years ago when he fronted a band called the Hangdogs. The second album released by the 'dogs, "Beware of Dog" still ranks as one of the greatest albums ever. Well, Grimm is back, a little more angrier and a lot more rockin'. Great stuff by a very talented artist that seem to be still trying to wake up deaf ears.

  • Kick A - - !!!
    author: Dan in Florida

    Great mix of tunes. Really want to see them live. (:>

  • Addictive ~ can't stop listening.
    author: Krissi from Florida

    Yowza! Jammin' tunes, amazing lyrics and a history lesson all in one record! Highly recommended ~ needs worldwide airplay. Bonus = great music for working out (or dancing!)

  • Brilliant,
    author: Dennis from Scotland

    Man this is one belter of a cd, buy this you wont be dissapointed great song,s, brilliant.

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