Hipster
Daddy-O and the Handgrenades - Armed and Swingin'
No Cover
Magazine, June 1998
Jumpin’ sounds and hoppin’ beats straight out of Blues Brothers (the
original). The sounds are fast paced with a high hitting brass combo led by
Andrew Sternberg on the sax. Eric Allen has a hoarse voice that is a bit
higher than the bass style usually associated with this type of band, but
don’t let this fool you. Daddy-O still comes across powerful and full of
heart. “Swamp Thang” gives us something’ straight out of a Mississippi night
- crisp hits and lots of music - Good Times.
Hipster
Daddy-O and the Handgrenades - Armed and Swingin'
Daily Wildcat (University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ),
September 1998
Ever since The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies released Zoot Suit Riot, the face of
modern swing, now blended with a definite ska influence, has changed. Now
with Hipster Daddy-O and the Handgrenades’ new release Armed and Swingin’ it
has happened yet again. HDH has a real flair for mixing in Surf/ Ska/ Punk
with a deep felt, traditional flavor of swing. Ty Lesback (bassist) admits
that “As kids I know Mike, Eric and I listened to bands like The Misfits,
Social D as well as rockabily and swing bands.” The album starts off with a
sense of humor, a well written Intro and a comical announcement to “The one
that has just bought this CD.” In the first full song, Daddy-O is a real
powerhouse of swingin’ clout. Just the initial sound presents the band’s
obvious surf and punk influences. The album has a good mix of danceable tunes
like Hipster and Tight Rope, and punk/ ska numbers like Cigar Smoke and A Girl
Named Mona, A Guy Named Joe. It’s just refreshing to hear a new twist in a sea
of traditional swing bands. There’s no lack of energy in this Arizona septet,
so if you’re in the West Coast area check these cats out! And as soon as they
hightail it out this way, there’ll be a 406 Hepcat to tell you about it.