The Wanna-Bes - The Wanna-Bes (2001) RESTORED

In 1999 Mutant Pop Records was kind enough to unleash a seemingly harmless little platter by the Seattle band The Wanna-Bes, on an unsuspecting punk underground. Any pop-punk fan smart enough to put their chips on the table was treated to a top-class hook-filled, pop-injected, punk romp with more than a slight hint of a 50's Rock And Roll influence. The Wanna-Bes were truly something special. The fact that they meld their classic Ramones three-chord, balls-to-the-wall attack with sugary sweet vocals, and power-pop hooks puts them at the head of their class in Rock 'N' Roll High School and sends those other Ramones-core bands running scared… Here is the band's debut (and last) full-lenght album, released on Ben Weasel's Panic Button Records.

The Kings from Washington are back, not-so-hot on the heels of 1999's Mutant Pop Records single that won them huge praise and devotion from many an underground poppy-punk fan. The bands amped-up blend of classic Ramones (the counting of the Ramones references may now begin…and yes, that makes two…) guitar attack with power-pop styled, sugary vocals is given it's first full-length test, on the band's Panic Button debut, and passes without a doubt. They even include two of the scorchers from the MP single; the snappy, guys-night-out anthem "Saturday Night," as well as "ATM," everyone's favorite song about falling in love with a bank teller. However, if you want to hear the straight up fifties-rock styled "Make Believe Baby," off the same single you'll have to pick it up for yourself (which you should be doing regardless…).
Not many of the new songs on the disc reach the lyrical heights of the touching "ATM," as the band sticks to the short and simple lyrical approach made famous by their forefathers. Songs that shine with this approach include the haunting and invigorating "No Tomorrow, Just Today," that carries an apocalyptic message but also serves to remind us not to waste what little time we have in this life. Other favorites include "Vegetable," with a classic pop-punk subject (turning into a vegetable (duh)) that includes the great line "Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, it's all right." "This Party Sucks" is a surefire punk-pop hit that's bound to be snuck into the stereo at countless vapid frat parties come fall (I know I shall always be equipped with a taped copy in the event that I am dragged to any such events…). "Top 40 on the radio/Which way's the door cause I gotta go," if there's one commonality in the punk world it's that we all hate bland crap…and it's songs like "This Party Sucks" that best let us celebrate this hatred of the bland. However, The Wanna-Bes true charm lies not in their touching lyrics about love, or shitty parties, but in their pop hooks. I'm a casual Ramones-core fan and I'll be the first to admit that. I sort of dig bands like Head, The Richies, and Retarded, but will most likely never join thier fan clubs. I of course LOVE The Ramones, but that's not of importance. And while The Wanna-Bes certainly fit in with the Ramones-core crew they are way ahead of the pack…and that's all because of their pop leanings and those sugar-caked vocals. At times the band is a cross between The Ramones and a killer power-pop band with hooks and vocals in tow, at other times they show a more rock and roll leaning, no matter what you call it, I'll gladly wait in line for a small helping, and a larger one if you got it.
Songs like "Hello," "Ways to Go," and the previously mentioned "ATM," get my vote as some of the finest tracks on the band's first full-length platter. "Hello" will not get out of my head, and often leaves me in a catanic state, in which unhappiness is nearly impossible. Not to mention, it's all about two kids in love, sitting by the phone waiting for the other to call but too scared to make the first move (sound familiar…I thought so…see the beauty of our music, that's right, it's about us). "Ways to Go" is a beautiful punk-pop ode to what else, but love gone wrong…and far apart, all at the same time…something I can relate to.
So where does all this get us? Well it's gets us a new punk-pop album to shelve beside our Mutant Pop full-length favorites, as well as debuts by bands such as The Invalids and The Lillingtons, one to be cherished for sure. And while its coolness, hooks, and punk-pop attack may not prove to be quite as lasting as some of those albums, it's certainly got the potential. I realize I've mentioned them about six thousand times already, but if you dig The Ramones guitar attack, power-pop, (I would mention some bands but I've done that way too many times…), smooth; clear; sugar-coated vocals, and are a fan of the wonderfullness that is rock and roll; then get in line for one of the most promising punk-pop bands to surface in the past few years…The Wanna-Bes.

Tracklist:

01. Round And Round
02. Vegetable
03. Dropped On My Head
04. Saturday Night
05. Medication / listen
06. No Tomorrow, Just Today
07. All Right
08. This Party Sucks
09. Don't Let Me Go
10. Hello / listen
11. ATM
12. Twilight Zone
13. Ways To Go
14. Tomb Raider


Produced by The Wanna-Bes with Conrad Uno
Recorded by Conrad Uno at Egg Studios, Seattle, WA.
Mastered by Mark Guenther at Seattle Disc Mastering.

• Chris Workman - lead vocals, guitar
• Tim Matthews - guitar, backing vocals
• Justin Jeske - bass
• Scott Matthews - drums, backing vocals

Release Date: May 22, 2001
Label: Panic Button Records / Lookout!
Catalog No.: PB-288CD / LK-266CD