Obnox Know America

Received a 7.9 rating from Pitchfork. Coming at you direct from Cleveland, Ohio, Lamont "Bim" Tohomas has transitioned seamlessly from journeyman sticksman in some of the state's finest bands (This Moment In Black History, Unholy Two, Puffy Areolas, Bassholes, etc.) to the full-on phenomenon known as Obnox. From a foundation of dirt-level garage punk, Thomas sculpts deep cuts out of blown-out beats, redline guitar damage, and soulful singing, as if your local gospel choir had been raised on a steady diet of The Pagans and Back From the Grave comps. Know America is a loose concept album, something like Thomas' deep soul take on 'Pump Up The Volume' or 'Airheads'. Right at the start, on "Signal Takeover," Obnox is hijacking the radio waves. A DJ that sounds suspiciously like Thomas, let us know that we are tuned to "Radio 420 WEDE" and that we better prepare for some "trunk punk." In case you haven't picked up what he's laying down, Thomas informs you that the LP you just slapped on your turntable is "reefer on wax."