WhatzUp - Leisure Time Weekly for Northeast Indiana

Hugh
The Beautys/Nobodys
by Chad Beck

Beautys/Nobodys

Few bands are able to conjure up the vim and vigor that The Beautys do during their live performances. The rapid-fire antics of the rhythm section are very impressive, and they provide more than an adequate backdrop for singer/guitarist Chica Baby's raucous onstage demeanor. I highly advise seeing The Beautys live. Along with the guaranteed ear-ringing you'll receive, their sets frequently deliver moments of pure rock n' roll bliss and enough charisma to fill football stadiums. There aren't any stadiums in Fort Wayne, but The Beautys will be doing an all-ages show at The Back Door on the 12th and a 21+ gig at Columbia Street West on the 15th in honor of their brand new disc, Hugh.

Hugh, by the way, is an incredible punk rock record. Containing every bit as much energy as their live shows, Hugh is liable to blow your stereo into fragmented bits of melted plastic. High props should be given to producer Mass Giorgini for getting such a ferocious sound out of The Beautys. "Salsa" Dave Trevino's drums explode and pop exactly as they should, Eric C's bass throbs and pops like a badger in a microwave and Chica Baby delivers the finest vocal performances of her recording career. Dandies like "Steve-O" and "Kill Radio" are instant classics, and the feel-good vibe found on "Baby, Put It In The Hole" have to be heard to be understood. The five tracks The Beautys offer up on Hugh should earn them the throne in the punk rock world, not an easy task, especially when they follow five solid cuts by the red-hot Nobodys.

Designed in the legendary split 7-inch format, Hugh is a collaborative effort between The Beautys and Nobodys. Part of the proceeds from the record will benefit the Diana Price Fish Foundation, an organization providing recreational, social and cultural services for adult victims of cancer. For their part, Nobodys check in with an undeniable amount of exuberance and precision. "Philanthropissed" is the best track here, combining humorous lyrics with a controlled frenzy of guitars and drums. Although Hugh lasts just under 14 minutes, the 10 songs contained on it are strong enough to make it a "must have" punk rock record.