I’ve reviewed a lot of frothing, disease-ridden acts over the last few months. We’ve had Vampires, Zombies, and now the ranks of the Lycanthropy-infected are ready to take a clawed-ripped chunk out of the Horror Punk scene for themselves. Cleveland’s American Werewolves were formed in 1998 by Trevor Moment and the first full line up was ratified in 2003. One of the few Non-Northwest acts signed by the Washington-based Robot Monster records, this band rips and rends with their latest release THE LONELY ONES.

The act seems to morph and melt between fifties style Psychobilly croonings and grimy, unkempt, bombastic gutter punk fury. At first lulling you in to calm and serene romantic moment only to burst forth with animalistic lust and anger, the act has an energy about it that sticks in your head. The gritty and melodic guitar riffs hook in with ivory canines and bite down hard. Vocally the lulling croons and primordial screams inspire the soul as much as they incite bar stomping good times. Like any good infection, it comes on slow at first but the sound drives and pushes the further it sets in. Lycanthropy, much like Zombie plagues are just as easily spread and I see this act biting more than a few ears, hands and necks as the years come. A plague of freshly turned and rabid fans all howling for blood. A more beautiful sight in a punk rock club, one cannot ask for.

I first heard of American Werewolves in a local paper back when I lived in Cleveland. I saw a review of their We Won’t Stay Dead album and figured that sounded like my kind of band. I ordered it and all these years later I am still enjoying it. I was overjoyed when Robot Monster told me they were sending me the latest release by American Werewolves. The sound here is punk influenced 50’s rock n’ roll with some elements of doo wop. Trevor Moment has a mid range voice that always sounds heart broken. His voice actually reminds me a lot of the old American singer/song writers where the vocals are about feel and heart.

There are pretty much two types of songs on The Lonely Ones, mid tempo 50’s rockers and harder punk style song. I personally like the 50’s rockers best but the harder songs are very appealing as well. The first song that really grabs me here is “Violent Years.” The music is a mid tempo stomp that moves into a great melody for the chorus. The vocals here are fierce and menacing during the verse with interludes of shouted gang style vocals. The chorus is gorgeous and features some piano as Trevor’s voice moves from the menace of before to a breaking croon. “Never Seen by Waking Eyes” has a punked out 50’s feel. The vocals here are a little gruffer and really smoke with emotion. The chorus has wonderful angelic backing vocals that really add beauty to the strain of pain in the lead vocals. The title track is my favorite on the record. This one starts off with a warm bass line before shouted gang vocals come in (think Dropkick Murphys without the Irish influence). The vocals here are so strong and full of heart. The seething despair bubbles and breaks on the surface and really shines in lyrics like “They fight with empty bottles and broken hearts”, and “Here comes the old days, the bad days, the hard days.” “The Lonely and the Lost” starts with some catchy upbeat keyboard which makes for a great contrast with what the lyrics are about. Definitely a theme song for those of us unlucky monsters out there who are born to lose but still have love in our hearts. “Devil’s Angels” is probably the hardest song on the whole album. Huge distorted guitars. The vocals work in a deeper range then the rest of the songs and kick in the door with anger. “Blood on the Moon” is another amazing track which starts with dark ringing acoustic guitar doubled with some warm droning distorted guitar. The vocals here are almost guttural which really gives it a creepy old time, sell-your-soul feel. The chorus has a mournful soaring feel to it with excellent harmonized vocal melodies behind it.

I think people like (or will like once they hear them) American Werewolves for the same reason so many people like Social Distortion: the down and out feel with love and joy behind it. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see the American Werewolves become hugely popular.