REVIEW: Greg Wheeler and the Poly Mall Cops – Slimephone Surveillance

 

The garage-punk trio known as Greg Wheeler and the Poly Mall Cops has returned today to issue their sophomore album, Slimephone Survellance, out now on High Dive Records on limited edition glow in the dark slime green or black vinyl.  Like a blinding blast of neon from the shadows, Wheeler, along with drummer Hutch and bassist/vocalist Jill Erin McLain create 10 noisy and frantic punk-fuelled bursts of garage rock with raw, snarling attitude on their new album, with a sound akin to The Cramps.   

The statement-making opening track, “Reception” which shifts between creeping carnival-like rhythms on the verse to a full-on rage-out on the screaming chorus, stands out along with the first single and quasi-title track, “Slimephone (You Can’t Hide)” with its propulsive rhythm, campy howls and catchy chorus.  Later, the trio stretches their legs a bit on “Fernweh” with its emotional vulnerability and extended jam session that ends the song on a high note.        

Matching in intensity with the music, the packaging is top notch, with a fold-out lyric sheet/poster and tattoo-worthy illustrations for each song created by Philliphines based artist Hex Aunzo.      

For more info: https://highdiverecords.bandcamp.com/album/slimephone-surveillance  

Watch the video for “Slimephone (You Can’t Hide)” here: