Danger right around the corner

The Danger - Confession Sessions
3 1/2 (out of 5 stars)
Reviewed: Sept. 30, 2003

Review by Tony Bonyata

Funny how it seems that to discover something exciting you've got to travel somewhere else to find it, only to later realize that, quite often, it was right there under your nose all along. While bands from Detroit, Sweden and New Zealand are making waves in what is now being referred to as the new 'rock renaissance,' there's a local upstart band of down 'n' dirty rockers right here in Southeastern Wisconsin (Kenosha and Twin Lakes respectively) known as The Danger that are shaking things up smack dab under our own olfactories.
On their debut album Confession Sessions this scrappy five-piece delivers a pummeling 42-minute sonic assault of juiced-up punk rock that hearkens back to a time when punk truly was dangerous (anybody remember the New York Dolls?), and not just a watered-down pack of Linkin, Blinks and (other assorted pre-packaged) sods.
From the primal Stooges stomp of "Can't Sit Still" to the blowtorched bluesy swagger of "Slight of Hand" to the relentless rhythms and blistering leads of "Wild Boy of Aveyron," its apparent that energy is one thing this band isn't liable to run short on anytime soon. Vocalist Thomas Culkin snarls, yelps and prowls around the rampaging rhythms laid down by bassist Michael Stanley, drummer Jered and guitarist Richard Allen III, while lead guitarist Jimmy Black - who sounds as if he was schooled by both Johnny Thunders and James Williamson - displays some of the nastiest licks heard in quite some time.
Confession Sessions proves to be strong debut from a band who - if they sound half as dangerous on stage as they do on record - should have a promising future.

The Danger will be performing with The Kills and The Fever , Thursday, October 2nd at Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth, Milwaukee, WI. (414) 482-0160