The Bitten
When lead singer/guitarist Jay Hudson shouts “Let your tattoos and bruises show” on the track of the same name, it’s because that’s exactly what he’s been doing himself. Wolverhampton’s The Bitten initially came about following the demise of fellow punk band the Blunts, “Is it Supposed to Sound Like That?” being the end result.
By no means do I have the full story, but from what I can gather, the Blunts had a heated exchange at the worst possible time. Having made a name for themselves on stage and had already struck a deal with Revolver Records, it was then things came to a head, at the release show for “Gas up the Machine” to be precise.
It was almost time for Jay to hang up his guitar, but a call from fellow Midlander’s Vincent and the Onepotts soon put the frontman back on stage. The shows went well, resulting in Hudson searching for new comrades and as such, the Bitten were born.
So back to those tattoos and bruises, track 3 on “Is it Supposed to Sound Like That?”. The album had already got off to a good start but it’s here where you really feel the essence of the band.
The vocals sound like a preacher who’s been smoking 60 a day, washed down by the obligatory bourbon. While the guitars elsewhere on tracks such as “(Almost) the Perfect Husband” and “Jimmy Rocks” surely come from a love of Johnny Ramone.
It’s not all just about 3 chord DIY however, for there are some more rockabilly and old school rock n roll hooks thrown in too… oh and a track about Elvis.
If you want a drinking song, they’ve got that covered with “Drinking to Remember”. You can almost picture the flat caps and leather jackets rocking out in your sweaty back street boozer. The band are proud to list Social Distortion and Rancid among their favourites, these influences being obvious on “The Man Comes Around” and “Call of Wolves”.
That said, unlike Rancid don’t expect any ska here, it’s straight out punk n roll, complete with sweat, blood and tattoos. So, with one question left to answer, is it supposed to sound like that? I can only imagine that yes, indeed it is.
The Bitten “Is it Supposed to Sound Like That?”
