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Flash Bastard: Rock N Roll Must Be Destroyed
Flash Bastard - Rock N Roll Must Be Destroyed Review

Flash Bastard: Rock N Roll Must Be ...

Glam/Punk Rock
4.0/5.0

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Independent/Unsigned
by Craig Hartranft,  02.27.2012

Vancouver's Flash Bastard has the dubious (or infamous) distinction of being cut from Nikki Sixx's Americoma record label. It seems lead singer Donal Finn, when Flash Bastard was on tour with Crue and the Scorpions, took a lasting dislike to the latter's Klaus Meine. This eventually lead to Finn chasing Klaus with a pitchfork, and a rather large backstage brawl involving all three bands. Ain't rock n roll grand.

Flash Bastard Band Photo

Above, Flash Bastard: just a mild-mannered bunch of fellows.

But that's nothing since Flash Bastard had already a legacy of debauchery, boozing, and generally degenerate mayhem in the Vancouver environs and the Northwest. Makes you wonder why Nikki Sixx had a problem with the band? It's the pot calling the kettle black. But I digress.

Rock N Roll Must Be Destroyed was the album recorded for Nikki's label in 2000. The tapes have been dusted off and now it's available for public consumption. Don't be put off by the title, as Flash Bastard is, fundamentally, a rock band. The glam punk rock motif fits, mostly. Listening, Flash and RNRMBD sound like early Ziggy and New York Dolls washed through a bit of early punk and a whole lot of Eighties glam rock. This is notable from the start with the title track, C'mon, Teenage War, among others. Ultimately, this is rock n roll, not matter what the album title infers.

The album rumbles along at a quick pace bringing that strong rock groove with strong melody and harmony; all the makings of good rowdy hard rock. And Flash Bastard is relatively efficient in their arrangements, few songs linger in repitition. When they do, like on Psycho (okay) and Detroit (ugh), they could easily be dismissed. Ballads are non-existent; Cindy Says, a slower song, doesn't count. Like Slut and the general degenerate themes across, Flash Bastard in their hearts are misogynists. But, song composition and musicianship is at a premium; in other words, these guys were good, and probably even better when they were sober.

Flash Bastard's Rock N Roll Must Be Destroyed is a portrait of the band both in their prime and at their loose ends, burning the candle at both ends. It's genuine rock n roll entertainment and debauchery.

Footnote: To the best of my knowledge, Flash Bastard is now defunct.




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In Short

Flash Bastard's Rock N Roll Must Be Destroyed is a portrait of the band both in their prime and at their loose ends, burning the candle at both ends. It's genuine rock n roll entertainment and debauchery.

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