GAG, Queen

Gag, from America’s punk capital Olympia, Washington, are a hot hardcore band sweeping the USA, playing for literally dozens of adoring fans every night, dominating the national conversation—or at least the national hardcore message boards. There’s a knowing, jokey bravado to the band’s image and album titles and artwork that belies the self-loathing inherent in their songs. There’s, of course, noise and treble (the music is reminiscent of legends like United Mutation and The Germs), but the band’s attention to bottom end also puts Gag well within the tradition of NYC hardcore and all the brawn and floor-punching that followed. Like all the best punk and pop, the songs are over before the listener can fully acclimate, but the bewilderment is part of the thrill.