Deep Snapper

"We make music because of d. boon, mike watt, george hurley, and ed crawford," read the credits on Deep Snapper's latest CD, as if The Minutemen (and fIREHOSE) influence wasn't obvious enough from the music. Like their heroes, the skilled musicians of Deep Snapper are adept at creating complex but unforgettably melodic bass and guitar parts. And just as The Minutemen combined anger with a sly sense of humor, Deep Snapper will rail against strip malls and lack of "urban spaces where the kids can play," but aren't completely stoic about it.

As blatant as the similarities may be, though, Deep Snapper is far from being a mere rip-off act. Into the Ugly shows little evidence of the funk and R&B influences that set the 'men apart from their hardcore contemporaries. Johnathan Newberry's guitar work is especially interesting when he experiments with unusual tones and effects, like the clock-chime sounds that introduce "Turn Signals," or the chaotic solo on "Daniel Johnston," more of a chaotic feedback freak-out than skillfully crafted lead. Besides, a couple of their songs stretch past the five-minute mark—or, about five times the length of a typical Minutemen tune.