Sparkplug Magazine (US):
What's in the Big Black Bag? - "I first heard of S&P back in 2008 when they played with The Gears, The Stains and Legal Weapon at The American Legion Hall in Highland Park, Ca. The First thing I noticed was that these guys looked flashy tough. The singer, Mr. Deville, is tall and good looking in the vein of a late 70’s drug addled rock star. Tony Love has attitude that exudes through his guitar. Bassist Jim Lurch was about to knock the Stains' drummer on his ass when he wouldn’t get off the stage and out of S&P drummer’s face.
That being said, I was familiar with S&P as six of the songs were on the demo they handed me that night. “What’s In The Big Black Bag?” includes an additional eight songs that we’re not on the 2008 demo. The packaging is rather nice for a punk rock CD and the cover features burlesque model LouLou Deville with a small black bag, which is ironically puzzling considering the title.
The opening track is the title track and, although we never find out what indeed is in the big black bag, I do notice the production is pretty tight for a self produced CD. Newest member, drummer Trace Element (White Flag), adds a new element to the band with his driving beats and also produces the CD. Vocals and Guitar are definitely up front and heavy by Shawn Deville and Tony Love and bassist Jim lurch has a big heavy sound that fits well with Trace’s drumming.
The CD is consistently heavy and driving which is a mosher’s dream. “I Wanna Go Back” reveals the band's dissatisfaction with today’s “punk rock” and longs for the days of The Masque, The Mau, Maus and Darby Crash. “Liar” starts off sounding Black Flag-ish and then takes off in a more Sex Pistol-ish direction. “Born Bad” is the highlight and sums up the band's sound and attitude. All in all, the CD is a hard rocker with a “’77” influence, tons of heavy guitar and a big dose of lyrics going to honor the fallen punk heroes of their generation. You can pick up the CD online or catch them at Sparkplug Magazine Night #3, January 21, at Juanita’s in Los Angeles." --Viv Man
Punk Rock, Hardcore and Ska Music Resource n Review (US):
What's in the Big Black Bag? - "standard and poor eat your flesh and dye your hair multicolored with their album "what's in the big black bag?" a basic california avante guard punk rock band spittin' lyrics about politics, drinkin', broken hearts and well just not giving a fuck! a few of the dittys sound like they have a bit of rockabilly and blues in there which makes for a even better twist to this album, definatley hear a sex pistols influence here, so take these boys under your wing and add them into your punk rock collection cause they definatley will be a classic punk band someday like the sex pistols, ramones and social d. they're just that good well at least in my opinion. get this record and other releases now on unrepentant records,you won't regret it trust me :) best songs- "what's in the big black bag", "liar", "heart crusher baby", "i don't dare", "middle earth", "mau maus" and "religious right"" --beth
Big Wheel Magazine (US):
What's in the Big Black Bag? - "Standard and Poor is one of those bands that once you hear their music, you want to follow up with them and see them perform a show or two. Hailing from Riverside and made up of Los Angeles Punk veterans, Standard and Poor definitely keeps the early 1980’s Southern California Punk spirit alive and well. With solid sounding instrumentals from Lurch, Tony Love, and Trace Element and the raspy voice of Mr. De Ville, Standard and Poor provides a sound similar to that of Smut Peddlers and captures the "fuck off" attitude so widely seen in Punk music.
Released on Unrepentant Records, an impressive guitar solo in their title track "Standard and Poor" stands out in the album, along with acclaimed tracks such as "I Wanna Go Back", "Hate Never Wins", the rockabilly-esque "Heart Crusher Baby", and my personal favorites (that specifically reminds me of old school Punk)"Taken Too Young" and "Born Bad". Musically, Standard and Poor proves to be headed in the right direction if they continue to produce songs and albums similar to "What’s in the Big Black Bag?"." --Sarah K.
Punk Globe (US):
What's in the Big Black Bag? - "Standard and Poor are the Inland Empire's own little secret... They hail from Riverside and kick out some pretty good pop punk rock.. Their press say that The Germs, Black Flag and The Plugz are their influences but I also hear a bit of the Fat Wreckords sound.. This is their first full length, The band which consists of Mr. DeVille on Vocals, Tony Love on Guitar, Lurch on Bass and holding down the Drums is Trace Element do a pretty good job.. I enjoyed Mau Mau's, Standard and Poor, Born Bad and Taken To Young alot. Check them out on My Space http://www.myspace.com/standardandpoor" --Ginger Coyote
Dr Strange Records (US):
What's in the Big Black Bag? - "I've been looking forward to this one. It's not officially out but Bassist Jim (Corpus Delecti and 647F) is a regular at the store and was nice enough to give me an advance copy. Excellent Punk Rock in the style I love; Early 80's Southern California! They were lucky enough to pick up Tracy of White Flag on drums and you can tell was a contribution he has made. The band has become even tighter and more solid sounding. Although the entire band is great I think it's the vocals that really stand out to me. Very cool vocals with that "fuck off" attitude if you know what I mean? Similar to Smogtown or Smut Peddlers. In any case, looking forward to this one! 8 outta 10 syringes!" --Bill
Razorcake (US):
Filthy Basement Secrets EP - "You got some street punk mixed with a pinch of rockabilly here. The first track, “Born Bad,” ditches the punches and goes straight for something sharper: “Born bad your gonna get my knife.” Standard And Poor takes well-traveled ground by writing tunes about liars (“Liar”) and broken hearts (“Heart Crusher Baby”) but put their spin on those topics and, let me tell you, there’s never a dull moment. I’ve already written about three of the six tracks on this EP. Needless to say, it’s going to be on repeat. Get your hands on these Filthy Basement Secrets!" --N.L. Dewart
Ox Fanzine (Issue #84-Jun/Jul 2009) (DE):
Filthy Basement Secrets EP - "Drei Veteranen aus der L.A.-Punkszene (früher unter anderem mal aktiv bei CORPUS DELECTI, DEAD MANS CHOIR, SUICIDE BOMBERS und POLICE STATE) schnappen sich eine Drummerin und wollen es noch mal wissen.
Sechs Songs sind dabei herausgekommen, irgendwo in der Schnittmenge aus STITCHES, SMUT PEDDLERS und all den Streetpunk-Bands, in denen Duane Peters die Finger im Spiel hat. Das Ergebnis ist ganz passabel, die Stücke sind catchy, der Gesang ist markant, allerdings finde ich den Gitarrensound sehr dünn und auch das Schlagzeug hängt manchmal etwas hinterher.
Mal gucken, ob STANDARD AND POOR das auf dem anstehenden ersten Full-Length-Album noch optimieren können, ansonsten ist diese EP zum Antesten ganz gut geeignet." --Bernd Fischer
Individual reviews of STANDARD AND POOR song, I Wanna Go Back, from GarageBand.com:
"This is a solid punk song from the late 70's. This is what you'd expect to hear when someone says punk from the 70's..." --thequartersucks
"Reminds me of the way punk was meant to sound. I really felt like I was listening to the Sex Pistols. Great guitar work and lyrics..." --jhayes
