The Birthday Cakes, Expansion Pack

By Jemiah Jefferson

Okay, these guys are total freaks. And I think I love them. Don’t be fooled by the cheerful grins on this trio of damn handsome ginger brothers, nor by their love of really dreadful ’80s sweaters and paint-streak-patterned T-shirts: The Birthday Cakes are ready to rock your face off and make you howl at the moon (or at least roll up a really good werewolf mage).

Despite their obvious callbacks to the blippy, chunky classic sounds of Devo, the Cakes’ sound is much closer to the guitar-fueled math-rock excursions of Mr. Bungle, Slint, or Goblin Cock. What beauty is lacking in the lead vocals is more than made up in enthusiasm; these guys are having a blast.

In this brief, four-song, 7-inch release, The Birthday Cakes pack in an astonishing variety of sounds and rhythms that make it impossible to get bored with any song before it’s over and replaced with a new thrashing howler. Lyrics are less important than their ambitious approach to layering sound, and tracks like “Mastermind” and “No Tolerance For Goofs” slam the speakers with pure energy.

At this point, the Cakes are only touring in Canada, but seemingly playing in every single venue across that big wide nation. If you’re lucky enough to be Canadian, you should probably go check out this band. They promise to be amazing live: and God only knows what they’ll be wearing.

The Birthday Cakes will be on tour in Canada from now until September 10. They hit Ottawa tonight at Zaphod Beeblebrox and play Oshawa’s The Atria on July 2. To listen to tracks from Expansion Pack and check tour dates, please visit their MySpace page.