It's a secret that few punk rock groups want to admit, but a good portion of pop-punk around the turn of the century sounds suspiciously like '70s arena rock sped up and injected with attitude. For proof of this, look no further than
Dead End City, the debut album from the
Peawees. Big riffs, bigger choruses, and their rough-and-tumble playing style bring to mind groups like
Slade and
Cheap Trick. Yet their playing style and overall attitude scream mid-'90s Epitaph, recalling the spirit of vintage
Rancid without the ska influence. There isn't much that hasn't been tried before, but the reverb-drenched production and a keen ear for catchy riffs make for a pleasant chunk of cocky rock.