Since
the Ramones breakup in 1996, drummer
Marky Ramone has been spotted keeping the time in several outfits --
the Misfits,
Marky Ramone & the Intruders, and Marky Ramone & the Speedkings. Fronted by guitarist/singer Nick Cooper, the Speed Kings specialize in songs that usually deal with one of two subjects -- girls and/or cars, as evidenced by their 2002 release,
Legends Bleed. While the music is your expected
Ramonesesque punk rock, lyrically is where it all goes south. Sporting such song titles as "Beaver on my Mind," "Weenie Hair," and "Sex Phone Girls," the Speed Kings make
Mötley Crüe lyrics seem almost
Bob Dylanesque by comparison. As with most post breakup releases by former
Ramones, there are several
Ramones classics included here as bonuses -- including live renditions of "I Don't Care," "Beat on the Brat," "Rockaway Beach," and "Glad to See You Go." While it's good to see
Marky out there still bashing the skins, you can't help but feel that a member of one of rock's all-time great bands could certainly do much better than
Legends Bleed. ~ Greg Prato