Damaged Bug
Bunker Funk
Release Date: Mar 10, 2017
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Indie Electronic
Record label: Castle Face
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Album Review: Bunker Funk by Damaged Bug
Great, Based on 3 Critics
Based on rating 8/10
Judging by his work with the ever-prolific Thee Oh Sees and running the super-busy Castle Face label, it's hard to imagine John Dwyer has the time to brush his teeth, much less make records under the name Damaged Bug. He does, though, and 2016's Cold Hot Plumbs was a minor classic of the "proggy freakout with electronics" genre, filled with synth-breaking blowouts and heavily German jams. Great psych-pop melodies and creepy vocals, too.
Based on rating 8/10
A minimal bassline tumbles beneath a sonorous and flat shriek of synthesized sound that spans the intro of Bog Dash like interpreted Electric Miles. While a guitar babbles a series of playful licks, John Dwyer's high vocal syncopates with the track's rough percussion, clearing the otherwise hectic air long enough for his words to flow. Bog Dash is the true opener to Bunker Funk, a light and barely audible ambient piece called Structure Image Approach an almost unnecessary warmup.
Based on rating 3/5
John Dwyer's not exactly a garage all-rounder like some of his contemporaries. Most of his time - on record at least - is dedicated to his Thee Oh Sees, nowadays a revolving cast band for whom he's very much become the US equivalent of Mark E Smith. But Damaged Bug, his synth-ish side project, is nevertheless prolific, with Bunker Funk the third album.
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