Twenty Bucks And Two Black Eyes

Based in Sacramento, the U.S. Roughnecks are the last bastion of authentic American {hardcore.} Fast and furious, the band's Hellcat debut album Twenty Bucks and Two Black Eyes is tough and incendiary as evidenced by blistering, anti-authority odes like Serve and Protect, the hometown anthem, Sacto's Alright, plus frontman Mike Hennessey's tough tale of youth on the street, Summer of '96. Bassist Big Jay (who also doubles in the Bastards) is the band's rhythmic rock, but the muscular, chaotic roar of the Roughnecks isn't easily contained. Hennessey is a hardcore throat in the purist sense, so there's little melody to be found, but shout-along rockers like Saturday Night and Midtown Nights will thrive for years among the circle pit denizens. Hard yet heartfelt, the U.S. Roughnecks are tough as nails, and this is short-haired {rock & roll} at it's finest. ~ John D. Luerssen, All Music Guide