Sorry about the headline. Had to do it. Anyway these are survivors from the 80s and 90s Kansas City scene who got together to play some standard old-school riff-laden rock and roll. Do you need to know anything else?

The Grave Escape Bolt from the Black (self-released)

Details? Chances are you're not familiar with Absolute Ceiling or the Bindlestiffs. The collective membership of those trios makes up this quartet. The sound is something between the surfabilly of the former and the heavy alt-country sound of the latter. Probably more of the former, with the emphasis on "heavy." This music is meant to be played loud.

The CD Baby RIYL is Big Star, Gun Club and VU. That's a nope. This is a gritter, less absurd Deadbolt, thrown out with a dash of 90s garage (Paladins, anyone?). These guys are my age, and I can tell. The energy and attitude are impressive, but the influences take me back.

That's a good thing. The Grave Escape isn't trying to be something it's not. These four guys play menacing music, and they do with style. The band's term for this is "americana noir." Perhaps. Not quite in a Trailer Bride sorta way (though this does send me back to the 90s), but in more of a straightforward way. Maybe this is just a waystation, but it's a fine spot to alight for a few moments. Fun stuff.

Jon Worley