Paul Carter
Old Enough To Know Better
By Jillian Abbene "LIC"
(SugarBuzz Wash DC/Richmond VA)
SugarBuzz Magazine
If there is such a thing as unorthodoxed punk, folk punk is it. Paul Carter challenges the punk world with his own DIY all-the-way approach and unplugged. sound. With a brief stint with Avoid and later made his first solo appearance in 1998 at the annual Derby Punx Picnic (UK) and has been impressively supporting other bands such as The UK Subs, TV Smith, 3CR and even the American punk band, Leftover Crack. He has also performed in the past 4 years at The Hits/Wasted Festival in the UK.
Theoretically, performing acoustically with one single guitar and just vocals is a challenge often not carried through very successfully, and with any medium in music, pulling off simplicity with substance is a true skill. Very much in the same light as painting with watercolor--it looks easy, until you attempt it. Nirvana and TV Smith are great examples, but there are not many. Paul Carter has his own style. Branding noted melodies and applauded cutting narratives, rakes-over-gravel with vocals matching his wolf-life appearance. In fact, his voice is so gravely, any listener may question if he eats rocks for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Indeed, shin splinting between defiant gruffage, he is hilariously sinister. A great example of this is in the song, ‘Fuck Off,’ the cover version of Wayne/Jayne County’s classic. It is an instigated staccatoed tune rhythmning in anger to borderline hilarity. It was so hilarious. I was caught in a burst of laughter in the car while driving from a dismal job interview.
The twiddling riffs in ‘Eco-Warrior’ dirges off blunt chords and bang-shouts toothing such subjects as principality and politics. Charismatically singing volumes about financial strains, disgust on world issues, fucked up love and finding real love, his very basic lyrics leaves a standing impression. I favored, “Bert The LadyBoy” for its humor and, “Dogs and Cats” for its substance. Creating slightly orphaned melodies and a comfortable sound with a sense of uncertainty, has landed him an undertoe-following with me included.
Note: For all the readers across the pond: Paul Carter will be performing at he Nice ‘N Sleazy Festival May 25th-27th.
www.myspace.com/paulcarteracousticpunk