COPS demo shows off Gentleman Jesse’s dark side

COPS have a new demo tape floating around (via Scavenger of Death) that blasts four original numbers plus a cover of Christian Death’s “Spiritual Cramp,” which appears here as “Spiritual Cramps” (plural). There’s also a riff missing from their slapdash run through the song, giving it a manic, impulsive feel.

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That jagged sense of spontaneity is precisely what sets COPS’ contemptuous, raw punk aesthetic apart from Gentleman Jesse’s more recent M.O. Backed by a rhythm section of Greg “GG” King (drums) and Ryan Bell a.k.a. Ryan Dinosaur of Bukake Boys (bass), Jesse Smith’s voice and guitar lash out with uncharacteristic aggression, and it’s refreshing in a cathartic, better-listening-through-pain sort of exercise. The clear, but home-recorded quality of the tape gives each song a motorik and unrefined edge that facilitates a specific, confrontational sound that’s coming together here. They haven’t quite fleshed out the true power of what they’re crafting, but they’re on the right track. And, after all, this is just a demo tape — a teaser for a more focused 7-inch that’s due out via Rob’s House Records later this year or early in 2012.

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In the meantime, check out “I’m Tired And I Want To Go Home,” which channels the group’s manic energy into a razor-sharp minute-and-a-half of high-velocity rhythm and discord.

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Cops - I’m Tired & I wanna Go Home by scavengerofdeath

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COPS play The Earl Mon., Nov. 28 with Turf War and Mark Sultan (aka BBQ). $8-$10. 8:30 p.m. 488 Flat Shoals Ave. 404-522-3950.