Stab city slit wrists.

STAB CITY SLIT WRISTS are one of those rare bands that just go for it. Hailing from a small mountain town eight hours east of LA called Flagstaff, AZ, Stab City play a straight-ahead, heavy punk style, complimented by two young Darby Crashers (one male, one female). But wait, the cast keeps getting better. Two 30-something crusty punk/tradesmen beat drums and blow ear drums--they are the legendary Casebeer brothers. One is hyper and barefoot, the other mellow, flashing his false teeth in a bright smile when he talks. They bare scars and stories of tours past that would make your band blush. A Yoga master and a computer nerd round out the cast, fighting for attention with wild stage antics and wireless guitars. What a fucking mess they make carting around a huge PA, Drum triggers, full-stacks, and their debut CD Forget Hollywood (www.tapesrecords.com). Rarely do bands see past the bullshit and actually have a blast playing. Stab City do just that, and want nothing more.

AGES APART

Case Miller: Oh God, age ... You mean, like, why is there such a disparaging difference in age? Well, Flagstaff is small, and initially we had to build the band out of available resources--in other words anyone who would play, but that's doing a disservice to the Brothers. Stab City is a coming-of-age story, JD Salinger style. Really though, without the guidance of the Casebeer Brothers, without their resources and experience, we would never have made it off the ground. Hell, we would have never made it to LA for our first show on tour. Surprisingly though, get those old bastards blitzed and they're the worst ones; so stinking sentimental, I can't speak for the others, but the blending of styles--the spastic energy that Josh and Betsy bring with their young, supple, writhing bodies--and the hold-it-down experience of the elder members is probably the only way Ibis fucking thing worked.

PUNK SCENE

The punk scene is a push, a unified push with a common goal. Altruism, big words, all that good stuff. Without scene, without community support, there's nothing. A scene has lots of voices in it but there's always a goal. Bobby C Pony always said he did shows in Flagstaff so he didn't have to drive to PHX to see his favorite bands. Somewhere in that comment is the key to discovering what a scene should be, why it's important. Think analytically. It's not as hard as I make it seem.

ARIZONA BANDS

Ruinacre, they were what hardcore was supposed to be: fast, politically-motivated, drunk. Hell, they rose form the ashes of a band called Shitbastard! What more do you want? As for current, if you haven't seen I Hate You When You're Pregnant, you're missing a life-altering experience. Homosocial vibes and Cher-esque vocals make this one-man show the will of God realized on Earth. After the fall, Eve was ostracized and IHYWYP was decreed to service the first man. It's that important. On Seduction, that band was Flagstaff to me. This was the band that brought dancing and community to Flagstaff. When I first saw this band I was awe-struck; the riffs were killer, and the frontman got his face cut by some Vato kid while driving a school bus. Set the stage for Stab City. They passed us a torch that we then put out on our tongues. Lastly, I hear Ponies (American) are releasing a CD. This is probably the dance band you wish played your birthday party. These kids have more heart than George Dora. www.stabcity.org