"Mars Attacks - Dirty Tricks" is one of my favorites amongst albums that have been released in the new Millennium. It has all a rockabilly lover can wish for: great uptempo dance songs, an energetic leadsinger, a drummer as steady as a train, a lead guitarist who understands the feel of the 50's and a slappin' bass player.

Dirty Tricks has 14 tracks plus one bonus track and 10 out of 15 are selfpenned songs. My personal favorite is the first track "Doggin' My Steps" a song written in the good tradition of Johnny Burnette and the Rock 'n' roll Trio. Great song, with Burlison-like riffs and an angry young man belching out an intimidating rebel song. The title song "Dirty Tricks" is an authentic rocker and a fine example of what Mars Attacks is capable of. But all the songs on this album are superb and I can't name a single one that I don't like. Even a little sidestep to a more bluesy approach in "You'll never Break Me" fits right in with the rest of the songs. To cut it short, this one earned a place in my favorites collection. Mars attacks again, and we better surrender!

Tracklisting:
Doggin' My Steps / What a Beat / Rocket in the Sky / Dirty Tricks / Waitin' in the Rain / A Gal of My Kind / You Believe Everyone But Me / You'll Never Break Me / That's the Way I Feel / Tattoo Bop / Honey / Heartbreakin' Daddy / Shotgun Wedding / Four Tired Car / Man From Mars [bonus]

This is what the enclosed flyer says:
Wild authentic rockabilly is what you'll get from the Swiss/Austrian formation called Mars Attacks. In Februari 1998 these musicians who had been active in different rock'n'roll/rockabilly bands for years came together. Mars has launched it attack and the invasion is hitting spots allover Switzerland, Austria, and Germany as well as Italy, France, Belgium, Holland and Spain. The Mars Attacks rockabilly invasion even made it's way twice to Hemsby in England - for the largest rock'n'roll weekender on earth. Their long-awaited debut album "....Run for your life!" (available on CD and 10" LP + 7" EP for vinyl fans) was released on in July 1999 on Armadillo Records. In order to achieve a sound that suited their style, the 14 songs, half of them written by the band - were recorded on "vintage equipment" in a specialised studio in Montreux. This means that the songs were recorded live in the studio using original microphones from the 50's and a 2-track machine. Just four months after its debut, the album had to be re-released in able to keep up with the high demand. Sales, record reviews and requests from record labels came in from all over the world thanks to international marketing.

Following this succes a further record was released in May 2000. Again it's a 7" Vinyl EP (Called "Snatch It & Grab It") featuring about 4 brandnew songs, including 3 MARS ATTACKS originals. And yet again, the echo has been positive all over the globe. But most of all MARS ATTACKS is an energetic live band featuring a "classic" line-up that is sure to please:

Mars Attacks from Switzerland:
Roland Riedberger - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Mops Luscher - Drums, Vocals

Mars Attacks from Austria:
Oliver Pfanner - Double-Bass, Vocals
Martin Telfser - Lead Guitar

The hot stage show and varied program -made up of self-composed songs and well chosen selection of rockabilly hits - transform each live performance to a special encounter - or should we say a special encounter of the third kind... So grab your children, grab your wife, Mars attacks, run for your life!!

» Read more about Mars Attacks in our Hall of Fame «

Information and booking:
Martin Telfser: phone + 49-(0)179-6871 627
Mops Luscher: phone +41-(0)81--284 91 18

http://www.rockabilly.ch 
marsattacks@rockabilly.ch 

Armadillo Records
Aubrigstrasse 3
CH-8810 Horgen
Switzerland

Reviewed by Uncle_B, 2004