BEATALLICA
Sgt. Hetfield’s Motor Breath Pub Band
Oglio Records

Here’s a new spin on an old idea. Picking up where the Rutles left off are Milwaukee-based Beatallica. Formed in 2001 as a satire-tribute band by singer Jaymz Lennfield and guitarists Krk Hammetson (later replaced by Grg Hammettson), bassist Kliff McBurtney and drummer Ringo Lartz as a one-off spoof. To the surprise of many, they not only survived legal entanglements but are now unleashing Sgt. Hetfield’s Motor Breath Pub Band as a legitimate release. Riding the coattails of two or the world’s première bands has been a tricky one. After the release of A Garage Dayz Nite EP in conjunction with Milwaukee’s Spoof Fest 2001, a crazed fan built a website that contained several mp3s in tribute to Beatallica’s interesting (though bizarre) approach of combining songs, lyrics and musical styles of The Beatles and Metallica. A year later, a flourishing internet fanbase demanded a second record so Beatallica the EP was released primarily through the web. By 2004 they were opening for major acts including Dream Theater whose drummer Mike Portnoy sat in for a jam.

Sgt. Hetfield’s Motor Breath Pub Band, the group’s first full-length disc, works surprisingly well. Lennfield does a dead-on vocal impression of James Hetfield throwing in all the singer’s nuances while Hammettson peppers the songs with Kirk Hammett-like solo breaks. For the most part the disc’s 13 songs follow The Beatles structure with Metallica overtones. “Sandman” and “For Horsemen” are really the only two that lead with a Metallica foundation. Tracks like “Revol-ooh-tion”, “Leper Madonna” and “A Garage Dayz Nite” are easily recognizable and include some very funny lyrics that pay homage to the metal community. Examples: “We drink our share of Absolution” from “Revol-ooh-tion”, “Listen to Metallica ringing in your head” from “Leper Madonna” and “I play all day to bring you metal from the grave” from “A Garage Dayz Nite.” The classic is “Hey Dude” - which starts with the sound of a beer bottle being opened and includes in its acoustic intro “take a gray song, make it better” and “remember metal is in you heart.”

Yet, once you get past the laughter you realize the incredible musicianship it takes to pull this off. The straightforward “Ktulu (He’s So Heavy)” and “Anesthesia (I’m Only Sleeping)” play off the band’s ability to mimic and distort with melodic sensibility. Chainsaw guitars in “Blackened the U.S.S.R.” and the power behind “Helvester of Skelter” give the record some serious chops especial when they run the later song right into “Sandman”. The title cut “Sgt. Hetfield’s Motor Breath Pub Band” is reprised at the end of the disc just like the original Sgt Pepper and is followed by an endearing “…And Justice for All My Loving”. Funny how these songs get under your skin in a Weird Al kinda way. Give it a couple listens and you’ll find yourself pleasantly surprised. For fans of Dread Zeppelin, Richard Cheese and Spinal Tap.

Website: Beatallica