airfix kits

A nice little mention of our show with X on the always enjoyable Victim of Time blog!

In case you’re wondering what the Al(l)ans look like with their mouths open. Stolen from Maximum RockNRoll, who stole it from Icki.

You’ll be playing both sides…of this single over and over! If this working class British accent is fake that makes this record twice as awesome. Or Oi!-some, though it’s Oi!-er in accent than execution (more post-punk wave-ish).

http://roctoberreviews.blogspot.com/2010/05/airfix-kits-playing-both-sides-bw.html

A  review of both 7″s that doesn’t actually mention the music at all!

Airfix Kits recently released these 2 7″ ep’s, and it wasn’t until i had both of them in my hands that i began to appreciate their aesthetic. Both of these records take a very “no frills” approach stylistically while displaying a subtle sense of humor about themselves. “Playing Both Sides” uses original photography for a literal depiction of the title track, while “Flex Time” uses found images to create tongue in cheek references to the working world. i really like that both records kept their layouts to strict 2 color pallets even though they were both CMYK printed, and that the A/B labels are exactly the same type lock ups….. have a look.

http://art4punks.blogspot.com/2010/05/airfix-kits.html

Two songs of wound-up, punky pop with a few unfinished edges from this Bay Area trio (ex-Giant Haystacks). Vocals here are the weak link, but their plaintive, hoarse use here, backed by their springloaded, slightly mod-ish delivery makes it seem like a modern update on Empire’s big, meaningful riffs for kids who’ve been bombed out of their minds on TV and the Internet since they’ve been born. Both songs work off of the same spirit of economy and short shocks well enough that these guys might have cornered a tiny scrap of the punk landscape for themselves. Fans of everything from Mission of Burma to the Jam could find something suitable to groove on within. (http://www.dirtnaprecs.com)
(Doug Mosurock)

dustedmagazine.com

The reviews are trickling in, here’s one from a Spanish blogger named TerminalPicnic:

Airfix Kits son el claro ejemplo que muestra como hacer algo semejante a una de las mejores bandas que habrá jamás (MINUTEMEN) sin ser un verdadero coñazo. 2 ex- GIANT HAYSTACKS tienen la culpa. Muy recomendable.

http://www.fotolog.com/terminalpicnic/58056858

My wife claims that this translates to something like:

Airfix Kits is a clear example of how to do something like one of the best bands that never was (Minutemen) without being a total drag. 2 Ex-Giant Haystacks are to blame. Highly recommended.

Flex Time 7″

Released December 2009

Deranged Records dy154

Side A:

• Flex Time

Side B:

• 80’s Asthetic
• 21 Hot Knives

Recorded Dec 2008 by Craigums, Dutch Oven, Alameda CA.

What they say:

“When GIANT HAYSTACKS parted ways a few years back, two of the three members went on to form AIRFIX KITS. The three songs found on this debut 7” are pretty consistent with the aforementioned band with a heavy MINUTEMEN influence by way of UK post punk ala WIRE/GANG OF FOUR.” – Deranged

“1 of 2 new 7″ EPs by this new San Francisco band that features 2/3 of the recently-deceased Giant Haystacks. We played with them in SF this summer so I’ve been anticipating this for a while… while the Haystacks played up the Minutemen influence, the Airfix Kits just play straight-up, catchy, old-school punk… the kind of thing that could have come out on Good Vibrations, Raw, or a similar label in late-70s Britain. This is a great EP that will have all of us old punk connoisseurs bobbing along endlessly.” – Sorry State

Playing Both Sides 7″

Released November 2009

Dirtnap Records ZZZ-86

Side A:

• Playing Both Sides

Side B:

• Leaving

Recorded Dec 2008 by Craigums, Dutch Oven, Alameda CA.

What they say:

“Tense working class post-punk from San Francisco. Debut release from 2/3rds ex Giant Haystacks. As much as we liked that band, this new incarnation is even better, hookier and more direct. Minutemen meets Wire with a distinct DIY sensibility. Or, as the band describes themselves, “Gang Of Four getting rat-arsed on cider and covering the entire Strength Through Oi! comp.” That’ll work too.” – Dirtnap

“From Oakland, Airfix Kits pulls from late ’70s punk bands like the Adverts and Richard Hell to deliver modern bubblegum-tinged punk anthems. This song will certainly resonate with anyone who’s had a heart broken by a two-timer.” – Portland Mercury