You can safely assume that a band named the Bar Feeders with an album titled 50 Ways to Leave Your Liver and featuring a picture of legendary Mission District watering hole Zeitgeist on its cover are big drinkers. On songs like "Free Beer for the Bar Feeders" and "Road Trippin," the San Francisco band sing about what they seem to know best – all on top of punk blasts that pack a punch comparable to that of downing a fifth of 151 and then darting in and out of rush-hour traffic for kicks. And while keeping the rock fast and hard, the Bar Feeders will have any punk worth their weight in beer falling off bar stools, laughing along with their tales of pill poppin' ("Quaaludes"), hanging out with semiconscious Stormtroopers ("Star Wars Party in My Backyard"), and chowing down at late-night diners to cure their constant hangovers ("Grubbin' under the Influence"). In addition to the hardcore- and thrash-influenced warp-speed attacks, the Bar Feeders also throw in a variety of tempos and sounds on the CD to mix things up a bit, like any good bartender would do. Occasional acoustic guitar, spaced-out breaks, and bouncing upbeat rhythms add some flair to the already potent selections on tap. (Sean McCourt)

Death Sentence: Panda!
Puppy Kitty or Both (Special Lord)

In China, anger over panda hunting has led to punishments as severe as execution. This outrage is echoed by S.F. noise-rock trio Death Sentence: Panda! Composed of Paul Costuros (Total Shutdown), Kim West (Crack: WAR), and Chris Dixon (Murder Murder), the band channel the sounds of animals gone wild. Immediately documenting their efforts after playing only a couple of live shows, DS:P! have put out Puppy Kitty or Both as one of the first official releases on Special Lord Records. The opening song, "A+ Cannibal," leads off with crisp, clear percussion and peppy vocals, which make room for a dirty, distorted saxophone that obliterates the building tempo and baffles the listener's ear. Costuros's pitch-shifted, overdriven sax rhythms guide "Oh Brother, Oh Brother" from its opening riff into an explosive mess and then back into a calm refrain. The album's abrupt changes from serene to chaotic are punctuated by flute melodies, which act as the perfect foil to the bass-heavy sax. West's vocals creep at a whisper, erupt into an angered chorus, and return to a deadpan tone. Equal parts commanding and cutesy, West recalls Poly Styrene and Karen O, as she taunts, "Show us your teeth!" between listing animals that hate humankind on the indictment "Animals Hate You." Surviving on a diet of vengeance and melody, Death Sentence: Panda! have come out of hiding, ready to take on all humans. (John Lombardo)

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