The Eradicats - Best In Show

Recorded in their home studio, The Litter Box, Best In Show is the debut EP from the Kansas City four-piece The Eradicats.  Musically it’s a somewhat lo-fi combination of punk, pop and ska with lyrics that have the whimsical, but at times educational, sense of humor similar to They Might Be Giants.  The EP opens with “Serious Medical Condition”, a ragged punk tune that reminds me a bit of early Nirvana and deals a very important issue - crooked teeth.  Bassist Kristi steps up to the mic to handle the vocals on “New Best Friend”, a raw, kind of dirty punk tune detailing her obsessive relationship with said “friend”.  The short biographical “Billy Bowlegs” brings to mind The Replacements and tells about the life of the “Alligator Chief”, who was a leader of the Seminoles in Florida in the early 1800’s during the Second and Third Seminole War.  On “Frank and the Lighthouse” they shift gears, adding some ska to the mix, with lyrics about climbing a lighthouse to see Frank, the lighthouse keeper.  “Dave Griffin” is a high energy track that’s a cross between power pop and The Pixies.  With tongue firmly planted in cheek, it details the exploits of a stunt horse who “according to the song”, not only was a stunt driver for Steve McQueen, but also sang the high notes for Ricky Nelson in Rio Bravo.  The twenty-three second “Our Last Song” closes the EP and basically tells you what it is.  

(The Eradicats - Bandcamp)