I used to read the hilariously self-absorbed and hard-to-find Modern Drunkard magazine long before the creators got their spitzzled wits together enough to add a chain-store-breaking book to their publishing roster. The book is OK - a drier version of the mag, but clever nonetheless - and copies are waiting for you thirsty streetbeaters at bookstores that carry such fumblin' nonsensical fun.

Enter a literate buncha local punk guys from a couple of blitzy bands that fizzled this spring, add like-minded hip mod drunkisms such as "the right buncha drunks will meet if they drink long enuff whilst hangin' at 'Peg watering brooks" and U have the basic tasty cocktail mix of boozy cred, street punk and sure-fire g-rawk that pretty much sums up the fermenting origin of our S-Beat subject this week: Blackout Brigade!

"The name comes from a book I have called Modern Drunkard. It's a different-sounding name, and it makes sense. We're quite prone to getting blackout drunk," says former Knockarounds/current Blackout Brigade bassist/background vocalist James Hoard (Horror Business, ex-One Nite Only, The Crackdown - "for about a year" and Fabulous Kildonans - "for two shows").

"The Knockarounds (R.I.P. March 2008) and The Crackdown (R.I.P. February 2008) broke up, and we just got together and continued practicing and practicing," Hoard continues.

"We had this band started while The Knockarounds were ending, and we were just banging our heads against the wall, writing, and eventually we got Scott (Robson) on vocals.

"Blackout Brigade is basically The Knockarounds with Scott singing," Hoard says, adding that the band is filled out by drummer Rob Dion, and guitarists Graham Riddle and Dan Ransom (ex-Barrymores, The Crackdown).

Hard-rollicking Knocka Knox vocalist Martin Toxicated recently moved to B.C. after a lengthy stint in The Knockarounds, which saw the band release a really great full-length, self-titled independent disc last fall. Hoard says the 10-cut album recorded at High North Studios will see release this year on the Toronto-based Insurgence Records.

"I was talking to Steve from Insurgence, and he also wants to put out a Blackout Brigade album by the end of the year," Hoard notes.

Not bad for a band that hasn't even played a gig yet. U streetbeaters can expect to hear drink-along ditties such as Pushed Too Far (Knockarounds) and Punk Rock Firing Squad (Crackdown) when U take off yer ear pods long enough to check out the BB's debut show at The Zoo with Igor & the Skindiggers, Cunt Punisher and more on July 19.

Hoard says he's primed and ready for the band's initial gig. "We seriously only got practicing with Scott a month ago. We booked the show to push ourselves to do something.

"Right now, it's just a mix of where the two bands left off. We're all writing together, so it's kind of rock 'n' roll, street-punk kind of songs, blending the two bands together. Vocally it's heavier, not gang-style vocals like The Knockarounds."

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