The American Plague

There are only two degrees of separation with the American Plague, as the band's singer, Jaw, played drums in Undead, the post-Misfits vehicle for Bobby Steele. The Misfits are a logical starting point for his latest group, as the Knoxville trio proffers spunky punk with a ton of melodies (though never in the Epitaph mold at all; more like Pegboy if they were pissed) and a great vocalist who can sing as well as scream. This eponymous seven-song EP is catchy, energetic, and about as original as three-chord mania will ever get. Highlights include the raucous choruses of "Landmine" and "I Want It All," and the bouncy bass interplay of disc closer "The World Is Doomed."