Many folks know Frank Woodman as the foremost gregarious showman of Detroit rock ’n’ roll. Still more know Brandon Moss as the seemingly eight-armed skinsman of luminous mainstays Wildcatting, Bars of Gold and (legendary, albeit defunct) Bear vs. Shark. As Caveman Woodman, Frank is regularly seen and heard at events around town — setting up on the sidewalk, in the corner, on the balcony, and in the bathroom. Of late (and on this platter) he’s joined by Bam Bam Moss, and together they deliver something like the Kingsmen meet the Bay City Rollers; that is, primal faux-fur beats and bashings dressed up in the sparkly boots of glam hooks and singalong harmonies.
On this six-song EP, you get four songs proper and a bonus "improv" on each side. All the songs clock in around two minutes, with just one breaking the three-minute mark. It's all the punk-glam-primal-fuzz you can handle. Opener "What Would Caveman Do" sounds like a lost Damned track, all speed and shouty choruses. "Starting a Dance Craze," the "long" song, leaves a bit of room for both instruments to stretch out between verses. "Gimme Some More" and "Letting You Down" both showcase Woodman's way with a hook and a melody — the guy's been writing songs for a while now, and he's got some good tricks up his tattered leopard-skin sleeve.
As Caveman, his songs never take themselves too seriously, and the result gives the record a refreshingly offhand and effortless feel all the way through. Moss' drums are the cherry on top — these may be the grunts of Early Man, but Bam Bam spits the beats out like machine-gun shells. Another solid addition to the always-impressive Bellyache roster.
