POWERPOINTÔ - “Mission Statement” download EP

      This has to be one of the strangest concepts I’ve come across via punk in a longass time.  On their debut EP PowerpointÔ throws down loud fast rules HC with mostly short songs, a lot of attitude, and a distinct East Coast vibe to them.  While that sounds like a path proven in hardcore punk, the band spins things around with a persona of being corporate motivational managers singing songs in keeping with said theme.  Thus, they sing about consulting, sexual harassment, several Microsoft software products, and sales techniques – all within short loud three or four chord blasts.  I get the feeling that the band is a satire on corporate cooptation of the underground in marketing (the cover art pays homage to Minor Threat) as well as corporate America (at least, I really hope it’s satire, otherwise this would be really fucking creepy), but regardless PowerpointÔ has created an EP that takes punk in a direction lyrically I don’t think anyone really thought about.   Sadly it’s only available online, but it’s still worth checking out and having a good chuckle.  (BOONE)

(Thorp Records)