The Jolts: High Voltage Rockers

I first came across The Jolts at Zulu Records on 4th Avenue in Vancouver. As I browsed through artists under the listening stations, The Jolts stood out as a fierce, mosh-worthy band. Little did I know that I would soon write a local artist profile about these guys who could care less about tearing up the charts and would rather tear off your face in their violent stream of "100 per cent 8th note down-stroke style of playing" and "whirls of euphoric pain," as proclaimed in their biography.

Joey Blitzkrieg (lead vocals/guitar), Dr. Dylan Danger (guitar/backing vocals), Lector Kurrentz (bass guitar/backing vocals) and Matt Von Dander (drums/percussion) came together in 2004 after being influenced by The Ramones, who they consider, "the best punk rock band of all time," according to Kurrentz.

This year, The Jolts released their first full-length album, Haute Voltage, which they claim is pure punk addiction. "You'll swear off rock 'n' roll and stay home for nights until the Jolts are back in town," predicts Kurrentz.

Haute Voltage is inarguably addictive with its fast hooks and guitars, but of course what is a punk album without lyrics complaining about the status quo? In one track, The Bar Again, the Jolts ask where all the good music went. Kurrentz answers, "It's still around, you just gotta get it used or on compact disc re-issue."

Despite the band's accomplishments, The Jolts feel that they have not yet achieved any sustainable success. Kurrentz hopes, "If people still get excited about the Jolts in 2013, then I think we'll all be pretty content."

Don't be too hard on yourselves, Jolts, you have already proven punk is definitely not dead – well, at least in Vancouver.