SAMURAI PIZZA CATS
‘Press Start’
Century Media Records

Sometimes dumb and fun will do the trick. And Germany’s SAMURAI PIZZA CATS hits the mark on both counts.
With a band that takes its name from an early ‘90s Japanese anime show and boasts guitarist Daniel Haniß from ELECTRIC CALLBOY – who have essentially conquered the world with its own knuckle-headed but insidiously entertaining shenanigans over the past few years – as a founding member, you probably shouldn’t expect anything less, or more, depending on how you look at it.

As with the PIZZA CATS’ 2023 debut ‘You’re Hellcome,’ the apple doesn’t fall very far from the CALLBOY tree on ‘Press Start.’ The propulsive, shapeshifting electronic-core/techno-core/metal-core mishmash is there in abundance, though flavored more liberally with hip hop/punk pop flourishes, a shitload of perky synths and cheeky tunes regaling everything from junk food (pizza, of course, and ramen) and cosplay to marauding T Rex’s and, umm, penguins.

Despite a near-constant barrage of samples, sound effects and other kitsch, the material is deliberately simple yet infectious as hell. Indeed, with their brisk, pulsing beats, chunky riffs and ear-wormy melodies and choruses, there is a carefree, almost effortless catchiness to just about everything here, from “Pandastruck” to “Fear No Slice” to “Super Zero” – even with the odd crunching breakdown.

Thebuoyant, straight up electro-punk ditty “City Of Gold,” with its “oh, oh, oh” choruses and punchy midsection, is the listener-friendliest of the lot. The only outright dud isthe cringeworthy “Penguin Supreme,” which sounds like something the band just threw together on the spot when it was stuck for ideas and figured, “what the hell, why not penguins?”

Agile vocalist Sebastian Fischer easily shifts back and forth from ‘core screams and growls to poppy, exuberant cleans. But he does get occasional help here from guests like ANKOR’s Jessie Williams for the girl/boy back and forth on the otherwise bruising “T-Rex(plosion),” and the chirpy backups on “Ramen-Man” from BABYBEARD, the creepy Japanese kawaiicore group headed by crossdressing Australian wrestler Ladybeard – I kid you not.

CALLBOY clean singer Nico Callach also makes an appearance, albeit as part of a remix/retooling of the wacky “Pizza Homicide” from ‘You’re Hellcome’ that comes tacked on to the end of “Press Start.” Here it is given an EDM going over by German “punk rave” producer/DJ STVW, though it’s “fuck fruits on my pizza” sentiment remains. And I second that.

At a sporty 12 tunes in 30 minutes, ‘Press Start’ doesn’t demand much of your time or attention. But if all you’re looking for is something that is big on schtick, kicks a bit of ass and is about as deep as a kiddie pool to bounce around the house with or liven things up after a shitty day at work, this should be right up your street.

3.0 Out Of 5.0