The Ones

MAXIMUMROCKNROLL
This is some catchy garage rock. The A-side is really great. The singer Andy sounds almost exactly like Rob Tyner. If only the band was more fuzzed out and chaotic, they would probably be mistaken for the MC5. The B-side is more of a novelty power pop song, but still pretty good. The insert mentions that the band features ex-members of POISON IDEA, the PROCRASTINATORS, and the WEAKLINGS for those of you who need to know that stuff.
(CK)
MRR..271 December 2005

TERMINAL BOREDOM
The Ones "Shame Shame Shame" EP The topside of this debut is a pop-punk shredder built around an infectiously catchy riff and great vocals. Fuck, there's even some Keith Moon inspired pounding in there. Songs like this drive home that you can be melodic and maintain pop aesthetics without losing any of the drive inherent in punk. The flip is more subtle and isn't the tune that you'll be humming an hour later, but nonetheless is enjoyable while it's on the turntable. If "Shame" reflects the rest of their set then it's time for a road trip to Portland. For added interest, one of the guitar players here was in Religious War (one of the absolute best hardcore bands in recent memory) and a recent line-up of Poison Idea.
(DH)

PUNK PLANET (CHICAGO, IL)
The Ones are a super group featuring ex-members of Poison Idea, the Weaklings, and the Procrastinators. They play edgy post-punk rock for their similarly aging friends, and I could see them doing quite well in hip bars in their hometown of Portland, OR. The two songs here are decent, but forgettable. Yet, there's enough energy lodged between the self-conscious riffs to make me hopeful for what these lifers will come up with in the future.
(AE)