Carnal Knowledge deliver a nice blend of fuzzy guitar-driven punk that is reminiscent of the nascent riot grrl records crossed with the East Bay bounce that anyone growing up punk in the 90's grew to love. And to top it off, they have dual vocals - something I've been a sucker for ever since I first heard Blatz. While their song structure is fairly straightforward, they mix things up with interesting breakdowns that bleed into fun guitar solos. Given their sound and socially conscious lyrics, they were a fitting choice to open up Pinhead Gunpowder's 924 Gilman reunion show - and they made the most of the opportunity, blasting through their demo tracks with the heart and verve that hallowed stage deserves.
Carnal Knowledge's lyrics address topics such as the privatization of prisons, mediating jealousy within the context of feminist politics, and resisting institutionalized patriarchy. Of note is how these lyrics address political punk staples in a fresh manner. They are well written and have a personal quality that differentiates them from what came before.
Carnal Knowledge's demo falls within the camp where you ache to hear the band with better production. While the minimal recording quality has its charm, these songs are impassioned and exude an urgency that begs for a proper 7" release.
