SKELETON HEAD MUSIC REVIEWS - THE FILTHIES - BY N.L. BELARDES January 23, 2005 12:10 pm - In a room of half-eaten cake and leftover black balloons from an over-the-hill birthday party, The Filthies took to the stage at brand new venue Kosmos and transformed from friendly bar-wanderers to high-energy punksters. Fast drums and speedy tempo changes lit by fast-talking punk vocals made for a set of youthful and vibrant music. Last I had been in touch with Bakersfield music I lowered my hearing aid to the slow droning mid-Nineties wail of Eve Wendel and The Strand. Although I’d given all of The Filthies online music a listen to earlier in the day on their kick ass amp-site, I was surprised to hear they sounded as tight as their recordings. Clearly, The Filthies are a ‘no b*******’ experienced band that takes full advantage of the kind of youth-driven music that sweeps punk streets and crosses over into mainstream homes ala Green Day and Blink 182. Talent-driven and music-driven, The Filthies straight-ahead riffs blended superbly with off-tempo bridges and chorus changes. Their short punk songs were both impressive in transitions and offered gut-wrenching punk rock that didn’t mess around with overblown lyrics or show-off with solo moments as it sped along. The Filthies are held together by their songs—interwoven, tightly played, and got to show it off in a venue that’s really been around for years. Too bad the pear beer is no more. Kosmos? Don’t forget to check out The Filthies in Vegas at the Double Down in March—look for a rumble or two at that great rockabilly punk bar where Vegas artists lurk like shadows. Make a road trip of it. March 18, I believe. And don’t forget pancakes at the Peppermill.