Pitchfork

Check Engine-- the collaboration between Tits O'Shaugnessey, Sheriff Jack Genius, Nuke Swayze, Guy Comfortable, and Al Sebayadees-- have proclaimed January 21st, 2002 as the release date of their self-titled debut LP on Southern Records. Finding it unlikely that any parent, no matter how mammary-enraptured, would name their child "Tits," we went undercover and made a shocking discovery: these are not the birthnames of the artists involved.

Rather, they're the secret identities of Sweep the Leg Johnny's Steve Sostak and Chris Daly, Lynx bassist Paul Joyce, Intelligibles guitarist Joe Cannon, and this other guy Brian Wnukowski. Apparently, Daly jacks up the guitar and Sostak plays the saxophone and "vocalizes," while the other guys back them up O'Shaugnessly. But don't hold those bullshit names against them... yet! The guys cite AC/DC, the Stranglers, and the theme song to "Perfect Strangers" as their primary musical influences. Appreciate this gen-x sarcasm while you can, kids-- it'll be irrelevant yesterday.

Meanwhile, back at the story, Check Engine originally got together way back in 1993 in South Bend, Indiana. Sostak, Daly, and Cannon would sweat their nutsax off in some house with unopenable windows while they sang their only song, "Por-San," an ode to the industrial strength cleaner that Sostak stole every week from his painting job. Really? Hey, that's what the press release tells us, and those things never lie. Especially when Nuke Swayze is involved.

Check Engine's publicist also tells us that the album consists of "complex little rock songs." And with song titles like "Don't Make Friends with Salad" and "Where's My Social Worker?" this album just might torque your drive shaft or valve (whichever applies). Shyah, and monkeys might fly outta my butt! Ahh, finally some humor the band can appreciate.