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Dimonick, Chip: Sick Definition of Fun (EP)
Chip Dimonick Sick Definition of Fun new music review

Dimonick, Chip: Sick Definition of Fun

Hard Rock
Rating: 3.75/5.0

Independent/Self-promotion
www.myspace.com/chipdimonick
www.chipdimonick.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  06.07.2010

Rising from Pittsburgh is fellow Pennsylvanian, Chip Dimonick, offering his third release, Sick Definition of Fun. It seems Mr. Dimonick (v,g,k) and company, Carmen Capozzi (d,v) and J.P. (b,v), are making quite an impact in their locale with their hard driving rock. Equal parts mascara-laden glam and swaggering punk could best describe Dimonick's sound, only a bit heavier. Sick Definition of Fun is rough and tumble stuff, but there's plenty of substance.

First, the production is crisp, better than expected for a self-promoted project. Second, J.P. and Capozzi make for an imposing rhythm section: energy coupled with precision. However, with the band his namesake, the principal of attention is Dimonick himself. He's a strong vocalist and even better lyricist, but an average guitarist (don't look for many solos here). In combination with the music, he reminds of a harsher, heavier Alice Cooper over some echoes of Wednesday 13.

Overall, the sound is raw and edgy, and I'm guessing, when played live, loud enough to make ears bled in the balcony. Actually, most every song here are whiskey shooting, balls busting, knobs to 11 rockers, with Life Imitates Porn and Bloodbaths in America two of the nastier contributions. And Dimonick makes sure you 'get it' with fiery vocal swagger. Yet, SDoF can take a more melodic tone as well with the radio-friendly, Make You Famous.

While previous outings were merely below the belt party rock for a strip club, Sick Definition of Fun is contrary as Dimonick puts his lyrical pen to some serious, but elusive, social commentary. He tackles sex and porn exploitation on Porn Imitates Life, our culture's obsession with violence on Bloodbaths in America, and media hype in Make You Famous. Much is well said. However, much of this is also negated when Dimonick invokes sexploitation, misogyny, and violence within Wish You Were Dead. This makes Dimonick no different or better than Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, and that is sorry company to keep. But such is rock and roll.

Dimonick and company round out the disc with a bonus, a hard hammering rendition of Billy Joel's It's Still Rock and Roll to Me from his Glass Houses album. I wonder what it may have sounded like if Dimonick would have found a sax player?

In the end, Sick Definition of Fun is a solid effort from Chip Dimonick and company: edgy, energetic, and biting hard rock. Losing his first name for a band title and offering a blazing lead guitarist as a fourth musician, allowing Dimonick to stick to his vocals and lyrics, could push this band to greater heights. Recommended.

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In Short

In the end, Sick Definition of Fun is a solid effort from Chip Dimonick and company: edgy, energetic, and biting hard rock. Offering a lead guitar as a fourth musician, and allowing Dimonick to stick to his vocals and lyrics, could push this band to greater heights.

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