From the very first notes of "Fill Your Tank," this band lets you know that you are in for a high-octane musical experience. OK, but what does that really mean, you ask. Well, you've got Bates, who plays guitar parts that border punkabilly and blues. Then there is the driving rhythm section of sCare-oline on the doghouse bass and JT Brander on drums. Add backing vocals by Jenn Chycoski and Little Miss Risk in a cabaret style. Now blend all those parts in some very uptempo tunes and what you have is a general overview of Bangtown.

From one song to the next, the band experiments with various different sounds. "Hotrod Blues," "Pawnshop Halo," and "A Hard Line" feature some prominent banjo that will make you tap your toes. "Bikini Falls" features some marimba and organ that sounds like it is straight out of the late 60s. And then there is track 9. If this song doesn't get your fist pumping, I'm not sure what will. Why is that? Because track 9 is an incredible cover of "Breaking the Law." Seriously, you might want to put this on repeat.

Bangtown is a very enjoyable album. It will definitely get you moving and singing along. Bates tells a good story and plays a pretty mean guitar. In fact, all of the musicians on this album are really solid and they deliver a raw, gritty sound. My only problem with the album is that at 36 minutes, it's too short. But then, that's just the band following the show-business axiom "leave them wanting more." If you are a fan of Black Keys or Jon Spencer (including Heavy Trash), you would do well to pick up this album.

Gary Schwind - Orange County Music Examiner (Nov 2009)

With the passing of Lux Interior (and with him the Cramps) onto that great cavestomp in the sky, it's comforting to know that guys like Big John Bates are more than willing to keep the garage rockin' sound alive. They even use the same configuration as the Cramps; a stripped-down three-piece. Make no mistake, Bates and crew are more than worthy to keep the dream alive, and even one day challenge for the throne.

Bangtown rips, tears and blazes through 13 rockin' little numbers perfect for your next rcck'n'roll burlesque party, esepecially the Keyhole Lens Revue. Tattoos and 40-ouncers are welcome, but you gotta check the switchblades and broken glass at the door.

Dan "the Mouth" Lovranski - CHARTattack (JUNE 2009)

For the fourth time Big John Bates entertains the world with an album that mixes Rock n Roll, Blues and Punk! Straight from Vancouver, Canada the band presents on Bangtown 13 tracks fueled by whiskey, murder and motorcycles! Don't be fooled by sCare-oline's upright bass or Big John's Gretsch guitar, this ain't no rockabilly band. With one foot in Memphis and the other on 42nd Street, BJB have punked out the Hotrod Blues and wrapped it up in a cabaret from Hell.

Live the band is a big spectacle and believe me on CD they are equally good. From opener “Fill Your Tank” you feel the adrenaline pushed music going though your veins! “Skin & Guts” or “Bangtown” lively feed the need for more adrenaline but it’s on Murdercycle all veins explode in an instrumental extravaganza. “Bikini Falls” is the romantic moment on the album! A down tempo tune that clearly shows influences from The Cramps, Reverend Horton Heat, the Stray Cats and even Tom Waits. “Breaking the Law” brings a cover version of the Judas Priest tune, but in all honesty I do favour their self penned songs. Take for instance a good listen to “Rattle On” of “ Devil May Care” and you’ll know what I mean. These are exuberant and creative tunes that really add something to the scene!

Live the band is accompanied with the number one burlesque group in Canada, the Voodoo Dollz, who creates together with Big John Bates a complete spectacle from hell! In the studio Big John Bates (Vocals & Guitars) and his fellow partners in crime sCare-oline (Upright Bass) and Jt Brander ( Drums) are helped out with a bunch of musicians performing on mandolin, pedal steel or accordion. Bangtown is by all means a modern version of Rock n Roll Exotica! Full of exiting tunes and adventurous sounds this one is a real feel good punk and roll album.

Mr. Blue Boogie - BillyBOP.be (MAY 2009)

Musically ... Bangtown puts Big John Bates in the company of the Reverend Beatman, Social Distortion, the Cramps & Brian Setzer!

Dynamite Magazine (July 2009)

German & Dutch language reviews (generally mis-categorized) - translate at will ... http://www.translate.google.com/translate_t#

PUNX - 8/10: http://www.punx.nl/nl/artikelen/1/3812/Album_review_Big_John_Bates__the_Voodoo_Dollz_-_Bangtown.htm
POWERMETAL - 7/10: http://powermetal.de/review/review-Big_John_Bates/Bangtown,13812.html
WHISKEY SODA: http://www.whiskey-soda.de/review.php?id=22639
ROCKTIMES: http://www.rocktimes.de/gesamt/b/big_john_bates/bangtown.html
BILLYBOP 4/5: http://www.billybop.be/admin/CDdetail.asp?ID=8003
HEAVYHARD: http://www.heavyhardes.de/review-5220.html
AUDIOCASE: http://www.audioase.de/news.php?sec=left&item=0_0&news_id=101
FLYING REVOLVER: http://www.flying-revolver.net/main.php?page=einzeldokument&dokument_id=1368&layout_id=
CEAZEWRE - 70/100: http://www.crazewire.de/rezensionen/big-john-bates/bangtown/948/