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If pop punkers Green Day ever decide to give up fame and the attentions of MTV, and embrace Christ, they would sound a lot like Side Walk Slam.  Past Remains would not be out of place in a CD mix with Green Day, MxPx, Ghoti Hook, or early 90’s band Ned’s Atomic Dustbin.

The title, Past Remains, is in reference to the things that hold to us after conversion--the importance they once had and the lingering feelings that they carry.  “Another Day” is a song written from the view of a non-Christian who realizes his need for Christ but can’t find it in himself to submit. 

Perseverance and marriage are recurring themes as well.  “Yesterday’s Actions, Tomorrow’s Regrets” details the struggles and rewards involved in staying pure until your wedding day, while “Not Getting Off” is lead singer Marcuss Hall’s promise to his wife that they will work through any situation, no matter how bad it seems. “Holy Matrimony” is his proposal set to music.

A few of the tracks edge into the hardcore area but maintain a punk sensibility.  “Eve” stands out among them, and is the story of a man led astray by a woman and her charms.  The closing track, “Everyday" is as close as Side Walk Slam will get to writing a praise chorus, and reminds us of our constant need for God.

Past Remains doesn’t break any new ground musically, sticking to the punk ethic of fast, loud guitar chords, pounding bass, and steady, repetitive drumming, but it’s a fun listen.  With no one in the trio over the age of 21, their future should be bright.

Brian A. Smith 10/14/2001

Side Walk Slam is one of the plethora of new punk bands signed recently by Tooth and Nail records. They seem to get younger and younger all the time (either that or I am getting older, hmmmm).  Side Walk Slam is a trio of early twenty somethings in genre dominated by, well, early twenty somethings. Can they separate themselves from the rest of the similar bands on their own label let alone the rest of the industry?

Past Remains is the first label release for Side Walk Slam. They put out several independent releases over the last few years. It's your straight forward punk rock album. Melodic, melodic, melodic, hardcore, melodic… for 17 tracks at about 2 minutes each. There is nothing musically or lyrically that jumps out, but it is put together solidly. There are a few standouts on this disc. The opener, "Yesterday," is a solid track. The best song on the record is "I’ll Be Waiting at the South Side Tracks."

I see you in a distance you're standing with a smile now
I haven't seen your face in so long you say I'm good and ready
now that I stand so steady but I think you are so wrong

Matthew Riddle  11/23/2001