Nerf Herder - Nerf Herder (CD)

All Music Guide

Nerf Herder is your typically atypical loony "underground wiseass joke record turns into a pop single and record deal" story: Guitarist Parry Gripp, drummer Steve Sherlock and bassist Charlie Dennis christen themselves Nerf Herder (from a line in The Empire Strikes Back), put together a goofy, three-chord, nerd-rock rant about how life just hasn't been the same without ol' David Lee Roth called "Van Halen," press a few singles for some friends, a DJ hears it, FM rock radio (including Howard Stern) loves it, and a major record label signs them to record a full album. Nick Lowe. The pathetic tale of a guy apologizing for all the trouble he's caused a girl since she dumped him, "Sorry" is an absolute hoot: "Sorry I showed up at your party...sorry I drank all your Bacardi...sorry I had sex with your sister...sorry I crashed through your window on acid." And "Van Halen," the song that started all the trouble, is tight and well-crafted: the vocal harmonies in the chorus are just so Van Halen..., supporting the lyrics, "Can't you hear Jamie cryin'? / She's runnin' with the devil"; and digging at former lead singer Sammy Hagar, "Dave lost his hairline / But you lost your cool, buddy / I can't drive 55 / I'll never buy your lousy records again / Never again, never again..." An absolutely great party record. - Chris Slawecki, All Music Guide Read more Less