As Cruel As School Children

08/25/2006 9:00 PM, LAUNCH
Rob O'Connor

Hip-hoppers who prefer live instruments over loops and samples, or young punks with a developed sense of rhythm? Either way you hear it, Geneva, NY’s (that’s upstate!) Gym Class Heroes have a fearless sense of fun coursing through their latest concoction of teen angst and sleek grooves. MC Travis “Schleprok” McCoy and drummer Matt McGinley forged their friendship under the intense pressures of their high school gym class back in 1997, officially forming the group in 2001. Produced by S*A*M (Method Man) and Sluggo (session bassist Dave Katz) and co-produced by Fall Out Boy singer Patrick Stump, School Children has “crossover” appeal written all over its 14 tracks that include several joke asides sandwiched between. Experienced vets of rockist venues from industry showcase SXSW to the Warped Tour, GCH mostly keep their beats hard. “Clothes Off!” trips on dancefloor moves and ambiguous nudity ambitions. And when they do opt for making love and not war, it’s with an impressive assurance (“Viva La White Girl”) that says whatever game these boys play, they play to win.