Scarcity of Tanks is a Cleveland-based project helmed by Matthew Wascovich since 2004 with a revolving cast of noisy characters. On Vulgar Defender, the most recognizable of these may be Weasel Walter – drummer of the Flying Luttenbachers and lately of several New York-based free-music ensembles – who actually plays bass on this record. The other band members are ringers to an almost-equal degree, and the quintet is really pretty much a backing band for Wascovich, who acts as lead singer and instigator here. The group careens through pounding, squally post-hardcore numbers as Wascovich recites rock poetry, with the guitars creating an admirable degree of chaos. Veering between noise breakdowns and precise grooves, Scarcity of Tanks could be the hardcore equivalent to Factums’ deranged post-pop, in the sense that it’s a planned, well-orchestrated assault that sounds fairly amateurish on the surface.
