Something Fierce “Don’t Be So Cruel” 2011. Dirtnap Records. Funky bass-forward pop-punk/power pop via Texas. Yet another pull from the pile I collected after Dirtnap Fest this past summer in my quest to have at least one release from each performer. Don’t Be Cruel is Something Fierce’s second of two LP’s; they’ve also released a couple of 7″/EP’s. I totally dig the melodic bass, performed by Niki Sevven (who was also in The Busy Kids; real name Niki Williamson). I think I remember her being a totally dynamic performer at Dirtnap Fest; she may have been the artist who brought her early elementary-age kid to the festival (the kid was great, chilled with big headphones on the whole time: way better behaved than my kid would have been at that age). One of my favorite tracks that showcases that bass is the Clash-inspired “Future Punks.” There’s Clash-strains throughout the entire record – always a good thing. Even song titles like “Afghani Sands” feel like they could have named by Joe Strummer. Other great tracks include the title track and album opener “Don’t Be Cruel” and the super-punchy (and another Clash dead-ringer) “Bad Choice.”