NWOBHM stalwarts Tysondog return with their latest collection of riffery – ‘Midnight’. The band enjoyed some limited success back in the 80s while being signed to Neat records (Venom etc). Since then, the band have been side lined with health issues inflicted on the original vocalist Clutch Carruthers (that’s never his real name) after he had a very serious car accident.
The band regrouped in 2008 and since then there have been more lineup changes, new vocalist Alan Ross (a much more sensible name) is the latest recruit. The band has recently signed with a new Danish label From the Vaults and Midnight is Tysondog’s debut release on the label. The album is well recorded and has some solid performances. These are by far the only positives….
Vocalist Ross has a touch of Blaze Bayley about his voice, it gets annoying after a while if I’m honest. The band are fine musos though and there’s some great playing here. It’s all a bit metal by numbers though, and there isn’t really a riff or melody that has stuck in my head. Tracks like opener ‘Battalion’ just drift on by in the background, double bass drums, generic riffs, and lyrics about war (yawn) are the order of the day. Saxon are the masters of this metal genre, unfortunately, Tysondog are just a pale imitation. Leave it to the big boy’s lads. The rest of the album just plods on, the title track has a few mildly interesting moments, but mostly it’s justuninspiring.
A very forgettable album that doesn’t really get out of second gear. Disappointing
It’s Been a long time coming but JD & the FDCs are playing a live show after several years in mothballs. The place is Nottingham Rescue Rooms and it’s this coming Saturday. RPM Online has a pair of tickets to give one lucky person in our RPM Online / JD & the FDCs competition.
Head honcho JD has done a little video trailer with the question. If you know the answer and want to be in with a chance to win the tickets then email us at RPMHQ rpmonlinetcb@yahoo.com – no later than 22.00 pm Thursday 30th June when the competition will be closed. We will then contact the lucky winner with a pair of Digital Tickets for the show Just give us the answer and we will email asap. It’s a flash competition with 24 hours to enter – simple as that. Be in it to win it – Get on it kids.
The legendary King’s X, comprised of dUg Pinnick, Ty Tabor & Jerry Gaskill, are pleased to announce the release of their 13th studio album ‘Three Sides of One’ on the 2nd September 2022. This is their first new music in 14 years Hit the link to ‘Let It Rain’.
“Better Than Saturday Night”, from the new album ‘Wrong Side of Paradise’, out 20th January, 2023. Pre-order now on signed CD, limited edition coloured vinyl, special collector’s sets and more Here
The Album, featuring 11 tracks, was recorded in the Autumn of 2021 at Studio 606 in Northridge California and Toochtoon Sound in Redmond Oregon with producer and longtime BSR associate, Jay Ruston.
With Ricky Warwick on Lead Vocals / Guitar, Robert Crane on Bass, Christian Martucci on Guitar and drummer Zak St, John, the band will release their first single and video entitled “Better Than Saturday Night” (with backing vocals from Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott) TODAY June 6th 2022.
The video features a lightning-hot performance from the four-time UK Top 25 band, and teases the watcher into suspecting a standard rock video cliché before flipping it on its head with the entrance of the rough’n’tough Roller Derby Dolls.
Ricky Warwick: ““Better Than Saturday Night” is a feel-good, uplifting tune about staying strong in the face of adversity, being true to yourself, and the power of positivity. I wrote it for my kids, but subliminally I think I also wrote it for myself and everyone for those days when we need to find a little bit of extra strength.”
He continues: “We wanted to reflect the positivity, power, attitude and strength to endure sentiment in the lyrics of the song. And no better way to do that than Black Star Riders rockin’ out with the Los Angeles Roller Derby Dolls.”
About the album Ricky adds “I am very proud of this record, Black Star Riders fifth release and the first with our new and exciting relationship with Earache Records. As with all BSR albums, ‘Wrong Side Of Paradise’ is an anthemic statement of intent, driven by ferocious guitars and thundering drums. I can only write about my own personal experiences, my families, my friends and how I see a world that is unraveling and changing faster than we can comprehend. That being said, I’m a firm believer in the power of positivity, something that echoes throughout this album”
Tour dates to support the album release are as follows –
Monday 13th February Nottingham, Rock City Wednesday 15th February Norwich, UEA Thursday 16th February Ipswich, Corn Exchange Friday 17th February Manchester, O2 Ritz Saturday 18th February Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill Sunday 19th February Leeds, O2 Academy Tuesday 21st February Cardiff, Tramshed Wednesday 22nd February Bristol, O2 Academy Thursday 23rd February Glasgow, SWG3 Friday 24th February Newcastle, O2 City Hall Sunday 26th February London, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Rock legends Def Leppard celebrate their massive impact on rock history with their 45th anniversary in 2022! To commemorate this brilliant occasion, the award-winning Swedish liquor producer – Brands For Fans – is releasing not one, but two premium gin products.
With this Def Leppard gin portfolio, Brands for Fans aims to embody one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most legendary and influential bands, adding to their legacy. These gins are named after two songs on Def Leppard’s iconic album Hysteria: “Animal” and “Rocket.” Both superior quality products, expertly created by globally recognised in-house master blender Daniel Henriksson, these gins will certainly deliver a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle into the homes of both life-long fans and spirits, connoisseurs!
Brands for Fans worked with Epic Rights, a licensing agency of Def Leppard, to develop these products.
Def Leppard ‘Animal’ is a classic London Dry Gin with a high intensity of flavours. The grain-based distillate is heavy with juniper, lemon, and botanicals. It is spicy, big, and bold and has all the classic gin characters you should expect in a London Dry Gin. This gin’s label design is inspired by the hit single “Animal” from the album Hysteria.
Def Leppard ‘Rocket’ is a premium distilled gin with a high intensity of flavors. Also, with this gin, the grain-based distillate is bold with juniper and herbaceous tones. Taking inspiration from the lavender labyrinths in Sheffield (Manor Lodge), and to get an even more developed experience of botanical character, additional flavors of lavender and lemon are macerated and blended with the distillate. There are no added sweeteners, ensuring the purest quality of liquid. The label design is based off the hit single “Rocket” from the album Hysteria.
Make sure to get “Rocked” with these two Premium Gins! Tasting profile Def Leppard – ‘Animal’ London Dry Gin:
Color – water clear
Nose – intense aromas with clear character of juniper, herbs and citrus
Palate – spicy, big, lots of flavor with clear tones of juniper, lemon peel and herbal character Finish – complex, full bodied and long lasting. Elegant, well balanced and dry finish
Following on from the success of last year’s “I’m A Believer” CD single, which reached the Top 10 of the UK Heritage Chart, Finnish label Woimasointu will release a new double “A” side 7 inch vinyl single from The Boys on Friday 8 July 2022.
The single will come in three different versions including two Special Limited Editions.
Version One: “SHE’S THE REASON” c/w “(There Ain’t No) Just One Beer” & “I’m A Believer”. Green vinyl with free Boys sew on patch and new picture sleeve, individually numbered 1-100.
Version Two: “I’M A BELIEVER” c/w “She’s The Reason” & “(There Ain’t No) Just One Beer”.Blue vinyl individually numbered 1-100.
Version Three: “I’M A BELIEVER” c/w “She’s The Reason” & “(There Ain’t No) Just One Beer”.Regular black vinyl issue.
Copies of all three versions of the single are currently available to order in advance from Woimasointu Records by emailing Hannu at info@woimasointu.com
*To promote “She’s The Reason” a new promo video of the single has been recorded, featuring The Boys legendary rhythm guitarist/vocalist Honest John Plain. The video is due to be released on 18 July.*
*The Boys will be performing electric & acoustic sets at Rebellion 2022 – They will also be interviewed on the Literary Stage at 7.50pm on Thursday 4 August*
It’s got to be close to two and a half years since many of us originally purchased tickets for tonight’s show. Such are the unprecedented circumstances that tonight’s headliner is now touring a completely different album to the one we would have seen him touring originally, but such is the sense of joy that surrounds us all tonight that this is all finally happening I bet Jesse could have played a set of countrified acoustic Clash covers (more of which later) and no one would have batted an eyelid.
Tonight’s line up is indeed an all-acoustic affair, and I’ve never seen the Le Pub stage look quite so barren, resembling something more akin to the set up for a stand-up comedy show than a rock show. But rock it most certainly does (there’s an obvious Val Doonican gag right there but tonight I’m bigger than it), especially when we have local lad James Mattock opening up proceedings. James, you may or may not know, has been in bands such as White Trash, The Computers and Sharks and is currently fronting post punk outfit The Violent Hearts. So, to see James sans band (and normally a quite raucous one at that) is something of a unique situation indeed, however as soon as he opens his mouth any initial concerns I may have had about him maybe not connecting with an audience here largely to enjoy music with (shall we say) a more American bent, are promptly put to bed.
Yes, the largely all new set of songs are pretty much unknown to both myself and the audience, but that doesn’t stop James from receiving very healthy applause for his repertoire, which subject matter wise ranged from songs specifically designed for the lovers in the audience through to his rather obvious (and quite understandable) loathing of Tory politicians, something which manifests itself in the shape of the glorious gothic loop pedal driven tirade that is ‘The Lure’. There are times during James’ relatively short set when I can still clearly hear the underlying punk influence, but this is all topped off with a pop sensibility that actually has me thinking of Dog Man Star’ era Suede, especially during the sombre ‘Anything But Evil’.
Apparently, the songs aired tonight are going to be forming the base for the next Violent Hearts album, which on the strength of this performance promises to be a very interesting proposition indeed.
Having already received a rave review on these hallowed pages from brother Ben Hughes I have to admit that the prospect of seeing a singer/songwriter probably more at home in the surroundings of the Grand Ole Opry than CBGB doesn’t exactly fill me with excitement, but then as I’ve never seen Kelley Swindall live before I’ve never experienced the absolute joy her music can bring to an evening. Straight out of NYC but born and raised in the American south Kelley’s live show is (structure-wise at least) not unlike tonight’s headliner, in so much as its not just about the songs, but the story behind those songs, so forgive me if I almost choke on my beverage when set opener ‘Alight Alright’ has Kelley quoting Milton and talking about life’s many paradigms. I mean this is Le Pub right? All joking aside, this balls out approach immediately has me won over, even before a note is honked on the spit ruined first harmonica of the night. The storytelling brings a real punk rock spirit to the likes of ‘Spring Street Dive’ whilst during ‘Refuse to Be Blue’ Kelley clearly wears her Georgia-born heart on her sleeve, sounding not unlike a modern-day Patsy Cline.
There’s a point during ‘You Can Call Me Darlin’ If You Want’ where you could hear a pin drop, such is the power of Kelley’s performance (and I must give credit to tonight’s audience who were in the very best of order for all three acts) and what better way to end a show than by celebrating the fact we are all, whether we like it or not, going to die. Kelley Swindall made many new friends here tonight, myself included and I’m sure she’ll make many more as her UK tour extends through to the middle of July.
Author: Johnny ‘Honky Tonk’ Hayward
Jesse Malin is a performer that can do this live business anyway, anywhere, anyhow. Be it rockin out with a band or with his buddy Derek Cruz on keys and guitar or all on his lonesome. I’ve seen him do all permutations and in all sorts of venues from intimate clubs like tonight or in a field at Hyde Park or in bigger venues and he never gives less than 100% with varied sets of deep cuts and crowd-pleasers Jesse is an awesome performer with a heart as big as Manhatten and it beats out the rhythm any pace he wants.
Tonight is the opening night of his tour that takes in Glastonbury and with himself and Derek Cruz taking to the stage at 9.15 prompt Jesse was one of the first Americans to fly the nest post covid and along with his band turned in the finest live performance of 2021 bar none. Tonight whilst it was stripped back to the duet it was nonetheless powerful as he flew through his repertoire of solo records dipping in with stories that both made us laugh and with his tributer to the recently departed legend that was Howie Pyro before dedicating ‘Broken Radio’ to our fallen brother. His introduction was heartfelt, sincere and truly emotional and it was an inspired choice to dedicate to Howie. RIP.
The evening kicked off in style with ‘Hotel Columbia’ followed by a chilling rendition of ‘Cigarettes And Violets’ and you could hear a pin drop from the packed-out audience who to be fair were a refreshing School night crowd who were respectful for Malin & Cruz and there was pretty much no chatter and very little mobile phone distractions just people taking snaps which is cool. the pair cooked up a rousing rendition of the Pogues classic ‘Fall From Grace With God’ before dipping in to the pre covid album ‘Sunset Kids’ and the beautiful ‘Room 13’. The pair were locked in and creating some majestic sounds between them as the first of the Covid ‘Sad And Beautiful’ record as ‘Crawling Back To You’ was aired as Malin said the last time he saw Tom Petty was days before he passed away it was his last ever performance. The stories were coming thick and fast and really added weight to the songs before they were played. ‘Turn Up The Mains’ rocked and Rolled even without the electric band kicking it out of the speakers.
Jesse then aired a golden oldie in the shape of ‘Wendy’ from the superb debut. Malin also alluded to a rerelease of the debut with bonus tracks etc even though One Little Indian re-issued this as a double album in 2016 I’ll happily take it with new fresh ears on some of his finest post D Generation tunes. It was then Malin told us about his time spent with Howie Pyro and his emotional recollections of their time spent in NYC and JEsses feelings when he found out he passed whilst Jesse was touring Europe. It added weight to the evening and some extra depth to an already awesome song in ‘Broken Radio’ the single that featured Springsteen which also came with a pretty humorous tale about its release.
‘She Don’t Love Me Now’ was a song I always thought was when Malin really hit the Strummer vein in feel more than anything else maybe as he was writing it Strummer tuned in his antenna from his celestial Ghetto Box and sent PMA over the ether. With time ticking on and Cruz moving from piano to guitar adding different flavours to the sweet music we were getting ‘The Year I was Born’ sounded beautiful and countrified. It was easy to get lost in the music tonight another of those “Special” Jesse Malin nights its becoming a thing.
I absolutely love his last studio album and tonight ‘State Of The Art’ never sounded so damn good and it was weird that there were only two of them on stage and no rhythm section kicking this one down the line. We had a fake end of the set before the fake encore where we’re treated to a bit of acoustic boogie as ‘Meet Me At The End Of The World’ made way for a rather splendid rendition of the Mick Jones classic ‘Stay Free’ before leaving us with ‘Solitare’ that was played to an epic respectful silence, spellbinding stuff.
These are weird times kids but it’s fantastic that we still have regular visits from artists as talented as this, who roll into town, do their thing sprinkle a bit of Rock n Roll magic, kick out the jams then get the hell out of dodge but, promise to return with a band in tow and play the whole of the debut album. Bring it on I say and I’m already counting down the days. It’ll be another emotional evening and 100% entertaining and 100% PMA paid on til the next time. Brilliant stuff, I love live music I do.
“Return of The Barbie-Q-Killers” is the long-awaited sequel of the 1994 “Barbie-Q-Killers”, which means more obscure punk track covered by Sator. “Return of The Barbie-Q-Killers” is the band’s tribute to bands like Redd, Kross, Devo, Blitzkrieg Bop, 999, The Waves, Pointed Sticks, The Undertones, The Boys, Zero boys, The Last, Unnatural Ax, White Flag, Screamers, The Go-Go’s, The Young Lords, Darby Crash Band, The Normals and many more! * Comes on a 24 track CD and 29 tracks double vinyl ! * Super dedicated and supportive worldwide fan base * Mix and mastering by Henryk Lipp @ Music-A-Matic (Millencolin, Sator, Union Carbide Prod, Thåström, The Nomads, Kent, Randy, D.A.D, Soundtrack of our Lives, The Knife and more) * Produced by Sator & Chips Kiesby (The Hellacopters, Sahara Hotnights, Thåström, Mimikry, Bonafide and more).
Not long after announcing some cracking reissues, one of Sweden’s finest rock bands have now released their second covers album. In 1994 Sator released the much-loved ‘Barbie-Q-Killers’, and now, all these years later, have finally followed it up with the aptly-named ‘Return of The Barbie-Q-Killers’, delivering another deep dive into a variety of “obscure punk songs”.
‘Return of The Barbie-Q-Killers’ is the band’s tribute to bands such as Redd Kross, 999, The Undertones, The Boys, White Flag, The Go-Go’s, The Normals and many, many more – and far more obscure! In fact, there are an incredible 24 tracks on this CD (with 29 apparently on the vinyl record version!).
While it would take too long to going through all the songs here (many of which are indeed very alternative), you can rest assured that the album is everything that Sator fans would want, especially those who have been waiting a long time for this covers sequel. Particular highlights are the two first singles – ‘Get Out of My Way’, originally by Blitzkrieg Bop, and a superb cover of The Katrina & The Waves’ ‘Brown-Eyed Son’, which has prompted me to review my own opinion of that band.
There is of course a cover The Boys in here, and ‘Backstage Pass’ sounds as glorious as one might expect. This record does a good job of giving some air time to a lot of forgotten or generally unknown songs, and it’s an album the fans have been waiting a long time for. Now they’ve finally got it – and I know they’re loving it.
Due sometime in August or September the long wait is finally over for the Gunfire Dance album on vinyl for the first time. Easily one of the finest bands of their generation Gunfire Dance had it all except for the breaks. ‘Witness To The Crime’ will see some of the band’s finest songs on vinyl LP for the first time through Easy Action Records. It features twelve tracks from the incredible ‘Blue’ through ‘Burning Ambition’ and ‘Suit And Tie’. If there is one album you should pre-order then this is it. Snooze you loose, this is a limited pressing
UP THE BRACKET 20th ANNIVERSARY 2LP, 2CD, DIGITAL & BOX SET(featuring 65 previously unreleased recordings)RELEASED OCTOBER 21ST 2022LIVE SHOWSManchester / London / Bristol / Cardiff / Edinburgh+ 4 UK Festivals
To celebrate the release of their astonishing debut album, Up The Bracket, The Libertines are releasing a 20th Anniversary Edition on multiple formats, through Rough Trade, on October 21st 2022.
In addition to a remaster of the original Up The Bracket album, produced by Mick Jones (The Clash), the Super Deluxe Edition also includes a remarkable 65 previously unreleased recordings including many original demos, radio sessions and live recordings all helping to chart the making of Up The Bracket, plus a live recording from the 100 club in 2002. It also contains a 60 page book with a foreword by Matt Wilkinson, new interviews with the band by Anthony Thornton and many unseen photos and memorabilia.
To coincide with the release the Libertines will be performing the album in its entirety along with a selection of choice nuggets from their peerless back catalogue. For the Wembley show, for one night only, the band have chosen two of their favourite bands from the class of 2002 to support them – The Cribs and The Paddingtons. Also on the bill will be rising star, and darling of the Arsenal terraces, Louis Dunford, along with recording artist and DJ, Amazonica, on the decks. The full dates are:
JULY
1st Manchester Castlefield Bowl
23rd London Wembley Arena
30th Bristol O2 Academy SOLD OUT
AUGUST
5th Cardiff University Great Hall
8th Edinburgh O2 Academy
The Libertines also appear at four UK Festivals this summer: JUNE 24th Pilton, Somerset Glastonbury Festival SOLD OUTAUGUST6th Bingley Bingley Weekender28th Portsmouth Victorious Festival SEPTEMBER 2nd Coventry Godiva Festival Tickets for all shows are available Here
Up The Bracket 20th Anniversary Edition is available to pre-order Here
Super Deluxe Box set – strictly numbered limited edition of 4,000:
Vinyl ‘Up The Bracket’ (Remastered),’Live at the 100 Club’, 7” blue vinyl ‘Up The Bracket’ and 7” red Vinyl ‘Time For Heroes’ (in their original sleeves), 2 CD’s of Out-takes, Demos, Radio sessions and live recordings, cassette of 20 early demos, DVD including HD versions of ‘Up The Bracket,’ Time For Heroes,’I get Along’ & exclusive bonus footage and a 60 page Book.
Deluxe Double Vinyl, ‘Up The Bracket’ (Remastered) and ‘Live at the 100 Club’ on black and Indie store exclusive on red vinyl.
Deluxe Double CD, ‘Up The Bracket’ (Remastered) and ‘Live at the 100 Club’.
Digital download, ‘Up The Bracket’ (Remastered)and ‘Live at the 100 Club’
“And now the end is near and so we face the final curtain”… or something like that. After completing the A-Z and then having a bazillion compilation albums come out, Two A-Z complete CD box sets, singles comps, live comps, covers Albums, 10” reissues. It’s certainly been a fantastic time to be a UK Subs fan (Even if it’s been heavy on the bank balance) we’ve arrived at the point where I believe the band has said time is being called on their recording career. Live shows are coming thick and fast and showing no sign of relenting.
If this is indeed to be the final record under the UK Subs monicker for Charlie and the boys then it’s fair to say they are going out in style and leaving us with a piece of work that stands tall next to their very best album and I sincerely mean that because ‘Reverse Engineering’ is an absolute fucking belter.
Charlie sounds better than he has for 20 years (the covid downtime must have helped his voice recover from all those hundreds of shows he didn’t have to sing at and if Alvin was paid by the note he’d be a millionaire. The songwriting is shared out and Straughan steps up and delivers one of my favourite Subs songs for many a year in ‘C60 Audio’ but more of that laters. The middle section of this album is some of the best Subs writing for years with the thumping ‘Hoist The Sail’ with its raw guitar intro and gang vocals as Admiral Harper rallies the shipmates for a battering ram of a verse that hacks and slashes towards the solo. Great stuff. It’s only the starter for the upbeat ‘Kill Me’ I know you wouldn’t think it by the title or the lyrics but the tempo and playing are excellent. It’s one of those happy-go-lucky Subs tracks. ‘Political Amo’ is an Oliver penned track that rushes out the blocks. As you’d imagine it’s a sprightly number with a modern feel to it with a strong melody.
There are a pair of Alvin-sung songs next with a smoldering ‘Slavery’ hitting you like a HGV. If you’re not familiar with Alvin’s style of songwriting now then let’s just say this one is uncompromising and full of big groove as the rhythm is rock solid and Alvin’s vocal is similar to his former employer Mr Pop and if this was to appear as a new Iggy single people would go nuts about it, the reality is, it’s laid to rest at the thick end of a UK Subs album that’s how good this record is.
The UK Subs aren’t signing out quietly with a whimper as ‘Statement’ testifies. They’re out of the trench and taking it to the enemy leading the charge, galloping along with this as the soundtrack again with some mighty fine musicianship with the guitar right up in the mix hacking and slashing away like a maniac – exciting stuff!
It’s not all galloping charging about mind. The intro for ‘The Night Holds The Key’ is low-key and restrained but it’s short-lived. The vocals leading to the chorus are superb and another classic Subs song unfolds. The record signs off with a real thumper written by Charlie. ‘Waiting For Godot’ with a cool verse-chorus set up where the band joins on the title repeat. its a more measured tempo that’s a fantastic way to wrap this album up. Go out with a track every bit as strong as the opener ‘Bad Acid’ that shows the UK Subs are still one of the very best the UK has to offer on studio recordings. They came out swinging over 40 years ago and sign off an incredible catalogue of records with ‘Reverse Engineering’ every bit as vital as at any period of their illustrious career. Trust me when I say ‘Reverse Engineering’ is an essential purchase. Get your mitts on a copy by any means necessary. Superb stuff just Buy it!
Buy Here or for those in the UK Time and Matter have limited copies Here
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