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L.A. GUNS – ‘CHECKERED PAST’ pre sales

L.A. GUNS – ‘CHECKERED PAST’ pre sales

pre-order link – orcd.co/checkeredpast

 

 

Written and recorded in the winter of 2020-2021, ‘Checkered Past’ sees Tracii Guns, Phil Lewis and co continuing with the darker lyrical tone of their previous two studio albums, ‘The Devil You Know’ and ‘The Missing Peace’, while incorporating their classic rock influences into the mix. Heavier songs are mixed with bluesier, boogie inducing tracks and dark, introspective ballads that sometimes hark back to their first three records but always continue to push the band forward. When absorbed as a whole, listeners will also discover that the tracklisting is divided into ‘suites’, where one sonic style is explored across a set of songs before moving on to another, which makes for a remarkable listening experience.

Feeling as inspired and excited as when they first started out, but with years of accumulated wisdom and experience (not to mention a renewed and stronger artistic and personal relationship), Guns and Lewis have also maintained the creative peak that began with 2017’s ‘The Missing Peace’. ‘Checkered Past’ shows off a band totally reinvigorated and ready to wow their followers with epic, slower songs, while others will make them dance and/or bash them over the head!

From their self-titled 1988 debut right up to the aforementioned and widely praised comeback records, Guns and Lewis have always delivered solid rock ’n’ roll to their fans. The current incarnation of their band was also touring non-stop right up until the worldwide pandemic, and the cohesiveness of a well oiled unit – not to mention the stunningly unique vocals of Lewis and mind-bending guitar skills of Guns – are on full display on what is a must hear album for fans both old and new.

Unlike many of their peers, L.A. Guns were never pretty poster boys, but more the sort of outfit you would be terrified to bump into in a dark alley. However, despite having the songs to back up that image, they have also written moving and powerful numbers such as ‘The Ballad Of Jayne’ that prove there have always been serious songwriting chops on display. Those skills can be found in spades on ‘Checkered Past’, which is arguably one of the most vital and exciting releases in their chequered career.

 

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Party Day – ‘Sorted!’ (Optic Nerve)

Party Day – ‘Sorted!’ (Optic Nerve)
The complete studio recordings Remastered from the original master tapes sees 31 tracks spread nicely over a double CD of all of their vinyl releases plus unreleased recordings.  includes their critically acclaimed and highly sought after debut album ‘Glasshouse’ from 1985 and the 1986 follow up ‘Simplicity’.  The lavish booklet is adorned with the artwork from the Glasshouse EP, which features in the Prints & Drawings collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum. 
Formed in 1981. Party Day, with their bass led rhythms and punchy drums along the lines of early Cure who must have been a big influence the band gigged extensively and released their debut single ‘Row The Boat Ashore’ in ’83.
So referencing the Cure is a bit of a give away as the bands Indie Rock with lashings of Gothic overtones will give comparisons to the likes of The Mission or more appropriately Gene Love Jezebel the band grabbed DJ John Peels attention which is never a bad thing and regularly featured in Sounds got tongues wagging.
The follow-up single ‘Spider’ from 1984 again received airplay from John Peel on the BBC and was well received by the national music press with the likes of the NME and Sounds stating – “Mouthy pellets of malevolence” NME “Excellent punk junk howl” Sounds.
The debut album ‘Glasshouse’ was released in 1985 with impressive reviews and has gained the band a decent audience with the indie and post-punk scene. Vinyl copies became collectible, it exchanges hands for decent sums on the second-hand market.
The Glasshouse EP followed later in 85 heralding a more commercial approach and widening appeal.
They followed up ‘Glasshouse’ with their second album ‘Simplicity’ which was released in 1986 and with much the same sound they were clearly more proficient musicians and the live shows had tightened any loose edges. It opened with a more solid rocker ‘She May Be Blind’ which sounds more like Skids meets Joy Division if that makes any sense?  With the bass being more in the mix than the previous album where it sat proudly on top.
The band consisted of; Martin Steele (gtr / vocals), Carl Firth (bass/vocals) Mick Baker (drums), Greg Firth (gtr) [who left in 1982]. The vocal were shared between Martin and Carl. This double CD is a very nice package with an extensive booklet that helps capture a time in the heady mid-eighties and pulls not just the bands two albums but the singles as well.  Martin left due to ill-health and was replaced by Dean Peckett.  Towards the latter half of the eighties just before the band called time on their existence, Carl left and, Paul Nash (of The Danse Society) (gtr / vocals), and Shaun Crowcroft  (bass) joined. They recorded two sessions, but these songs were later abandoned and not released.  Shortly afterwards the band folded.

Sadly Dean Peckett died in 2016, as the band began putting the collection ‘Sorted!’ together.

 

The 2006 release was in response to the resurgence of interest in Party Day through their song ‘Atoms’, which continued to be played at clubs throughout Europe. Since then, there has been further interest in their songs, with more airplay and Livestream shows.  Leads us to the here and now and some Forty Years on from their beginning…mid pandemic 2021 sees the release of ‘Sorted!’ (Optic Nerve Recordings). More than a nostalgic look back to a band who probably deserved more of a profile on the post-punk Goth scene who wrote some really decent songs of which you’ll hear when playing these loving constructed discs particular highlights for me are ‘Career’  from the second album and the Banshee like twist of the rhythmic ‘Carousel’ from the debut album and the darkness and venom displayed on ‘Row The Boat Ashore’  top tunes even now.  Enjoy

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Author: Dom Daley

Video Nasties, Zetra @the Outpost 07/08/21

Video Nasties, Zetra @the Outpost 07/08/21

My first live music as a punter since March 2020 and back to the scene of the crime at Liverpool’s best DIY venue Outpost! If you aren’t acquainted with this establishment, please do check them out.

First up on tonight’s bill are the mysterious Zetra. Blending elements of Goth, Shoegaze and savage parts of Black Metal in it’s nucleus. The sound isn’t perfect at times but the riffs, the synths and the vocals certainly shine through. Sabbath throbbing guitar chops with an 80s keyboard dirge overload with an almost beautiful feedback crescendo hooking the set together. The vocals are sometimes painful, but in a good way; at times leading into a meld with the guitar effects akin to early era deftones.
The headliners of this two band lineup hit the stage with vigour. A much missed sweaty throng. 14 months of frustration, let out in an incredible force. These lads deliver an impressive performance tonight, one that will hold them in great company at Bloodstock 2021 and on European stages when given the chance. On record they showcase their love of John Carpenter esque synths, samples and b-movie love, but live, it is all about the riffs…. riff after blood curdling riff! Please make sure to check them out on their upcoming winter tour!
It’s good to be back at live gigs again, feeling hopeful about the future and this can be maintained and be safe for everyone going forward. If you can, get vaxed, get loaded and check out these bands!
Author: Dan Kasm

Baby Scream – ‘Sad Balloons’ (Baby Scream Records)

Baby Scream – ‘Sad Balloons’ (Baby Scream Records)

From Valencia Spain Baby Scream is a music project orchestrated and led by Juan Pablo Mazzola who first released ‘Lost Balloons’ but now he’s found some and they’re sad but the music contained therein is far from sad (at times).  Kicking off with the T Rex influenced ‘Britney Has Left The Building’ it’s a full blooded slice of Glam rock to kick off this collection of demos and remixes.

 

‘Cheap Perfume’ is a sombre acoustic song that’s in keeping with the collection title. but it’s then followed by a very demo sounding tribute to Nirvana as ‘Fuck This’ is like a cassette recording from a band rehearsal and as if by magic the next tune is indeed a Nirvana cover of ‘I Hate Myself And Want To Die’ that’s recorded using a piano as the lead instrument.  Sounding more like a lost Bowie track from the 70s.  Then to follow it up with a dreamy demo of The Demon Gene Simmons ‘See You Tonight’ which is a trippy journey sounding more like a twisted pop song.

 

The songs take a more sombre turn toward the cover of cool hand luke (Mazzolas favourite film apparently) ‘Plastic Jesus’ which segs into a nice acoustic strum of ‘Underworld’  with its dreamy vocal but this is almost twenty years old.  I guess it’s about time Mazzola knocked out a new record that’s up to date it’s nice to put a full stop to the past and package all these songs away in a nice collection available via the Bandcamp site.

 

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Author: Dom Daley

Bambies – ‘Summer Soon’ (Spaghetty Town Records / Wanda Records)

Bambies – ‘Summer Soon’ (Spaghetty Town Records / Wanda Records)
Bambies are a trio hailing from Montreal, Quebec in Canada. They are a trilingual, tri-national (Canada, France, Costa Rica) band that plays its trade within the Garage rock n power-pop parameters and boy do they do it well.  They might not be the shinest picture postcard but hell they would just about provide the best beach party soundtrack for those unruly kids everywhere.
There is a tonne of grit n dirt under the water of this shoreline and the tunes contained here within are infectious, a bunch of smiles and cheeky grin but this business of Rock and Roll is serious and in that regard, they are smack bang on the money.
The twelve tunes contained behind the picture-postcard kick off on track one ‘Dirty Taint’ with the snotty bounce of The Briefs with the vocals sounding like the reincarnation of ‘Disconnected’ era Stiv.  But don’t vanish before track two (unless you are off to turn it up or fetch more beer) because the title track is a rabid slab of Ramones-inspired bop n roll that contains some rasping gang vocals and a razor-sharp solo.
Bambies have been around for a number of years honing their craft and it looks or rather sounds like it’s really paid off with ‘Summer Soon’.  ‘Echo’ has some bounce in the chorus and an appreciation for the summerness (is there such a word?  there is now) of the handclap.  The global Pandemic hasn’t slowed the band down and probably gave them the chance to finely tune these songs.
‘Party’ is exactly that and does what it says on the tin.  ‘Stuck With You’ has more of that Dee Dee time change feel to the riff and there can never be enough homage to da Bruvers.  You know what?  You can have all the gimmicks in the world but there’s no sub for a banging tune and an LP full of attitude and bands like Bambies appreciate that.  It’s not their job to reinvent the wheel just to roll with it and write as many tunes as they can to the best of their ability and that’s what ‘Summer Soon’  dishes up.
They beef it up a little with the romper stomper of the rapid ‘Go Gore Boy’.    It’s no coincidence that two of the finest labels have jumped on board to bring this record as far and wide as possible so we can all get in on it Spaghetty Town Records in the US and Wanda Records in Europe is where you need to head or the Bandcamp site and get back to us here at HQ to say thanks for the tip-off because there won’t be any complaints other than why didn’t we tell you about these cats sooner.
Postcard-perfect power poppin’ punk rockin’ wish you were here n all that but do yourself a favour because summer is right here right now and this is the soundtrack.

 

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Author: Dom Daley

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

Edmonton’s Real Sickies have released their newest album “Love is for Lovers” via Stomp Records. The band serves up yet another platter full of tasty hooks and punk rock melodies, but this time around with a dash of pop that shows a leap in songwriting craft. Recorded in Edmonton at Rob Lawless’ Physics Lab Studios, the album offers songs that straddle the border between Ramones style aggression and Strokes reminiscent vocal takes. This color-vinyl release includes everything from explosive rockers to heart-wrenching ballads. “Love is for Lovers” is the whole enchilada!    Bandcamp:https://realsickies.bandcamp.com

We aint even kiddin here kids, Sami Yaffa is about to release the record of the year and this is the second video released – check it out and pre order ‘The Innermost Journey To Your Outermost Mind’  released September 3rd  via Vallila Music House & Cargo Records

Finally, something left of center in WolfWolf

Sami Yaffa – Down At St. Joe’s (video)

Sami Yaffa – Down At St. Joe’s (video)

Sami Yaffa has had a unique career as a musician both in Finland and around the world. First in Finland in the band Pelle Miljoona Oy and then as a founding member of the band Hanoi Rocks, with whom Yaffa lived the life of an international rock musician with all its spices. Fortunately for the man, there have been enough callers since Hanoi to keep him busy: Joan Jett and The Blackhearts and Hanoi Rocks’ big influence, the New York Dolls, to name a few were Yaffa’s bands for years before forming a new band with his old Hanoi Rocks partner Michael Monroe in 2009. This collaboration continues, but now Yaffa is also releasing music under his own name.

The second single from Sami Yaffa’s solo album ‘The Innermost Journey To Your Outermost Mind’ will be released. A song called ‘Down at St. Joe’s’ had been sitting in Yaffa’s desk drawer for a long time as a finished composition, but the lyrics were not coming together. Fortunately, Sami’s bandmate from the Monroe band, Rich Jones, came to the rescue.

“Rich had already written some lyrics for my album when I decided to send this song to him. I definitely wanted this song to be included on the album because it differs from the electronic world of the other songs on the album with its down-home acoustic approach. I wanted to raise a glass with the song to thank The Faces, Stones and Dylan for their brilliance and innovation. Eventually, the theme of the lyrics was found to be the king alcohol, its pros and cons and especially how close to a complete collapse one can get if it gets to take a stranglehold on your life. Richie’s ingenious lyrics brought this song to life, and it became one of my favourite songs on the album,” says Sami Yaffa.

 

Sami Yaffa: The Innermost Journey To Your Outermost Mind album will be released on September 3, 2021, in Finland by Vallila Music House and internationally by Cargo Records

 

 

Find Sami Yaffa online at: WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM

Hands Off Gretel announce UK Tour

Hands Off Gretel announce UK Tour

STILL ANGRY / UK TOUR 2021

 

“We are so happy to finally be announcing our UK tour dates. Before Covid-19 we were celebrating the release of our Angry EP. We only played a handful of shows before it got cancelled and then it was rescheduled three times! Soooo … the STILL ANGRY TOUR will go ahead this year and we can’t wait to scream it out with you all. It’s been TOO LONG!”

              LAUREN TATE | HANDS OFF GRETEL

 

HANDS OFF GRETEL have announced their STILL ANGRY TOUR for the autumn of this year. The tour will pick up from where the band left off, promoting the release of their ANGRY EP. Full dates as follows:

 

 

SEPTEMBER

 

Wed       01           YORK                                      Crescent

Fri           03           NOTTINGHAM                      Rough Trade (Sold Out)

Sat          04           BUCKLEY                                Tivoli

Sun         05           BRISTOL                                 Thekla

Mon        06           MANCHESTER                       Deaf Institute (Sold Out)

Tue         07           SHEFFIELD                             Leadmill (Sold Out)

Sat          11           LONDON                               Camden Assembly (Sold Out)

Wed       15           BRIDGWATER                        Cobblestones

Thu         16           BRIGHTON                             Green Door Store (Sold Out)

Fri           17           OXFORD                                 Bullingdon

Thu         23           CARDIFF                                 Clwb Ifor Bach

Fri           24           BIRMINGHAM                      O2 Academy

Sat          25           WAKEFIELD                           Long Division Festival

 

OCTOBER

 

Wed       20           SOUTHAMPTON                   The 1865

Thu         21           NORWICH                             Waterfront Studio

Fri           22           CAMBRIDGE                          Portland Arms

Sat          23           BEDFORD                               Esquires

Wed       27           NEWCASTLE                          Cluny

Thu         28           CARLISLE                               Brickyard

Fri           29           EDINBURGH                          Bannermans

Sat          30           GLASGOW                             Nice N Sleazy

Sun         31           BLACKPOOL                          Waterloo Bar

 

NOVEMBER

 

Wed       24           LEEDS                                     Brudenell Social Club

 

DECEMBER

 

Sat          18           BARNSLEY                             Birdwell Venue

 

 

The three tracks on the ANGRY EP – SHE THINKS SHE’S PUNK ROCK N ROLL, DON’T TOUCH and BIGGER THAN ME – are all live favourites that fans had repeatedly asked the band to release. The EP is available on CD and 10” white vinyl – alongside all major download and streaming platforms – and can be ordered, along with previous releases and merchandise, from: www.handsoffgretel.co.uk

 

 

Talking about the EP at the time, singer Lauren Tate said: “It was great to get into the studio and record some tracks that didn’t make it onto the last album. The Angry EP captures the energy and aggression of our live shows, which is something we totally wanted to do after releasing the album, which has a more polished sound. The EP is honest and raw, just how punk rock tracks should be, and we know these are favourites with our fans so it’s great to finally release them”.

 

For the forthcoming live shows, the band will be adding a couple of new tracks to the set that they’ve worked on post-lockdown. Being located in Bristol, Barnsley and Scunthorpe meant the band went 12 months without seeing one another due to the pandemic. As Lauren says, “It’s been great to finally get back in the rehearsal room and start playing music again together.”

 

WEBSITE                                https://www.handsoffgretel.co.uk/

FACEBOOK                            https://www.facebook.com/handsoffgretel/

INSTAGRAM                          https://www.instagram.com/handsoffgretel/?hl=en

TWITTER                                https://twitter.com/HandsOffGretel

 

 

Pillbox – ‘Jimbo’s Clown Room’ (Yeah Right! Records)

Pillbox – ‘Jimbo’s Clown Room’ (Yeah Right! Records)

Pillbox’s sleaze rock classic from 1993 is on vinyl for the first time. Included in the release are demos long thought lost,   Demos remastered by Rich Jones, and this issue comes in a gatefold jacket with updated original artwork and contains new liner notes from frontman Chris Barry! and not having played this album for many years when I turned the dial I couldn’t understand why it hasn’t been played for a while with those wild Dolls meets the snottiness of Steve Jones courtesy of Ratboy on the geeta. Hacking and slashing like the best of them from the opener of ‘Get Hip’ through the rough and ready beauty of ‘Holly’ it’s a veritable masterclass in sleazy punk n roll.

 

If you’re looking for bedfellows then I’d say the likes of the Sea Hags and maybe a dash of ‘Done With Mirrors’ Aerosmith would be the kinda ballpark Pillbox rolled with but I guess New York also had The Throbs, D Gen, and NY Loose. These band soaked up their surroundings like sponges and poured the spirit into their song like ‘Sister Caroline’ and its dark and brooding vibe,  as it swirls in a cloud of cigarette smoke in a crowded after-hours speakeasy as Barry leads the band through the choppy waters to a triumphant chorus that kicks serious backside and if anything has aged wonderfully well since 93.

 

‘Jimbo’s Clown Room’ was originally released in 1993 on CD via the small NYC imprint Circumstantial, so it’s cool that Yeah Right! has seen fit to resurrect this bad boy on vinyl.

 

I love the mix on this record it really captured the uniqueness of what was happening on the east coast in the early 90s with other hopefuls like The Throbs or the majestic D Generation who were cut from the same cloth.  The big phat bass thumping along in the engine room creating a big sound but not a polished one which is what I loved about it back in the 90s and even more so now.

There is a great ebb and flow to the album and it’s a  shame they only lasted the one record with this lineup but from the cool chords on the opener ‘Get Hip’ to the clattering rush of ‘5000 Miles’ you’d be foolish to pass up owning this record. Live fast and die young like so many other bands they felt the tsunami of grunge yet remained a cool underground classic for Rock n Roll vampires who refused to accept the changing of the guard and knew there would be a resurgence for quality dirty, loud, sleazy Rock n Roll.   It’s cool to hear this record expanded with the four additional tracks that are added, two on the record and two via the Bandcamp app. Long live Pillbox and remember to socially distance when inside Jimbo’s Clown Room.

It’s a limited run so don’t snooze because you wouldn’t want to miss out on this beaut.

 

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Author: Dom Daley

The Wildhearts – brand new single ‘Sleepaway’ with tasty video.

The Wildhearts – brand new single ‘Sleepaway’ with tasty video.

Watch the ‘Sleepaway’ video here, but be warned this is not for the faint-hearted! Based on Ginger’s love of horror and gore movies, it’s a bit… DARK

 The Wildhearts release a brand new single ‘Sleepaway‘, the third single taken from the album 21st Century Love Songs, out September 3rd, 2021 via Graphite Records.
“Sleepaway is a song of hope, of fighting for improvement in ourselves. Locating the area of unhappiness and striving to fix it for a better quality of life. Physically, mentally, emotionally, positive changes can be made. It’s not too late…” exclaims Ginger Wildheart.
To purchase/stream Sleepaway go to: https://ffm.to/sleepaway 
With The Wildhearts classic lineup of Ginger, CJ, Ritchie and Danny still holding strong this creatively brilliant band who helped change the landscape of British rock through the 90’s are showing no sign of slowing down.
21st Century Love Songs is the follow up to Renaissance Men, their highest charting album since 1994’s P.H.U.Q, which debuted at number 11
To pre-order and pre save 21st Century Love Songs go to: https://ffm.to/21stcenturylovesongs
To celebrate the release of  21st Century Love Songs’ The Wildhearts play a 17 date UK tour. The tour will start in Cardiff on Friday 3rd September and concludes in Southampton on Saturday 25th September. Special guests on these dates at various venues include Those Damn Crows for nine of the shows, Raging Speedhorn, The Middlenight Men, Beach Riot, James And The Coldgun and Waco.
Their incendiary live performances over the last few years have seen the band’s popularity hit new heights as The Wildhearts continue to cement their reputation and legacy as one of the best bands the UK has ever produced. 
Live 2021 dates in full 
Festivals
August
13 Fri Bloodstock
Headline Tour 
September 
3 Fri Tramshed (Huggard Rocks), Cardiff
5 Sun Phoenix, Exeter 1
6 Mon Cheese & Grain, Frome
8 Wed Academy 2, Manchester 1, 3
9 Thu Electric Ballroom, London 1, 3
10 Fri Waterfront, Norwich 1, 4
11 Sat Chalk, Brighton 1, 4
12 Sun Madding Crowd, Bournemouth 1,
15 Wed KKs Steel Mill, Wolverhampton 1, 5
16 Thu Guildhall, Gloucester 5
17 Fri Boiler Shop, Newcastle 2, 5
18 Sat Stylus, Leeds 1, 3
20 Mon Mac Arts, Galashiels
21 Tue Tolbooth, Stirling
22 Wed The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen
24 Fri Foundry, Sheffield 1, 6
25 Sat Engine Rooms, Southampton 1, 6
October
1 Fri Great British Alternative Festival, Skegness
2 Sat MK11, Milton Keynes
15 Fri Roadmender, Northampton
16 Sat Cornwall Rocks, Cornwall
17  Sun The Fleece, Bristol
November 
4    Thu       Hard Rock Hell, Great Yarmouth
5 Fri MMH Radio 10 Year Birthday Bash, Birmingham
11 Thu Hedworth Hall, South Shields
12 Fri Monsterfest,  Inverness
December
9    Thu Tivoli, Buckley
10  Fri Brewery Arts, Kendal
11  Sat Georgian Theatre, Stockton
12  Sun Rock City, Nottingham
To purchase tickets please go to: https://bnds.us/yysup1
September special guests 
Those Damn Crows 1 
Raging Speedhorn 2
The Middlenight Men 3
Beach Riot 4 
James And The Coldgun 5
Waco 6