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Long Island – ‘The Freedom of Being Young’ (Self-Released)

Long Island – ‘The Freedom of Being Young’ (Self-Released)

Indie music isn’t the first genre that comes to mind when we think of RPM Online, but there are times a band pops up and leaves such an impression that you want to let others know about them, especially when I know our readers also have diverse tastes. Long Island was a brand-new name for me in the last quarter of 2024. Based in Huddersfield, it appears they released their debut album two years ago which is now on my list of albums to hear. This mini album or EP came out a few months ago. The band had popped up as a YouTube recommendation one night when I was looking for new music. The algorithm on there and I have made some great discoveries over the years, and this has definitely been one of them.

The first songs I heard from this release carried a bit more power to them than others on here. Rhiannon Stephenson’s vocals carry a sense of urgency on the rocking ‘Want It More’ where Cameron Conner lets loose on lead guitar too. That was my first introduction to the band with the follow-up song on this release ‘Get Up and Go’ the next one. Stephenson’s lyrics hit the soul and remind us of times in the past (for me) when we didn’t feel like we were in the right place in life. She feels like the voice inside your head that helps us push forward when we feel the darkness around us. I love the guitar riff in the song, and this one currently stands as my favorite here. There is a pop sheen in the hook of the chorus and a wash of guitar that provides the perfect sonic backdrop for the vocals. Conner’s production and mix is stellar across the entire release.

I would not be recommending this whole EP if the two prior songs were the only standouts here. If we circle back to the beginning, this release starts with the poppy ‘It’s Our Time’ where the band unleash a lush sounding first track to bring casual listeners in to hear more. Ironically, I would say this has been more of a grower for me. Imagine one of the peppier songs by the Cure if they were having a good day and wanted to share the good news. I know that sounds off the wall but try to imagine it or better yet listen to this album. The backing vocals hit a sweet spot here too. Another of my favorites has grown to be ‘Just Another Day’ where the tempo is a swirly slower beat providing Stephenson an opportunity to shine. The organic feel across these songs feels very natural with Jan van Beem’s drums driving the songs and making me want to hear the band live. Bass duties have been split on this release between Jack Peters and Paddy Spence-Lewis.

If you read the title ‘Daydream,’ you may think of something that has a massive pop infusion, and you would not be wrong. If there is one song that does not fully connect with me, it is likely this one, but I don’t think I would be the primary audience here either. It is a solid song for me and one I would more expect to hear in a club before the lights come back on in full again. Things slow down for the beginning of ‘Homewrecker’ which is another emotional powerhouse. Emotion and genuineness drip off Stephenson’s vocals drawing you closer to the speaker. I am reminded of the time I was lucky enough to see the band Rural Alberta Advantage live, when they started a song in a similar manner, and you could have heard a feather hit the ground because of how enraptured the audience was. This song then surges forward in an adrenaline rush and another solid hook.

Those songs lead us back to where we began and then we have the band close with ‘Young,’ a de facto title track. The tempo is again quicker here with the band closing with another winner that can connect with rockers and probably a younger audience who appreciate the more rambunctious offerings of Olivia Rodrigo. The line in the chorus about ‘missing the freedom of being young’ connects with an older person like me and also strikes a similar vibe to Tilly Kingston’s song ‘Youth is Wasted’ in sentiment. I could see the audiences of each artist appealing to the other.

A couple months ago or so, I had never heard of Long Island but was pulled right in as a fan of the band and what they are doing here. It might be the slightly harder songs that brought me into the fold, but it is the entirety of the release that kept me listening to this over and over again. Give Long Island a listen and appreciate what this young band is already doing. I look forward to seeing where they go next.

‘The Freedom of Being Young’ is available now. Buy Here

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Author: Gerald Stansbury

Plastic Tears – ‘Old Treasures And Lost Pleasures’ (Star Trash Records)

Plastic Tears – ‘Old Treasures And Lost Pleasures’ (Star Trash Records)

Whilst purging the late runners and riders of 2024 several EPs landed on the RPM desk that were enjoyed over the festive period and even played on the podcast and one of these EPs happened to be from Scandinavia who’ve been around for ages but has recently gone through plenty of changes and a freshen up so they decided to reintroduce themselves with a bite-size EP where they perform three old tunes and a brand new one as an introduction to the new members and shake off the cobwebs on some old hidden gems.

Joining Miqu, Eco and Kupe are Junza formerly of fishface on guitar and Samer on Bass duties formerly from Lordi so on with the show and opening track ‘Motorhome’ which was originally done in 98 and sounds like it could have been written yesterday. With its carefree guitar lick and happy-go-lucky tempo is a great slice of sleazy Rock n Roll helped with a great production. ‘Bad Ballerina’ is a new song with some bad boy boogie and a fair sprinkling of piano for good measure to add some timeless Rock n Roll to proceedings.

‘Subway’ has a quicker tempo and was originally from Miqus band Indian Giver with plenty of swagger and a bad attitude it has groove and a killer chorus. the EP is closed off with ‘St Babylon’ that’s more Glam Rock than the others with a big hook and was written thirty years ago (Yikes) the breakdown would have seen this a chart bothering tune in the late 80s but we live in very different times in 2025. So there you have it, a new, old EP from Plastic Tears and a process that the band hints at possibly repeating in the future when old songs get a dusting down and reworked for the modern age.

I like Plastic Tears and hopefully, this new lineup can deliver a new LP and who knows some shows in this neck of the woods.

Buy Plastic Tears Here

Author: Dom Daley

Sons of Silver – ‘Runaway Emotions’ (Self Release)

Sons of Silver – ‘Runaway Emotions’ (Self Release)

Great things come to those who wait. I first heard Sons of Silver almost a year ago by my best guess when their video for ‘Tell Me This’ was released.  It has been a long process waiting for their debut full-length album to be unleashed into the world. There were an additional three songs released leading up to the album, with each single building high hopes for the album. The band pull influences from different parts of the rock genre but really bring rock ‘n’ roll in general to the forefront of the conversation.

‘Tell Me This’ kicks off the album and has reminded me a bit of an old band called the Royal Court of China from the 80’s who could never be really put in a specific musical box. The lead guitar (Kevin Haaland) here is excellent and does not let up throughout the song. Vocally, Pete Argyropoulos (also guitar) has a lower tone that may contribute to my musical comparison, but he could also be compared to the likes of Billy Idol or Ian Astbury as he showcases some different tones across the whole album. The previous singles from the album follow in the order they were released so the groovy ‘Just Getting Started’ follows as another punchy singalong winner. It was the third single that originally sent my expectations through the roof as ‘Giving it Back’ recalls the Cult crossed with prime Billy Idol type rock. The guitar work is subtle and masterful through the verses with a chorus that automatically connects with your memory.

As good as the first three singles were though, it is the last single released at the end of 2024 that connects at a primal level. ‘Running Out of Words’ slows the pace a bit and becomes a midtempo rocker that does not waste one second across its six-minute duration. The album always takes me more than its running time to play because this song keeps getting put on repeat. Musically, it builds into a monster of a chorus, and the lyrics really relate to all of us who spend our lives working as hard as we can and encountering tremendous challenges along the way. This song would fit perfectly on classic rock radio stations and modern rock stations. I can safely say this will be one of my favorite songs of the year. Incredibly, the band close out the first half with another gem that doesn’t suffer in the shadow of what comes before it. I would not be surprised to see Little Steven’s Underground Garage make ‘Baby Hang On’ one of its ‘Coolest Songs in the World’ at some point in 2025. The keyboards (Brina Kabler) pop up a bit more here in the mix, and the hand clapping at points in the song are an awesome touch.   

After a monster of a side one, the band faced an incredible challenge to deliver a worthy flipside. ‘Ghosts’ provides a great start with a slow build turning into a rocking song that channels a bit of the 80’s arena sound but with a very modern touch. The rhythm section of Adam Kury (bass) and Marc Slutsky (drums) are another strength as these songs all have a great foundation. It is also worth highlighting that the songs all sound like the same band without sounding like each other. There is a high note hit in the bridge here that gives the song an extra boost before the guitar solo. ‘Nobody Minds’ delivers another quality rocker with my favorite part of the song being the dynamics created by the transition from the verses to the chorus. The band increases the tempo a bit (still rock ‘n’ roll not metal or punk mind you) with ‘Warning Signs’ providing a catchy three-minute blast of fun.

As we approach the final two songs, the band decide there will be no let up in quality across these ten songs. ‘Hold Tight’ is another near six-minute epic that increases in intensity for over a minute before unleashing a melodic blast of a chorus that encourages solidarity with one another. The final minute of the song provides another slow build that ultimately leads to a furious close by Slutsky. The band save the ballad for the final song with the piano led ‘Friends’ providing a perfect close to the album. The subtle changes throughout the song are perfectly done as the lead vocals have great nuances when we transition through the verses and chorus. The band also wisely avoids the power ballad route here and provides just the right amount of build-up through the song.

Sons of Silver have gone for the jugular here with a rock ‘n’ roll album that combines the past, the current, and likely the future into a collection of 10 songs that sit perfectly together. The production work allows the players to shine and stand out in the mix. It’s only January, and I have two albums (Frankie & the Studs for those keeping track at home) that will probably be battling it out at the end of the year with only a few others in a year lined-up with anticipated albums. Check this album out when you get a moment, and, if you don’t have a moment, make the time to have one.

‘Runaway Emotions’ is available now.

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Author: Gerald Stansbury               

Clean Lines – ‘Nuisance’ (Spaghetty Town Records, Ghost Highway Records, Wanda Records)

Clean Lines – ‘Nuisance’ (Spaghetty Town Records, Ghost Highway Records, Wanda Records)

Clean Lines – when Steve E Nix says he wants to join your band you know you must be onto something right? Right Clean Lines are something of a supergroup in underground power pop punk rock circles and in a perfect world, they would be fuckin huge. From the opening slam dance of ‘Nuisance’ through its chaotic party on the patio vibes through the sloppy Thunders soloing it’s a joy to your eardrums. Described as Brat Rock is just about the perfect description for this ensemble of seasoned Rock n Rollas it’s a snotty, confident, joyful romp through four awesome tunes. Sure I’d have loved to hear a whole LP full of this shit but like the old adage says keep it lean and keep em keen and less is more and all of that.

The opener sets the tone and rattling out of the gate hot on the heels is ‘So Sharp’ which is exactly what it is. Sharp in name sharp in nature. You wanna pogo on the spot and you’ll be singing the chorus before the “ooh ahs” are done and the floor tom rattles that backbeat. Majestic stuff. The retro clock is turned back to the mid-70s for some Glitter band handclapping foot stomping thumb in yer jean loop dancing whilst the likes of Sweet n Rockpile fill yer stereo speakers.

We manoeuvre from the sub-two-minute burst of energy in the title track opener to this uber-cool groover that clocks in at over four minutes. Before we sign off with another burst of frantic bratty rock  ‘In The Way’ which is a song that gives you a swift clump around the ear as it flys out the door from the frantic twelve bar to the Chuck Berry licks and one-finger piano plonking its breathtaking stuff and exactly what you need to shake off the cobwebs from Christmas and new years and welcome to 2025 and hopefully, the first of many tunes from Clean Lines.  Just buy it!

Spaghetty Town Records Ghost Highway Records Wanda Records

Author: Dom Daley

The Boys/Marc Valentine – the Exchange, Bristol 11.01.25

The Boys/Marc Valentine – the Exchange, Bristol 11.01.25

Can’t believe its been several weeks since I saw a band live so what better way to break into 2025 than watching The Boys and Marc Valentine in The Exchange in Bristol, the venue with the best PA in all clubland.

Marc opened proceedings with a fine set of souped-up happy-go-lucky Rock n Roll and had the perfect foil in Richard Davies slinging round his telecaster. What you got was two broken strings in one support set, a Happy Birthday to the Bass player and a confident romp through forty-five minutes of great punky power pop played with a swagger because Marc knows he can write a tune or two and the likes of ‘Jinx Of Finchley Road’ and the set closer ‘Last Train Home’ hammered home that very point and I can’t imagine there was anyone in the busy Exchange who wouldn’t have been impressed with what they just saw.

Tracks from ‘Future Obscure’ stood shoulder to shoulder with songs from the more recent ‘Basement Sparks’ and a well-placed cover of ‘Will You Love Me Tomorrow’ seemed spot on. A wonderful support slot and just what was needed to shake off the post-Christmas cobwebs. If you get the chance, go see Marc and his band they’ll entertain and have you chewing out the rhythm on your bubblegum for sure. Excellent Rock n Roll songs delivered with a smile and passion, great stuff.

Onto the main event and the Boys. Now I’ve seen the band over the last couple of decades many many times in all sorts of venues but it has been a few years since we last crossed paths so I was really looking forward to tonight. Joining Matt and Cas on second guitar tonight is Chips Kiesbye as well as longtime Bass player /vocalist Kent and on drums the powerhouse that is Martin H Son.

There was no messing about tonight and the band got straight down to business knocking out classic after classic with only the odd forgotten lyric or missed cue it always makes for a more human and real experience when these things happen and the ban are so relaxed about it and just get on with the job at hand. It’s only after the first dozen or so songs you realise how many bloody quality songs they have in their canon, It ‘TCP’ into ‘See You Later’. ‘Weekend’, ‘Terminal Love’, ‘Soda Pressing’ are all dispatched with aplomb and the appreciative audience is lapping it up.

It’s hard to believe that ‘Punk Rock Menopause’ is over a decade old as songs like ‘1976’, and ‘Organ Grinder’ sit so nicely with ‘Global Warming’ in the Boys catalogue. It’s not until ‘You Can’t Hurt A Memory’ that we get a breather of sorts as the band sounds fantastic be it from actually rehearsing or muscle memory or just Rock n Roll is in their bones but they just deliver the best of times with songs like ‘USI’ then follow it up with the fantastic melodies and harmonies that go into ‘I’m A Believer’.

Cas leads us into the home straight with a raucous Hollywood Brats ‘Tumble With Me’. Martin Signals the final flurry with the awesome beat that gets the hands in the air for ‘Brickfield Nights’ and the audience duly obliges with helping out on the vocals for an exceptional run through ‘Brickfield’. Its heads down for the final romp as ‘First Time’ makes way for a thunderous ‘Living In The City’ before we say adios amigos with Cas taking the lead vocals for ‘Sick On You’. Almost two dozen songs in roughly an hour and a bit delivered with passion and attitude that belies their ages. the Boys are a Rock n Roll phenomenon with a proud catalogue and the ability to still deliver excellent Rock n Roll live without the aid of a safety net or walking aids. It doesn’t happen very often but if you do get the chance go see them, they’ll impress you no question about it. What a top night to break in 2025. Marc Valentine and The Boys Diolch Am Fawr.

Author: Dom Daley

    Peter Doherty New Album and Tour

    Peter Doherty New Album and Tour

    Peter Doherty is delighted to announce the release of his fantastic new album, Felt Better Alive, through Strap Originals on Friday 16th May. The release is Peter’s first solo album in nine years and the glorious rambunctious title track Felt Better Alive is out today as the first single. Felt Better Alive is available to preorder now from: Here

    Peter will be touring, playing 9 ‘Anywhere In Albion’ UK shows, and 7 ‘Felt Better Alive In Europe’ shows. Tickets are available to presave now from Here

    and go on general sale at 10:00am on Friday January 17th. 

    Felt Better Alive will be available on CD, 12” vinyl in limited edition coloured variants, deluxe double vinyl, cassette and digital download with exclusive and signed items from the Official Store:Here

    A limited edition bonus disc, “Bootstrap Sessions”, will be available on vinyl for the first time ever! with songs taken from Peter’s notorious bootleg sessions (2003-2007). The 12 track album includes amongst others:’Killamangiro’, ‘Ballad Of Grimaldi’, ’Lady Don’t Fall Backwards’/‘Bollywood To Batersea’ and ‘Hooligans On E’.

    ‘Felt Better Alive’ is Peter Doherty’s most confident solo collection yet, sprinkled with radiant playfulness, almost innocence at times, shot through with Peter Doherty’s signature melodic nous, quirky poetic realism and visual story-telling gifts.

    The songs began in an idyllic rural setting, the Normandy village where Peter and his family live. Peter enlisted his friend and producer/musician Mike Moore, who’s produced Baxter Dury and plays guitar in Liam Gallagher’s band.

    Peter says of the pedal steel driven song Felt Better Alive: “It’s quite bouncy, quite country. ‘Dredging the mouth of the Humber’ is a line from Hancock [about coagulated sprinkled sugar in the bottom of a bowl of cornflakes]. The chorus I love, ‘And I’d always planned/To sing in a sweet and soulful way as only cowboys can/But my saddle strap snapped like a dog-chewed tourniquet…’It’s an accurate description of how I feel about certain times in my life, y’know? Treasures of the Sierra Mardre: you set off on this mission for the gold and you just ended up lost in the mountains, being hunted by bandits.”

    Anyone preordering the album will be in with a chance to purchase tickets for the UK and Europe Tours in March – May. Peter will also be touring Europe/Australia and Korea with The Libertines in early 2025 and playing two other solo shows in Newport – ICC Wales (8th March) and Antiguel Festival in Geneva (6th April). The full list of solo dates is:

    MARCH

    8th SAT Newport ICC Wales

    ‘Anywhere In Albion’:

    12th WED Wimborne The Tivoli Theatre

    13th THU Birmingham XOYO

    14th FRI Oldham Whittles

    16th  SAT Bristol Trinity Centre

    17th MON Deptford New Cross Inn 

    18th TUE Catford  Blackheath Halls

    20th THU Mansfield Canvas

    21st FRI Watford Palace Theatre

    23rd SUN Newcastle Wylam Brewery

    APRIL

    6th SUN Geneva Antigel Festival

    ‘Felt Better Alive In Europe’:

    26th SAT Paris Le Trianon

    30th WED Amsterdam  Melkweg

    MAY

    1st THU Cologne Die Kantine

    2nd FRI Berlin Festisaal Kreuzberg

    3rd SAT Leipzig  Taubchenthal

    5th MON Munich Technikum

    13th TUE Bruges Cactus Muziekcentrum

    Peter Doherty enjoyed No.1 album status with The Libertines fourth studio album ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ in 2024. A buoyant spirit permeates Peter Doherty’s fifth solo album, Felt Better Alive, a gorgeous collection of poetic vignettes, both acoustic and orchestral, indie-folk and country, poignant and outright comic. 

    Peter’s not only a survivor but a creative powerhouse, with more projects, plans and reasons to stay alive than he’s ever had. And in 2025, the year he turns 46, with Felt Better Alive, brings us some of the most deft, bouncy and charming songs of his always melodic life.

    Peter Doherty has released eleven albums – Four with The Libertines Up The Bracket (2002), The Libertines (2004), Anthems For Doomed Youth (2015)& All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade (2024); three with Babyshambles: Down In Albion (2005), Shotters Nation (2007) & Sequel To The Prequel (2013); two solo albums: Grace/Wastelands (2009) & Hamburg Demonstrations (2016); one as Peter Doherty & The Puta Madres (2019) and a collaboration with Frederic Lo The Fantasy Life of Poetry & Crime (2022).

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    The Hellacopters – ‘Overdriver’ (Nuclear Blast)

    The Hellacopters – ‘Overdriver’ (Nuclear Blast)

    Sweden’s finest exponents of action rock The Imperial State Electrocopters are back and they are firing on all cylinders. Nicke Andersson’s 70’s drenched tribute to The Stooges/Kiss/Thin Lizzy/Motorhead (delete as applicable) follows up their 2022 comeback album ‘Eyes Of Oblivion’ with a new 11-track banger of an album in ‘Overdriver’, and there is not a Dregen to be seen or heard on this, the 9th long player from The Hellacopters. Which sort of makes it an Imperial State Electric sort of thing, doesn’t it?

    Confused? Well don’t be. The livewire Backyard Babies guitarist may well have been instrumental in the sound of The Hellacopters classic ‘Supershitty To The Max!’ garage rock era, but that was a different band in a different century ladies and gents. Nicke and his gang progressed over the years, and while the gang members have come and gone, the song remains the same in 2025.

    Seems as they are a four piece in the videos, we are to assume out illustrious leader handles guitar duties as well as vocals here. All is well and good and opener ‘Token Apologies’ delivers the Kiss/UFO influences to the max, and if you have, like me been rediscovering the ‘Head Off’ covers re-issue recently, then that is a good reference for where we are heading sound-wise.

    ‘Don’t Let Me Bring You Down’ is classic Nicke, and could’ve been a single from any of the early Imperial State Electric long players, or any 70’s Quo album come to think of it. A great memorable hook, and an early highlight for sure.

    But then things get really tasty with the magnificent power pop single ‘I Don’t Wanna Be Just A Memory’. Methinks Ginger Wildheart would give his left bollock to have a hook that good for The Wildhearts in 2025. With its urgent beats and rousing chorus, it sounds like Benny & Bjorn penned it back in ‘78, Iggy stole the beat from the Lord and traded it to Nicke’s old man for a bag of blow and a bottle of Jack. Yes, it’s that good!

    3 songs in and were flying in the right direction. The groovy punk n’ roll of ‘Wrong Face’ follows, the rousing and uplifting ‘Soldier On’, and the overly familiar ‘Doomsday Daydreams’ wrap up a very strong side 1.

    Flipping the virtual disc and the high energy ‘Faraway Looks’ has riffs and a chorus to die for, latest single ‘Do You Feel Normal’ is classic 70’s rock at its finest and closer ‘Leave A Mark’, does exactly that with its throbbing bass line, driving rhythms and Starchild vocal delivery. It rocks you like a hurricane until the final note rings out.

    For me, ‘Overdriver’ is a stronger album than its predecessor. It’s an album of two halves, side 1 pisses all over side 2, but it’s worth flipping the disc for the opener and closer alone. There’s a lot of familiarity of ‘Overdriver’, riffs you will have heard before…somewhere, and you’ll be wracking your brain to recall where the hell you have heard certain melodies before, but that’s half the fun of the listening experience. Who was it that said, “There’s nothing original in rock n’ roll these days”? That may well be true, but if it’s good and it makes you feel something, then who the fuck gives a fuck?!

    The Hellacopters may not sounds as raw and exciting as they did in 1996, but they’ve mellowed like a fine red wine over the years and ‘Overdriver’ is a great return to form and one of the essential listens for 2025.

    Buy Here

    Author: Ben Hughes

    THE HARD-ONS – NEW VIDEO FOR  “RIDE TO THE STATION” AND US TOUR – WITH POISON IDEA’S JERRY A ON LEAD VOCALS! 

    THE HARD-ONS – NEW VIDEO FOR  “RIDE TO THE STATION” AND US TOUR – WITH POISON IDEA’S JERRY A ON LEAD VOCALS! 

    THE HARD-ONS RELEASE NEW VIDEO FOR SINGLE “RIDE TO THE STATION” AND ANNOUNCE US TOUR – WITH POISON IDEA’S JERRY A ON LEAD VOCALS! 

    NEWS FOLLOWS MASSIVE 40TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR AND ‘BEST DOCUMENTARY’ PRIZE FOR
    THE MOST AUSTRALIAN BAND EVER AT THE LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL PUNK FILM FESTIVAL

    The Hard-Ons have followed a massive 2024 with the release of the new video for “Ride To The Station” – the single take from their new album I Like You A Lot Getting Older – and the announcement a May/June US tour with old friend Jerry A of legendary Portland punks Poison Idea!

    The “Ride To The Station” video was produced by Sydney based studio Kapow Pictures. Director Mark Gravas has said, “I have been a fan of the band for almost 40 years. We have produced several videos in the past for The Hard-Ons and were very happy to produce this one for their 40th anniversary. I was inspired by my favourite zombie film ‘Train to Busan’ and my own experiences on public transport. We animated the video using Quill a software primarily used in VR.”

    Kapow has also produced a poster of the video which is available to purchase on their website.

    The US tour with Jerry A from Poison Idea on guest lead vocals will see The Hard-Ons joining the heavy weight double bill of Napalm Death and the Melvins for shows across the Mid-West and Western states in the USA. The complete run of dates is listed below.

    The Hard-Ons first toured with Poison Idea back in the late ’80s, and first recorded with Jerry A as guest vocalist back in 1993 – Jerry wrote and sung the track “The Blade” on their Too Far Gone album. The track recently resurfaced on Jerry’s solo album From The Fire Into The Water. The Hard-Ons are set to release an album with Jerry on vocals later in 2025.   

    In addition to the new album, 2024 saw The Hard-Ons celebrating their 40th anniversary with extensive European and Australian tours and enjoying numerous screenings of (and international acclaim – including the ‘Best Documentary’ prize at the International LA Punk Film Festival 2024 – for) their feature length documentary, The Most Australian Band Ever, directed by Jonathan J. Sequeira for production companies Living Eyes and Play Vintage.

    I Like You A Lot Getting Older was the third album by the band’s current line-up of Blackie, Murray, Ray and Tim, and follows 2021’s ARIA top 5 debuting I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken and 2023’s the Top 30 debuting Ripper ’23. 



    The Hard-Ons’     first two shows for 2025 are February 8 at Selinas in Sydney with the Hoodoo Gurus and February 14 at Mary’s Underground in Sydney with NZ’s rocking The D4.

    Buy I Like You A Lot Getting Older via Cheersquad Bandcamp 
    https://cheersquadrecordstapes.bandcamp.com/album/i-like-you-a-lot-getting-older

    Buy/stream via digital providers
    https://bfan.link/i-like-you-a-lot-getting-older

    For more info on the feature documentary,     The Most Australian Band Ever, go to
    www.livingeyes.com.au

    The Hard-Ons (with Jerry A) appear as guests of Napalm Death and the Melvins as part of their Savage Imperial Death March Part II tour at the following shows:
    May 22 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 
    May 23 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
    May 24 – Kansas City, MO @ Madrid Theatre
    May 25 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
    May 27 – Denver, CO @ Summit
    May 29 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
    May 31 – Bozeman, MT @ The ELM
    June 1 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Spokane
    June 2 Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
    June 3 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
    June 4 – Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre
    June 6 – Reno, NV @ Virginia Street Brewhouse
    June 7 – Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone Berkeley

    The Daniel James Gang – ‘Darkness Over This Town’ (Rum Bar Records)

    The Daniel James Gang – ‘Darkness Over This Town’ (Rum Bar Records)

    Indonesian Junk mainman Daniel James releases a four-track EP in January 2025 and I’m all over it like a cheap suit. Of Course, it’s lo-fi down n dirty street punk Rock n Roll because that’s simply what Daniel does and does it better than most. Opening with the title track its got its feet straddling the Replacements meet Thunders Rock n Roll camps with a healthy dose of Roots Rock n Roll thrown into the mix as well as (it would seem) a great knowledge and love of more punky further reaching music, but more of that later. The opener reminds me of Scott Sorry and Mike Ness for the gravelly vocals giving it large with an excellent melody that just flows in the kinda way Jesse Malin does.

    ‘Misery’ is the kinda laid-back sloppy Rock n Roll with the tortured vocals laying their truth out there for the world to hear. The song meanders carefree with some great guitar breaks emphasising the song beyond a style and the gang vocals are killer. ‘Lies’ injects a much quicker tempo offering some sprightly punk rock n roll, not trying to be clever or original it’s just a good time honest really well-written punk n roll and played with heart and soul. It’s short and sweet and lands a hefty punch. Daniel Is a really good songwriter be it as a solo band or with Indonesian Junk. All roads on this EP lead to the cover of the New Model Army classic ‘The Hunt’ sure it’s never going to be better but as far as interpretations go its captured the energy and power that Sullivan conveys in the original yet its got enough of its own style going on whilst not trying to be clever. A great song is a great song and this is right up there and this version is pretty damn good.

    Exactly what a great EP should be – some new music, great original tunes and a cover that raises an eyebrow but in a good way. The Daniel James Gang delivers an excellent bite-size new record to kick 2025 off in style. I recommend you dive in a give it a go because you won’t be disappointed the guy is a talent and you might just discover your new favourite band. Buy It!

    Pup announce tour dates with a brand new video

    Pup announce tour dates with a brand new video

    PUP SHARE FIRST SINGLE IN TWO YEARS

    “PARANOID” OUT NOW

    ANNOUNCE UK & EU HEADLINE TOUR FOR MAY

    Toronto punk heroes PUP – comprised of Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumak, Zack Mykula, and Steve Sladkowski – released their fourth album, THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND, in 2022.


    The album earned PUP universal acclaim, countless Top 10 Billboard chart positions including #1 Heatseekers, Top New Artists Albums and Alternative New Artist Albums, and a slew of sold-out shows across the globe. They’re keeping it going with an arena tour on home turf in support of Sum 41 that kicks off tomorrow night, so to celebrate they return today with a new single. The explosive, John Congleton-produced track “Paranoid” is out now, and marks PUP’s first new release in two years. 

    Stefan Babcock says of the new single: “My favourite part of this song is the breakdown 1:45 in. Whenever we try and do a heavy breakdown with catchy vocals we end up sounding like the world’s worst melodic hardcore band. But somehow it worked on this song. I think because it’s so intense in that moment that it’s actually kind of funny and a bit hard to take seriously. There’s some humour in that and how it plays against what I’m yelling about in a way I really like. Plus Nestor plays the melody from ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ on the bass at the heaviest moment in the song which really cracks me up every time I hear it.”

    “Paranoid” is accompanied by an ingenious, whipsmart music video by long-time PUP collaborator Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux, who said: “What started out as a way to keep the bruising and heartbreaking lyrics to ‘Paranoid’ front and centre turned into a little love letter for rock band merchandise and the unsung heroes who run the merch table. Special thanks to co-director Clem Hoeney and all the real PUP fans who came out and went so hard for a hundred takes!”


    The band are also launching their MORE BAD STUFF – A PUPTHEBAND Substack. A reincarnation of the band’s zine series PUPTHEZINE, this Substack will be an ongoing digital version or, as they like to call it, “PUPTHEBAND’S brand new digital hellscape.” They will use it to post unreleased songs, discuss the writing process, play-through tracks, and to share comics, old photos, live recordings, tour stories and more. The first two posts, featuring the original 4-song EP of pre-PUP band Topanga and some Built To Spill covers by Stefan, are out now.

    SIGN UP FOR “MORE BAD STUFF – APUPTHEBAND SUBSTACK” HERE 



    And to follow on from their sold-out dates with Jimmy Eat World here at the tail-end of last year, PUP also announce their return to UK and EU shores for a headline tour in May with full dates listed below.

    For the EU/UK dates, the band will take Illuminati Hotties along as their main support (all shows excluding Spain) and Goo will additionally join for the UK run.

    Go to www.puptheband.com for all on sale and ticketing information.

    Canada:

    10/01/2025 – Victoria, BC @ Save On Foods Memorial Centre
    11/01/2025 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
    13/01/2025 – Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
    16/01/2025 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
    17/01/2025 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
    18/01/2025 – Saskatoon, SK @ Sasktel Centre
    20/01/2025 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Place
    23/01/2025 – St. Catharines, ON @ Meridian Centre
    24/01/2025 – Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre
    25/01/2025 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
    27/01/2025 – London, ON @ Budweiser Gardens
    28/01/2025 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
    30/01/2025 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena

    UK and EU:

    07/05/2025 – Birmingham, UK @ XOYO Birmingham
    08/05/2025 – Leeds, UK @ Project House
    10/05/2025 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Ritz
    11/05/2025 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 (TV Studio)
    12/05/2025 – Newcastle, UK @ Newcastle University
    13/05/2025 – Bristol, UK @ Marble Factory
    15/05/2025 – Southampton, UK @ Engine Rooms
    16/05/2025 – London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
    18/05/2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
    20/05/2025 – Cologne, Germany @ Club Volta
    21/05/2025 – Hamburg, Germany @ Logo
    22/05/2025 – Berlin, Germany @ Hole44
    23/05/2025 – Munich, Germany @ Strom
    25/05/2025 – Paris, France @ Bellevilloise
    27/05/2025 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Mon
    28/05/2025 – Barcelona, Spain @ Upload
    29/05/2025 – València, Spain @ Loco Club
    30/05/2025 – San Sebastian, Spain @ Dabadaba​​​​​​