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WALES’ LEADING MUSIC DISCOVERY FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SECOND WAVE OF NAMES FOR 2024

WALES’ LEADING MUSIC DISCOVERY FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES SECOND WAVE OF NAMES FOR 2024

“Charming, a little slept on and flecked with magic.” – The Guardian

“Diverse and full of surprises.” – NME

“There’s something for everyone.” – DIY

“Sŵn Festival is setting the benchmark for festival line-ups and really hammers in a ‘no more excuses’ approach when it comes to diversity on line-ups… A perfectly run event, glued together by beautiful, kind and community-driven people.” – Clash

Today, Cardiff’s award-winning Sŵn Festival unveils the second batch of names for its 2024 edition. The multi-venue festival is taking place across the Welsh capital from ThursdayOctober 17th to Saturday October 19th. This year’s iteration of the festival sees Sŵn proudly becoming part of Cardiff Music City Festival: a three week-long celebration of innovative, accomplished music coming to the city, full of gigs, immersive happenings, residencies, installations, and pop-ups, pushing the boundaries of music, performance and tech.

While this year’s edition is suitably bulked out, with all three days featuring showcases at a plethora of venues across the city, what’s not changed is Sŵn’s dedication to nurturing a diverse range of the best local, national, and international talent and offering a platform to bigger and better things.

One of the most talked-about new bands in the country, Brighton punk duo Lambrini Girls come to Cardiff this autumn bringing with them a knack for tongue-in-cheek, biting breakdowns of hot button societal issues. Thunderous recent single ‘God’s Country’ has seen them lauded all over by the likes of BBC Radio 1, 6 Music and NME as well as sharing the cover of Kerrang! with alt-rock luminaries Sleater-Kinney and being nominated for a Rolling Stone UK Award. See what all the fuss is about for yourself come October.

Fresh from the release of his widely acclaimed latest solo album Strange Dance seeing release last year on Bella Union, Radiohead drummer Philip Selway brings his beautiful, dramatic solo work to this year’s festival. Strange Dance, which features guest spots from the likes of Hannah Peel and Portishead’s Adrian Utley, dabbles in an array of genres from neo-classical to Krautrock and a live rendition is sure to be a highlight of this year’s schedule.

Pulling on everything from ambient to drum and bass come recent Partisan signees HONESTY. One of the most exciting and mysterious new fixtures on the UK live circuit, the Leeds outfit produce an audiovisual spectacle that mixes digital and analogue, found material and AI manipulation, a contemporary DIY attitude without the tired punk tropes. Hot on the heels of a string of mind-bending singles and a debut mixtape BOX, listen in and you might just catch a glimpse of a rumoured to be already completed debut album.

The latest venture from Owen “O” Williams and George “GN” Nicholls – the primary songwriters behind the dearly missed Joanna Gruesome – London-based Welsh jangle-poppers The Tubs have been championed by the likes of Pitchfork,MOJO and Uncut since the release of their debut album Dead Meat last year. The quartet fuse the very best of Flying Nun jangle with dashes of post-punk, British trad-folk and contemporary antipodean guitar bands – a concoction so rich in earworm hooks it’ll still be rattling around your head come next year’s festival.

Joining them on the streets of Cardiff you’ll find the likes of emerging post-rock stalwarts and Brixton Windmill alumni Automotion; chameleonic singer-songwriter Jesca Hoop who’s been championed by press and her fellow musicians alike, with notable fans in the likes of Tom Waits and Guy Garvey; London post-punk stalwarts Crows who come to town with their recently announced third album Reason Enough in tow; and viral sensations Good Neighbours whose danceable indie pop blends classic songwriting and a cinematic approach to their craft. Please find a full rundown of today’s new additions further below.

These and so many more head to Cardiff alongside an already packed bill that includes the likes of Wu-Lu, the Brixton born and raised artist forcing punk, grunge and hip-hop into a head-on collision; one of the most acclaimed new bands in the country English Teacher with their seamless mix of collegiate emo-rock, dream-pop and psychedelia; London-based multidisciplinary artist and the internet’s original pop princess, Hannah Diamond; dance-pop darlings Porij; Mary In The Junkyard, the “angry, weepy chaos rock” trio whose mesmerising performances have become the stuff of live-circuit legend; one of our most captivating emerging storytellers Antony Szmierek; and the elusive and much-hyped London band, The Itch.

As always, Sŵn Festival has always devoted itself to showcasing local, grassroots talent. Welsh acts to keep an eye out for this year include the grisly garage-rock and pop sensibilities of Cardiff natives Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard; the Welsh-language indie-rockers Adwaith; rising stars Half Happy who walk the line between heavy and heavenly; Pys Melyn, whose laid-back melodies and wistful psychedelia earned them a Welsh Music Prize nomination; Aberystwyth-born rockers Mellt; and the alt-pop wonder Hana Lili whose landslide critical support led to supporting Coldplay and Tom Grennan.

For the first time since before the pandemic, this year’s festival is multi-venue for all three days promising an even more stacked itinerary for the ravenous new music lover. On Thurs Oct 17th, Sŵn will take over Womanby Street with five stages at Clwb Ifor Bach, Tiny Rebel, The Moon and Fuel. Friday Oct 18th and Saturday Oct 19th, meanwhile, sees the festival expand outwards across Cardiff city centre, with extra stages added at Tramshed, Jacobs Antique Market, Cornerstone and Porter’s (Saturday-only), with more venues to be announced soon. Authoritative music publication DIY have joined the festival as a partner this year and will be taking over a stage and curating its line-up, with more exciting stage partners to be announced in the coming months.

William Dickins, booker for Sŵn Festival, says of the latest additions to the bill: “We’re absolutely thrilled to present this latest group of Sŵn artists. While booking Sŵn, we’re constantly amazed and ecstatic by the rush of new talent that we come across, and the joy it brings us being able to show them off to the music fans of Cardiff is something that never gets old. Showcasing amazing new talents like Lambrini Girls, The Tubs and Good Neighbours is a true honour, and we urge everyone to catch them now while they’re still performing in intimate settings — they won’t be in small venues for much longer!”

This year’s festival is geared towards being more accessible to the wider community than ever before, with the introduction of payment plans, concession tickets and more opportunities to get involved with the festival through the volunteer programme and a brand new apply to play scheme. Sign up to the mailing list to be notified about when applications open.

Day splits for this year’s festival have now been revealed as of today, alongside day tickets going on-sale. Full weekend tickets remain on-sale with instalment plans available. Head here for ticketing options and more info: https://swnfest.com/tickets/

Sŵn Festival is an award-winning multi-venue music festival based entirely in Cardiff’s city centre, which has been running since 2007. Since its inception, the festival has been focused on new music, emerging artists and homegrown acts.

NEW ACTS ANNOUNCED TODAY:

Alias | Alien Chicks | Automotion | Aziya | Blue Amber | Bored At My Grandmas House | Bricknasty | Casual Smart | Charlotte Clark | Circe | Creiriau | Crows | The Dream Machine | Enola | Fraülein | Georgie & Joe | Good Neighbours | HONESTY | Human Interest | Hyll | Ifan | Ile De Garde | Ivor Woods | Jesca Hoop | Joe Wilkins | Knives | KYNSY | Lambrini Girls | The Manatees | Mari Mathias | Memorials | My First Time | The New Eves | Night Bus | Noah Bouchard | Paige Kennedy | Pencil | Philip Selway | The Pill | Public Order | Sarah Crean | She’s In Parties | Shlug | Shortstraw | Spielmann | Sun King | Talulah | TTSSFU | The Tubs | YARD

FULL LIST OF ACTS ANNOUNCED SO FAR:

Adwaith | Alias | Alien Chicks | Antony Szmierek | Art School Girlfriend | Automotion | Aziya | Blue Amber | Blue Bendy | Bored At My Grandmas House | Borough Council | Bricknasty | Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard | Canty | Casual Smart | Charlotte Clark | Circe | Clara Mann | Cosmorat | Creiriau | Crinc | Crows | Dana Gavanski | Das Koolies | The Dream Machine | Dushime | Ellie Bleach | Emyr Son | English Teacher | Enola | Fraülein | Freak Slug | GANS | Georgie & Joe | Gift | Good Neighbours | Griff Lynch | Half Happy | Hamish Hawk | Hana Lili | Hannah Diamond | HONESTY | Human Interest | Hyll | Ifan | Ile De Garde | The Itch | Ivor Woods | Jane Weaver | Jesca Hoop | Joe Wilkins | Johnny Loves Me | Kitty & Sorry Stacy | Knives | KYNSY | Lambrini Girls | Lanterns On The Lake | Malan | The Manatees | Manlikevision | Mared | Mari Mathias | Maruja | Mary In The Junkyard | Mellt | Memorials | Mirari | Morn | My First Time | The New Eves | NewWaveSound.Ent | Night Bus | Noah Bouchard | The None | OneDa | Paige Kennedy | Pencil | Philip Selway | The Pill | Plantoid | Plastic Estate | Pleasing | Porij | Public Order | Pys Melyn | Quade | Rachel Lavelle | Razkid | Roddy Woomble | Sarah Crean | The Secret Jesus Factory | She’s In Parties | Shlug | Shortstraw | Shtëpi | Spielmann | Sun King | Talulah | Tom Vek | TTSSFU | The Tubs | TWST | University | The Wave Pictures | Wrkhouse | Wu-Lu | YARD

CARDIFF MUSIC CITY FESTIVAL | 27 SEPTEMBER – 20 OCTOBER 2024
IMAGINE A CITY…

Get ready for three weeks of gigs, immersive happenings, residencies, installations and pop-ups, pushing the boundaries of music innovation, performance and tech. Welcome to the Cardiff Music City Festival, reinventing what a music festival can be.

Supported by the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council, Cardiff Music City Festival aims to attract 20,000 in its first year. Encompassing renowned new music festival Sŵn and Wales Millennium Centre’s international arts weekend, Llais, the festival will spread music throughout the city, challenging, exciting and inspiring fans across generations and genres. A full programme of local and international talent, including household names and emerging talent will be announced over the coming months.

Cardiff Music City Festival runs from September 27th 2024 – 20th October 2024. Sign up for updates and future announcements here: https://cardiffmusiccity.wales/

MAIN FUNDERS / PRIF NODDWYR

MEDIA PARTNER / PARTNER CYFRYNGAU

AMYL & THE SNIFFERS ANNOUNCE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN THREE YEARS

AMYL & THE SNIFFERS ANNOUNCE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN THREE YEARS

“CARTOON DARKNESS” 

OUT 25TH OCTOBER

Amyl & The Sniffers are pleased to announce the release of their third album “Cartoon Darkness” which is released via Rough Trade Records on October 25th, 2024. The album was recorded with producer Nick Launay (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Yeah Yeah Yeahs) at Foo Fighters’ 606 Studios in Los Angeles in early 2024. The album will be available on limited edition glow in the dark vinyl with alternate artwork.

Amy Taylor “Cartoon Darkness is about climate crisis, war, AI, tiptoeing on the eggshells of politics, and people feeling like they’re helping by having a voice online when we’re all just feeding the data beast of Big Tech, our modern-day god. It’s about the fact that our generation is spoon-fed information. We look like adults, but we’re children forever cocooned in a shell. We’re all passively gulping up distractions that don’t even cause pleasure, sensation or joy, they just cause numbness.”

“Cartoon Darkness is driving headfirst into the unknown, into this looming sketch of the future that feels terrible but doesn’t even exist yet. A childlike darkness. I don’t want to meet the devil half-way and mourn what we have right now. The future is cartoon, the prescription is dark, but it’s novelty. It’s just a joke. It’s fun.”

UK / EURO DATES 2024 / 2025

NOV 5TH – DUBLIN – NATIONAL STADIUM

NOV 6TH – GLASGOW – 02 ACADEMY

NOV 7TH – NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE – NX SOLD OUT

NOV 9TH – MANCHESTER – MANCHESTER ACADEMY SOLD OUT

NOV 10TH – BIRMINGHAM 02 – ACADEMY

NOV 11TH – BRISTOL – 02 ACADEMY SOLD OUT

NOV 13TH – LONDON – ROUNDHOSE

NOV 14TH – LONDON – ROUNDHOUSE SOLD OUT

NOV 15TH – LONDON – ROUNDHOUSE SOLD OUT

NOV 17TH – BRUSSELS – ANCIENNE SOLD OUT

NOV 18TH – UTRECHT – TIVOLIVREDENBERG SOLD OUT

NOV 19TH – COLOGNE – CARLSWERK VICTORIA SOLD OUT

NOV 21ST – COPENHAGEN – VEGA SOLD OUT

NOV 22ND – HAMBURG – GROBE FREIHEIT 36 SOLD OUT

NOV 23rd – BERLIN – COLUMBIAHALLE SOLD OUT

NOV 25TH – MUNICH – TONHALIE

NOV 26TH – LAUSANNE – LES DOCKS

NOV 27TH – PARIS – OLYMPIA

NOV 29TH – ATHENS – FLOYD

JULY 5TH – LONDON – FINSBURY PARK SUPPORTING FONTAINES DC

TICKETS HERE

SOUL ASYLUM New Album and Single

SOUL ASYLUM New Album and Single

‘SLOWLY BUT SHIRLEY’
SET FOR DIGITAL RELEASE 27 SEPTEMBER 2024
+ PHYSICAL RELEASE 25 OCTOBER

(photo credit – Darin Kamnetz)

The introspective acoustic ballad, a long-time fan-favourite, finally makes its studio debut after being a staple of their live performances. “It’s built from experience and pain and shame,” Pirner quips. “The joke’s always on me, let’s just put it that way. Everyone makes mistakes.”

Teaming up once again with producer Steve Jordan (known for his work with the Rolling Stones, John Mayer, Robert Cray, Keith Richards), who worked on their 1990 album ‘And the Horse They Rode In On’, Soul Asylum recorded live at the Terrarium in Minneapolis, capturing an authentic and vibrant sound.

The album’s title and cover pay homage to Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney, a pioneering drag racer who inspired Pirner during his youth. “When I was a kid, I loved drag racing,” he says. “And she was the first woman of drag race. It meant a lot to me that she was willing to stand up against all these men in racing. My manager called her up, and she gave us her blessing, which means a whole lot to me because she was a childhood hero.”

Pirner, widely recognized as one of the one of the great American songwriters, is celebrating the four-decade legacy of Soul Asylum, a journey highlighted by their breakthrough album Grave Dancers Union, which achieved double platinum status and featured the Grammy-winning hit “Runaway Train.” Despite challenges and changes, the band has remained a vital force in the rock scene, continually evolving while staying true to their roots. ‘Slowly But Shirley’ is a testament to their enduring spirit and creative prowess.

The current Soul Asylum line-up features Dave Pirner as lead vocals/guitar, Michael Bland on drums, Ryan Smith on lead guitar, and Jeremy Tappero on bass.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Soul Asylum Website

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Jerry T Jones And The Chosen Few – ‘Back From Tomorrow’ (Self-Release)

Jerry T Jones And The Chosen Few – ‘Back From Tomorrow’ (Self-Release)

2024 has certainly been full of surprises so far. What with One The Juggler releasing a fabulous new album in ‘Memoir Days’, now it’s the turn of their bassist, Jerry T Jones, to spoil us with twelve new songs. And it’s no surprise that they are of equal quality, given that he wrote ‘Talking To Ourselves’ and ‘Andy’s Bar’ on ‘Memoir Days’.

The opening song, ‘Only Time Will Tell’ crafts a beautiful tune that tries to remain optimistic in the face of climate disaster. While reminiscing about Bowie’s ‘Five Years’, the sound is more in line with The Kinks, perhaps not surprising given Jerry’s Kinks tribute band, The Konks. But, this is far from being a rip off; his canny use of influences is tempered by his own talent as a songwriter.

‘Demons Fly Away’ has echoes of classic Mott, and Colin Minchin’s solo has touches of Ronno, which is no mean feat. ’20 Years’ describes how songs can touch us and form part of our lives, with a keyboard sound that evokes John Grant. ‘Diamonds In The Rain’ namechecks Major Tom, and again there is a Ronno moment, this time on acoustic guitar, fleeting but classy.

‘Mood Swing/Time Bomb’ is in quirky, Cockney Rebel territory, while ‘Back From Tomorrow’ with its  slick pop stylings and barbed lyrics reminds me of The Dowling Poole. ‘Communal Sun’ starts off like Al Stewart’s ‘Year Of The Cat’, but with a more melancholy storyline. ‘She’s On A Trip’ is a slice of mature, summer pop, so dig out your espadrilles and enjoy. ‘Toy Town’ is a reworking of the One The Juggler song, with added sax, and ‘Sleep Over’ is a nicely woozy slice of gentle psychedelia, from sleep to new beginnings.

‘Second Skin’ almost sounds like it was written for Bowie, the vocal phrasing is such that you can imagine Dame David singing it. It’s a lovely tune. And, suddenly, ‘Just One More Song (Until We Meet Again)’ brings our journey to an end. Much more than the sum of it’s influences, ‘Back From Tomorrow’ is the culmination of a life devoted to music and songwriting that deserves your attention.

Author: Martin Chamarette

Its A Revolution – Podcast – Episode 40

Its A Revolution – Podcast – Episode 40

Join us for this week’s instalment of the RPM Online Podcast Episode 40 no less. This week’s show opens on a sad note with the awful news that 60ft Dolls drummer passed away recently so it seemed fitting that we kick off with the awesome ‘Happy Shopper’ from ‘The Big 3’ album. I witnessed the band at the peak of their powers when they played to a packed-out house in the next village on the same road effectively that we broadcast from. A band that should have been as big as the Manics no question about it but alas they burned brightest rather than fading away, this one is for Carl may he rest in peace.

After such a sad note to begin with the show starts with the original kick-off and the most excellent Turbonegro cover of The classic ‘The Party Starts Now’ released in 2005, this is how to do a cover version deathpunk style. After Martin reviewed the Love Fiends album recently we had to include this Banger ‘Jimmy (Is An Agent)’. Power Pop done superbly.

Great to have UK Hardcore legends Chubby & The Gang ready to drop their new LP ‘And Then There Was One’, to loosen the juices they’ve dropped this new single ‘Theres A Devil In The Jukebox’ which is going down a treat at the pumphouse HQ. October seems so long away.

Cherry Red are continuing their tradition of releasing double album CDs of classic releases and this time its GBH so ‘Sick Boy the single version is our pick of the pack. Out in months time the band still play to this day with the same power and aggression.

A classic reissue with a superb mix was The Replacements ‘Tim: Let It Bleed Edition’ which came out a few years ago. ‘Kiss Me On The Bus’ (Ed Stasium mix) is our pick from this stunning box set that is well worth the price. Packed with goodies for the fair ear The Replacements always do quality reissues and this might well be the pick of the pack. Now if only they were to do some more reunion shows that would be most excellent. As far as remixes or remasters go this is night and day with the original release probably only outdone by the recent Senseless Things remix /remaster.

Another band we love at HQ is The Hillbilly Moon Explosion and with their most recent album getting a repress and launch in a few weeks it seemed right to play one of the best songs off the album ‘1979’ check em out. ‘Back In Time’ is a fantastic addition to the band’s catalogue and an underground band who have bazillion of plays on YouTube if you want to get a flavour of what to expect.

Now a band we’ve played before The Cavemen have a new album out and thankfully it’s more of the same from our favourite New Zealand reprobates. ‘Cash 4 Scrap’ is all killer and no filler (possibly because they don’t hang around long enough) They do a great line in zero fucks lo-fi garage punk even if this is the slowest song in their repertoire.

The first half of this week’s offerings is the brand-new single from the one and only Marilyn Manson who by the sounds of it is right back on form. With a new album hopefully in the pipeline being released on nuclear blast records it’s one to look out for.

With all the unrest around at the moment, it seems appropriate to drop this last live recording of the late great Joe Strummer when he did the firemen benefit and got Mick Jones up to blast off the cobwebs of ‘White Riot’.

Janes Addiction have been getting some great reviews from their live shows and having the four original members back in the fold ‘Imminent Redemption’ sound right back on form for the Californian rockers. Lets hope this new album is of the same strong output. It would be great to have them back making a noise and upsetting people.

Swansea upstarts Monet are busy recording their second album and after a quality live performance recently celebrating 30 years of Repeat Magazine/Records it would be foolish not to add them to the roster of excellent bands to look out for. We’ve also asked Richard to pop down to HQ and host the podcast with us so fingers crossed that comes off soon. Repeat are the kind of people we want to align ourselves with as we all sing off the same hymn sheet. Love Music Hate Racism.

Another band who played the Repeat party was West Wales noise makers Lacross Club and it might be the first song we’ve played twice but ‘Welsh Weather Heather’ is so good we could play it most weeks, get an album done gents those songs might go off if you leave them.

Chris informed me that Sepultura covered the New Model Army and I had to check it out as I didn’t know that one but they bloody well did. Good solid effort but not a patch on the original and hopefully they’ll play this when I go to see them in a few months, next up is ‘The Hunt’.

The Bellrays have a new album coming and its a banger so we’re playing ‘One More Night’ before they head off on a US tour with Social Distortion. One of the finest voices in garage rock no doubt about it. Another band to write a song influenced by a riot is The Damned who deliver ‘Thanks For The Night’ with Vanian on vocals as opposed to the Captain but regardless of who is singing this was and is a classic.

Tubthumper Dunstan Bruce has signed a contract with Heavy Medication Records to release his ‘Fucking Expensive’ single so it would be rude not to give it an airing. The penultimate track is an unreleased single from the late 70s by The Vibrators who have captain Oi reissuing ‘V2/pure mania’ and ‘Bad Time’ is the tune showcases just how bloody good The Vibrators were another very underrated band from the late 70s.

We end this weeks show with with another new song this time from the awesome Peter Perrett who dropped the news of his pending album and then released the first video off the record and what a banger to sign off with. ‘I Wanna Go With Dignity’ is a swashbuckling slice of classic Perrett. Adios amigos til next time.

Millie Manders & The Shutup – ‘Wake Up Shut Up Work’

Millie Manders & The Shutup – ‘Wake Up Shut Up Work’

Millie Manders & The Shut Up have been around for a while in one guise or another and my first encounter of her was when she jumped on stage with The Barstool Preachers to sing a duet with Tom as a stand-in for Amiee Interupter and I admired the young ladies powerful performance and equally powerful vocal. Well as the months and years unfold Millie Manders & The Shut Up are on album number two and have truly found their niche and position that they are comfortable in. They deliver a life-affirming alternative mash-up of Ska, punk, rock and a pop sensibility that bands often miss when pressing their message by trying to be something their not but no sir Millie Manders do things on their own terms and do it very fucking well.

From the opening salvo of ‘Angry Side’ the horns toot and the feet can’t stand still. That momentum continues with ‘Shut Your Mouth’ as the weeks and fills tick away over a funky bass line whilst Millie does her thing with ao confidence through a strong melody. The song meanders and twists n contours to its conclusion and already I’m sold. This promises to be a real contender come the end of the year with strong song after strong song. ‘Me Too’ opens with a crisp riff before it bubbles under the vocals and lyrics before breaking out on the chorus. Stirring stuff. The band cuts lose those punk n ska chains on ‘Fun Sponge’ Millie Manders & The Shut Up on the surface are having it large but there is a serious side but they deliver it without coming across as sanctimonious or preachy, these are subjects they hold close to their identity and I guess so will the listener or anyone with a moral fibre running through their soul. Me Too” tackles sexism and body autonomy, while “Threadbare” tackles poverty. “Can I Get Off?” has a conversation on the dividing topics of the minute such as the war in Palestine and the rise of the far-right, MM&TSU confront these difficult subjects and I admire them for that.

‘R.I.P.’ is an excellent vocal from Millie. The other thing I take from this album is that it is not all smash, crash and burn or fist-pounding there are as many quieter moments where the band’s musicianship comes into play such as ‘Halloween’ The run-in is as strong as the opening introduction and a triumph it is closing with the punchy ‘Pressure’.

Pressure?, What pressure Millie Manders & The Shutup have delivered a proper album that ebbs and flows and is bursting with tunes of substance and humility. Buy It – you won’t regret it.

Buy Here

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Author: Dom Daley

G.B.H – ‘City Baby Attacked By Rats/City Baby’s Revenge'(Captain Oi/Cherry Red Records)

G.B.H – ‘City Baby Attacked By Rats/City Baby’s Revenge'(Captain Oi/Cherry Red Records)

Forever on tour, GBH has a very decent back catalogue and from their more recent offerings a second wind. Whenever I catch them at festivals they are always impressive and tight as a gnats chuff and it’s usually the classics that go down really well and remind me how good they are. From the second wave of UK punks they are still going strong along with the Exploited and Discharge and with a slew of bonus material these pair of classics get the Cherry Red reissue on CD.

50 track 2 CD digipak coupling of the first two albums as well as a bonus of the ‘Leather Bristles Studs And Acne’ 12” (which hit No.8 in the Indie Chart plus the Indie Top 5 singles) ‘Sick Boy’ and ‘No Survivors’ and if you need them a Booklet contains lyrics to all the songs plus pictures of all related singles. The second disc is 1983’s ‘City Babys Revenge’ LP which reached No.6 in the Indie Chart. Includes the ‘Give Me Fire’ single which reached No.69 in the National Chart and No.2 in the Indie Chart. Three of the original four members are still in the band to this very day, regularly playing across the globe at major Punk festivals and showing the same enthusiasm that they had back in the early days.

Their influence is far and wide-reaching and crossing genres with the likes of Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax all having paid homage to the band’s early recordings for Clay Records (the ones on this release), often declaring that G.B.H. are the true forefathers for the whole Thrash Metal scene alongside Motorhead and the like.

If anything these albums have stood the test of time due to their uncompromising delivery and brutal relentless attack. They never got the respect far and wide for the playing either songs like ‘Sick Boy’ would easily sit nicely on that debut Metallica album. If you are a young un and looking fo the big boys of the second wave then this set is perfect. They took what the Subs were doing and sped it up a few turns of the dial and raced off into the distance with a sound that never gets old. Sing a long and knock into people whilst staggering round to some of the best 82 had to offer. To be fair RSD has released GBH but it would be awesome to have brand new copies of these albums with the associated bonus material within. until that day the CD will do just fine, Buy It!

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The Alarm – ‘Alternative Declaration’ (The 21st Century Recording Company)

The Alarm – ‘Alternative Declaration’ (The 21st Century Recording Company)

How many copies or versions of one album does a man really need? Well the sensible amongst us would obviously say one. But since when is man sensible? I think this must be about the tenth copy of this album I now own. It’s fair to say I rate it, always have and always will. It’s raw and vital and for most of my life, it’s sung to me and still does. To be fair the alternative version I can do without, the live version of a few years ago I could also do without but the original and the rereleased double album along with the ‘Eponymous 81-83’ release I’d absolutely recommend. this one I have in my hands is also (no spoiler) a fuckin belter. ’68 Guns without the trumpet is raw and vibrant and a stone-cold classic. worthy of the ‘Alternative’ tag. The solo blows my mind and hearing versions of songs you’ve heard a bazillion times with different chord changes and drum parts as well as alternative lyrics is a mindfuck. It’s not necessarily the hits that were ever my favourites (Oh apart from where were you hiding) but the songs like ‘We Are The Light’ which is excellent here. I’m so used to the original production that hearing these versions is quite emotional and takes me back to a time when music was my everything and truly life changing. As I’ve gotten older and grown up with people like Mike Peters and gone somewhat on the journey with him and his music I don’t always get where he’s going but isn’t that the beauty of music its different things to different people and this was my time with the band and what I’d consider to be The Alarm.

Another of the album’s deep cuts that I always loved live has to be ‘Shout ToThe Devil’ and this version is immense from Sharpys contribution to Twist’s rhythmic beats I’m pleased I took the plunge and parted with my £50 to get hold of this and to be fair for a double album, Poster and double CD that’s a decent price for hardcore fans. I’m not sure the super deluxe version was worth the extra money but I was secretly desperate to hear these versions and the track list as it’s laid out over the two records.

The pound shop U2 and Clash tags always bugged the shit out of me sure I could see the comparisons or inspirations but ‘Declaration’ was something else and for a debut album right up there with the best of em. A blistering live rendition of ‘Tell Me’ seems out of place on ‘Alternative Declaration’ but the version of ‘The Stand’ is top tier and closing off LP one is a fresh sounding and youthful ‘Howling Wind’ without the sterile studio sheen of the original released version.

Sides three and four are more akin to that Eponymous album that came out (which is readily available on Amazon for a very reasonable price) If I’m being geeky and uber fan nerdy the ‘For Freedom’, ‘What Kind Of Hell?’,’ Up For Murder’ and ‘Unbreak The Promise’ are The Alarm in a nutshell, at their very best.

There’s a lot of music to get through (Twenty-Four tracks to be exact) with side four feeling like it has a few extras just in case you wanted to moan about VFM with a 2024 remix of ‘WWYHWTSB’ ’68 Guns having a 2023 remix complete with Trumpet and harmonica. A stonkin wander through The Whos ‘Legal MAtter’ which they always did very well to be fair. A hootin’ rootin’ tootin’ ‘Bound For Glory’. ‘Bells Of Rhymney’ always loved giving a cheers for Swansea even when it got boos in Cardiff (cheeky Sods). The album finishes with the 2013 part two piece of ’68 Guns’. Exhausted and happy an album I’ll take for a spin more than I probably should to be fair and one I’m glad I gave a chance to now for a run through the Abbey Road CDs that came with it and yet more versions of songs recorded in Dallas. what a band they were four lads who shook the world for sure.

For those not lucky enough to pick up a copy I noticed It’s got a barcode on the jacket so I presume soon enough the record will be readily available, most probably to coincide with the Autobiography that Peters has written. I’d like everyone to get a chance to hear this version of one of my favourite albums ever. When you’re young indeed, but when you’re old(er) you have all the memories and hopefully once more for the four lads from Rhyl to put a full stop on it for all those who didn’t go to Brixton or The Scala.

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Author: Dom Daley

Gene Loves Jezebel – Pizza Express Live 06.08.24- Holborn, London

Gene Loves Jezebel – Pizza Express Live 06.08.24- Holborn, London

Well I’ve been to thousands of live shows in some strange off-the-beaten paths and some most untraditional venues as well but tonight I find myself in Old London Town at the basement of Pizza Express for a full band Gene Loves Jezebel acoustic show. I like pizza I’m happy to sit at the table (I think) and take in an evening like no other.

Waiter two beers please and a pizza with pineapple (only joking about the pineapple obviously I’m not an animal) as we find our table and order some food and drinks in a very laid-back environment we await to band of Jay Aston, James Stevenson, Chris Bell and Peter Rizzo to take to the stage for what promises to be a very interesting and intimate experience. As the band take the stage it still feels a bit weird watching a rock n roll band in a jazz club/restaurant but hey I guess we’re all of a certain age these days and it’ll be rattle your jewellery rather than pogo and press against the stage these days.

A beaming Jay introduces the band to what might be a wonderful triumph or a brilliant catastrophe who knows either way we’ll all have been fed before bed looking around I don’t think it being a School night really matters to this audience never the less Chris counts in the band as we get underway for the first half. Promising some songs from the deep vaults and never before played to reimagined classics so I make myself comfortable sit back relax and float downstream let the music begin.

After a false start due to the (cough cough) over-rehearsed and always ready Jay forgets or needing the lyrics for ‘Lone Rider’ and goes to play ‘Love Keeps Dragging Me Down’ before deciding to hell with it its live and going back to the set list to open with ‘Lone Rider’ before the awesome ‘Love Keeps Dragging’ it was a wonderful pin drop moment as ‘How Do You say Goodbye’. As the evening settles in we are treated to a cover of ‘Inbetween Days’ that has James showcasing his wonderful touch and a fantastic interpretation of an already great song.

Jay is in a playful mood shuffling through half a dozen lyric sheets about fifty times seemingly unable to find the song he wants anyway it is familiar fan favourites of ‘Kick’ and ‘Georgious’ that go down really well. The first set is edging to a close but before halftime oranges and rub down its ‘Dancing Underwater’ off the album of the same name but not before James took lead vocals on the emotional ‘The Other Side Of The World’ which was one of those live show moments. the emotion of the lyrics and what it clearly meant to James was laid bare for all to see and the fragilities of the melody and delivery was genuinely a cwtch moment and one that wasn’t lost on everyone in attendance. Spectacular heartfelt stuff.

The second half gets underway with a rousing ‘Jealous’. ‘Who Wants To Go To Heaven’ and that tune ‘The Motion Of Love’ has them dancing at their tables as ‘Liquor Man’ continues to keep people smiling and the night has magic in the air along with Jays quips and tomfoolery ‘Every Door’ is played before ‘Break The Chains’ and Jay introduces the band before they prepare to leave the stage after a wonderful evening of song in the most unexpected of places but if the music is good enough it can happen anywhere any time any place and tonight Pizza Express could only have been topped had Prince Andrew walked round the tables handing out the bills. ‘Desire’ is the final curtain call and we’re done. It’s back to West Wales but not until we wander through the quieter streets of Soho and have a cheeky pint in the Ship Inn for old time’s sake. Until next time Gene Loves Jezebel delivered a Michelin star performance with a gentler acoustic hand. Full electric next time please gents.

Author: Dom Daley

The Dwarves – ‘Keep It Reel’ (Greedy Records)

The Dwarves – ‘Keep It Reel’ (Greedy Records)

Like London buses you wait for ages for one then a pair arrive one after the other – the same can be said of Dwarves records. Still, after Blags Ralph Champagne’s departure, we were treated to the epic ‘Concept’ album. Then there was supposed to be an accompanying EP that turned into ‘Keep It Reel’ a ten-track beast of epic proportions that’s packed to the gills with snarling Dwarves goodies from the opening ‘One Musketeer’ to the thrashing brutality of ‘Voodoo’ sure some of these bad boys were on the CD version of ‘concept’ but you need The Dwarves on Vinyl right which is why I’ve had to wait until now to receive my copy.

Oh, I forgot to mention it comes in a limited-edition magical mystery sleeve from the band’s website. Featuring the supreme Blag The Ripper and The Fresh Prince Of Darkness Rex Is having it large on this one as is Black Josh Freese, Snupac, Sgt Saltpeter and Andy Now.

The Dwarves even have time to get all bluesy on your ass on ‘I Had A Dream’ after they offer some ‘Voodoo’ remix and the intensity is raging. ‘Kinda Konsensual’ turns that up a notch or two before ‘Nobody Fucked You’ sees The Fresh Prince Of Darkness chug like a motherfucker with his delightful tone that only he and Steve Jones know the dials to.

Dwarves records are short and oh so sharp and by the time ‘Blast Off’ has shaken side two into life the Blag stonker that is the feel-good hit of the summer, ‘Parasite’ is a handclap and rinsed les Paul away from being the perfect Dwarves tune. ‘Invisible People’ is creepy crawling into your brain with its scooby-doo noise effects and if it wasn’t for those meddling kids this would be another multi-platinum album from California’s finest. Before we say adios and you rush off to pick up your copy the band offer up the barnstorming ‘All For You (Remix)’, Teach your children to worship Satan with its mini At War With Satan false ending The Dwarves do it again and conjure up all sorts of dastardly nonsense on their album and I fall to my knees and worship Blag and the boys for delivering us another masterpiece. Don’t be a dummy get it whilst it’s hot and remember keep it real motherfuckers.

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Author: Dom Daley