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Various Artists – ‘Lovely Ugly/Pretty Shitty’ (Repeat Records)

Various Artists – ‘Lovely Ugly/Pretty Shitty’ (Repeat Records)

A 15-track compilation of current underground Swansea guitar bands or should that be part one because the local scene is bustling with guitar bands like I can’t ever remember that’s for sure.

On R*E*P*E*A*T’s return to Swansea after over 30 years away, they found their hometown to be far more diverse, creative, vibrant and exciting than the one they left behind. In no small part the cast extends further than just these bands but a much wider cabal of neerdowells and to be fair record shops and live music venues all helping sew their own piece on the patchwork tapestry that is Swansea.

The album is curated by an excited R*E*P*E*A*T and some of the favs over the last five years. You used to have to travel to Cardiff, London and beyond fo your fix but maybe it is now the time for Wales second city to stake its claim as Newport has always delivered venues and a scene. The likes of Trampolene, Monet, Swansea Sound, Rainyday Rainbow, Grey-FLX and Kikker all regularly play getting reviews, radios and stages way beyond our Westerly outpost.

Accompanying tracks by these trailblazing upstarts, the album also boasts rare or unreleased sounds by Helen Love, The Pooh Sticks and The DC10s but the albums Diamonds in the Dust goes to Baby Schillaci and their synth-droning post-punk slammer ‘Ultra HD Happy Face’ and of course Trampolene with the dreamy ‘Between The Bars’ but the top trump here goes to the mighty Kikker with their frantic ‘Trash’ which is majestic. But let’s not forget the lo-fi grunge of Dead Noize thrashing away towards the back end of this album.

The magic here is the diversity in the bands who all share stages together but the wealth of talent is much deeper. Congratulations to Repeat for putting this out there and anyone who reads a review and takes a chance and who knows, discovers their new favourite band. The album was released on May 31st on Swansea City coloured white and black splatter vinyl with a gatefold sleeve featuring an original painting of the City by local artist Fred Flitton. Lovely Ugly music from the finest city. Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

The Dwarves – Keepin’ It Reel

The Dwarves – Keepin’ It Reel

The Dwarves “Keep It Reel” mini LP on VINYL is available at thedwarves Friday June 7. Get the ultra super limited green/clear splatter vinyl w-updated Who Killed HeWho? boardgame; or get the super limited Silver vinyl w-Magical Mystery Parody wraparound cover, or get the shiny black vinyl edition! No matter which version you always get SEVEN brand new UNRELEASED songs, two REMIXES and one snappy number from the Dwarves CONCEPT Album!

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Gary Numan -Tramshed, Cardiff – 28/05/24

Gary Numan -Tramshed, Cardiff – 28/05/24

I guess there aren’t going to be any spoiler alerts seeing as it’s billed as Gary Numan plays ‘The Pleasure Principle’ and ‘Replicas’ and with no support bands the Tramshed is full to bursting a solid hour before Numan is due onstage. It’s not often a venue is this full on a school night although it’s a long time since anyone in here was in school judging by the looks of it.

First things first possibly the worst merch I’ve ever seen with just a triangle with Gary Numan across the top and dates on the back for £30 a pop anyway, gutted I wanted a Numan shirt. Negatives aside I’ve been really looking forward to this for a while after snoozing on the acoustic tickets last year. I wouldn’t be making that mistake again and as the band ambled on stage the sound was nice n loud and spot on – No gremlins in the machine as we were treated to ninety minutes of synth/rock-heavy Numan and two albums from the peak of his powers.

I must admit I do love how he’s found the balance of guitars on what were synth-only records (or mostly synth, especially the Pleasure Principle album. Memories came flooding back and its still hard to compute how old these records are but this is a format I really like and most importantly it really works. Old classics were elevated to something special and Numan looks and sounds fantastic.

Of the early set tunes ‘Me I Disconnect From You’ and ‘Praying To The Alians’ sounded awesome. The energy from this band is terrific ‘You Are In My Vision’ sounded energised and snotty but it was ‘Airlane’ followed by the magnificent ‘Complex’ that stole the show for me and tagging ‘Down In The Park’ and ‘Machmen’ thereafter took me back decades.

Sure the encore is next-level fanboy stuff and hearing ‘Cars’ pipe out through the synth is still a magnificent intro but the bass and drum punch is what drives the song on and this electric shortened version was a joy leaving just ‘Are Friends Electric’ to sign off a wonderfully entertaining night. He can keep doing these album sets it’ll never disappoint but I do think he’s kept himself relevant and contemporary and the set he turned in at Rebellion a few years back was magnificent and another reason why I’ll always support Gary Numan. Maybe next time play somewhere bigger and at least give us some breathing space.

Author: Dom Daley

Jukebox Headaches – ‘Wigston Deli’ (Self-Release)

Jukebox Headaches – ‘Wigston Deli’ (Self-Release)

If you’ve read any of my reviews, you know I’ll always try to crowbar a reference in for Jonny Cola And The A-Grades, one of my favourite bands. Yes, I did warn them that the consequence of my patronage is poverty and obscurity, but they were fabulous. Since 2014, Jonny and Jez Leather have been creating music and short films under the title of Jukebox Headaches. Last year, they released the ambitious ‘Balkan Telescope’, 20 songs of a broader spectrum than the A-Grades, but equally immersed in great pop tunes, be they of the Bowie/Cockney Rebel 70s style or of 80/90s Pet Shop Boys/Erasure, and much more besides.

Interspersed with spoken-word excerpts from their ‘Restricted Vision’ film, ‘Wigston Deli’ sees their earlier songs such as the unforgettable ‘Hey Valerie’ and ‘Jonathan’ combined with their newest tunes, but it hangs together well. From ‘Jukebox’ onwards, with its woozy, Cocteau Twins atmosphere, it’s an enjoyable journey.

Alongside main vocalist Cola, the album features contributions from country star Canadia Nash, renowned underground artist and DJ Heidi Heelz, and Caz Hellbent, drummer with indie darlings Desperate Journalist. This gives the songs a rich palette, from the pure pop stylings of ‘Nothing Happened’ to film soundtrack atmosphere of ‘Farewell Tour’. But, fear not, pop pickers! The melody is always dominant, regardless of the style of music. ‘Hey Valerie’ is probably the closest to the A-Grades’ DNA, but if you are someone who can equally appreciate the pop smarts of Bowie and Tennant, you won’t be disappointed. In fact, I’m guessing you’ll wish you’d heard them sooner.

Which is good news for you, as between the two albums so far, that gives you 32 songs to explore. And, as ever, there’s a reliable amount of smut in Jonny’s lyrics, as ‘Hollywood Sign’ shows. Equal parts euphoric and melancholy, but maybe that’s just me.

The acoustic ‘Fishwives Of Wick’ wouldn’t be out of place on a Luke Haines album, while ‘Lonestar’ ends things on a ‘Telstar’ note. As an album, it’s surprising, satisfying, and catchy by turns. You probably won’t hear anything else like it, so don’t be frightened, step into their world. And chuck  them a few quid on Bandcamp. We need the strange ones to improve our lives.

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Author: Martin Chamarette

Oh Bondage Up Yours Fest returns to NYC

Oh Bondage Up Yours Fest returns to NYC

Two Days of Female and Non-Binary Punk, Garage, Rock and Power Pop


(New York, NY) Coming in hot after Fear City Fun Fest’s second triumphant year, Oh Bondage Up Yours Fest is back for its second year of high-octane rock n roll. Oh, Bondage Up Yours returns with two days of the best bands in punk, rock n roll, power pop, and garage rock bands with female or non-binary members currently spanning the globe descending upon TV Eye in Ridgewood beginning Friday, June 7th, and concluding Saturday, June 8th. This year’s lineup features some household names as well as some of the most exciting newer acts currently waving the banner of rock n roll.


Garage rockers Miranda and the Beat and Hattiesburg, MS hardcore band Judy and the Jerks headline Friday night’s gig, while power pop legend Nikki Corvette and up-and-comers Hayley and the Crushers. The remaining lineup is rounded out by the likes of Mirrored Hell, Linda and the Losers, FAFA, Silver Dagger, Phagocyte, Frida Kill, Tracy City, The Trashers, The Tasteless Treats, Badzy, and Femcel.


Tickets are $30 for individual days and there are limited weekend passes available for $50.
Don’t miss New York City’s rock n roll party of the summer.
TV Eye
1647 Weirfield Ave
Ridgewood, NY
11385


Tickets: https://www.seetickets.us/event/oh-bondage-up-yours-vol-2/596487
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/H8yiNrTjQE95fXHv/?mibextid=9l3rBW
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fearcityfunfest?igsh=MTh2NWNyeG5sdTZnbQ==

Rancid share debut 92 EP & B and C sides

Rancid share debut 92 EP & B and C sides

Rancid Share Debut 1992 Self-Titled EP

Available Digitally For The First Time

Bay Area punk legends Rancid have released their debut self-titled EP on streaming services for the first time ever. Exclusively released on 7-inch vinyl back in 1992 on Lookout! Records, the inaugural Rancid EP is the band’s seminal five-track induction to punk rock that set the tone for a prolific and subversive thirty-plus year run.

Recently, Rancid’s B Sides and C Sides compilation of early works was also made available on streaming services as a collection for the first time. Originally released in 2007, the blistering 24 track set features songs that span 1992 to 2004.

LISTEN TO THE RANCID EP HERE

LISTEN TO B SIDES AND C SIDES HERE

The Rancid EP’s gruff dueling vocals and pummeling drums, slick basslines and furious riffs were introductions to the trademark street punk sound that they’ve honed and experimented with throughout the years. Highlighting its weighty instrumentals, a Punk News review claims, “this EP is one speedy, angry and energetic recording with not one pause from the intensity.”

Formed in 1991 with founding members Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman (formerly of Operation Ivy), they brought Armstrong’s roommate, drummer Brett Reed along for the wild ride. After multiple attempts at trying to recapture the magic of Op Ivy’s brief but critical run, they caught a spark with Rancid and recorded their introduction just months into inception.

Spanning multiple generations of spirited, fist-in-the-air anthems, Rancid have clung tightly to their punk roots. Having these early entries available on streaming platforms ensures that their legacy is even more accessible than ever before, allowing access for a new audience to experience the raw energy and rebellious spirit that has made Rancid a household name.

Throughout the last three decades, Rancid has remained fiercely independent, never losing their loyalty to their community or each other. Their music confronts political and social issues, while balancing personal tales of love, loss, and heartbreak with attitude. By carrying on the traditions and spirit of the original punk rock bands that came before, Rancid has become a legend and inspiration to punk bands that have come after.

FOR MORE INFO ON RANCID VISIT:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

Quireboys – Raining Whisky

Quireboys – Raining Whisky

QUIREBOYS TO RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM ‘WARDOUR STREET’

TO BE RELEASED SEPTEMBER 13th VIA CADIZ MUSIC

NEW SINGLE ‘RAINING WHISKEY’ FEATURING FRANKIE MILLER OUT JUNE 21ST ORDER HERE:

PRE ORDER THE ALBUM HERE:

At the start of every show, even since the beginning, you’ll hear frontman Spike proclaim, ‘WE’RE THE QUIREBOYS AND THIS IS ROCK’N’ROLL’. Everyone knows this is the invitation to get the party started, have a great evening of music, and to clap your hands and stamp your feet. Songs that make you laugh, make you cry, and all emotions in between. Old friends will be there, new ones are made, plus, as is now legendary, you’ll be able to meet the band at the bar.

All the emotions of a Quireboys show are to be found on the new album ‘Wardour Street’, due for release this coming September 13th via Cadiz Music. There are songs that will make you want to rock’n’roll, there are also songs from the heart, to make you laugh, love and cry, which is fitting, as the album is dedicated to the band’s co-founder, and best friend, the legend that was Guy Bailey, rock n’ roll personified!

So, who did the Quireboys ask to step in on guitar for the new album and shows this year? Only a legend could grace the position of another legend, who else could they turn to, other than their great friend Luke Morley, who kindly agreed to help out while Thunder are on hiatus. Luke has also produced the new album.

Following the release of the ‘Jeeze Louise’ single earlier this year which saw the band back to their boozy bar room rock n’ roll best, the Quireboys return with another taste from their new album in single ‘Raining Whiskey’, to be released June 21st, which features vocal contributions from Scottish singer and songwriting legend Frankie Miller alongside Spike.

“Let’s cut to the chase, Frankie Miller is the singer’s singer, and the songwriter’s songwriter,” explains Spike. “Just ask Sir Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Elton John, Joe Walsh, the list is endless, even Ray Charles had a hit with one of his songs.

“I first met Frankie at the Brit awards in 1993, the year The Faces performed with Bill Wyman on bass,” continues Spike. “It was both an honour, and a shock when Frankie came up to me and congratulated me on the Quireboys success, and as we got talking, we hit it off straight away.”

In 2014 Spike released the album ‘100% Pure Frankie Miller’, a collection of Frankie’s songs reimagined by Spike and mutual friends Luke Morley, Simon Kirke, Ian Hunter, Andy Fraser, Bonnie Tyler, Ronnie Wood, Mark Stanway, Tyla Pallas etc.

“There were enough songs to last a lifetime and I put my heart and soul in to listening to them all. It was an incredible journey into how he wrote songs, and how a chorus could become a verse, then that chorus become a bridge into another melody under the same chords. How not to over sing, when to over sing, but most of all write from your heart, from the first person, but also how to write in the third person. So hard to explain.

“And now, years later, going through the new songs I’d written for the new Quireboys album ‘Wardour Street’, with Luke Morley, he asked whatever happened to the song ‘Raining Whiskey’. I told him I’d never released it, and the recording was still sitting in Rockfield Studios. We got the tapes from our very good friend Nick Brine, who’s mixed the new album, and we’ve rerecorded it, in a rock n roll style we believe the Quireboys fans will love. Obviously the first person to hear the new version of ‘Raining Whiskey’ was Frankie Miller, he loves it, and urged us to release it as a single 

So, it is my honour to present the new single by the Quireboys, featuring Frankie Miller. ‘Raining Whiskey’.

Gyasi – ‘Rock n’ Roll Sword Fight’ (Alive Natural Sound)

Gyasi – ‘Rock n’ Roll Sword Fight’ (Alive Natural Sound)

West Virginia born and raised and unleashed in the sweaty clubs of Nashville, Gyasi has been treading the boards and wowing audiences for the past couple of years following the release of his mighty fine debut album ‘Pronounced Jah-See’.  

Channelling the flamboyancy of Bowie and Bolan, the rock n’ roll swagger of Led Zep, and even hints and nods to more modern Brit Pop influences, that debut was a pre-digital age tour-de-force of rock power and a statement of intent from an artist who is here to take over the world. Hey, wouldn’t it be great if he released a cool live album like all his heroes did back in the 70’s? If only he could show the world how to channel the rock power of The Stooges, Led Zep and T Rex… 

“Rock n Roll Sword Fight was recorded absolutely live in the USA” it says in the press blurb, and I absolutely believe it. A ten-track affair taken from several gigs. Recorded at Carnegie Hall (the Art Centre in West Virginia, not the famous concert Hall in New York), The Basement East, Nashville and the Bonnaroo Music Festival, this album is raw, unadulterated and in yer face! 

As the crowd cheer fades in and a bass riff rumbles, the band kick straight into ‘Cheap High’, a choppy, low slung riff and Ziggy Stardust wail from our illustrious frontman and we are off and running. This is how a live album should sound, I want to feel the sweat on my brow, the guitars reverberating in my ears and the electricity in the atmosphere. The band blast in to ‘Tongue Tied’, that signature 70’s glam rock stomp is created, there’s a sleazy swagger that owes as much to Jack White and The Black Keys as it does to 70’s glam rock.  

With a singer who looks like Mick Ronson meets Hedwig and wears platform boots and satin catsuits in 2024, I can only applaud the return of glamour to rock n’ roll. And when you have songs as good as ‘Fast Love‘ and ‘Godhead’ in your repertoire, then I don’t know how Gyasi can really fail. Close your eyes and you can just imagine the jaws dropping around you as the crowd witness this skinny-framed, satin-wearing dude, ripping on a Les Paul and showing them how rock n’ roll should be delivered. The aforementioned ‘Godhead’ sounds killer here. The guitars are raw and in your face, the vocals delivered with intent. The band sounds on fire. 

Turn the record over and side 2 kicks off with the recent single ‘Baby Blue’, a killer hook and a familiar riff that both reek of T Rexstacy., and that ain’t a bad place to be. ‘Sword Fight’ is as raw as you like, as our hero stretches his lungs over fuzzy, distorted riffs and pummelling bass. ‘Kiss Kiss’ brings boogie-woogie to the party and everyone is dancing by now. Licks are peeled off like the ghost of Johnny Thunders has entered the room, and c’mon…that hook is sublime, right? 

They end with ‘All Messed Up’ which is jammed out as an extended medley with a bit of Lou Reed and The Doors thrown in for good measure. 

Live albums can be hit & miss affairs. The intention should be to capture the feel and energy of the band in a live environment, maybe give the listener a glimpse of what it’s like to see the band live. Kiss’ ‘Alive’, Hanoi’s ‘All Those Wasted Years’ and Ramones ‘It’s Alive’, those are the benchmarks. And while Gyasi has a long way to go before he hits that legendary status, ‘Rock n’ Roll Sword Fight’ is one of those live albums that captures lightning in a bottle. A band on fire, who sound tight and energised, but still raw and punky, and more importantly they have the songs to match.  

This is one that is gonna get played a lot on my stereo, that’s a given. And it only makes me wanna see Gyasi live even more, The UK is waiting.   

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Author: Ben Hughes

The Podcast – It’s A Revolution Episode 31

The Podcast – It’s A Revolution Episode 31

Well here we are friends, enemies, rock n rollas its Episode 31 of the RPM Online Podcast and what better way to kick off the latest show than with the magnificent Toilet Boys from NYC. They played hard and lived hard and it has to be said in Miss Guy they had the ultimate Rock n Rolla frontperson and boy could they play. With a Track off their debut its a massive high to kick off the show. If you don’t like NYC finest then #getoutahere you’ve happened across something that just isn’t for you.

In timely fashion Amyl & The Sniffers announced a UK Tour today and released two new tracks just for good measure and ‘Facts’ is the first so here goes. Get your tickets and get an earful of the new tunes.

Before you know it were underway and Powderkeg are back with another song picked by Hotshot before we head down under again for a new song from Cutters ‘Desperate Rant Number 69’ lifted from ‘Psychic Injury’.

We keep the new tunes coming with another absolute banger from Redd Kross of their double LP thats about to drop sometime this summer. We then hit the part of the show that the ladies have been waiting for as Hotshots Hot Picks are unveiled. First up ‘Sex Type Thing’ from Stone Temple Pilots followed by Strayers with ‘Table For Two’ then The magnificent Muffs are offered up with ‘Lucky Guys’ then he picks Baby Chaos ‘Swimming Trunks’ and there you have Hotshots Hot Picks.

How about a Dandy Warhols BBC session from 2000 where the band perform ‘Last Junkie’ so a live in the studio cut is bouncing with energy. We stay in that period and Hole are on the turntable with ‘Skinny Little Bitch’.

I think its a first as we go Oriental with our first Japanese band and Teengenerate with the LO-Fi rapid ‘I Don’t Mind’ blasts off. We love Chuck Norris Experiment and we don’t need any excuse to play a track by those Gothenberg Heavy Rockin Punks but the fact they have a brand new album on the way its always a good excuse. so ‘Out Of Our League’ gets a good airing. Whilst we’re championing new records up next we have a brand new song off Rich Ragany and his solo record ‘You Can Get Dark With Me’ and boy what atop tune this one is. Hit him up for a copy of this album available this coming June 14th via Barrel and Squidger Records. or click this link to pre order a copy.

One record and out sadly was the way MAin Street Brats went after their superb self titled album hit our stereos back in 2012 so what better song to play that the albums opening blast ‘375’ how this was a one off God only knows and how it never got a vinyl press is also a mystery. New single from Narco Y Horchata has a quality cover on the B side ‘Don’t Come Crying To ME’ by the Cyanides so why not give it the once over here and an LP is rumoured to be in the can for future release which is great news based off of the two songs on this single.

Anyone remember Bobby Durango and Rock City Angels? you might remember the Geffen album Young Mans Blues well, we play one of the demo tracks that made up the postumous release ‘Southern Vision’ in the shape of ‘Lower East Side’ their story is interesting and is wrapped up in some Guns N Roses history. but its followed by one of the two new bangers from The Hellacopters as ‘Fire In Ciaro’ is our tune of choice from the new single. Long time fans wont be dissapointed inn what the band dish up now with Dregan back in the fold its a Banger.

The penultimate track this week is Banned From The USA’ courtesy of the Netherlands The Covids and we both agree this is a banger just before its release and the band also have a smattering of live dates around mainland Europe so do check em out.

Finally we reach the end of this marathon episode where we cram 21 songs for your listenign pleasure from all corners of the spinning rock. What away to sign off episode 31 we play The Courettes with their take on a Cramps classic and were outta here. Enjoy and please help spread the word by following us on our mission o fspreading the good tunes to the masses. Diolch!

The Setbacks – ‘Paint The Town’ (Self Release)

The Setbacks – ‘Paint The Town’ (Self Release)

Bath punks The Setbacks have been busy boys with this album The Labour of love for songwriter Adrian Elliott and the rest of his West Country punk rockin amigos. It gets underway with the sprightly punchy blast of ‘I Will Stand’ with gang vocals on the chorus its Street punk baby and bouncing along with as much energy as they can muster, it freewheels through The title track leaning heavily on American pop punk with loads of melody in the vocals its bright and a lot of fun.

The production is loud and there’s the right amount of light and shade wedged into each song meaning it’s never stifled and muddy which helps this style bounce on. Theres a lot of music to get through with twelve tracks packing this second Setbacks album out. the pace is like a battle cry from the first track until the more melodic ‘Sunday’. If you’re holding out for a punk rock ballad then you’ll be disappointed but the Clash-inspired ‘Lulus Leaving’ but they do leave the best til last, it has a nice bass rundown and a catchy chorus. it might lack originality but they sound like they’re having a blast, it’s tight and honest and they certainly do melodic street punk with heart and soul. It’s not exclusively America that does melodic street punk these Brits can pull It off just as convincingly and The Setbacks are the proof. If writing and recording a tight and fun record was the MO then the mission is accomplished -the setbacks do it with a swagger. Oh, and I love the artwork.

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Author: Dom Daley