Seattle-based blues-rock outfit Walking Papers return with their 3rd album ‘The Light Below’, the follow up to their 2018 album ‘WP2’. Singer/guitarist and chief songwriter Jeff Angell and keyboard player Benjamin Anderson may have lost bassist Duff McKagan and Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin along the way due to touring commitments, but that hasn’t stopped the duo from moving forward with their brand of blues-based art rock and taking their sound to another dimension along the way.
Joining the duo on this new album are drummer Will Andrews, bassist Dan Spalding, and guitar player Tristan Hart Pierce.
If you are unaware of Walking Papers, let’s get one thing straight, they are not a party band. They may have Guns n’ Roses and Pearl Jam connections, but Messrs Angell and Anderson have not produced an album of anthemic, stadium rock to take their fans’ minds off a Pandemic ravaged world. What they have delivered is an epic album of pure escapism that takes them far away from their post-Grunge, blues rock beginnings.
‘The Light Below’ is an atmospheric and captivating album from the off and it draws the listener in, unlike either of their previous offerings. Opener ‘The Value Of Zero’ rides on downbeat, tribal rhythms and swathes of electronica. ‘Ultra’-era Depeche Mode springs immediately to mind, this is not the dusty, Seattle blues rock of their previous incarnation, this is dark and foreboding rock music that skulks along in the dark waiting to pounce.
The previous single ‘What Did You Expect?’ follows, “I never promised to be an Angel’ croons Angell over fuzzy guitars and dance beats. Imagine if Trent Reznor had collided with ‘Full Moon Over Dirty Hearts’ era INXS and took them further down the spiral…yes, it’s a 90’s alternative rock thing and that’s a good place to be.
Two songs in and I’m pretty much blown away already, intrigued and excited for what is to follow. And what does follow is, what I can only describe as a masterpiece. ‘Divine Intervention/Stood Up At The Gates Of Heaven’ is the centerpiece of the album. Originally written as one piece of music, it has been split into two for this album. The full, epic 12-minute version was released recently along with a dark, David Lynch inspired video that fits the feel of the song perfectly. Picked, bluesy guitars, pulsating bass that reverberates deep down to the bottom of the soul, and brooding, whisky-soaked vocals that sit somewhere between Ian Astbury and Trent Reznor. The sprawling, cinematic ‘Divine Intervention’ documents Angell’s ongoing ‘conversations’ with departed spirits, and features Stone Temple Pilots Dean DeLeo’s masterful guitar work.
The segue into ‘’Stood Up At The Gates Of Heaven’ is magnificent, the pulsating hypnotic beat enraptures the listener for the entirety. For me, this is what music is all about. This is an album to get lost in, an album to drift away with. With clever use of dynamics, Angell creates soundscapes to enthrall, all you have to do is put on your headphones to block out the world, close your eyes and let the songwriter take you on a trip to another dimension.
Each song is like an all-encompassing art piece, each one different but all following the same theme. The structures, the sonics and the dynamics of each cleverly thought out and played out to complement the other within the context of the album that flows as one whole work of art.
With swathes of Hammond ‘Going Nowhere’ has a gothic, almost ethereal feel to it. Sparse instrumentation, minimal drums, and clever use of space leave room for the singer to work some magic, and the surprise addition of some sexy sax gives a soulful INXS vibe.
At over 9 minutes, ‘Creation, Reproduction and Death’ is a sexually charged, dancerama of darkness. A trip through life towards death, did you take the red or the blue pill? They even tinker with jazz on ‘The Other Shoe (Reprise)’, an instrumental sidestep where unexpected but welcoming sax joins pumping bass and tribal rhythms.
Jeff Angell has mastered the fine art of storytelling on this third opus and he shows us he can still sing the blues on the last two offerings. ‘Where Did I Go Wrong?’ is a bluesy confessional accompanied by warm, clean guitar chords and subtle background keys. And closer ‘California (One More Phone Call)’ is a Black Crowes style ballad. A vocal on the verge of cracking, a love letter, a goodbye to a lover, delivered with conviction and passion, mixed with subdued Hammond chords and little else is all that is needed to leave the listener with a sense of yearning. But a yearning for what? Maybe it’s just to press play and do it all again.
I must admit I went into this review expecting an average, dare I say it ‘classic rock’ album, based on the band’s past output. Little did I expect to be drawn in to an expansive album that ticks all the boxes for what I want from music in 2021. Angell and Anderson have taken their band far from their roots and created a sound that is modern, progressive and dark, full of electronica but rooted in the classic. Overall, I can honestly say ‘The Light Below’ is utterly mesmerizing and completely spellbinding. I know it’s early days, but I feel we may have a contender for album of the year already.
Hip hip Hooray It’s Monday and raining (somewhere) and one of our favourite noise makers has a video for the split they just released with The Supersuckers. ‘Aint Ever Gonna Die Again’ is the song and here’s the video. Love it
Taken from the upcoming LP ‘Lion on A Leash’ out March 26, 2021 on Wiretap Records. Space Cadet features Matt and Dave from The Explosion with The Bouncing Souls’ Pete Steinkopf producing, and features guest spots from Brian Baker (Bad Religion, Dag Nasty, Minor Threat, etc) providing guitar contributions.
Finally, a video to banish any lockdown blues from Rotten Mind an album we reviewed last year. ‘City Rats’ is a banger as is the video. Connect with Rotten Mind: Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp
Cheap Trick get set for new album with the release of a new single – ‘LIGHT UP THE FIRE’ LISTEN HEREIt’ll be the bands 20th Studio album ‘IN ANOTHER WORLD’ and will be released on APRIL 9th PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE HERE
“Quick, think of any other American rock band formed in ‘70s who is still putting out albums in the modern era that not only don’t embarrass the band but repeatedly revitalize their career. The list starts and stops with one name: Cheap Trick.” – Paste“Few acts inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as Cheap Trick deservedly was in 2016, are cranking out music as fresh, honest, energized and explosive as these guys… If this recent burst in activity keeps going, they will be the poster boys for how ageing rock and rollers can stay relevant without selling out or trying to be hip…Long Live Cheap Trick.” – American Songwriter
The one and only Cheap Trick have announced today’s premiere of their pummeling new single. ‘Light Up The Fire’ is available now at all DSPs and streaming services. The song heralds Cheap Trick’s eagerly anticipated 20th studio album, IN ANOTHER WORLD, arriving via BMG on Friday, April 9th digitally as well as on standard black vinyl and CD. Limited edition blue and white splattered vinyl will be available at independent record stores nationwide. In addition, a limited edition picture disc will be available exclusively via Target. Pre-orders are available now, with all pre-orders joined by an instant grat download of ‘Light Up The Fire.’
Produced by longtime associate Julian Raymond, IN ANOTHER WORLD sees Cheap Trick doing what they do better than anyone — crafting indelible rock ‘n’ roll with oversized hooks, mischievous lyrics, and seemingly inexorable energy. Trademark anthems like ‘Light Up The Fire’ and ‘Boys & Girls & Rock N Roll’ are countered by more introspective – but no less exuberant – considerations of times past, present, and unknowable future on such strikingly potent new tracks as ‘Another World’ and ‘I’ll See You Again.’
IN ANOTHER WORLD – which marks Cheap Trick’s first new LP since 2017’s double-header of WE’RE ALL ALRIGHT! and CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS – further showcases Cheap Trick at their most eclectic, touching on a myriad of distinct sounds and song approaches, from the swampy Chicago blues number, ‘Final Days’ (featuring fiery harmonica from GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer and Wet Willie frontman Jimmy Hall) to a timely rendition of John Lennon’s still-relevant ‘Gimme Some Truth,’ originally released for Record Store Day Black Friday 2019 and featuring the instantly recognisable guitar sound of erstwhile Sex Pistol Steve Jones. As irresistible and immediate as anything in their already awesome catalogue, IN ANOTHER WORLD is Cheap Trick at their irrepressible best, infinitely entertaining and utterly unstoppable.
An Incendiary, tragicomic documentary (midway between The Decline of Western Civilization and Crumb) which has been hailed as “Essential Viewing” by CineVue and called “Dark and Irresistible” by director John Carpenter, The El Duce Tapes will chew you up, spit you out, and leave you floored.
This February the fun begins on the 9th with one wild ride. In the early ’90s an aspiring filmmaker and part-time actor, Ryan Sexton, grabbed a camcorder and followed shock rockers The Mentors into the sleaziest and grimy clubs in the Hollywood area. The band, known for wearing black executioner masks over their heads, caused controversy wherever they went with their vulgar lyrics and decidedly non-PC approach. Sexton kept the cameras rolling at all times while putting a special focus on the band’s infamous singer-drummer, El Duce. Now thirty years later, filmmakers Rodney Ascher and David Lawrence have taken the footage and edited it together as ‘The El Duces Tapes’, a documentary that John Carpenter has praised as “dark and irresistible.” One watch will have viewers wanting more El Duce and for that, Arrow has you covered. The Blu-ray comes with a buttload of special features, including unused VHS footage, brand-new audio commentary, and an interview with Steve Broy, aka Dr. Heathen Scum of The Mentor.
Before January is finished we have another session of the Singles Club to round off the first knockings of 2021and as usual the quality is impressive. Hit em up and share the love of the trusty old 45RPM…
Muck & The Mires – ‘I’m your Man’ (Dirty Water Records) We’re starting this weeks singles club with this garage rock hip shakin bundle of energy from Muck & The Mires. As you’ll hear from the guitars this is right on the money sounding like it was recorded live in the moment and with some great melody and BV’s its a right Banger! Don’t doubt it that you need to hear these cats so head over to Bandcamp Here
45 Adapters – ‘Now Or Never’ (Pirates Press Records) Emerging out of the clusterfuck for bands that was 2020, this long-anticipated EP really packs the punch everyone has been hoping for.
It Comes out swinging, and is hit after hit on a pretty cool 12” picture disc that looks like it was printed on glass. The title track, a rip-roaring addition to the Pirates’ sampler “For Family And Flag“ that we reviewed a few weeks ago. It whet the whistle of fans across the globe… and the remaining tracks stacked up on this EP
Summarizing the sentiment felt by many, it really is “Now or Never“! Time to take a stand.
Guerrilla Teens – ‘End of the Leash’ (Self Release) Two downloadable tracks from the epic Guerrilla Teens Hell Yeah! I’ll take that sir. Scott ‘Deluxe’ Drake leads another slice of hellish Rock and Roll from the garage with a bluesy guitar break that leads you down a dark alley where the band is waiting to pound you without mercy they won’t rest and who can blame them as the song tail off into the distance with howls and wah! leaving you satisfied once again with the tracks teased out of Bandcamp. But wait there’s more as ‘Running Away’ is a petulant slice of Rock and Roll that’s got some loose gang vocals snarling away on the chorus. It’s snot captain but not as we know it. I love Guerrilla Teens they’re one of the triumphs of Lockdown and Pandemic. Now get this motherload of songs onto a slab of vinyl and we can put this past twelve months behind us. Bop Showaddy indeed – Buy It! Here
Captain Future – ‘Holy Waters’ (Gypsy Hotel Records) Alex McGowan is the man behind Captain Future and the new album ‘Ghostman’ and the first single taken from the album is ‘Holy Waters’ a bluesy slice of Dub or a dubby slice of Blues, either way, it’s a trip and a trip you should take. Love and hate collide and with the backdrop of what’s going on with certain leaders, it’s a slice of up-to-date right on-the-money music. It’ll creepy crawl into your head and shifting it is hard. Subtle and flavoursome the verses are dark whilst the chorus is raised and lets in the light. clever stuff.
Automatics – ‘Irish Blessing’ (Blank Generation Records ) Taken from the recent Automatics, white vinyl, promotional 4 track ‘Octonary’ EP, and also on the album ‘A Grand Swandive Into The Void’. You might think so what? However, if I were to say Steve Jones and Johnny Thunders contribute then I might just grab your attention and you might prick those ears back and give this some deserved attention. Also featuring SLF guitarist Ian McCallum.
what you have on this EP is quality ’77 punk Rock and Roll. Considering the calibre of the players, of course, these songs have that wonderful crunch on the guitar and when recorded right it lifts a recording. As you’ll hear ‘Irish Blessing’ has a Galic slant and some typical Irish folk leanings from the acoustic guitar to the lyrics. A bit of everything on the EP means – for me, a good proper investigation into the bands back catalogue and great discovering a whole bunch of tunes that passed me by first time and when, as I say. they are as good as this its a joy to discover. Website
Brad Marino – ‘What Do You Know’ (RumBar Records) The Connection, New Trocaderos, Rydells, Jimmy Rydell, and upfront and center; Portsmouth New Hampshire’s Brad Marino has founded, co-founded, written, co-written, performed, and recorded in & on multiple garage rock, punk, and power-pop bands and releases over the last 10 years. 2021, Brad Marino returns with his sophomore Full-Length release, jam-packed with power poppin’ rock and roll extraordinaire… ‘Looking For Trouble’. But to whet the appetite ‘What Do You Know’ is sent around the ether like a cannonball. Sure it’s got melody and a solid rockin’ backbeat and a whole heap of hooks and of course a raw guitar making it a must-hear track. Forging the way forward in powerpop circles. Don’t delay and be sure to hit Marino up and check this out you won’t regret it. Bandcamp
UNDER THE INFLUENCE ‘Moon Flavoured Magnets’ (Riot Records) ‘Moon Flavoured Magnets’ is the follow up to recent singles ‘Body Parts’ and the acoustic version of fan favourite ‘Propaganda Leaks’. Whilst the title comes across as being psychedelic, this track is far from it. It is another storming hardcore flavoured punk track. A vicious and intense punk / Metal hybrid. Its the sound of the roof caving in on you but it’s ok because the band are kicking up a shitstorm and I like that. Noisy Aussie bastards
“Welcome to Kins brain. It’s infused with mushrooms, madness and wisdom but we’ll let you decide… This is a mystical magical poem I wrote to Mother Nature. Touching on human greed, space, time, pollution and disrespect. Sadly, most humans are on a self-driven vendetta. Without a care for what really matters or anything that’s connected to the natural world. The only hope I see for mankind is to reconnect to the moon and oceanic currents by the only way I know, magic of course. That’s what this song is about…. Magic.’’ Facebook
Wildstreet – ‘Set It Off’ (Golden Robot Records) new single ‘Set It Off’ is like stepping back in time onboard bill and teds cock – rock – o’clock time machine. Not quite as dangerous as I was expecting and sounding more like a homage to Def Leps.
“Be yourself and stand up for what you believe. There will be set-backs, scars & bruises but you have to pick yourself up because you will make it to the top.” oh ok righto guys but cmon. I have been transported back in time this covid lockdown has sent me down a wormhole where Warrant and Ratt are strutting up and down the Sunset Strip for sure this would be featured in Bill & Teds next movie for sure all they have to do is wait…and wait…and wait
Midnite Snaxxx – ‘Contact Contamination’ (Slovenly Records) Rough blast of sugar-sweet punk rock with a video to test your brain its Midnite Snaxxx baby and their rapid adjit punk rock is addictive like hidden E numbers in kids confectionery its fast its fun and its addictive like a rapid Siouxie & the Banshees if I might be so bold. Songs outta Oakland never sounded so good did they?
The Shang Hi Los – ‘Kick It Like A Bad Habit’ (Rum Bar Records) A new one on me but it came via Rum Bar so of course I was going to check them out. Coming on like a Jags meets Blondie with healthy dollops of Cars thrown in along with a whole heap of other power pop luminaries this is a great easy listen for a debut single. There’s enough edge to remind me of Johnny Thunders last incarnation with the magnificent Oddballs – now I’m not comparing them quite yet but there are traces of the same DNA going on and that’s always going to drag me in. Love the guitar break on ‘Funeral Home Mint’ These cats love Rock and Roll and pop from days gone by as ‘Stay’ would testify then follow it up with the luscious ‘Skipping Records’ with big chords and big harmonies. It wouldn’t be fair if there wasn’t a Smokie sounding acoustic big finale with those duel vocals working really well together. In such trying times it’s nice to be nice and The Shang Hi Los sound like a really nice band and they’ve got tunes baby that’s for sure.
Hookers & Blow – ‘Time Of The Season’ (Golden Robot Records) Hookers & Blow, the now legendary project formed by longtime Guns N’ Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed and Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi, recently hit the studios last year to record a covers album that will be released this year via Golden Robot Records. This is the fifth single off the album, a cover of The Zombie’s ‘Time Of The Season’. It follows the release of the singles Shakin’ (Eddie Money), Rocks Off (Rolling Stones) and Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie) and Trampled Underfoot (Led Zeppelin) and a jolly good cover it is too. Polished as fuck but has a load of energy, Decent.
The Cavemen – ‘Am I A Monster’ (Pig Baby Records) I’ll be honest if The Hip Priests aren’t releasing a record the singles club can be a bit quieter but those crazy fuckers from New Zealand releases anything it sure perks this place up and again these Garage Ghouls have released an absolute pair of snotty stonkers in the shape of ‘Am I A Monster’ and ‘Schizophrenia’. The lead track is a stuttering head-shaking noisefest. It’s uncompromising yet totally uplifting and I love it. Imagine a time when these could have toured with The Parkinsons and The Hip Priests now that’s a tour I’d risk.
If the A-side was a rush then the B side is a Rock and Rolla for sure from start to finish and before the second line of the chorus I’m shouting along. One simple instruction from here is Buy It Here
Real People – ‘Life Without A Head’ (Slovenly Records) Rapid shots across the bow Real People aren’t fucking about available on tape (hip fuckers) or digital it’s shouty hardcore folks and tight as a gnats chuff. Lead track is a sprint to the finish and blink and you might miss it slice of Hardcore and it’s good. It’s pretty much the same MO for all the tracks with only one breaking the two-minute barrier but where it might be brief flashes of noise its quality and that counts. As they say on their promo blurb “seven solid minutes of no-frills and cheap thrills” just about hits the nail on the head and that’s what it should be, I like the riffs and the final offering is sharp and the riff is nailed. Check em out Here and thank us later
Cornered – ‘Failure EP’ (Blindsided Records) Dutch Harcore band Cornered are a new one on me but on first play they have that NYHC sound off to a tee, and with that clicky bass they thump their way into the singles round-up. ‘Burn’ is the opener with the Metal edged Hardcore being delivered in fine fashion. ‘Jungle Law’ reminds me of Downset and with a classic seg from Planet Of The Apes introducing the track what’s not to like? It’s short sharp and to the point exactly what no-nonsense Hardcore is supposed to be. ‘Realms Of Misery’ is a measured intro then off into a huge groove. I’m sure live in a tight pit these would be perfect and go down a storm.
There’s a lot going on here and at times it’s claustrophobic but at the same time, it’s good to just lash out and Cornered does it very well this isn’t a ‘Failure’ at all it’s European Hardcore mixing it with the best of em and holding their own. Check em out Here or pick this EP up Here
Yur Mum – ‘Black Rainbow’ (Self Release) The band, consisting of Anelise Kunz (Vocals/Bass) & Fabio Couto (Drums), have decided to unleash the first track from their forthcoming album, ‘Tropical Fuzz’ considering its just the rhythm section they manage to make a hell of a din I’m sure you’ll agree? claiming to not play by the rules would be about right to be fair and the Black & White video makes perfect sense as the track is bleak and cold and wintery. For fans of Therapy? and Placebo would be just about right on this evidence. Interesting stuff indeed. check em out Here / Bandcamp – https://yurmum.bandcamp
The Last International – ‘Modern Man’ (SME, The Orchard Music) Taken From New Live Record ‘Live At Arda. Vocalist Delia Paz, comments: “We live in a time where “Girl Power” has been reduced to a hashtag, used by countless celebrities and companies to sell products. The #metoo movement continues to welcome leaders that directly carry out heinous violence against women and children throughout the world, via drone strikes and crippling economic policies. These victims have been completely ignored by mainstream feminists. Anyone, including myself, who tries to expose this hypocrisy is immediately silenced and shamed. “Modern Man” is a song that gives a voice to the overlooked and disenfranchised women all over the world. I hope it encourages everyone, not just women, to think critically and speak up against all injustices and oppression. We will not be silenced!”
It might’ve taken 20 years but here it is: the original line-up of TheFlaming Sideburns unleashes a brand new album “Silver Flames”. It can be seen as a follow-up to their now legendary debut “Hallelujah Rock’n’Rollah”, which was released two decades prior in 2001.
“Silver Flames” is an album nobody expected to happen. Most certainly it’s out of time and out of place in 2021 but that has never stopped the Flaming Sideburns on their mission. Instead, they launch a rock’n’roll assault at full throttle.
It’s all there from straight-ahead rockers (“Silver Flame”, “Searching Like a Hyena”) to deep psychedelia (“Niburu”, “Reverberation”) and from classic rock (“A Song for Robert”) to pop-tinged choruses (“Perfect Storm”, “Cast out my Demons”). The album is wrapped up by “Trance-Noché” and its unusual combination of Latin American madness and Arctic hysteria — topped with the lyrics en Español.
Pre-orders have started. Digipak CDs, regular black vinyl, and limited crystal clear vinyl edition available HERE
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their debut album ‘Soulside Journey’, Darkthrone are set to release an extensive 6 LP, 4 tape boxset titled ‘Shadows Of Iconoclasm’ on 2nd April via Peaceville. The limited-edition boxset also includes a 7” alongside a 60-page book and DVD.
This deluxe set marks the formative years of one of Norway’s finest & most celebrated metal exports, as well as highlighting the 30th anniversary of their ground-breaking debut opus Soulside Journey, this extensive vinyl and cassette boxset contains the full early works of the band, much of which sees a release for the first time, including restored material courtesy of Patrick Engel at Temple of Disharmony. From humble beginnings to revered gods of metal, Shadows of Iconoclasm unfolds the band’s early journey towards greatness.
The special cover artwork for this set is inspired by the early works of the band & comes courtesy of notable artist Zbigniew Bielak.
This box set has been compiled and curated with the band and features content from their personal archives – Fenriz comments “We only had a few months to write what would become ‘A Blaze in the Northern Sky’ and we had to blacken up a whole song from the ‘Goatlord’ session, and here and there on ‘A Blaze…’ you can hear a few riffs from ‘Goatlord’. Ironically I ended up listening way more to the ‘Goatlord’ album than I ever did with ‘A Blaze in the Northern Sky’. Maybe because ‘Goatlord’ feels super-real to me and I want to thank Patrick Engel for cleaning up the rehearsal sound without manipulating it much.”
He continues “The real sensation in this box is the live performance from Bootleg Stage Oslo 1990, soundboard sound with live performances of several of the tracks from our Goatlord album, I was so stoked when I discovered this (and no, I never had this on video myself so it was the first time I heard the audio now after over 30 years and it made me very happy. It was a non-alcoholic stage but we were pretty wasted too!)”
SHADOWS OF ICONOCLASMwill be released on Peaceville Records on 2nd April 2021 and is now available to pre-order HERE
‘Shadows of Iconoclasm’ contains:
6 LPs plus 7” featuring:
-A newly remastered 30th-anniversary edition of 1991’s Soulside Journey
-The original Goatlord instrumental rehearsal/album – specially transferred & restored from Fenriz’ original tape
-Live in Esbjerg, Denmark 1990 – first time on vinyl
-Live in Oslo November 1990 –a new digital transfer from the original master tapes from the Bootleg TV archive. Previously unreleased.
-Live in Riihimaki & Lahti, Finland. Darkthrone’s 1991 – first time on vinyl format
-Tracks from Oslo 1989 Bootleg TV appearance on 7” vinyl, including the Celtic Frost cover, ‘Visual Aggression’
-The 4 cult Darkthrone demos presented on cassette tape with their original art & layout
-DVD featuring a new digital transfer of Darkthrone’s November 1990 Oslo appearance from original master tapes, as well as their Finnish tour date appearances
-plus bonus footage from Oslo 1989 & a previously unseen track from their September 1990 Oslo gig
– 60 page book with a large collection of band photos, plus text covering the early years of the band as featured in the ‘Black Death & Beyond’ book, including additional text for this release, plus bonus chapters compiled from rare Darkthrone titles
-Band promotional photo print replica
-Soulside Journey art print
-Posters of the original Darkthrone logo image drawing & gig poster promoting their Oslo live appearance from September 1990
Punk & Doom originators go straight to the soul of heavy rock on their new album Caveman Logic to be released via Svart Records on the 9th of April 2021. New single Black Sea out the 22nd of January 2021. Video out now!
More than a super-group, The Limit goes over the edge, to deliver real-deal, soulful Rock and Roll. Consisting of members of legendary Punk instigators The Stooges, the founders of Doom Rock Pentagram, legendary NYC Punk originators Testors and infamous Portuguese metal band Dawnrider, The Limit break out from the foundations of heavy rock and defy all expectations, to show a new generation what doom and punk really means. On the new album Caveman Logic, Bobby Liebling, singer and main-man of Pentagram, one of the originators of early Doom Rock and an inspiration for generations of Heavy Rock fans, on vocals, gives the performance of his career, singing like his life depended on it. Sonny Vincent, enigmatic legend of the early NYC Max’s Kansas City, CBGB Punk scene with his band Testors, having been on the road and recording with members of The Velvet Underground, lays down the guitar driven songs, his writing bearing all the hallmarks of ground-breaking Rock history in it’s filthy DNA. Phenomenal bass playing from Jimmy Recca, ex- The Stooges, and Ron Asheton’s New Order, gives The Limit the intense and world-class, speaker-destroying bottom end. Joined by Hugo Conim on Guitar and João Pedro Ventura on Drums from Portugese band Dawnrider, The Limit fuses star-dust pedigree with an organic incendiary chemistry that’s instantly raw and real. A dream come true to those that know their Doom/Punk history, The Limit brings the past right up to date on Caveman Logic, with an essential, burning passion at the heart of their songs. Seldom has a collaboration of well known stars in music sounded so vigorous and frenzied as The Limit’s caveman-like roar. The Limit is an astoundingly fresh and hot-blooded shot to the veins that Heavy Rock needs in this day and age. Conjured forth by stone-age pioneers, Caveman Logic goes to the heart of impassioned Heavy Rock and Punk, to deliver the basic and vital elements often missing in so much of today’s music. If you want primitive and straight to the soul primal rock, fresh from the grave and exhumed for a new unwitting future, look no further than Caveman Logic. This is it. This is as far as it goes. The Limit!
Recorded in Seattle in 1999, this monster record is now being reissued on vinyl remastered by Jack Endino.
As soon as the opening track of ‘Electric Children’ begins, you realize that The Monkeywrench have gotten much tighter in their second album, since their debut eight years before.
The production also seems rawer, possibly due to the fact that the band moved from Conrad Uno to veteran Seattle producer Jack Endino, who also engineered the first releases from bassist Steve Turner and vocalist Mark Arm‘s other band, Mudhoney.
Also contributing to the rawness of the record is the absence of Arm’s trademark piano and organ. This enhances the energy, causing you to notice a more frantic, electrified side of the band.
As on the debut album, Clean as a Broke-Dick Dog (1992), several genres of music are given equal time, including the country of “Thirteen Nights” and “The Empty Place“, the rockabilly of “The Weasel’s In The Barn“, the Eastern modal quality of “Around Again“, and the noise rock of the closing number, “In the days of the Five“.
The Monkeywrench have grown in their ability to craft a song, and the result is a masterpiece.
The band that features – Mark Arm (Mudhoney, Bloodloss) / Steve Turner (Mudhoney) / Tim Kerr (Big Boys) /Tom Price (Gas Huffer, U-Men) / Martin Bland (Bloodloss, Lubricated Goat)
Swampy Rock and Roll is the order of the day as The Luxurious Faux Furs are an enigmatic rock n roll duo based outta New Orleans, Louisiana.
Since their beginning in 2011 (supposedly in New York City), Luxurious Faux Furs have stripped their vision of garage rock down to the bone. Over the course of two LPs and a handful of seven-inches, Jessica-Melain (drums) and Josh Lee Hooker (guitar) approach their music with the howling, elemental minimalism of the Gories and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Yet they also embody the opulent absurdity of 70’s glam rock (a la Cockney Rebel), with stretched out songs, copious “ooh ooh” backup singing just like Jagger got his stones bandmates to do on the likes of ‘Gimme Shelter’. Their records have been issued by labels in Western Europe, South America, and Memphis, Tennessee, and especially at volume, it’s easy to see the attraction.
On this new LP, the pair maintains their garage squall and dives even further into hypnotic blues riffs and throbbing insistent drum pulse—what one listener called the “car with one square wheel” rhythm. Their choice of cover songs—obscure blues and sanctified numbers—show them moving even further from anything like “listener expectations.”
Playing live on stage, the band cuts a memorable image. Behind her pair of stand-up drums, Jessica-Melain swings her hips in time to the trance-like beat. Her hair is a big black thunder cloud with blonde streaks of lightning; her expression a bubblegum snarl. Meanwhile, Josh Lee Hooker, saturnine and overdressed, mutters confusing jokes to the audience then abruptly careens into impassioned, expressive singing.
The Luxurious Faux Furs are defiantly un-modern and anti-traditional; they’re neither urban nor rural; they have no interest in “what’s going on” and they certainly don’t care what people say about them. the tunes are unfussy and they delve deep into the blues but also keep it fairly contemporary with a borrowed riff here and there. ‘Seat In The Kingdom’ sounds like it could be half-inched from Brian James when he was looking for new tunes for the Lords Of The New Church and to contrast the rough arsed vocal that can be chaotic and wild the BV’s are often quite lush and smooth in comparison whatever it is it works.
At times it can sound quite hypnotic and other times it sounds claustrophobic and chaotic. I’m not too sure there was a great deal of quality control going on which helps keep it fresh but plays havoc with one’s OCD tendencies. Whatever view you have you can’t deny it’s rock and roll and I’m sure live these cats would go down a treat in some sweaty dive bar where the PA is way too loud and the drinks are cheap.
I love the tone on ‘Joe Bird’ and then there’s the vibe they’ve hit upon for the video ‘Home Cooking’ which is great. move over Jon Spenser and Guitar Wolf look over your shoulder there are some new kids in town and I don’t think they play nice. Favourite track is the haunting ‘Sign Of Judgment’ – sparse and like a diamond in the rough worth checking out for this one alone. The more I play it the more I want to play it now if every album had those qualities. Check em out – you’ll like em!
Seattle-based blues-rock outfit Walking Papers return with their 3rd album ‘The Light Below’, the follow up to their 2018 album ‘WP2’. Singer/guitarist and chief songwriter Jeff Angell and keyboard player Benjamin Anderson may have lost bassist Duff McKagan and Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin along the way due to touring commitments, but that hasn’t stopped the duo from moving forward with their brand of blues-based art rock and taking their sound to another dimension along the way.
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