Celebrating fifteen years of causing chaos, destruction and raging like Norse Motherfuckiers across the globe and the root of it all is a catalogue of most excellent records and live shows. The Good The Bad And The Zugly have got the lot and to celebrate they’ve released another album choc-o-bloc with bangers.
satirical know-it-all attitude, Lyrics about god knows what and other things I’m still trying to decifer their debut album so fuck knows when I’ll make sense of this one.
What is this Decade of Regression you ask? well, let me introduce you to what the band considers to be their worst record thus far, A collection of B-songs that have never made the list when dropping their previous records. This album is nothing of the sort and I’m sure tongues were firmly in cheeks when suggesting so. the first glimpse was ‘Walk Around The Porridge’ which I’m reliably informed is a Norweigan term for beat around the bush and it’s a belter. When you dig into this album if you’re new to the band (Which is fine) turn the fuckin stereo up and when you’ve done that turn it up a little more. There sitting comfortably then stand and crack open a beer and give themselves up for Zugly because these tunes demand it. Longterm fans will be already aware of the band’s steadfast uncompromising punk rock hardcore attitude and will know that the band are incapable of making bad albums.
Whilst you’re waiting for Turbonegro to wake from their hiatus coma or Gluecifer to make a new record the GBZ has stolen a march to the crown of Scandi punk rock and seem incapable of putting afoot wrong and this is no exception regardless of the press blurb this record rocks like a mofo make no mistake about it from the opening chords to the final thrashing finale GBZ are on it.
You have the solid Rock of ‘Krenk It Up’ channelling DC with some mega Riff-a-Rama or the ripping ‘Clssic Oslo Attitude’ thats the music equivelant to a punch on the nose. ‘A Couple Of Dudes’ is where Turbonegro would be if they were still making music. But my pick o fthe pack is the riot that is ‘Going Postal’ with its gang vocals that even the most drunk dude in the room can get involved with.
Stream it if you have to but buy it on record for the ultimate experience and if they roll into a town near you don’t hesitate to go – they’ll blow your mind its that simple – All hail the Zuglys they rock like fuck! Buy IT!
Listening to the debut album by The Whole Damn Affair (WDA for simplicity’s sake in this review) has reminded me that there is a whole genre of music that has really disappeared from the mainstream over the past 30-plus years. There was a distinct category that we could refer to as rock music, and people would have a general idea of what it might sound like, whether it ranged from the J. Geils Band to Bruce Springsteen to Tina Turner to Bryan Adams. There was a crossover with the likes of George Thorogood & the Destroyers, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and other similar acts. With all the increased boxes some people have used to label bands, this one really doesn’t get utilized much for new artists with legacy artists being deemed classic rock, nostalgia, etc. So, what does this have to do with WDA? Musically, this is a timeless rock album with very well-crafted songs and excellent use of female backing vocals and horns to enrich them.
With a final track list order still in flux, I am going to run through this version which may or may not end up the official one per Mister Jimmy. Things kick off here with second single ‘Elegant Ruse’ which introduces itself with a cool drum pattern and then some subtle electric guitar. This song has really grown on me with multiple listens. This one utilizes some horn in the verse that is subtle in the mix but really takes a great song to even loftier heights. The hook isn’t over the top but extremely catchy. The build-up in the song turns into a well-done guitar solo and sets up the end to a song that should be dynamite live. Hints of blues and soul fill second song ‘Rid a Me’ with a full dose of character and a great mix of guitar and horns. The female backing vocals here fill out the sound and make sure there is not one wasted second in this song. The bridge again shows the band knows how to create dynamics within songs, and this is another of many favourites on the album for me.
‘Burn Me Down’ reminds me a bit of ‘Sticky Fingers’ era Stones with the instruments all having room to breathe in the mix. The piano works perfectly in the song, and this really could have been a fun straight-ahead rock n roll song for the likes of the Georgia Satellites, Izzy Straddlin, the Poor Boys (remember them?), etc. Vocally, Mister Jimmy sings all the songs here with a smooth delivery that has just the right amount of grit where it doesn’t feel too smooth. Currently placed in the traditional ballad spot, ‘Trouble Again’ slows the tempo a bit with Mister Jimmy channelling some Michael Hutchence in the verses but doesn’t qualify as a ballad. I mentioned it earlier, but WDA makes me want to hear all these songs live. The first single ‘Hard Way Down’ wraps up the first half of the album and is one of my favourite songs over the past several years. I have been living with this album for about a month now, and one of the comparisons that has come to mind for this song goes back to the 90’s band The Loveless that arose from the ashes of the Electric Angels. Where they turned the gloss and pop up for maximum effect, WDA have turned up the rock and soul here. Lyrically, musically- songs really don’t come much better than this for my tastes.
Kicking off the second half of the album (vinyl due later this year), the band keep the momentum moving with ‘A Question Tonight.’ The band again channels soul into their sound with this hook-filled anthem, and the breakdown leads into my favourite guitar solo on the album. The band kick into ‘Falling Apart’ which musically reminds me a bit of Lenny Kravitz and will be a bonus track on the vinyl and a future b-side. Musically, this is probably the heaviest (in the context of these songs) WDA go. I like the way the band fills the mix with the instruments and the backing vocals, but everything is still easy to discern while listening. ‘Fleet Foot Runner” increases the tempo as a straight-ahead rocker but gets a bit overshadowed within the songs on the album. Coming in at a tight two and a half minutes though, I have not skipped this one and find it has grown on me.
Kicking off the final stretch is current single ‘Not Your Fault’ which lyrically is an awesome message from an adult son to his mother who had him as a teenager. Filled with imagery that fuels an already powerful message, WDM pack this song with emotional depth and match it musically with an up-tempo beat. There is an assertiveness musically to ‘Take It Out on Me’ combined with some grit and darkness for a catchy rocker designed to make people move their body. Wrapping up the album is ‘We Don’t Work’ which dials back the intensity and again reminds me a bit of the Stones. The band ends on a high note with the sax work being highlighted.
The Whole Damn Affair have crafted a brilliant album that deserves a wide audience, and I think that can happen if people check it out because I immediately started telling my friends about this band when I heard them. If you want to hear some rock music filled with soul and heart, get this one fired up for a listen and then hopefully buy a copy on vinyl when it becomes available. I know I will.
‘The Whole Damn Affair” is available Digitally May 10th with vinyl coming later this year.
‘Live At The Lexington’ is a limited edition vinyl LP that His Lordship will be selling exclusively on their forthcoming UK tour.
The album was recorded at one of their early live shows back in December 2022 and anyone who was there will remember the electric atmosphere in the room that night. 11 raucous renditions including the previously unavailable live favourite ’Sleepwalk’ plus that evenings special homage to Wilco Johnson ’She Does It Right’. Each ‘Live At The Lexington’ vinyl LP comes with a free CD copy – housed in a printed card sleeve – shrink wrapped inside, so everyone is catered for in one nifty package.
These are limited to 700 copies worldwide and only available on the merch table at our UK shows in May.
Join us for episode 28 where the fun boy three becomes The Four Musketeers as Martin ‘D’Artagnan’ Chamarette joins for some musical nonsense as he picks some top tunes to play on our Podcast in the hop it catches fire and people tune in and enjoy what we have to offer.
This week we have Slade and Sweet from the 70s through to the 00s and beyond as we try and spread the love with our pop picks.
Martin adds to the tapestry with his picks of Jonny Cola & The A Grades as well as Dave Ryder Prangley so hit that link and dive in for some of the best tunes we can offer. As always like – follow and subscribe you know it makes sense.
Join us this week as we walk you through some pretty awesome tunes both old and new. Kicking off with a new song from Rich Ragany and his brand new solo album that’s released in a month but pre-sales are up now from his label Here
We delve back into the 80s for some Sea Hags and a track off their one and only self-titled album before we hit you with a brand new song off the soon-to-be-released Redd Kross double album! Yes Double. Pre Orders Here
We just keep giving. Try some Scandinavian Glunk in the shape of Leaded Fuel next before we offer some Ultrabomb who also have a new album on pre-sales.
Does anyone remember Electric Angels? well, we do and this is their Drinking Song the band was the springboard for Ryan Roxie who is currently playing with Alice Cooper. Fancy some cock Rock courtesy of CC from Poison? Hotshot did which is why we played a song from his project Samantha 7 with a track called ‘Framed’. We dug up a classic Fallen Angels track off that debut album because it’s one of those criminally underrated records that deserve to have more ears on it so here’s ‘Dagger In My Heart’.
In the 80s NYC dished up some sleazy rock n roll in the shape of Uncle Sam and a track off the ‘Heaven Or Hollywood’ record as we ‘Live For The Day’. Hotshot offers up Jizzy Pearls Love HAte and ‘Spinning Wheel’ which is quickly followed by the epic Warfare with ‘ Noise Filth and Fury’ that was the ultimate MEtal/punk crossover that paved the way for the likes of Midnight and they had a fan in Lemmy. So what’s not to like?
We heard of the recent passing of Jock from X-Ray Eyes so we played ‘Blind Sniper’ off the band’s latest release, Rest in Peace Jock.
Mo Bergs The Pursuit Of Happiness popped into my head earlier this week and I couldn’t get this banger out of my brain. ‘I’m An Adult Now’ is a stone wall classic. The Daniel James Gang offer some ‘Misery’ right from the sleazy side of the Replacements pocket and we love that, we also love some Indonesian Junk as well but they’re for a later episode so this banger will do for now.
We head into the home straight with a track off the RSD album from Dead Horse a band made up of a Damned, Sex Pistol, Generation X and twenty Flight Rocker that you should have picked up on RSD 2024 if you have any self respect, if not fear not we can sort you out with one of the tracks here.
Crazyhead released one of the singles ever and most definitely one of the best titled songs ever and we bring yo the original version from the 12″ not the overproduced album take which is still great but not as good as this version.
If you stick around with this episode we bring yo the mighty Scott Drake and a track called ‘Champagne On Ice’ a much underrated artist who is currently tearing it up with Guerrilla Teens a band you should also check out. We sign off Episode 27 with some Garage Rock from the awesome Suicide Generation and ‘Prisoner Of Love’ so until next time stay tuned and like-share-follow the RPM Online Podcast – It’s A Revolution
Millie Manders and The Shutup will conclude their Angry Side tour with a date at London Downstairs @ The Dome on Thursday 16 May which will also feature an exclusive opening acoustic set of unreleased songs from the band’s forthcoming second album Wake Up, Shut Up, Work.
The band recently announced that the album will be released on 2 August on vinyl, CD and all major download and streaming platforms.
Following their rapturously received and predominantly sold out Angry Side tour throughout April, MILLIE MANDERS AND THE SHUT UP are now preparing for the final date at DOWNSTAIRS @ THE DOME in LONDON on THURSDAY 16 MAY. The London show will include an exclusive opening acoustic set of unreleased songs from the band’s forthcoming second album – WAKE UP, SHUT UP, WORK – to be released on 2 August 2024 and support on the night will come from VOODOO RADIO. TICKETS
WAKE UP, SHUT UP, WORK – the eagerly awaited follow up to their acclaimed debut Telling Truths, Breaking Ties – is available to preorder on vinyl and CD here: https://linktr.ee/milliemanders
Talking about the new album, Millie Manders says:
“Our sophomore album has been so much more collaborative as a band, and it’s been a really wonderful process in terms of expansion and evolution of our sound while maintaining a lot of what we have already put out on Telling Truths, Breaking Ties. It’s also been a great opportunity to bond as musicians, writing in rooms together in blocks over the last year or so. We are all so proud of what we have achieved, and we all hope that Wake Up, Shut Up, Work has a similarly warm reception when it’s released into the world.”
In 1990, the Quireboys released their debut album ‘A Bit Of What You Fancy’. An album that brought British rock’n’roll to the attention of virtually every country in the world. This was no overnight success though, as the band had worked tirelessly, touring every club and venue up and down the country, paying their dues, and learning their craft. Their hard work finally paid off.
The debut album made them the second biggest selling band of the year on EMI / Parlophone, and with one of the world’s biggest managers, Sharon Osborne, together with Rod McSween at ITB agency, the Quireboys toured the globe, not only playing their own sold out shows, but also as special guests on stadium tours to artists such as the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Guns’n’Roses, Aerosmith, and Bon Jovi, to name a few, the list could go on endlessly, just as the band have continued endlessly themselves.
At the start of every show, even since the beginning, you’ll hear 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.
On May 24th the Quireboys will release a new single from the album titled ‘Raining Whiskey’ that features the vocals of Scottish singer and songwriting legend Frankie Miller.
“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 into 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’.
The flipside of the single features ‘Jeeze Louise’, released earlier this year and showcasing the Quireboys at their bar room brawling, rock n’ roll best, displaying to the world exactly how it should be done and what to expect from their forthcoming album.
“This album has been both heartbreaking and amazing to make,” summarises Spike. “I know Guy Bailey will be proud of the record, especially, having Luke Morley playing guitar, and for me to be singing with his favourite vocalist, Frankie Miller. This is for you; I love you Guy x”.
‘Wardour Street’ will be released September 13th via Cadiz Music. Pre-order HERE:
A last-minute decision sees me travel the 100 miles across the Severn Bridge to catch the twelve-legged groove machine otherwise known as The Bar Stool Preachers in Lost Horizon Bristol, Why not seems like a good idea right? Right, what else was I going to do on a Saturday night?
Lost Horizon is the nearest town centre venue to the M4 so bonus as we enter the old warehouse venue turned into a trendy concert venue where different warehouses are pumping out different flavours of Saturday night music from Drum and Bass to punk rock and Ska to god knows what was filling the air as we neared the venue.
A healthy attendance as we enter the room at the perfect time just as the house lights go down and the intro tape begins. The room is hoping with people of all ages out to enjoy the best Saturday night they could muster with a band who certainly know how to put on a performance be it in front of 20,000 Germans, A packed Rebellion Festival or a Saturday night in the West Country. Business is on and ‘Call Me On The Way Home’ fills the air and the place is jumping well up for an entertaining evening with the preachers.
The band seamlessly glide from album to album playing the best night-out music you could hope for its music to move even the stiffest people nobody here is judging the dancefloor and the place is rocking. Sweaty bodies are moving to ‘DLTDHYOTWO’, ‘Fall Down’, ‘Trickle Down’ and ‘State Of Emergency’ I glanced down at my watch and already we were an hour deep into this gig, how the hell did that happen as Tom Pirouettes around the stage between the band out front who can’t stand still for a second, beaming faces from ear to ear as every word is sung back. Every time I catch the band I think their time is now these guys are ready to go big and the next album will be the one but they already have so many anthemic sing-along songs like ‘Chose My Friends’, ‘Flatlined’ and the superb ‘Doorstep’ but tonight it was the old guard that stole the show and almost a week later I can’t get the earworm ‘8.6 Days (All The Broken Hearts)’ out of my head maybe they knew how many days it would stay in your ears for who knows.
With an early curfew time was running out and it was time to take a breather with the excellent ‘Lighthouse Keeper’ where Tom had found a fetching pair of cat ears to wear, no he did. The band raced through ‘8.6’ and the togetherness and interplay was so evident that this is a band working as one totally in step with one another that is a beautiful thing living in the moment making great music and having it paid back from an audience who are loving it ten fold.
All that was left was ‘Bar Stool Preacher’ and a good ole knees up and they were done. Nothing was left on the stage there couldn’t have been anyone in attendance who didn’t have a good time. This was the perfect way to spend any night let alone a Saturday night and these boys are on fire. through a crisp sound system, they were on fire dishing out not soul music but music for the soul. Right at the top of their game Bar Stool Preachers have evolved into a fantastic live band and peerless in their genre – come and join the family and let them shine some light into your life it’ll make you a better person and if you don’t Tom might hunt you down and give you a headbutt. The highlight was ‘Never Gonna Happen’ it was performed with such belief and passion it was an experience. My only complaint is get ‘Race Through Berlin’ back in the set it’s majestic even if you have to overrun by three minutes it’ll be worth it. Top night out as always.
Whammo! Look who’s back with a new shiny spinning disc of musical meanderings for your perusal. If you read the hallowed pages of Uber Rock back in the day, you’ll probably be aware of the name Rich Ragany. Affectionally known as Rags to all and sundry, you may remember him from such class acts as The Loyalties and The Role Models, and more recently with his band The Digressions. Well, the Calgary born and New York bred singer/songwriter, who has lived in London for enough years now to be considered a local, has cast aside his trusty telecaster, strapped on an acoustic guitar and he’s riding that steel horse into town all on his lonesome.
Don’t worry, Rags hasn’t gone all Bon Jovi on us just yet, but his debut solo album ‘You Can Get Dark With Me’ is a more stripped-back, singer/songwriter affair than his previous works. On offer we have 10 tracks recorded in various settings, including his own bathroom! Produced by Andy Brooke and Russell Broom and featuring Ken Mochikoshi-Horne of The Bronx playing guitar on first single ‘A Pleasant Fiction’, as well as fellow digression Kit Swing providing backing vocals.
Opener ‘Empty and Free’ sets the scene nicely. This is the sounds of The Lords Of The New Church and The Replacements jamming out in some forgotten Tarantino spaghetti western. The vibes are anthemic and upbeat from the off, with a trademark Rags melody that will embed itself right in the brain. Guitar lines jangle and intertwine before the dulcet vocals reverberate through the speakers.
First single ‘A Pleasant Fiction’ follows. Featuring the guitar talents of The Bronx man Ken Mochikoshi-Horne, it’s an album highlight for sure. The verse creates a certain drama, again the alternative 80’s are strong with this one, I’m getting early Hanoi meets Japan vibes, are you with me?
The title track came about after a 3 a.m. heart-to-heart with longtime friend and former Amen/Wildhearts bassist Scott Sorry. This is classic balladmongery, with Rags enticing the listener with heartfelt melodies, the juxtaposition of Kit’s vocal accompaniment then gives a silken, dreamy edge to the raspiness. A blood-on-blood tale that gives a sense of longing and vulnerability that we have not seen from this artist before. ‘Sierra Bonita’ is the surprise twist of the album. With pulsing electronica and skulking verses, it has early 80’s new wave vibes, coming on like Billy Idol or prime, drug-ravaged Depeche Mode at their best.
Elsewhere the likes of ‘Reach Out’ and We’re Alive Anyway’ break out the tinkling ivories where the singer is full of nostalgia and hope. And ‘The Great Nothing’ continues the dark and foreboding Lords alternative 80’s theme.
He’s had his ups and downs the past few years, but Rags is still aiming for that guitar shaped swimming pool with ‘You Can Get Dark With Me’. It harks back to the days of those Role Models albums, there seems to me a whole heap of nostalgia and soul searching going on here, and if you were dragged up on a diet of Hanoi, The Lords and The Dogs, then you will fall in love with the sonic tapestries created within this album.
There’s a diverse and rich set of tunes that somehow sound familiar after just a few listens, which is always a good indicator of a top-ten album contender come the end of the year.
Rich Ragany has laid his heart on his sleeve and poured his soul out on ‘You Can Get Dark With Me’, so the least you can do is return the favour and pick up a cheap alternative to that Replacements box set you’ll never afford.
The Return of the Fun Boy Three who entered the pumphouse to spin some tunes that tickled their fancy this past few weeks. With an ever-expanding repertoire, this week’s tunes are as follows.
G.B.I. from their record store day single – a cover of ‘The Regulator’ originally by Bad Brains. Quickly followed by those Continental Lovers who continue to impress with every single released and we look forward to catching them live and think you should too.
Billy Morrison has a new album out and we played the impressive single ‘Drowning’ Quickly followed by Starcrawler and ‘I Love LA’. We then head back into the mists of time for the classic original Quireboys track ‘Mayfair’ and what I believe is the original version. Linking those Continental Lovers because they both head out for some live dates soon.
As we love a cover version this time we flip it and play the original from TV Smith of the track covered by The Lords Of The New Church ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. A new record coming out soon on Damaged Goods is Martin Savage & The Jiggerz so ‘Down The Line’ is aired from that record.
We also have tracks from Jason And The Scorchers followed by Screaming Rebel Angels before Tyla J Pallas gets played and one from his ‘XIII shades of Dog Vol II’ Album ‘Fool Like Me’ is the old brought into the new but now not-so-new but still a cracking tune.
Toronto Canada is where you’ll find The Anti Queens and their new single ‘Crusade’ lifted from their forthcoming album ‘Disenchanted’ coming out mid-May on Stomp Records. We turn it up to 11 as Danko Jones joins the noise pollution with ‘Guess Whos Back’. If it’s brand new music you’re after then Former More Kicks frontman James Sullivan is back with a new LP and we play ‘My Best Friend’.
The Oxys offer up ‘Mr Horrible’ but not before we play some Speedways off their Tripple Platinum which has finally arrived at Beluga Records before another new single from The Chesterfield Kings who are ‘Electrified’ out on Wicked cool records is the penultimate tune this week.
We close off the show with a track from The Waldos because Walter would have had a Birthday the day we recorded the show and anytime is a good time to play a Walter Lure song so ‘Sorry closes Episode 26. Thanks again for tuning in and we hope you’ve enjoyed our nonsense and found a new band or two to check out.
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