Blacklist Union continue to create their own irresistible & shamanistic blend of Stone Temple PilotsGuns N’ RosesMalfunkshun, The Cult & Mother Love Bone. Following the 2024 singles ‘Horns & Halos’ & ‘Hey Mr Superstar’, new single ‘Mississippi Moonhound’, a swampy, swaggering anthem that captures the feeling of being haunted by your past while howling into the night for something more.. The debut single from the forthcoming LP ‘Slay the Dragon’, the band’s 6th studio album. Produced by Christopher Johnson (Evanescence, Hans Zimmer, Scott Weiland, Josh Todd, Bryan Adams, Phoebe Bridgers) Previous album ‘Letters from the Psych Ward’, racked up over two million streams.

Spotify –  HERE

Blacklist Union main man Tony West was raised in the Bronx on RamonesBad Brains, & the New York hardcore scene. ‘Go West young man’..Tony made his way to Los Angeles as a 19 years old, initially collaborating with guitarist Todd Youth (Murphy’s Law/Danzig) & Malfunkshun, who had been kept active by Andy Wood’s (Malfunkshun/Mother Love Bone singer) brother Kevin Wood. In 2006 Tony decided to pursue his own musical direction, and Blacklist Union were formed, the band’s debut album, ‘After the Mourning’ was released the same year. The band is currently managed by veteran industry pro Paul Crosby from the Grammy nominated, multi-platinum band Saliva. West also recorded with Saliva, and Jon E. Love (Love/Hate) back in 2014. 

Blacklist Union has earned a reputation for their explosive live shows. Last November, they stormed the West Coast with punk legends Dead Boys, followed by a December tour with former Saliva frontman Josey Scott, hitting Tennessee, Colorado, & California with their trademark intensity. West says, ‘Our music will transport you from the gritty streets of the Bronx to the wild energy of Los Angeles..’

Welcome to the Wild Wild West…

Blacklist Union LIVE –
Cruefest Hollywood @ the Whisky A Go-Go – 8901 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood Los Angeles – July 12th, 2025
Bar Sinister -1652 N Cherokee Ave, Los Angeles –  September 13th, 2025
Social Media/Online

https://www.instagram.com/blacklistunionofficial

https://www.facebook.com/BlacklistUnionRocks

https://blacklistunion.bandcamp.com

Eclectic, Minstrel, poet, folky chancer, Whats undeniable is Peter Doherty is a busy boy and a Rock n Roll Lifer. Writing and recording his brand new solo album on the tail of a superb run of shows with his day job co-piloting The Libertines, and off the back of an excellent album from them. This, however, is Peter Doherty, so expect the unexpected. His last foray minus Barat and co was a very gentle affair with Frédéric Lo, a more gentle and wistful string to his bow. Whilst this is more of the same in its eclectic nature, going with the flow and where the melody takes him it is however less dreamy and more gypsy rock n roll with big strumming acoustic guitars and accompanying drums adding a vibrant slice of Rock n Roll whilst the lyrics add texture and depth alongside the well placed strings and vocals. Doherty has assembled a fine set of songs that travel on the breeze and wherever he damned well feels like going.

Like shifting sands on a shoreline line the moods drift in and out, but the overall atmosphere of the record is one of contentment and joy with one’s lot. It seems Doherty is in a great place, and it’s brought the best out of him with his excellent lyrics and arrangements.

The album eases the listener in with ‘Calvados’ an acoustic countrified workout painting pictures with a sweet melody. When the band rolls in, we can begin. To take the theme on further and explore, Doherty starts ‘Pot Of Gold’ with some lush strings before the familiar easy listening drawl wheezes in on a great single and accompanying video. You’d like to think the recording is as loose as the song suggests, but it probably isn’t, and it’s a skill Peter has mastered to perfection and making his unique style very listenable.

Like a modern punk rock pirate who landed in the midst of a britpop groundswell Peter Doherty has never followed trends and always remained an outsider kicking against the pricks and surviving like a magpie lifting lyrics from all corners of the musical landscape but always crafting them into a sound that is unmistakable, a rare talent in these times.

The album flirts and flutters from ramshackle late-night stories like ‘The Baron’s Claw’ to the interesting mysterious flavours like ‘Stade Ocean’ and my pick of the album ‘Poca Mahoney’s’ featuring an excellent vocal from Lisa O Neill with its rough saw guitar pulling at your ears and when it gathers pace its really rolling could have been a minute or two longer to be fair.

‘Fingee’ sounds like Peter playing with the listener before the circus arrives for ‘Pretre De La Mer’ with so much going on it reminds me of the excellent Urban Voodoo Machine (now that would be some tour) before the record closes with ‘Empty Room’ an acoustic jaunt that sounds like a one take warts n all sign off on what has been a most excellent meandering joyful trip around the head of Peter Doherty as he empties all his musical thoughts for our listening pleasure and take it or leave it I doubt he gives one shiney shite, because he as I do know that he gives his all and its generally far better than most other musicians anyway be it ramshackle rock n roll or folk or blues or chamber strings and bodrans it matters not. It most certainly feels better alive, and my advice after several plays of this wonderful record would be – Buy it! it’s not something you’ll regret and if it is who cares its only rock n roll but with a fairer gentler hand and headful of poems.

Buy Here

Just when I was starting to think that things had gone a little bit quiet release wise on the Spunk Volcano front, up pops this ten-track debut release from SUBMIT.

SUBMIT are an all-new power trio featuring the masked marvel on vocals and guitar alongside his brother Maff Fazzo on drums, and this time around they are joined by long term Dirt Box and Eruptions producer John Kettle (who himself was once in the Tansads and right now Merry Hell) on just about everything else.

Straight from the off with opening track (and video) ‘Haunted by The Ghost of Myself’, it’s obvious that SUMBIT is a sonic split from the glam punk anthems of Dirtbox Disco or the punk metal thrash of Spunk Volcano & The Eruptions. There’s an almost gothic undertone to this mid-paced rocker, and is that a slight whiff of grunge I detect too, especially in the vocal coda that precedes the song’s guitar solo. Whatever it is, this is not really what you might have expected from Spunk Volcano as a songwriter, and it doesn’t stop there either.

‘Wankers At The Weekend’ might come wrapped up in a Volcano approved song title and subject matter but once the jaunty riff kicks in you have to forgive me if I get the immediate feel that this is what Blur might have sounded like around their ‘Parklife’ era if Spunk had been penning their tunes, and the lyric about “if it ain’t punk metal then I can’t be arsed” makes me smile every time I hear it,  largely because this record is about as far away from punk metal as he could ever get.

In saying this though there’s always been signs of what SUBMIT might sound like, especially if you were to put all the album curveballs the Eruptions have thrown at us over the years together as one compilation. The subtler more understated sounds of ‘Used By Date’, ‘Somehow It Feels’ or ‘I Can’t Swim’ have always been there hidden just under the surface, and in ‘The Bits I Lost’ SUBMIT sound not unlike The Barstool Preachers at their most contemplative.

It’s the previously untapped inner goth within the masked man that I love though as ‘Let The Razor Slide’ turns self-harm into a potentially chart bothering subject matter via an almost Dave Gahan like vocal and ‘Soil And Blood’ manages to meld the metallic overtones of mid 90s Paradise Lost with Volcano’s pop sensibilities.  I hope we can look out for some kohl eyes under that mask if we ever get to see SUBMIT perform these songs live.

If I were to draw a parallel with any other UK songwriter out there right now then SUBMIT’s debut has the same kind of multiplicity you would expect from a solo Ginger Wildheart album, thankfully minus the prog rock overtones, and ‘Motherfucker Days’ perhaps sums this up best, as whilst it’s obvious that it’s Spunk singing it’s a song that sits way outside any genre stereotypes. Oh, and those backing vocals at the end are just pure pop genius.

Which just leaves us with album closer ‘The Devil’s Game’, a ballad that could easily fit on any of  Metallica’s multi-platinum selling records.

‘Submit’ is a brave release in that whilst it stands shoulder to shoulder with Mr Volcano’s prolific back catalogue it is also clearly defining a different, some might say, more refined side to his songwriting and whilst it’s no ‘Legends’ or ‘Shit Generation’ it’s most certainly still 100% Spunk rock.

‘Submit is released on the 1st of June 2025 on CD, digital download, and all the usual streaming platforms. You can order the CD from the band via their webstore link below.

X – https://x.com/SUBMIT_band

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571749070502

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/submit_band/

SHOP – https://avenuerecordz.bigcartel.com/

Author: Johnny Hayward

2025 was shaping up to be a pretty damn cool year for new records getting released and then a short few months ago it go raised a notch or two with news that Wyldlife had their brand new album in the can and being melted onto wax with immediate effect and then the promo landed on the virtual doormat of RPM HQ and the party started. Holy Moly, this band were always rockin’ and the first on the invite to any out of control house party, but with ‘Sorted’ I believe they’ve just raised the bar a little further and 2025 just got even better.

Ten tracks bristling with energy and the Joie de vivre needed to sort the wood from the chaff. proceedings kick off with the bone rattling ‘Bystander’ harnessing their cheeky chappies persona with an open bottle cigarette in the corner of the mouth and collar turned up on the leather jacket, these cats are bringing the edge to the party and kicking over the amps, this party just got out of hand. What a banger to open your record with. Fist punching, head shaking, like a cat on the proverbial hot tin roof this is the shit right here!

Now, not wanting to blow your stack early doors, ‘Fast Dreams’, the first glimpse into what was on this record, was released, and a ball of energy and super cool swagger it is too. Snotty, cocksure, punked up Power Pop is the bubble gum blowing name of the game, and Wyldlife have the whole shooting match sewn up.

Imagine the danger of The Libertines mixed with the cool of early Strokes, teamed up with The best of The Hives, and you’re not a million miles away from what’s going on here. The Bass guitar holds the beat steady as the drums shuffle in on ‘Little Headcase’ with its big chorus dripping in harmony, it’s one hell of an opening few tracks, and this one has a teeth-rattling guitar break for good measure.

To be fair, it’s ten tracks of perfect single length, no padding or deviating from their MO it’s Rock n Roll baby, and they’ve not got long to deliver their sermon, so it’s get on with it. The songwriting is spot on, with every track sounding like it could be their finest moment, and they know it.

OH hang on, side one closes with ‘Dizzy’ reaching a staggering five minutes, but it ebbs and flows like a dream. Slower in tempo but could and should be a hit on the radio from one continent to the other.

If it’s boundless energy you want, flip it over ‘Generate 2 Terminate’ is off like a racing snake with its arse on fire. This record is right up there with their first two albums, the self-titled and ‘The Time Has Come To Rock and Roll’, maybe given time, this will be their finest hour. Hang o,n ‘Goes Without Saying’ opens with a picked acoustic guitar. Have Wyldlife crashed and burned? pfew, its a false start and the chords are big strummed fuckers offering a different texture like rolling through town at dusk with the top down looking for the party.

When I reached the end of ‘Terminal Blue’ I felt a bit sad that there was only ‘Shotgun’ left but what a way to sign off. A stunning album. Whilst the world is heading to Hell in a handcart with no breaks we need records that offer hope and sunshine, and Wyldlife have got that ‘Sorted’. This one might well take some beating for the coolest and most upbeat album of the year and we’re not even halfway through. Now, Can someone bring these guys to Shit Island UK on a package tour with Poison Boys and Ravagers pretty Please. Sorted, go get a copy and thank me later.

Buy Here

“Hush my darling, no dont you cry,

Daddy’s trying to write you a lullaby so sweet..

And if that lullaby is a hit,

Dad can buy you loads of cool shit”

On Wednesday May 14th Peter Doherty will release a new song Pot Of Gold, taken from his new album Felt Better Alive released two days later on Friday May 16th.  

Pot Of Gold is the forth song, along with FELT BETTER ALIVE CALVADOS and THE DAY THE BARON DIED , to be lifted from Peter’s extraordinary new album, Felt Better Alive, which isavailable to preorder here: https://peterdoherty.orcd.co/feltbetteralive

The video for Pot Of Gold hilariously debunks Cyril Connolly’s line about the pram in the hallway being the enemy of good art. Featuring his young family and a cast of puppets, it was filmed at Peter’s home in Etretat (Normandy) and was directed by Thad & Numa.

Peter says of Pot Of Gold“After Billie-May was old enough to move about, it became difficult to get five minutes alone at home with the guitar. So, the only way to do it is to engage her. I’d sing her lullabies, about things she likes, a teddy, and in the end she’d join in and dance along. Rather than, ‘shurrup, I’m trying to write’ or run away to a different room. Get her involved!”  

Peter Doherty has just completed a highly successful tour of Europe and will be playing live festival and headline dates, along with In-Store appearances in the coming months. Peter’s band features Mike Joyce – drums (The Smiths), Mike Moore (Liam Gallagher) Mark Neary – bass/Pedal Steel guitar(Baxter Dury) and Jack Jones (Trampolene) – guitar – play the shows marked *.

The full list of shows is: 

MAY

14th WED Brighton The Great Escape (Strap Originals showcase) *

16th FRI Leeds  Crash (Brudenell Social Club)OUT-STORE SOLD OUT

17th SAT Liverpool  6:00pm Jacaranda IN-STORE SOLD OUT

Liverpool 8:45pm Jacaranda IN-STORE NEW SHOW

19th MON Nantwich  Applestump (Nantwich Civic Hall)OUT-STORE 

20th TUE Kingston  Banquet (Pryzm) OUT-STORE SOLD OUT

21st WED London  4:00pm Rough Trade East IN-STORE SOLD OUT

London  7:00pm Rough Trade East IN-STORE SOLD OUT

22nd THU Paris 7:00pm Chatelet FNAC 

23rd  FRI Brighton East Brighton Park (with OCS) *

24th SAT Port Talbot  In It Together Festival *

JUNE

2nd MON Barcelona PRIMAVERA Nitsa Club

13th FRI Hamburg Molotov Club

14th SAT Bruges Cactus Muziekcentrum SOLD OUT

15th SUN Terni   Batavia Theatre

JULY

18th FRI Hitchin Priory (with OCS) *

20th SUN 1948 Fionnay  Palp Festival 

24th THU Bolesworth  Together Again Festival *

26th SAT Southend  Lazydays Festival *

27th SUN Etaples Dur Mer Rock en Stock

AUGUST

12th TUE Edinburgh La Belle Angele – Edinburgh Fringe Fest

13th WED Edinburgh La Belle Angele – Edinburgh Fringe Fest

16th SAT HAMBURG MS Dockville

Peter Doherty topped the charts with The Libertines fourth studio album ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ in 2024. A buoyant spirit permeates Peter Doherty’s fifth solo album, Felt Better Alive, a gorgeous collection of poetic vignettes, both acoustic and orchestral, indie-folk and country. 

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

YOUTUBE      INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK   X SPOTIFY 

When someone messages me, asking if I’d review their album, it’s touch and go whether I’ll enjoy it. I only review stuff I really like; that’s why I started writing. If I don’t like it, it’s not necessarily bad, so I pass it on to someone who might appreciate it. That said, my first listen to ‘From A To Z’ by The Thingz was a relief. The Long Beach band tick a lot of boxes: melodic garage rock, left-field pop, psychedelia.

My first impression was early B-52s, retaining an edge to their songs to avoid simply being “quirky” for the sake of it. ‘Dressed In Rags’ is really up my street, garage rock that you can dance to, not unlike The Fleshtones. And if you have a song called ‘Crab Monster’, it may as well sound like the B-52s. But opener ‘Art Crime’ shows that their palette is broader than some might expect. If anything, the tune reminds me of Scott Yoder.

‘Miss Baker’s Dream’ isn’t far removed from The Velvet Underground’s more mellow moments; they certainly have a knack with catchy melodies. Then ‘One Way Ticket’ picks up speed before ‘Sick Sense’ brings the fuzz and organ that echoes The Fuzztones. High praise, I’d say.

You want an ode to a lonely Stingray? You got it! You want a grimy, sinister instrumental? ‘Thanosphere’ will provide it, complete with theremin. And where else to end but with ‘Zombie Rats’? A nod to psychobilly, with their own twist on it. Head over to Bandcamp, have a listen. It might be just what you need.

Buy Here

Author: Martin Chamarette

Seattle rockers The Drowns’ debut album ‘View From the Bottom’ gets the proper reissue it deeply deserves. In case you missed this first time round, Pirates Press have done the decent thing and given it a new lease of life and energy, and hopefully taken it further round this spinning rock than previously.

There is a gritty attitude in these songs that’s bursting with energy coming across like a youthful Handsome Dick meets Mike Ness on the vocals with a working class rock n roll feel bursting out of your speakers. The album sounds better than ever, thanks to the expert re-mastering job courtesy of legendary Seattle producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Murder City Devils…just to name a few)!

The Drowns have spent the last 7 years doing it their way, with a sound that’s part Rancid in places with the same kinda energy that they have with a dream in your heart and determination in your feet to carry you around the globe and back hoping that something resonates with an audience and within these tracks there is easily enough great songs bursting with passion and honesty Like ‘Time Slips’ which has that x factor in its melody that collides with those rough distorted guitars and they all marry with a gang vocal chorus that is made to endure.

This new version features all new art, with a minimalist, black on black spot-matte jacket with a metallic red foil-stamped pitchfork paying homage to the original album cover photo, this looks a little classier if I’m honest. Following the original album closer “Darkness” is an encore of a bonus track: a cover of ‘Satyagraha’ by 7Seconds. always good to mix up these re-releases and a new lick of paint and bonus tracks, it’s for everyone, old and new. Oh, and I hope Bobby’s doing ok after going back on the gear. I got on board with their excellent ‘Lunatics’, so this is great to see with a new makeover for 2025. Get on punk rockers, you won’t regret it.

View From the Bottom by The Drowns is available for pre-order via the Pirates Press Records

Author: Dom Daley

And you can pre-order the album: Here

Last month, Fantazmaz announced their debut self-titled album, due for release on July 4th via their own Ghetto Bitch Records, with a thirty-second blast of fury called ‘Dead On The Way Home’. This month, they follow it up with a track that doubles the run time to just over a minute, for the rampant and unbridled power of the new single ‘Distortion’. 

Originally written right after the pandemic lockdowns as a primal scream of anger, the title reflects the distortion of the reality we’re living in, it’s musical power cut with an explosive, dark waltz rhythm. *1, 2, 3* – *1, 2, 3* 

Formed in 2019 by Thami and guitarist Raf Oliver, Fantazmaz found their raw, unrelenting sound with the addition of bassist Chokito and former U.K. Subs drummer Jamie Oliver. Blending blistering punk energy with a fearless stage presence, they’ve quickly built a reputation for their no-holds-barred performances.

Now based in the U.K., Fantazmaz are gearing up for a wild summer, hitting Rebellion Festival and a string of European shows before heading back to their homeland of Brazil for a run of explosive gigs. With their debut album on the horizon and a relentless tour schedule ahead, Fantazmaz are poised to make their mark in a very big way.

“The album is angry and frustrated, pretty much because we don’t see a future,” explains Thami. “Chances are slim that we’re getting out of this global mess, and honestly, we don’t care much about explaining why. It’s right there for everyone to see. That’s the sentiment — listen to the album.

“We recorded the whole thing in two days at Monolith Studio. It was straightforward and honest — first day for drums, second day for guitars, bass, and vocals. The songs had been written for a while, and we just thought, why the hell not drop a full album? So, we went in and laid it down, raw and real. This is our first full album, and we’re bloody excited for it to finally come out.”

A short, sharp shock to the system, the album is crammed full of anger and energy, ranging from the 80s hardcore attack of ‘Scars Of Downtown’ (“about the loneliness of living in a metropolis like London, seen from a darker perspective,”) to the Dead Kennedys/Jello Biafra inspired ‘Corporate Behave’ (“dedicated to everyone sticking it to the capitalist rulebook,”). But Fantazmaz are no one-trick punk rock pony, the album is brimming with unique and fresh ideas. Album closer ‘Just Before Hell Comes Around’ bristles with dark hip hop beats, whilst ‘Are You Enjoying The Peaceful Skies?’ is fuelled by a decadent/bastard bossa nova, inspired by Chico Buarque’s epic song ‘Construção’. 

And best of all, this is just the beginning. 2025 is going to be a very busy year for Fantazmaz. Hold on tight.  

Catch Fantazmaz live at the following dates:

  • 01/06/2025 London, Underworld w/ Ratos de porão 
  • 13/06/2025 London, Signature brewery w/ Mullet monster mafia 
  • 04/07/2025 London, Helgi’s album launch 
  • 01/08/2025 Hamburg, Molotov after party WTJT w/Zeke 
  • 02/08/2025 Munster, TBA
  • 03/08/2025 Nuneaton
  • 09/08/2025 Rebellion festival 
  • 15/08/2025 London, Hope & Anchor (headline show) 
  • 19/09/25 Netherlands, Punk rock ruined my life festival

Find Fantazmaz online at:

Bandcamp

Instagram

Facebook

EPK

Spotify

CONFLICT RELEASE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN OVER TWO DECADESORDER THE ALBUM ON CD, VINYL AND LIMITED EDITION BOXSET HERE:

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE ‘CUT THE CRAP’ FEATURING THE LATE GREAT BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH

Returning with their first new album in over two decades, notorious anarcho punk legends Conflict are back and firing on all cylinders with their highly anticipated new album ‘This Much Remains’, released this Friday via Mortarhate/Cadiz Music.

Featuring sixteen brand new Conflict creations, the album sees the band keeping one eye on their eventful past, and the other firmly on moving forward, both musically and politically. Animal Liberation are still at the forefront of Conflict’s collective minds, giving a voice to the voiceless on songs such as ‘A Mother’s Milk’ and ‘Shut The Fuck Up’, whilst their anger at world governments will never dissipate. “It’s the same old system and the same old song, forty years later and they’ve still got it wrong,” bellows Colin, still with complete conviction on ‘The Collusion Exclusion’. This anger, alongside themes of personal loss, environmental issues and those ‘profit over people’ billionaires like Bezos, Musk and Trump, find Conflict at their most inspired and invigorated.

‘This Much Remains’ also features an appearance by the late Benjamin Zephaniah on new single ‘Cut The Crap’. Benjamin’s relationship with Conflict goes right back to the infamous Brixton Academy gig in 1987 where he performed with the band and it’s right that his voice is found here, with additional lyrics by recent addition to the band line-up, dual vocalist Fiona Friel (formally of Coventry punks Dragster).

“Benjamin is a legend, and I really felt a weight of responsibility when writing the adjoining lyrics to this song,” admits Fiona. “I had some of his books, so I went to peruse through them and started with ‘Windrush Child’ as I felt the subject matter would tie in well.  Immediately I saw the line “I am history” and that’s all I needed. I put the book straight down and wrote and wrote and wrote. So much so, once in the studio I had to cut over half of what I had written. I hope I’ve done him proud.”

You can watch the ‘Cut The Crap’ video featuring Benjamin Zephaniah HERE:

‘This Much Remains’ is the sound of a band that continues to surprise and progress, decades after it first begun.

“Musically we wanted it to evolve from the last records but still have elements of that classic Conflict angry sound that thousands of people fell in love with,” summarises guitarist Gav King. “This album will not disappoint the diehard supporters and should garner a new wave of activists.”

“Conflict are stronger than ever,” adds Colin Jerwood. “and more relevant than ever.”

This much remains. We are one. To be continued?  You better believe it.

See Conflict live at the following dates in 2025:

03/05 THE UNDERGROUND, BRADFORD UK

16/05 LOST LANE, DUBLIN IE

17/05 THE DEER’S HEAD, BELFAST NI

05/06 BUMS, BARROW-IN-FURNESS UK

06/06 AUDIO, GLASGOW UK

07/06 LA BELLE ANGELE, EDINBURGH UK

08/06 STAR & GARTER, MANCHESTER UK

17-19/07 POD PAROU FESTIVAL CZ

25/07 DLB FESTIVAL, FERRARA IT

26/07 REFUSE FESTIVAL, PEINE DE

09/08 REBELLION, BLACKPOOL UK

29/08 ENCORE, SUNDBYBERG SE

30/08 DALFESTIVALEN, DALSJÖFORS, SE

31/08 LOPPEN, COPENHAGEN DK

09/10 THE ANVIL, BOURNEMOUTH UK

10/10 THE CASTLE & FALCON, BIRMINGHAM UK

11/10 THE FACEBAR, READING UK

Find Conflict online here: CONFLICT

Imagine a balmy bank holiday weekend on the sand in one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches sweeping out into the Atlantic and waiting for Supergrass to emerge as the sun sets behind the stage for only the second show on the band’s triumphant homage return to live action, celebrating the Britpop bohemoth that is ‘I Should Coco’ and true to their word the band amble on stage to kick things off with a loose run through said album as ‘I’d Like To Know’ sets the tempo and the large crowd gathered are well up for some rambunctious rock n roll.

The years are peeled away and I’m taken back to shows from their glorious beginnings and nights kicking out the jams in Newport Centre and universities leaping round like a salmon as ‘Caught By The Fuzz’ unfolds coincidentally as a group of his majesty finest amble through the crowd as the air is filled with wafts of super skunk bloody poetry in motion right there and a scene not lost on Gaz I should’t imagine.

The crowd sing along as expected to ‘Alright’, but it’s over as quickly as it began, but after the final restraints of ‘Late In The Day’ it’s a quick dust down of some of their other hits from susaquent records ‘Sun Hits The Sky’, followed by ‘Moving’ before we get all sweaty with ‘Richard iii’ and they leave us with a sing-a-long of ‘Pumping Up Your Stereo’ and they’re out of here. That was a fantastic reminder to just how good a band Supergrass are, they have some mighty fine songs and a clutch of great albums in their arsenal if you should be inclined to catch a show on their jaunt around the UK later this month then on this performance alone, I suggest you make the effort. Tunes on the Bay was a fantastic example of how to do a small festival well, and I look forward to next year’s showing. Will I be there? I should bloody well coco.

Author: Dom Daley