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The Kingcrows – Brute Force And Ignorance (Corvus Rex Recordings)

The Kingcrows – Brute Force And Ignorance (Corvus Rex Recordings)

Four years on from the release of our last album ‘Funland’, we now have thirteen more tracks of sleaze-punk-n-roll insanity with all the subtlety and refinement of a boot in the jewels or something like that as Kingcrows hit you over the bonce with no subtlety but plenty of volume and catchy chorus’ that can and will bounce around your head.

From the off their cards are on the table – fast as fuck – loads of fun – some great Green Day riffage loads of Ramones friendly lyrics and chord changes and Lee Terry smashing the fuck out of his kit for your listening pleasure.  That’s ‘Psycho Radio’ in a nutshell.

To be fair that’s pretty much the aim throughout.  the kingcrows love punk rock and loud guitars and sing-a-longs and therefore why wouldn’t they make a record crammed full of more of the same. Its got some rock muscle in there just for the craic and throw in some goofyness and you have yourselves some Babysitters humour and Rock and Roll added for good measure.  To be fair the world was a simpler place when The teenage idols walked the earth so why wouldn’t we love a band who want to sing about ‘Car Crash Cadillac’ or loving themselves with some twelve-bar played fast and loads of sing-a-long harmonies.

‘Vic The Vigilante’ has a great big riff and easy on that cowbell Mr. Terry (you’ll break it). The Ramones made a living out of this stuff and why not? ‘City Kids’ is like a fucked up and bastardised ‘Tie Your Mother Down’ on the riff then its pure Yob rock – Ave it!

Heads down for a bucket full of fun as ‘Bum Notes And Feedback’ slam dances into the cheeky ‘Z List Celebrity’. ‘Saturday Night Rock City’ turns it up to 11 before ‘One Night Only’ ushers in some Wildhearts vibes and starts slam dancing into what FD4 were trying to achieve a few years ago. ‘Do What You Do’ starts off with some serious hard rockin’ intro before a subs like low slung verse mixed with a cool chorus. Possibly the best track on the record and I do like the breakdown there’s never enough bass and drums rundowns in punk rock.

With (unlucky for some) thirteen tracks on offer, there are no slushy ballads there might be plenty of borrowed riffs and chord changes but they dig deep into the bag of influences from the glam punks of Hanoi Rocks to the hard Rock of The Wildhearts and classic punks like the UK Subs there are plenty of songs that tap into a long line of punk rockers and I like that and Kingcrows do it really well to be fair. You bring the beer and These four will bring the tunes ‘Brute Force And Ignorance’ is a right tidy piece of punk rock n roll and that’s not always an easy thing to achieve. Nice one chaps!

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Author: Dom Daley

Frank Turner – ‘No Man’s Land’ (Xtra Mile Recordings)

Frank Turner – ‘No Man’s Land’ (Xtra Mile Recordings)

Everyone’s favourite Etonian punk poet Frank Turner is back in familiar territory on album number 8, musically anyway. Turner has stated that he does not want to repeat himself with each album and ‘No Man’s Land’ sees the troubadour approach writing an album from a different angle. ‘No Man’s Land’ is a concept album based on the tales of forgotten women in history. From a 17th century Camden landlady who poisoned and cooked her lovers, to a Dutch courtesan, executed by firing squad, onto the tale of an Egyptian feminist, history buff Turner has done his homework .

A series of podcasts entitled ‘Tales From No Man’s Land’ accompany each song, and the themes of strong women stretch further than just the lyrical content. Gone (for now) is his band The Sleeping Souls, replaced by a full female backing band and producer to boot.

 

Frank’s canny lyricism and his knack of telling a fine tale does have a tendency to draw you in, and you can’t help but immerse yourself in the lives of these women. Some you will have heard of, some you won’t have a clue about, but after a few listens you will find yourself reaching for Wikipedia to find out a bit more. While over the course of a 3 and a half minute song the songwriter can only say so much, the point is made, and it’s up to the listener to find out more. Sometimes it works a treat and other times… not so much.

Opener ‘Jinny Bingham’s Ghost’ is a mighty fine, upbeat drinking song. Fiddles and skiffle beats fill the air like The Urban Voodoo Machine partying with The Pogues, as Frank reels off the first of many tall tales. Interestingly, the story is set in Camden Town, at The Underworld, on the spot where Jinny Bingham ran the tavern where she committed her dirty deeds.

The following ‘Sister Rosetta’ is typical Turner radio fodder. A pop-laced, perfect single about the godmother of rock ‘n’ roll, who I first learned about through the teachings of Alabama 3. A nifty accompanying guitar riff and a crisp production job courtesy of Catherine Marks makes this song sparkle and shine.

The jazzy ‘Nica’ is a complete contrast from anything else and works really well. Full of brass, woodwind and smoky juke joint vibes, it mirrors the subject matter perfectly. Elsewhere, the album falters in just a few places. ‘Silent Key’, about tragic Challenger Space Shuttle astronaut Christa McAuliffe, is a song that first featured on the album ‘Positive Songs For Negative People’. It’s a bit of a (space) oddity to be honest. Frank just seems to be going through the motions here with a lazy vocal melody that doesn’t really go anywhere. And closing track ‘Rosemary Jane’, a song about his mum, while heartfelt and personal to Frank, is just plain dull.

But there certainly are flashes of brilliance to behold. The stripped back country of ‘Eye Of The Day’ closes side one ‘Nebraska’ style, just the man and his acoustic laid bare, recounting the tragic tale of Mata Hari and her untimely death. Simple, heartfelt and probably my favourite track right now.

Soaring choruses in the likes of ‘I Believed You, William Blake’, written through the eyes of his long suffering wife Catherine, and the epic feel of side 2 opener ‘The Death Of Dora Hand’ stay with me long after my white vinyl album has stopped spinning and I turn my attention to find more about these remarkable women.

 

‘No Man’s Land’ is a perfectly executed album, to be listened to from start to finish as a body of work. The podcasts are interesting, though not essential to enjoy the album to its fullest. Some have labelled the concept of this album as ‘gimmicky’ before even hearing the fruits of his labour, but I say this album is far from it. Is it Frank’s best album? No, but it’s up there with his best and has already had the most plays since ‘England Keep My Bones’ was released for me, so he must be doing something right. A lot of thought has gone into the production, the concept and the lavish packaging and it makes ‘No Man’s Land’ a welcome addition to anyone’s collection. Fascinating stuff indeed.

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Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

 

 

Double Down in the Singles Round Up

Double Down in the Singles Round Up

Want a second round of Singles in August?  Damn right. So many 45s and video singles coming out how could we not update you on whats hot.

Scumbag Millionaire / The Drippers – Split (Lux Noise) Two of the hottest bands on the Scandi Action Rock scene have teamed up for a split which is never going to be a bad thing. arch your back plug in your air SG and drink some beer because ‘Let Go’ rips like fuck from the howl of feedback its off like a dragster.  Top tune to be fair and the band justify exactly why they are one of the best exponents of the scene currently. As for The Drippers, their track is ‘Långgattan’ Don’t worry little Englanders the lyrics are in English and the track is absolutely blistering. This is a shining example of how to do a split.  Two bands kicking the shit out of two songs. Simple.  Lux Noise know their shit – Buy it!

Buy Here

 

The Gotham Rockets – Blast Off (Rum Bar Records)  Oh Yeah man how cool is it to hear a bunch of tunes dripping with sleazy Lowe East Side grease and dirt all over their horn honkin’ low slung rock and roll. If we were to mention such cool bands as The Devil Dogs, The Waldos, Jack Black, The Pristeens, Simon and the Bar Sinisters, and The Fleshtones then you get the picture.  This is cool all-girl bv’s tambourine shaking twelve-bar shmoozing Rock and Roll and we dig it.  ‘What’s Done Is Done’ has lashings of super sexy saxophone and we love that. ‘Rip this Night’ is a familar rolling of that stone known as the hand jive rhythm and to close off this bad boy ‘Nothing But A Man’ is hip shakin’ detroit rock and roll its got the beating heart of the MC5.  Well done to Rum Bar for again pulling up some brothers and letting them ride the crazy train to a wider audience of Brothers and sisters who just get it.  Join in and blast this bad boy off! Facebook

 

Reverend & The Makers – ‘Elastic Fantastic’ (Cooking Vinyl) New song ‘Elastic Fantastic’ is taken from the ‘Best of Reverend & The Makers’ double vinyl, double CD and digital download album. ‘Elastic Fantastic’ is one of two new track featured on this best-of album.  the video is shot by multi BAFTA-nominated director Chris Shepherd. It features Rich Westley from The Moonlandingz and can be pre-ordered Here

Dogmatics – ‘Summertime’ (RumBar Records) It’s been 30 years since Boston’s legendary Rock n’ Rollers the Dogmatics has recorded new music together and this is the taster for what’s to come. later this fall there is gonna be a long-player that’s hitting the shelves.

Its cool Rock and Roll boys and girls and although its a cover its got style and a whole bunch of swagger and a fair indicator that these cats have still got it. Click the link and sample it for yourselves. If this is the appetiser then bring on the main course it’s gonna be great!

Bandcamp

 

 

 

Sweet Knives – I Don’t Wanna Die 2×7″ (Big Neck Records) Rather than wait for the inspiration to do a full album Fat Neck convinced Alicja and gang to do a special Double 7″ with a Gatefold Cover! Alicja has already created 2 videos for this release and they just completed a tour with the songs laced in throughout the set.
Synth Rock, with soulful vocals that have guitar hooks and ripping lyrics striking like a cobra attack! isn’t a million miles away from what I’m hearing. ‘U Don’t Mind’ is like a rough house Buzzcocks tribute. Besides I can’t remember the last time I picked up a double 7″ single how cool is that?

Synth New Wave call it what you like but the four songs on offer are really impressive with ‘Some People’ stealing the show with its dark riff and futuristic synth parps.  Check it out for yourselves at the link

Bandcamp

 

Chuck Norris Experiment – Back It Up (self Release) Taken from their new record ‘Shortcuts’ our friends CNE do what they do best and that’s rock hard and do it on their own terms this one is brief and to the point. They’ve even shot a promo video for it where they flex their muscle. Its always good to hear some new music from Swedens premier hard rockers.  Go check it out

Bandcamp

 

MARK SULTAN “Filthy Rat” EP – (Slovenly Recordings) Garage rocker Mark Sultan has one cool 7″ single out on Slovenly.  I love how they framed this single “Monsieur Sultan makes autobiographical on the suave and sparse “Filthy Rat,” switching gears from slow to GO! on the swinging flip “Heart Attack,” harmonizing with his own bad self over a classic teenpunk shuffle beat with the unmistakable goldenthroat that all the crazed kids the world over swoon for”.  How can one better that?  One can’t so just pop along to his Bandcamp  page and check this shit out for yourselves ya crazy punks.

Bandcamp

 

Puppy – Poor Me (Spinefarm) 

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Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour – Devils Flynn – (King Outlaw Records) CD and vinyl edition signed and numbered by Tyla
In  Celebration of  30 years of the ‘Graveyard of Empty Bottles’.  2019 Dynamite versions of both ‘Errol Flynn’ and ‘Comfort of the Devil’ by Tyla’s  Dogs D’amour. Features Si, Gaz, Matty and Scotty, and T. When I heard about the reworking I was a bit skeptical as to why seeing as the original was and still is one of the finest recordings I’ve ever heard and then I actually gave it a listen and low and behold, whilst it’s not to be compared with the original (Its not a competition) its something of an accompaniment and is different enough to warrant a rework and to be fair sound bloody good, No scrap that it sounds fantastic.  Like Gerald penned in his review recently, I would certainly concur with his fine words.  It’s great to see Tyla back on 7″ plastic that’s for sure and this is a worthy addition to the collection. Buy Here

Indonesian Junk – City Lights (Rum Bar Records) The first track to be released from the band’s forthcoming new album ‘Spiderbites’ is another tip-top slab of sleazy low slung Rock and Roll.  Straight out of Milwaukee this Rockin’ trio have been cutting tunes on Rum Bar Records for a number of years and the one constant (or rather One Of the constants) is the quality of the tunage they keep maintaining.  Its loud guitars, cool hooks, melodies, and just all-round great songs.  What more can you want from your Rock and Rollers these days?

You can be sensible and pre-order the album Here because as night follows day if this is an indication of what’s to come then this is gonna be a good un and you can take that to the bank – Stone Cold Fact!

 

Sinner – Last Exit Hell (AFM Records) The first song from the new album is released on video ahead of the album coming out in September “Santa Muerte” is out 13th September Order here: https://shop.afm-records.de/sinner/

Hawk Eyes – Smokes (Drakkar Entertainment) With a track taken from the album “Advice” which hits the streets next week out September 6, 2019 Order: Here Comes out via a video single this slice of hard rock will have many a bedroom rocka reaching for the tennis racket an mirror

Bankrupt – Come Back Joe Strummer This snappy track from Hungarian Bankrupt is a tribute to Punk Legend Joe Strummer (obviously) with some Eastern European ska-punk in full effect. check it out then pick it up Here

Tarja ‘Tears In Rain’ (Ear Music) Tarja release the single ‘Tears In Rain’ from their album that’s released this week.  Some heavy harmonies and classic rock riffage leads the way for this Heavy Rockin outfit.  Pre-order “In The Raw”: Here Get the single “Tears In Rain” here: Here

Riskee & The Ridicule – Cut Your Teeth (Bomber Music) Fresh from Rebellion Festival Riskee & The Ridicule are back with some in your face grime n punk taken from the album ‘Body Bag Your Scene’.

Black Income – Loaded Gun (Tubeit)

Taken from their brand new album ‘Unsound’ Black Income is available Here  Their dark brooding Hard Rock is something of a throwback to some classic 80’s hard rock but twisted with new techniques and a modern feel check out ‘Loaded Gun’ – Website Here

Automatic _ Too Much Money (Stone Throws Records) Straight outta LA’s DIY scene this three-piece low – Fi post punkers are doing their bit for sleazy pop punk with this catchy ’45. More instant than ‘Calling It’ ‘Too Much Money’ is like a late ’70s early ’80s throwback when anything goes and as long as it sounds cool its punk rock.  from the tin-pot snare hits to the constant bass throb and those Sonic youth spoken vocals this is addictive like sugar pop but dark inside.  The band are heading to the UK and Europe as part of their Winter tour.  If I had to offer a comparison it would have to be Suicide now go check em out Here at these social media outlets.  Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook

Johnny Moped – Hey Belinda (Damaged Goods) Out on Red vinyl to coincide with the band’s Rebellion appearance is ‘Hey Belinda’ taken from their ‘Lurrigate Your Mind’ ita slab of stone-cold solid punky pub Rock and the production is rather splendid and offers a fine-tune an air of sheen and polish.  It’s backed by an old but gold tune that’s been given an update and again the production is rather splendid and lends itself to ‘Hiawatha’ Making this limited edition 7″ blood red single isn’t a bad purchase punk rockers in fact it would be a bloody good one Get it Here

 

 

 

Diamond Dogs – Recall Rock and Roll (Sound Pollution) Classic good time barroom honkin’ Rock and Roll.  Sulo and the boys are back in the ring taking some hefty swings with this barnstormer PArt classic Bowie and part classic Mott The Hoople but all Diamond Dogs.  Taken from their forthcoming long-player  ‘Recall Rock ‘n’ Roll and the Magic Soul’: Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFxRM1qQrMQ&feature=youtu.be

The Electric Shakes – Phoney Highs (Self Release)  This South Coast three-piece have brought the volume.  Always finish on a high they say so what better way to round up this 45 rpm jaunt.  Are you sure there’s only three of em?  Sounds like a batallion of riff-a-rama throwing shapes and rockin’ the fuck out.  ‘Phoney Highs’ is no-nonsense rock and roll played through some sturdy amps and harnessing (just) extreme volume for the sake of playing dirty Rock and Roll.  Call it Garage Rock or Action Rock with a touch of ’70s hard rock thrown in with the odd bullet belt (please tell me these boys wear bullet belts?) If they don’t they should.  the second track is the cowbell thumping riff n roll ‘Hound Dog’ and its barking at the moon stuff.  What a fine pair of tunes and if you love Rock and Roll like we do here at RPM HQ then this is totally up your alley.  Strutting like a rock and roll peacock this is excellent and the way to close the door on this months round-up and get this party started.  Lets Rock! Bandcamp

KINGS X and TROPE kick off their UK shows on 17th September.

KINGS X and TROPE kick off their UK shows on 17th September.

The tour starts the build-up to the release of the long-awaited new album from KINGS X which is due early spring next year.

Supporting the band is LA’s TROPE. Trope’s music has been likened to A Perfect Circle and Tool with female vocals, their sound falling into the Art-Rock genre. Their ‘music first’ focus pairs with the group’s sound, which is quite progressive.

17 Sept Wales Cardiff Tramshed Cardiff
18 Sept UK Nottingham Rescue Rooms
20 Sept UK Holmfirth The Picturedrome, Holmfirth
21 Sept UK Gateshead Sage Gateshead – Hall 2
22 Sept Scotland Glasgow The Garage
24 Sept UK Manchester Manchester Academy 2
25 Sept UK Wolverhampton KK’S Steel Mill – Live Music
27 Sept UK Cambridge Cambridge Junction
28 Sept UK Norwich The Waterfront Norwich
29 Sept UK London Islington Assembly Hall

KING’S X online:
www.kingsxrocks.com
www.facebook.com/kingsxfanpage
www.twitter.com/kingsx
www.instagram.com/kingsxofficial

AIRBOURNE TO RELEASE THEIR BRAND-NEW STUDIO ALBUM ‘BONESHAKER’ ON OCTOBER 25TH

AIRBOURNE TO RELEASE THEIR BRAND-NEW STUDIO ALBUM ‘BONESHAKER’ ON OCTOBER 25TH

Airbourne will release their fifth studio album Boneshaker on October 25th via Spinefarm Records. The band revealed the cover artwork for BONESHAKER, which was a collaboration between Matt Read of Combustion Ltd, and Sean Tidy of Design House Studio Ltd.

On the topic of the artwork, guitarist Matthew Harrison states: “The whole sentiment we were after was about rock n’ roll for life. We wanted to create something tattoo worthy, and that the artwork was classic and stood the test of time.”

With the creation of Boneshaker, all-action Aussie rockers Airbourne decided to take the bolder path; to align with Nashville’s Number One producer, Dave Cobb, whose credits include both Chris Stapleton and the ‘Star Is Born’ soundtrack, as a way of staking out new turf away from comfort zones and safe havens…

“It’s a live gig in the studio. This is always something we wanted to do – find a way to bring the soul and power of an Airbourne live show into an album. Cobb caught our lightning and put it in a bottle.” states bandleader Joel O’Keeffe.

Relocating to historic Studio A on Nashville’s Music Row, six-time Grammy Award-winning producer Cobb’s natural home and one of Music City’s most prized creative hubs, the four musicians set themselves a challenge: to make a record cut from the same frayed cloth as those classic late-’70s recordings from Australia’s legendary Albert’s house of ‘Oz Rock’ that inspired the band so much.

There are no weird tangents here, no un-called for asides, no messin’ about. This is straight-down-the-line pure rock ‘n’ roll drama smelling of burnt rubber, spilt gasoline and valves glowing red hot. No ballads, no acoustic guitars, no keyboards. 10 tracks, 30 minutes of music. Everything lean an’ lethal, stripped to the bone, to those essential elements that rock ‘n’ roll requires to properly do its work: raging guitars, pounding bass ‘n’ bass, vocals packed full of real personality – the kind of passion that only comes from willfully pursuing a life on the line.

Pre-orders for Airbourne’s fifth studio album Boneshaker are now live, with an instant download of the first single & album title-track and special bundle options including t-shirts, hoodies, enamel badge and poster. Boneshaker was premiered live at Wacken 2019 in front of 80k+ people, their fourth time at the legendary festival, which felt like a homecoming for the band. Order your copy HERE.

 

As always, you can find Airbourne on the road. They will be crisscrossing the planet, in true Airbourne fashion until 2022.

“We are pumped about playing these new songs live, it’s always cool to do that first tour on the album cycle, especially that first run of shows. The first time you hear people singing the words back at you to a new song, it makes us really appreciate how much our Airbourne family around the world supports us. “ states drummer, Ryan O’Keeffe. “2020 is already shaping up to be a jam packed year.”

Airbourne Live Dates 2019:

23.08 – Reload Festival – DE

24.08 – Le Cabaret Vert – FR

24.09 – Ucho – Gdynia PL

25.09 – Proxima – Warsaw PL

26.09 – Kwadrat – Kraków PL

28.09 – Club Zal – St Petersburg RU

29.09 – Station Hall – Moscow RU

02.10 – Roxy – Prague CZ [SOLD OUT]

04.10 – Amager Bio – Copenhagen DK [SOLD OUT]

05.10 – Münchenbryggeriet – Stockholm SE

07.10 – Pakkahuone – Tampere FI

08.10 – Circus – Helsinki FI

10.10 – Rockefeller – Oslo NO

11.10 – Trädgår’n – Gothenburg SE [SOLD OUT]

12.10 – Voxhall – Aarhus DK [SOLD OUT]

15.10 – Melkweg – Amsterdam NL

16.10 – Trix – Antwerp BE

17.10 – La Laiterie – Strasbourg FR [SOLD OUT]

19.10 – La Cigale – Paris FR [SOLD OUT]

20.10 – La Cigale – Paris FR [SOLD OUT]

22.10 – Santana 27 – Bilbao ES

24.10 – Paris 15 – Málaga ES

25.10 – La Riviera – Madrid ES

26.10 – Razzmatazz – Barcelona ES

28.10 – La Paloma – Nimes FR [SOLD OUT]

29.10 – Alcatraz – Milan IT

31.10 – Komplex – Zurich CH

01.11 – Haus Auensee – Leipzig DE

02.11 – Orpheum – Graz AT

03.11 – Tonhalle – Munich DE [SOLD OUT]

05.11 – Barba Negra – Budapest HU

06.11 – Arena – Vienna AT

07.11 – Columbiahalle – Berlin DE

09.11 – Schlachthof – Wiesbaden DE [SOLD OUT]

10.11 – E-Werk – Cologne DE [SOLD OUT]

13.11 – UEA – Norwich UK

14.11 – Rock City – Nottingham UK

16.11 – Academy – Manchester UK

17.11 – O2 Academy – Newcastle UK

18.11 – Beach Ballroom – Aberdeen UK

20.11 – Ironworks – Inverness UK

21.11 – Barrowlands – Glasgow UK

22.11 – O2 Academy – Liverpool UK

24.11 – Cardiff University – Cardiff UK

25.11 – O2 Academy – Bristol UK

26.11 – O2 Forum – London UK

28.11 – O2 Academy – Sheffield UK

29.11 – O2 Guildhall – Southampton UK

30.11 – O2 Academy – Oxford UK

2020:

04.01 – Summernats – Canberra AU

08.02 – RAC Arena – Perth AU*

11.02 – AEC Theatre – Adelaide AU*

14.02 – Rod Laver Arena – Melbourne AU*

15.02 – Qudos Bank Arena – Sydney AU*

18.02 – Entertainment Centre – Brisbane AU*

20.02 – The Trusts Arena – Auckland NZ*

22.02 – Horncastle Arena – Christchurch NZ*

* Denotes Special Guest on Alice Cooper dates

For 2020 and beyond – watch this space…

Craggy Collyde Interview

Craggy Collyde Interview

Tell us how you guys got together what’s the common musical ground?

Craggy: I was out here in Brno playing a few acoustic shows and was introduced to Veronika by a mutual friend of ours – an interesting writer called Jan Sestak, who recently wrote a book with Tony Prince about Rock ‘n’ Roll in both Britain and Czechoslavkia during the Soviet Era. About a year after we met I’d grown quickly bored with the acoustic and took a punt by asking Veronika if she’d join me in making some noise. She’d been to a few shows and I thought, why not? Turned out it was the best thing I could’ve done.

Veronika: I studied in Brno and I was going around to different shows and gigs. In a pub, where we used to go with my classmates to see the great rock’n’roll DJ shows Jan Sestak, there was an acoustic show of an Englishman called Craggy Collyde. I went to see it and loved it! I truly admired Craggy’s music, I loved the songs… then when he wrote to me after four years to play drums with him, I almost fainted, haha.

 

Is there going to be a bass player or second guitarist added?

Veronika: One day, maybe…? We don’t say no to a new band member.

Craggy: Well, a bassist is likely, if they can get down with the balance we have – we’ve got a great relationship here. A second guitarist? One is too many, and that’s just me!

Tell us about the single ‘Sorry Now’ and how you put it together?

Craggy: In some ways it’s one of the easiest songs I’ve ever written. Certainly the lyrics, before a little tweaking. I have two good friends who were separately going through complicated times, and although they are nearly 20 years apart, they were both looking at the past. Nostalgia does strange things to one’s perception. I guess both songs on the single (the b-side ‘Go Ahead and Break Me’) are about nostalgia from various points of view.

Veronika: Yeah, the song Sorry Now went quite smooth, it asked for the drums I play there, it was ready in a few rehearsals… the same for Go Ahead and Break Me, that was great fun to play – and still it is! We chose these two songs for the single to best represent the music we do at the moment.

 

You also got a local artist in for the striking artwork on the sleeve. How did that come about?

Veronika: It’s Craggy’s credit…

Craggy: Yeah, the art is done by a friend of mine, Amy Chapman. She’s an incredible artist, so I was pleased when she agreed to provide us something for record.

 

You’ve recently injured yourself. What have you done?

Craggy: Veronika pushed me down the stairs because I got the opening chords of ‘Sorry Now’ wrong. Broke my wrist. We had to cancel all our gigs and she’s the one who’s sorry now – she hasn’t eaten for three weeks…

Veronika: Obviously that’s not true.

What about playing live, how is that going to work?

Veronika: I enjoy playing live even though I am quite a shy person. As Lydia Lunch said – performing is where the magic happens.

Craggy: Well playing live isn’t working right now! My wrist should be repaired enough to play our next show on 24th August in Kosice in Slovakia. We’re two-piece, but as one friend told me – our two-piece sounds bigger than most four-piece bands.

You’re living in Brno, and Veronika in Bratislava. What’s the scene for rock and roll like there?

Craggy: It’s better for having us in it! There are a few good bands here in Brno such as our friends Supertesla. Brno is a place full of great musicians and we’ve got some excellent venues such as Kabinet Muz. The scene is developing. Veronika is at the centre of all things Bratislava…

Veronika: We have some great venues in Bratislava that bring punk legends and also local bands often like the Randal club. It seems to me the scene is quite big here for hardcore or metal fans, but also punk and rock’n’roll scene is quite decent. Some new great rock’n’roll bands are being put together recently, as Parketový lev or BOX.

 

Is there a decent rock and roll community there if not where do you get your fix?

Veronika: As said, usually it’s Randal or eventually one has to travel to Vienna, Prague, Brno or further away to see some artists that don’t perform in Slovakia. There are local venues in other cities in Slovakia, for example Mariatchi club in Nitra, Klub 77 or Bosorka in Banská Bystrica and I can’t wait to explore them more with Craggy Collyde!

 

What next with regards to recording? You recently uploaded pics of working with some other musicians what was that project for?

Craggy: Yeah we’ve been recording in an incredible studio in Brno – at Divadlo na Orli. It’s actually just one song we did for a group of producers who are studying at university here. I have no idea when it will be available. We’re planning a new EP though – the songs are chosen and near ready. Just have to get my hand out of this cast.

Veronika: Yeah, our next step is to focus on recording – we have a couple of songs ready and can’t wait to put it out!

Do you write alone? What about collaborating with other players?

Veronika: Craggy writes the songs…

Craggy: Well I tend to write most of a song and then we finish it together. I’m not a perfectionist. I’m too impatient. So I rely on Veronika to sort it out.

 

Any chance of an album? What about live dates back in the UK?

Craggy: Yes, definitely an album. We have some possible support for it too. We have something to iron out and we’ll look at next year. As for the UK, if we can find someone to help us out back there and someone to tour with then sure. Otherwise we might just pop over for one or two shows. Don’t know when yet.

Veronika: That would be absoluty awesome to play some gigs in UK.

Anything you’d like to add?

Craggy: Buy our record and give us a hot meal.

 

You can pick up a copy of the single Here

or email glunkrecordstcb@yahoo.co.uk if you’re in the UK

The X Ray Eyes – Destiny Is Depressed (self released)

The X Ray Eyes – Destiny Is Depressed (self released)

 

The third album from these Yorkshire punks sees them dish up a really strong starting Eleven. From the front to the back they never offer anything other than their best and the sound is as you’d expect from a Cyanide Pill its got plenty of sharp edges great lyrics and loads of punchy tunes.  its got pace and an eye for goal as every tune has a bloody cracking hook and as the songs bounce into one another its got stamina and a hell of a lot of go.

Take ‘Hallelujah‘ its a full-on assault with a chaotic pace and hypnotic riff it’s thundering towards the chorus as it offers up praise to the punk rock Gods and gets rewarded – Amen to that!

‘E.V.I.L’ is garage rock n roll like the Hellacopters used to dish up on supershitty.  It’s dirty and has a killer riff that rolls along with the drums.  the track is a rush and great to hear a band tackle this dirty punk n roll with such enthusiasm. There’s a smart amount of 70’s glam pop pressed into the mix like ‘I Think I’m Ready Now’ its got some early Hives cockiness in its makeup and I love the bass throb on the breakdown.

Sy, Amir, Jock and Deany have got it nailed down and rip through song after song with verve and enthusiasm that only comes from a band doing this for real and 100% playing like their lives depend on it. ‘Trouble’ is punchy like a stomper from Slade but rather than being Glam it’s punk rock in attitude. A hint of on a rope in the riff which is never going to be disliked at RPM HQ.

There’s a lot of music to get through and you might need a banana or some water by the time you reach ‘Afraid Of You’ with its driving bassline and new wave vocal on the verse.  It only leaves ‘Tried And Tested’ to wrap this one up and again the X-Ray Eyes have delivered a sharp and thoroughly entertaining album full of quality tunes. ‘Destiny Is Depressed’ is well worth some coin from your pocket dear me you can have a CD for less than the price of two pints of bitter (unless you’re reading this in London) don’t be a dummy and check em out they’re good no make that very good!

Buy The X-Ray Eyes Here

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Author: Dom Daley

SCREAMER TO RELEASE HIGHWAY OF HEROES ALBUM.

SCREAMER TO RELEASE HIGHWAY OF HEROES ALBUM.

Forged in steel in the dark woods of rural Sweden, Screamer flies their banner high! With their feet firmly planted in the deep traditions of Heavy Metal, Screamer never lose sight of what’s really important; good tunes, good brew and good times! ‘Cause with Screamer every night is Friday night and every Friday night deserves to be a party!

PRE-ORDER LP/CD

SCREAMER TO RELEASE HIGHWAY OF HEROES ALBUM. Screamer never strays far from the proven sound of roaring guitars and pounding drums that works equally well in the war pit in front of stage as when blasting through your stereo. In Screamers music you can hear the classic foundations laid down by the hard rocking heroes of old. With a combination of straight-forward choruses of the likes of Dio, guitar works in the style of ‘Maiden or ‘Lizzy on speed and the pounding beat of Judas Priest, Screamer has carved out their very own essence of heavy metal that stands the test of time. The new album is set to be released the 11th of October on The Sign Records.

Pre Order Here
Highway of Heroes is the fourth studio album from the Swedish heavy metal band. Produced by Gustav Hjortsjö from Bullet. Recorded by Ulf Blomberg in The End Studio. Mixed by Tomas Skogsberg in the legendary Sunlight Studio. Mastered by Patrik W. Engel in Temple Of Disharmony. The album holds nine tracks plus a CD/Vinyl exclusive intro. Screamer is set to tour Europe in November following the release of the Highway of Heroes album.

Live:
01.11.19 DE – Hamburg, Bambi Galore
02.11.19 NL – Nijverdal, Cult Art Club
03.11.19 DE – Kassel, Goldgrube
05.11.19 DE – Leipzig, Mørtelwerk
06.11.19 CZ – Prague, Club007
07.11.19 AT – Wien, Escape
08.11.19 AT – Linz, Kapu
09.11.19 AT – Dornbirn, Schlachthaus
10.11.19 DE – Göppingen, Zille
11.11.19 BE – Bree, Ragnarock
12.11.19 DE – Saarbrücken, Studio 30
14.11.19 DE – Münster, Rare Guitar
15.11.19 DE – Mannheim, MS Connection
16.11.19 DE – Koblenz, Florinsmarkt

23.11.19 SE – Gislaved, Crash Course Club
29.11.19 SE – Göteborg, The Abyss
30.11.19 SE – Örebro, Watt
more live dates to be announced…

Orders are available here: 
Sweden Orders Here
Germany: TBA
USA Here
UK: Here
more pre-order alternatives available soon…

Screamer on : Facebook

 

Redd Kross – ‘Beyond The Door’ (Merge Records)

Redd Kross – ‘Beyond The Door’ (Merge Records)

“No one knows what lies Beyond the Door… but we’re all in front of it.”

So reads the PR blurb that accompanies the all-new eleven-track studio record from South Californian powerpop punk legends Redd Kross, their first new set of songs since 2012’s amazing ‘Researching The Blues’ album, and you know in many ways that opening statement pretty much summed up how I first approached ‘Beyond The Door’, largely because I really did not know what to expect from the band this time around.

With band mainstays Jeff and Steven McDonald promising their most collaborate record since their ‘Born Innocent’ debt from way back in 1981, would the inclusion of Anna Waronker (That Dog), the returning Geré Fennelly, Buzz Osborne (Melvins), and Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) really mess with the powerpop magic formula I have come to know and love the band forever since first discovering them via their genre-defining ‘Third Eye’ album released back in 1990?

Cautiously dipping into ‘Beyond The Door’ the most immediate thing that strikes me is that it is a very “UP” sounding album, in fact  the gangs total commitment to having the best fucking time they can have while they’re all still here is obvious during the stunning opening 1-2 of ‘The Party’ and ‘Fighting’, both tracks sounding like the natural progression to the sixties psych-pop perfection of ‘Researching The Blues’. Guitarist Jason Shapiro and drummer Dale Crover (Melvins, OFF!) are long-time members of the Redd Kross live band, and here they kick off their recording debut with the band in very fine fashion indeed, with both of the opening four to the floor rockers being what I would consider soon to be live favourites.

That live energy continues into the KISS meets Glitter Band swagger of ‘Beyond The Door’ whilst ‘There’s No One Like You’ could very easily be something the McDonald brothers recorded during their post-grunge ‘Show World’ days. ‘Ice Cream (Strange And Pleasing)’ meanwhile is the kind of sugar-sweet bubblegum pop that the band excelled at during their ‘Third Eye’ days as is the uptempo glam slammer ‘Fantastico Roberto’. Phew!! That’s one hell of a set of tunes right there. Tunes which whilst maybe not quite as refined as the ‘Researching The Blues’ album they do possess a vibrancy and unpredictability that record did miss at times.

‘The Party Underground’ is a classic example of this as it sounds like Bob Mould has just popped into the studio and cracked off a tune whilst the closing cover of Sparks’ electro-dance anthem ‘When Do I Get To Sing “My Way”’ really is a truly inspired choice, turning out to a perfect fit for the Redd Kross sound.

So, with that in mind what is the Redd Kross sound here in 2019? Well, it’s probably best summed up the trio of songs that remain for me to mention on ‘Beyond The Door’. ‘What’s A Boy To Do’ is yet another lesson in how to write bubblegum pop perfection whilst ‘Punk II’ thunders along like the Hamburg Beatles speeding their tits off before Lennon and McCartney then get whisked off to Seattle around the turn of the nineties for ‘Jone Hoople’ and all hell is duly let loose.

Look you can stand outside that door forever wondering “what if” but the real magic always lies beyond it.  Redd Kross are most certainly back with a bang with ‘Beyond The Door’ and with US dates already planned with the Melvins we here in the UK can but hope that they will finally return to these shores sometime soon.

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Buy Beyond The Door Here

Author: Johnny Hayward

 

 

Andy McCoy sets release date for new Album ’21st Century Rocks’

Andy McCoy sets release date for new Album ’21st Century Rocks’

Andy McCoy has set a date for the release of his brand new solo album and sets the time and place for the launch show –  Facebook. The Album titled ’21st Century Rocks’ is coming out on Ainoa Productions and can be pre ordered Here

New Andy McCoy single ‘Seven Seas’ was released on August 15th, 2019 (digital) and full album (CD and digital) September 25th, 2019. Vinyl release later in November. The Tracklist is ’21st Century Rocks’, ‘Undertow’, ‘Seven Seas’, ‘Batteram’, ‘Maria Maria’, ‘Bible And A Gun’, ‘The Hunger’, ‘Give A Minute Steal A Year’, ‘Love It Loud’ and ‘This Is Rock And Roll’.