
Do you ever have one of those days where you look for something to play on the stereo or in your headphones and nothing in your collection hits the spot even if you have a vast collection from all flavours of Rock n Roll and then as if by magic the brand spanking new DeRellas album lands on your leopard print inbox and when you press play it just about hits the spot with the exact attitude you want as the world turns to shit it only punk rock n roll that can save us from going insane.
As the needle drops on the first track and first single the snarling beast that is ‘ Just Because I Smile Doesn’t Mean I Like You’ – charming I hear you whimper. The excellently balanced mix has the newest lineup of the band firing on all cylinders with a wonderfully sleazy crunch on the guitars whilst Timmy’s vocals snarl with the right amount of rasp and attitude you want from your sleazy punk n roll in 2025. With a middle finger in your face and a heart full of napalm, the band sets the tone with a wonderful opener that’s a fine earworm and perfect for setting you up for the day, lacing up your creepers, turn up the collar on your leather jacket and let’s go!
The album was Funded by a very successful Kickstarter campaign, and the world might be abalze with despots in the white house and meglomaniacs to the east the perfect escape is and always has been Rock and Roll. There isn’t much in the way of sunshine and lollipops here just a whole heap of attitude and loud guitars its an altogether darker bunch of songs than the previous ‘Something’s Got to Give’. This isn’t your Hollywood poser rock n roll this is grittier punk rock n roll cut from the same cloth as the original 77 punks like the Heartbreakers, its late-night dive bars and a morning full ashtrays and kicked over Special Vat cans, its got the DNA of The Dolls and Hanoi with the Soho Roses thrown in for good measure There might have been classic ere Alice on the VHS in the lounge but you might not have remembered the night out but the soundtrack is banging.
Its got the spirit of adventure and the gang mentality on the title track with some inspired guitar licks wrapped around the dirty chug. Thunders would approve. I’m reminded of their blood brothers from Canada, The Black Halos as the foot-stomping ‘Loveless Landslide Of Love’ is barked out. ‘Nightime’ is indeed the right time and the sleazy bass run with Iggy lyrics hitting home is a ghoulish encounter with bite. The playing of Jez and Luca is on point and in perfect harmony as the laid-back vibe is a slice of magic.
With the middle third of the album kicking off with a grubby ‘Fake It Til YOu Make It’ screaming for attention with a rollicking riff n lick as the rhythm holds tight on this punchy number comes out swinging.
‘A Shot Of Feeling’ gets revved up as it hacks and slashes in the best possible way. The Chorus is something of an anti-chorus with Timmy asking for “Healing” but I think he really wants another shot of whatever the band are drinking. The band are channelling their prime UK Subs on ‘If Your World Falls Apart’ with more of that attitude it’s the deep cuts that are holding this mighty fine album up and laying the ear bombs for later like landmines the tune will go off most unexpectedly and you’ll crave it when you least expect it. Whilst we head to Hell in a handcart it’s the beauty of ‘Empire Vultures’ that will give us a cheeky smile and close the curtains it’ll be all alright, honest just turn this up.
I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing all the band’s previous recordings and it’s fair to say they’ve been getting better with age I wouldn’t say maturing because there’s no sign of that here but they’ve honed their craft and with Jez and Steve on board I think they’ve finally got the puzzle worked out and The DeRellas are exactly where they are supposed to be – this is, without doubt, their finest set of tunes thus far and everything seems to be in the right place at the right time and maybe this is The DeRellas time to shine.
If you are looking for a fix of sleazy Glam Punk then here it is baby, bold as fuck and doing it on their own terms ‘Touch Me’ is a modern Rocky Horror theme tune before the snotty ‘Stop Living In My Brain’ closes things off and brings this excellent album to a full stop, Christ even I can remember all the lyrics to this one as it staggers to its conclusion. I strongly advise you to get an earful of this and PSST I’ll let you into a secret, It isn’t really gonna hurt but it will make the world a better place to live in. Buy It!
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Author: Dom Daley
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