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The Chats – ‘High Risk Behaviour’ (Bargain Bin Records / Cooking Vinyl Australia)

The Chats – ‘High Risk Behaviour’ (Bargain Bin Records / Cooking Vinyl Australia)

 

So The Chats have the cops to thank for the title of their debut album, ‘High Risk Behaviour’ and to be fair it sounds like their flying by the seat of their pants at times – making it up as they go along and getting away with the biggest heist in punk rock history with a bunch of songs hanging on by a thread through more luck than judgement.

It was the youtube smash of ‘Smoko’ that brought these three oddballs to the wider worlds notice with a DIY sound of three yobs goofing off and managing to brush off a little bit of magic at the same time.  If you think their the Aussie Barron nights for the new punk rock generation or the real deal it matters not there is no denying they have the tunes and once they crawl in your head good luck shaking them out.  Like Amyl and her sniffers before them, these cats are the new big cheeses of Oz punk so get used to it and move over Cosmic Psychos and shuffle up Grindhouse because The Chats are taking over.

‘Stinker’ is very much like Pete Shelly had too much sun down on Bondi Beach and ran into the Saints who happened to rope him into penning a few tunes.  Its sharp and boundless energy and the lyrics were deffo penned at the back of the class on the inside of a pack of rizlas.  Hold on to your board shorts kids because ‘Drunk And Disorderly’ is full of Four X on a wife beater bender.  Get it down you and the next round is on you.

Don’t worry if your attention span is short because the songs are as well shorter than Paul Daniels and Ronnie Corbett put together and twice as entertaining. Less than half an hour of wonderful sharp – on the money punk rock n roll.  It’s not rocket science nor is it clever.  The lyrics tell tales of pubs, Wanking, legging it from restaurants, Their mates, boredom and everything you’d expect from three bums or so they’d have you believe but I recon behind it all is three focussed lads who know exactly what they’ve happened upon.  It’s a good fucking time, No, It’s the best of times.  Noisy, funny, energetic, comfortable, uncomplicated punk rock and roll and I fuckin’ love it.  Oh, and if Iggy pop is on board then that’s good enough for me.  Pick this up and fight the Virus with punk rock play it loud and open the windows everyone can enjoy it then even if they don’t want to.

Now ‘Pub Feed’ makes me hungry and crave a party seven and the riff on ‘Ross River’ is sharp as fuck, its a simple process but why do hardly any bands make albums this simple sound this good? Maybe its not so easy otherwise there would be hundred doing it but there isn’t.  So on that basis all hail Eamon, Matt and Josh you fuckin’ beauts.  How can you not fall in love with this?  Just get it and play it and throw yourself around when its on. Don’t be a miserable cunt (to be fair that’s impossible when it’s playing) buy it and fall in love with punk rock n roll again, simple really,  Everyones happy now’days and when they gang up on the mic for the final track you know its sung/shouted with a wink of the eye because they’re spot on it is better than you.

 

Buy ‘High Risk Behaviour’ –  Here

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Millie Manders & The Shut Ups release first Video Taken from debut album

Millie Manders & The Shut Ups release first Video Taken from debut album

The first single from MMATSU’s debut album due out on all platforms 3rd April 2020, “Silent Screams” is a literal dream-come-lyrical creation by Millie during one of her darkest hours to date.

Suicidal thoughts are hard to deal with, even harder to talk about, and Millie wanted to channel the frustration she has with herself when she feels like she can’t speak, by expressing it through her music instead.

In the current climate, with all that’s going on in the world, our mental health can be even further stretched to it’s limits. It’s ok to not be ok, but when you’re not ok, it’s so hard.

Please try to remember that talking is the first step to healing, and we’d like to encourage any of you who struggle as Millie does, to reach out to a doctor/friend/family member… You are NOT alone. Call Samaritans (UK): 116 123

The Mark Vodka Group – Self Titled (Drunken Sailor Records)

The Mark Vodka Group – Self Titled (Drunken Sailor Records)

Debut LP from The Mark Vodka Group oh you know those guys from Nova Scotia, Canada. Well, it’s the place to be and the best band there are called The Mark Vodka Group, that’s a fact I’ve not seen disputed and they include members of the Booji Boys? Their 2019 opus ‘Tube Reducer’ was reviewed on these very pages last year. This however is a different beast altogether as ‘I Wanna Piss In The Face Of The World’ kicks things offs we strap ourselves in for a rocket ride of punk rock that raw, rapid and reckless.  It’s taking no prisoners as it rattles through the catchy fast-paced opener.

This is different from the Boojis, of course. While they bury hooks in clouds of distortion, the Mark Vodka Group go for a more accessible sound, Sure its still ‘lo-fi’ and very much DIY. They’ve had their sound described like “a bare-bones Descendants at their most irritably bratty, stealing the Oblivians’ homework and doodling stupid faces all over the most insightful parts”. I wouldn’t dispute that.  ‘Goon’ is fash and sharp and to the point, it sounds dumb and full of fun as it races to the finish line, Punk as fuck one might say.

It might be quick but its tuneful and ‘Boy (I’m Allergic To You)’ has a tip of the hat to the kings of melodic punk-pop Buzzcocks.  It’s not the only time the homage to the Buzzcocks is aired on this record either ‘Everybody’s Punk Now’, which also boasts a killer Buzzcocks homage. Truth be told, Homages seem like a good idea as ‘You’ve Got To Split’ tips the cap to the Ramones.  That’s two greats being aped so you know where these guys are coming from right? Right! Even the song titles give a hint ‘Now I Wanna Be A Bad Boy’ they’ve even got a tune for big-time Charlies and they spit out contempt on ‘Big Time Rocker’ and throw in a suitably smart solo to ram their point home even if they are playing to the converted. 

‘Touch Of Grey’ reminds me of the great Pete Perrett and his only ones with its gentler less confrontational strummings. Which only leaves ‘Mark’s Blues’ laments at the album’s close, even when the world turns to shit, there’s always booze: “The drinking hasn’t let me down yet.” I guess Mark Vodka isn’t just a random name. This is a really good record, in a time when new bands are thin on the ground especially ones who can pick up the torch and run with it so raise a glass to Mark Vodka Group. 

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Author: Dom Daley

Ditches – Ditches (Drunken Sailor Records)

Ditches – Ditches (Drunken Sailor Records)

Ditches, from outta Stockholm Sweden which is already a good start seeing as the country has always thrown up great garage punk rock n roll bands from the Nomads to Hellacopters to the Hives and many many more well, Ditches picked up the baton and seem to be running away with it.  If you were to cut em through the middle they’d have a core of Buzzcocks melodies with some bubblegum holding it together via some pretty nifty power-pop whilst heading through the backstreets after dark wearing skinny jeans and sneakers they only stop to smoke a cigarette and pogo before they get back to it.

The melodies come thick and fast with an emphasis on the fast. Opener ‘Out Of This’ sets the pace and the tone and that Shelley melody blueprint is evident on ‘Get Away’. For a debut LP, they are right on the money with leather jackets with the collar turned up these snotty oiks have to know that they can pen some top brain candy that gets in and settles for a while making you feel great inside with that power pop punk rock glow of satisfaction.

The production is bright without glossing over the rough edges, ‘Stitch Me Up’ being a great example.  Cool chorus and a real sugar rush of a tune. With eleven songs sticking to the formula its a great debut and with all the promise of another top turn hailing from Sweden in 2020 is exactly what we need another generation of punks coming through re-energising a scene and really appreciating what it takes to write great music. Its like hearing stuff like the Undertones again but from a different time totally – I bet these songs are great live n loud in some sweaty dive bar where you can really lock into the rapid beat and chiming guitars.  they seem to know exactly what they’re good at and stick to it well. not a bad track amongst the eleven on offer.  Let’s hear it for Ditches more peaks than troughs.

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Author: Dom Daley

The Damned – ‘Fiendish Shadows’ (Cleapatra Records)

The Damned – ‘Fiendish Shadows’ (Cleapatra Records)

This fully restored and expanded set from Woolwich Coronet This 2020 version has been newly remastered and includes several tracks that were left off the original release! Includes all-new artwork with full liner notes and a personal message from drummer Rat Scabies !

Available on both digipak CD and a 2LP vinyl set in your choice of either RED or BLUE vinyl! I had this when it first came out many moons ago and loved it.  It captured the band at the time perfectly.  whilst they might have been at a commercial career-high the studio albums were a bit beige around the time of MCA but live they still had it and that tour was a blaze of fun.

Expanded to nineteen tracks this is well worth tracking down and getting hold of from the opening keyboards of ‘Curtain Call’ they were on fire. The quality of the recording is good as well not overdubbed nor flat this is a picture of a band living it large and doing it well. As you would expect there is a decent smattering of tracks from ‘Phantasmagoria’ and ‘Shadow Of Love’ particularly sound great. As does the much-maligned ‘Grimly Fiendish’ that I quite enjoy hearing live these days and back in the day or the mid-’80s to be precise it was quite a departure. It seems odd to hear tracks like ‘There’ll Come A Day’ played so fast and full of energy. that tour with The Fuzztones was exceptional and I have such fond memories of Cardiff New Ocean Club.

‘Gun Fury’ makes me smile as does the version of ‘Lust For Life’ 1985 seems like yesterday but its also so long ago.  when the Damned could have been and should have been we are left nuggets of pure Gold like this recording to remind us that it doesn’t matter what happened commercially because they were always the best and still are capable of amazing shows and the odd record that ignites a fire inside my heart and it seems odd to hear them end the set with a one two of ‘Disco Man’ Val Doonigan style followed by a rip-roaring slash of ‘Born To Kill’  If only all bands were this good.  Don’t think twice just buy it and revel in it. Fiendishly good!

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Author: Dom Daley

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Strange Unit get set to put on live stream shows

Strange Unit get set to put on live stream shows

Stage it Here

 

Strange Unit gonna be doing some ONLINE gigz during this crazy, unprecedented time.  We ask you all to follow his page  Here where he will be doing weekly live gigz from his garage! All thingz considered, this is a good time to be a onemanboyweirdoband.

He will be doing multiple shows to ensure friends from UK, Europe, USA, Japan and of course Australia get entertained.

He’ll be donating any tips* to venues affected by this fucking mental situation.

Thank you!

Please share and tell ’em Strange Unit sent ya! Spread the word folks

Bar Stool Preachers – Rough Trade Bristol 06 March 2020

Bar Stool Preachers – Rough Trade Bristol 06 March 2020

Rough Trade one of the finest independent record stores in the Western World situated in the fine city of Bristol – home to many a good venue and champion of the arts be it paintings or music Bristol has always had a good grounding and been the stop of many a great band.  Tonight it played host to Brightons finest those cheeky chaps who make up Bar Stool Preachers.  The venue is a clean purpose-built a big storeroom.  Sure it has air conditioning (not switched on obviously) no windows, Painted black, no bar for people to congregate around and chatter its just four walls with a stage at one end with a pretty decent PA and tonight upon its boards treads the 12 legged groovers who are on a mission and six-man mission to spread the word of unity and Rock and Roll and whilst they go about their work they do it with a ten-mile wide smile and a helping hand.  You see the Bar Stool Preachers aren’t just a ska-punk band who dabble in several genres of punk rock but are busy making friends across the globe as they make sure there is a pretty impressive BSP carbon footprint left for all to see. If they’re not stateside or in Europe, they are zig-zagging across the UK playing to larger and larger venues packed with jumping bodies who are believing and getting on board this runaway train of a band.

They are about to release album number three as they finalise details and tracklist for it whilst making sure the songs are also road-tested as they seamlessly weave the new songs in with the old favourites.  Tonight got sweaty very very quickly as the enthusiastic audience didn’t need any coercing from Tom to get with the programme they were up for it from the start.

A bold move from the band starting with the awesome ‘One Fool Down’ that’s a statement of intent right there. The old old songs from that first record get things up to speed as ‘Trickle Down’ and ‘Looking Lost’ reintroduce everyone with what a good night out sounds like. Next up we get introduced to some of the new material and what an impressive couple of tunes they are with ‘Late Night Transmission’ and ‘Don’t Die Today’ showing that the band are on the right path with even better material and just watching them look like they are having the time of their lives all the time just like a great band should.  It’s not playing to a packed main stage at Rebellion or Punk Rock Bowling nor is it 20 thousand diggin the tunes in some aircraft hanger in Germany but you do get the same level of performance and once you lock into Gibbs metronomic tic from side to side you’re involved, oh don’t try running on the spot like Bungle he’s a professional.

Tonights set was perfect and went by in a flash as old mixed with the new and everything in-between as ‘8.6 Days’ ‘Raced Through Berlin’ kissed ‘Start New’ and ‘Ballad Of The M1’ off the first album and then they were gone, wow that was glorious stuff an exhilarating performance for an exceptional band who are right on the money at the moment and as they re-emerge soaking with perspiration there is time for a couple more and its a tight as two Rizzlas romp through ‘Choose My Friends’ before the inevitable knees-up of ‘Bar Stool Preachers’ and they were done.

These boys deserve every adventure they are being presented with because they have the X-Factor and more importantly they have some exceptional tunes no change that not some they have many exceptional songs – they are grounded and they are hungry and appreciative.  Get behind one of the brightest hopes we have on Shit Island now when can we do this all over again?

Witchdoktors – ‘Timeless and Dimeless’ (Bomber Music)

Witchdoktors – ‘Timeless and Dimeless’ (Bomber Music)

A brilliant compilation of some of the best tracks from previous Witchdoktors albums, on CD in a digipack and on a slab of Wax stalwarts of Tin Pan Alleys 12 Bar Club Withcdoktors have been going for several decades and one of the constants is the fact that over the span of four albums and several EP’s they never let their guard down and turned in a half-arsed shift.  Witchdoktors are the real deal and if you’re not familiar with their tunes then let me introduce you.

Back in ’93 a band peddling garage meets swampy Cramps style Rock and Roll but with energy and a sound that was more than just being hip scenesters emerged out of the London scene with a rough guitar edge and plenty of Farfisa to make any self-respecting ghoul blush. but the songs were not mere snake oil apeing their peers they had something with four tunes from the debut making onto the mixtape.

Oddly there is nothing on the mixtape from the first single but a couple did make it from the second. As for the second album ‘I Still Hurt’ makes the cut and I love this tune with a great vocal I scratch my head and feel that I’m as guilty as everyone else because Witchdoktors should be a hell of a lot bigger than they are.  I’ve always really enjoyed them live when I’ve headed to the Smoke and happened across them playing usually with one of my favourite bands and I’m always delighted when they’re on the bill.

 

Four of the track present are re-recorded and incidentally, they all originally appeared on ‘$3 Hooker’ and Andy always delivers a passionate vocal and I do love the way they weave the organ into the mix adding a sense of drama especially on songs like ‘Neck Tattoo’ which is such a blast with that guttural bass throb.

Not that the earlier songs lack anything (because they don’t) they really found their identity and niche on ‘Voodoo Eye’ and had a big sound courtesy of the sympathetic ears of Pat Collier who clearly understands the band and the mixture of sounds they manage to straddle when putting their records together.

so If your looking for a new record to add to the collection then this mixtape is the perfect compilation to acquaint yourself with and introduce your new favouite band of reprobates who ooze Rock and Roll with passion, heart and soul and a C120 full of top tunes.  Get It! Oh and for extra Kudos I noticed on Spotify there is even a blinding cover of Neat Neat Neat well and truly served.

 

Buy ‘Timeless & Dimeless’ Here

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Author: Dom Daley

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Dinosaur Pile Up Cover RUN DMC’s ‘It’s Tricky’

Dinosaur Pile Up Cover RUN DMC’s ‘It’s Tricky’

 

Dinosaur Pile Up
REVEAL AMAZON ORIGINAL COVER 
OF RUN DMC’S
‘IT’S TRICKY’
LISTEN EXCLUSIVELY ON AMAZON


Dinosaur Pile-Up have released an Amazon Original cover of Run DMC’s ‘It’s Tricky’. The track is only available to stream and purchase on Amazon Music.

“We chose ‘It’s Tricky’ because it’s one of my all-time favourite songs. I just love it and it gets me pumped,” says Dinosaur Pile-Up’s Matt Bigland. “We were actually on a drive during a US tour when we were listening to music on the stereo in the van, and we’d been trying to think of which song we should cover – and then ‘It’s Tricky’ came on and Mike turned to me and I turned to Mike and we were both like – WE COULD DO TRICKY!!! And the decision was instantly made.”

“We were stoked on how much fun we could have with it and how heavy we could make it! When we recorded it we basically just had a blast and tried to make it as much fun as possible to record – I think you can hear that in the track. I hope fans get pumped on it – and slam it on the stereo and party.”

Amazon Music listeners can find Dinosaur Pile-Up’s cover of ‘It’s Tricky’ on the playlist Rock Scene, a collection of the most exciting rock tracks around the world. Customers can also simply ask, “Alexa play the Amazon Original by Dinosaur Pile-Up” in the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android and on Alexa-enabled devices. In addition to the new track, Amazon Music listeners can access hundreds of Amazon Originals featuring both emerging and established artists across numerous genres, available to stream and purchase only on Amazon Music.

In 2019, Dinosaur Pile-Up released their acclaimed new album ‘Celebrity Mansions‘ via Parlophone. The album’s release saw Dinosaur Pile-Up lay claim as one of the UK’s most exciting and talked-about rock bands on both sides of the Atlantic. Their singles became radio smash hits with ‘Back Foot’ picking up regular spins from Radio 1 and reaching number four on the US rock radio chart. The album was also touted in Best Of The Year lists across the board.

The band recently announced their largest US tour yet, which will see them headline 15 dates across the States throughout April and May starting on April 16th. In addition, the band will be playing US festivals including Shaky Knees, Epicenter, Welcome To Rockville and more.

Before this, Dinosaur Pile-Up will be playing their largest headline UK show to date at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town on April 3rd, with a few tickets still available to purchase. The band have also announced a warm-up show at The Wardrobe, Leeds on April 1st. All tickets are available via Here

In the summer they will be returning to the UK to play a string of festivals and have already been announced for 2000 Trees, Y Not Festival, Burn It Down and Boomtown, as well as European festivals including Mad Cool in Spain and Ireland’s Sunstroke Festival, with more to be announced soon.

There is no letting up for Dinosaur Pile-Up in 2020 as they continue their stratospheric rise.

UK HEADLINE DATES
April 1st – Leeds, The Wardrobe
April 3rd – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town

UK & EU FESTIVAL APPEARANCES
June 6th – Marshall Live at Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes
June 13th – Sunstroke Festival, Kildare
July 9th – 2000trees, Cheltenham
July 11th – Mad Cool Festival, Madrid
July 24th – 26th– Y Not Festival, Derbyshire
July 31st – August 2nd– Truck Festival, Oxfordshire
August 12th – 16th– Boomtown, Winchester
September 5th – Burn It Down Festival, Torquay