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Bob Mould – Sunshine Rock (Merge Records)

Bob Mould – Sunshine Rock (Merge Records)

It seems like an eternity since the news was released that Bob Mould was releasing a follow up to the fantastic ‘Patch The Sky’ but the day is upon us and on this day ‘Sunshine Rock’ is breaking out over the skyline.

The album opens with the title track and a sprightly jump around it is too. There’s a rough edge and a fire inside his belly that still burns and fans will be delighted that everything is in order and ‘Sunshine Rock’ gets off to a fizzing start like a pop song with loud guitars. We head off in an upward trajectory from there on in as the guitars are turned up loud and when I say loud anyone whos seen the guy live can testify he doesn’t scrimp on the volume and he’s transferred that onto this record. ‘What Do You Want Me To Do’ is loud and it sounds like the record of a guy with hunger and love for what he’s doing its exhilarating stuff.

Splitting Mould albums into light and dark categories can get in the way, sure sometimes it’s inevitable but for me, this one most definitely goes into the big bright happy category.  I don’t think its a coincidence it has the title it does.  Clear your mind and let Sunshine into your life.  Blimey, it works. I must say I’m really enjoying this record on initial plays and I’m sure the deeper I get into it and over time my views might well change but initially this might just be one of his finest offerings to date (solo wise) ‘Sunny Love Song’ is vibrant and skips along LOUDLY!  I find the coloured vinyl quite hypnotic as well looking at it whilst spinning and letting the music try and sink in ‘Thirteen Dozen Roses’ has a sharp riff that dominates the song as Mould slashes at his Strat and beats the chords out.

‘The Final Years’ is a real shift in gears as a keyboard dominates the intro but as the verse begins it drops back to the rhythm section and sparse keyboards as the band locks in for a real slab of new wave This could easily be some 80’s brit pop. Bob turns the amps back on and lets the warm valve heat up as ‘Irrational Poison sounds like a band just playing live and capturing some real live in the studio magic.

If your looking for possible radio singles ‘I Fought’ wouldn’t be one of them as Mould spits out the lyrics laden with expletives like he really means it maaan. ‘Sin King’ sounds like cruising down the freeway in a classic car with the sun blazing down and the radio on full volume its got a real road trip feel to it hidden in the depths of ‘Sunshine Rock’ a song that will give more and more over time I’m sure of it.

‘Lost Faith’ is a more laid back mellow affair at first few plays it had some REM in its melody with strings in the background and well in the background to be fair. the track builds up to a bridge that just soars before falling back to and repeat its like song climbing with Bob Mould it ebbs and flows wonderfully  and like he might be in the next room writing these and your the first person and maybe the only person he’s singing to its got that personal feel to it which is a magical thing to capture. mould stays ahead of the game on ‘Sunshine Rock’ and is as relevant as he’s ever been which is some mean feat considering how quickly the musical sands of time shift and many a musician and songwriter lose their footing and stumble and fall, Mould remains at the top of that dune. He can change gear from song to song whilst ‘Lost Faith’ is calm ‘Irrational Poison’ and ‘Sin King’ are heavy but in a good way and the campfire stum of ‘Camp Sunshine’ is as easy listening as you’re going to get. As a final hoorah you have the frantic one-two of ‘Send Me A postcard’ (made for throwing your ageing body around at some sweaty live show sometime soon.) Mould bows out of ‘Sunshine rock’ with the splendid ‘Western Sunset’ and already the world is a better place as a Bob Mould record gets released into the ever-maddening and confusing world there are few things to rely on and this guys records are one of them. ‘Sunshine Rock’  is a must own record it’s as simple as that what an awesome way to end your week than playing this over and over and over again.  Buy It!

 

Buy Sunshine Rock Here

Bitch Queens drop brand new video R – Rated

Bitch Queens drop brand new video R – Rated

Basel reprobates Bitch Queens release a new video for ‘R Rated’ taken from the album ‘L.O.V.E.’ Filmed whilst on their USA tour last year its taken from their awesome long player. the boys from Basel don’t just play dumb punk or glam rock n roll they put those elements into a pot along with a whole heap of other influences and tip them upside down and turn them into something quite beautiful as their albums testify. The video gives a snapshot of what the band are about on stage as they tear the shit out of wherever it is they play.  Watch it love it and check em out!

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Buy ‘L.O.V.E.’ 

 

 

Pkew Pkew Pkew – Optimal Lifestyles (Big Scary Monsters & Dine Alone Records)

Pkew Pkew Pkew – Optimal Lifestyles (Big Scary Monsters & Dine Alone Records)

Toronto punk band PKEW PKEW PKEW might be owners of one of the weirdest band names ever but you’ll remember it that’s for sure, besides the music they play is fanfuckintastic!

This new album, ‘Optimal Lifestyles’, hits the shelves on 1st March via Big Scary Monsters (UK) and Dine Alone Records (US/Canada).

Pkew Pkew Pkew also announces a run of UK tour dates for May 2019 supporting hotly-tipped LA punks du jour Spanish Love Songs, so it’s fair to say they mean business and are keeping themselves busy which excites me.

While Pkew Pkew Pkew’s 2016 self-titled debut told tales about the late-20s punk life, ‘Optimal Lifestyles’ reflects on the band’s previous fun-loving, hard-partying behaviour with clarity and precision. Pkew writes songs that are plot-driven stories like The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, who actually went to Toronto to workshop songs with the band for this record.

The first single ‘I Don’t Matter At All’. sees Warne’s songwriting, pulling inspiration from The Hold Steady, and showing influences of bands like The Strokes and Japandroids. that’s where the band are today Warne sings. “It’s fun to live like an idiot, but it’s probably bad, also. We’re all constantly wondering if we’ve ruined our lives forever or not, being in a band.”

Song-by-song, ‘Optimal Lifestyles’ lays out the sort of living Warne speaks of, but its not shoegazing or apologetic for being self-indulgent or self-destruction. It’s an acceptance of the life in Toronto, rent increases and unfeeling gentrification (much like London or New York I guess, it’s a global thing but who is really wanting it? not these guys that’s for sure and neither do I (so we’re on the same page there then)

This is a record about trying to cope with a city or a world that increasingly doesn’t seem to give a shit about people or history, art or culture just cold hard cash. This is where Pkew Pkew Pkew come in, pissed off and calling out the bullshit.

There’s an air of optimism happening here  A band that you can feel their togetherness its better than getting a real job this travelling around making a noise lark and so it begins.

If this is a new band on you then what are you waiting for – dive in –  get acquainted. There are fifteen songs on this album so they certainly pack em in and with most of them around the two-minute mark you can be sure they never ever overstay their welcome.  They don’t reinvent the wheel that much is true maybe its fair to say they just ride the fucker and on this new record they just go for it – Turning the amps up on the opener ‘Still Hanging Out After All These Years’ (the title is almost as long as the song) it’s a heady mix of alt-rock and American college rock like The Replacements or early Lemonheads. ‘Point Break’ could easily be off one of those early Mats albums and I love the saxophone solo it wasn’t expected and takes the song somewhere different.

A band destined for bigger and better things and one along with say,  Beach Slang deserve a shot and their fifteen minutes of fame as a bare minimum.  In fact, after repeated plays, this might just be my new favourite band and certainly an early front runner for top ten album of 2019.  Once the single ’65 Nickels’ gets in your head its hard to shake it off it’s like A punk rock Gaslight Anthem (if I might be so bold) had they headed through the mats door and not Springsteen door (nothing wrong with the Boss I’m not saying that) but one enjoyed a case of beer and some shots whilst the other went jogging and got fit. (we know that the beer and shots win right? Right! well thats pkewx3)

‘Skate 2’ comes out swinging whilst ‘Passed Out’ is more reflective and as you head into the home straight who doesn’t want to see a wolf? or end up at an ‘Adult Party’? you’ll be punching the air when the gang start chanting “Rich Kids Go fuck Yourselves” amen to that brothers, Amen.

C’mon enough words just click the link and thank me later ‘Optimal Lifestyles’ should be in your collection you know what to do next and get excited for the wait will be over soon-

Buy ‘Optimal Lifestyles’ Here

May 2019 UK Tour Dates w/ Spanish Love Songs:

07.05.19 – Brighton – The Hope & Ruin
08.05.19 – Manchester – Soup Kitchen
09.05.19 – Birmingham – The Flapper
10.05.19 – Bristol – The Exchange
11.05.19 – London – New Cross Inn

The Bronx announce Dead Tracks Volume 1 & 2

The Bronx announce Dead Tracks Volume 1 & 2

Stoked to announce The Bronx ‘Dead Tracks’, Volumes 1 & 2 — a double vinyl release featuring all b-sides and rarities and limited to only 750 made. Bundles come with long sleeve t-shirt, vinyl record holder, tote bag, slipmat and patch. Available now at shop.thebronxxx.com 

Remember kids you snooze you loose on these.  Only 750 available then they’re gone!

 

The Bronx – "Dead Tracks" Bundle

Stoked to announce The Bronx 'Dead Tracks', Volumes 1 & 2 — a double vinyl release featuring all b-sides and rarities and limited to only 750 made. Bundles come with long sleeve t-shirt, vinyl record holder, tote bag, slipmat and patch. Available now at shop.thebronxxx.com

Geplaatst door The Bronx op Maandag 4 februari 2019

Walter Lures L.A.M.F Announced for Rebellion Festival

Walter Lures L.A.M.F Announced for Rebellion Festival

This Rebellion Festival news announcement gave RPM HQ heart aflutter as the already strong line up just got a little stronger with the inclusion of Walter Lure putting together a pretty decent line up for Something very special for the OPERA HOUSE. Like we weren’t going to be all over this one. 

Walter Lure’s LAMF featuring
Mick Rossi of Slaughter & the Dogs with
Mark Laff of Gen X
Nigel Mead of The Duellists
They will be playing tracks from The Heartbreakers iconic L.A.M.F. album on Saturday night in the Opera House.
TICKETS: www.rebellionfestivals.com/shop

Camden Rocks Tickets and more bands announced

Camden Rocks Tickets and more bands announced

Camden Rocks Festival 2019
1st & 2nd June
The next wave of artists for Camden Rocks Festival 2019 is here! The multi-talented punk and folk singer-songwriter Frank Turner is joined by hitmakers The Wonder Stuff, Random Hand, Discharge, Richie Ramone, The Professionals, Eliza And The Bear, Sonic Boom Six, Area 11, Spunge, Shvpes and ninety other phenomenal bands across indie, rock, punk and metal announced.

They join the first wave of acts that includes Ash, Ratboy, New Model Army, Wheatus, Carl Barat, Ginger Wildheart, Milkteeth, Pretty Vicious, Raging Speedhorn, Angelic Upstarts, The Virginmarys, The Last Internationale, Bang Bang Romeo, Rews and many more.

This year Camden Rocks Festival is a two day event for the first time! Bringing you 400 artists across twenty grassroot venues in Camden Town.

Get out your microscopes and open up a spreadsheet to map out your days.  If you were to ask us here obviously the star attractions of The Wonderstuff and Ash will have their fans but watching The Hip Priests, The Spangles or Rich Ragany & The Digressions is where the gold dust is.  We’ll be doing our bit on the run-up to the event when we know venues and band times and let you know where we’ll be heading.

Tickets

Jizzy Pearl UK Tour Dates

Jizzy Pearl UK Tour Dates

IN AMIDST EUROPEAN UNCERTAINTY AND CONFUSION – ONE THING THE UK CAN BE SURE OF IS JIZZY PEARLS ANNUAL VISIT TO THE UK.

JIZZY PEARL will soon grace our shores armed once again with his UK band (Stevie Pearce, Mickey Richards and Christian Kimmett) to deliver A truly breathtaking back Catalogue of songs with the ferocity and power that only he can. From incendiary albums BLACKOUT IN THE RED ROOM and WASTED IN AMERICA .Prime selections from LETS RUMBLE all the way through to His latest and highly acclaimed Record ALL YOU NEED IS SOUL. JIZZY PEARL has lived it, breathed it and can still sing it.. without falter.. a truly remarkable spectacle.

The UK Leg of the Tour begins in Edinburgh, Bannerman’s on the 13th of March and culminates On March 24th – With a stop off in Wales to play a sold out HARD ROCK HELL on Friday 15th opening for UFO. This time around sees the return to NOTTINGHAM which has been off the the touring schedule for a few years, and also SHEFFIELD – where there is the chance to meet the man himself, watch sound check and get some free goodies! All you have to do is visit the Corporations Facebook page for more detail: www.facebook.com/CorporationSheffield

Following this, The band will play 4 dates in Italy (To be announced soon) before returning to the UK, where JIZZY backed by Stevie Pearce will embark on the second instalment of ACOUSTIC SONGS AND STORIES. Stripped back Love/Hate favourites with some JIZZY PEARL Solo Material from Just a boy.. and a cover or two thrown in for good measure.. Intertwined with historical rock and roll anecdotes straight from the mouth of the guy that witnessed it – the same guy that hung himself aloft Hollywood, from a crucifix, tied to the letter ‘Y’ in the name of rock and roll. Who doesn’t want to hear about that??

Main support from THE BRINK and SILK ROAD.

ALL DATES LISTED BELOW

March:
13th: Bannermsans, Edinburgh
14th: Brickyard, Carlisle
15th: Hard Rock Hell, Wales
16th: Real Time Live, Chesterfield
17th: Camden Underworld
21st: Corporation Sheffield
22nd: Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton
23rd: Tivoli, Buckley
24th: Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

ACOUSTIC SONGS AND STORIES

April:
4th: Bannermans, Edinburgh
5th: The Waterloo, Blackpool
6th: The diamond, N. Ireland

Crooked Ghost – Skeleton House (Palomino Records)

Crooked Ghost – Skeleton House (Palomino Records)

Right from the off this dark brooding post-punk rattles a few cakes containing some placebo and a dash of Bauhouse and your sort of in the same safe place. The opener is dark and sparse and doesn’t really give much away except set the tone maybe because the first video off the album was for ‘Sleepwalker’ which sounds like someone was listening to Morrissey warbling over some Banshee track but with an old school feel coming off the end product  it does build but it does so oh so gradually before reaching the end anyway.

 

There is a sad dreamlike quality to proceedings and it sounds like things are on the brink of getting loud but never do its sort of frustrating at times when you can hear it about to break and then it drops back like on ‘Only Nightmares’ its like when a darts player can’t quite let go of his arrow well Crooked Ghost are a little bit like that here.

It’s virtually like that for every song with the odd exception. Take ‘Witch Heart’ its a bit more lively but the tune isn’t quite there the other thing is songs like ‘Black Cat’ is almost six minutes long and Suede it isn’t.

The same can also be said for the title track which clocks in at over six minutes it just seems like everything could have been said and done in half the time it actually took which is a shame because there are parts of this I really like.

It might appeal to fans of the Sisters of mercy or Craig Adams solo project but it’s too pedestrian for me – sorry.

 

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Author: Dom Daley

Wonk Unit have live album and DVD news

Wonk Unit have live album and DVD news

On 1st March we are releasing a new album and live DVD, WONK UNIT – LOVE IN CHAPAN.  You can pre-order this to ensure you get a copy.  Pre-orders will be shipped as soon as stock arrives.

Filmed by Mark Richards and recorded at Wonkfest 2017. This was pretty much the perfect Wonk gig. Stoked we captured it for posterity.

Available as a CD and DVD, or a limited edition (200 copies) green vinyl and DVD.   CD version £15 + p&p, Vinyl version £20 + p&p.

SEE THE BACK COVER BELOW FOR TRACK LISTING

Order your copy in Here.

 

They’re only making plans for… A new Book. ‘What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book’

They’re only making plans for… A new Book. ‘What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book’


Author MARK FISHER presents a new musical exploration of this highly talented and intriguing group:  ‘What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book‘ is a compelling 228-page book that involves not only these artists, but also some of the world’s leading musicians and keenest XTC fans. In 2017, Fisher published ‘The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls’, which Louder Than War dubbed “Music publication of the year” and Prog Magazine called “The most comprehensive and incisive book about XTC yet published”.

In this new XTC book, you’ll find contributions from Peter Gabriel and members of The Jam, Squeeze, The Bangles, Dr Hook, New York Dolls, Barenaked Ladies, The Waitresses, Voice of the Beehive, Odds, Jellyfish, Fassine and Future of the Left, among many others.

Order link Here
Burning Shed order Here
photo of XTC by Garry Stuart

 

“The song is a little machine. If you take apart the machine, it’s not a clock any more and you can’t tell the time by it.” – Andy Partridge

“Music… I couldn’t imagine life without it. It’s always there.” – Dave Gregory

“I was always quite envious of XTC because they weren’t put in the same pigeonhole as punk bands. They were regarded as a bit more arty than that. We always had to fight off this flag, being under the banner of punk… XTC never seemed to fall into that trap. They had that freedom.” – Rick Buckler ( The Jam)

“Seeing them on TV was like being in a tribe. Together I thought we might rule the world… Yes, I stole from them. I’m sure I was not the only one. The wit did woo mee. I fell head over heels for the clever word play, the charge of the story and the sentimental Britishness of it all.” – Chris Difford (Squeeze)

“XTC’s music has always been there in my consciousness. I think about it a lot when I’m making records… They come across as an everyday group of people and that’s very much what Barenaked Ladies were about too – living as ordinary a life as you can in a bizarre lifestyle like rock’n’roll.” – Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies)

“I remember when I first heard Making Plans for Nigel on the radio… I absolutely loved the song, especially the drum part… Terry’s drumming was so rhythmic. I was very much influenced by him. In fact, I would drum along to XTC songs to warm up. It was very inspiring to me!” – Debbi Peterson (The Bangles)

2018 marked the 40-year anniversary of XTC’s first studio album ‘White Music’. While XTC was founded in 1972, it wasn’t until 1979 that XTC had their first UK charting single. Colin Moulding and Andy Partridge continued their partnership until the group’s dissolution in 2006.

Lately, there has been renewed interest in XTC, in part due to the release of eye-opening XTC documentary ‘This Is Pop’ about the band’s history and legacy, which looks at XTC and their journey from mercurial pop outsiders to full-blown national treasures and one of Britain’s most influential yet unsung bands.

‘What Do You Call That Noise?’ will be released on March 4. Anyone ordering ‘What Do You Call That Noise?’ before midnight on Sunday, January 27 will be inducted into the Venerable League of Neon Shufflers and have their name published in the book. The book can be obtained for £17.99 + free UK p&p (from £5 international p&p)