What is it with Sweden, they must put something in the water because it pisses rock & roll………..and nobody rocks a tash like Gothenburg’s Scumbag Millionaire!
Scumbag are the real deal. A proper rock & roll band playing hard, fast and nasty. For the last couple of years they’ve been gigging like bastards and blasting out great single after great single but now finally, it’s time to stand up and counted. It’s debut album time !!!!
Kicking off with a one finger piano and wah wah attack, “ASAP”, sets out the Scumbag stall. You know how the next half an hour or so of your life is gonna to sound and you can be sure (unless you are a complete bellend) that you’re gonna love it. “Fast Action” (single number 7) drills your head into the wall, while “Go!Go!Go!” nails your balls to the floor.
Next up is the new single “Under The Spell, “which hammers along in fine style. Look for the video on YouTube; quality shit and giggles.
Do you want me to compare them to Hellacopters? I bet you do….. bollocks, Scumbag stand up loud and proud, dragging their high energy action punk, straight out of the gutter.
“Killing Time takes” it up to full tilt, while the previous single “Burn Baby Burn” round outside one in proper anthemic style.
Side two revs things up with “Rolling Heavy”; a tune that will leave any Motorhead fans pumping their iron fists hard and fast. You even get some Stonsey Woo Wooos thrown in for good measure.
You know what you’re gonna get with Scumbag, full on hooky as fuck tunes and “Got No Brain”, “Give Me A Break” and “White Flash” don’t disappoint. There are so many choices for single number ten lurking on this side of this red vinyl slab.
Opening with a thick and greasy bass riff, final track “Get In The Van” slows things down a touch but pounds along like a full-on rocker should with some more one-finger piano and Woo Wooos chucked in for good measure. Culminating in a skull-crushing brain crunching riff, you need to take a breath before flipping the record over and giving “Speed” another crack.
Contender for album of the year……. Full Stop, FACT!
Get in there quick to get hold of the red vinyl because you’ve already missed out on the pre-order only poster.
Picture the scene, I’m Sat watching BBC 4 (someone has to) and on comes out of the blue (not entirely) Roots, Reggae, Revolution, an absolute classic fronted by Akala, an in-depth analysis of the history of reggae and how Ska came forth from the Dancehall.
Sitting where it began as something that came out of necessity, through times of struggles, designed and delivered to help lift up the community sending forth a huge message both political and social. Further down the line it drifted with real Roots reggae taking hold, sat simmering in the background until it leapt to prominence again in the late seventies/early eighties under the banner of Two Tone. Now if we look at music and cross genres, Rock and Roll always preached rebellion, looking down on an older generation, Punk spat not just Anarchy but a sense of Nihilism, whereas Two Tone (Ska) preached togetherness, Black and White united against a social structure where the far right were at their most active. The message cutting forward against a Thatcherite Britain, promoting togetherness, kicking against austerity measures and giving a clear message through infectious rhythms and well-voiced opinions.
Leaders of the movement The Specials, The Beat, The Selector all still going great guns now, or should I say all re-ignited given their voice back through those same issues coming full circle, the far right rising, Brexit looming and the need for the musical underground to find a voice. Taking the sound on mutating it and adding a hint of Anarchy was always going to be a good thing so it stood to reason that Ska was going to infiltrate the Punk underground for its next stage of development.
Now over the last four/five years I’ve really immersed myself in the sound and one band that look set to cross over into the mainstream has to be The Bar Stool Preachers, skanking out of Brighton I’ve ended up in conversation with vocalist TJ McFaul on a number of occasions raved about both their LP’s Blatant Propagandaand Grazie Governo both of which you can pick up hereBar Stool Preachers live they put on an amazing show and second LP Grazie Governo should be the one to launch them into the big time, if you can get bigger than playing to 15,000 across Europe supporting Die Totenhausen. You might not have heard of them? I suggest you rectify the matter, check it out
Next up if that really takes your fancy bounce along to The Popes of Chillitown again a band simmering away tearing up venues nationwide whether you pick up the first LP A word to the wise (it was a pledge release) their sophomore LP To the Moon or the new LP Work hard, Play hard See you in the Graveyard you will not be disappointed All of which you can pick up here :-
Popes Of Chillitown these are a must-see live act, ripping through Reggae/Ska/Dub/Punk/Hip-Hop and Drum and Bass all done with an infectious smile, check it out
Now you might be starting to build one of those recommended playlists if your streaming this stuff, which granted most people do nowadays, but what you really should be doing is supporting the bands not the streaming platforms, get on the website or better still buy at a gig, you might even manage to get it signed!!!
Next up has to be Skacietybouncing out of Kent they released an absolutely blinding LP Overstaying our welcome you can pick it up here
Bandcamp again yet another band tearing up stages across the UK, check them out
Sitting on the TNS roster of bands next upFaintest Idea released an LP that absolutely tears your face off called the Minimum Rage, followed up by the second LPThe Voice of Treason politically in your face and with a real hardcore edge this attacks the genre from a different angle, still ska undoubtedly but leaning more towards a real punk/ political edge. You can pick both up here
or the band I’m going to leave you with Jaya the Cat? Here come the Drums indeed!! Enjoy go ahead and discover your new favourite band. As with everything the biggest fun you’ll ever have in this musical world is discovering something new.
The Virginmarys ain’t had it easy the last few years. Following the release of their mighty sophomore album ‘Divides’ in 2016, the Macclesfield band found themselves at a crossroads. The end of their record contract and the shock departure of bassist Matt Rose left the duo of vocalist/guitarist Ally Dickaty and drummer Danny Dolan with an uncertain future.
Well, you can’t keep a good band down. They picked themselves up, wrote songs and set about doing things independently as a two-piece band. With a new lease of life and a sense of ultimate freedom, the band took things into their own hands, self-producing and self-releasing last year’s critically acclaimed ‘Sitting Ducks’ EP. Now, they release their third and possibly most important album of their career.
Produced and engineered by Ally, during the hottest summer for years ‘Northern Sun Sessions’ is a massive sounding rock album. With its anthemic vocal hook, opener ‘Look Out For My Brother’ immediately sets the tone with pounding, indie beats, big guitars and cool dynamics. It’s clear from the off the band have lost none of their irresistible Northern charm as Ally preaches a message of unity to all who will listen.
The following ‘SOS4UNI’ continues that epic, cinematic feel the band managed to capture on their previous albums. Ringing chords and tribal beats make way for haunting, atmospheric backing vocals. With passion and fire in their bellies, the duo bash out the chorus as Ally spits the lyrics with Northern-tinged venom.
I find it hard to define The Virginmarys sound, which is always a good thing in a band. But, maybe they truly have morphed into Motorhead meets New Model Army. They definitely are a rock band, now more than ever. I mean, there’s a rhythmic QOTSA meets Royal Blood vibe on the likes of ‘Eye For An Eye’ and ‘Wanna Be Free’, a killer intensity in the rousing chorus of the former with immense regimental drums.
Yet, there are several elements that set them apart from most modern rock bands. They have a knack of creating visuals with the lyrics and the music in a way that not many bands can achieve. Ally has a way with words that draws you in like you’re sharing the ride with him as you take in every bend of a guitar string and every vocal nuance. Whether he’s commenting socially or politically you connect spiritually with what he has to say and what he is feeling.
It might be the guttural vocal delivery of ‘Blind Leads The Blind’ that gets you or the pogo-inducing chorus of ‘Step Up’ that hits the spot, but believe me…something will hit the spot. Maybe it’s when Ally lays himself bare for all to see on the emotive title track, as he swears he’ll never drink again over picked chords with his eyes closed. Or again on ‘Flags’ as he states “six years sober, I’m still hungover”. One thing’s for sure, clever wordplay and a knack of building a song to an epic conclusion is never far away.
‘Get Me Back Home’ shows a slight departure for the band with its trashy blues feel and slide guitar goodness. But its album closer ‘All Fall Down’ that steals the show and reverberates long after the virtual needle has lifted. It’s a classic, signature Virginmarys dark brooder that builds, then drops, creating atmosphere. Ally hits you in the feels with his words as Danny surrounds his verse with wave after wave of percussion.” Waiting like a ticking bomb… like a loaded gun”, you wait on his every word as the song reaches an intense crescendo, Ally screaming his lungs out like his life depends on it. Holy shit, what a killer way to end an album!
In an uncertain musical climate, many bands have taken their careers into their own hands in one way or another. We all love an underdog, right? Well, The Virginmarys are the underdogs, not only have they taken the bull by the horns, but they’ve sunk their teeth in and refuse to let go. ‘The Northern Sun Sessions’ is an album filled with passion and fire, and most certainly a career-defining album for this Macclesfield duo.
Hailing from Lockport NY, Handsome Jack plays a powerful and emotional fusion of boogie soul rock n roll that has earned the admiration of fellow rock travelers such as Chris Robinson (CRB, Black Crowes), Zachary Gabbard (Buffalo Killers), and Ben McLeod of All Them Witches, who produced their new record.
On “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” the trio digs deeper into its soulful influences, brilliantly bringing back to life the classic sounds of Chicago, Memphis and Muscle Shoals, all rolled into one timeless record of American rock music for a new generation.
Handsome Jack is Jamison Passuite (guitar/vocals), Joey Verdonselli (bass/vocals), and Bennie Hayes (drums/vocals).
UPCOMING TOUR DATES Oct 20 Buffalo Ironworks Buffalo, NY
Oct 26 Bug Jar Rochester, NY
Oct 30 Northside Tavern Cincinnati, OH
DATES W/ ALL THEM WITCHES: Oct 31 Saturn Birmingham, AL
Nov 1 One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA
Nov 2 White Oak Music Hall: Upstairs Houston, TX
Nov 3 Antone’s Austin, TX
Nov 4 Club Dada Dallas, TX
Nov 7 The Rebel Lounge Phoenix, AZ
Nov 8 Beauty Bar Las Vegas, NV
Nov 9 Echoplex Los Angeles, CA
Nov 10 The Casbah San Diego, CA
Nov 13 The Independent San Francisco, CA
Nov 15 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR
Nov 16 Freakout Festival Seattle, WA
Nov 17 Rickshaw Theatre Vancouver, Canada
Nov 19 Neurolux. Boise, ID
Nov 20 The State Room Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 21 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
Nov 23 The Riot Room Kansas City, MO
Nov 24 Blueberry Hill Duck Room St. Louis, MO
What if you took some great garage rock and added some sprinkles of the Hellacopters to the mix? You get a really tasty album by The Peawees from Italy. A band that has been going strong for over two decades now. The band does not spend time trying to push boundaries or take huge musical risks. They focus their time on crafting songs that would be as at home in the 60’s as they are now. This is a fun, addictive album that you can listen to in less than 30 minutes, which gives a good excuse to just play it all over again.
‘Walking Through My Hell’ crashes in all at once with the vocal of Herve’ Peroncini making an immediate impact as he sings with an edge created with years of experience but also a lot of melody. This song is direct and wastes no time in its two and half minutes and sets the stage perfectly for what is coming for the remaining 9 songs. Put this thing on your local jukebox and watch the people start moving to the beat. Tommy Gonzalez (drums) and Fabio Clemente (bass) ring in ‘A Reason Why’ on nice MOD beat with Carlo Landini (guitar) and Peroncini (also guitar) providing crunch to the beat and a fun guitar solo that you could almost be lifted from early Hanoi Rocks in tone and approach. The chorus leaves a hook in the brain. ‘Stranger’ is super catchy and features some awesome rocking piano that takes the song to a whole other level. The band keep the party going with some Hellacopters style adrenaline on the fast tempo ‘Christine.’ The bass and drums on the chorus sound awesome as do the Chuck Berry inspired guitar riffs.
Reaching the end of side one, ‘Justify’ offers an easy going rhythm and blues soulful type ballad that is extremely catchy. It ends the first half of the album in fine style. Current blues rockers Vintage Trouble would really appreciate this one. Peroncini shows another great side to his voice within the context of the album. Flipping the album over MP3 style, the band rips into ‘Leave This Place’ with some punk energy and razor hooks. The groove by Gonzalez and Clemente is awesome. ‘Phil Spector’ offers some classic rock n roll with a sticky like fly paper chorus featuring some terrific ‘yeah, yeah, yeahs.’ If this was the soundtrack of his hell as he describes it, hell is sounding really good.
‘The Matter’ offers some great vocal work to build the sneaky good hook as well as great guitar riffs by Landini and Peroncini. This has become possibly my favorite song on the album with repeated listens. ‘As Long As You Can Sleep’ offers a huge chorus that has kept drawing me back to this one. The Peawees do an awesome job of inserting musical breaks in their songs to provide diversity and really maximize the effects of the beats and riffs. I also really like the cool use of repetition in the vocals at the end of the song. Bringing the album to a close ‘Til My Mojo Works’ introduces some nice harmonica work and is a solid song for my tastes, but it does not reach the level of the others. I might have swapped it with ‘As Long As You Can Sleep’ as I think it would have offered a stronger closer to the album.
The Peawees sound great here and have done things the old school way with ten songs mostly under three minutes in length. The CD age tended to find bands trying to fill all 80 minutes with music while the transition to this digital world where albums do not have any restrictions in terms of length has really found bands returning to the past and falling in line with what works best on vinyl. I have no doubt that this album would sound even better blasting on my turntable with the way it is made. This is a really fun rock n roll album that is best enjoyed at a loud volume. Highly recommended.
Shows are selling fast so remember to book in advance, all ticket links are over at www.thewonderstuff.co.uk
“I was in New York a few years back and was invited to guest at a Tom Robinson solo show. Tom has long been an inspiration to me and given the opportunity to perform with him… well, lets just say I couldn’t polish my boots quick enough. During our brief rehearsal together on the afternoon of the show Tom asked me who I felt now owned the songs that I have written over all these years. I answered that whoever the publishing company I signed with probably did, but ultimately, I did. Tom was quick to correct me pointing out that all of my songs now belonged to my audience. Going on to explain that the songs I have written have been part of the sound track to thousands of people’s live and it is those people that now truly own them. He said that my position was now of The Custodian, the person who’s job it is to see that the songs are treated and performed with the respect the audiences deserve. It was an incredibly important thing to have said to me and something I have not and will not ever forget.”
Bad Touch will play a UK Headline Tour in support of their new album ‘Shake A Leg’ tonight its Glasgows turn to get down with the beardy rockers. The 5-piece rock band from Norfolk recently released their third studio album via Marshall Records. The album went to #23 in the Independent Album Charts.
Get a taste of the band’s live energy and watch the official music video for ‘Lift Your Head Up’
Their third studio album, ‘Shake A Leg’ was recorded in Bad Touch’s home county of Norfolk at Orange Tree Studios. Engineered, produced and mixed by Andy Hodgson, the new album follows their critically acclaimed 2016 release ‘Truth Be Told’ which featured the rock radio hit ‘99%’. The new album was mastered at Abbey Road Studios. ‘Shake A Leg’ takes a more personal and ambitious approach in both song-writing and production due to the bands choice to write more spontaneously within the studio itself resulting in more emotional ‘in-the-moment’ performances. ‘Shake A Leg’ features 13 hand-picked songs that originate from a collective of all the members influences which they proudly wear on their sleeve.
“We wanted to the album to embody songs that not only sounded fresh and exciting, but also communicated lyrics that meant something to us on a personal level that our fans could identify with,” says guitarist Rob Glendinning.
Known by fans and critics alike for having a reputation as a busy and hard-working band, Bad Touch continue to tour far and wide and are looking forward to playing tracks from the new album when they tour the UK in October and November.
For any new band starting out and looking for a role model on which to base their fledgeling career, they won’t go far wrong by looking at Canadian extra-terrestrial metallers Voivod. Now into their 35th year together, and having just released their 14th studio album, the rather splendid ‘The Wake’, the band appear to be at yet another creative high on their rollercoaster ride of a back catalogue, and judging by the very respectable midweek turn out in The Globe tonight I’m not the only one thinking this way.
Greek thrashers Bio-Cancer are certainly one of those bands who could learn a thing or two from their European touring counterparts, largely because playing traditional thrash over which singer Lefteris Hatziandreou delivers screaming death metal vocals is not exactly an easy first listen. So, for the first few songs I honestly think this all might be something of an elaborate in-joke, and if my memory banks serve me correctly isn’t that exactly how tonight’s headliners were also described in their very early days? This small point aside certainly doesn’t detract from the fact that the five-piece immediately win over the crowd who absolutely lap up the tight as hell and in your face brand of ear-piercing thrash that these young lads from Athens take great pleasure in blitzing us with. It’s, unfortunately, all pretty one-dimensional stuff for the uninitiated however by the time the guys reach set closer ‘Spread The Cancer’ even I’m nodding along in appreciation.
Tonight, is actually my first time of seeing Voivod indoors, it’s also the first time the progressive thrash giants have ever played in Cardiff (Bristol being the nearest they’ve ever gotten to crossing the River Severn previously), and as would be expected for such a momentous occasion stage front of The Globe is totally buzzing with anticipation as the band’s atmospheric intro tape kicks in. Taking to the stage with the explosive punk metal of ‘Post Society’ from the 2016 EP of the same name the band are immediately firing on all cylinders and the sound is loud enough to totally piss the venue’s neighbours off once and for all. Led by perma-grinning singer Denis (Snake) Bélanger the enthusiasm with which the guys deliver their material simply acts as a means of drawing you into their headspace, then once you’re on board, whoosh you’re off on a musical trip that celebrates a huge chunk of the three and a half decades the guys (in various guises) have been producing some of the most direct yet challenging music ever to be released under the banner of Heavy Metal.
Across the next ninety minutes, we are treated to a set chock full of classics from the band’s back catalogue along with three of the very best tracks (‘Obsolete Beings’, IConspiracy and ‘Always Moving’) from the recently released ‘The Wake’ album. Admittedly it’s the earlier ground-breaking thrash thunder of tracks like ‘Ravenous Medicine’ and ‘Technocratic Manipulators’ that really get the audience chomping at the bit. It’s when the band delve into the more genre-busting aural nuggets like ‘Into My Hypercube’ from 1989’s ‘Nothingface’, ‘The Prow’ from be hugely underrated ‘Angel Rat’ album, plus ‘The Lost Machine’ from ‘The Outer Limits’ that I start to wonder why Voivod have never really achieved the same crossover success that a band like Mastodon has, and if you do have the answer to that one, please make sure to mail it to the usual RPM address, because I’d love to know why.
With drummer Michel (Away) Langevin being the only constant member of the band since their formation in 1982 it’s certainly worth highlighting that he is also one of the most technically proficient drummers I’ve seen performing in this genre in recent times. At the festivals I’ve seen that band at previously that wasn’t always so obvious but, in a venue, where you are literally standing eyeball to eyeball with the musicians he is nothing short of astonishing, especially on jackhammer fast blasts like ‘Order Of The Blackguards’. Let’s also not forget the newer guys Daniel ‘Chewy’ Mongrain on guitar and Dominique ‘Rocky’ Laroche on bass who more than hold their own, in particular, Chewy who has been in the band since 2008 and is the almost perfect replacement for the seemingly irreplaceable Denis (Piggy) D’Amour.
With the band also dedicating their signature tune ‘Voivod’ to their lost brother before leaving us, albeit very briefly, ahead of the thoroughly deserved encore of ‘Overreaction’ which sends every one of us home buzzing with excitement and my ears ringing like when I was a teenager. On leaving the venue it was also heartening to see the whole band almost immediately hanging out around the merch table happily chatting away signing shirts and records for fans without the need for the whole VIP bollocks that is being exploited elsewhere in the business right now. Thirty-five years in the business and these guys are still more punk rock than some punk rock bands are in 2018.
Unique, influential and above all absolutely fucking essential in an age of beige. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Voivod.
Ginger Wildheart – solo artist and frontman of rockers The Wildhearts – has re-launched his own record label – the label he formed back in 1994.
And to celebrate, Ginger is releasing ‘G*A*S*S* MK II’ on double gatefold sleeve vinyl, Compact Disc and Direct Download.
The album features 13 songs recorded as part of Ginger’s 2014 year-long ‘G*A*S*S* project, which saw the prolific songwriter record and release three songs every month direct to fans who subscribed to the project (subscribers also received additional demos, artwork and stories written by Ginger).
After the year was up, Ginger released ‘Year Of The Fanclub’ a CD and vinyl which featured a collection of songs from the project.
‘G*A*S*S* Mk 2’ is the second coming.
Ginger Wildheart – GASS MK II
Says Ginger:
“‘Year Of The Fanclub’ represented some of the popular highlights but omitted some of my very favourite compositions. ‘G*A*S*S* Mk 2’ represents what I consider to be the best of ‘G*A*S*S*, those little gems where planets aligned, musicians excelled and words seem to hit targets.”
The 13-track album is only available direct from Ginger’s website and will be released on CD and double gatefold vinyl. All the tracks have been remastered especially for the compilation by Dave Draper (Ginger Wildheart, Terrorvision, Ryan Hamilton) and the artwork has been realised by Rich Jones (Michael Monroe, The Black Halos, The Loyalties).
The album features hand written liner notes by Ginger too.
In addition to ‘G*A*S*S* Mk 2’, Round Records will also be shortly reissuing The Wildhearts’ 2007 self-titled album, as well as a brand new solo album from Ginger.
Pre-order for the ‘G*A*S*S* Mk 2’, album are here:
Atlanta punks The Coathangers bring their live show to the UK and Europe, starting off in Leeds Tomorrow.
To celebrate, the band’s singer/guitarist Julia Kugel recorded a raw acoustic video of new material to share with their European fans. “Step Back” is taken from a new album currently in the works.
Back in June, the band released a live album, originally entitled ‘LIVE’. Giving listeners a taste of what to expect on the forthcoming tour.
The Coathangers European tour dates:
18th Oct – Hyde Park Book Club, LEEDS (UK)
19th Oct – Moth Club, LONDON (UK)
20th Oct – Actress & Bishop, BIRMINGHAM (UK)
21st Oct – Sticky Mikes, BRIGHTON (UK)
24th Oct – DB’s, UTRECHT (NL)
25th Oct – Stengade, COPENHAGEN (DK)
26th Oct – Oceanen, GOTHENBURG (SE)
27th Oct – Bar Brooklyn, STOCKHOLM (SE)
28th Oct – Plan B, MALMO (SE)
31st Oct – Urban Spree, BERLIN (DE)
1st Nov – Nochwache, HAMBURG (DE)
2nd Nov – Conne Island, LEIPZIG (DE)
4th Nov – Arena, VIENNA (AT)
5th Nov – Kranhalle, MUNICH (DE)
6th Nov – Club Stereo, NURNBERG (DE)
7th Nov – Alte Hackerei, KARLSRUHE (DE)
9th Nov – Eden, CHARLEROI (BE)
10th Nov – Sonic City Festival, KORTRIJK (BE)
12th Nov – Supersonic, PARIS (FR)
13th Nov – Le Chabada, ANGERS (FR)
15th Nov – Gastropote Market, SAN SEBASTIAN (ES)
16th Nov – Wurlitzer Ballroom, MADRID (ES)
17th Nov – Sabotage, LISBON (PT)
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