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Pete Berwick – Islands (Self Release)

Pete Berwick – Islands (Self Release)

True country roamer Pete Berwick is back and ready to tell it exactly how it is with his new album, ‘Island’. Channelling influences from Bruce Springsteen to Steve Earle, Berwick has spent many years walking on the dusty side of the country road, spinning lonely nomadic tales of sorrow and heartbreak.

Following on from the punchy ‘The Legend of Tyler Doohan’, released in 2015, ‘Island’ immediately offers something a little different with the opener ‘I’m Getting Tired of This Place’. While the former album opens with a punch, you can’t help feeling that this one finds Berwick in a weary, tired mood – a feeling that permeates through the entirety of the album. The album is no less striking, however. On the contrary, ‘Island’ is truly a fantastic piece of work.

The album is once again packed with stories and multi-layered characters, whilst also appearing deeply introspective. Berwick is a master of getting his storytelling across, and here this depth is backed up by the superb backing band, The Mugshot Saints. The album is something of a journey, from the bitterness of the opener to the romantic last notes of hope on ‘The Streets of Pasadena’. The album does indeed begin and end on the streets.

Tracks such as ‘Anyway’ offer the familiar country-on-hard-times sound, while others reflect the aforementioned world-weariness, such as title track ‘Island’ and ‘I Am Not Afraid’. Others detail his need to hide, for example in ‘Let’s Make It You and Me Tonight’. Berwick is certainly not afraid to turn on the big choruses for this one, and songs such as ‘One Setback at a Time’, ‘I’m Really Not That Kind’ and ‘They Gave Love a Chance’ are standout tracks on a collectively brilliant album.

‘Island’ is a perfect slice of alternative-country rock ‘n’ roll, full of the dust and grit to be expected from Pete Berwick. And with excellent musicianship complimenting honest songwriting, it is also quite possibly his best album to date.

Author: Craggy Collyde

 

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – November

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – November

“Its hard to hold a candle in the cold November Rain”

November

November was truly the month for live shows as the scribes got their gig legs and ventured far and wide for our fix of live rock n roll. With RPM in full swing, we were getting the hang of this as the albums poured in to keep us out of trouble and keep the air full of excellent Rock n Roll.

We brought you interviews with some up and coming talent in the shape of Jack Jones from Trampolene who have been prolific both in the studio and on the road.  Earning their stripes by hitting the road zigzagging across the country Jack also found time to travel to Japan and just completed another round of dates as recently as December. As mentioned yesterday Jeff Dahl dropped by to tell us about his plans for the new mini album and that he was currently busy recording a new album that will be out in 2019.

Then Gerald caught up with Vienas Reverend Backflash for a great interview about the band and their grand plans for the future and it was an opportunity for those of us unfamiliar with the band to get acquainted and we were glad we did as Gerald has said the new album is easily one of his highlights of the year.

we also scoured the globe as you would expect to uncover some of the best music currently available like Black Heart Breakers who were ‘Rotting Out’.  We welcomed The Erotics and Beechwood from the East coast. Canada’s Sick Things were in the house before we headed North to Norway for a few words about the most excellent Death By Unga Bunga then as we headed south Leigh was mightily impressed with Thomas Silvers solo album headed back to the big smoke for the years biggest turkey that was Billy Idols remixed revisited rejected disco versions of classic Idol. Dear dear, what was he thinking?

however One of the brightest albums of the month was easily that belonging to Glen Matlock who was ‘Good To Go’ and along with his star-studded list of special guests, he turned in a mightily impressive record – again!

Right we’ll break the album list up with a quick rundown of some of the best shows writers went to in November where better to start than when Martin and Rags popped into London town to see a newly reformed for one night only Jony Cola & The A-Grades and Martin described it as a bit of an experience and a show he was delighted to have witnessed for himself whilst Rags was equally impressed, man I think its fair to say that there are several amongst us who thought Jony Cola put out the flame way too soon but it was nice to have been reminded of tracks as good as ‘Halo’ once again.

Craggy took in a couple of shows over on mainland Europe notably in the shape of TV Smith in Viena but he raved about the Levellers in Prague and best of all was finally catching up with Buffalo Tom in Berlin I haven’t read the reviews either so does that mean that they didn’t happen? Fortunately, they did happen because I’ve seen the pictures of Craggy swapping singles with Buffalo Tom.

As for us lot still on this island well we weren’t forgotten because there was the Damned tour dates to catch up with as Armitage caught their performance down in Brighton as they went around shit island for a second time this year. There were several sightings of Nashville Pussy as Martin ventured across the channel to see them in France but Johnny and Fraser took in their performance at the Globe in Cardiff which didn’t disappoint either. MC50 played some great shows but the daddy of all live shows in November just had to be the incredible line up that was put on in Holland under the banner Helldorado.  Boy, what a tremendous lineup.  There were many discussions as to why we couldn’t see a bill that good in the UK for a festival and it was decided there isn’t enough appetite for a fantastic jam-packed underground festival outside of what they do at Rebellion but this as a slightly different beast to be fair; even if most of these bands could cross over under the rebellion banner would it be raved about by a wider audience? It remains to be seen but I’d love to have a discussion about it with promoters in the UK. Anyway I digress, those that went agreed that Danko Jones were on fire and whilst they might not be the best band at the festival they put on the best show that weekend. Oh, apart from the little guy who came on stage during The motherfucking Dwarves set oh and the guy who set himself on fire also during the Dwarves set. Spectacular! I’m sure you’ll agree?

Whilst we’re on the live front Rpm was reporting at some superb shows like The Alarm and Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts in York where Ben was impressed by the performance of Peters and his levels of energy he also reported on another superb showing from The Virginmarys and Hands Off Gretel. Whilst down south Armitage got to see another exceptional performance from The Damned in Brighton

Another band covered in November was Junkyard who played Fibbers as headline act before they headed out around the rest of the country supporting Blackberry Smoke. Finally, on the live front, there was another epic performance from The UK Subs in Bristol who continue to turn in top performances and records. To cap off an amazing November Leigh went to Prague to see  Buddy Guy certainly a player and event you won’t get the chance to see every month. This is what he had to say about it..not Buddy but Leigh, “After years of waiting to see one of my guitar idols I finally got to see him in 2018. This could be the gig highlight of my entire life. I’d been waiting what felt like a lifetime to hear a bonafide blues guitar legend do this thing before my very eyes. In his 80s but with the charisma and energy of a fresh-faced 20-year-old, Buddy Guy is the man.”

The King Of Power Pop Paul Collins sat in the interview chair in November to talk about his new album and tour commitments but ti was a fantastic interview with Rich Jones letting us in on what is coming up in the Michael Monroe camp as ‘One Man Gang’ is finished and off to the manufacturers ready for a 2019 release.  We got some background on Jones and his impressive CV.

On the interview front we weren’t finished there because we only had a chat with the frontman of the finest power poppin punk rockin band on the UK live circuit bar none  Phil from Cyanide Pills  also said about the plans to release the follow up to the awesome ‘Sliced And Diced’ in 2019 which is good news for people with exquisite taste and an exceptional ear for a top tune. November wasn’t finished just yet because we also had a quick word with Sal from Electric Frankenstein who told us about his compilation releases and what EF were up to.

To wrap up  a quick foray into November I’ll leave you with Leighs feature where he talks guitars, amps and pedals this time with Mike Christie under the microscope we hope to satisfy the tech-heads amongst you as Leigh dreams about guitars – he plays em when he’s awake he even has his duvet printed with Gibson guitars and his pillowcase is Fender prints oh and he sleeps on Les Paul Jr shaped bed. I kid you not.  I’d like to add here that he’s just submitted a 7000-word tech talk interview with a legend out of New York that’s coming up on RPM but its as good a place as any to wrap up November or at least a brief glimpse into the month that gave so much and there was so much we left out.

Come back tomorrow when December or at least part of it gets nitpicked. Some of the choice picks from November are as follows

Jagger Holly – The Last Of The International Playboys (Monster Zero Records)

Jagger Holly – The Last Of The International Playboys (Monster Zero Records)

Jagger J. Holly- Vocals/Bass, Lennon Lee Roth- Guitar/Vocals, Ringo Moon- Drums great names guys now please tell me they were given to you at birth? Jagger Holly might well be ‘The Last Of The International Playboys’ but what have they done to warrant such a tag? have they got the chops to pull it off? or the cahoonas to deliver such a boast? Well. Innsbruck, Austria isn’t my go-to location if I want some party punk rock ‘n’ bop but that might be about to change as Jagger Holly have a sack full of Christmas cheer with a bop ‘n’ roll punk rock record. ‘Party Tonight’ is doing just that.

Hipsters would clear the dance floor ready for you to dive in windmilling as Jay asks “if you’re having fun tonight”? and on this evidence, it would be difficult not to. There is certainly a CJ era Ramones feel to ‘It Ain’t Over Til I’m Sober’ Loud, dumb fun with a chorus you can sing or shout along to, You knew as it was going towards the breakdown before picking up straight into the gang vocal chorus now Pause for a breath inhale then bang! we’re back on it for ‘One More Day’.

A great sounding record that will have mass appeal right throughout. Like I said they’re not reinventing the wheel here its sex drugs and rock n roll and where is the nearest party and that’s cool with me. ‘I Know I Know’ is catchy as hell and I love the horn stabs – it’s just great writing on a tried and trusted formula- full of melody and gang choruses it’s a hoot and you know it.

It’s pretty relentless in its delivery they come thick and fast but the songs never outstay their welcome and Jagger Holly never outstay their welcome either which is what separates the weak from the strong and the ones who just know how to get it right and those that don’t.

My opinion is these guys win on every count and that’s why they might well be the last of the international playboys.  Turn it on turn it up and enjoy – maybe open a beer or two or four and invite some friends around put this on the player and hey presto you have a party! What are you waiting for?

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Tyla’s Dogs D’amour/Boss Caine/Matty James Cassidy – York, The Fulford Arms – 8th December 2018

Tyla’s Dogs D’amour/Boss Caine/Matty James Cassidy – York, The Fulford Arms – 8th December 2018

From that first moment I dropped the needle on my copy of ‘How Come It Never Rains’ 12” vinyl back in 1988,to excitedly doing the same with new album ‘In Vito Veritas’ now as 2018 draws to a close, I have had an on/off love affair with a man from Wolverhampton, his songs, his words and his artwork.

While I haven’t bought every album Tyla has released (who has? there’s been a lot of ‘em!) I have followed his career through the ups and downs and caught him live when I can. Now in 2018 he has released his strongest album arguably this century and he’s playing a couple of rare intimate shows to celebrate.

 

Matty James Cassidy has been Tyla’s bass player for a good few years now. But he has his own solo thing going on that any self-respecting Tyla fan should be checking out. Armed with just an acoustic guitar and a harmonica, the man in black from Enniskillen plays a fine, upbeat set of nomadic tales from the road.

With two solo albums under his belt and a new single imminent, he has a growing set of catchy, folk-tinged tunes to whet the appetite of the growing crowd awaiting their hero.

There’s more than a hint of The Levellers in the upbeat and folky ‘Gunpowder’, it seems the Dogs fanbase are getting familiar with Matty’s back catalogue. ‘Stick and Stones’ incites the sing-along treatment and just released new single ‘Rosary’ promises much for new material in 2019 from this Northern Ireland troubadour. Great stuff from a rock ‘n’ roll rogue.

 

What more can I say about Boss Caine that I haven’t already said? Daniel Lucas is a local singer/songwriter, a fellow lover of all things rock ‘n’ roll who is living the dream, touring the country and regularly supports his heroes at local gigs. Hell. In fact, I have witnessed him supporting Tyla and The Wildhearts in this very venue.

He has a great new album out called ‘Loved By Trouble, Troubled By Love’, that you really should have in your collection. If you dig gravelly tones vocals, rustic instrumentation and honest, heartfelt songs full of sentiment and stories of life, love and addictions, then dig deep, Mr Lucas has a tale or two for you.

Tonight, he’s flying solo with no Boss Caine band to help him out. While I do love a full big band Boss Caine show, the one man acoustic show is just as mesmerising. Mixing up new tunes with old, Dan plays one of the best shows I have seen him play, to a packed out room, full of fans of one of his musical heroes, does it get any better I ask? And while there are always the annoying people chatting away, there are still plenty giving the Bossman their full attention tonight.

Newbie ‘Morphine & Marmalade’ has a great little guitar riff going on and even better lyricism. New album highlight ‘Champagne’ is always an over-catchy live favourite and sentimental country of ‘Where Good Things Go To Die’ hits in the feels every time

I think Dan needed this show more than ever tonight and he certainly delivered.

 

This is becoming a thing now, innit? Tyla playing at The Fulford Arms. I still have to pinch myself to confirm it’s real, that I have seen one of my biggest heroes several times over the last few years in my favourite local venue.

Riding on the release of latest album ‘In Vino Veritas’, Tyla’s Dogs D’amour are playing just two intimate pre-crimbo shindings at Bannermans in Edinburgh and first of all, here at The Fulford Arms in York. It’s a sold-out show, luckily I purchased a ticket early.

Tyla takes to the stage clutching a bottle of red and a handful of A3 sheets of paper with the lyrics to the new songs. Yep, Tyla has crafted songs that are up there with the best in the back catalogue and his band are going to play them all before we even get a sniff of the hits.

And rightly so. As Tyla breaks out the opening bars of ‘111’ and the band kick in, it truly rocks. For a band that doesn’t actually tour much, The Dogs are tight. Tyla, guitarist Gaz Pennick and drummer Simon Hansen have been a unit for a good few years now and the addition of Matty on bass just works perfectly.

Tyla is on fine form tonight, sipping from a glass of red, he tells bad jokes and fumbles with papers he can’t see.  We are in hysterics and there’s already an electric atmosphere, as the heat rises and the drinks flow…they haven’t even started the second song yet!

Recent single ‘Black Confetti’ follows. A classic mid-paced funeral march if ever there was one. Then ‘Bloodline’ takes things back up, a proper pumping rocker that gets the blood flowing, reminding this reviewer of ‘More Unchartered..’ era Dogs. A killer tune if ever there was one.

A bouncy, Grease styled bass line, courtesy of Matty, gets ‘Bottle Of Red’ going. A perfectly crafted drinking song with a sing-along chorus to boot, classic Tyla at work here.

“Anyone got the new album yet?” Tyla asks the sweaty crowd to a chorus of drunken approval. “You didn’t order through Pledge then?”. Seems there have been some issues with Pledge, he ain’t the first and he won’t be the last, but there are plenty here who mouth the words to every new song the band crank out tonight.

‘I Don’t Love Anyone’ is probably the finest song Tyla has written for years. It sounds like a classic from the back catalogue, heartfelt and full of sentiment like so many before, it’s up there with the best and is a most wonderful highlight this evening.

By the time he strums the opening chords to ‘Last Bandit’ the room erupts and we all sing along for the next 40 minutes or so to some of the greatest songs of our youth. ‘Last Bandit’ is like welcoming an old lost friend back into your life, my god I love that song!

‘Billy Two Rivers’ follows, couples embrace and kiss, friends hug and rejoice and we all sing as one. Is that the opening riff to ‘Firework Girl’? Holy shit it is! Amazing, I can pretty much die happy right now.

They concentrate on the hits, the early live favourites, all the songs you want to hear. ‘Heroine’, ‘Wait Until I’m Dead’, ‘Drunk Like Me’ and the obligatory ‘How Come It Never Rains’.

‘I Don’t Want You To Go’ is slower than normal and shambolic, it sounds ace! ‘What You Do’ form the highly underrated ‘More Unchartered…’ rocks us out nicely too.

 

Out of tune, off their heads and in our hearts The Dogs D’amour will always continue in one form or another, with Tyla always at the heart of it all, and right now he has the best line-up since those long gone glory days.

Tonight was a glorious celebration of the old and the new. 35 years he’s been at it and many here have been with him every step of the way. Like a fine red wine, the old dog has aged mightily well. Proving to all doubters that he still has a few new tricks up his sleeve and the power to captivate all who will listen, here’s to a good few more.

Author: Ben Hughes

Buy the new Tyla album Here 

The Dahmers – Down In The Basement (Lovely Records)

The Dahmers – Down In The Basement (Lovely Records)

Every now and then I vanish down one of those wormholes on this here internet and several hours later with my ears ringing, I’m several pounds lighter as paypals til is ringing due to places like Bandcamp where I’ve happened upon some band or other. Well, I’ll be honest The Dahmers name raised an eyebrow and then another once I heard the first three bars of ‘Down In The Basement’ it was obvious to me that this was a band I had to contact and hear the rest of this brand new album.

These cats aren’t from The northern states of America or some sickos from California or Noo Ywk their from the sleepy town of Bromölla, Sweden. Ah, it makes sense now, of course, their from Scandinavia.  There is a spooky vibe as album opener ‘Blood On My Hands’ is like a Gatling gun firing off in all directions at a rapid pace with a sound not a million miles from The Hives with a frantic 12 bar riff and great hook. This is a fine opener and as the song breaks down and the drums sound like an out of control Keith Moon I’m already sold. Third album? fuck me where have I been hiding? I feel embarrassed as ‘Murder Ride’ kicks my backside from the opening lick we’re off like Hanoi Rocks going out of control these punks have really got it going on.

 

With eighteen songs on the album, they have a sackful of energy and hooks aplenty.  It’s catchy as hell, on ‘Street of  The Dead’ it’s like an unheard T Rex number that’s got a modern edge upgrade and it’s so damn good I’m loving it. Drunken sing-a-long choruses and with a real raw Rock ‘n’ Roll bite.  There isn’t anything new here but they’ve obviously found that secret formula and I congratulate them on that. Either that or they sold their souls to a snake oil salesman in exchange for some magic Rock ‘n’ Roll beans that need to be nurtured in the sweat of another five kids from backwater nowheresville who just want a good time and are happy selling some vital organs to get there.

I honestly couldn’t pick a favourite song because there’s so many there are enough tracks here for two albums let alone one and songs like the frantic piano tonking ‘The Ripper’ just sound so fresh.  I mentioned earlier that there is Hanoi vibe happening maybe ‘self-destruction Blues’ era and when the band mix up the melodies and backing vocals on ‘Howling’ its a simple formula but damn it’s so good.

They touch on early Hellacopters flair on ‘I Spit On Your Grave’ and who wouldn’t be down with that? The sax on ‘Creepiest Crawl’ is inspired as is the breakdown. Pulling these spooktacular tunes together from recordings over the last two years sounds inspired.  The backbeat of the pop-tinged ‘Man Obsessed’ shows that they have variety with its almost 60’s jangly guitar is the sound of a band who haven’t got boundaries and if it sounds good for them then it’s going in and it’s not just crash bang wallop (although they do that really nicely too). ‘November’ could certainly be a Bolan inspired strum. and they even end the album with a late 70’s early 80’s horror flick synth spookout and that makes me smile.  The Dahmers are my new favourite band and I can’t get enough.  Is there still time to write to Santa to send me all their records? I’ve been a bad bad boy and totally deserve their records and I suggest you click the link and join me.

Buy ‘Down In The Basement’ Here

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Author: Dom Daley

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – October

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – October

“October The trees are stripped bare of all they wear but what do I care”

October

We’re building up a head of steam as RPM goes live and one of the first thing Craggy does is pick up the cowpunk noisemakers Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and their ‘Poor Until Payday’ album (Oh yeah the one he didn’t review) That aside October saw Fraser jet off to warmer climates before chasing the Damned around the country and flying to Holland for Helldorado.  But more of that later.

Several of us bought ‘Speed’ no not the drug but the fantastic new album from Swedish action rockers Scumbag Millionaires it is a thoroughbred non-stop wall of noise a turbocharged ride of exciting punked up Rock n Fuckin’ Roll and it deservedly got a rave review round here.

Whilst we’re on the subject of new records it seemed pretty much everyone picked up a copy of the Primal Scream ‘Memphis Recordings’ and most scratched their heads wondering how the band ditched these swinging versions for the more straight rock versions that made the commercial release but we’re glad it did see the light of day that’s for sure.

Bringing up exciting new bands a promo for ‘You Say I’m Too Much’ by Estrons flew into our emails and proceeded to work its way around the review team as those that did hear it wanted to review it but the one pulling the lucky straw was Johnny Hayward who rushed out and picked up a copy and a ticket to see them live on the strength of the record that blew him away.  One of the reasons why we do this is because we are music fans and discovering new bands and albums still gives us a buzz when it happens and especially when it’s this good.Certainly a potential album of the year right there.

Other notable releases this month were the magnificent Virginmarys ‘Northern Sun Sessions’ and ‘Master Volume’ from the Dirty Nil. We also got stuck into a couple of fantastic interviews – firstly Gerald got Tyla to sit down long enough to tell us all about his new album as well as more in-depth responses to some burning questions Gerald wanted to ask someone he greatly admired it was the perfect time to get the exclusive lowdown on the new ‘In Vino Veritas‘ album that was due out in November which we were lucky enough to review first I do believe. As it goes Gerald also picked up the honour of reviewing that to which he gave it a glowing report and one that will certainly be near the top of his end of year list for best album.

Another album we got to review first and another that would easily be a contender for album of the year and that’s the debut solo album from Role Model frontman Rich Ragany.  ‘…Like We’ll Never Make It…’ is a beautiful, skillful master class in songwriting and showed another side to the guy we call Rags and we were the first to ask the question of how this guy isn’t everywhere? How he’s not on the cover of music mags? Seriously it’s a weird business sometimes but we get it and so do others such has been the response from people who’ve taken the time to sit down and listen. Anyway, Released via pledge it gets its CD birth in the new year with a release show that will sell out fast and it has a supporting cast that makes me blush thinking how good it’s going to be and RPM will be there too.


I also got to interview one of my favourite players the one and only Alvin Gibbs.  We chatted about his forthcoming album as well as his time with Iggy and Cheap and Nasty and found out about Alvin having a degree in History which isn’t something most musical artists can boast as well as a few choice stories about his love of the Subs as well as his book Neighbourhood threat (now entitled ‘Some Weird Sin’) having a makeover with a new chapter  and title and a book I can’t recommend highly enough.  It really is one of the finest books about touring and being in a band out there and absolutely captivating read and one you won’t want to put down.

Also if that wasn’t enough we also got the lowdown on The Hip Priests new album and it was exclusively revealed that the new album that’ll hit the shops in the new year will be called…Nah click the link and read it yourself.  As well as the new album we spoke about playing in a band on shit island and about the expansion to a five-piece.

 

We could go on and on about all the great records released in October this year but we’d run out of time and we need to review the live shows we took in. So Fraser made sure I mentioned his Kiss Kruise and the fact that he finally got to meet Vinnie Vincent but knowing the kiss set up I can’t see if its Vinnie or if he sent his mother instead with a note explaining.

There were so many shows in October Johnny went gig crazy taking in a diverse range of genres from the Canadian thrash-punks Voivod who RRRRooooared into Cardiff and put on a fantastic display then he headed East to Newport Rock City when he spent a rather splendid evening with Ancient Shapes where he declared the evening to be such a success that it was one of the best gigs he’d been to all year and the only thing missing was the sold out sign on the door. 

We also took in Classic rock when Leigh Fuge went to the Tramshed to see Glen Hughes where he was suitably impressed whilst Nev went across the river to see the finest in Americana done acoustically by none other than Chuck Prophet who was supported on the night by Jesse Malin a firm favourite of the team here. It was certainly all happening out West meanwhile in old London town Armitage happened upon a show where The Dirty Strangers followed a magnificent performance by Rich Ragany and the digressions but The headliners from Los Angeles The Brutalists made it a memorable evenings entertainment guvnor.

Sadly October wasn’t all wine and roses as we got the news that Biters were going on an indefinite Hiatus but Tuk later revealed he was heading into the studio to record a solo album which we look forward to in 2019. however, the real tragedy unfolded in California as the news swept social media that Our friend and incredible musician Todd (Youth) Schofield lost his life.  It was one of those news stories you hoped was fake news and just an internet trolls mischief but it was later confirmed by his good friend Skye Vaughan-Jayne.  Todd will be really missed by a lot of people most notably his daughters and close friends.  Todd was a gent we had the pleasure of meeting several times when he toured the UK as part of Jesse Malin’s band and also when out with Chelsea Smiles. When Johnny was the head honcho at Uber Rock he had the pleasure of interviewing the guy who was very supportive of an alternative website championing rock n roll and for all the records he played on we salute you, Mr Youth, you will never be forgotten.

Before the month was out we still found time to review some fine records most notably Martins breakdown of the new Nicotine Pretty EP ‘Real Life Glories’ whilst Dom forensically picked through the charred remains of Deathtraps ‘Gotta Get Some’ and I even managed to take in a couple of their live shows where the songs came to life and were subsequently throttled to death through the medium of  garage punk rock n roll it wasn’t pretty but I liked it – no I fuckin’ loved it! – great stuff!

Gerald flew in his Prophets Of Addiction album review which again impressed us at HQ whilst Ben was mightily Impressed with King Brothers and their wild Garage beats. There was even time for Jeff Dahl to drop by with a new mini album in tow which he recorded in Sweden with the excellent Demons.  It was next month when I got to put some questions about his work and plans.

 

 

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – September

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – September

“Wake Me Up When September Ends”

September 

After a frantic couple of months and some rather pleasant sunshine over shit island, September couldn’t possibly keep up the pace set by the previous summer months, could it? Fuckin’ right it could. There was the trip to Steel City to catch up with HRH Sleaze for several intrepid RPM scribes as the whiff of Hard Rock Hairspray filled the air and the crush in the gents for the mirror was more of a worry than in the ladies but a few old favourites were treading the boards and rocking the house over the weekend that was too good a temptation for some. I have it on good authority that LA Guns yeah the LA Guns with Phil Lewis in not the other LA Guns without Mr. Lewis anyway people who need to know just know and this line up still have the chops that’s for sure. Jetboy were also on the bill and were a draw for quite a few and they didn’t dissapoint either turning in a great set. Brit sleaze punks The Black Bullets had a rapturous reception after a fantastic performance on the acoustic stage and also killed it electric a band that are really getting into their stride and 2019 looks interesting for the band who have an album ready to go at some point.

As we freewheel downhill to meet the tour that had a load of grown men thinking about their mothers-in-law so as not to get some wood. It was the prospect of The Hip Priests touring with Bitch Queens and the nefarious yobs better known as Deathtraps that was doing it for most but they picked up some other seedy punks along the way in the shape of those Rotten Foxes. Camden Black Heart played host to this cluster fuck of garage punk and by all accounts from some who were there, it was spectacular. I managed to catch the Bristol show and have to admit it was every bit as spectacular and Bitch Queens pushed the Hip Priests all the way and it was just the evening out I hoped it would be.

Other live shows circling the UK in September were recorded on RPM the first being a rather splendid show from Eureka Machines @ The Fulford Arms in York that Ben attended in support of their latest record. Another of the must see shows of the year it would seem The North of England was definately being spoilt for great live shows in 2018.

To be fair Eureka Machines have the songs and always deliver in spades and RPM was delighted to bring a report on it Here. There was also a celebration going on in Yorkshire as Urban Voodoo Machine celebrated their 15 shots in Leeds and Ben attended that for RPM as well.

On the recorded front September was an Action Rock bonanza with long players hitting the shelves from the likes of RPM favourites Nashville Pussy with ‘Pleased To Eat You’, Supesuckers rocked up with ‘Suck It’ whilst one of our favourite albums of the year featured Fraser and his band Deathtraps who told us all we’ve ‘Gotta Get Some’ we don’t know what they Gotta Get but whatever it is I hope they find some because it sound interesting. It found its way into many a CD player around RPM and rightly so for all its Garage/Action Rock goodness. In fact, it would be a dereliction of duty if I didn’t advise you to Go Get Some too. Right that’s September done and dusted next up October…

 

TH’ LOSIN STREAKS – ‘This Band Will Self​-​Destruct In T​-​Minus’ – (Slovenly Records)

TH’ LOSIN STREAKS – ‘This Band Will Self​-​Destruct In T​-​Minus’ – (Slovenly Records)

Howling Like a dog, the Sacramento, CA freakbeat legends TH’ LOSIN STREAKS have finally recorded and released their follow up record  “This Band Will Self-Destruct in T-Minus”. Th’ Losin Streaks have reformed after breaking-up in 2010 Over half a decade after the release of their debut LP “Sounds of Violence”. Seems like the world wasn’t finished with these cats and vice versa.

It’s garage rock ‘n’ roll folks but it ain’t no hipster bandwagon jumping garage with maybe a hint of cowpunk thrown in for good measure.  Band leader and rhythm six strings Tim Foster is joined by Stan Tindall, from zebra-clad garage ne’er-do-wells THE TROUBLEMAKERS, who is back on the bass and boy do they hit their stride on this.  Its bright and groovy that’s for sure and there is a feeling that these guys know exactly what they’re doing and there is a lot of catching up as they slam from one song straight into the next with barely time to catch one’s breath. ‘Time Has Come’ shimmers with the effects in the breakdowns as the drums roll and Foster howls.

‘You’ll Never Know’ has such a crisp and beautiful overdriven tone that they’ve captured on the riff it’s almost majestic the Hives fill concert halls with this kinda chug. There’s a lot of songs to get through here as the riffs and melodies keep a-comin’.  I particularly love the drive and attitude on ‘My Disease’ and if you’re holding out for the token ballad or slow number then you’re in for a wait – a long wait. Quite simply there isn’t time like I said earlier these guys have some catching up to do and boy are they doing it.  Riff after riff and hook after hook they ain’t on no losin’ streak anymore that’s for sure.  I hope to God they don’t self-destruct any time soon that would be a tragedy.

Bandcamp

Author: Dom Daley

Neville & Sugary Staples-Rude Rebels (Cleopatra Records)

Neville & Sugary Staples-Rude Rebels (Cleopatra Records)

This has been a really strange review for me, it’s, in fact, the second review I’ve written for it, I scrapped the first thinking it just didn’t fit. Not easy this reviewing lark!!! I mean come on I loved the Beat, love Ska, have very definite reggae roots but something wasn’t fitting with this LP. Maybe before I heard it I had too fixed a perception of what it was going to sound like, maybe it ticked too many of my boxes and I just ran out of things to say? Who knows, but here we go the second stab.

 

Opener ‘Rebel Down’ skanks out of the speakers, Ska with a great punk edge, I can imagine the band opening with this baby and sending a venue mad. Next up “Tattoo King “slows things down with a more traditional Ska beat, grounded in the dancehall as does next up “When I call Your Name”. There’s almost a Lovers Rock lilt to “Girl and Boy”, yeah it holds on to that Ska underpinning but drifts across the reggae genres. I suppose I was expected more of the excitement generated by the beat, but let’s be honest musicians tend to gravitate towards their roots or influences.

 

Next up “Be As One” picks up the pace, but feels restrained, almost held back, but again definitely a track I can see in the live arena really exploding getting the place moving. Next up “Wrong Shoes” again skanks nicely but has that feeling of restraint, something being held back. There’s a pattern developing here!!  “Original Rudegirl Sound” again Skanks out of the speakers but doesn’t explode in the way it could. live I think this would be stunning, I just wish it didn’t feel so held back. “Why Oh Why” again hits almost a Lovers Rock vibe, only the horns hinting at its underpinning, I sound like a broken record this would sound great exploding off the stage, the dual vocals countering each other could give it a real edge. “Ska to the Beat” strays into Madness territory, but with a more traditional feel, this could almost have come out of the sixties dancehall sound in Jamaica.

 

Next up “Dirty little Liar” again hits that traditional Ska sound and in all honesty prior to next up “Way of Life” the LP had begun to lose me, this to me is probably the stand out track on the LP, it kicks some serious ass, skankin’ as it should but then we drift with “Way I love you” and “Woulda Coulda Shoulda”.

 

Now if you’ve read this far you’d probably think, well is it a good LP or not? Truth is I’m really not sure what I think. As a traditional Ska LP, it ticks every box, live I can really see it sending a venue into a frenzy, as the band did at this year’s Rebellion Festival. But for me something’s not quite right it feels restrained, almost lacking in confidence, not quite sure of its place or time, almost held back, let the fucker explode!!!! This could be immense.  I suppose that’s why I’ve written this twice, live it would be absolutely immense but on LP it hasn’t quite done it for me.

Buy Rude Rebels Here 

Author: Neville Brooks

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – August

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – August

“Didn’t we have a luvuly time the day we went to Blackpool, Kiss me quick and Lets Rock Like Fuck!”

August

August.  All roads lead to Blackpool, for it’s time to head into the Winter Gardens for the UK’s finest alternative extravaganza and catch an awesome line up at this year’s Rebellion Festival.  However you look at it this year was one of the finest line-ups ever at the festival and RPM scribes were in attendance for plenty of giggles, wobbles and plenty of old and new favourites. I wouldn’t know where to start to sum it up and do justice to the bands who played, however, there were a couple of outstanding performances at this year’s festival most notably Michael Monroe who stole the show with the Sunday night headline in the Opera House.

There were so many other high points so many great bands and looking back there are so many memories that I’ll never have again. As the year unfolded and I look back bands and people that I’ll never see again which makes me grateful to have had these moments however brief in the first place.

There were a few mentions I need to make as I mentioned the performance from Michael Monroe.  sure its no secret I think the guy is the best in the business and an incredible talent and has never had the credit he deserved by wider audiences but those who get it just get it and can see that the guy and his band ooze class and he has a back catalogue so full of great songs its one of life’s mysteries how he’s not selling out stadiums and sitting on a pile of platinum records globally but hey life ain’t like that and he just gets on with it and does it with a smile and a wink as he and his band rocks like Fuck! at least now Rebellion knows this as well.

TSOL rocked like fuck – Pizzatramp turned up like fuck (well except Dan) – Clowns blew my mind – Neville Staples skanked like teenagers and considering we stood on the side of the stage to take them in for a song or two we ended up staying for the whole set and loving every minute of it – The Adolescents did Soto proud with an awesome heartfelt performance and all power to them for having the balls to turn up and play and not cancel. The Briefs showed that not all Americans are stupid – Buzzcocks were once again worthy headliners knocking out over an hour of power pop buzzsaw classics. Bar Stool Preachers were also worthy headliners and with their new album in tow, they showed a lot of established bands with decades under their belts how to rock the house and do it with a smile an outstanding and memorable performance.

Idles told it as it is and their assessment of the Tories was spot on. We danced with The DeRellas and pogoed with the Cyanide Pills. We boogied with The Boys who did two sets on two stages and ripped it up on both possibly with the Acoustic taking first prize maybe because it was a little different but the songs sounded so good acoustic.  All in all, Rebellion was once again the highlight of the festival season and as far as the UK goes still the best there is beside where else are you going to chat with Supla and see his action figure – you should try it sometime you’d enjoy it. To be fair Rebellion has so much going on besides the bands its championing alternative culture in so many ways and they also had Mr. Lydon trying to be so controversial but only making himself look like a silly billy as a result but even his bizarre words can’t damped what was a massively enjoyable four days and we’re proud to be a small part of championing them because its a platform that’s pretty much free from the clutches of the big circus-like festivals that charge a fortune and treat the fans like customers in a supermarket and only want your cash because that could never be leveled at Rebellion that’s for sure and we’ll be back next August if they’ll have us to do it all again If they’ll have us that is.

But this was only the first weekend of August and this budget-busting month was barely alive and already there was so much going on.

Ben managed to take in The Wildhearts acoustic performance in York where all the hits were stripped bare.  Before we could even get over Rebellion it was back to South Wales where we had a date with some Big heads oh and Duncan Reid who turned in a spectacular performance on a night that decided it was going to rain like when Noah built his ark, in fact, it was rumoured that Duncan had to swim back to the Severn Bridge where his band had hired a bigger boat but it didn’t matter to the hardy souls who braved some water falling from the sky because there was rockin’ and rollin’ to take care of.

To kick back a little Leigh Fuge took a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park and happened upon one of his guitar-slinging heroes – none other than old slow hand Eric Clapton kicking up a bluesy stink in Hyde Park along with some other six string slingers (you say that after a few bottles of house red at British Summertime Events prices) namely Carlos Santana and Gary Clark Jr. it really was the Cream (sorry couldn’t resist it) of old-school blues guitarists.(who said we aren’t a broad church here at RPM?) Leigh had to tick this one off his must-see list and was glad he did as the bluesmen certainly delivered. He also took in Maiden in Birmingham he said this about it, “Even after 40 something years of rocking, this band seem to improve with age like a fine wine. While they may not be to everyone’s taste, this year’s Legacy of the Beast tour was one of the highlights of my year. I’ve seen the band 14 times now and this one felt like something very special.” Who said we’re not a braod church?

As far as album releases in the month of August go – There was Idles releasing their ‘Joy As An Act Of Resistance’ which went down rather well at RPM. there were also albums released by some old friends that were more than welcome making a return to our turntables namely Mr Walter Lure who managed to put out a new album with the Waldos for the first time in 24 years!  has it really been 24 years? My God, I feel old but ‘Wacka Lacka Boom Pop A Loom Bam Boo’ yeah that’s right it is called ‘Wacka Lacka Boom Pop A Loom Bam Boo’ but its Waldo and its rock n roll just accept it and move on.  Ian McNabb also put out his latest long player this month with ‘Our Future In Space’ rocking out like he promised he would.  There were also notable releases from The Ringleaders with their superb effort ‘Bi-Coastal Blasphemy’ and if that wasn’t enough Lovesores released ‘Gods Of Ancient Grease’. Craggy was outside his local record shop at half eight in the morning to purchase his copes of The Dahlmanns ‘American Heartbeat’ and Fertile Hump ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ in August as well he hasn’t stopped playing them since. sneaking in through the back door right at the last minute of August was a fantastic record that I was shocked to hear but in a good way and the more I played it the more I liked it and to be fair its been easily one of the highlights of the year. Oh yeah, The Brutalists with their debut long player ‘The Brutalists‘. go check it out its a belter.

As far as singles go those 45 RPM releases saw the wonderful Damaged Goods celebrate being in existence for 30 years by releasing a whole bunch of cool singles and the first one being those wonderful chaps Cyanide Pills and their take of the Glitter Band single and what a job they did on ‘Just For You’ which we picked up at Rebellion along with a new 7″ from TSOL and The Briefs ‘Kids Laugh At You’ but I have to mention TV Crime as well because their single ‘Hooligans’ was pure earworm and once it was in the old noggin I couldn’t shake it.  Fantastic stuff. Hopefully, 2019 will see them release a long player we can hear never mind “shitty attitude – killer tunes” sort it out gents I want the album, thank you kindly.

In a nutshell that was the briefest glimpse into our August. On to September…