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Continental Lovers – Hanger 18 Swansea 08.11.25

Continental Lovers – Hanger 18 Swansea 08.11.25

On a depressingly cold and wet night, Nottingham’s Rock n Rollas Continental Lovers brought the glamour and the tunes for a rock n roll support slot that kicked the backside of many a band. It was a pleasure to catch Nottingham’s finest at the early onstage time of seven thirty, but it was showtime, and the chaps from the East Midlands didn’t disappoint and proceeded to shake their shit and put on a down n dirty sleazy showcase that was exactly what the rock n roll doctor ordered.

Opening up a show can be a tricky proposition, but when you have the tunes on board and the unmistakable look of a rock n roll band, you can be sure as hell that they can walk the walk and talk the talk. With a swagger and a cheeky smile, Joe, Ben, Kerri and Ace had great on-stage chemistry and looked like they were true believers, hashing out some dirty Rock n Roll handed down by the good and the great, a smidge of Thunders and his Heartbreakers, the undeniable Ragged Glory of The Dogs D’Amour and that swagger I mentioned of Stiv Bators and his lords. No denim jeans, or Nike running shoes with a high street T Shirt for these boys, it’s Rock n Roll SLippers and Leather jackets all the way, baby just like Baby Jesus intended Rock n Roll bands to look and sound. Playing a relatively short but very sweet set, there were plenty of tunes from the band’s most excellent CD and even time for some new tunes. ‘Tape Deck’ is snotty, and ‘St Joan’ adds some dirt to the snot as we all hail the first Lady of Rock n Roll. The band move around when they deliver the punches, and Joe holds court centre stage whilst Ace Carlton pours petrol on the drums in the engine room, whilst giving those drums a good seeing to. They burn through the songs quickly, and the standouts happened to be the single ‘Wedding Song’ and a special mention for ‘The Girl’ power pop at its finest, delivered in style.

Joe has always written great tunes, but with the Continental Lovers, he’s found his sweet spot, and the rest of the band gives sparkle and dirt to the power pop, making it sound glorious.

Easily as good as any of the bands marauding across the US of A, like The Poison Boys and Ravagers. It’s refreshing to see and hear a band that looks like they know how it’s done and, more importantly, sound like they know how it’s done. Borrowing from the good and the great, it’s satisfying that Dirty power pop is in such good hands. I look forward to seeing them again and hearing the new songs in the studio. Get on it, boys n girls, that is if you want a great time and top tunes from a band who love to rock n roll.

Buy Continental Lovers Here

GRADE 2 ‘Cut Throat’ Single & 2026 Tour

GRADE 2 ‘Cut Throat’ Single & 2026 Tour

British punk band Grade 2 share their blistering new single “Cut Throat”, a hard-edged anthem about perseverance in a world that never lets up. Fueled by fierce guitars and a pounding rhythm section, the track captures the sound of a band fighting to stay one step ahead while the world tries to drag them down.

“Cut Throat is about a world that takes more than it gives,” the band explains. “It’s a commentary on striving for more in situations where most people are out for themselves. It’s personal perseverance in a time that feels so empty and cold.”

The accompanying video, directed by Jason Link, with live footage by Flo Ehlich, strips everything back to black-and-white stills taken from the band’s live shows: sweat, motion, and flash-frozen defiance. It’s raw, unvarnished, and perfectly mirrors the spirit of the track—no gloss, no polish, just truth in the moment.

Grade 2 have announced a string of UK headline shows for March and April 2026, alongside their upcoming summer festival appearances. The first dates are listed below, with more to follow soon.

Tickets for the UK tour go on sale this Friday at 10am via Tickets.

UK Headline Dates:

March 28 – The Bodega Social Club, Nottingham

March 29 – The Key Club, Leeds

March 30 – The Deaf Institute, Manchester

March 31 – The Garage Attic, Glasgow

April 1 – Exchange, Bristol

April 3 – O2 Academy Islington, London

April 4 – Strings, Isle of Wight

Festival Appearances:

June 18 – Graspop Metal Meeting Festival, Dessel (BE)

June 20 – Letzigrund Stadion, Zurich (CH) supporting Die Toten Hosen

For more information:

Website | Instagram | YouTube

AFI – ‘Silver Bleeds The Black Sun’ (RFC Records)

AFI – ‘Silver Bleeds The Black Sun’ (RFC Records)

Those in the know have been enjoying Davey and the lads leaning further and further into their 80s Goth tinged influences for some time now. No redundant modern catch-all Post Punk labelling here. AFI will always be the real deal. Stark guitars married with lush synths, balancing the brighter moments with the crucial doom and gloom. You’d think Steve Lilleywhite and Flood were behind the desk.

Following upon 2012’s tremendous Bodies was never going to be a simple exercise. Which in itself was also a love letter to 80s counter culture and dark aesthetics. But Silver Bleeds the Black Sun is right up there, shoulder to shoulder.

Opening with the galloping Bunnymen-esque “the Bird of Prey”, urgent, dreamy and anthemic all at once. “Behind the Clock” is a much different animal all together, heavier and pummeling, but with a groove so infectious it’s devastating when it ends. “Holy Visions” is a dancier number, exquisite guitars, the sound landing somewhere between A Flock of Seagulls and Ministry.

Although some of the styles and influences on the record can be quite apparent, this does not make what AFI are doing redundant or generic. It still has a twist uniquely their own and a distinct signature as well as the fingerprints of all the impactful artists when creating the sound to the record without being too obvious or unoriginal.

Credit as always, needs to be given to guitarist Jade Puget. A game changer for the band’s output since joining and always helping raise the game record after record. “Ash Speck in a Green Eye” offers up sublime guitar lines and a fast paced rhythm akin to overlooked 80s outfit the Sound. Leading on to the rapid “Voidward, I Bend Back”, the dark textured guitar is married to a rattling bass that takes command of your very being.

It’s a record that gets better and better with every listen. Being rounded out with the dark and brooding “A World Unmade”. With the slow and pensively (almost) spoken word vocals, reminiscent of The The’s Matt Johnson. Final track “Nooneunderground” is a screeching Deathrock anthem, at times giving the odd Punk Rock nod to their past. Just when you thought it was safe to pack away the Halloween decorations.

Another stellar record from a band that simply refuses to be pigeonholed. Thirty years into their career, they are constantly adapting and adding new facets to how they are perceived. 

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Author: Dan Kasm

Cosmic Psychos – ‘I Really Like Beer’ (Subway Records)

Cosmic Psychos – ‘I Really Like Beer’ (Subway Records)

State the fuckin obvious. Them Cosmic Psychos always did things their own way with a cheeky nod and a grin and a tune penned for beer money to supplement the farming game, but d’you know what they quickly found out they were bloody good at it. They might well have peaked when they penned ‘Nice Day To Go To The Pub’ not like they had writers block or anything they just wrote about what they saw ever fuckin day be it nice day to go to the pub or a tale about Fuckwit City they always wrapped the lyrics in huge fuckin riffs with plenty of cowshit and snot to compensate for the manly smell of beer n bellies so why not finally put pen to paper and title this one what they really wanted to call their records.

Leading the way for decades treading paths so the scamps in The Chats or Amyl and her sniffers could follow. Giving those C.O.F.F.I.N. boys the confidence to do it like they wanna or making things ok for the civics and stiff Richards of the world to follow, thereafter the Cosmic Psychos have been there, done it and worn out the beer n piss stained t shirt.

‘I Really Like Beer’ is the culmination of a sober five minutes to complete what amounts to a stonking riff-heavy barnstormer all about one of their favourite life hacks – Beer. Of course, they could only come from the land down under, much like the other bands I mentioned, and lump in Grindhouse to that and drunk mums, hell, its only The Saints and Birdman who escape the idiot circus at this rate and The Cosmics are the daddies!

There’s a bluntness about this lot, they don’t do fancy, there’s no tunes about trendy fruit flavoured Beer, nor pouring it over Ice, it’s straight down the line, meat n tatoes Pub Punk from the wailing opener and title track, the tempo is set. Mad Macca is playing a blinder with his SG resting on his keg like gut the guys on fire.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and their brand of thuggish punk rock is timeless and classic, and why would you want them to change anyways? It’s a sure-fire winner. There’s something quite poetic about twelve beer-soaked rockers, “You are the new age, I’m from the stone age”, so there’s a rousing middle finger right there, deal with it. ‘This Could Be The Greatest Beer Of My Life’ is a magic title, and the riff is up there with the best of em.

It’s not all crash bang wallop ‘Do It Again’ starts off with a cool run as bass and guitars lock in, and ‘Hey Mick Your Sick’ would give old Steve Jones a run for his money if he were to write for an album again, these boys could be his writing partners. ‘Have One More’ is so immature; ‘Spaghetti Weston’ is a classic play on words and the melody is supersnotty to the max, then we go out as we came in with ‘I Really Really Really Like Beer’ so lets fuck this off and go to the pub for a few sneaky looseners and hope they’ve go t ajukebox so we can crank out some Cosmic Psychos – Thirst work this writing lark is so all thats lef tis fo rme to tell you to buy this album you’ll reall reall reall like it!

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Author: Dom Daley

N.E. Vains – ‘Running Down Pylons’ (Big Neck Records)

N.E. Vains – ‘Running Down Pylons’ (Big Neck Records)

Originally formed in the autumn of 2022 during the doldrums of the lockdown, the project N.E. Vains was originally called “The Vains” but expanded their name to avoid confusion with other groups. For the band’s four Americans, the N.E. stands for New England, and for the sole Canadian in the band, it means North Eastern. (Simple as that).

With the additional efforts of Shandy Lawnson (lead guitar), Bill Bates (bass) and Elvis Belushi (drums), Jeffrey Thunders (rhythm guitar), the collaboration put together a collection of 14 songs, three of which ended up on a split 7″ with Chinese Junk in 2023 on Big Neck Records (Buffalo N.Y.) and Brassneck Records (U.K). Tragically, Bates passed in 2023 and the split was dedicated to his incredible memory. With New Haven area rock musician and engineer, Scott Fitch, taking over on bass, the band have compiled their latest 11-track LP ‘Running Down Pylons’, Think wonderfully trashy rock n roll with the DNA mixture of The Dolls, The Misfits melodies equal parts punk n roll and wonderful sloppy junkshop hand me down rock n roll.

How can you not love ‘Through With It’ with its rapid rampage through some serious sloppy rock n roll with howling feedback and sloppy timing, it’s a glorious noise wrapped in a melody Sylvain would have loved, then turn up the amps when the engineer isn’t looking and hash out ‘Time For You’ and its danceable rhythm and ear-splitting guitar tones.

Hell, ‘My Ammunition’ is a riot on wax and the snotty ‘Pinched Nerve’ is exactly where The mighty Dead Boys would be today if Stiv and the boys crawled out of the gutter in 2025, fuckin glorious noise. I love Rock n Roll that makes me feel alive and on edge, and NE Vains do just that. The cacophony of guitars rampaging over the thuggish Bass and Drums is dangerous and exciting, and the heady mix of punk and cheap drugs can only make a good time cocktail to think this was created at a distance under isolation during the global pandemic is probably for the best because buildings would have been devastated had they had the freedom of seedy clubs and ropey PA systems.

The swan song is ‘Wrong Step’ with its dark, seedy back alley swagger, it’s a great sing-a-long to take this bad boy home. A wonderful tribute to their fallen brother and a record I can’t recommend highly enough. Put on your creepers and leather jacket and get out there, pick up a guitar and turn it up. NE Vains play Rock n Roll, they play it loud and they play i toh so good. Get in on it! NOW!

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The Saints – ‘Long March Through The Jazz Age’ (Fire Records)

The Saints – ‘Long March Through The Jazz Age’ (Fire Records)

On 28th November 2025, Fire Records will release ‘Long March Through the Jazz Age’, the last recorded work by Chris Bailey and The Saints, coinciding closely with what would have been Bailey’s 69th birthday. It’s a moving farewell – a testament to a restless, uncompromising artist who always moved forward, one of rock’s great lyricists and iconoclasts. Sure, he was a different fella to the youth who came up with ‘I’m Stranded’ and there might no thave been the same rage as he had many years previous but he matured into a quality artist and had gravitas and can still capture a room when his music comes through the speakers.

Recorded at Church Street Studios in Sydney, Bailey and longtime Saints drummer Pete Wilkinson flew in from Europe to reunite with guitarist/engineer Sean Carey, who had previously toured and recorded with the band. They were joined by Davey Lane (You Am I) on guitar, plus a handpicked ensemble of Sydney’s most exciting young horn, string and keyboard players.

From Bailey’s rough demos, ‘Long March Through the Jazz Age’ is the sound of a man who grew up and his take on modern times.

Lead single ‘Empires (Sometimes We Fall)’ is the album’s anthemic opener, the western guitars sit nicely behind Bailey’s words: “Sometimes we rise, sometimes we fall”. It’s a great intro on an album that has gravitas and a swagger with Bailey’s punk rock heart beat flowing nicely in a really well-produced album.

‘Judas’, is a big piece, with space and thoughtfulness in the arrangement. ‘Gasoline’ has some Stones country honk in its DNA, whilst ‘Bruises’ is an introspective look inside the mind of a legend. Loads of kids who grew up in the glare of the public mellowed later on, take Westerberg as a prime example, add Bailey to that list

There are a few really epic long songs on offer here, and towards the close of the record, I love the cracks in the vocal, which is flawed and rasping on ‘Resurrection Day’ with its uplifting chorus, with beautifully poised horns and strings. It’s a crack of sun poking through the sky on a wet and rainy day, a big panoramic widescreen track.

Over four decade of doing whatever the fuck he liked Bailey and his band The Saints were truly the best from down under make no mistake, utterly pierless and groundbreaking on a global stage and this final offering shows another side of the legend and the best was saved till last with the epic trumpet-punctuated jazzy ‘Carnivore’ as the seven plus minutes unfold like a cinematic widescreen road movie with the vocal sounding both strong and vulnerable at the same time its wonderful through some good speakers or headphones. As it builds, it never really spills over but it does make your heart ache for what could have should have been.

Leaving the whistful acoustic ‘Will You Still Be There’ to carry this fine record home. Saints fans will love it, and I’m sure new fans will find it uplifting, and the full stop of this majestic band brought on for one finale. Buy this record.

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Author: Dom Daley

Gully Boys – ‘Gully Boys’ (Smartpunk Records and Many Hats Distribution)

Gully Boys – ‘Gully Boys’ (Smartpunk Records and Many Hats Distribution)

When I think of music from Minnesota, I immediately think of Prince, the Replacements, Husker Du, and the Clams. The Gully Boys are new to me, thanks to touring with the amazing Durry, but they have made an immediate impression. Their live show felt a bit like a journey where the music became more intense as their set continued. This debut full-length album features a lot of what I heard live, but they have also released some EPs and singles in the past, which I have now also begun to explore. This enjoyable debut has allowed them latitude for whatever they want to do in the future, and it’s even more remarkable that they just started learning to play their instruments back in 2016 when they decided they wanted to start a band.

‘Break’ serves as an excellent opening song as it mixes melodic moments with heavier elements to set the stage for what follows. The opening guitar reminds me a bit of an alt-rock approach from the 90’s, and I love the twists from the rhythm section that lead to the chorus. The hook is subtle, and the breakdown over the last minute or so of the song is very engaging. ‘Me and You’ amps up the intensity a bit with a hookier chorus than the opener. The guitar solo portion stands out in the approach and works well by doing the unexpected. The opening of ‘TTML’ reminds me of what may have been on the radio 30 years ago, but the chorus jumps out of the speaker like it was spliced from ‘Pissjoy’ by the Wildhearts or Delilah Bon at her most intense.

Building more intensity, ‘Mother’ feels grungier and dirtier than the first few songs. There are elements here that also remind me of the much-missed Die Cheerleader, as some of the vocals are cleverly placed deep in the mix and others lash out of the speakers. One of the elements that stood out when seeing the band live is that the members each handle vocals in different songs and in different ways. Utilising all of their voices is definitely a strength. Closing out the first half of the album, ‘Love Me 2’ started as my favourite from the album on first listen as the chorus is instantly memorable, but some of the others have started to pass it now. It clicked when I was writing this that it fits in the same musical pool Artio does with their ‘Babyface’ album.   

Flipping the album over to side 2, we start with my current favourite from the album. ‘Murderapolis’ is a raging two-minute burst of energy and anger. If I had one request here, it would be for the guitars to be as front and centre as they were when I heard it live. The chorus here is excellent, with the different voices each providing their own hooks. The band keeps the intensity going with ‘Spit,’ where the band morphs a bit more into a metal band with some hints of nu-metal. If you are a fan of Wargasm UK, this might be a good first song to hear from the album. This was definitely a standout song live as well. Changing gears quite a bit, ‘Big Boobs’ has an electronic feel with some cool hip hop vocals leading into a catchy chorus. The song could have easily missed the mark, but it really fits into the album flow quite well. The band is trying to get a dance for it to go viral on social media, so help make that happen.

As we near the end of the record, ‘Bad Day’ was an excellent song in their set and provides a catchy hook here that leaves the listener singing along well after the album is done. I love the dynamics between the verses and the chorus. The breakdown in the song builds up to a nice chorus chorus-filled ending. Closer ‘Gimme a Second’ slowly rumbles out of the speakers with a grunge/ alternative flavour. The harmony in the vocals is my favourite part of the song, but the unique guitar work after each chorus is a close second. Compared to the rest of the album, this feels more like a ballad but still rocks in its own way.

This band would have likely escaped my attention if I had not been paying attention to who was opening for Durry. I checked out the album once or twice before the show and then got to hear a lot of this material live. I don’t think they captured some of the live intensity and guitars in the mix that they did in the live setting, but the vocals from each member have more room in the mix on the album, which serves it well. I keep increasing this album’s plays in my rotation and recommend giving it a listen or going to see them live if you have the opportunity. They started as a new band for me, but are now on my ones to watch list.

‘Gully Boys’ is available now.

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Author: Gerald Stansbury

Francis Rossi – ‘The Accidental’ Solo Album

Francis Rossi – ‘The Accidental’ Solo Album

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‘The Accidental’ by Francis Rossi, released by earMUSIC on 30th January 2026 on CD, LP and Digital formats, comes as something of a surprise… It was a surprise, certainly, to Francis, who had no plans to record an album. “This truly came out of nowhere”, says Rossi. “I spend my life in and out of the studio, rehearsing, tinkering, but something happened earlier this year and, before I knew it, we had created something special.”



While Rossi’s previous solo albums explored his love for acoustic ballads, vocal harmonies, and the blend of British rock with country influences, this album, Francis Rossi’s first in seven years, marks a true return to the energetic, guitar-driven sound that made him a legend with Status Quo.

Listen Here

‘The Accidental’ sees Francis Rossi playing to his strengths, but taking risks, cutting loose, and exploring new territory – this album is all about old bones and fresh blood.

The fresh blood in question comes largely from Hiran Ilangantilike, a guitarist who was originally a school friend of one of Francis’ children, and co-producer Andy Brook. What became the sessions for ‘The Accidental’ was initially born of just plugging in and making some serious noise, but something clicked in the studio. Lightening was indeed bottled: there was a swing and a groove, and the songs started pouring out. With John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and Leon Cave later laying down the bass and drums parts, and Amy Smith again bringing an extra dimension on back-up vocals, this became a project with a bite and DNA all of its own; albeit Francis’ playing is a distinctive as ever. Almost all of the songwriting credits reflect this fresh and collaborative ethos, though there are two that bear the classic Quo hallmark: Rossi / Young. Francis Rossi produced ‘The Accidental’; co-producer Andy Brook recorded, mastered, engineered, and played on the record, and co-wrote three tracks.

Kicking off with a flourish ‘Much Better’ segues into the ebullient ‘Go Man Go’, teeing up future classic ‘Push Comes To Shove’ and the plaintive yet strutting blues singalong of ‘Back On Our Home Ground’ [who will be the first Sports team to adopt this one?]. By then, the engine is well and truly running, and the highlights keep coming. The chug and chant and choppy chords of ‘Something In The Air (Stormy Weather)’ give way to the cantering ‘Picture Perfect’, which could only be a Rossi number. The long strides of ‘November Again’ distil a melancholy refrain into a catchy chorus, and the epic ‘Beautiful World’ channels vintage era Quo with enough guitar to get the balcony of the Glasgow Apollo bouncing again. ‘Time To Remember’ is built around a piano line and swaying melody and serves as a poignant and powerful coda to an extraordinarily strong set of new songs.

Today’s announcement coincides with the launch of the first two songs: ‘Something In The Air (Stormy Weather)’ and ‘Go Man Go’ are available for streaming and download with immediate effect.

“For anyone who liked any of my solo albums previously”, says Francis Rossi, “… well, I’ve no idea what you’ll make of this one because it’s a real departure, but I love it. It’s loud, the guitars are right to the fore, and there are some great songs there”.

This new album finds Francis Rossi once more at the top of his game, with a searing yet thoughtful collection of rockers that will please anyone who likes their dose of heavy cut with melody and verve. Mark Twain said that the accident is “the greatest of all inventors”: when there are no rules, expectations or preconceptions, anything can – and will – happen. ‘The Accidental’ proves that amazing things unfold when an artist with an unrivalled track record is inspired to create new music – even after more than 50 years of success – by the sheer love of playing. That unbridled joy is where the elemental magic that animates ‘The Accidental’ is conjured.

BAD NERVES – 59-SECOND SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM WITH NEW SINGLE ‘LONER’

BAD NERVES – 59-SECOND SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM WITH NEW SINGLE ‘LONER’

SINGLE AND OFFICIAL VIDEO OUT 18TH NOVEMBER

“The best band in England right now”

– Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)

PRE-SAVE HERE

To kick off their UK headline tour, Bad Nerves – the “bastard child of a Ramones/Strokes one-night stand” – announce their new single ‘Loner’, a fierce, 59-second blast of raw energy. The song’s release day also marks the first day of their explosive UK tour. Alongside the single, the band have announced an exclusive 7” vinyl, set to drop in December featuring the new single and never-heard-before live recordings of ‘Loner’ and ‘Antidote’ from their US headline tour in May 2025, alongside an exclusive demo of ‘Braindead’.

Their UK headline tour kicks off today across the UK, culminating in their biggest UK headline show to date at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Watch the live video for ‘Loner’ below. Single and official video out 18th November.

PRE-SAVE ON ALL PLATFORMS HERE – PRE-ORDER EXCLUSIVE 7” VINYL HERE

Equal parts adrenaline and outrage, ‘Loner’ is a snarling 59 second, high-voltage critique of media manipulation and its divisive tactics. It channels paranoia and resistance in equal measure. The track’s instruments were captured live at Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard’s Studio Litho in Seattle, just days before the band kicked off their U.S. headline run. Vocalist Bobby Nerves later tracked his vocal take on the band’s tour bus in Dallas fresh from a visit to the site of JFK’s assassination.

When Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong called Bad Nerves “the best band in England right now”  before wearing their merch on the red carpet at the Grammys, punk’s worst-kept secret went global. Armstrong later invited the Essex five-piece to join Green Day on their explosive South American stadium tour in summer 2025, where they tore through their sets with the blistering speed that has become their signature.

Bad Nerves are an Essex five-piece blending the speed of the Ramones with the hooks of The Strokes. Hailed by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong as “the best band in England right now” (before he was spotted wearing their merch at the Grammys), their self-titled debut (2020) and explosive follow-up Still Nervous (2024) won heavy support from BBC Radio 1, Radio X, Kerrang! and Classic Rock, alongside praise from legends like Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard and The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins. This was then complete with BBC Radio 1 hailing Bad Nerves as “your favourite band’s favourite band”.

Now signed to Loosegroove Records (the label owned by Gossard), the band’s sophomore record Still Nervous (May 2024) cemented their status as one of modern rock’s most vital forces, with anthems like ‘USA’, ‘You’ve Got The Nerve’, and ‘Sorry’ dominating airwaves across BBC Radio 1, BBC 6music, Radio X, Kerrang!, and beyond

United Kingdom

2025-11-18 O2 Institute 2, Birmingham

2025-11-19 The Grove, Newcastle

2025-11-20 Art School, Glasgow

2025-11-22 The Wardrobe, Leeds

2025-11-23 O2 Academy 2, Liverpool

2025-11-25 O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

2026-07-09 2000Trees Festival

Australia

2025-12-02 Crowbar, Sydney*

2025-12-03 Max Watts, Melbourne*

2025-12-05 Good Things Festival, Melbourne

2025-12-06 Good Things Festival, Sydney

2025-12-07 Good Things Festival, Brisbane

2025-12-08 The Triffid, Brisbane*

*(co-headline with Dead Poets Society)

Japan

2025-12-10 Daikanyama UNIT, Tokyo

Bad Nerves’ new single ‘Loner’ is out 18th November. Stream here.

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Tokyo Blade – ‘Beware The Blade – Classic, Rare & Unreleased 1983 – 2025, 4CD Box Set’ (Cherry Red Records)

Tokyo Blade – ‘Beware The Blade – Classic, Rare & Unreleased 1983 – 2025, 4CD Box Set’ (Cherry Red Records)

I’ll tell you one thing, Cherry Red Records always do a bloody good job when releasing these here box sets of material from bands generally no longer performing or looking back on long lost careers, but for a fair sum of money you can delve deep into the vaults of a band’s catalogue and none more worthy than the mighty Tokyo Blade. Hailing from Wiltshire and formed in 1982, Tokyo Blade were initially considered part of the NWOBHM scene but quickly outgrew the tag, enduring over the course of 14 studio albums and 5 EPs. Several vocalists from the early formative years of Alan Marsh through the more Glam and American-inspired Vikki Wright’s ‘Black Hearts’ Era.

Spread over four discs, this comp features classics from all corners of the band’s career on discs one and two, as well as obligatory “Bootleg quality”, oh sorry I mean raw and rough around the edges live recordings and an inspired disc of unreleased material for the deep divers.

For me, I loved the first album and the artwork that accompanied it. It was fast, rough and ready. There was the obvious NWOBHM aesthetic, but these guys had something else going on, and they wrote memorable tunes. Hell, was it really 1982 when ‘Powergame’, the outrageous ‘Mean Streak’ with its mental drum break and breakneck borderline punk riffage. The acoustic intro of ‘If Heaven Is Hell’ and the bonkers cliché lyrics and power stabs nostalgia can be a wonderful thing. My God, I haven’t played some of these songs in decades, and although the production can often be a little thin and dated, the songs rage and that warmth I get around my heart is immeasurable. Of Course, the Mighty ‘Night Of The Blade’ with its thumping double Bass drum bonk signalled another era of the band and one I wholeheartedly got on board with. The addition of Wright on vocals added a little something that gave the band the edge over the Chariots of the world, and at the time, they were my go-to metal band, no doubt about it.

‘Love Struck’, ‘Warrior Of The Rising Sun’ and ‘Lightning Strikes’ still sound magnificent. They should have been fucking huge. Disc one is a stone-cold classic! Once Vicki James Wright went stateside and The Blade disappeared off my radar for a while, it was time for a reset and a new singer. Disc two is a more polished sound, less rough and ready and a better production if I might be so bold. These songs are taking a bit of getting used to. I’m hearing the slower, more Shy keyboard layered tunes of ‘Chains Of Love’, but there was still the heavy rock of ‘Friend In Need’ punching through. A lot of this disc gives the Dokken and Ratts of this world a run for their money, no doubt about it. George Lynch and Warren DiMartini, and Steve Vai should have looked over their shoulders because the Blade could hold its own.

The Accompanying booklet gives a great snapshot fag packet summary of the history of Tokyo Blade, or as some would have you believe, the curse of the blade. Their legacy is some awesome Hard Rockin’ albums, a lifetime of live shows and memories most mortals don’t ever get to have. You, however, can relive the halcyon days of one of the finest bands to come out of the 80s metal scene in the UK and a band who never got their dues and who, in my humble opinion, should have headlined festivals and sold a ton of platinum records.

Let’s not get carried away because disc three harks back to a moment in time with a live recording from Europe, the Earthquake Festival, Holland to be precise. Anyone who was into music then would have frequented record fairs and picked up bootlegs from their favourite bands, and this is of that quality. Not soundboard and certainly not polished and studio enhanced, but raw as fuck and loud as fuck, just how they should have been remembered from 1984. It would have been nice to hear some live material from the Black HEarts period and line up but hey ho, you can’t have everything.

Onto the final disc, and the one that will be the go-to for most Blade fans, the unreleased material. A whole album’s worth and a full throttle hard rockin assault it is too, from the wholesome thud of ‘Lie In The Sand’ to the riff-a-rama of ‘This Dying Light’ via the keyboard trip of ‘Shout At The Dark’.

A band that didn’t stand still and was ever revolving and evolving, which might have been their strength and their cryptonite. This Box Set does, however, shine a light on an awesome band, whatever era tickles your fancy, and I’m willing to state here and now that if they ever did a show in the UK with Vicki on vocals, then I’m there. Don your studded belt, stripey trousers and sweat bands and get your fist in the air for the Mighty Blade! Not that I want to be disrespectful to Andy Boulton who put this together and has always been true to the Blade throughout its 14 albums (And still going to this day), it would be a buzz revisiting such a glorious time for this writer, but ‘Black Hearts’ was and still is a banger. Buy It! All this music for less than £30 is an absolute bargain.

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Author: Dom Daley

Earlier this year Tokyo Blade released their 14th studio album, ‘Time Is The Fire’ via Dissonance, to rave reviews.