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Black Spiders – ‘Cvrses’ (Dark Riders)

Black Spiders – ‘Cvrses’ (Dark Riders)

Those true Sons of the North, The Black Spiders continue their assault on the rock n’ roll world with their 5th opus ‘Cvrses’, the 3rd album they have released since reforming back in the Covid years. It follows hotly on the heels of the 2023 release ‘Can’t Die, Won’t Die’. And if you thought the first single ‘Out Of Order’ was a bit of a banger, then prepare yourself, as that song doesn’t even make the cut on this album. That’s how confident singer Pete Spiby and his band are of these new tunes.

Recorded in the not-so-glamorous rock n’ roll metropolis otherwise known as Doncaster, the five piece Sheffield band consisting of Pete Spiby (guitar & vocals), Adam Irwin (bass), Nate Digby & James Evans (guitars) and Wyatt Wendels on drums have crafted yet another baker’s dozen (there’s a hidden track on here apparently called ‘Lil Death’, but I cant find the fucker anywhere!) of high octane bangers laced with humungous riffs and more hooks than Adrian Smith’s tackle box.

‘Never Enough’ kicks it all off in raucous style with the sort of garage rock, punked-up energy The Hellacopters were shoving in our faces 20 years ago. The shouty, gang vocals seal the deal. Next up ‘Cool Reaper’ goes back another decade or two and mixes up 80’s sleaze metal with a punky attitude to create high octane rock n’ roll. Amps are set to 11 and guitars set to punch you in the gut. Are you paying attention yet? ‘Sorry Not Sorry’ recalls those highly underrated Aussie rockers The Screaming Jets, with its glorious, overly familiar riff, effortlessly cool vocal hook and a guitar solo to melt faces at forty paces.

3 songs in and seriously, I forgot how good Black Spiders are. Fat riffs, tongue-in-cheek lyricism and stadium-sized choruses are the order of the day. The Black Spiders are back, they mean business, and business is good. I mean, songs like ‘Tom Petty’s Lips’ and ‘Up All Night’ are up there with the best you’re gonna hear this year. Five hairy dudes from Sheffield have no right to have such killer tunes in their possession, but here we are. I’ll wager you’ll be singing those refrains long into the night after just one listen like I was.

Elsewhere, Grunge-inspired desert rock riffage is certainly prevalent. Feel the sun beating down on your face and the sweat on your brow as ‘Dia De Muertos’ straddles the plane of Alice In Chains meets Kyuss, which is a good place to be in anyone’s book, surely?

And then there’s the hilarious ‘Mofo Sauce’, a song that screams out for a high budget promo video featuring chicks in bikinis, dwarfs and swimming pools. It’s full of over the top 80’s rock references, bombastic beats, big guitars and a killer hook. What’s not to like here? Tongue-in-cheek? Tongue-in-ass-cheek more like! If Black Spiders ever needed a trademark anthem to be remembered for, they got it now.

‘Obey’ lulls the listener into a false sense of security with a Tarantino-esque guitar intro before breaking into a wall of noise. The album closer ‘Rotten To The Core’ with its acoustic guitars, harmony vocals and 60’s west coast California Dreamin’ vibes, is a bit of an epilogue, a fitting end to the album and a standout track that leaves you wishing and wanting more.

There’s an old cliched statement that most bands give out in the run-up to an album release, and it goes something like; “This is our bestest, strongest and most focused album ever”. And guess what? In this case there is some truth to that statement, as the Black Spiders have released a monster in ‘Cvrses’.

Its a righteous ride through the annals of rock n’ roll and a statement of intent that thrills and excites in all the right places. The perfect combination of hard rock and metal with power pop hooks aplenty and guitar solos everywhere. And with not a duff track in sight, it’s a thumbs up from me. Long may the Black Spiders weave their web.

Buy Here

Author: Ben Hughes

Frankie Clarke – Frankie & The Studs Interview

Frankie Clarke – Frankie & The Studs Interview

First off, thank you for taking the time to answer some questions. I am hopeful that the news I saw regarding the fires around Los Angeles being better contained are true, and the long recovery can begin for everyone affected by them.

    Thank you! Yeah it’s been a pretty crazy fucked up start to the year here. Thankfully the fires are out now! It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but the community has really come together like I’ve never seen before to help each other and it’s awesome to see.

    I had not realized how long I have been listening to you until I realized the ‘High on Yourself’ single came out almost 10 years ago now. Frankie and The Studs have just released your first full length album through Deadbeat Records which contains a mix of new songs and some former singles. Ironically, one of the more recent singles ‘Drain Me’ is not on the album. How did you go about determining what songs made the album?

      Almost 10 years already?? Damn!! So you’re probably also wondering what took us so long haha. Yeah, we decided not to put ‘Drain Me’ on the record because that song came from a time of experimentation during lockdown and we wanted to go back to our roots and put out something more raw. We actually had a lot of songs that were in the same universe as ‘Drain Me’ and we re-recorded them as a live band. Whenever we play ‘Drain Me’ live, we play it totally differently to fit our 4 piece live band setup. So we wanted the whole album to just reflect what it feels like to go see us live. I’ve always thought of us as a live band, and to go back to the 10 years thing. I spent a lot of time just playing and getting all that experience under my belt. Right now felt like the right time… I know who I am as an artist, and the band feels solid. My bandmates are my best friends. We’re all in it together. The band went through some different iterations over the years and I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible musicians, but there were times the band felt more like a solo project, but now we feel like a band… so it was time to put out an album!

      One of the new songs has to be relatable to anyone who has worked a few jobs in their life is ‘Fuck this Shit.’ My daughter has grown to love the song and is very careful to just sort of mouth the words to the chorus. From live clips I have seen online, the song understandably gets the crowd singing right away. I catch myself playing it at least twice in a row each time I play it. Did the song come quickly when you were writing it?

        Hahah that’s awesome, I always tell children to cover their ears if we’re playing an all ages show. Yeah our guitarist Frank Salazar actually wrote that song and when he showed it to me I came up with the lyrics to a second verse pretty quickly, because like you said, I think we can all relate to that feeling!

        ‘Flash’ is an older song that I called out in my recent review as one of my all-time favorite songs in general. I have a custom playlist where it slots beautifully between a song by D Generation and the New York Loose. How did that song come about?

          Aw thank you, that’s a high honor!! We wrote that song fresh off a tour with the Longshot in 2018. We all got in a room and started jamming some ideas for new songs and that one turned into a song about how you get everything you want and it goes by in a flash. Kind of a reminder to myself to be present and appreciate what you got. I grew up idolizing Billie Joe, and to be able to meet him let alone tour with him, was beyond a dream come true. I kept pinching myself… I still do!

          ‘Not This Time’ is a beautiful soft rocker that channels, to my ears, Bowie in the Ziggy Stardust era. What would we find in your own record collection? What are some of your favorites and maybe what artists would surprise us?

            That was definitely the main source of inspiration behind that one! I wrote that one with my friend and collaborator Stewart Cararas. His saying during our sessions is always “WWBD – What Would Bowie Do” The obvious ones would be the Ramones, the Runaways, The Clash, T. Rex.. Some of the more surprising ones would probably be Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynne, Tammy Wynette.

            I grew up when Bananarama had a hit single with ‘Venus.’ Your cover adds a nice crunch to it and works perfectly with the hard rock approach. Part of me would love to see your cover take off and help the band get some exposure, but I wouldn’t want that to be ‘what you are known for’ if that makes sense. (Readers- Let’s make ‘Fuck this Shit’ the song for 2025). When did y’a’ll discover that was a perfect song to cover?

              Let’s do it and I hear ya! Billie Joe actually sent me the Shocking Blue version one day and suggested we cover it. I remember growing up hearing the song in Venus razor ads lol. We first tried it live and it had such a vibe we decided to record it and put it on the record.

              How did you choose which two songs would be the bonus tracks for the CD version? ‘She’s Insane’ is one of your oldest songs, ‘Some Kinda Love’ provides a great groove. 

                She’s Insane has always been a part of our set, so it felt right to add a new and improved version as a bonus track. Funny enough, when we opened the session file to re-mix it we found a long lost synth track that we were debating on putting on the original recording. It ended up getting vetoed because we wanted to be able to play the songs true to the record live, but we added it back in for the bonus track. I also did a new vocal take since I’ve grown up a lot since the first recording. ‘Some Kinda Love’ was a track I recorded with Macy Gray and it was her idea to cover the Velvet Underground song and make it our own. I always loved this version and had just been sitting on it, so this was the perfect opportunity to put it out.

                How did the current band members come together? In the video for ‘Fuck This Shit,’ there is a cohesiveness where things seem to be clicking from an outsider’s perspective. The ‘cool’ factor is definitely present, and it seems to work across generations as my daughter stops what she is doing to watch it.

                  I love that your daughter is a fan of that song/video! Nick Rossi has been in the band the longest, he joined the band in 2018. We first met in 2017 when I was looking for drummers for our tour with the Biters and he came recommended by my friend Jorma Vik who responded to a Facebook post I put out looking for drummers. Lizi, is an italian singer/songwriter and has her own band LIZI. We first met at one of my shows in 2018 I think?? and she handed me one of her band’s CDs. Flash forward a few years later she was in my dad’s studio recording her album. She asked me to sing on one of her songs “Dying Inside” and we became instant friends. We’ve toured in Italy with both our bands together and when I needed a bass player for a gig she filled in and now she’s a Stud! Frank Salazar, is my boyfriend we met on Tinder 6 years ago haha! At first I didn’t want to intertwine the two but he’s an amazing songwriter, guitarist, singer and we just naturally started to make music together so it made sense!

                  Established bands are currently struggling to tour and break even. I have resigned myself to watching live shows from your band on YouTube, including some shows from Italy at the end of 2024. When it comes to live shows, can we expect to see any shows outside of California in 2025?

                    That’s the goal! My main goal for 2025 though is to play outside of LA more.

                    My assumption would be you grew up in a very musical home. I first started listening to your Dad (joining Alice Cooper’s band for his current tour) back in the late 80’s when he was in Kill for Thrills. He has obviously seen the music industry go through a lot of changes from the time he was in Candy until now. What words of wisdom has he given you over the years you have been performing?

                      The best advice he’s given to me is “if someone can do it, why can’t you!”

                      Away from the music, you had a clothing arrangement with Forever 21. I wasn’t sure if that was still ongoing. 

                        Yeah we did a Frankie and the Studs x Forever 21 collection for festival season in 2023. That was a really wild experience! The collection sold out pretty fast.

                        What final words do you have for our readers?

                          We’re getting ready to put out another single and put the album out digitally. We decided to first put out the record on vinyl/CD only because we think that’s the best way to hear music. But we also realize it’s not easy to get vinyl across the world, so it will be out everywhere very soon!

                          Thank you Frankie for taking the time to answer questions for us. Please watch for live dates in the future and pick up the awesome ‘Life’s a Glitch’ album.

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                          Frankie + The Studs- Life’s A Glitch LP ~SPECIAL EDITION: PINK, ORANGE + BLUE SPLATTER WAX LTD TO 100!

                          Questions: Gerald Stansbury

                          Answers: Frankie Clarke

                          L.A. Guns – ‘Leopard Skin’ release and Video

                          L.A. Guns – ‘Leopard Skin’ release and Video

                          AFTER 40 YEARS, L.A. GUNS

                          ARE STILL GRINDING WITH A

                          NEW ALBUM, ‘LEOPARD SKIN,’ OUT APRIL 4

                          ON CLEOPATRA RECORDS

                          FIRST SINGLE/VIDEO, “TASTE IT,” OUT NOW

                          TOUR SET TO LAUNCH APRIL 22

                          It was almost 40 years ago that L.A. Guns established themselves as the undisputed sleaze kings of the Sunset Strip, and, eventually, the world. At this point in time, most bands in their position would be content to lay back, rest on their rock ‘n’ roll laurels and trot out the hits on endless repeat for the fans.

                          Instead, L.A. Guns, in true down ‘n’ dirty form, are grinding with the April 4 release of their 15th studio album, LEOPARD SKIN, on Cleopatra Records. The mouthwatering first single, “Taste It,” was released today on all digital outlets. Pre-orders for the album are available now on all digital outlets here, CD/vinyl pre-orders available here, and the Jason Wisch-directed video can be found on Cleopatra Records’ official YouTube page.

                          “There’s the saying, ‘a leopard never changes its spots,’” founding guitarist Tracii Guns says. “But even so, they have a million different spots. And they’re all unique. It’s the same with L.A. Guns. We can’t shed our leopard skin, but there’s a lot of different spots in this band.”

                          Those spots run the gamut from early anthems like “Electric Gypsy,” “Rip and Tear” and “Over the Edge,” to indelible ballads like “It’s Over Now” and “The Ballad of Jayne,” to more recent classics like “Speed,” “Cannonball” and now, the ten tracks that comprise the new album.

                          Not only is LEOPARD SKIN hot on the heels of 2023’s BLACK DIAMONDS album, but is also their fifth studio effort in seven years, since the core team of guitarist and band founder Tracii Guns and singer Phil Lewis reunited in 2017. LEOPARD SKIN, like the last few L.A. Guns records, reconvenes the tight-knit lineup of Guns, Lewis, bassist Johnny Martin, guitarist Ace Von Johnson and studio drummer Adam Hamilton, but beyond that it is its own unique beast. True to form, it’s a hard-and-heavy, tough-as-nails L.A. Guns set. But the music also presents the band at their funkiest, rowdiest, most classic-rock-worshipping best. And it’s clear they’re having a helluva lot of fun playing it.

                          Explains Tracii, “When we started doing records again in 2017, I wanted to be really aggressive. We hadn’t put out anything new in a lot of years, and we needed to be focused to have an impact. This one was a different approach. Musically, it was more about James Brown and soul music, with some ’70s sensibilities – things like Joe Walsh and the Rolling Stones and the New York Dolls. And the process was more organic. It was, ‘Here’s a riff, go for it. Let’s see how many riffs we can build after this riff, and then going into the next riff.’”

                          The results speak for themselves. You want a four-on-the-floor AC/DC-style stomper? Cue up anthemic opener “Taste It.” Slippery funk-rock? Try out “Lucky Motherfucker” or “Don’t Gimme Away.” Rollicking ‘70s-style glam? Drop the needle on “If You Wanna.” Swampy, slide guitar-laced grooves? Crank up the Zep-tastic “The Grinder.”

                          Where does that position L.A. Guns in 2025? Tracii returns to LEOPARD SKIN. “The song title ‘Lucky Motherfucker’ kinda says it all,” he says. “Because I don’t know how many other bands that have been around almost 40 years are still out there not just touring consistently, but putting out records consistently, and the thing just keeps getting bigger and bigger from year to year.”

                          He continues. “So the work ethic is yielding what it’s supposed to, you know what I mean? The fans stay excited, we stay excited, and we keep making records. And as long as we have that opportunity and there’s a place for this music in the world, there’s no reason to ever stop.”

                          DATE                CITY                             VENUE

                          3/10 – 3/15        Miami, FL                      Monsters of Rock Cruise

                          Tue 4/22           Warrendale, PA             Jergels

                          Wed 4/23          N. Tonawanda, NY         Riviera Theatre

                          Fri 4/25             Derry, NH                      Tupelo Music Hall

                          Sat 4/26            New Bedford, MA          The Vault Music Hall

                          Sun 4/27           Millersville, PA               Phantom Power

                          Tue 4/29           Annapolis, MD               Rams Head on Stage

                          Wed 4/30          Ardmore, PA                 The Ardmore Music Hall

                          Thu 5/1             Leesburg, VA                Tally Ho Theater

                          Fri 5/2               Hopewell, VA                The Beacon Theatre

                          Sun 5/4             Virginia Beach, VA         Elevation 27

                          Tue 5/6             Atlanta, GA                   City Winery Atlanta

                          Fri 5/9               Fort Myers, FL               Buddha Live

                          Sat 5/10            Dania Beach, FL           The Casino’s Stage 954 @ Dania Beach Entertainment Center

                          Sun 5/11           Mount Dora, FL             Mount Dora Music Hall

                          Tue 5/13           Largo, FL                      Central Park Performing Arts Center

                          Thu 5/15           Jefferson, LA                 Southport Music Hall

                          Fri 5/16             Cedar Park, TX             The Haute Spot

                          Sat 5/17            Dallas, TX                     Granada Theater

                          Sun 5/18           Houston, TX                  Warehouse Live Midtown

                          Fri 5/23             Omaha, NE                   Barnato

                          Sat 5/24            Denver, CO                   The Oriental Theater

                          Fri 7/18             West Hollywood, CA      Whisky a Go Go

                          Sat 7/19            West Hollywood, CA      Whisky a Go Go

                          Sat 7/26            Beaver Dam, KY           Beaver Dam Amphitheater

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                          DAVID JOHANSEN FUND

                          DAVID JOHANSEN FUND

                          SWEET RELIEF MUSICIANS FUND ANNOUNCES

                          DAVID JOHANSEN FUND

                          NEW YORK DOLLS CO-FOUNDER & FRONTMAN

                          REVEALS STAGE 4 CANCER DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT 

                          New York, NY (February 10, 2025) – David Johansen, legendary co-founder of the New York Dolls, has been living with stage 4 cancer and a brain tumor. Diagnosed in 2020, Johansen made the decision to keep his illness private, but due to the severe financial burden, he is ready to share. In November 2024, he fell and broke his back in two places, which required surgery. Despite a successful procedure, David is bedridden and incapacitated. For the best chance of recovery, he requires around-the-clock care.

                          Assisting in the Johansen family recovery efforts, Sweet Relief launched the David Johansen Fund. The most immediate needs are full time nursing, physical therapy and funding for day to day vital living expenses. With professional specialized care, the Johansen family remains hopeful that David can regain some mobility and independence. Sweet Relief is also offering a special Johansen T-shirt with all proceeds going to his treatment.

                          Johansen shares, “We’ve been living with my illness for a long time, still having fun, seeing friends and family, carrying on, but this tumble the day after Thanksgiving really brought us to a whole new level of debilitation. This is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. I’ve never been one to ask for help, but this is an emergency. Thank you.”

                          Aric Steinberg, Executive Director at Sweet Relief Musicians Fund adds, “Sweet Relief is honored to help David and his family during this difficult time in their lives. Our Directed Artist Funds can provide a meaningful solution when the community rallies around the recipient, and we anticipate that David’s community will be eager to help here. His influence on the musical landscape with the New York Dolls is indelible, and his career as an actor and an artist has touched many people around the world. He’s been knocked down but we’re here to help him back up with the help of his family, friends and wider community of supporters.”

                          David was recently the subject of Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi’s documentary Personality Crisis: One Night Only which brilliantly captures an evening of David’s songs and storytelling, and gives a little context to the wild tapestry of David’s life. David was the lead singer and songwriter of the legendary New York Dolls, widely acknowledged as one of the first (and coolest) punk bands. David started his own group, the David Johansen band, before reinventing himself yet again in the 1980s as Buster Poindexter. Inspired by his passion for the blues and arcane American folk music David formed the group The Harry Smiths, and toured the world performing the songs of Howlin’ Wolf with Hubert Sumlin and Levon Helm. Of all these incarnations, David is most often recognized for his work in a handful of beloved films, like the Christmas classic Scrooged, and the race track comedy Let it Ride. He continues to host his weekly radio show “The Mansion of Fun” on Sirius XM. David had an exhibition of his paintings in New York this past summer at Elliot Templeton Fine Arts gallery.

                          For more information on the David Johansen Fund, visit:https://www.sweetrelief.org/davidjohansenfund.html

                          BENMONT TENCH’S – THE MELANCHOLY SEASON DUE MARCH 7 

                          BENMONT TENCH’S – THE MELANCHOLY SEASON DUE MARCH 7 

                          VIA DARK HORSE RECORDS

                          LEGENDARY MEMBER OF 
                          TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS

                          Benmont Tench, legendary keyboard player and founding member of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers is set for the release of his second solo album The Melancholy Season March 7 on Dark Horse Records. 

                          Tench’s first solo effort in over a decade, The Melancholy Season isproduced by Jonathan Wilson (Father John Misty, Margo Price, Billy Strings) and includes performances by Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), singer/songwriter Jenny O. and Sebastian Steinberg (Fiona Apple, Iron and Wine, Soul Coughing).Pre-order the record HERE.

                          In anticipation of the forthcoming release, the album’s title track “The Melancholy Season” is debuting now alongside a video directed by Chloe Badner (Caroline Polachek). Tench notes, “The meaning of the song is subject to every listener’s interpretation, but I will say that the ‘Orion’ in the song is the constellation Orion, whose arrival in the night sky above my old house always signalled the coming of colder weather,  and the emotional change that came with it.”

                          Benmont Tench “couldn’t be happier” about finding a home for The Melancholy Season at Dark Horse Records, saying ‘It’s an emotionally resonant label for me. And they have George’s music, Cat Stevens, Joe Strummer — these are writers. To be in that company, it’s perfect.”

                          With a career spanning five decades, Tench is celebrated as one of contemporary music’s finest keyboardists, renowned for his exceptional work on the organ and piano.

                          Tench has not only shaped the sound of the Heartbreakers but has also contributed to an impressive array of recordings with a diverse roster of artists, including Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, Alanis Morissette, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, the Chicks, the Replacements, The Screaming Trees, John Prine, Waylon Jennings, John Fogerty, Elvis Costello, the Rolling Stones and Johnny Cash. 

                          Episode 57 – The Podcast that Rocks

                          Episode 57 – The Podcast that Rocks

                          Join us for Episode 57 where we offer up plenty of brand new tunes to the Rock n Roll Gods as well as some older ones. We play three connected songs and a cover or two. this week’s show kicks off with the latest offering from The Wildhearts with their new single ‘Troubadour Moon’ lifted from their forthcoming opus ‘The Satanic Writes of The Wildhearts’.

                          Next Chris got excited when the new tune from Punter ‘It Ain’t Pretty’ hit the speakers here in the Pumphouse at wall shaking volume and playing at volume paid off because Chris got as excited as me when he heard what he described as his new favourite band. ‘Australienation’ is the album and it’s up for pre-order from Drunken Sailor Records right now so we urge you not to snooze on this bad boy. This record absolutely rages and is possible the most Australian sounding record we’ve heard since Stiff Richards last offering. Superb stuff.

                          Next, we have our triple threat or triple treat with Ultrabomb playing ‘Woke Wars’ (Greg Norton) followed by Soul Asylum and a track off their Bob Mould Produced debut album with Bob Mould Sugar track ‘Hoover Dam’ recorded at the BBC for good measure. We’re sure you’ll agree that’s a hefty three right there.

                          Millie Manders and The Shut Up have released the track ‘Me Too’ Proceeds from the release, and from the accompanying limited edition Angry Ted Plushie Bear will be donated to Sexual and Domestic Abuse charities. The band also head out on tour through the next three months covering a lot of the UK so get out there and support the band. Tour details and places to play the single and album are Here

                          Black Eyed Sons have just released their debut album that includes many collaborations with some pretty big hitters in Rock n Roll but the finest track on the record features Alan Clayton (Dirty Strangers) and Steve Conte (Michael Monroe) and the excellent track is ‘Savoire Fair’.

                          Local South Wales punk rockers Kikker have covered a legendary local 70s punk band Dyfatty Flats classic ‘Trouble On The North Bank‘ and have done a sterling job of it too. South Wales underground punk from the first wave of alternative punk is much sought after and when you rediscover lost classics like this it has to make you want to look up Kikker and hear what these young men are feeding us. It’s Garage Punk kids and you should inhale as much of this as possible before it’s illegal.

                          If that isn’t convincing you then how about some Norweigan power pop with added muscle in the shape of Death By Unga Bunga. don’t let the name frighten you off because these gents do some wicked power pop and with this album, they’ve beefed it up somewhat with added studded wristbands and bullet belts for good measure. this track off the album is ‘Raw Muscular Power’ and it’s enough to start a bar brawl by itself. Thunderous stuff.

                          Head back to the late 70s for our next track as Leyton Buzzards had a ‘Saturday Night Beneath The Plastic Palm Trees’ from their album ‘Jellied Eels And Record Deals’ these glammed up power poppers knew their way around a banging single and this was their finest four minutes. Geoff Deane was also in pop band Modern Romance and wrote for Divine. This was and is a stone cold classic with superb lyrics.

                          The Oxys and their ‘Ticking Timebom’ got Chris all excited with their punk rock blitzkrieg from their ‘Generation Irrelevant’ album that came out in 2023. A banging track from a banging album you should check em out.

                          Taxi Girls get with the current weather on ‘Rainy’ coming outta Montreal this four-piece dishes up another excellent tune that’s available on 7″ wax.

                          Raw Power KEXP, a tribute to Iggy & the Stooges was performed by Seattle musicians Mike McCready, Duff McKagan, Mark Arm, and Barrett Martin, and recorded live on the roof of Pike Place Market. Recorded August 23, 2015 and to be fair it was a blistering set and the eLP is well worth tracking down if you can. This week we’ve chosen the classic Stooges track ‘I Got A Right’ which I’m sure you will agree just slays.

                          Another new track on us this week comes courtesy of The Monsters. One Guitar, Bass and TWO DRUMS (CLONE DRUM SET) that’s the Monsters sound. AC/DC,  TEN YEARS AFTER, THE RAMONES with a Twist of their own  CHAINSAW MASSACRE GARAGE TRASH PUNK.  The Monsters call it: RAW RIFF TRASH ROCK we call it TRAAAASSSHH !!! This one is called simply ‘Gimme Germs’ I thank you. These loons will be releasing their new record soon and no doubt terrorising towns across Europe very soon.

                          Electric Children are up next with their fuzzed-out brand of Stoner Garage Rock. Don’t expect me to know what ‘Reptilian Royalty’ is all about but if you supply the legal high I guess we might one day find out.

                          If you are still with us ( everyone should) we have The Mistons with ‘Bronze Age Collapse’ and what a fine beastly riff that is. Outta Portland these rockers follow a fine line of Portland punk n rollers. Nadine Records are excited to be releasing their new 7”- “Single”, coming out Feb 21, 2025. “Bronze Age Collapse” and “Anxiety” were recorded with Mike Vasquez (Monkey Wrench, Cherubs, Mooney Suzuki, Toys That Kill) at his Astoria studio during a long weekend in September. The Mistons further their quest to empower and ask questions with every release. These two songs; one an ancient history lesson masked as a dance tutorial and the other an instrumental (based on a theme by Greg Sage) expertly embodying its own title, offer an apt testament to our times.

                          To sign off this week we bring you the brand new track ‘Sense Of Adventure’ from Crymwav who’ve just announced a show in London at the ‘Cart & Horses’ where Iron Maiden began cutting their teeth at this very same historic venue many moons ago. Friday 28th March is the date for your diary.

                          So there you have we finish on a high with yet another new track so don’t let people tell you Rock n Roll is dead because you can share this link and prove that it most definitely is not and comes in many shapes and forms but mostly round RPM Online its top notch. Like – share – subscribe – catch you next week!

                          City Saints – ‘Explosiv!’ (Sunny Bastards Records)

                          City Saints – ‘Explosiv!’ (Sunny Bastards Records)

                          Swedish punk rockers City Saints are on album number six. formed in Gothenburg in 2012 they’ve toured all over Europe several times people in the UK will have no doubt seen them grace the stage at Rebellion Festival with their punchy street punk mixed with a bit of OI and some hard rock thrown in for good measure. The band have always played hard and turned in songs with attitude and always had a good sense of melody with catchy choruses, and terrace anthems if you like.

                          City Saints grew up with the Gothenburg punk scene in the late 70’s and early 80’s. “Explosiv!” kicks off with a surprise in the Ennio Morricone-inspired “Göta Älv”. A moody intro to lull you into a false sense of security before the high-paced anthems take you away. Sort of their own Derango 95 before songs like ‘Majorna’ and ‘På G’ are great examples of where they mix the rapid Ramones punk rock with a more dirty Rock n Roll and even though I don’t understand the lyrics I understand Punk Rock n Roll alright and this greasy punk n roll is right on the money. Sure if you mix some Sparrer with early Backyard Babies and Demons’ you might be with me in the very right place at the right time. ‘Smaken Av Blod’ just rocks out. they’re not taking prisoners and just get the foot on the monitor and go for it. ‘Stadden Brimmer’ has the gang vocal of Rancid and is a great example of that mix with a grunting bass run with some top-slashing riffage. Side one take a bow your work here is done.

                          Flip it over and it’s heads down for some boogie rock with the title track kicking out the twelve-bar rock n roll. Love the bridge with its thumping Bass solo and groove on the drums before some tasty harmonica honkin for good measure. It’s down and dirty rock’n’roll for sure and done really well. ‘Blod & Bly’ starts off with a measured Angus lick before it’s called to arms and rocks like fuck. Heads down the finish line is getting near so ‘Nitad’ cuts loose and just rock out before ‘Kranarnas Stad’ continues the party. The final song is something of an outro “Fan Ta Er” which is a short live cut done with vocals and harmonica like were stood around an open fire near the sea as we all stomp our feet but a great way to catch our breath before we dive back in and do it all again. Great effort from Swedoens City Saints ‘Explosiv’ by name explosive by nature. Get involved it is a cracker.

                          Buy Here or Coretex Records

                          Author: Dom Daley

                          Ravagers – Call off the ‘Dogs’

                          Ravagers – Call off the ‘Dogs’

                          Ravagers are back with a new single and music video that cuts straight to the bone. The band will release “Dogs” on February 5th, the first single from their upcoming album “On The Loose”, due out April 5th via Spaghetty Town Records (US) and Wanda Records (EU). The song, a gritty, high-energy blast of punk and hard rock, tackles a darker side of urban life with an intense and visceral narrative.

                          “Dogs” is a song that was born out of the unsettling reality of constant citizen alerts about wild pit bulls attacking people in lead singer Alex Hagen’s Baltimore neighborhood. According to Hagen, the song is about always being on edge, and having to stay alert. “It’s a song about survival,” he says.

                          The accompanying music video, directed and edited by Hagen himself with cinematography by Danny Siebenhaar, mirrors the song’s raw, urgent energy. Filmed in a freezing urban environment at night, the band plays amidst trash can fires in city streets while a giant dog stalks in the background. The atmosphere is stark and cold, amplifying the song’s themes of danger and survival.

                          The track and video for “Dogs” will be available across all major streaming platforms starting February 5th, 2025. “Dogs” serves as the perfect introduction to On The Loose, the band’s upcoming album that’s set to take their signature blend of punk, glam, and hard rock into darker, more intense territories.

                          Formed in Baltimore, Maryland, Ravagers are known for their explosive mix of punk rock, glam, and hard-edged rock ’n’ roll. Their dynamic sound, combined with high-octane live shows, has earned them a dedicated following worldwide. The band’s 2022 release Badlands was well received for its raw energy and great hooks, establishing Ravagers as one of the most exciting bands on the underground rock scene today. With On The Loose, the band takes their music—and their message—into darker, uncharted territories.

                          Don’t miss Ravagers on their upcoming EU/US lives dates

                          03/01 Frostburg MD, City Place

                          03/2 Pittsburgh PA, The Government Center
                          04/08 BELGIUM • ARLON, L’entrepot

                          04/09 BELGIUM • Antwerpen, Antwerp Music City

                          04/10 GERMANY • Bochum, Wageni

                          04/11 GERMANY • Wermelskirchen, AJZ Bahndamm

                          04/12 GERMANY • München, Glocke (w/ DeeCracks)

                          04/13 AUSTRIA • Wien, Chelsea

                          04/14 GERMANY • Bamberg, Liveclub

                          04/15 GERMANY • Tübingen, Blauer Salon

                          04/16 GERMANY • Erfurt, Tiko

                          04/17 GERMANY • Leipzig, Bandhaus *

                          04/18 GERMANY • Halle, VL *

                          04/19 GERMANY • Dresden, Chemiefabrik *

                          04/20 GERMANY • Berlin, Wild at heart *

                          04/21 GERMANY • Mainz, Fanhaus *

                          04/23 GERMANY • Münster, Heile Welt

                          04/24 GERMANY • Saarbrücken, Tante Anna

                          04/25 SWITZERLAND • Rorschach, Treppenhaus

                          04/26 FRANCE • Montreuil, La Pêche

                          04/27 FRANCE • Nantes, AK Shelter

                          04/29 FRANCE • Perpignan, Le Nautilus

                          04/30 SPAIN • Santander, Rock Beer The New

                          05/01 SPAIN • Portugalete (Bizkaia), Groove

                          05/02 SPAIN • Gijón (Asturias), Acapulco

                          05/03 SPAIN • A Coruña, Mardi Gras

                          05/04 SPAIN • TBA

                          05/05 SPAIN • TBA

                          05/06 SPAIN • TBA

                          05/07 SPAIN • Donostia, Dabadaba

                          05/08 SPAIN • Madrid, Gruta 77

                          05/09 SPAIN • Gandia, The Dublin

                          05/10 SPAIN • Cox (Alicante), TNT Blues

                          05/11 SPAIN • Barcelona, Meteoro


                          ####

                          Ravagers links


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                          RavagersGang.com 

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                          Bob Mould – ‘Neanderthal’

                          Bob Mould – ‘Neanderthal’
                          NEW ALBUM, HERE WE GO CRAZY, OUT MAR 7th ON GRANARY MUSIC/BMG RECORDS

                           Having just announced a pair of special release week UK shows at Bristol Rough Trade and London’s The Lower Third, both of which sold out in a flash. Mould releass the new single ahead of the album release ‘Neanderthal’.

                          Pre-order the album here: https://rr.lnk.to/HWGCAlbum

                          Tilly Kingston – ‘Fairytales & Horror Stories’ EP (BCMG Recordings)

                          Tilly Kingston – ‘Fairytales & Horror Stories’ EP (BCMG Recordings)

                          In my review of the EP by Long Island, I mentioned Tilly Kingston and thought afterwards that no one here had reviewed this EP when it was released in the second half of 2024. I don’t know much about Kingston other than what I have been able to piece together online. She is based in Lichfield, United Kingdom, and this is her first EP. She grew up surrounded by music according to my research with exposure to 60’s and 70’s music as well as punk and emo. She has developed her own pop-punk style which could comfortably allow her to share bills with the likes of the Dollyrots, Yungblud, Bilk, Olivia Rodrigo, or State Champs. At around 18 or 19 years of age, she has released a fresh-sounding EP that lays a nice foundation for her to continue to refine and develop as an artist.

                          The title track has a modern sound with a lot of production, which might be the biggest drawback on the EP for me. I would prefer a rawer production style but think this is probably a generational thing, as this sound could sit comfortably on the radio. She incorporates some raspy screams during the breakdown which serve as a nice counterpoint to the melodic vocals in the song. She covers a lot of musical ground across these 6 songs with this being the ‘heaviest.’ She turns from this to a very melodic POP rock song in ‘Best Break Up Ever.’ I could see lots of people singing along to this song if she was opening for artists like Simple Plan or Lolo. While not my favourite genre, I really like this song, and she has packed an addictive chorus here that would make a lot of inroads on pop radio. This transitions to one of my most listened to songs of 2024- ‘Youth is Wasted.’ This one pushes to the pop-punk genre and contains another massive hook. She includes some terrific double-entendre lyrics in parts of the song. Again, this song should be garnering mass play on modern pop and rock stations. The song feels like a celebration and acts like a natural rush of adrenalin.

                          The second half of the EP begins with the acoustic ‘Too Broken.’ It is nice to get a song that shows vulnerability in her voice, and I love how her voice expands as the song goes. Again, the diversity in material here really gives her a lot of latitude in where she wants to go. Electronic beats and a modulated vocal usher in ‘Off My Meds.’ This is another hook heavy POP-punk song that could create some great singalong moments at the more commercial pop-punk festivals and would feel at home on a State Champs album. ‘Happy Now’ closes out the EP with another great vocal that gets to shine in the verses and leads into a chorus built on an uplifting hook. Again, this is another one that would seamlessly fit into modern pop or rock stations.

                          I am interested to see where she goes from here. She has demonstrated she can pack a song with massive choruses designed for the masses. The only song that really misses me is the opening track. As I see artists like Yungblud and Lolo garner lots of press and support from the likes of Kerrang, it would seem a natural that Kingston should connect with those fans in a big way. I would love to see a release down the road with some stripped back production to showcase her voice. After spinning ‘Youth is Wasted’ again and again over the past many months, I recommend checking out this release if you are open to the more mainstream pop-punk sound. I look forward to whatever she has up her sleeve next.

                          ‘Fairytales & Horror Stories’ is available now.

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                          Author: Gerald Stansbury