Suicide Generation – ‘Last Suicide’ (Dirty Water Records)

Suicide Generation – ‘Last Suicide’ (Dirty Water Records)

Ben Hughes.

London’s trashiest exponents of gutter-level rock ‘n’ roll return with their sophomore long player ‘Last Suicide’, the follow-up to their 2017 debut ‘First Suicide’.  Known for their incendiary and unpredictable live shows, the band has endured a few line-up changes in their short career, but the core songwriting duo of Sebastian Melmoth (vocals) and Vince Suicide (guitar) remain. While their first album line-up was an unusual 3 guitar attack with no bass, they now return to the more traditional format with new bassist Gema German and drummer May Mansur on board for the ride. Does this new 2 boy/2 girl line-up force a change in direction? Are Suicide Generation the new punk rock Abba? Read on to find out the gory details.

 

Recorded over a 3 day period by producer Patrice Picard, ‘Last Suicide’ is 11 slices of furious punk rock fury, delivered with reckless abandon. Beware, this ain’t no USA pop punk folks, this isn’t even Scandinavian scuzz. Recorded on the finest analog gear they could beg, borrow or steal, this is a lo-fi rebel yell, the primitive noise of a band that can barely keep it together and sounds all the more magnificent for it. With comparisons to Pussy Galore and GG Allin, you can sort of guess where this band is coming from, right?

Opener ‘Hypnotise Me’ is as raw as you like. Kicking in at Ramones speed with guitars set to stun, they take no prisoners. Melmoth spitting bile and venom for just over a minute and a half of chaos and musical deconstruction.

‘Trapped in This Place’ with its “don’t bring me down” refrain and cool surf rock solo is pure Rezillos meets Dead Kennedys goodness. Elsewhere ‘Hole In Her Head’ has a cool as you like riff, it’s a stop/start tune that barely gets going before its trashy demise like they are just practicing a riff or a song idea.

The deranged and menacing ‘You Gonna Burn’ is a highlight. ‘When I Think About You’ is a 50’s rock ‘n’ roll mash up taken down to gutter level and ‘Talk Trash’ rides on an overly familiar 50s rock ‘n’ roll progression with fiery vocalisin’ and an as always energetic delivery. They even veer into goth territory with the Cramps meets Christian Death vibes of ‘You Must Be A Witch’. Now, that I truly dig!

 

You can just tell from the off that this band does not give one fuck, they will do it on their terms and give the middle finger to all who question their motives. ‘Last Suicide’ is not an album to play to your mum, it doesn’t contain songs fit for a Spotify playlist, you can’t split lines of speed on a playlist anyway, you need a record cover for that, right? Well, don’t worry folks, coz Suicide Generation got all your rock ‘n’ roll needs covered. This is an album to put on at 2 in the morning when you’re off your tits on whatever, with a smile on your face and a bottle in your hand.

 

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Bob 2 of Devo Throbblehead

Bob 2 of Devo Throbblehead
Here at RPM we sure do love our Rock and Roll and we also love our Bobbleheads or to be precise throbbleheads so when we see those awesome peeps at Aggronautix release a new one we can’t help ourselves and feel compelled to recommend them to you.  what a lovely Christmas present this would make.
PRE-ORDER NOW – SHIPPING DECEMBER 2018
Limited to 1000 hand-numbered figures
LIMITED EDITION OF 1000 — PRE-ORDER NOW — SHIPPING DECEMBER 2018

Bob Casale, one of the 5 essential gears in the original Devo Fab 5, gets honored posthumously with this hand-numbered, limited edition, sculpted figure of 1,000 units. Bob is outfitted for devolved action with his “Duty Now for the Future” era helmet and protective pads circa 1979 and his classic Devo Tee and 3-D glasses.

This year marks legendary Devo’s 40th-anniversary release of their iconic debut record, “Are We Not Men?, We Are Devo!” Commemorate Bob 2 (and his famous facial mole) by stepping up and becoming one of the few Throbblehead owning members of the Devolutionary Army.

NOTE: For customers outside of the US, your order will take an average of 3-4 weeks to reach you via economy shipping, which does not have tracking. If tracking is needed, you can upgrade to priority shipping at an additional cost but must email us for details.

The Erotics – Stuck between venus and mars (Cacophone records)

The Erotics – Stuck between venus and mars (Cacophone records)

Dom Daley.

Hello Noo Yawk.  Hello, Sleazy underbelly where the fuck have you been?  Those pesky kids the Erotics have if nothing else stayed true to their sleazy rock and fuckin roll nonstop party for God knows how long and on this evidence they’re digging their heels in and not budging any day soon – Thank fuck for that says RPM.

They’ve toured Europe even managed to visit us here on Shit Island and the one constant is their mixture of Glam rock and punk and being Stuck between Venus and Mars doesn’t sound like a bad place to be if this is the soundtrack.  Maybe releasing mini albums or EP’s is the way to go as you could possibly manage one every six months or so and that would mean the public can’t forget you so easily if there is a constant carpet bombing of music hitting the virtual shelves.

‘Stop Drop Roll’ is a solid slice of sleazy rock n roll Mike Trash makes sure these sleazy boys are on top of their game as the riff chugs to its natural conclusion and business is good and there’s just enough time to take a generous slug of Jack before ‘Nice Things’ continues the party.  It’s following a long list of rock n roll al a Faster Pussycats debut maybe without the finesse perhaps and more an east coast street attitude teetering down the street at four AM.  But you can have nice things Mike honest you can just keep doing what you do.

Yup you guessed it ‘Venus Mars’ heads off into another trashy universe upon a big riff that shows they were paying attention when Alice Cooper was knocking out big riffs and there’s a little Gene Kiss in there as well methinks.

the boys in the band kicks back a little then and head off into a dusty last chance saloon for the one that starts off slowly but when the band all kick in the ladies will love waving their lighters in the air to this. But with their tongue firmly in their cheek Trash announces its the best damn song of the night and who am I to argue.

‘Dismember’ has more than a toe into Kiss riff territory as we head into the home straight and show the likes of Wednesday 13 how to play the horror punk shit properly which only leaves their take on the classic Misfits ‘Skulls’ – Not the most adventurous cover you’ll ever hear but a good stab at a classic song and I guess confirmation of whose side these punks are on.  Always a lot of fun and never taking themselves to seriously The Erotics deliver another mini album that should satisfy any ghouls out there looking for a soundtrack to a sleazy party.  Crack open another can and turn it up.

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JOE STRUMMER & MICK JONES ‘U.S. NORTH’(RADIO EDIT) released

JOE STRUMMER & MICK JONES ‘U.S. NORTH’(RADIO EDIT) released
A Radio edit of the Joe Strummer and Mick Jones composition ‘U.S. North,’ is being serviced exclusively to radio for the first time as of 14th December through Ignition Records. The full ten-minute version of ‘U.S. North,’ the longest Strummer/Jones song ever recorded, is available on ‘Joe Strummer 001,’ the first compilation to span Joe Strummer’s career outside of his recordings with The Clash.
‘U.S. North’ was originally recorded, but not used in the movie, directed by Robert Frank (‘The Americans’ photographic book) and Rudy Wurlitzer, ’Candy Mountain’.
‘U.S. North’ was recorded at Redan Recorders Studios, just behind Whiteley’s in Queensway West London, in October 1986. Talking in 1987 Joe said: “Mick came forward with an amazing tune. It was funded by Canadian money, the last thing we should have done was call it ‘U.S. North.’” This was a very productive and globe-trotting four months for Joe which saw him re-unite with Mick Jones on 26th June (Mick’s birthday), co-write 5 songs, co-produce (London), mix (New York) the Big Audio Dynamite album ‘No. 10, Upping Street,’ film ‘Straight To Hell’ in Spain and work on the soundtrack to ‘Straight To Hell’ also at Redan Studios.
‘U.S. North’ features – Joe Strummer: Vocals, Guitar, Mick Jones: Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Greg Roberts: Drums, Dan Donovan: Keyboards, Felippe Gonzales: Bongos, Xavier Solano: Agogo and strings by The Radio Futura Philharmonic Orchestra, Madrid.
’Joe Strummer 001’ comprises favourites from Joe’s recordings with the 101ers, The Mescaleros, his solo albums, soundtrack work plus 12 previously unreleased songs including: ‘Czechoslovak Song/Where Is England’ an early demo of ‘This Is England,’ ‘Rose Of Erin’ from the 1993 Sara Driver film ‘When Pigs Fly’ and ‘London Is Burning’ one of the last songs Joe recorded. Reviewed on RPM Here
’Joe Strummer 001’ is available on: Ltd Edition Super Deluxe Box Set with 3 x LP, 7” and 12” Vinyl, Deluxe Double CD and Cassette (IGN53BOX), Deluxe Double CD with A4 Book (IGNCD53X), Double CD (IGNCD53), Heavyweight Vinyl Box Set (IGNLP53X) and Digital download from:Here
The archiving of this material and compiling of ‘Joe Strummer 001’ was overseen by Joe’s widow Lucinda Tait and compilation producer and art director Robert Gordon McHarg III. All tracks were restored and mastered by Grammy Award winner Peter J. Moore at the E. Room in Toronto Canada.

Death By Unga Bunga – ‘So Far So Good So Cool’ (Jansen Records)

Death By Unga Bunga – ‘So Far So Good So Cool’ (Jansen Records)

Johnny Hayward.

With RPM barely a month old there is obviously a huge stash of great music already released in 2018 that we’d never had the chance to share with you guys, until now!

The bizarrely named Death By Unga Bunga and their fifth studio album ‘So Far So Good So Cool’ is about as perfect a place as any to start though as having just wowed audiences across the UK in support of Irish rockers Ash we thought it was about time you also discovered why this 5 piece from Norway were handpicked by Tim Wheeler and Co out of relative obscurity to secure such a prestigious slot.

Originally released back in April of this year I first got to hear about the band when a Facebook mate of mine sent me a link to the total nerdgasm that is the video to their track ‘Into The Night ‘with a note that simply said “this is your new favourite band.”

Well that infectious slab of powerpop was certainly enough to grab my attention and the fact that the band also just happened to look like the bastard sons of Biff Malibu only helped to increase my interest. The real game changer happened just before ‘So Far So Good So Cool’ was finally due to hit the streets though when the guys dropped the second video from the record, the superb ‘Soldier’, a song so catchy I just had to get my shots at my local rock ‘n’ roll doctor and experience the full majesty of Death By Unga Bunga.

Having lived with this record (it’s also out on CD and download) for nearly six months there is rarely a day that goes by when ‘So Far So Good So Cool’ isn’t actually on my stereo, as the 11 tracker (note 2 tracks are quirky incidental interludes) is simply one of the best powerpop records you will hear anywhere this year.

With a particular penchant for writing instantly memorable 3:30 minute pop/rock tunes just like say Cheap Trick, Thin Lizzy, The Knack and yes, their UK touring buddies Ash what Death By Unga Bunga do ever so well is make their own particular brand of powerpop sound totally unique to them, something I haven’t really felt since the heady days of when Scandinavia was seducing my eardrums at an alarming rate with genre defining bands such as Gluecifer, Division of Laura Lee and Randy.

It’s simply impossible to pick a stand out track amongst the 9 equally brilliant tracks captured within the all killer no filler grooves of ‘So Far So Good So Cool’ but ‘Boys’ really is up there with the very best hard rock tracks released this year and in ‘So Cool’ the Bunga boys give Turbonegro a lesson in how to use synths without having to sound like Van Halen circa ‘1984’.

‘So Far So Good So Cool’ is quite simply essential listening for anyone who has albums by the likes of Fuzzbubble, Sugarbomb and The Semantics within their collection. I’m just gutted I didn’t get a chance hear this record played live.

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IDLES CONFIRM 2019 WORLD TOUR

IDLES CONFIRM 2019 WORLD TOUR

After a wrapping up sell-out UK and US tours, IDLES have confirmed a 2019 world tour, headlining their biggest venues yet. The run will include two London headliners at The Electric Ballroom and their first ever run of dates in Australia. Tickets go on public sale this Friday, Nov 9th at 10 am local time, with tickets available at www.idlesband.com, full routing below.

IDLES’ new record ‘Joy As An Act Of Resistance’ debuted at no.5 in the UK charts, breaking Rough Trade’s all-time record for most pre-orders and sales in a day. It is currently the no.1 best-reviewed record of 2018 (average rating of 88 across 25 reviews) at Album Of The Year and in the Top 10 on Metacritic. The band saw not only singles but the album itself A-listed at 6 Music and earned major features, amongst others, with the likes of Q, Mojo, The Guardian and covers with DIY, Loud & Quiet, So Young and NME. They’ve arrived internationally too with only last week NPR Music declaring “I am an IDLES addict. It’s like mainlining an uplifting and unifying assault on nationalism, racism, intolerance, and class inequality.”

The band won Best Breakthrough at the Q Awards last month following their Jools Holland debut which NME called “history in the making…incomparably brilliant,” likening it to Arctic Monkeys and Kanye West’s first appearances on the show. Watch here. La Blogothèque also just filmed the band performing a couple ‘Joy’ standouts, watch them do stripped down versions of “I’m Scum” and “Gram Rock”.

“No hyperbole needed; IDLES are the most important band we have right now.” – DIY Magazine (cover story)

“Everything about Joy As An Act Of Resistance is just so perfectly realised. An instant classic, one that people will turn to in times of need for years to come.”
10/10 – NME

“This album is a heart-breaking but jubilant exploration of joy, honesty, fragility and expression as our most powerful means of human resistance.”
9/10 – Classic Rock

“IDLES have released the most relevant and at times gut wrenching album of the year.” – Drowned In Sound

“IDLES make sense of modern chaos on the utterly essential Joy as an Act of Resistance.” – The Line Of Best Fit

“Idles take their rightful place as not Britain’s, nor Europe’s, but the world’s most vital band. It’s a fist-clenched celebration of the full spectrum of phenomena – inexplicable, crushing and totally joyous – that divides and unites us all.” – The Quietus

“IDLES deliver a thunderous and sharp state-of-the-nation address.” – The 405

“Across its 40-odd minutes, Joy As An Act of Resistance makes you want to laugh and cry and roar into the wind and cradle your nearest and dearest. It is a beautiful slice of humanity delivered by a group of men whose vulnerability and heart has become a guiding light in the fog for an increasing community of fans who don’t just want, but need this.”
5/5 – DIY

“The power of ‘Joy As An Act Of Resistance.’ is how it shows society itself in a mirror. Sometimes it’s a bathroom mirror in the morning too bright and over exposed, another time it’s a makeup mirror in a car you struggle just to catch a glimpse of yourself and other times it’s a fairground mirror and everything is distorted and grotesque. But each time you have look yourself in the eye and take stock for your actions.

This is a band to get excited about. Very, VERY, excited about!”
9/10 – Clash

“This album announces IDLES as one of the most exhilarating and necessary punk bands of right now.” – Kerrang!

“…this isn’t good-time, aspirational, radio-friendly pop. But for anyone in need of music that articulates their concerns or helps them to work through their troubles–or anyone who simply appreciates blistering, intelligent punk – they might just be Britain’s most necessary band.” – The Guardian

“Over a visceral torrent of motorik punk-pop pummels recalling prime Pixies or mclusky, Joe hails his “beautiful immigrant” blood brother “Danny Nedelko” and celebrates his “mongrel” upbringing on “I’m Scum” – in a world run by bullish right-wing sex pests, his aggressive compassion is a potent antidote.” – The Independent

“This feels indispensable, as both bereavement therapy and Brexit-era protest.” – Q

“Britain’s most cult-worthy band have a raging vitality.” – GQ

“Joy as An Act of Resistance is a record that bristles with the political and emotional energy of punk’s very best.”
9/10 – CRACK

“One of the most vital albums of 2018.”
5/5 – Dork

“‘Joy…’ is a self-confessed parade. It’s a punch-up and it’s a bear hug.” – Loud & Quiet

“Their follow-up sees them crank everything up to the next level. No band is better equipped to document the here and now, warts and all.” – Mojo

“This must surely win the award for most intense album of the year. An exorcism of sadness and rage, with a burning commitment to honesty of expression throughout.” – The Times

“Bristolian punk – brutally loud, brutally honest.” – Uncut

“IDLES is the best 21st century punk-ish band I’ve heard.” – NPR Music (Bob Boilen)

“Visceral, joyous, and honest — lightning rods for collective rage, forged from love.” – Noisey

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Photo credit Marcello Ambriz

Jeff Dahl interview exclusive

Jeff Dahl interview exclusive

Rainy Day & Mondays

Rainy Day & Mondays

As the nights draw in and we speed towards Christmas and the mornings get darker and colder what better way to soundtrack the trip to work than with three of the best from three of our favourite bands.

Up first has to be a topical one from this past week as Generation Sex took the stage to perform some classic tunage it simply wouldn’t be fair to pass up this opportunity to play this classic from 79

 

Another classic from the vaults and topical seeing as a new movie hit the theatres this week the movie in question is Bad Reputation and that can only mean Joan Fuckin’ Jett!

Now settle down boys and girls because to finish off this awesome and uplifting trio of video smashes is Role Models and a song from their last album ‘Manette Street’ which also appears on Ginge Knevils charity album that can be purchased here 

Glen Matlock – ‘Good To Go’ (Peppermint Records)

Glen Matlock – ‘Good To Go’ (Peppermint Records)

Johnny Hayward.

It seems like only yesterday that RPM top boy Dom Daley and myself were watching Glen Matlock, Earl Slick and Slim Jim Phantom deliver a very promising headlining set on one of the side stages at the annual Rebellion Festival in Blackpool. It was, however, four years ago…so that’s how long I’ve been waiting to finally get to hear what this trio actually sound like on record.

 

That live appearance was certainly a tough one to try to pigeonhole, largely because whilst it was an infectious blend of all three musicians’ previous bands along with elements of some of their key influences, it also included their take on Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’, an audacious curveball for any reviewer to try and get to grips with if ever there was one. Thankfully Glen Matlock decided well ahead of the release of ‘Good To Go’ to come out and badge the dozen tracks he’s recorded here with Slick and Phantom as “loud skiffle”, a genre he has apparently wanted to try since seeing Bob Dylan at the Albert Hall a few years back.

 

Dropping the CD into my player the opening 1-2 of ‘Won’t Put The Brakes On Me’ and ‘Wanderlust’ get an immediate thumbs up from me with the former a track that has a real 60s strut to it whilst the latter chugs along on a top-notch Slick lick chock full of lip curling attitude. However just as when I saw them live it’s Matlock’s vocal similarity to his Pistol-packing chum Steve Jones that really seals the deal for yours truly. Whilst we are talking of fat cockneys who like to sit around in swimming trunks ‘Sexy Beast’ is the first out and out rock and roller containing some trademark Slim Jim stick work and it’s a track that really wouldn’t look out of place on an Urban Voodoo Machine album with one hell of a catchy call and response chorus.

 

Elsewhere for your entry money, we get ‘Speak Too Soon’ which contains a wonderful Bowie-esque vibe whilst ‘Hook In You’ swaggers and sways on a dirty way past midnight 12 bar refrain. It’s at the midway point of the album though that I have to admit starting to feel a little bit of déjà vu creeping into ‘Good To Go’, but then up pops ‘Montague Terrace (In Blue)’ totally out of the blue (ouch) and yeah that’s the sound of me picking up my jaw back up off the floor. Tracks as sumptuous as this are exactly why the album format will always live long with serious music fans as this brooding bastard of a torch song is the main reason this record has been on constant loop on my stereo of the last few weeks. You really must listen to it all in sequence to get it though, okay?

 

As ‘Good To Go’ reaches the home straight ‘Strange Kinda Taste’ and album closer ‘Keep On Pushing’, both bring to mind the kind of thing Ian Hunter does these days, in so much that this is music that the musicians have grown into over their long and varied careers, and they sound very comfortable in their skin. Yes, it’s ultimately rock ‘n’ roll music (which I guess is what “loud skiffle really is anyway) but with ‘Good To Go’ Glen Matlock is certainly not trying to swindle you into thinking it’s anything else. Great stuff!

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That Was The Week That Was

That Was The Week That Was

If you’re new here welcome.  If you missed a thing or two then welcome back and if you’re a regular then what harm does a recap do? Right, this past week we brought you Live reviews from Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts as well as another show another town same old awesome show for The Urban Voodoo Machine and we also had The Dirty Strangers, The Brutalists and Rich Ragany & The Digressions live in London for your reading pleasure.  We also introduced you to several debut albums and EP’s that have or are recently coming out like the driving Rock of Mike Christie formerly of The Black Marquee LA who really impressed with his debut mini album and there is more to come over the next few weeks from Mike as catch up with him for a new feature we’re cooking here at RPM Online. We also brought you reviews from Canada, Australia, Scandinavia, Germany and the UK

 

 

 

 

There was a live albums from Iggy and a very nice reissue of an album that could have been but has only recently seen the light of day for Primal Scream. Where we wondered if you the readers had an opinion of which version was better the one that saw the light of day several decades ago or this the Memphis sessions Please feel free to get into it over on the facebook page.  there was also the comeback album from The Electric Boys reviewed and more.  In the UK at the moment there are a few new bands making a noise that is going down really positively and one of those bands is The Speedways from Nottingham and the record was the brainwave of Matt formerly of the Breakdowns and making what could be argued as his debut solo album but instead he named it The speedways and we caught  up with Matt for a few words about his fantastic album ‘just another regular summer’ thats just been released via Gods Candy Records and we think you should check it out and read Matts interview here.

 

there was also news of new records from Springsteen. Ginge Knevils charity CDs that shouldn’t be passed up and we couldn’t ignore the show of the week which happened in LA at the Roxy where Cook, Jones, James and Idol took the stage for a short but oh so sweet set under the banner Generation Sex.  hopefully its the start of something very special to come in 2019 but who knows.

Anyway enough looking back here’s to the week ahead and RPM Online brings you more interviews from the likes of Jeff Dahl, Jack Jones (Trampolene) .and Reverend Backflash have already been covered We also have plenty of new albums from the Likes of Glen Matlock, Death By Unga Bunga, The Erotics, and Black Heart Breakers so global -a-go-go again for RPM and we leave no stone unturned around this Rockin’ and Rollin’ planet.  There is also time for TV Smith in Vienna for you enjoy so keep it RPM for a music revolution and remember to Stay Sick folks! and keep it RPM!

 

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