Right from the off this dark brooding post-punk rattles a few cakes containing some placebo and a dash of Bauhouse and your sort of in the same safe place. The opener is dark and sparse and doesn’t really give much away except set the tone maybe because the first video off the album was for ‘Sleepwalker’ which sounds like someone was listening to Morrissey warbling over some Banshee track but with an old school feel coming off the end product  it does build but it does so oh so gradually before reaching the end anyway.

 

There is a sad dreamlike quality to proceedings and it sounds like things are on the brink of getting loud but never do its sort of frustrating at times when you can hear it about to break and then it drops back like on ‘Only Nightmares’ its like when a darts player can’t quite let go of his arrow well Crooked Ghost are a little bit like that here.

It’s virtually like that for every song with the odd exception. Take ‘Witch Heart’ its a bit more lively but the tune isn’t quite there the other thing is songs like ‘Black Cat’ is almost six minutes long and Suede it isn’t.

The same can also be said for the title track which clocks in at over six minutes it just seems like everything could have been said and done in half the time it actually took which is a shame because there are parts of this I really like.

It might appeal to fans of the Sisters of mercy or Craig Adams solo project but it’s too pedestrian for me – sorry.

 

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Author: Dom Daley

On 1st March we are releasing a new album and live DVD, WONK UNIT – LOVE IN CHAPAN.  You can pre-order this to ensure you get a copy.  Pre-orders will be shipped as soon as stock arrives.

Filmed by Mark Richards and recorded at Wonkfest 2017. This was pretty much the perfect Wonk gig. Stoked we captured it for posterity.

Available as a CD and DVD, or a limited edition (200 copies) green vinyl and DVD.   CD version £15 + p&p, Vinyl version £20 + p&p.

SEE THE BACK COVER BELOW FOR TRACK LISTING

Order your copy in Here.

 


Author MARK FISHER presents a new musical exploration of this highly talented and intriguing group:  ‘What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book‘ is a compelling 228-page book that involves not only these artists, but also some of the world’s leading musicians and keenest XTC fans. In 2017, Fisher published ‘The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls’, which Louder Than War dubbed “Music publication of the year” and Prog Magazine called “The most comprehensive and incisive book about XTC yet published”.

In this new XTC book, you’ll find contributions from Peter Gabriel and members of The Jam, Squeeze, The Bangles, Dr Hook, New York Dolls, Barenaked Ladies, The Waitresses, Voice of the Beehive, Odds, Jellyfish, Fassine and Future of the Left, among many others.

Order link Here
Burning Shed order Here
photo of XTC by Garry Stuart

 

“The song is a little machine. If you take apart the machine, it’s not a clock any more and you can’t tell the time by it.” – Andy Partridge

“Music… I couldn’t imagine life without it. It’s always there.” – Dave Gregory

“I was always quite envious of XTC because they weren’t put in the same pigeonhole as punk bands. They were regarded as a bit more arty than that. We always had to fight off this flag, being under the banner of punk… XTC never seemed to fall into that trap. They had that freedom.” – Rick Buckler ( The Jam)

“Seeing them on TV was like being in a tribe. Together I thought we might rule the world… Yes, I stole from them. I’m sure I was not the only one. The wit did woo mee. I fell head over heels for the clever word play, the charge of the story and the sentimental Britishness of it all.” – Chris Difford (Squeeze)

“XTC’s music has always been there in my consciousness. I think about it a lot when I’m making records… They come across as an everyday group of people and that’s very much what Barenaked Ladies were about too – living as ordinary a life as you can in a bizarre lifestyle like rock’n’roll.” – Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies)

“I remember when I first heard Making Plans for Nigel on the radio… I absolutely loved the song, especially the drum part… Terry’s drumming was so rhythmic. I was very much influenced by him. In fact, I would drum along to XTC songs to warm up. It was very inspiring to me!” – Debbi Peterson (The Bangles)

2018 marked the 40-year anniversary of XTC’s first studio album ‘White Music’. While XTC was founded in 1972, it wasn’t until 1979 that XTC had their first UK charting single. Colin Moulding and Andy Partridge continued their partnership until the group’s dissolution in 2006.

Lately, there has been renewed interest in XTC, in part due to the release of eye-opening XTC documentary ‘This Is Pop’ about the band’s history and legacy, which looks at XTC and their journey from mercurial pop outsiders to full-blown national treasures and one of Britain’s most influential yet unsung bands.

‘What Do You Call That Noise?’ will be released on March 4. Anyone ordering ‘What Do You Call That Noise?’ before midnight on Sunday, January 27 will be inducted into the Venerable League of Neon Shufflers and have their name published in the book. The book can be obtained for £17.99 + free UK p&p (from £5 international p&p)

Against Me! frontwoman Laura Jane Grace has never been one to shy away from subject matters that are close to her heart or one who is afraid to vent her anger. And while the US punk band has been the vehicle for rants and diatribes for the past 10 years, her new side project The Devouring Mothers is lyrically more introspective and musically a more diverse and laid back affair.

Joined by Against Me! drummer Atom Willard and Against Me! producer Marc Jacob Hudson on bass duties, ‘Bought To Rot’ is an album heavily influenced by Tom Petty’s ‘Full Moon Fever’. Laura Jane Grace continues the tongue in cheek lyricism, yet avoids the lyrical themes of the day job, namely gender identity and politics, choosing matters close to the heart like lost love, new friends and hating Chicago!

 

Opener ‘China Beach’ draws you in with its Iggy Pop/Patti Smith feel, the lyrics delivered almost spoken word, a series of questions, as the rhythm section jams out some cool 70’s styled NY beats behind her as it builds to a chaotic finale.

Chaos and melody intertwine throughout the album over simple chord progressions. The name of the game; squeeze too many syllables into verses, before breaking into an anthemic chorus, it’s an art form that is perfectly executed. The likes of ‘Born In Black’ and the following ‘The Airplane Song’ are fine examples of this.

‘Apocalypse Now (& Later)’ is full on Petty vibes that build on a jangly verse to a killer chorus. Let’s hold hands and watch the apocalypse together… sublime poetry in motion. Following the same sentiment, ‘The Friendship Song’ plays out like its companion song, the happy-go-lucky feel sits well.

In contrast, the aforementioned ‘Valeria Golina’ is a dark and messy one chord wonder and ‘Manic Depression’ an even darker blues drenched jam out that mesmerises as you take in the singer’s head fucked train of thought. “I can’t help what my head is telling” me she drawls before feedback and a descending guitar solo takes precedence.

On first listen ‘I Hate Chicago’ is a lyrical diatribe aimed at her adopted home town, but on closer inspection, it’s more of a break-up song, name-checking traffic, sport and Lollapalooza amongst others. These are the places and feelings that are reminders of pain and hurt from the city where her ex lives. It’s a ballsy and brilliant statement and one of the standout cuts on offer.

 

To go from ‘New Values’ era Iggy with bumbling bass and intertwining guitars (The Acid Test Song’), to almost a bedtime lullaby (‘The Hotel Song’), onto a dark and foreboding one chord rant (‘Valeria Golina’) takes some doing. Apparently, the intention was to create the feel of a mixtape and I think in that respect Laura Jane Grace has succeeded.

Loose and stripped back, avoiding the lyrical themes of her day job and concentrating on life, love and friendship, ‘Bought To Rot’ is not as visceral as anything by Against Me!, but ‘Bought To Rot’ still manages to be punk as fuck.

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Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

MÄRVEL
POWER TRIP

SPOTIFY   II   APPLE MUSIC   II   DEEZER   II   YOUTUBE

On the first Friday in the month,  a new Guilty Pleasure by Märvel will be aired. This time the band has Märvelized Monster Magnets classic hit Power Trip. The Swedish power-trio have filled the track with energy and kept original songs groove. Power Trip is perhaps best known for being a monster hit of the ’90s. Märvel, however, shows that the song is more than just a ’90s throwback, its a great piece of Rock N Roll. 

The first Friday each month Märvel is releasing a new track from their upcoming album Guilty Pleasure. The song is preceded by a music quiz about the upcoming song on the band’s Facebook page. The first of February the band releases their version of Monster Magnets hit Power Trip. Earlier the band have released Guilty Pleasures as Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing, REO Speedwagon – Keep Pushin’ and Rick Derringer – Rock & Roll, Hoochie Koo. The album Guilty Pleasure is out 12th of April on The Sign Records.

A guilty pleasure is something, such as a film, a television program or a piece of music, that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard, or is seen as unusual or weird. For example, a person may secretly like a movie knowing that the movie is poorly made and generally seen as “not good.” (Märvelpedia)

When Märvel came out of their last studio session for the critically acclaimed “In The Sunshine Factory”, the band had already started talking about the next project. The band wanted a break from the normal routine and also a quick follow up to “Sunshine…”. The idea to put together a second cover album was born even earlier, and being Märvel it couldn’t just be a straight forward here-are-some-rock-songs-we-like-that-you-all-heard-before-and-that-are-better-in-its-original-version cover album. It had to be something other, something a bit more weird. As a band that enjoys a lot of music from different genres, and that embraces the odd and the awkward, what better way to approach it than exposing some of their guilty pleasures in all its glory! And in doing so also showing that good songs are hidden everywhere, and stating that if you’re a person that can only appreciate music packaged as rock, here’s a package for you!

Now, all the songs on the album can not be considered guilty pleasures, some are probably so just right you don’t even know it yet, and some are at least bordering on cool. Some are just stuck in the wrong era. Nevertheless, the title sums up the gist.

Erick Lee Purkhiser (October 21, 1946 – February 4, 2009), better known by the stage name Lux Interior and a firm favourite here at RPM passed away on this day in 2009.  With the true spirit of Rock n Roll coursing through his veins Lux was a unique frontman and someone I’d happily refer to as a genius. He embodied the outsider but was captivating and entertaining just like a frontman should so we raise a glass and toast his memory – gone but certainly not forgotten.

Born in Ohio in 1946 he was named Erick Lee Purkhiser.  He met his wife Kristy Wallace, better known as Poison Ivy, a.k.a. Ivy Rorschach, in Sacramento in 1972, when he and a friend picked her up when she was hitchhiking. The couple founded the band after they moved from California to Ohio in 1973, and then to New York in 1975, where they soon became part of the flourishing punk scene. He got his stage name from a car commercial after originally going by the name Vip Vop (just imagine) 

There should be no need for a summary of what the Cramps were all about and what impact his music had on the public. Lux Interior died at 4:30 a.m. on February 4, 2009, at Glendale Memorial Hospital in California. The cause of death was aortic dissection. He was survived by his wife Ivy and two brothers, Michael Purkhiser and Ronald “Skip” Purkhiser. The memorial service for Lux was held on February 21 at the Windmill Chapel of the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine. Play some cramps loud tonight in his memory and remember kids – Stay Sick! 

Buy Cramps Music Here

The band’s classic 1985 album Strength has been expanded, remastered and revised and will be made available for pre-release online and in record stores worldwide from today February 4th 2019 onwards.

All titles have been remastered from the original master tapes by mastering engineer Pete Maher (u2, White Stripes…) under the supervision of Mike Peters.

The comprehensive re-mastering process has been undertaken to allow the band’s music to fully embrace digital and online streaming services and ensure the music of The Alarm can be listened to by future generations as intended by the band when recorded and committed to tape for all time.

Strength 1985-1986 is being released through The Twenty-First Century Recording Company – which has been ‘home’ to all Mike Peters and The Alarm music since 1994.

Strength 1985-1986 is being officially released to record stores on March 15th 2019, in both Double CD and Vinyl LP formats and also on all online music streaming services.
Painstakingly put together by Mike Peters from original sources, the ‘Strength 1985-1986’ CD Edition brings together all three original 1985/86 Alarm singles and B-sides from the era, two of which have never been released in CD or digital formats, including the ‘Strength 7″ single version, and the ‘Spirit Of ’76 7″ Single version.
Strength 1985-1986 has also has been restored to its original 1985 running order with the US version featuring on the CD that includes the album session version of ‘Absolute Reality’.

STRENGTH 1985-1986 CD Editon – Features the US album along with the original 1985 7″ version of Strength (with the guitar/vocal beginning), that has never been issued on CD before along with the 1986 7″ single version of ‘Spirit Of ’76’ which is also making its first-ever appearance on CD. All four original ‘Strength’ period B-sides are included also. The Second disc features 22 previously unreleased album session recordings including outtake versions (with different lyrics and guitar parts), for every song on Strength including an outtake of the unreleased electric version of ‘One Step Closer To Home’. An in-studio jam session of spontaneous and impromptu covers of Led Zeppelin, The Who, Free, T-Rex, Lou Reed and Deep Purple are featured between tracks along with a complete run through of the previously unreleased live in the studio version of Rod Stewart’s Maggie May which segues into re-workings of The Beats ‘Stand Down Margaret’ and Bob Dylan’s ‘Maggie’s Farm’, providing a fascinating insight into The Alarm working together in the studio on the way to creating their magnum opus.

STRENGTH 1985-1986 CD ONE – Original US album, Singles and B-sides Remastered.

KNIFE EDGE [Album Master]
STRENGTH  [Album Master]
DAWN CHORUS  [Album Master]
SPIRIT OF ’76  [Album Master]
DEESIDE  [Album Master]
FATHER TO SON  [Album Master]
ONLY THE THUNDER  [Album Master]
THE DAY THE RAVENS LEFT THE TOWER  [Album Master]
ABSOLUTE REALITY [Album Master – CD / Digital ONLY]
WALK FOREVER BY MY SIDE  [Album Master]
STRENGTH [7″ SINGLE VERSION]
MAJORITY [Strength B-SIDE]
STRENGTH [12″ POWER MIX]
ABSOLUTE REALITY [IMPROMPTU ACOUSTIC VERSION]
SPIRIT OF ’76 [7″ SINGLE VERSION]
CAROLINE ISENBERG [Knife Edge B-SIDE]

STRENGTH 1985-1986 CD TWO [ALTERNATIVE STRENGTH ALBUM VERSIONS AND STUDIO SESSION OUT TAKES]

INTRO
GET IT ON [OUTTAKE]
DAWN CHORUS [OUTTAKE FROM ROUNDHOUSE STUDIOS]
SUMMERTIME BLUES [OUTTAKE]
KNIFE EDGE [ROUGH MIX FROM ROUNDHOUSE STUDIOS]
ALARM ALARM / RADAR LOVE [OUTTAKE]
ONLY THE THUNDER [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
BURN [OUTTAKE]
SPIRIT OF ’76 [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE [OUTTAKE]
FOR TOMORROW [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
VICIOUS [OUTTAKE]
DEESIDE [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
ALL RIGHT NOW [OUTTAKE]
ABSOLUTE REALITY [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
UNKNOWN [OUTTAKE]
THE DAY THE RAVENS LEFT THE TOWER [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN [OUTTAKE]
ONE STEP CLOSER TO HOME [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
MAGGIE MAY / MAGGIE’S FARM / STAND DOWN MARGARET [OUTTAKE]
BRASS BAND [OUTTAKE]
WALK FOREVER BY MY SIDE [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
UNTITLED JAM SESSION [OUTTAKE]
STRENGTH  [OUTTAKE FROM MARCUS STUDIOS]
OUTRO

‘Strength 1985-1986’ Vinyl Edition also features many additional and unseen photographs exclusive to the format and the vinyl LP has exclusive unreleased demo versions of what would have been the ‘Absolute Reality’ album.

NB: All additional and unreleased tracks on the CD are EXCLUSIVE to the CD format.

STRENGTH 1985-1986 – DOUBLE VINYL LP / GATEFOLD SLEEVE

The Alarm’s most iconic and best selling album Strength is reissued on Double Vinyl LP with the original 1985 UK album pressing.

All tracks have been remastered from the original master tapes by Mike Peters and Pete Maher with extensive sleeve notes and quotes from original band members, plus a host of previously unseen photographs.

SIDE ONE & TWO – Features the UK album remastered from the original 1985 mix and running order.

SIDE THREE & FOUR – Features 9 demo tapes for the original album concept of Absolute Reality including 3 previously unreleased songs ‘Sons Of Divorce’, ‘Black Side Of Fortune’ and ‘Memorial Day’. All the demos were recorded with ‘Strength’ album recording engineer Nigel Luby and feature raw versions of Knife Edge and We Are Majority both with different lyrics along with the original version of ‘Deeside’ which was then known as ‘Steeltown’. The album also includes the Strength’ era soundcheck demo of the title song and two other unreleased studio demos of ‘In The Cold Light Of Day’ (which was originally written for The Who’s Roger Daltrey), and Dave Sharp’s ‘River Still To Cross’.

LP SIDE ONE – ORIGINAL UK ALBUM Remastered

KNIFE EDGE [Album Master]
STRENGTH [Album Master]
DAWN CHORUS [Album Master]
SPIRIT OF ’76 [Album Master]

LP SIDE TWO – ORIGINAL UK ALBUM Remastered

DEESIDE  [Album Master]
FATHER TO SON  [Album Master]
ONLY THE THUNDER  [Album Master]
THE DAY THE RAVENS LEFT THE TOWER  [Album Master]
WALK FOREVER BY MY SIDE  [Album Master]

LP SIDE THREE – [ABSOLUTE REALITY ALBUM DEMOS]

ABSOLUTE REALITY [Demo]
SONS OF DIVORCE  [Demo]
ONE STEP CLOSER TO HOME  [Demo]
THE DAY THE RAVENS LEFT THE TOWER  [Demo]
STEELTOWN  [Demo]
WE ARE MAJORITY  [Demo]

LP SIDE FOUR – [ABSOLUTE REALITY ALBUM DEMOS PLUS SOUNDCHECK AND STUDIO DEMOS]

KNIFE EDGE  [Demo]
MEMORIAL DAY  [Demo]
BLACK SIDE OF FORTUNE  [Demo]
GIVE ME LOVE  [Soundcheck Demo]
IN THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY [Pluto Studios Demo]
RIVER STILL TO CROSS  [Marcus Studio Demo]

NB: All additional and unreleased tracks on the LP are EXCLUSIVE to the LP format.

STRENGTH 1985-1986 – DIGITAL RELEASE 

The Alarm’s most iconic and best selling album Strength is reissued digitally with the original 1985 US album pressing which includes the band’s preferred version of Absolute Reality (It was left off the UK Version of the album).

DIGITAL RELEASE – Features the US album track listing along with previously unreleased and alternative 7″ mixes of 1985’s Strength single that has never been heard before, along with an unreleased alternative 7″ mix of the 1986 ‘Spirit Of ’76’ single. Also included is the band’s preferred ‘lost’ mix of the Knife Edge single B-side ‘Caroline Isenberg’, along with a recently discovered 1986 radio mix of ‘Absolute Reality’ that has never been released until now.

The digital formats also include a remastered version of the Absolute Flexi Disc recording that was originally issued as part of the band’s tour program and remastered versions of all the ‘live’ tracks that were used as b-sides for the 1986 ‘Spirit Of ’86’ UK ONLY single release and also the ‘Live For Life’ US Only compilation album track ‘Howling Wind’ which was sourced from the same live concert in Boston from November 9th 1985.

21C105 ORIGINAL 1985 US ALBUM, UNRELEASED EXTRAS AND LIVE B-SIDES

KNIFE EDGE [Album Master]
STRENGTH  [Album Master]
DAWN CHORUS  [Album Master]
SPIRIT OF ’76  [Album Master]
DEESIDE  [Album Master]
FATHER TO SON  [Album Master]
ONLY THE THUNDER  [Album Master]
THE DAY THE RAVENS LEFT THE TOWER  [Album Master]
ABSOLUTE REALITY [Album Master – CD / Digital ONLY]
WALK FOREVER BY MY SIDE  [Album Master]
ONE STEP CLOSER TO HOME [Radio Session Version]
WALK FOREVER BY MY SIDE [Radio Session Version]
ABSOLUTE FLEXI DISC
STRENGTH 7″ [Unreleased alternative single mix]
SPIRIT OF ’76 [UNRELEASED ALT SINGLE VERSION]
CAROLINE ISENBERG [UNRELEASED Band Mix]
ABSOLUTE REALITY [UNRELEASED 1986 RADIO MIX]
WHERE WERE YOU HIDING WHEN THE STORM BROKE? [LIVE]
DEESIDE [LIVE]
HOWLING WIND [LIVE]
SIXTY EIGHT GUNS [LIVE]
KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR [LIVE]

NB: All additional and unreleased tracks on the Digital Format are EXCLUSIVE to the Digital format.

‘Strength 1985-1986′ will be able to  pre-order from Monday, February 4th in CD, LP and Limited Edition Formats at thealarm.com
‘Strength 1985-1986′  is also available to pre-order from international stores and to pre-save in its digital format online

I don’t know about you, but it’s rare for me to hear an album once and immediately think, ‘I have got to order this NOW’. But, thankfully, life occasionally throws these things our way, and having seen that Hunt Sales was about to release his, essentially, debut solo album, I figured it was worth checking out on the bedevilled Spotify to see just what it sounded like.

 

Now, it’s easy to get overexcited about anything that has links to Bowie, naturally enough. And, perhaps, expectations weren’t high, given Hunt’s tumultuous past. He’s been clean for a year and wears his past without shame. The man has lived. And, he’s responsible for THAT drumbeat. You know the one.

 

After one listen, I ordered the cd. Then, I kept on listening. I was right the first time. Twelve new songs, with Hunt, apparently playing all instruments; including some mean saxophone (I don’t have full details/‘guest’ players at present). All you need to know is that this is an album that really covers all the bases of Hunt’s varied career. Classic era Iggy? Check; ‘Here I Go Again’/‘Magik’. Jazzy, skanking numbers? Check; ‘Angel Of Darkness’/‘Sorry Baby’. Dirty, grinding riffs? Check; ‘I Can’t Stop’/‘Bitch Done Left’.

 

First single ‘One Day’ is a reflective, Cash-style tune. I loved his vocals in the much-maligned Tin Machine, especially ‘Stateside’, and they’ve matured. There’s real emotion here. Even in the one-line rant of ‘It Ain’t Easy’. Sales says he’s been practising every day, and you can tell. Rough edges, but rhythmically tight, as you’d expect. Somehow, the presence of saxophones on many tracks threads it all back to Mr B, though Hunt’s roots are also in jazz. Yes, folks, against the odds, Hunt Sales has indeed got his shit together. Something to celebrate.

Buy Hunt Sales Memorial Here

Author: Martin Chamarette

Monday. Raining get out of bed grab a shower and think about leaving the house… take these videos with you when you do they’ll make the journey 100% more enjoyable.  First up The Spangles. ‘Growing Up’ is taken off their reet smart new debut long player available Here

Next up is a golden oldie from New Yorks Star Spangles and the missing link between the Dolls and The Replacements –

To cap this lot off how about this bad boy from Grindhouse  now settle down ladies (and Gentlemen) this’ll get your working week off to a blinder.

A new documentary on legendary DEAD BOYS frontman STIV BATORS is to get its UK premiere next month.

Born 70 years ago, the charismatic singer was the original embodiment of the self-destructive punk frontman with Cleveland, Ohio’s DEAD BOYS before embarking on a solo career. He went on to team up with members of SHAM 69 in THE WANDERERS. His greatest success came in the mid-80s with THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH alongside The Damned founder Brian James, Dave Tregunna from Sham 69 and ex-Barracudas drummer Nicky Turner.

The succinctly-titled Stiv, which features heaps of rare and unseen footage, as well as new interviews with all the major players in the singer’s life, is to receive its UK premiere on 24 March at the Regent Street Cinema, London as part of the Soundscreen Festival, presented in conjunction with Vive Le Rock! The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s director Danny Garcia.

Tickets are available here.