Generation X – Generation X (Deluxe Edition) (Chrysalis Records)

Generation X – Generation X (Deluxe Edition) (Chrysalis Records)

Remastered/Re-issued/Expanded…

The first wave rightly gets the recognition but hot on the heels by a matter of days, or weeks bands like Generation X and Buzzcocks took things to new levels.  So the Clash had the slogans and Politics, The Pistols the nihilism and snot and The Damned were the first for everything it was bands like Buzzcocks who brought the poetry and teen love and With Idol and James Generation X brought the Legacy and homage to who passed before them from the silver screen and music clubs they openly embraced Elvis, The Beatles and The Who to name a few. It was their thrift store chic and boyish good looks and that swagger that they put to maximum use with Idol and his lip curl these magpies soaked it all up like a sponge punk, pop, rock and a dash of glamour.

This Deluxe Edition house in a solid slipcase is expanded to three LP’s.  LP one is the debut album complete with lyric inner bag and the first thing that grabbed me was how fresh the songs sound. I still love ‘One Hundred Punks’ and the energy from the frantic drumming and the edge on Derwood-Andrews guitar playing. so Idols lyrics were a bit shit at times such as ‘Kleenex’ but it certainly doesn’t detract from his sneer as he spills the lyrics left right and center. But don’t forget these were just a bunch of snotty kids to be fair why shouldn’t their lyrics be a bit juvenile because at the end of the day that’s exactly what they were.

Musically they weren’t some kids picking up their instruments for the first time and a bit wet behind the ears as songs like ‘Listen’ might have been a bit sloppy but they used echo and time changes really well and it all weaved an awesome tapestry. ‘Kiss Me Deadly’ being the platform that Idol broke away and used throughout his career wasn’t the sound of a bunch of kids making a racket with volume and adrenalin it was and still is an exceptional song.

Be honest who doesn’t like shouting the refrain of ‘Youth Youth Youth’? A great way to end a great record fuck the detractors and the purists Generation X made a few exceptional albums and this was the first.  Don’t even get me started on ‘Valley Of The Dolls’ which I trust will also get the same treatment as this?

The second LP features the singles and their B Sides now who doesn’t really think those couple of singles weren’t fantastic?  ‘Ready Steady Go’, ‘Wild Youth’ and the slew of B Sides are a welcome addition to this collection housed as part of a double album.  The Remaster has taken away all my clicks and pops and has me thinking how good would that album have been had these two been included on that as well? “Wild Wild Wild Youth!” Hearing the Dub version was probably the first time this young kid had ever heard any Dub – trailblazers for sure. Not sure how or why the B Side of ‘Fridays Angels’ is included here but I’m not complaining  ‘Trying For Kicks’ is decent.as is ‘This Heat’ it has cowbell for Gawds sake!

Probably the main reason a lot will have picked up this set is the third LP (it certainly swayed it for me) with twelve previously unreleased tracks which include a couple of Phil Wainman recordings such as ‘Ready Steady Go’ and ‘No No No’ and the Us versions cover of Lennon’s ‘Gimme Some Truth’.  the kind of material I’d expect to have on a set like this. The big revelation is still to come with the Alan Winstanley mixes.  Alan Engineered the first album and also mixed these versions and to be honest Maybe its time playing tricks with me but boy these songs really do come to life on these versions.

 

There are seven songs in total and they take on a fresh and even more raw sound which is excellent. If I was to have a complaint about this set its the lack of little extras that aren’t essential but do tend to make this anniversary box sets a bit special.  I wasn’t looking for silver rings or signed art reproductions (although that would have been nice) for £500 but maybe a 12″ book with essay from people who were there and pictures maybe a DVD with live footage who knows it must all exist maybe have gotten the band to do a short piece each because all that’s contained here is one side of the innerbag has an essay from Adrian Thrills which is nice to read but sort of a little lite. That something of a minor gripe because for less than 40 sheets this is a must-own for punk rockers and anyone who ever had a soft spot for these four scamps and their Rock and Roll sound because it really was a boss sound and I loved it then and still love it now.  If anyone from the James, Idol, Chrysalis camp happen to read this I look forward to the ‘Valley Of The Dolls’ set it needs to happen for continuity and because I’d love it. Never mind a hundred punks I know four who ruled. Tony, Billy, Mark and Bob.

Buy Generation X Here

Bad Religion – Age Of Unreason (Epitaph)

Bad Religion – Age Of Unreason (Epitaph)

In a career that’s lasted nearly forty years and a whopping seventeen albums, this isn’t a band who’ve sat back and looked away from flexing their socio-political views whenever possible, and for a band with tracks like American Jesus and 21st Century (Digital Boy) that rank among their biggest, there’s been a clear response to it. And as the world continues to burn more and more each day, what better time for Bad Religion to resurface and take society’s ills to task once more?

 

Essentially its Bad Religion doing Bad Religion; For a band as right on as Bad Religion these are times that just keep giving and in return, Bad Religion keeps giving back.

As Brett Gurewitz said, “The band has always stood for enlightenment values. Today, these values of truth, freedom, equality, tolerance, and science, are in real danger. This record is our response.”

I guess it was time to don the shit kickers and kick some shit then.  From the opening frantic burst of ‘Chaos From Within’ it’s slick it’s fast it driven and the guitar solo is a ball of fire lasting the blink of an eye there’s no time for bloated introductions, it’s on with the punk rock show. ‘My Sanity’ is fast but has a heartfelt melody with lush harmonies mixing sweet tunes with fast sharp punk exactly what Bad Religion is best at.  The pace is constant for the first four songs and its not until ‘Lose Your Head’ does the pace relent.  Another excellent song By the time you get to the album highpoint that is the acoustic driven ‘Candidate’ the band demonstrates right there how vital they are and how their sound is timeless and ageless.  Graffin and Gurewitz have plenty of anger and are articulate enough to relay it through their music in a constructive and authoritative way. They go from the melodic ‘Candidate’ to the pounding ‘Faces Of Grief’ that thrashes and gasps for oxygen before ending sharply.

The ebb and flow through fourteen tracks is the sound of old pros knowing exactly how to deliver what they do to perfection its not easy staying ahead of the curve and remaining relevant in todays music scene but with such a plentiful pool of inspiration how can you not love the groove on songs like ‘Big Black Dog’ and if I’m honest the second half of this record is even stronger and the band also take a chance on breaking the pace and frantic style and their canon of songs is expanded further.

Bad Religion are one of those bands I never realise how many of their records I have until a new one comes out and I always like what I hear and am slightly taken aback at their body of work.   Yet their standards are always really high even if you probably know what you’re going to get before the needle drop. That’s not a criticism by the way if the music is consistently strong as their is which is exactly why they’ve released so many and have maintained their popularity after all these years.  Long may it continue because the world needs BAd Religion right here right now.

Buy Age Of Unreason Here

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Author: Dom Daley

The Darts ‘I Like You But Not Like That’ (Alternative Tentacles)

The Darts ‘I Like You But Not Like That’ (Alternative Tentacles)

The Darts simply don’t live in this world. Their world is this magical place where the nuggets of the 60’s took over the world in every way, shape, and form. Walls are seemingly made of red velvet, and gold accents adorn everything. When you get closer though, you start to see and feel the grit. On their third album, the Darts further their garage rocking sound with some new shades and colors that at times have me thinking of Bratmobile and, at other times, have me thinking back to Nicole Laurenne (vocals, organ) and Christina Nunez’ (bass, vocals) old band the Love Me Nots. If you have enjoyed the Darts so far, this album is a must buy, and, if you don’t know the Darts, start your education here. Rikki Styxx continues to pound the drums while Meliza Jackson makes her studio debut on guitar with both of them also providing backing vocals.

‘Breakup Makeup’ starts things with a frantic beat and Nicole’s vocals getting plenty of room in the mix in the verses. The vocal pattern in the chorus and music remind me of ‘Time Warp’ from ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ if it had been played by the Dwarves. The shouted backing vocals recall the bands that all seemed to be signed to Estrus Records back in the day. The pogo beat of ‘My Way’ demonstrates another of Laurenne’s vocal strengths as she sounds like she has been doing this since she came into the world. This at times has an almost hip hop feel through the verses with Jackson’s guitar cutting through the mix perfectly as Nunez and Styxx are perfectly in unison together. The band slow the tempo with the groovy mid paced ‘Don’t Hold My Hand’ sounding like it should have been a hit from 50 plus years ago, except it brings in some additional noise and power. The backing vocals under the fuzz come straight from the school of the Ronettes. This is superb, timeless songwriting by all involved.

With the title track inspired by a back and forth with a person who messaged the band more than a time or two, the rhythm section lays down a beat that still catches me off guard with every listen.  The music takes on a suitable creepiness feel with the spoken word type vocals adding even more texture to the album.  The chorus features a mix of seductive and disgusted vocals which really creates a cool back and forth. This would be the scene where this person gets thrown back out of the Darts world because he simply couldn’t handle it. A riff by Jackson opens up ‘Break Your Mind’ which actually reminds me of the Love Me Nots’ debut from back in the day. The organ sounds great here as it overlays with the rhythm section.  Something that should be noted is you cannot sit still when this album is playing. Even as I sit typing, my feet are moving with the beat, and I keep wanting to air guitar the riff here. Wrapping up the first half of the album is the slower ‘Love You to Death’ where Nunez’ bass is from another dimension. The beginning of the song actually makes me think of grunge legends Green River. The drums carry some additional power in the mix, and the vocal effects create a very different sound.  Coming in at close to 5 minutes, this is an epic in the world of the Darts.

Side 2 finds the band continuing their sonic mastery. ‘New Boy’ gets us back to bouncing off the world with the organ and guitar cutting back and forth over the rhythm section. They waste no time here as they plant an infectious chorus in our heads. The guitar and organ each get their own moments to shine before they throw the chorus at us again for good measure. ‘Thin Line’ starts with Styxx laying down the gauntlet as the band barrels through a nuggets rocker with another sticky chorus that demands replays. The break for the organ here works perfectly. Turning down the dark street you know you should have avoided brings us to the cool ‘Phantom.’ I love Laurenne’s vocals here as her voice sits just under the top of the mix. It rises in the mix at the chorus but so does everything else which just makes it even more powerful. In an album of favorites, this one currently holds the title for me. It has a groove that stirs the soul and makes us feel alive.

The defiant ‘I Ain’t Crying’ punches us in the face with the beat threatening to explode right out of the speakers. Nunez’ bass adds a lot of oomph here with the breakdown in the song giving everyone a second to shine even further. ‘Japan’ opens up with a classic nod to the Far East in terms of the beat, and this song simply needs to be on the radio at maximum volume. In that world of the Darts I mentioned, this is the kind of radio they get every day instead of the manufactured crap we get peddled at us on a daily basis that has no heart and soul. This chorus might as well be an immediate transfer to your long-term memory. Closing the album with ‘Where’s the Rain,’ the band follow a similar pattern to the first half with a slower number that rumbles through the speaker, but this song has an entirely separate feel  in every other way.

No runts in this litter, no weak links… This is a high-quality album that takes doses of the Nuggets era and yanks them forward with bits and pieces from what has come before to create another great album in the discography of the Darts. This world should belong to them. We would all be better off if it did. Check back in December to see just how I rate this one, but it stands tall as an album of the year contender for me.

Buy I Like You But Not Like That Here

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Author: Gerald Stansbury

 

 

 

 

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays
Same old boring Monday morning… Nah RPM lets a little sunshine via the powers of Rock and Roll.  Here are three videos to get the blood flowing this Monday morning, enjoy
Dizzy Reed “rock n roll ain’t easy”

Glam Skanks “Time Warp Woman”

Powderkeg “New Day”

Corner Boys – Waiting For 2020 ( Drunken Sailor Records /Dirt Cult Records)

Corner Boys – Waiting For 2020 ( Drunken Sailor Records /Dirt Cult Records)

Oh yeah, Canada is killing it again on the power pop stakes.  Trust me there is no other country on the planet churning out top-notch power pop quite like Canada.

I’ve reviewed Corner Boys singles before and when I heard they had an album in the can it was a no brainer.  Imagine Buzzcocks and Undertones mashed up with some New Wave and rolled it into the modern age and whilst these cats doff their caps to their forefathers in punk rock they have just about handcrafted a whole bunch of awesome power pop.  Superbly crafted punk rock songs played at pace with melody and equal amounts of angst and loud sharp guitars.  Songs like ‘Lies And Excuses’ throw some punchy bass lines into the mix along with some Gatlin gun drum rolls.  Damn Corner Boys have got it all.

 

Spit and snot aplenty there is a triumphant fist-pumping we know we’re great thing happening here. Seriously playing this record through had me comparing it to Cyanide Pills for quality on quality on quality and so it goes.  You keep waiting for the next tune to drop off and you tut that they weren’t really the best thing since sliced bread but it doesn’t happen the title track is a much more juvenile snotty pogo through the best of SLF whereas ‘Norman’ is just a massive sugar rush on a rolling guitar lick in a similar vein as the Briefs and The Stitches or at least if you love them you have a fair idea where these cats are coming from.  It’s not complicated its just great fucking songs one after the other from start to finish. If there is a complaint its there are only ten songs on here and that’s it.  They’ve really mainlined the lyrical quality and melody of the late great Pete Shelley on ‘Guilty Galaxy’ No I don’t know what it’s about but it doesn’t matter I was too busy jumping up and down trying to get in time with the music.

‘(I’m such A) Mess’ is like the best Briefs song they never wrote and ‘Don’t Come Back’ is more Buzzcocks that Buzzcocks which is a great place to be.  I love that bands from thousands of miles away really just get it whatever it is they get “it” enough to go into a studio and just have a bunch of fun hacking out tunes faster than the last one and doing it well.  sure Corner Boys won’t ever get inducted into any stupid hall of egos but they’ll make their way into a bunch of really fucking cool record collections of like-minded people who just get it as well.  Why not be one of those people and let a little sunshine into your life and get yourself some Corner Boys punk rock n roll because its simply excellent stuff now ‘Tell Me’ What You Waiting For?

Buy ‘Waiting For 2020’ Here

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Author: Dom Daley

Mekons – ‘Deserted’ (Bloodshot Records/Glitterbeat Records)

Mekons – ‘Deserted’ (Bloodshot Records/Glitterbeat Records)

A few weeks ago I was coerced into going to to see legendary post-punk outfit the Mekons by a good friend of mine who demanded I witness the band he calls “the originators of the alt-country movement” live.

To say that gig left me flabbergasted is perhaps something of an understatement, not only because the band managed to squeeze more musicians on stage at Le Pub than I’d ever have thought humanly possible (is that really Lu Edmonds hiding behind in the darkest recesses I wondered?…yes it is), but also not really knowing any of their songs I was enthralled by the band’s ability to mix up genres for the sake of a great tune, and which only showed the merest touches of alt-country if truth be told, so much so in fact, you could call me something of a convert. Not that the band really needed me, as fans of the band had long since sold out the gig travelling from all over the country and indeed the globe (fuck you flat earthers) to witness Jon Langford leading his band out on his home turf.

You see although the Mekons are hailed as a Leeds based band, by way of Langford’s adopted home of Chicago, he is still very much a Gwent boy at heart, and someone who up until a few weeks ago, I knew much more about as an artist, than I did as a musician.

This was all about to change for me though when I picked up a copy of ‘Deserted’ the 9 track album the band were promoting on that recent UK/Euro tour. This is an LP recorded on the fringes of Joshua Tree National Park to maximise the band’s creativity and the thing that hits me straight between the eyes is just how many of the tracks off this album they played live I actually remembered. No mean feat for a bunch of songs I’d only heard once before I’m sure you’ll agree.

‘Lawrence Of California’ which open the album is one such tune, a folky fiddle driven number that has more than just a hint of a drunken night on the tiles about it. Langford’s buzzsaw guitar and doubled vocals (with his vocal counterpoint Sally Timms screaming her lungs out) all underpinning this very strong call to arms. Likewise, the Tom Greenhalgh hollered ‘Harar 1883’ which follows vividly stuck in mind not least because it was such a shift into almost Keith Richards songwriting territory that it almost knocked me bandy live.

With repeated listens I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s impossible to pigeonhole ‘Deserted’, which I mean in every sense in a good way, the band genre hopping all over the place and essentially writing and playing the music they want to hear.

Personal highlights for yours truly include ‘Into The Sun’ which kicks some serious butt in an almost B.A.D kind of way, whilst ‘In The Desert’ drifts through your mind like some Gabriel-esque soundtrack moment and acts as an almost perfect juxtaposition musically to the way too piratey for my tastes ‘How Many Stars’ which it follows on the album. Elsewhere there are elements of Berlin-era Bowie evident during the frankly bonkers-brilliant  ‘Weimar Vending Machine’ and finally, I do get some alt-country in the shape of the staggeringly beautiful ‘After The Rain’ which closes out the album.

That a band as creatively magnificent as the Mekons are almost hidden away from the mainstream means that you can still see them live for less than ten pounds, the music they deliver here on ‘Deserted’ however really is priceless. Make sure you don’t miss out on this absolute gem of an album, it’s well worth making that musical leap of faith for…trust me.

Buy Deserted Here

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Author: Johnny Hayward

 

Lonesome Shack – Desert Dreams (Alive Natural Sound)

Lonesome Shack – Desert Dreams (Alive Natural Sound)

 

Cotton picking country blues – born on the Bayo poor boy fingerpickin’ dreamy roots rock and roll.  There you go if you were looking for a Genre to hang your hat on that should just about cover it.  Lonesome Shack starts off with the first couple of tunes picking the blues out of his geetar.  But wait this isn’t a solo album Lonesome Shack is a trio. Lonesome Shack is Ben Todd (guitar/voice), Kristian Garrard (drums), and Luke Bergman (bass).  and this record gets really interesting by the time ‘New Dreams’.  Then ‘Lonely’ builds on a repetitive hypnotic riff that rolls and rolls gathering pace on the snare drum but the vocals are kept to a fairly distant dream-like level.  Its a primitive journey you’ll take with Lonesome Shack that’s for sure.  There ain’t nothing modern or hi-tech jiggery pokery happening here my only complaint is the song perhaps outstays its welcome clocking in at almost five minutes.  However, saying that this album takes on a different feel when you add volume there is an earthy tone that is totally engaging and that’s ramped up on the highlight of ‘Only One’ with its darkness and sparse arrangement.  Had this been from the pen of say the Urban Voodoo Machine we’d all be raving about it and rightly so.

I was quite surprised to see they’re based in London via Seattle and not from some crossroad down on the Delta. ‘Too Bad’ is a batton carrying rhythmic affair from the bluesmen of many moons ago and has a wonderful rhythm and hypnotic feel to it. Its not always about what you play sometimes the magic is what you leave out and sometimes the minimalist arrangement and delivery is the strength of a song ‘The City Is A Dessert’ is one such tune as it thumps the chord and rhythm over and over as if they’re forging the tune on a smoking hot day it gets inside your head and you drift off with the rhythm.  Lonesome Shack has a gift and on this record, they’re leaving the best till last as the title track is a splendid slice of Bluesy rock n roll and Keith ‘n’ Ronnie would approve I’m sure of it.  Great stuff.

Cool as drinking Tequilla on a hot hot day check out this piece of urban delta blues its refreshingly good.

Author: Dom Daley

Buy Lonesome Shack Here

Rock The Coast Festival – stage times finalised

Rock The Coast Festival – stage times finalised
Rock The Coast Festival, which is set to take place in Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain on 14th and 15th June, 2019 at the spectacular site of Mare Nostrum have revealed the stage times for this year’s event.
 
The line-up is a healthy mix of metal, classic rock and prog featuring the likes of Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Magnum, The Darkness, UFO, Opeth, Carcass, Mayhem, Aborted, Wardruna, Tribulation, Wintersun, Von Hertzen Brothers, Jinjer as well as RPM favourites Michael Monroe.

The final price for 2-days tickets is 130€ (+ expenses) and the single day ticket price is 80€ (+ expenses, each one, same price for Friday and Saturday).
 
A very special opening party takes place the night before the festival on Thursday 13th June which will feature an exclusive show from Norwegian music group Wardruna who will perform inside the stunning Sohail Castle. Capacity is limited for this separately ticketed event.
 
Tickets are on sale now – https://www.rockthecoastfestival.es/19/en/tickets/
 

Fuengirola’s municipal area is one of the smallest in the Málaga province and it is virtually reduced to a coastal strip that the city and the district of Santa Fe de los Boliches take up. It extends along seven kilometres of coastline with plenty of excellent beaches. Fuengirola is also only a 20 minute drive from Malaga airport.

 
https://www.rockthecoastfestival.es

 

THE NEVILLE STAPLE BAND has announced their new single ‘Working Hard Everyday’

THE NEVILLE STAPLE BAND has announced their new single ‘Working Hard Everyday’

THE NEVILLE STAPLE BAND has announced their new single ‘Working Hard Everyday’ hot on the trail of their ‘Rude Rebels’ album, involving Specials’ original guitarist Roddy Radiation (a.k.a. Roddy Byers), and single ‘Put Away Your Knives’, a 2-Tone influenced punky ska and reggae cry to young people involved in knife crime, motivated by a tragic event that struck their family in September 2018 – the fatal stabbing of Neville’s 21-year-old grandson Fidel Glasgow.

Neville and Sugary Staple co-wrote  ‘Working Hard Everyday’ with Charlie Organaire (a.k.a. Charles Cameron), best friend and colleague to ska pioneer Prince Buster. He was involved in many of the legend’s hit songs, as well as writing his own music and working with Prince Buster’s son Sultan.

Catch The Neville Staple Band on tour with The Undertones throughout May and onwards on their own awesome steam at venues and festivals throughout the summer. June also brings several celebrations for the 40th Anniversary of 2-Tone, together with The Specials’ Jerry Dammers as DJ and Beat Goes Bang (comprised of members of The Beat, General Public and Dexys Midnight Runners).

NEVILLE & SUGARY STAPLE ‘RUDE REBELS’ LP
‘Rude Rebels’ LP Here
Vinyl order Shop
CD order Here
UK orders Amazon

TOUR DATES
May 2  LONDON – Electric Ballroom (with The Undertones)
May 3 COVENTRY – Empire (with The Undertones)
May 4  BRISTOL – SWX (with The Undertones)
May 9  NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE – Boiler Shop (with The Undertones)
May 10  LEEDS – O2 Academy (with The Undertones)
May 11  MANCHESTER – O2 Ritz (with The Undertones)
May 16  NORWICH – Open (with The Undertones)
May 17  BEXHILL ON SEA – De La Warr Pavilion (with The Undertones)
May 18  COOKHAM – Lets Rock The Moor (2:00)
May 18  SOUTHAMPTON – Engine Rooms (with The Undertones)
May 25 HERTFORDSHIRE – Stone Valley South Festival
May 26 MERTHYR TYDFIL – Merthyr Rising
June 1  CHIPPING SODBURY – SodFest
June 8  SHEFFIELD – Music For The Homeless
June 15 KETTERING – 40th Anniversary of 2-Tone (with Jerry Dammers DJ, Beat Goes Bang)
June 22 WESTON-SUPER-MARE – 40th Anniversary of 2-Tone (with Jerry Dammers DJ, Beat Goes Bang)
June 29  STANHOPE – Stone Valley North Festival
July 5 BLYTH – North East Chilli Fest
July 6   SOUTHAMPTON – Let’s Rock Southampton
July 13 THAME – Thame Music Festival
July 14  EXETER – Wonder Fields Festival
July 19  MELKSHAM – Melksham Music Festival
July 20  HOLMFIRTH – Holmfirth Ska Splash
July 21  TAMWORTH – Warton Music Festival
July 27  CHIDDINGLY – Chiddfest
Aug. 3  SUDDINGTON / MACCLESFIELD – Rewind Festival North
Aug. 9 WINCHESTER – Boomtown Fair
Aug 10 RATLINGHOPE – Farmer Phil’s Festival
Aug 17 STRETFORD – Great Northern Ska Festival
Aug 18 HENLEY-ON-THAMES – Rewind Festival South
Aug 31 CASTLE DONINGTON – Off the Tracks Festival

Keep up with Neville Staple / The Neville Staple Band
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Soundcloud | Spotify | Amazing Tunes

The Rods – ‘Brotherhood Of Metal’ (Steamhammer/SPV)

The Rods – ‘Brotherhood Of Metal’ (Steamhammer/SPV)

Ahh The Rods, now there’s a band name that instantly gets the musical memory banks whirring. To my teenage self way back in 1981 the band’s awesome self-titled debut on Arista was an instant hit on my turntable, and I admit I only went to see Iron Maiden on their Beast On The Road tour to check out the support band.

Yup the New York trio were a veritable whirlwind of great tunes and rock ‘n’ roll attitude long before rock music fractured into multiple genres and forced stereotypes, The Rods were unclassifiable in my eyes as they simply played great hard rocking guitar music just like say Starz, The Godz or The Boyzz in fact all they were missing was a Z to end their name.

It was only when they signed for Music For Nations here in the UK and then pledged an allegiance to all things metal that my interest started to wane and their mid-80s LPs simply didn’t excite me in the same way that their younger contemporaries records did. A planned UK headline tour with Metallica and Exciter in support  which was ultimately cancelled was pretty much the last I heard of the band until 2010 when through the power of Uber Rock and Myspace I suddenly found myself talking with the band’s singer/guitarist David ‘Rock’ Feinstein about their then just about to be released reunion CD ‘Vengeance’.

Fast forward eight years from that album’s eventual release and here I am in possession of the band’s all new eleven track album ‘Brotherhood Of Metal’ (the vinyl adding a twelfth track in the shape of a reworked version of ‘Crank It Up’ originally featured on the aforementioned Arista album plus of course covered by legendary supergroup Super$hit 666), and whilst I normally stay well clear of metal albums these days getting to grips with this one was actually a most welcome surprise.

Okay granted it’s not exactly the sound of my ‘80s first love but it is the same line up of Feinstein, drummer Carl Cannedy and bassist Garry Bordonaro and whilst Dave may be singing slightly lower than he did back then what The Rods do here they do with the utmost of integrity. Even when the record opens with the title track and it’s just piano and Feinstein declaring his love for all things metal it’s somehow not got me reaching for the skip button, and I’m glad I stuck with it too because what follows is the kind of metal record that has seen Judas Priest filling arenas with for decades. Yes, there’s a hint of Manowar in here too, but thank Odin the likes of ‘Hell On Earth’ and ‘Tonight We Rode’ remind me of their early (as in the best) days, and you also can’t really do a Rods review without mentioning Feinstein’s cousin Ronnie James Dio, although I’m purely mentioning him here because the riff to ‘Louder Than Loud’ sounds so much like primetime Dio I have to check that my MP3 player hasn’t suddenly gone on shuffle by mistake.

It’s the powerhouse drumming of Carl Cannedy that introduces both the epic ‘Evil In Me’ and the autobiographical ‘1982’ and here the band once again capture that metallic stomp of Priest, likewise ‘The Devil Made Me Do it’ and the staggeringly brilliant ‘Eveybody’s Rockin’’ could very easily fit in on ‘Screaming For Vengeance’ or Defenders Of The Faith’ such is the high standard of the metal on offer here.

‘Brotherhood Of Metal’ then is the sound of The Rods doing what they love, and as Cannedy himself states what you get here is “no ballads, and nothing your mom will be humming”.

 

Buy Brotherhood Of Metal Here

Author: Johnny Hayward