How about some Junkie Logic on a Monday morning with this new video from Spike Fuck
Having just played The RAH with Buzzcocks it seems fitting to play the new video from Penetration which just happens to be their take on the classic Shelley track. You can catch the band at –
12.07.19 LONDON 100 Club
13.07.19 LEWES Con Club
14.07.19 HALIFAX Lantern
03.08.19 BLACKPOOL Rebellion Festival
06.10.19 SHEFFIELD O2 Academy
18.10.19 NEWCASTLE Cluny
19.10.19 GLASGOW Audio
Check the video out below.
I guess it’s only fair and fitting that after the remaining members of the band paid their respects along with past members at the Royal Alber Hall recently we leave you with this stone cold classic. Rest In Peace Pete we’ll miss you
UK black-metal outfit Necronautical have announced details of their latest offering, new album ‘Apotheosis’, set for release on 30th August through world-renowned extreme metal label Candlelight Records.
The album was recorded, mixed & mastered by British producer Chris Fielding (Winterfylleth, Witchsorrow, Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard) at Skyhammer Studio. Adorned by the foreboding artwork of David Thiérrée (Behemoth, Gorgoroth), ‘Apotheosis’ serves as a sonic epitaph to the human experiences of hope and faith. It details a melancholic journey through an empty and brutal existence, taking inspiration from the works of Friedrich Nietzsche, Chuck Palanuik and Neil Gaiman.
‘Nihil Sub Sole Novum’ is the first single to be shared from Apotheosis with the band adding,
“We feel that this song acts as a perfect microcosm for the direction of the album and of Necronautical itself: a relentless combination of punishing riffs and melancholic euphoria. The title translates as “nothing new under the sun”, directly challenging the conclusion of Ecclesiastes 1:9, and instead seeking to elevate the bleak and repetitive nature of life and humanity to the dais reserved for its gods. The song draws on the concepts of anamnesis and of a mythical pre-human golden age, and asks if such rediscovered knowledge can break the monotony of existence.”
So the time is here for a new batch of 45’s to spin and /or new videos I guess as there seems to be a bit of a drought lately yet we get video submissions all the time. First up is the new video from The Membranes ‘Black Is The Killer’ taken fro the band new long player ‘what Nature Gives …Nature Takes Away’
Dead Furies – Stay Gold, Ponyboy Well this is like a breath of fresh air blowing through the Singles roundup. Whilst it might not be pressed on a slab of wax and run at a speed of 45 RPM the new single from Dead Furies is easily the finest slab of noise in this bunch of singles. With the classic one-fingered piano honk and a rollicking Stooges riff that Ron and Iggy would have been proud to have written and it hits you like a steam train. ‘Stay Gold Ponyboy’ is majestic and guaranteed to get the blood pumping its classic scandi rock and traditional formula. simply Write a top tune and then play the fuck out of it – Hey presto! Single of the month hands down – buy it!
Jack Rabbit Slams – ‘Crackerjack’ Scottish three-piece like to make a noise as ‘Crackerjack ‘ will testify. Taken from their debut album that’s to follow this tense loud slab of Rock also has a cool video to accompany it and one that works well with the tune. Zombies – loud guitars – time changes – Blood – gang vocals what’s not to like?
Joey & The Rats – Stick To You (Stardumb Records) On their brand new 7 inch which we’re looking at right here, Joey and the Rats? Confused? what happened to Lucy? Fear not folks its just Lucy is taking a break from vocals and Joey has stepped up to the plate. With two glorious slabs of rock‘n’roll fun. Guitarist Joe Tolosa is taking care of the lead vocals of both songs, Its a punkier couple of tunes for sure, be it still got the power pop side of punk happening think The Boys, Teenage Head, Buzzcocks. Currently playing with the Rats as well as snotty punks Johnny Throttle. this is what 45’s were invented for. Sloppy, punchy and totally rockin’ – excellent single.
The Drippers – Bottled Blues (The Sign Records) From the ‘Action Rock’ album soon to hit the streets on Sign Records The Drippers kick the living shit out of ‘Bottled Blues’, coming on like the bastard children of Lemmy daddy daycareing early Hellacopters and Total 13 and having Zeke over for some foreign exchange. Rapid – exciting and ripped to the tits ‘Bottled Blues’ is all killer and no filler just like the album. Check it out and tell me I’m wrong. Who said gamblings for fools? If you want to know what Action Rock sounds like chew on this one for fun!
Piston – Rainmaker Rockers Piston come forward with a downloadable track off their new long player originally entitled ‘Piston’ its a hard-rockin’ wall of riff-a-rama that will have the fans of Rock radio drooling. Check it out in video form below.
Black Sheets Of Rain – Through The Storm (W.A.R. Productions) If Piston wasn’t enough how about more hard rock in the shape of Black Sheets Of Rain and ‘Through The Storm’. Taken from their debut EP its classic hard rock. sure it lacks originality but they can play obviously they’re rockers! Four and a half minute that felt like four hours. Not the best track I’ve had to review recently it reminds me of Queensryche (now that’s a band I never thought I’d mention on RPM)
Junky Love – Nowhere To Go (Red Thread Records) 4th single by London based psych/garage rock trio is a bit of a slow burner; a song about substance abuse comes to the boil slowly. Its a grower, not a shower and never gets ahead of itself. Interesting and a band to perhaps keep an eye on. A touch of early nirvana about the track which isn’t a bad thing at all.
Slaughter Beach, Dog – One Down (Lame-O Records) Not your typical single song. A real gentle yet seductive song. ‘One Down’ has a flavour of Neil young and more indie driven bands such as a gentle Dinosaur Jr maybe or Sonic youth go Eels as the song builds they control the feedback nicely and its a great introduction to the new album coming late summer. Although ‘Good Ones’ which has also been released to promote the album release is a mighty fine tune mixing acoustic with fuzzed electric really well like Lemonheads used to do so well.
Beauty in Chaos – ‘Drifting Away’ ft. Robin Zander (Synthetic Capricorn Mix)(33.3 Music Collective) Robin Zander and Michael Anthony (Synthetic Capricorn Mix) Remix by Paul Wiley (Marilyn Manson) and Steven Alexander Ryan (The Black Queen) Sounding more like A Pete Murphy song this is one that will test Cheap Trick disciples and people who wondered what Michael Anthony was up to lately. A pop experimental remix is about as much as I can say Fair play to the artists for stretching themselves and really stepping out of their comfort zones on this one. I’m sure many will be open-mouthed and gasp in horror. Oh well, I bet the artists had a ball. This remix really pushes the boundaries.
Baby Shakes – Baby Blue/ In My Arms Again (Surfin Ki Records) Classic two track slab of power pop. Crunchy guitars built around a dreamy melody and delivered by the softly sung vocals like a knuckle duster in a velvet glove Baby Shakes give it some of that sweet Johnny Thunders guitar breaks and who doesn’t love that? the flip side is a cover of the Shoes ‘In My Arms Again’ – lovely. Head over Here to pick up a copy from the label or the band’s Facebook page I’m sure they’ be delighted to have you. Besides, they’re heading out of New York and heading to Europe and Shit Island for a whole bunch of dates so how cool would it be to know a couple of tunes to sing along to down the front?
Ruled By Raptors – Ouroberos EP (Pulse Music) Noisy Geordie alt Rockers release new EP and accompanying video get an ear full of their angular alternative Rock or just check out their video below. Quite melodic yet bruisingly heavy the band get set to burst onto the alt-rock scene and make a lot of noise doing so.
MoLD – Breaking Bones (GMR Music) Hard ‘n’ Heavy is the order of the day. Built around a rolling riff the band cite the likes of Motorhead, Sabbath and The Cramps as influences whilst I can hear the first two in this track I’m intrigued as to where the Cramps fit in but this is only the first track off the new record they’ve aired. ‘Breaking Bones’ is the first track taken from the album ‘Horrors’ which is out next month. Oh, one thing. There seems to be one string too many on that bass.
Rat Face Lewey – Comfortable Taken from their second album this upbeat effort from alt-rockers who’ve been compared to the Manic Street Preachers (not a comparison I’d go for but hey ho) Its got a load of energy and who doesn’t like skateboard videos?
Para Lia – Hawk Hill (Bandcamp) Influenced by The Mission and a bunch of other alternative vagabonds Para Lia release this three track EP via Bandcamp. The use of the male/female vocals on the chorus is very All About Eve meets the Mish as is the guitar solo over a wall of harmonic guitars. The second track ‘Over It’ is a much stronger tune and I like the melody on the chorus but it sounds less cluttered that ‘Hawk Hill’.
‘On My Way Home’ has added cello if this wasn’t Gothic enough and sounding more Echo And The Bunnymen especially on the verses it’s a good tune with a decent arrangement. you can check out the songs via the bands Bandcamp page.
Psychobabylon – Is This All There Is? (Self Release) Four track EP is the way to go for this five-piece with a hard edge but melodic hook the band slam down the opening track ‘All There Is’ part Metallica part Almighty hard rock it’s a bruising affair yet has a strong melody as it weaves to its conclusion. There’s no reinventing the wheel here just bruising hard rock Released digitally and on CD you can find it at the link Here. ‘Die Alone’ is a hard and heavy riff that drops to reveal a filthy bass line rumbling away holding this one together before the inevitable gang vocals. Will please audiences up and down the country who want something loud and heavy.
GOON – ‘Check Engine Light’ (Partisan) LA-based scuzz rockers release video for the track ‘Check Engine Light’ off their album set for release mid-July. Check it out here and search out the band’s social media for details of their new album.
Finally, Welsh duo Henrys Funeral Shoes release a video for ‘Everybody Say Hi’ the first track off their new album ‘Smart Phone Rabbit Hole’ due for release on September 20th. Old school blues with a twist, fuzzy vibes and a simple chorus you can all sing along to and a rather addictive sound as it burrows into your ear cool soulful vocals is one way to describe this one check out the video and make your own mind up.
Until next time when we’ll bring you the new singles and videos – Stay sick!
OOOOOORGH! Black Metal. There are about a bazillion subgenres to Heavy Metal and fans of those Genres take it pretty seriously. Dare you cross over from one to the other or mistake speed metal for Black Metal for thrash then you will get your backside handed to you by a legion of fans waiting in the shadows ready to pounce so with that in mind I’m taking this here new album from “old School Second wave” black Metallers Dark Throne and give it a good listen. I won’t be downloading it onto my headphones and walking through any woods (obviously) just in case old Bealzibub doesn’t take kindly to my words and seeks to make amends.
There has been something of an upsurge recently with several movies being released about the subgenre as well as the granddaddies of them all Venom knocking out their most impressive box set ‘In Nomine Satanas’. Fenriz and Nocturno Culto making up the band in 2019 and have been the mainstay since ’93. Its as heavy as a kick from one of Bealzibubs hoofs and still a challenging listen (at times) but I have to say that the band remain fairly true to the roots of the genre and embrace their inner Venom and Celtic Frost, well, more than most they don’t try and growl deeper, more indecipherable than any other nor do they try to hit more bass drum notes or solo faster which happens to be quite refreshing.
They know their niche and they’re sticking to it like shit on a blanket, sure it’s dark, uncompromising, complex as well as being loud and above all true to Dark Throne and what they are about. Seemingly only dancing to their own tune and if the critics say left they will go right if they so wish. In fact, Dark Throne is more accessible than most in this genre which might just be why they remain towards the top of the pile. Oh and Fenriz wins for having a Hanoi Rocks Tattoo on his right forearm now that is zero fucks given in this genre right there.
Anyway, enough flannel on with the show. With the promotional material being released the night before it hit the shops was funny and one that would have wound up lots of people but a classic bit of Dark Throne right there. Whilst there are only six songs on this record a lot of those songs are prog lengthed weaving slabs of noise. ‘I Muffled YourInner Choir’ (obviously) opens with a fairly sprightly pace this six-plus minute epic has its doomier Sabbath inspired middle eight where the chug is humungous and sprawling as it takes the opener home.
Track two ‘the Hardship Of The Scot’ begins with a riff that is pure Dokken. I kid you not boys and girls go check it out then before the black metal brigade can reach for their bedside torch to light it up before heading out to hunt down the throne boys before they tease their hair up and start playing chavel Jackson and rocking out in unison things take a downturn and the vocals enter proceedings and no more mention of Don the Dream Warrior will be spoken – not round here that’s for sure.
The title track is pretty doomy and Culto delivers his best rasp on the vocals but what really is setting this aside from the rest of the pack is the production and it has to be said I like the fact that it doesn’t sound like it was recorded in a cardboard box using a Panasonic table mic to record everything and the lack of blast beats is refreshing as is the fast – faster – fastest nonsense that just tries to out-macho the last band ofter prevalent in this music. ‘Alp Man’ has a bit of the Slayers about its opening riff. Only a few notes needed and it’s heavy as and a bit different and Fenriz just hold the beat steady as without feeling the need to hit more drums than anyone else. The instrumental middle is a bit meh! for me making the song longer for the sake of it I dunno but its the weakest track on offer here that’s for sure.
I’m always intrigued as to what makes these fellas tick and find myself drawn towards the extreme outer edges and fascinated with the music they play and Dark Throne do this well and ‘Old Star’ is a winner and I’m sure will be very well received for staying true to what they’re all about and not vanishing up their own backsides with a bunch of cheesy quotes they rightfully leave all that to people like me. Horns up kids if you haven’t got this yet then get out there and get involved not that you’ll find it in Tesco or Asda you might still have to dig a bit deeper. Oh and I still think they are all missing a trick by not insisting this retails for £6.66 or £6.65 (not totally evil)
Man the opening track on this EP had me longing for some Role Models and Replacements because that’s exactly where Mono In Stereo are pitching this EP.
Hell, it’s on Rum Bar Records so it was going to be a no brainer for me and from the first play I couldn’t not be into this. It’s ragged – honest – anthemic without being cheesy and wholesome without being sappy its got grit and dirt under its fingernails it’s wearing its Replacements patch on its chest next to its Mellencamp one as the keys swirl and the distorted guitar chords ring out over the steady beat this is a winner in every which way. The only fault I have is its not a full-length album and only half of one.
‘Different Kind Of Man’ is anthemic but not cheesy as the band sound loose enough to have enjoyed a few pre-recording beers to celebrate such am impressive few tunes. Damn, they know it, Rum Bar knows it and I know it and if you have any sense you’ll be getting hold of this. ‘Not Your Fault’ has a great melody but its not any single part but the sum of all its parts that makes this record so listenable.
‘Fores’ amps it up and lets in its inner punk rock with neat gang vocals and a fiery tempo part misfits part Gaslight Anthem if there such a thing. (there is now) To take this home the title track brings up the rear and just puts a big exclamation make on proceedings Records like this should come with a health warning – This Rock and Roll will put a serious strain on your smile and fist pumping the air can be dangerous. Open another beer and turn it up!
Having already played a part in what will inevitably be one of RPM Online’s albums of the year for 2019 (The Hip Priests’ ‘Stand For Nothing’ in case you have been living under a rock these past six months) Mike McKinnon, or “Silent Mike” as he was known during his time in Da Priests, is right now carving out a musical path that involves just him and an acoustic guitar.
Yup the man of normally few words (hence his old stage name) is back brothers and sisters and guess what? He’s just self released his debut 11 track solo album.
Recorded by Mike at his home studio during the months immediately after his departure from The Hip Priests ‘Self Titled’ is both inwardly reflective, and as the man says himself, “a far cry from what he’s ever done before.”
Spoken word opener ‘Arrogance/Ignorance’ sets the tone perfectly, and sums up Mike’s mission statement in just forty five seconds. Not an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination, but sometimes less really is more.
‘You Picked the Right Time’ is the track Mike initially previewed via social media so I guess he already realises this is perhaps his ace card, it’s a tune that stands out from the pack and I for one would love to hear this one afforded a full studio makeover, perhaps even with a backing band.
Vocally Mike reminds me at times of both Ken Stringfellow and Billie Joe Armstrong so he’s certainly no slouch in this department, it’s just that for me, it took a few listens to get fully acclimatised to his rather unique style – one which tends to see him singing more towards the top end of his register. Once I was in however the likes of ‘Save Myself’ and ‘We’re Not Okay’ really are hook laden blasts of acoustic pop, with Mike even out swearing his old band mates during the latter.
When McKinnon steps down an octave or two vocally like his does on the excellent ‘Disaster Slide’, the sombre ‘Your Goddam Face’ and the verses of the introspective ‘Taking Forever’ there is an extra dimension to his storytelling and his use of double tracked vocals is something that really does make his songs stand out. With rumours circulating that Mike will be touring this record later in the year it will be really interesting to see what he does with these tracks in the live environment, and maybe that band idea I suggested above isn’t such a bonkers one after all?
Before all that though there’s the not so insignificant matter of getting ‘Self Titled’ out there on the streets, which it is already via the usual streaming platforms and via Mike’s Bandcamp page. The plan being to then release this hugely impressive debut set of songs as a CD along with a tie-in 7” sometime later in 2019 something I’d love to see not least because these tracks are crying out to be properly housed within the awesome Jay Millette drawn cover art (textured sleeve a must).
Mike McKinnon is one of those characters punk rock throws up from time to time that makes you stop and think about life and sometimes it’s just the simplicity of a man and an acoustic guitar that does this best.
Intrigued?
Go on – hit the links below and tell Mike RPM sent you
It’s been a busy few weeks for those who love their flicks with a heavy dose of music relevance. well, its no secret that we love our rock docs and our biopic movies especially when they’re about subjects that we hold dear. When we saw a glut of watchable music-related movies we just had to pick up the popcorn and sit back and wait for the action. This roundup is of four movies that have just been released or are about to hit the high street on DVD and we begin with punk Rock n Roll Royalty none other than Stiv Bator. We’d interviewed the maker and reviewed the soundtrack so it would be rude not to give our take on the much-anticipated movie ‘Stiv’: No Compromise, No Regrets.
Stiv: No Compromise, No Regrets (Weinerworld)
Now I know there are a lot of opinions (sure everyone has one) but we have to agree that any Stiv movie no matter where you stand on how good it is is better than NO movie about Stiv right?
Sure it would have been nice had The Likes of Brian James, Michael Monroe or Cheetah included but they have to agree and signed off their involvement and they didn’t so should the film not be made? does it fall without their inclusion? Hell no – on with the show kids. there were plenty of pivitol people who did agree and thats what makes ‘Stiv’ a really well-researched movie and the inclusion of some decent footage I’d not seen before made it a must see.
Sure there is other footage out there that might have worked well and it might not have taken too much to get it included but thats for nerds to bicker over and that’s the beauty of debate. This is one man’s movie and that’s it, I might have done it differently as would the next big Stiv fan but the general consensus is that it’s a good movie and one that is clearly done with much love and respect, oh, and the soundtrack isn’t too shabby either (lets not mention the lack of lords songs, etc etc this wasn’t a bottomless money pit of a project).
whilst time plays tricks with the memory and the old grey matter might not be what it used to be there are a few things I noticed when watching this movie back. One, Stiv as funny engaging and likable as he might be – he always put Stiv first second and third when entering a music project. He’d use the bands as a vehicle for Stiv and when it was time to move on he would (the wanderers, Dead Boys, Lords).
Maybe there could have been a little more in-depth look at his time in Dead Boys and the timeline could have been clearer but that’s nitpicking because I also appreciate this film in order to appeal to a wider audience has to fit into a certain length restraint otherwise it would be volume 1 volume two etc. I love the talking heads all speaking fondly of the guy and his contribution to music especially tales from the likes of Dave Tregunna and the punk and post-punk scene Stiv was a rare talent, his legacy is a back catalogue of quite exceptional music from the solo stuff he was working on just before he died through the Bomp stuff and The Dead Boys ’77 punk. Stivv had the midas touch and didn’t make any bad records (not in my eyes anyway) we can argue about the more experimental side of the Lords as they developed from the Punk Rock and Roll of the first album through the more experimental poppier ‘Is Nothing Sacred’ and then the rock of ‘Methods’.
Stiv is a really enjoyable rounded movie of one of Rocks real characters whos talent is understated and often misunderstood it looks great on the TV and I’m grateful it’s been made. It took quite a while but now it’s here embrace it. there is extra footage, in fact, there are twenty minutes of extras. to please everyone I guess a movie would need to be about four hours long with another three hours of bonus material. Lets not split hairs over what’s not here let’s celebrate what is here. thanks, Danny and Chip Baker films for Stiv now go pick up a copy asap.
“Thrashing Thru The Passion” set for release on Aug 16 via Frenchkiss Records
The Hold Steady are releasing their new album, ‘Thrashing Thru The Passion’ , via Frenchkiss Records on Friday, August 16. The Hold Steady’s seventh studio album is available now for pre-order. Fans can also receive access to exclusive album bundles, including such extras as limited edition clear vinyl, poster, lithograph and enamel pin set. All pre-orders will come with a free download of the new song, “Denver Haircut,” which is also available now at all DSPs.
Thrashing Thru The Passion collects five new songs recorded this year alongside five acclaimed ones released digitally between November 2017 and March 2019. The album was recorded at The Isokon in Woodstock, NY with producer Josh Kaufman and engineer D. James Goodwin. Additional performers include Stuart Bogie, Dave Nelson, Jordan McLean and Michael Leonhart on horns and Annie Nero on backup vocals.
“I’ve been saying for a few years now – since Franz (keyboardist) came back- that this six piece lineup of The Hold Steady is the best band we’ve ever been,” says Finn. “The new songs recorded by this version of the band are super exciting to us. It’s been a very fun and creative period for The Hold Steady.”
The Hold Steady will celebrate Thrashing Thru The Passion with “Constructive Summer 2019,” a series of live show weekends across the United States. These weekends take place in Seattle, WA’s The Crocodile (August 15-17), Chicago, IL’s Thalia Hall and Empty Bottle (August 22-24), Nashville, TN’s Basement East (September 5-7), Boston, MA’s The Sinclair (September 12-15), and the fourth annual “Massive Nights” event at NY’s Brooklyn Bowl (December 4-7). For complete details and ticket information, please visit www.theholdsteady.net/#shows.
The Hold Steady is: Bobby Drake (drums), Craig Finn (vocals), Tad Kubler (guitar, vocals), Franz Nicolay (keyboards), Galen Polivka (bass), and Steve Selvidge (guitar, vocals).
# # #
THE HOLD STEADY LIVE SHOWS 2019
AUGUST
15-17 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
22 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
23 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle – SOLD OUT
24 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall – SOLD OUT
SEPTEMBER
5-7 – Nashville, TN – Basement East
12-15 – Boston, VA – The Sinclair
DECEMBER
4-7 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl – (December 7 SOLD OUT)
Bath based power pop loons Ulysses have been delivering quirky, glam-slam slices of noise for many years now. With more facial hair than a cave full of cavemen and a wardrobe half-inched from Huggy Bear, they have produced 3 albums of vintage noise steeped equally in both 70’s nostalgia and Brit Pop goodness. You see, these fun loving chaps owe as much to the likes of Super Furry Animals and Supergrass as they do to heroes like Bowie and Bolan. And it’s a good mix of influences that shine through to make their fourth long player ‘On Safari’ a fantastic ride from start to finish.
Check out the cover art by the wonderful Caitlin Mattisson for starters. Lions, giant snakes and a hot medieval babe with 8 arms and a broadsword….fair play, I’m sold on that alone! Let’s hope the music is up to it too.
And of course it is, Ulysses does not disappoint. Opener ‘Looking For A Guru’ sets the scene with a glitter-coated, platform boot stomp. What sounds like a sitar introduces the song that rides on a catchy refrain over big beats, handclaps and Paul Stanley helium vocals. It’s more 70’s than a packet of Spangles and twice as sweet. A glorious album opener.
The following funky, yet spunky ‘Doctors And Nurses’ out-foxes Foxy Shazam. Sirens wail and sweet vocals harmonise the intro. Tongue-in-cheek lyricism and double-entendres are rife. Its disco groove shouts Scissor Sisters, while its wailing guitar outro shouts Kiss, what’s not to like here? A total contrast to the opener, yet still in tune with their retro sound.
These boys have a handful of singles on offer for you too. “For those about to rock…for those about to roll’ drawls the singer over sloppy, cool riffs and cowbell accompaniment on the fantastic ‘Bad Tattoo’. The following ‘Dragons’ is full of instant, quirky melodies and fuzzy guitars, coming on like the perfect mash-up of Weezer and the Super Furries. Whether it’s actually about dragons is debatable, what’s not debatable is that it was the perfect single choice.
They veer into classic sounding 60’s pop territory and make it sound so effortless. ‘This Useless Love’ has Beach Boys/Everly Brothers vibes and ‘She’ is a glorious slab of 60’s pop with urgent beats, killer vocal harmonies and ripping guitar solos, coming on like Kula Shaker at their finest.
The trippy, prog fest that is ‘Situation Man’ is out there maaan! A full on Hammond organ jam out and elsewhere, ‘Fuzzy Lion’ mixes up a ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ drum beat with Silver Sun vocalisin’ in the most sublime of ways.
‘Let’s Move’ prove that Giuda and Biters aren’t the only cool cats to channel Thin Lizzy and Slade all in one double denim-clad 3-minute pop hit or two. Even the reggae-infused mid-section breakdown can’t detract from their ability to create songs that should be on 7 inch and riding high in the hit parade, pop pickers. Killer tuneage!
It’s no surprise that singer Luke Smyth has seemingly morphed into a young Jeff Lynne. Check out the likes of ‘Married Woman’ and the eccentricity of closer ‘Calendar Street’ with its immense ELO layered harmonies climax. I even had to YouTube and Google ‘Why Aren’t These People My Friends’ just to be sure, as I feel like I should already know it… I don’t and it’s ace!
It may be raining outside, but Ulysses bring the sunshine to your stereo with their new long player ‘On Safari’. I didn’t think they made the sort of drugs that could inspire this sort of music anymore, maybe I’m wrong, or maybe it’s just the Bath water (sic). But Ulysses has created a trippy, hippie-fied, love-fest of an album. A soundtrack to the summer we have yet to experience. And certainly one of the most entertaining albums you will hear this year.
Detroit High Energy rock at its purest essence!!!! Niagara (DESTROY ALL MONSTERS) & Ron Asheton (THE STOOGES) among other great Detroit musicians recorded this killer album back in 1996.
And now it is finally reissued on vinyl with 2 added tracks to the original vinyl release, remastered in order to get its purest sound, and new artwork courtesy of Mrs. Niagara Detroit and Mr. Colonel Galaxy.
And guess what…. This is an extension of Destroy All Monsters with absolutely killer guitars in line with The Stooges´ “Funhouse” with the unique stamp and signature of Mr. Ron Asheton.
10 classic shots which need to be in your record collection right by The Stooges, Destroy All Monsters, MC5, Sonic´s Rendezvous Band, Radio Birdman, The New Christs, Bored!
I can’t vouch for how improved the sonic assault is compared to the original because I never owned the original slab of wax and digital is a whole different ball game especially if your listening on a PC but I can vouch that it’s not muddy in fact it’s positively bright in the mix department Niagras voice is as seductive and sinister as ever and has a dark quality that sounds dangerous and then you throw Ashetons guitar soloing into the mix and you have a potent force to be reckoned with. Just listen to ‘Heaven Can Wait’ in the dark and loud and you’ll get the point. I love Ron’s guitar work on ‘Bang’ he’s really Rockin it out and the absence of any low end makes for interesting listening.
I love the boredom and fuck you attitude of ‘Good Morning, Headache’ and ‘The Last Great Ride’ is epic and the perfect way to end this collaboration and the guitar work gives me goosebumps with the solos absolutely killing it. with only 500 copies of this pressed it won’t be long before this becomes rare as hen’s teeth so time is of the essence and you can’t say you haven’t been warned. Get it!
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