Hangmen Hit Europe for a run of dates in March & April

Hangmen Hit Europe for a run of dates in March & April
THE HANGMEN are back this 2020 for a European Tour, the first European tour in seven years to present the excellent new records ‘Cactusville‘ released last year on Acetate Records. , The band hit  France, Portugal and Spain this time, save the dates you lucky Europeans maybe next time for us poor people on shit Island.
 8/3 PARIS – FR | LE KLUB
‪19/3‬ RENNES – FR | MONDO BIZARRO
‪20/3‬ LORIENT – FR | LE GALION
‪21/3‬ BORDEAUX – FR | TBC
‪22/3‬ BIARRITZ – FR | TBC
‪24/3‬ CORUÑA – SP | FORUM CELTIUM
‪25/3‬ OPORTO – PT | FERRO BAR
‪26/3‬ MADRID – SP | WURLIZTER BALLROOM
‪27/3‬ CASTELLON – SP | JAPAN ROCK
‪28/3‬ BENIDORM – SP | FUZZVILLE FESTIVAL
‪29/3‬ GRANADA – SP | LEMON ROCK
‪31/3‬ SEVILLA – SP | SALA X
1/4 VALLADOLID – SP | PORTA CAELI
2/4 ARRASATE – SP | GAZTETXEA
3/4 BURGOS – SP | SOHHO
4/4 PAMPLONA – SP | FONROCK FESTIVAL
5/4 BARCELONA – SP | ROCKSOUND

Buffalo Summer Announce New Album ‘Desolation Blue’ & Release New Video And Tour Dates

Buffalo Summer Announce New Album ‘Desolation Blue’ & Release New Video And Tour Dates

PRE-ORDERS NOW AVAILABLE AT THIS LOCATION

Sounding like you hope and dream, South Welsh rockers Buffalo Summer will be releasing their third-and-monumental-album ‘Desolation Blue’ on March 27th, 2020 through Silver Lining Music.

With their unique air of mystery and magic enveloped by some of the warmest and most addictive rolling riffs this side of the planet, ‘Desolation Blue’ was recorded capturing the band’s energy at its very best – live off the floor at Rockfield Studios and Monnow Valley Studio in Wales. Produced by Barrett Martin (The Screaming Trees) once more, and predominantly engineered by Tom Manning, the sessions took just 5 days, giving ‘Desolation Blue’ an electric, spontaneous edge.

Andrew Hunt (vocals), Jonny Williams (guitar), Darren King (bass) and Gareth Hunt (drums) are joined on the album by Peter Buck (REM) with a 12 string guitar on “The Bitter End” plus mandolin on “Last To Know”, Kelby Ray Caldwell (The Cadillac Three) with lap steel on “Hit The Ground Running”, Emma Bryden with cello on “Last To Know” and “Pilot Light” plus Barrett Martin stepping out of the production chair to play some percussion, vibraphone and Fender Rhodes & Hammond organ across the board.

Whether quoting Bukowski or throwing down the sort of thick, warm, swervy-curvy grooves that will have bikers revving their engines and patchouli-scented rockers rollin’ their bodies to the riffs, Desolation Blue is a masterfully mature step-up for Buffalo Summer. The first single, “Everybody’s Out For Number 1”, brims with the sort of cocky, hip-swinging attitude, and overall, from the bewitching guitars of “Deep Water” to the boot-stomping, lip-curling snarl of “Hit The Ground Running”  and classic rock swagger of “Untouchable”, Buffalo Summer have forged a dozen songs that will accent your life with the sort of freedom and attitude great classic rock ‘n’ roll brings.

Excited to bring Desolation Blue to the world, Buffalo Summer will be embarking on a string of UK dates from February 2020, kicking off in their hometown of Swansea. Full dates are below; tickets available here

UK Tour Dates:
28thFebruary – Sin City, Swansea
5thMarch – The Pier, Ilfracombe
6thMarch – The Station, Cannock
7thMarch – The Tivoli Venue, Buckley
8thMarch – B2 VENUE NORWICH, Norwich
10thMarch – The Black Heart, London
11thMarch – Waterloo Music Bar Blackpool, Blackpool
12thMarch – Bannermans Bar, Edinburgh
13thMarch – Nightrain, Bradford
14thMarch – Corporation Sheffield, Sheffield
15th March – The Patriot, Crumlin

FOLLOW BUFFALO SUMMER ON:
www.buffalosummer.net
www.facebook.com/buffalosummer
www.twitter.com/BuffaloSummerUK
www.instagram.com/buffalosummer

Pedaljets – Twist The Lens (Electric Moth Records)

Pedaljets – Twist The Lens (Electric Moth Records)

You know that feeling when you hear a record that you had zero expectations of and it made you sit up and pay attention, Well Pedaljets did that. The last time I played Pedaljets was when they released ‘Whats In Between’ almost seven years ago!  Thats almost ‘Chinese Democracy’ levels. This Kansas City band have been a unit since the mid ’80s and they’ve outseen the likes of some of their peers that have long since shot their bolt so to speak bands such as Husker Du, The Replacements and the likes of other contemporaries like Meat Puppets and the Flaming Lips all bands they’ve been lucky enough to play with over the years.

 

what we’ve got here is a band who knows a thing or two about this volatile game of Rock and Roll and who lay down some markers with the spikey ‘Dissasociation Blues’ with its sprightly pace and wholesome tone clashing with the rough overdriven guitars whilst Mike Allmayers vocals remind me of a midwestern Greg Dulli at times but with a wider range but on the opener, we are talking similar ballparks.

In contrast ‘Placid City Girl’ has the melody of REM being driven by the spirit of Lou Reed. ‘Down Town’ on the other hand rocks it up.  The band draws on all their combined experiences to cut a most listenable slice of rock. ‘Loved A Stone’ whilst knocking out a rough-edged riff the vocals are warm and engaging and it comes across as a band confident in who they are and what they are trying to achieve with their music. they stretch themselves in another direction with the more laid back ‘Transfer’s Done’ but that’s all blown away on the album highlight that is the menacing ‘This Is Sepsis’ that reminds me of The Fall meets the Cramps and swaps some tunes over a handshake and a few tabs. but its a really engaging tune with a really off the wall guitar break – excellent stuff indeed.

As the album meanders through a great blend of tunes from the chillin’ ‘Sleepy Girl’ passed the more sprightly ‘One Away’.  The title track is a great magnet that pulls in everything that’s gone before it on the record a really good track of timeless alternative Rock and Roll call it scuzzy Americana but it makes for a great tune before being serenaded by the acoustic ‘What Only Cats Chase’ with its sparse arrangement and warm strings.  Before signing off with the street rumbling of ‘The Fader’ and we’re done as the band rides off into the sunset like a Rock and Roll Thelma and Louise leaving the world fading in their rearview mirror amidst a cloud of dust.  Pedaljets might just have made their finest three-quarters of an hour of music yet.  Great effort guys – well worth the wait.

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Buy ‘Twist The Lens’ from Feb 14th

Author: Dom Daley

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

First up on this rather fresh UK morning are the Ghost Wolves with their track ‘ Let’s Go To Mars’ this will twist your melon first thing.

 

The undisputed kings of Americana are back in the game with ‘Thoughts And Prayers’ taken from their soon to be release new album. Enjoy

We hope Ricky is on the mend after his recent stay in hospital so to share the love we bring you the brand new Black Star Riders video for ‘In The Shadow Of A War Machine’

Finally a last-minute addition will warm the cockles of your heart and one for all action rockers to put on before braving the cold outside is the excellent ‘Phoney Highs’ from the excellent Electric Shakes.  It’s a right belter taken from their EP 2019.  Find it and fill yer boots.

See you next week same time same place when we’ll have a few more choice videos might be new might be classic who knows. Tra

Various Artists – ‘If it ain’t Rum Bar Records it ain’t worth the shot’ (Rum Bar Records)

Various Artists – ‘If it ain’t Rum Bar Records it ain’t worth the shot’ (Rum Bar Records)

First things first This compilation is FREE!  there you go click on the Red highlighted Bandcamp and away you go get it in MP3 or whatever and discover your new favourite band.   Rum Bar Records ‘FREE Download’ Winter 2020 Sampler with brand new songs and singles from Rum Bar Records new releases, catalogue, upcoming projects family & friends.  If you dig what you hear, pick up one of these bands fine releases on CD, Vinyl, and Digital formats.

I’ve said it before and I’ll happily say it again Rum Bar doesn’t do bad records and if they endorse a band then its for a good reason because that band has tunes (that’s a given) and they have the right attitude towards Rock and Roll. There are twenty-nine on offer here and we’ve covered most of them previously. The uptempo Doll’s licks of The Ratboys ‘SonicBoy’ opens up proceedings and sets the tone. The Heartdrops riff it up with ‘Coming Back’ with their street punk n roll offering. You’ve also got some quality power pop via The Connections and the barroom blues licks of the awesome Cheap Gunslingers.

The UK gets a look in with those purveyors of perfect power pop The Speedways who weigh in with the awesome ‘In Common With You’.  Indonesian Junk are invited to the party but it’s not some macho frat house Rum Bar are running because Justine And The Unclean are in the house as is Spanking Charlene who’ve brought some quality harmonica honkin’ to the party.

It’s not compulsory to bring electric guitars either because The Laissez Fairs and Cromm Fallon shake it up with some acoustic. There’s some ’50s rockabilly courtesy of Jittery Jack & Amy Griffin.  The variety and quality are exceptional sure you won’t like everything, but, Mono In Stereo rock up with their straight-up punk rock n roll with a melody that will have Misfits fans prick their ears up on ‘Fores’.  To sign it off Watts drive their big assed rock and roll noise on ‘Flash Of White Light’.  Hey, don’t take my ramblings as a given and if you think its too true to be real click the link and check it out.  Hit up Malibu Lou and let him know you appreciate his hard work and keen ear because Rum Bar Records have delivered a winter warmer now go fill yer boots!

Get your free downloads – Bandcamp

Author: Dom Daley

Beat City Tubeworks – Top Rock (Sign Records)

Beat City Tubeworks – Top Rock (Sign Records)

Beat City Tubeworks have gone and recorded the long lost follow up the Paul Stanley’s  ’78 solo album. I shit you not …..

No sooner has album opener “Road Runner” kicked in, a voice from the back seat of the car says “cool album daddy,” and kids know best.

We’ve got Slade, we’ve got Mud and we’ve even got a bit of Quo….. and okay there’s a little bit of Hellacopters in there too. In fact, Beat City Tubeworks may have succeeded where Nicke Andersson didn’t quite hit the spot in melding the sounds of Hellacopters and KISS together with his own currently dormant quartet, Imperial State Electric ( ooohh did I say that out loud?).

 

Next up is the lead video track for the album, “Succumbs” and it’s classic KISS. “Ivory Wave” is a little more British glitter, with more lead guitar than you could shake two sticks at. This is rock”n” roll and I like it. Love it. Like it. Love it.

“Fading to Grey” is probably the most ‘copters track on offer here tonight but with enough swagger to hold it head up high.

Paul Stanley would suck the chrome off bed knobs to get hold of tunes like “Estranged” and “Archaic Approach”. I tell you people, “Top Rock” is so good that continued listening demands wank breaks. Too much???

“The Joke’s On You” is glam rock perfection, like the bastard son of Paul Stanley and Noddy Holder. It’s so jam-packed with energetic 70’s glamtastic rock’n’roll and super sleazy garage rocky-ness that it demands to be played at every party, pub and club the world over.

 

While “Idiot Savant” has a little bit of a laid back groove, “Take Two Of These And Call Me In The Morning” is another tribute to early KISS and all the other cool records of the early 70’s that you nicked of your older brother and cool uncle.

Okay, we’ve come to the end of the show and Beat City Tubeworks play us out the door with the fast and furious “80’s Forest Treasure = Hands Of Sin”. Top marks, 10 out of 10. Gold star.

 

The “Top Rock” is available from the band’s Band Camp page at the bargain price of 199 SEK (or 21 Yankee dollars or even 16 quid to you and me) but the shipping from Sweden is a little eye-watering at about the same money on top again to us non-Swedes. But don’t despair, demand that the band play your town and pick it up at their merch stand.

 

Spend big and buy both “Top Rock” and the band’s debut LP “I Cannot Believe Its the Incredible…Beat City Tubeworks” at the same time or just download it for a small fee like the cool kids do. Just get hold of it somehow and make your world a better place, at least in 30-minute chunks.

Is January too early to declare the winner of the album of the year?

Buy ‘Top Rock’ Here

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Author: Fraser Munro

 

WILDSTREET Announce CANADA & UK Tour Dates + Confirmed For ROCK FEST USA

WILDSTREET Announce CANADA & UK Tour Dates + Confirmed For ROCK FEST USA

US glam rockers WILDSTREET have announced ‘Kings Of The World Tour 2020‘ tour dates in Canada, UK and confirmed for play ROCK FEST USA this July.

Canada

MAY 15 – Cherry Cola’s Rock ‘N’ Rolla Cabaret Lounge, Toronto, CA w/ Löve Razër

United Kingdom

MAY 31 – Call of the Wild Festival, Lincoln, UK
JUN 03 – Bannermans, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
JUN 04 – The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool, UK
JUN 05 – Club Decadence, London, UK w/ Strÿkenine

Part 1 of the ‘Kings Of The World Tour 2020‘ will start on February 20th at The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NY.  This is also the release party for their upcoming single, ‘Born To Be‘, which will be out on February 21th on all digital platforms.  WILDSTREET has also announced tour dates in Colombia & Mexico in April with Sweden’s  CRASHDÏET.

USA

FEB 20 – The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn, NY, USA
FEB 21 – Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center, Harrisburg, PA, USA
FEB 22 – Bar None, Uniontown, PA, USA
FEB 23 – The Outpost, Kent, OH, USA
FEB 25 – Sly Grog Lounge, Asheville, NC, USA
FEB 26 – 529 Bar, Atlanta, GA, USA
FEB 27 – Slim’s Downtown, Raleigh, NC, USA
FEB 28 – Blue Fox Billiards, Winchester, VA, USA
FEB 29 – The Tusk, Philadelphia, PA, USA
JUL 17 – Rock Fest, Cadott, WI w/ Slipknot, Papa Roach, Anthrax, etc.

Wildstreet began in 2006 and released their self-titled debut album on Retrospect Records in 2009. The band spent the next 4 years touring nonstop & performing at US festivals including: Rocklahoma (5 consecutive years), SXSW & M3 Rock Festival. Wildstreet rocked alongside Black Veil Brides, Vains of Jenna, The Bouncing Souls, The Last Vegas, Twisted Sister, Michael Monroe, Crashdiet, Diemonds, Kix, LA Guns and more. The band won the Best Buy/Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands for Rockstar Energy’s Uproar Festival, and opened for Avenged Sevenfold, Sevendust and Three Days Grace in Camden, NJ.

In 2011, the band released Wildstreet II..Faster..Louder! to widespread critical acclaim. They made an appearance on “The Jimmy Fallon show” and their songs were licensed to TV shows on E!, MTV, VH1, Oxygen, TBS & in a THQ Video game. Later that year, the band released the official music video for “Poison Kiss,” which included a cameo by Don Jameson of “The Metal Show.” Wildstreet now had the attention of rock fans worldwide. In 2012, the band released the single “Easy Does It,” and it’s official music video. The video went viral on YouTube. (Wildstreet has well-over 4 million views and nearly 8,000 subscribers on that platform).

After taking a 2 1/2 year break off & dodging rumors of a band breakup, Wildstreet exploded back onto the NYC scene in 2016, headlining Gramercy Theatre with new lineup. In early 2017, the band rocked NYC with Faster Pussycat and The Biters and headed to Rocklahoma for the 6th time.

The band began work on their single “Raise Hell” after Rocklahoma. Released in December 2017, it ushered in a new period for the band. They headlined Irving Plaza for the single’s release party, and was handpicked by Dorothy to open for her New York City tour date at The Bowery Ballroom. In February 2018, the band released a lyric/concert video for “Raise Hell.” Wildstreet spent the remainder of 2018 in the studio recording, Wildstreet III. They performed regional tour dates/festival dates. Highlights include: opening for Sebastian Bach & Escape The Fate. In March, the band sold out The Knitting Factory Brooklyn and then headed out on their first tour in Europe, playing 10 shows in Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany, including Sleaze Fest 2019 in Bochum, Germany. Upon returning to NYC, Wildstreet filmed the official music video for “Tennessee Cocaine.” In July, they headlined a sold out NYC show at Saint Vitus and headed out for a short West Coast tour which included stops at The Whisky-agogo & Great American Music Hall. The official music video and single for ‘Tennessee Cocaine’ was released on all major digital & streaming platforms August 23rd. It has 160,000 spotify streams & over 100,000 Youtube views. Their most recent release ‘Three Way Ride’ has reached 100,000 streams, and 50,000 views on YouTube. They have confirmed festival dates for 2020 at The Call of The Wild (UK), Sleaze  N’ Hard IV (Colombia), Rocklahoma 2020 (US), Rockfest 2020 (US) & COQ festival (EU).

www.Wildstreetmusic.com
www.facebook.com/Wildstreetnyc
www.twitter.com/Wildstreet
www.instagram.com/Wildstreetofficial

The Singles Club – 45 RPM Round Up

The Singles Club – 45 RPM Round Up

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome.  The 45 RPM Singles Club is open for business. It’s 2020 and a new decade is ushered in and the jukebox is positively bulging with quality. Right up till the 11th hour we were taking on new releases and this merry lot are exceptionally good so, Check out these new releases starting with –

More Kicks – ‘Blame It On The Satellite’ (Wanda Records, Snap Records, Beluga Records) BANG! More Kicks new double A-side single ‘Blame It On The Satellite’ / ‘Ain’t That Just The Way’ & ‘Your Vibration’ it’s available for pre-order now! Released 7 Feb on Wanda Records, Beluga Records and Snap Records! The band will have copies for sale on their February tour too! but if there was any justice they’d be sold out by then because its an absolutely exquisite couple of tunes all taken from their magnificent long-player released towards the end of 2019.  ‘Blame It On The Satellite’ punches through with that throbbing bassline before building towards the chorus.  I loved it when I first heard it live and it just got better and better on the record.  to throw ‘Ain’t That Just The Way’ as another A-side is just spoiling the listener with such a memorable and lovely melodic slice of power pop. Then finally ‘Your Vibration’ is jumping like a cat on a hot tin roof it’s there to show how to get a dancefloor jumpin’.  As good an EP you’ll not find released all year (as good maybe but not better) Buy It!
Pre Order from Wanda Records

 

Ryan Hamilton and the Harlequin Ghosts.- ‘Can I Get An Amen’ (Wicked Cool Records) I guess in answer to Ryans question the simple answer is a resounding “Hell Yeah!”. On the subject matter for the single Ryan explained about being brought up attending church which would explain the lyrics and subject matter but being co-written with Stevie Van Zandt is a feather in the cap and clearly the pair have chemistry and understanding its got a great uplifting feel to it and it oozes optimism.  Then to back it up with a cover of the classic Durannies ‘Ordinary World’ seems like a no brainer now he’s recorded it beautiful song and beautiful cover.  Keep on rockin’ Mr Hamilton you’ve got this and those Harlequin Ghosts aren’t too shabby either.  What a Fantastic single Buy it here

Bad Sam – EP (Self Release) Always a great day when you can crack open some Bad Sam on your stereo. What better way to start a new decade than with Newport’s finest. Four tracks for your bucks and of course its the usual high-quality punk rock with something to say. It’s been mooted for a while that they had music recorded and apart from the one track that sneaked onto the Bristol Skate compilation (‘Darker Days’), there are another three tracks of pure genius for your ears to take on board beginning with ‘Alcoholic’ and the expected caustic assault from Bedis with a chorus we can all bark along to. If you want a copy you’ll have to be quick as these will go in the blink of an eye.  ‘Looking Back’ is like some fucked up Sabbath trip of doom but fear not kids, of course, all hell breaks loose but a fantastic track none the less. Leaving just ‘Tag’ to rattle along and shake your core like a rag doll, of course, they’re meant to be heard live and hopefully it won’t be long before we have that pleasure as well. I’m left chuckling as Bedis signs off with a succinct message and a life-affirming satisfaction that Bad Sam is back in the room taking no prisoners just the way it should be.  Great Stuff!

 

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts – What Kinda Love (BNM) – What kinda music more like.  After Tuk called time on Biters or put them on hiatus (however you look at it) he’s gotten himself some restless hearts and ‘What Kinda Love’ is the first glimpse as to what he was going to do next and those expecting a massive departure can rest easy has Tuk merely tweaks his sound but still knocks out infectious, radio-friendly rock and roll with lashings of power pop and radio-friendly tones.  Check out the video and those in North America can catch him opening for Joan Jett and Def Leppard. The album will be along shortly so check out his socials for news.

Follow Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts: Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Website

 

Videostore – My Back (self Release) Videostore makes bedroom oriented indie songs for an imaginary eighties brat pack movie soundtrack. That’s the claim on their Bandcamp page and on this evidence who am I to disagree?

Side project from Argonaut is a lo-fi slab of alt-indie and that’s cool.  Its got a hint of Sonic Youth going on and is quite addictive, you can check em out on Facebook or find em on Bandcamp and pick up the track there.

 

 

 

The Claws – Stumblin Around (Dead Beat Records) Yeah Haw! rock and Roll is alive and kicking folks and Dead Beat Records Recording artists The Claws have released a second single for their debut album ‘No Connection’.  Sipping from the same bottle of red that The Faces and Keif n Mick once sipped from these cats have the threads and barnets to compete and most importantly they have the chops as this video will testify to. Check em out peeps its good stuff. They’re fronted by Chad Cherry (of the Last Vegas!)  Facebook 

Wyldlife – Neon Nightmare (Wicked Cool Records)  Over the last few years there have been a number of bands who’ve blown me away with every record they release yet when I think they might crawl out of the shadows they disappear and hibernate for another year or two well put Wyldlife at the top of that list. Then hey presto up they pop with a single that just snuck out at the last knockings of 2019.  This time they have a fighters chance by getting signed to the excellent Wicked Cool roster of wicked cool acts. Whats a couple of months anyway I’m including this one on the grounds of it being excellent and therefore you should check it/them out.

Bandcamp / Facebook

 

BBQT – Fever Rocket/Savage (Surfin Ki) You want some sleazy glam rock? Of course you do you filthy punks. This digital double is full of sleazy snotty glammed up punk rock and fuckin’ roll and don’t you forget it. The opening track is Glitterband mixed in with some fucked up bowie meets Bolan glam but if they were brought up on a steady diet of The Dolls and early ’70s Keith Richards. But it doesn’t end there, no sir.  ‘Savage’ does what it says on the tin it opens up like a long lost outtake from too much too soon before going off like a speedball ricocheting off every wall it comes into contact with.  Rock and Roll is still exciting kids and don’t you forget it because BBQT has the proof.  Strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride I did.Facebook / Bandcamp

 

 

Prima Donna – Sing To Death (Wicked Cool Records) Its no coincidence that Prima Donna finds themselves recording on Wicked Cool as well seeing as its the magnet that pulls in these awesome rock and roll bands. Wyldlife, Prima Donna, Steve Conte, Kurt Baker, Ryan Hamilton to name a few.  Well ‘Sing To Death’ came out in 2019 and it was about time we featured it and as much as it is an embarrassment that Kevin Preston and the boys haven’t been regularly on RPM (not that I haven’t asked him for an interview mind) regardless, the deal is this as long as Prima Donna keep making great music RPM will keep featuring them.  Now the A-side is an ‘Eat To The Beat’ inspired slice of rock and roll whilst the B-side is not.  in fact the B side is the poptastic cover of ‘Cruel Summer’  I kid you not  The video is online and should be checked out.  Prima Donna can do no wrong so suck it up, kids. Dancing to their own tunes (and other pop ones) this is another must-hear. Facebook

 

Dead Friends – Cis White Whale’ (Standby Records) “Cis White Whale” is the first single from Dead Friends’ upcoming EP ‘High, Wasted Genes’ out this month via Standby Records. This tune got right under my skin and I like it.  Can’t wait to check out the full EP on this evidence its got potential. Click play and turn it up LOUD!

 

Kurt Baker Combo – Can’t Go Back (Wicked Cool Records) Come and get your fix of power pop via the immensely talented Kurt Baker and his beat Combo.  they play rock and roll with lashings of Costello and the attractions inspired new wave. The lead track is polished and like a summers breeze on a winters day put your shades on to play this one whilst the other track is ‘No One’s Home’ and more in line with some sloppy Stray Cat struttin’ old school Rock n Rollin’ then when your done checking out these guys back catalogue it’ll be summer for real and hopefully time for another new record from Kurt.  Facebook

 

 

 

Grande Royale ‘Out Of Gas’ (The Sign)  Grande Royale releases a music video for their single ‘Out of Gas’. The single is taken from their album ‘Take It Easy’, released last September on The Sign Records. Its Swedish Southern Rock if there’s such a genre. Facebook

The Black Watch hails from the city of Angels and play lush pop-influenced rock in the same dark vein as Echo and the Bunnymen and The Cure and if you make a connection it’ll be a real earworm and you won’t shake it for days. Bandcamp

The Lovely Eggs – This Decision (Cargo Records) These bonkers punks are back swinging with this slab of unrepentant noise taken from their soon to be released new album ‘I Am Moron’ check this out and catch em live before (or just after) the album is released.

Jonny Polonsky –The Weeping Souls (Ghostworks Recordings) Jonny Polonsky announces the new album ‘Kingdom of Sleep’, teases first single ‘The Weeping Souls’. A melancholy single that’s laid back and has a bright production driven by big acoustic strumming. It’s easy to see why the likes of Mark Lanegan and Black Francis are fans  Polonsky has a great voice and this first single is thoroughly engaging.  Makes for a good appetizer for his sixth album that’s due soon. Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram

The Claws – No Connections (Dead Beat Records)

The Claws – No Connections (Dead Beat Records)

Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds, The Quireboys, The Dogs D;Amour, The Jacobites, Diamond Dogs, Keif N Mick when they were looking through the ‘Fingerprint File’ and some well-timed Faces. Come with me on this one folks. Slip into your favourite shirt, undo a few buttons..one more.  Pull on your black jeans and slip into a pair of your favourite cowboy boots or creepers.  Put some ice in the glass, pour a shot or two of your choice. Now ruffle your hair and turn the stereo up.

Right, let’s commence take off and let the Claws be your guides for the next thirty minutes. ‘No Connection’ certainly has a connection with all of the above they all share the same blood group and were fed on the same steady diet and it shows throughout the seam of this LP.

I always appreciate a well-groomed Rock and Roll record that’s borrowed off some of my favourite albums and The Claws have done that here.  They’ve not aped their forefathers or just ripped them off they’ve learnt from them and taken the lesson and put them to the correct use. The opening couple of tracks are quite restrained and not the Dolls struttin’ you might expect at all and by the third track, ‘Wastin Time’ they are cruising around the hood of Those Black Crowes brand of Rock ‘n Roll from the laid back groove to the underlying organ swirl but up from is a croaky well oiled vocal and a sweet sweet overdriven lead guitar.

 

Hailing from the City of Angels and fronted by the one and only Rock ‘n’ Rolla Chad Cherry (of the Last Vegas!); the Claws play from the heart. They exude confidence in what it is they’re doing and as a result, people who hear it will be delighted.

They have some time for a bit of harmonica honkin’ as they cruise down to the crossroads with this upbeat shuffle ‘Devil Of Choice’.  They’re not intimidated or put off by playing out a cliche or two like the acoustic opening ‘Ghost Blood’ with its more dreamy Hangmen like tempo complete with swirling keys and castanets. They do just cut loose as well like on ‘Stumblin Around’ of course it sounds like a morning after the night before no regrets tune but hey we’ve all been there.

Gotta love the harmonica honk of ‘California M.I.A’ as the band just roll around on a traditional twelve-bar groove but it’s timeless and classy so I’m on board.  I’m a sucka for some sloppy Rock and Roll and when its done properly then it hits the spot so its a bullseye for me from The Claws.  oh and of course they sign off with a slowey with picked acoustics and lush piano bombs and hell they’ve gone full in with rim shots and bottleneck – Amen brothers, I’ll raise a glass to you for a really cool album full of timeless Rock and Roll that hits the spot ply after play after play.

 

Buy ‘No Connections’ Here

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Author: Dom Daley

Wonk Unit/Aerial Salad/Bottlekids – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach – 11th January 2020

Wonk Unit/Aerial Salad/Bottlekids – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach – 11th January 2020

It’s time for my first gig of the “roaring twenties”, but tonight is sadly also the last one to be put on by Drew and the Cardiff Punk Rock Bowling team as they are seemingly disbanding after tonight’s event. From my experience, it’s always a mixture of joy and pain (well it is the next morning) when you see Wonk Unit live so they as returning headliners for this PRB Awards night feels like the perfect choice to see out this vibrant and close-knit community of Kingpins.

 

Kicking things off tonight at a time when most people are seemingly still enjoying their first (much cheaper) pint in one of the nearby watering holes are Chepstow’s Bottlekids. It’s six months since I last saw the trio live downstairs in this very same venue and inbetween they’ve released a debut self-titled EP to widespread critical acclaim, and here with the benefit of Ifor Bach’s main room sound system the likes of ’25 Days’ sound like stadium filling anthems for the next generation. With a string of German tour dates already ahead of them these are busy times for Bottlekids make sure you check them out.

If Bottlekids see the stadium punk of Green Day as their musical peers then Manchester’s Aerial Salad must look up to DJ Rubble from Paw Patrol. They look so young I can’t help but wonder if they are actually legally supposed in the venue at all. Don’t let their child like appearance fool you though, as once these boys get into their stride, they’ll rip your throat out.  I should perhaps admit that the last time our paths crossed I really didn’t “get” all the fuss that was being generated around the band at the time, and they just kind of felt like a harder pop/punk version of Arctic Monkeys to me. A year and a half on though and tonight I have to say Aerial Salad are nothing short of phenomenal, and I can now see the trio’s immediate appeal plastered across the smiling faces all around me. It’s kind of reassuring to know that the future of punk rock is very much safe in the hands of Jamie, Matt and Mike. Fantastic stuff!

It only feels like a few weeks ago that I was last penning a live review of Wonk Unit for RPM Online, and that’s because it was. Yet as the Wonk faithful know all too well you’ll never get tired of seeing the greatest band ever to come out of Croydon simply because there’s never two Wonk gigs alike, and with the insanity (and nudity) of their valleys shows of old missing from proceedings tonight it really is time for the music to do the talking. So, with added Véronique on keyboards coupled with the aforementioned Clwb Ifor rig I’m pleased to report that Wonk Unit really have never sounded more amazing than they do tonight in the 20 plus times I must have now seen them live.

 

As always Daddy Wonk’s ability to mix deep cuts with “the hits” is always a delight to behold as the Unit are kept well and truly on their toes with the likes of ‘Girlfriend Is A Lunatic’ (from the band’s debut ‘Flying The Japanese Flag’) and ‘Judus Betrayers’ (from the far more recent ‘Terror’) thrown into the set seemingly on a whim, but it is their upmost credit that they never once fail to rise to the challenge.

Likewise it’s great to hear curveballs like ‘Old Trains’ and ‘We Are The England’ sandwiched in alongside the ferocious ‘Depressed?’ and the pogo-tastic ‘Go Easy’ plus there’s the chaos of returning set closer ‘Johnny Rambo’, and I’ll say it again the eclectic influences at the very core of Wonk Unit is what makes them such an essential live band.

 

Clwb Ifor was packed out tonight just 24 hours after Subhumans had done just the same, remind me who was it that said punk rock was dead?

 

Well tonight it’s never been more alive, exciting, or essential… FACT!

Author: Johnny Hayward

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