2020 sees the third Cd Ep release from Kid Klumsy on STP Records, following on from 2018’s ‘Spit Your Dummy Out’ and 2019’s ‘Singing Our Souls’, the bands fun take on life, music and everything in between continues to progress alongside their ever-growing confidence on recordings and on stages (naturally currently on hold due to the worldwide pandemic).
This Six track EP sees Kid Klumsy return to the studio and open the EP with a subtle opening track ‘Boobs’ yup it is indeed called Boobs. I guess it’s about chesticles, knockers, Breasts or just boobs. A decent enough opener that is less metal than previous releases. But the second track ‘Don’t Count On Me’ is much more like it. With a decent bassline and Weab taking on the vocals in his own range that far better suits his style of delivery and the song is easily head and shoulders above anything, they’ve penned previously. It doesn’t stray far from the in yer face punk-metal cross over and fans will be drawn to the crunch of ‘Little Boy Thursday’. The band sounds tight and aggressive on ‘The Lost Art’. There’s nothing complicated about it and the vocal harmonies work well as does the guitar solos that will have fans reaching for the badminton racket (hang on like anyone who is into KK has a badminton racket) Cricket bat I mean. ‘Soup’ is blunter, its foot on the wedge and play hard.
As for the final track, I’m not sure if I’m meant to laugh or cry the crazy fuckers have only gone and thrown in a messed up ‘Caravan Of Love’. I’m sure the finale to any Klumsy show will now forever entail a very messy singalong version of this. ‘Streets Of London’ it isn’t tongue in cheek? I so hope so and when the tape stopped I’d like to think they all fell about laughing out loud. Daft Buggers. As Kid Klumsy evolves and finds their feet this EP shows they mean business.
There is a hidden extra track ‘Yesterdays Not Here’ featuring Rachel Reeves and is for a proposed album of Pete Shelley covers to be issued on Secret Public records initially as a digital download and at a nominal price, proceeds will benefit the Pete Shelley memorial campaign. https://www.yesterdaysnothere.co.uk/ . No offense Weab but this is the best track on the EP mate 😉
Our lifestyles are forged in rock, our world is changing and through changes in culture emerges new talent, new music and new scenes. Legends are great and hold a special place in all our lives, but it’s the fresh bands who will spearhead the future. This new exciting scene, typified by bands appearing on the New Wave of Classic Rock Facebook group and Hard Rock Hell Radio, needs to be brought to visibility and amplified on every platform worldwide to create a unique circle of talent which will forge the future in this new modern style n sound of classic rock.
Tickets and packages are available right now on www.hrhnwocr.com
HRH are taking that leap of faith and bringing the cream of NWOCR bands together for one incredible weekend where they are the headliners within their own right. We want to kickstart 2021 with a new positive framework that’s all about the music and more importantly all about the fans. HRH NWOCR will be a 2-day, 2-arena affair with nothing but NWOCR artists. The event will take place on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th January 2021 @ the 02 Academy Leicester where we call upon everyone to come and support the next generation. The event itself will be broadcast live on Hard Rock Hell Radio worldwide as it happens and we will be inviting all bands to get involved in an Amazon Rockumentary which will be getting shot over the weekend which will have one sole purpose – to amplify the scene worldwide and bring it all to visibility.
If you are as passionate as the bands and true NWOCR fans, and want to support putting the scene where it should be, then this is it – get involved, feel the community, enjoy the music and let’s protect the future of music together.
We are stoked to announce some of the top names in the genre – spearheading the future of rock at HRH NWOCR.
Ask the new wave of rock fans which band are leading the way for the new breed of classic rock – and you’ll hear the same name crop up over and over again – Massive Wagons. Piloted by one of the most charismatic frontmen in rock, Baz Mills, the 5-piece from Lancaster have kicked off their second decade as a band with a bang – their brand new album “House of Noise” is due out in July, and the latest single is, as everyone kinda expected, a stunning rock’n’roll earworm!
Although slow starters – they took until their 6th year as a band to release debut album “Half Way Home” to stunning reviews – Bad Touch have been making up for it ever since and have just released their 4th album in just 5 years. “Kiss The Sky” is a masterclass in heavy swaggering blues-rock and firmly places the band in the leading pack of the NWOCR movement. Having toured with the likes of The Quireboys, Skid Row, and FM the lads are one of the most active on the live circuit and are sure to shake the O2 Academy Leicester to its very core.
Success may have been a long time coming – but ozzies Massive are reaping the rewards for 8 years of recording and touring at full-throttle. Brad and the lads see the UK as their second home and love nothing more than filling our ears with hard-hitting rock’n’roll. They cemented their reputation by being hand-picked by The Quireboys as support for their 30th “A Bit of What You Fancy” 30th Anniversary UK Tour for 2021. Checkout this cracker from Massive’s latest album “Rebuild Destroy”…
At the heavier end of the NWOCR spectrum, South Wales’ finest Florence Black have honed their original classic round sound into a power-house depth-charge no better showcased than on their collaboration with Skindred’s Benji Webbe with 2017’s Gunshot. With a reputation for incendiary live sets that take the alternative sensibilities of the grunge era and marry them with a no-nonsense heavy rock attack that leaves you in no doubt that this 3-piece take no prisoners, we can’t wait for them to take to the main stage on Saturday at HRH NWOCR.
Now a finely-tuned 4-piece, Ryders Creed have been at the forefront of the NWOCR ever since their triumph in HRH’s Highway to Hell in 2017 catapulted them to a wider audience – their reputation as a superb live band already sealed in their formative years. Now 2 albums into their recording career, the lads from Staffordshire are looking forward to showcasing “Lost Souls” released earlier this year on the road – and where better than on the main stage at the very first HRH NWOCR.
Leicester based SKAM will play with home advantage as one of the local contingent of bands at HRH NWOCR. The hard rock trio have cemented their place at the top table of the new wave of UK rock bands with 3 incredible studio albums to date plus stunning appearances at Wildfire, Steelhouse, Ramblin’ Man and of course our very own Hard Rock Hell. Their 3rd album “The Amazing Memoirs of Geoffrey Goddard” is a masterpiece of conceptual hard rock that shows all other bands how to present and deliver a rock album – rightly being held in high esteem by outlets such as Planet Rock Radio and Classic Rock Magazine.
Another of the local brotherhood of bands to take to the main stage in January will be Hell’s Addiction. 10 years into their career, they describe themselves as “the bastard child of an illicit three-way between Skid Row, early Guns N’Roses and AC/DC” – which any fan will tell you is hard to argue with. However, the band are much more than that – live they exude confidence professionalism and talent – but it’s on their latest recordings that their upward trajectory will be accelerated into orbit. Latest EP V1.0 is simply mind-blowing, and we can’t wait to hear what the lads have in store for 2021!
Cambridgeshire based Hollowstar are the relative newcomers here, only being 5 years and one album into their short but explosive career. Their self-titled debut long-player from 2019 caught the imagination and ears of the NWOCR community and has set the band up to hit heights that might even surpass the bigger names of the scene. Fronted by the effervescent Joe Bonson, the guys take to the main stage on Sunday at the O2 Academy in Leicester for one of their biggest appearances yet.
Headlining the second stage each day are Ethyrfield and Trident Waters, and we are extremely proud to be able to bring you The City Kids – a modern take on punk ‘n’ roll from members of The Main Grains, Warrior Soul, Falling Red and Tigertailz.
Also appearing at HRH NWOCR are Matt Mitchell and The Coldhearts, Empyre, Gorilla Riot, Molly Karloff, DeVience, Liberty Lies, Dig Lazarus, Blind River, Twister, Thirteen Stars, Old Glory and The Black Riviera, Weston Rd, Cloverhill and last but not least Fires of Freya.
Early bird tickets are on sale at the unbelievable rate of only 25 GBP per person with no booking fee for the whole weekend where we will see 30 bands giving it their all. 2-day hotel packages are also available at killer rates for both Classic packages and Royalty if you fancy the extras of an upstairs seated balcony, private bar, security and toilets as well as access into the private HRH NWOCR Unplugged sessions.
Today, Fontaines D.C. have announced new UK tour dates for May 2021. The new dates will also include the band’s biggest headline UK show to-date at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Dates are as follows:
7th May – Manchester Academy
10th May – Leicester De Montfort Hall
11th May – Leeds O2 Academy
12th May – Newcastle O2 City Hall
14th May – Glasgow Barrowland
17th May – Cambridge Corn Exchange
18th May – Sheffield O2 Academy
20th May – Birmingham O2 Academy
21st May – Cardiff Great Hall
22nd May – Bristol O2 Academy
24th May – Bournemouth O2 Academy
25th May – Southampton O2 Guildhall
27th May – London Alexandra Palace
Supports TBC
Tickets will go on sale Friday 3rd July at 9AM BST – at fontainesdc.com, metropolismusic.com, seetickets.com and ticketmaster.co.uk – but fans can gain access to artist pre-sale on Wednesday 1st July 9AM BST by pre-ordering the album from the band’s official store or signing up to their mailing list at https://www.fontainesdc.com.
NHS staff and Key Workers will also have the chance to secure free tickets to the shows, with 50 being made available at all regional events, and a further 200 for London’s Alexandra Palace. Tickets will be distributed on a first come first served basis, and anyone wishing to apply must email fontaines@metropolismusic.com by 17:00pm BST on Tuesday 30th June, listing their profession and the show they want to attend. Tickets will be limited to 2 per customer. ID will be required.
The news of the tour follows the announcement of the band’s much anticipated second LP “A Hero’s Death”, and comes on the heels of their performance on Later… with Jools Holland earlier this month – watch their remote performance HERE.
‘A Hero’s Death’ was produced in London by Dan Carey (Black Midi, Bat For Lashes). The band announced the album alongside the title track, which features a music video starring Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones, The Wire, Peaky Blinders). Watch HERE.
The band have also recently shared the opening track from the album. With its lonely intensity, “I Don’t Belong” stands in stark relief to the swagger that kicked off their debut album last year (“Big“). The song is also accompanied by a music video directed remotely by FDC bassist Connor Deegan III. Watch HERE.
‘Dogrel’ debuted Top 10 on the UK album charts, earning Fontaines D.C. a Mercury Prize nomination, #1 Album of the Year positions from BBC 6 Music and Rough Trade, a performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and numerous sold out tours in the UK and abroad – including triumphantly selling out London Brixton Academy in just 1 week. The Guardian (who gave the album 5 stars) praised ‘Dogrel’ as being “brilliant, top to bottom,” The FADER called Fontaines D.C. “One of the most exciting new bands around,” and NME (who also gave ‘Dogrel’ 5 stars) called them “One of guitar music’s most essential new voices.” Watch a clip from their instantly legendary Glastonbury set HERE.
Adding a little ray of sunshine as lockdowns are ignored across the western world how about we get lost in some great rock n roll music? This Monday we bring you one from the fantastic Low Cut Connie from their new album ‘Private Lives’ we bring the title track.
One taken off the bands forthcoming album ‘Peace’ Levellers dream up an amazing video for ‘Our New Day’ well the first interview piece is original, enjoy.
Finally a new track from The Blinders album ‘Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath’. Out next month. You can however, Pre-order it Here – check out ‘Mule Track’ which reminds me of classic Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, any way enjoy. Facebook
And now for something completely different. Death By Unga Bunga. If you don’t like these and it doesn’t put a smile on yer kisser then check for a pulse. DBUB Here
SV & The Eruptions – ‘Football In The Sun’ (Avenue Recordz) Always on point with his lyrics and always relatable. Spunk Volcano does it again with a laid back summer sizzler. ‘Football In The Sun’ is right up there as far as songwriting goes and Spunk makes it look easy as falling off a grifter. Maybe Spunk headed too many of those rain-soaked leather balls and it did something magical because apart from being able to pen catchy relatable music this band hasn’t made a single bad record yet. Prolific would be an understatement as for the tune It’s understated, less in your face and a real grower it gives you a chance to listen to the lyrics and smile. It’s a top tune none the less and adds some more class to this line up of new releases in June/early July. The fact that SV & The Eruptions make music they want to and don’t compromise in any way only adds to the quality of songs on offer they don’t have to all be out and out noise as this single testifies but once it’s in yer noggin you’ll be gripped like a vinnie jones nut grab and chanting Ozzie,Ozzie,Ozzie, Ozzie Ardiles. Bastards! Available on CD or download. Get it. Website
Benji & Beddis – ‘Ebony & Ivory’ (Self Release) Well who saw this coming? With the current climate seeing racial tension being brought front and center these two ‘Port legends kick up a shit storm with the perfect cover. You know what to do you, beautiful people.
“Ebony and ivory, live together in perfect harmony.” Couldn’t have said it better myself
The Cocktail Slippers – ‘Like A Song Stuck In My Head’ (Wicked Cool Records) Very much a slow burner The cocktail Slippers deliver exactly what it says on the tin and a song that could easily be heard on your daily commute to work on some clued up radio show. It’s power-pop with the emphasis firmly on the pop side with a catchy chorus and easy on the ear guitar chords. Facebook Buy it stream it download it whatever it is you do do it here
Moot – ‘I Hate Hippies’ (Riot Records) Australian punks Moot declare that they indeed hate hippies raging on a steady diet of Jello (Biafra) and Prime Time Black Flag its punk rock baby. Plain and simple no-frills no clever production no synths just old school. Just one thing, The artwork alludes to a hipster not a hippie have Moot had one too many Victory Beers?
Indonesian Junk – ‘Pillbox’ (Rum Bar Records) A track taken from the band’s new long-player that hooks in all the Singles and rarities entitled ‘A Life Of Crimes’. If this take on the joneses classic is a hint as to what’s on offer then get excited kids because Indonesian Junk has got it going on. It was always a blinding track and has been covered many times but this version is an absolute barnstormer and Da Junk have embraced the spirit of the original and captured the DNA and that little sparkle of magic that was sprinkled into the original but could only be unlocked by people who are worthy. It looks and sounds like Indonesian Junk are indeed worthy of being passed the baton to carry into the future. If you have a beating Rock and Roll heart then you’d be foolish to pass this one by. Bandcamp
The Woggles – ‘Nothing More To Say’ (Wicked Cool Records) Retro rock and roll with a real ’60s vibe from the keys to the melodies The Woggles have nailed it from those slightly overdriven guitars and layered vocals but its those scooby doo keyboards that really nail this tune. Not since T Rex has this much bongo gone into a single.
‘Sweet Freedom’ is on the flip side created by Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil and in my humble opinion steals the show from its marching beat and Little Steven clanging guitars, its a confident pop tune struttin’ its stuff like these cats were paying attention thank God. Facebook Pick up a limited press here
Decrepid – ‘Plagued By Mortality’ (Xtreem Music) Follow this one fuckers. As some of you might know we love a bit of extreme music here at RPM and had to share with you the new single from Decrepid. There is nothing more metal I’m just glad they put the lyrics on the video otherwise I wouldn’t have a clue what they were saying and neither would the kids. From the wonderful band name to the music and the playing to the title of the song this is the most metal track we’ve had dropped on us in a while. Enjoy
Cocktails – ‘Bun E Carlos’ (self Release) San Fran has always been a destination for hip rock and rollas and Cocktail have just released a single off their new album that’s got sunshine in abundance and a title paying homage to one of the best drummers from one o the best bands the US of A ever gave the world. It’ll also cleanse your pallet if you clicked on the Decrepid video this is something of a polar opposite. Power Pop goodness with nothing but fluffy clouds in the sky and not a pitchfork, devil horn in sight. Click Here
The Psychedelic Furs -‘Come All Ye Faithful’ (Cooking Vinyl) Cool as new single from them Furs. ITs a slow cooker comes to the boil nicely and not an instant hit but it does grow as you can tell for yourself from the video below. Besides its always cool to hear some saxophone on a rock n roll record. Here
Sin City – ‘High Noon’ (Dirty Water Records) Their love for Sergio Leone spaghetti western schlock is proudly worn on their western-shirt sleeves and the video makes numerous references to the western films of the 50s and 60s. So smell the gun smoke and ride into the drunken, sepia-toned glory of Sin City! Murder ballads never sounded so good.
The song is taken from their second long-player ‘Next Exit Sin City,’ which follows fast on the heels of their April debut. In fact, Sin City has proven themselves to be a two-man quarantine song factory, as two brand new tracks accompany the High Noon single and rumours already abound of further offerings to come… There are clearly no flies on Sin City!!
The Sinclairs – ‘Dodgems’ (Cleopatra Records) Order Here Taken from The Sinclairs album “Sparkle” The Sinclairs are: Rat Scabies (The Damned) and Billy Shinbone (The Neville Staple Band / Flipron) with their instrumental filmscape tunes check out the video for the first single off the album ‘Dodgems’
NEVILLE STAPLE, SUGARY STAPLE & FTS BAND – ‘Lockdown’ (Self Release) Hit up their Kickstarter page for exclusive offers here. The sun is shining and I’ve come indoors to escape the heat and then this hit my inbox – Perfect! what a great tune from Neville and Sugary Staple. After catching them a few years ago from the side of the stage at a big festival they were blistering that night and this sounds like a worthy addition to their awesome catalogue of tunes.
Blind Channel – ‘Gun’ (Ranka Kustannus label) Intense new track from Finnish rockers who mix up pop with their nard n heavy riffs.Not a million miles from Linkin Park at the peak of their powers. ‘Gun’ is a dark song for dark times and the band assures fans it’s their method of using their music to get back at their critics. The band is hotly tipped to be the next big thing out of Finland and have mass appeal. On this evidence, I can see why Facebook
Electric Death Rodeo – EP (Ghost Town Noize) Who’s up for a new band playing some sweet sleazy snotty Punk N Roll? That should be- hell yeah! from every one of you. Well, Electric Death Rodeo is in the house featuring members of Radio Dead Ones, Motor City Mayhem and Johnny Firebird oh now you’re listening I’ve got your attention now well ‘I Don’t Care’ no not literally its the opening slab of snotty Punk N Roll mixing up early Scandi rock with some attitude (not that early scandi rock didn’t have any but you know what I mean) its a measured slick slice of bad boy boogie. Catchy with cool gang vocals on the chorus great solos and a real good time as Iggy would say. If you think the opener is a great tune then wait until you happen on the second, ‘Never Back Down’ its loud and understated but a great tune none the less. ‘Nighthawk’ is anthemic but in a good way again it’s a great riff I’m hearing Mick Jones Clash in this one on the verses especially – great effort. Then to wrap up what is my pick of the lot is some Kiss like duelling guitars (I mean early Kiss obviously) As far as new bands go Electric Death Rodeo will have all the Action Rock fans salivating as they put on their shit kickers turn the amps up and let rip. Jump on this one boys and girls it’s out the first week in July Here
Thumper – ‘Topher Grace’ (Reckless Records) Dublin’s fair city is throwing up a few alternative bands at the moment and Thumper kick up enough of a racket to wake ole Phil Lynott to clock your second single in at a nosebleeding six and a half minutes is pretty ambitious but Thumper look like a band who dance to their own tunes and not conform with convention. Check out the video and decide for yourself Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Matty James Cassidy – ‘Someone’ (Pirate Heart Records) A special version of the song with all proceeds going to the Samaritans not just shows what a talent Matty is but what a humble and big-hearted artist he is. The message of the song is fitting to raise awareness of an organisation who work hard to make sure there’s always someone there for anyone who needs it.
The idea is that people will use the song as a way of reaching out, so people are encouraged to not only stream it and buy the download for themselves, but also use the ‘send as gift’ feature on Bandcamp to pass it on to anyone you feel might need to know they have a friend right now. You can also choose to pay extra if you wish.
The single’s artwork features a fantastic illustration by Kevin Mc Hugh Art and by teaming up with Hollow Hill Apparel, there is some very special merchandise on offer to help raise funds also. Listen / Buy –Here
And for more information or to seek help from Samaritans, call for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
The Idolizers – ‘Stranded (Again)’ (Rum Bar Records) As the phenomena that is Rum Bar Records the purveyors of fine records since God knows when but still not released a duff record have only gone and done it again. This time they’ve stumbled outta Boston and headed south into NYC and happened across the most excellent Idolizers who have their debut album ready to go in August but first we have this taster in the shape of ‘Stranded’ and what a snotty jet fuelled rocker it is. If you don’t believe me hit the link and check it out for yourself. Hit this here
Dead Horse – EP 1 (Self Release) Dead Horse I is the Debut EP from the Garage Punk Trio Dead Horse a new down & dirty garage/punk trio from London influenced by the likes of Jay Reatard, The Cramps, Gallon Drunk & 80s Matchbox.
The EP takes a debauched, tongue in cheek journey through over indulgence, relationships, death, sex and lust across just shy of 14 minutes. Some might argue that it’s not technically a single but I’m in charge so it’s in, besides its a glorious racket so it was always going to get in.The EP will be released across all major digital platforms as well as a limited edition run of cassettes. (bloody hipsters) The EP ‘Dead Horse I’ was recorded, mixed, produced and mastered by Connor Jones at Humm Studios, Bristol. The band were formed in 2019 and they’ve not looked back since. Featuring five tunes with the first being a sprightly heavy on the reverb rocka. I love the fact that it’s ever so slightly unhinged but you know they can bring it back from the brink but you hope you’re there the night they cant because that is gonna be one of those nights, funnily enough, the track is entitled ‘Night’ there a slight western feeling to ‘Secrets’ whereas ‘Headstone’ is most excellent a dirty slice of dark rock and roll with a time-honoured riff that hanging on by a thread. they check out with ‘Creeper’ which does what it suggests it might. Like a band who’ve struck a deal with ole Beelzebub and had to trade in their souls for a good time which on this evidence seems like a fair swap. I like it, I like it a lot check em out. Facebook
Utilita Live from the Drive In are thrilled to announce the addition of REEF featuring Andy Taylor (Duran Duran/The Power Station) to play a special Drive-In tour this August and September.
Reef frontman Gary Stringer says, “We love playing live but at the moment that up close and personal mode of show is on hold and who knows for how long? We all felt like this was the perfect opportunity for us to get back out there with our instruments and do what we do best.
“I’m really excited about this from a performance perspective and think it’s a great opportunity for fans to escape the confines of lockdown for a night in a safe environment, drink cider and rock out with us. Plus we have a couple of brand new songs that we are all really excited about and cannot wait to play.”
Reef will be joined by former Duran Duran / The Power Station guitarist Andy Taylor, so expect a few choice Andy Taylor numbers in the set too. Plus, to round things off for this special run of dates, the band will also be joined by virtuoso drummer Luke Bullen (Bryan Ferry / Joe Strummer / Chris Squire), capping off one very special line up.
Reef will also be releasing a very special vinyl edition of their debut album Replenish on September 25th to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
For tickets, venues, dates and more info head Here
Kool name that to be fair. How was I ever not going to open the file with a name as good as that? But hey don’t even bother searching for their Facebook profile or their Instagram pics of them with cats and dogs n booze n birds coz you know it’s not ever there right? Right!
Sixteen snotty fucked off punk rock tracks for your delectation with minimal mix, no autotune, no studio trickery just blistering stabs of short and sweet punk rock that’s what Kool & The Gang Bangers offer at the altar of Punk Rock.
‘Night Of The Living Deadbeats’ is the Ramones playing Dead Boys it’s as simple as that kids and if you’re looking for the ray of sunshine I guess you won’t find it on ‘Hate Your Guts’ or ‘This City Sucks’ nor are you finding a rainbow on the snotty ‘Full Of Shit’. However, you can pogo and you can chew on the inside of your gums whilst shaking your head along to the beat, that’ll comfort you.
These Swedish punks have got a natty line in raw riffola and catchy lyrics but it’ll take a few plays to tune into the lyrics so low down in the mix they are on times but that’s perfect for the attitude and it doesn’t take a lot of concentration to get into each song seeing as almost everyone is under one and a half minutes from start to finish ‘Drag Me Around’ even has a spot on guitar solo. But wait ‘Rats Crawl Back’ tips over the two-minute barrier almost the perfect TOTP length but that’s never going to happen (mores the pity). Hang up the phone reminds me of when The Hives kicked off with a good hook over a repetitive riff ‘cept this is far more punk rock.
’15 Minutes Of Pain’ starts on the bass and to be honest I wasn’t even sure there was one on there previously such was the raw lo-fi racket being kicked up. The album saves the best til last as ‘I Hate The World’ wraps up proceedings. I might leave it an hour before hitting repeat I might go out and pick some flowers or run through a field just to prove that it’s not all bad maybe I’ll cwtch a puppy or feed some birds then when I’ve had a tit full of being nice I’ll play some more ‘Feel Bad Music’. Maybe you should too.
The year 2020 will be forever imprinted in our memories as the year live music stopped. An abrupt and dramatic halt which saw band cancelling shows whilst on the road and postponing entire tours to the following year.
Aside from the bands themselves, the covid-19 pandemic affected and continues to affect tour crews. And at this point perennial punk rockers STIFF LITTLE FINGERS show their support and respect their road members with an incredible initiative. The band launched an exclusive limited edition “Crew Support” t-shirt which is available through the band website here. 100% of profits from the sales will be given to their road crew to help them during these unprecedented times until they can get back on the road.
Jake Burns comments: “Three dates into the usual U.K. March tour, the coronavirus impacted not just that, but the whole world. Initially, we thought this would keep us off the road for a couple of months at most. However, as we all know now, SLF will not be playing any shows until 2021 at the earliest. Obviously that is a blow to us as we now face a year with no real income, but we are not the only four impacted by this. Our tireless road crew also has an uncertain year ahead. When SLF aren’t touring these guys work with other bands. But when NOBODY is touring…well, you can work that one out. So we came up with this great looking t-shirt to raise some much-needed cash for them to help during the pandemic. It’s a variation on both the “SLF 2020 Vision Tour” and “SLF Barrowland” shirts and features the crew on the front. Every penny of profit will go to the crew members and you get a smart looking and unique shirt. Win-win!”
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS recently announced their 2021 March tour, full dates below:
The March 2020 dates only had 3 shows completed (Bristol, Cardiff and Birmingham) before the Covid 19 live show ban took hold and the remaining shows from this year’s tickets will remain valid for the 2021 dates. The band have added new Bristol, Cardiff & Birmingham dates with tickets available via the links below.
The full March 2021 schedule is as follows::
Thursday 4thMarch 2021 Bristol, O2 Academy Friday 5thMarch 2021 Cardiff, Great Hall Saturday 6thMarch 2021 Birmingham, O2 Academy Monday 8thMarch 2021 Portsmouth, Pyramids Tuesday 9thMarch 2021 Northampton, Roadmenders Wednesday 10thMarch 2021 Norwich, Waterfront Friday 12thMarch 2021 Newcastle, O2 Academy Saturday 13thMarch 2021 Leeds, O2 Academy Sunday 14thMarch 2021 Nottingham, Rock City Tuesday 16thMarch 2021 Troon, Concert Hall Wednesday 17thMarch 2021 Glasgow, Barrowland Friday 19thMarch 2021 Manchester, Academy Saturday 20thMarch 2021 London, Roundhouse
Tickets available from the following links:
Tour: Tickets
Make No Mistake I’ve got a lot of time for London Rockers Neon Animal and their first album had moments where they showed confidence and played like they had it going on and they could certainly be the next big thing and wouldn’t just be one of those bands where only a few remembered the name let alone any of their songs.
Album number two is here and ‘Make No Mistake’ is something of a giant leap for me and that hype and confidence might just be about to be realised and they now have the songs to go with the look and they are talking the talk and walking the walk.
There’s more to this record than being posers who site influences from the downright cool to the downright premier league of recording artists. It’s not a record of garagy punk rock there’s more going on here and the new Neon Animal is certainly a different beast this time around. It might well be heavier, dirtier, broader than the debut and throughout the albums nine new tracks its a more confident more expansive record that explores the time-honoured subject matter of sex, the drugs and the rock ’n’ roll. Sure it’s decadent but it’s quality.
Opening with a really strong track in the shape of ‘Rock and Roll War’ its a statement of intent and has the energy to make you sit up and listen. That heavier tag is evident on ‘Let’s Make The World Rock’ with its simple chorus and biting riff its the breakdown and into that thumping bass riff and solo that lifts this into something quite exciting and Rock and Roll needs that. Sure its got some garage Rock and Roll going on but it’s mixed with a punk rock bass and hard-rocking riff and it blends really well. There a polished edge to this record but its also rolling on a dirty stage floor and a great example of that is ‘Rock and Roll Suicide’ it’s restrained and is a really well-written song. Sure it’s not reinventing the wheel or anything but so what that’s for others because Neon Animal are about the here and now and we need some bands to just kick out the jams and ‘Rock and Roll Suicide’ is a real highlight, something you should be hearing on the radio in the middle of the day if there was any justice.
The band get their groove on with a straight-up groove rocker with ‘I Can Tell You Love Me’ man they make me blush it’s like overhearing a dirty conversation between two lusty teens and the mix of sleazy funk and rock is infectious, You won’t be hearing this on any radio station I know that!
The band introduce some big acoustic guitars for the sunshine of ‘Hello L.A’ a top-down get the beers in the fridge kinda Bowie influenced number. Something quite different from the rest of the louder songs but a very nice sidestep into something altogether more ’70s glam and who isn’t down with that?
The album closes with the dark ‘Broken Mirror’ it’s like a Soho late-night mini-opera from a bygone era as it twists and turns another quite different sidestep that is excellent and adds another flavour to this record that is growing and growing the more I play it. Had it been all riff-ola crash bang wallop then it would have been missing that x-factor but the gear shifts and twists and turns elevate this to something quite special. Neon Animal might just have arrived and have the tunes to mess with the big boys and throw a big sleazy-glam-garage-rock ripple in the stale pool of Rock and Roll ‘Make No Mistake’ is one hell of a statement piece and I give it my full support. Get on it kids this is most excellent.
2020 sees the third Cd Ep release from Kid Klumsy on STP Records, following on from 2018’s ‘Spit Your Dummy Out’ and 2019’s ‘Singing Our Souls’, the bands fun take on life, music and everything in between continues to progress alongside their ever-growing confidence on recordings and on stages (naturally currently on hold due to the worldwide pandemic).
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