The Best Of The Best

according to the team at RPM Online

 

It’s gotten to the time of year when everyone seems to be putting the past twelve months in order and creating their lists or best of and we read on social media that it’s been a bit of a rubbish year for new releases etc. Now we know that’s not quite true and bands and solo artists have been making good use of lockdown and releasing some pretty impressive albums and singles be it virtually or remotely or when possible in an actual studio.

Here at RPM Online, we pride ourselves on bringing you the best of those releases from far-flung places and the darkest recesses of the Rock and Roll world and this is where the talented bunch of writers get to reveal what is at the top of their lists for 2020.

I’d personally like to thank the writers for the hard work and dedication during such a difficult year for everyone and first and foremost would like to thank them for their efforts in bringing such talented writing to everyone’s attention.  the one thing that stands out is whilst we all champion alternative music it’s generally a very diverse pool we dive in for our musical highs yet there are many common threads.  I’d also like to thank the PR that send through the countless emails and the ones who do an outstanding job above and beyond for the bands to make this past year work and not totally collapse as well as the labels who release a lot of these albums at great personal expense thank you one and all and the biggest thank you goes to those of you who’ve taken the time in real life to check in on us be it a daily read or the occasional glance thank.  so without further delay please check out our end of year list from Best Albums, Best EP, Best Single, Best Reissue, Best music-related Book, and yes live concert (there were plenty in the first few months honest)

Enjoy –

 

 

Craggy

Albums of 2020

Levellers – ‘Peace’ (On The Fiddle Recordings)

Bob Mould – ‘Blue Hearts’ (Merge Records)

Kathleen Edwards – ‘Total Freedom’ (Dualtone)

Soul Asylum – ‘Hurry up and Wait’ (Blue Elan Records)

Craggy Collyde – ‘Wrapped up in Ribbons’ (Break Me Records)

Warner E Hodges – ‘Just Feels Right’ (JCPL)

Pete Berwick – ‘Too Cow to Punk’ (Self Release)

Dark Rags – ‘Suburbia’ (Backstab Records)

Parketový Lev – ‘Parketový Lev’ (Papagájův Hlasatel Records)

Rabbit Slow – ‘Coming Waves’ (Self Release)

 

 

Nev Brooks

Albums of 2020

Bob Vylan – ‘We live Here’ (Self Release)

Jesse Malin – ‘Sunset Kids’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Humanist – ‘Humanist’ (Self Release)

Suzie Stapleton – ‘We Are The Plague’ (Negative Prophet Records)

Mark Lanegan – ‘Straight songs of Sorrow’ (Heavenly)

Duncan Reid and the Bigheads – ‘Don’t Blame yourself’ (Lbh Records)

Psychedelic Furs – ‘Made of Rain’ (Cooking Vinyl)

Asaf Avidan – ‘Agnorisis’ (Telmavar Records)

Me and that Man – ‘New Songs, Same shit vol 1’ (Napalm Records)

Nick Cave – ‘Idiots Prayer’ (Bad Seed LTD)

Dystopian Future Movies – ‘Inviolate’ (Lasairfhiona Records)

The Levellers – ‘Peace’ (On The Fiddle Recordings)

Ryan Hamilton and the Harlequin Ghosts – ‘Nowhere To Go But Everywhere’ (Wicked Cool Records)

The Cravats – ‘Hoorahland’ (Sef Release)

Sault – ‘Untitled (Black is)’ (Forever Living Originals)

Bill Fisher – ‘Mass Hypnosis and the Dark Triad’ (Septaphonic Records)

Stay voiceless – ‘Lies to Tell Your Children’ (GMC)

The Dowling Poole – ‘See You See Me’ (Self Release)

Jehnny Beth – ‘To love is To Live’ (20L07 Records)

The Strokes – ‘The New Abnormal’ (RCA Cult Records)

 

Top 5 e.ps

 

Bar Stool Preachers – ‘Soundtrack to your Apocalypse’ (Pirates Press Records)

Jesse Malin – ‘Ameri’ka’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard – ‘Non Stop e.p.’ (Communion Records)

The Damned – ‘Rockfield sessions’ (Spinefarm Records)

Paul Ronney Angel – ‘Seven Spanish Angels’ (Self Release)

 

Top 5 Re-issues / Boxsets

 

Twin Temple – ‘Present Their Signature Sound (Satanic Doo Wop)’ (Rise Above Records)

New Model Army – ‘Carnival’ (Attack Attack Records)

David Bowie – ‘Metrobolist’ (Parlophone)

Rolling Stones – ‘Goats Head Soup’ (Rolling Stones Records)

Prince – ‘Sign Of The Times’ (NPG Records, Warner Records, The Prince Estate)

 

 

 

Dom Daley

Albums of 2020

Stiff Richards – ‘State Of Mind’ (Legless Records/Drunken Sailor Records)

Chubby & The Gang – ‘Speed Kills’ (Partisan Records)

Mud City Manglers – ‘Give Me The Hammer’ (Beluga Records)

Wayne Hussey & The Divine – ‘Live At The Bridge’ (Eyes Wide Shut Records)-

Thee acid tongue – ‘Snake Rattle And Roll (Bear Beach Records)

Bob Mould – ‘Blur Hearts’ (Merge Records)

Bob Vylan – ‘We Live Here’ (Self Release)

Marylin Manson – ‘We Are Chaos’ (Lorna Vista)

Cabbage – ‘Amanita Pantherina’ (Brassica Records)

Deathtrap – ‘Stole Your Rock and Roll’ (Spirit Of Disaster)

Lovesores – ‘Bats From Planet Skull’ (Self Release)

Wyldlife – ‘Year Of The Snake’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Duncan Reid & The Bigheads – ‘Don’t Blame Yourself’ (Lbh Records)

The Good The Bad And The Zugly – ‘Algorithm And Blues’ (Fysisk Format)

Midnight – ‘Rebirth By Blasphemy’ (Metal Blade Records)

Tommy Ray  – ‘First Hits Free’ (Cool Cat Music)

Mick Rossi – ‘All The Saints & All The Souls’ (TJM Records)

The Hip Priests – ‘Solid Gold Easy Option’ (Speedo Wax Records)

Chuck Prophet – ‘The Land That Time Forgot’ (Yup Rock)

Bruce Springsteen – ‘Letter To You’ (Columbia Records)

 

Single of the year

The Black Halos -‘ Ain’t No Time To Say Goodbye’ (Self Release)

Rock ‘n’ Roll Manifesto vol 1(Stamp Out Disco)

Jesse Malin – ‘Todd Youth’ (Wicked Cool Records)

 

Reissue / Boxset

The Boys – ‘The Safari years’ (Cherry Red Records)

Motochrist – ‘Greatest Hits’ (Dr Wu Records)

New Model Army – ‘Carnival’ (Attack Attack)

Buzzcocks – ‘Sell You Everything’ (Cherry Red Records)

Keith Richards – ‘ Live At The Hollywood Palladium’ (Virgin America)

Coloursound – ‘Coloursound’ (The Great North Western Recording Company)

Manic Street Preachers – ‘Gold Against The Soul’ (Sony Music)

 

 

Music-related Books of the Year

Alvin Gibbs – ‘Diminished Responsibility Volume 1’ (Tome & Metre Publishing)

‘Clang!’ (Smiley drops a few) – Steve ‘Smiley’ Barnard (GTP)

‘What Makes The Monkey Dance’ – Chuck Prophet & Green On Red – Stevie Simkin (Jaw Bone)

 

Best E.P. 

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard – ‘Non Stop’ (Communion Records)

Bar stool preachers. – ‘Soundtrack To The Apocolypse’ (Pirates Press Records)

Chesty Malone and the Slice ‘Em Ups – ‘Covered In Blood! Quarantine Covers’

 

 

Live show of the year

Bar stool preachers – Bristol, Rough Trade

Mike Peters – Gathering – Llandudno North Wales

The Bellrays – le Pub, Newport

The Wildhearts – Cardiff, Tramshed

The Interrupters – Cardiff, Tramshed

 

2021 wishes?  I’d love to see an end to restrictions (stating the obvious I know) but it would be smart to see the Proposed Vive Le Rock show take place with Michael Monroe fronting the Lords Of The New Church and live shows becoming a thing again.  Other than that Stay Safe and look out for each other.

 

Dan Kasm

Albums Of 2020

Bambara – ‘Stray‘ (Wharf Cat Records)
…Trail Of Dead – ‘X The Godless Void and Other Stories’ (Dine Alone Records)
Airborne Toxic Event – ‘Hollywood Park’ (Rounder Records)
Bdrmm – ‘Bdrmm’ (Sonic Cathedral)
Zombeaches – ‘Zombeaches’ (Self Release)
The Blinders – ‘Fantasies of the Stay at Home Psychopath’ (Modern Sky Music)
Neonic Sundrive – ‘Lies Paradise’ (Self Release)
The Wildhearts – ’30 Year Itch’ (Round Records)
Neil Young – ‘Homegrown’ (Reprise Records)
Reissues / Boxsets
The Guilty Hearts – ‘The Guilty Hearts’ (Voodoo Rhythm Records)
Anna Calvi – ‘Hunted’ (Domino Records)
Virgin Suicides – ‘ost’ (Parlophone)
Neil Young – ‘After the Gold Rush’ 50th anniversary (Reprise Records)
Iggy & the Stooges – ‘You Think You’re Bad Man’ (Cherry Red Records)
EPs
Eyesore & the Jinx – ‘The Exile Parlour’ (Eggy Records)
Grow Rich – ‘Frantic Semantic’ (Self Release)
The Lotts – ‘We Are The Lotts’ (Self Release)
The Mysterines – ‘Love’s Not Enough’ (Self Release)
Various Artists – ‘Not Psycho Enough?’ Cosmic Psychos Tribute (Dull City Records)
Singles
The Dry Retch – ‘12000 Miles From New’
Murmur – ‘Shame’ (Self Release)
Salt The Snail – ‘Junkyard Cat’ (Self Release)
Psychedelic Furs – ‘Don’t Believe’ (Cooking Vinyl)
Silverbacks – ‘Drool’ (Nice Swan Records)
Music-related Books of the Year
Dave Haslam – ‘Looking for Love – Courtney Love in Liverpool’
Justin Quirk – ‘Ain’t Nothin’ But A Good Time – The Rise & Fall of Glam Metal’ (Unbound Digital)
Mikel Jollett – ‘Hollywood Park’ (Sceptre)
Gigs
The Wildhearts, Backyard Babies – Manchester Ritz
The Dry Retch, Tio Rico – Liverpool Outpost
Mysterines, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard –  Liverpool Jimmys
2021
I’m hopeful for the new year that I will get some normality in order to attend the inaugural event of the new Futurama festival as well as 2000 Trees, HRH Sleaze & Psych as well as numerous other gigs and events. Like a lot of people the past 9 months has put things in perspective, grab things with both hands and tick off ‘bucket list’ life events instead putting them off.

 

Fraser Munro

Albums Of 2020

Scumbag Millionaire – ‘Poor and Infamous’ (Suburban Records)

The good, The Bad And The Zugly – ‘Algorithm & Blues’ (Fysisk Format)

Beat City Tubeworks – ‘Top Rock’ (The Sign Records)

Mud City Manglers – ‘Give Me The Hammer’ (Beluga Records, Spaghetty Town Records, Ghost Highway Records)

Supersuckers – ‘Play That Rock ‘N’ Roll’ (Acetate Records)

Christmas – ‘Hot Nights In Saint Vandal’ (TNS Records)

DBOY – ‘New Records In Human Power’ (Dine Alone Records)

Hank Von Hell – ‘Dead’ (Sony Music)

Kvelertak – ‘Splid’ (Rise Records)

ACDC – ‘Power Up’ (Columbia)

The Wildhearts – ’30 Year Itch’ (Round Records)

 

Reissues / Boxset

Black Halos – FFTS Demos & Rarities (Bandcamp)

The Hip Priests – Solid Gold Easy Option (Speedowax Records)

Midnight Evils – Straight ‘Til Morning (Sweet Ohm Ramalama)

 

 

Gigs

Undertones et al – Minehead

Wildhearts / Backyard Babies – Cardiff

Wildhearts / Backyard Babies – London

Guida – Bristol

Showaddywaddy – Swansea

 

 

Johnny Hayward

Albums Of The Year 2020

Aerial Salad – ‘Dirt Mall’ (Plasterer/Roach Industries)

Henrik Palm – ‘Poverty Metal’ (Svart Records)

The Wildhearts – ‘30 Year Itch’ (Round Records)

Mondo Generator – ‘Fuck It’ (Heavy Psych Records)

Then Comes Silence – ‘Machine’ (Oblivion/SPV, Metropolis Records)

Midnight – ‘Rebirth By Blasphemy’ (Metal Blade Records)

Kvelertak – ‘Splid’ (Rise Records/World Records)

The Dowling Poole – ‘See You See Me’ (369 Music)

Lovesores – ‘Bats From Planet Skull’ (Self Released)

Dirt Box Disco – ‘TV Sex Show’ (Avenue Recordz)

Division Of Laura Lee – ‘Apartment’ (Welfare Sounds)

Spunk Volcano & The Eruptions – ‘Barry Milner Is Thick’ (Avenue Recordz)

Stay Voiceless – ‘Lies To Tell Your Children’ (GMC)

Deathtraps – Stole Your Rock ‘N’ Roll (Spirit Of Disaster)

Scumbag Millionaire – ‘Poor and Infamous’ (Suburban Records)

HMLTD – ‘The West Is Dead’ (Lucky Number)

The Hip Priests – Solid Gold Easy Option (Speedo Wax Records)

The Speedways – ‘Radio Sounds’ (Alien Snatch Records, Snap!! Records/Hurrah Musica and Beluga Records)

Marilyn Manson – ‘We Are Chaos’ (Lorna Vista)

Mariachi El Bronx – Musica Muerta Volumes 1&2 (White Drugs)

 

EPs

The Bar Stool Preachers – ‘State Of Emergency’ (Pirate’s Press)

Lickerish Quartet – ‘Threesome Vol 1’ (Lickerish Quartet/Label Logic)

The Wildhearts – ‘30 Year Itch’ (Encores) (Round Records)

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard – ‘The Non Stop EP’ (Communion Records)

Bob Vylan – ‘We Live Here’ (Venn Records)

 

 

Reissues / Boxset

UFO – ‘Strangers In The Night’ (Super Deluxe) (Chrysalis)

Def Leppard – ‘The Early Years’ (Mercury)

Bob Mould – ‘Distortion’ (Demon)

Keith Richards & The X-pensive Winos – ‘Live At The Hollywood Palladium’ (Mindless Records)

Black Sabbath – ‘Paranoid’ (50th Anniversary) (Sanctuary Records)

 

Music-related Books of the Year

Alvin Gibbs – ‘Diminished Responsibility Volume 1’ (Tome & Metre Publishing)

Rob Halford – ‘Confess’ (Headline)

Reuben Archer – ‘Rock N Rollercoaster Ride’ (Toxic Arrow)

 

Live Gigs

The Bar Stool Preachers – Rough Trade, Bristol – 6th March 2020

Great British Alternative Weekend – Butlins Minehead – 28th February – 1st March 2020

Bad Sam – Le Pub, Newport – 14th February 2020

Giuda – Louisiana, Bristol – 18th January 2020

The Bellrays – Le Pub, Newport – 17th January 2020

Wonk Unit – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff – 11th January 2020

 

Bandcamp Discovery

Guerrilla Teens

 

Best Single

The Hip Priests – ‘Zero Fucks Given’​/’​Social Hand Grenade’ (Shitpark Records)

 

Most Looking Forward to in 2021

Going to a gig.

 

 

 

Ben Hughes

Albums of 2020

Butch Walker – ‘American Love Story’ (Ruby Red Records)

Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts – ‘Nowhere To Go But Everywhere’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Wyldlife – ‘Year Of The Snake’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Baby Chaos – ‘Ape Confronts Cosmos’ (Three Hands Records)

Dangereens – ‘Tough Luck’ (Alien Snatch Records)

Hellbound Glory – ‘Pure Scum’ (BCR Los Angeles)

Hello Operator – ‘S/T’ (Self Release)

Me And That Man – ‘New Man, New Songs, Same Shit’ (Napalm Records)

Low Cut Connie – ‘Private Lives’ (Contender Records)

The Speedways – ‘Radio Sounds’ (Alien Snatch Records, Beluga Records, Snap Records, Hurrah Records)

 

EPs

The Lickerish Quartet – ‘Threesome Vol. 1’ (Label Logic)

Saint Agnes – ‘The Family Strange’ (Death Or Glory Gang Records)

Junkyard – ‘Rome Is Burning’ (Acetate Records)

Hands Off Gretel – ‘The Angry EP’ (Puke Pop Records)

The Future Shape Of Sound – ‘It’s Gone All Wrong’ (Self Release)

 

Reissues / Boxset

Diamond Dogs – ‘Too Much Is Always Better Than Not Enough’ (Wild Kingdom Records)

Diamond Dogs – ‘Weekend Monster’ (Wild Kingdom Records)

Diamond Dogs – The Atlantic Juice’ (Wild Kingdom Records)

 

Gigs 

The Wildhearts/Backyard Babies/CKY – 02 Academy, Newcastle

Jesse Malin – Headrow House, Leeds

 

Livestreams

Jesse Malin – The Fine Art Of Self-Distancing

Baby Chaos

Low Cut Connie – Tough Cookies

 

Gerald Stansbury

Albums

Soraia – ‘Dig Your Roots’ (Wicked Cool Recotrds)

Massive Wagons – ‘House of Noise’ (Earache Records)

Ward Davis – ‘Black Cats and Crows’ (LLC)

Karen Jonas –  ‘The Southwest Sky and Other Dreams’ (Self Release)

Brooke Brown – ‘Troubled Heart’ (Self Release)

The Nude Party – ‘Midnight Manor’ (New West Records)

Vulvarine –  ‘Unleashed’ (Self Release)

Dangereens – ‘Tough Luck’ (Alian Snatch)

The Rumours – ‘Suck It’ (Self Release)

Lucifer Star Machine  – ‘The Devil’s Breath’ (The Sign Records)

Gareth Leach – ‘Trigger’ (Self Release)

Steve Earle & the Dukes –  ‘Ghosts of West Virginia’ (New West Records)

Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen – ‘Hold my Beer Volume 2’  (Lil Buddy Tunes)

Tyla – ‘Isolation Crossing Collection’ (King Outlaw Records)

Low Cut Connie – ‘Private Lives’ (Contender Records)

D.L. Marble – ‘One Line at a Time’ (Self Release)

Reckless Kelly  – ‘American Jackpot/ American Girls’ (No Big Deal Records)

Givvi Flynn –  ‘Tomboy’ (Self Release)

Armored Saint – ‘Punching the Sky’ (Metal Blade Records)

Butch Walker ‘American Love Song’ (Ruby Red Production)

 

Single of the Year 

Charlotte Leigh – ‘Life’

 

EP of the Year

Quinn the Brain – ‘Wide Open’

 

Reissue of the Year

Def Leppard ‘The Early Years’

 

Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper

Albums 

Duncan Reid And The Bigheads – ‘Don’t Blame Yourself’ (Little Big Head Records)

The Network – ‘money money 2020 part 2 we told ya so’ (Warner Records)

Billie Joe Armstrong – ‘No Fun Mondays’ (Warner Records)

Green day- ‘Father Of All Motherfuckers’ (Warner Records)

Deathtraps – ‘Stole Your Rock’n’Roll’ (Spirit Of Disaster)

The Damned – ‘The Rockfield files’ (Spinefarm Records)

Stop worrying and love the bomb – ‘Fake Nature’

 

Gigs

The Bellrays – Le Pub Newport

The Wildhearts  / Backyard Babies – Cardiff Tramshed

Reissues / Boxset

Iggy and the stooge – ‘From KO to chaos’

The Boys – ‘On Safari’

Johnny Thunders – ‘Que sera Sera Resurrected’

Buzzcocks – ‘Sell You Everything’ (Cherry Red Records)

Buzzcocks – ‘Late For The Train’ (Cherry Red Records)

 

Music-related Books of the Year

Alvin Gibbs – ‘Diminished Responsibility Volume 1’ (Tome & Metre Publishing)

Joe Strummer – ‘Redemption Song’

The Replacements – ‘All Over But The Shouting’

Gaz Tidey

Albums of the Year

Butch Walker – ‘American Love Story’ (Red Ruby Production)

Larkin Poe – ‘Self Made Man’ (Tricki Woo Records)

Lamb Of God – ‘Lamb Of God’ (Epic)

Bob Vylan – ‘We Live Here’ (Venn Records)

Ryan Hamilton & the Harlequin Ghosts – ‘Nowhere To Go But Everywhere’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Onslaught – ‘Generation Antichrist’ (AFM Records)

Baby Chaos – ‘Ape Confronts Cosmos’ (Three Hands Records)

C.J. Wildheart – ‘Siege’ (Devilspit)

Foxy Shazam – ‘Burn’ (EEEOOOAH Records)

Kvelertak – ‘Splid’ (Rise Records)

Tairrie B. – ‘Feminenergy’ (Self Release)

Cro-Mags – ‘In The Beginning’ (Mission Two Entertainment)

Mommy Sez No – ‘The Dwellers Below’ (Self Release)

EPs of the Year

The Lickerish Quartet – ‘Threesome Vol. 1’ (Label Logic)

Chesty Malone and the Slice ‘Em Ups – ‘Covered In Blood! Quarantine Covers’ (Self Release)

American Hi-fi – ‘Anywhere Else But Here’ (Rude Records)

Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour – ‘The Powder Dry EP’ (King Outlaw Records)

Chris Catalyst – ‘Acoustic Machines’ (Self Release)

Singles of the Year

Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour – ‘Superhuman’ (King Outlaw)

Jesse Malin – ‘Todd Youth’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Royal Blood – ‘Trouble’s Coming’ (Warner Records)

Reissue/Boxset of the Year

Sigue Sigue Sputnik – ‘Flaunt It’ 4CD Deluxe Capacity Wallet  (Cherry Red Records)

Music-related Books of the Year

Pete Paphides – ‘Broken Greek’ (Quercus)

Rob Halford – ‘Confess’ (Headline Publishing)

Justin Quirk – ‘Nothin’ But A Good Time’ (Unbound Digital)

There you have it a fine selection of music you’re likely to find anywhere as diverse as you like yet common threads woven throughout.  It would be a boring place if we all liked the same records that’s for sure and I’m sure there are records released we’ve forgotten about in the deluge.  Don’t let anyone tell you that there were no good albums released during the pandemic because we know by looking at the list that there were plenty & plenty of reissues and Boxsets that were released during 2020.

Onwards and upwards we move into 2021 and we hope to bring you more new albums to fill yer airwaves and a return of the live show and festivals.  We need em and so does the industry.  So raise a glass to days gone by and to a better future when we can all meet again and watch our favourite bands.  Be good and stay safe RPM Online looks forward to a great 2021!

Last one of the year from  ‘Rainy Days & Mondays’ Taken from forthcoming album ‘Shapeshifting’ (Svart Records), release date 26th of February. One for the diaries kids.

 

 

If that wasn’t enough of a treat get an earful of this ‘Bloodclot – Save The Robots’

How about some The Bloody Hell. – ‘Nobody Cares About America Anymore’ find out more over on Facebook

To wrap it up in style how about a classic from the Ramones covered by Those Drive By Truckers? either way here it is – See you in 2021

Originally this was one of the best albums of 2017? Luckily for you, here’s another opportunity to get hold of Slimy Members ‘Ugly Songs’ album. From Dallas, Slimy Member is back in print thanks to Drunken Sailor. That first pressing vanished pretty quickly, and now here it is, just in time for Xmas (well pre-orders are in and it’ll officially be released early Jan). So, save those crispy notes of your gran and favourite Auntie and have yerself a happy holiday.

It’s a little bit Goth Its a lot of Punk it’s like TSOL (Early) and the Misfits got high and started a fight with Bauhaus on speed no make that warp speed and once you dried it all out you got Slimy Members and one hell of an adrenalin rush slab of molten punk rock.  It’s dripping with delays and a thunderous chorus heavy Bass but hey why the fuck not?

Songs like ‘Harsh Reality’ are epic in all the right places. The guitars buzz whilst the rhythm thunder along.  This is a close cousin of those early TSOL records and thank fuck labels like Drunken Sailor are giving us a second chance of owning such a top turn. The thump of the Bass on ‘Oceanic Feeling’ is fantastic.

 

‘All Too Real’ takes a while to build into a pulsating beast of a song.  Dark as fuck it sounds like they’ve harnessed some evil power and have got the power of the Four Horsemen riding out of Hell as the rhythm section but it all ends too quickly but it just mesmerises you into the next brutal pounding track ‘Revelations’ starts knocking your skull.

 

The songs are short as fuck and hold the attention of the dumbest punk rocker looking for an audio fix.  ‘No God’ rears its head kicks you in the spine the fucks off as quickly as it arrived – in a flurry of drums and manic riff-a-rama. I guess at the end of the day you’ll be glad its only eleven songs of brutal punk rock because you need a rest before you dive back in for some more.  Its like being punched around the head by Mike Tyson and the ringing you’d feel in your noggin’ afterwards before you get a semblance of clarity and realise that the harmony in your head is real and its those pesky Slimy Members playing punk rock n roll with a ghoulish edge and not your heart giving out.

 

‘Ugly Songs For Ugly People’ and some beautiful handsome ones as well,  Songs that is not people!  Buy It! but keep a cup of holy water by the turntable you might need it.

Here buyeth the record if you dare.

Author: Dom Daley

I really can’t think of a better way to close out 2020 than with these two barnstorming compilation albums. Cramming in twenty nine tracks from across the Pirates Press roster of talent and featuring something old, something new and something even a little bit blue note-ish.

 

Released at the end of November ‘For Family & Flag’ builds on the theme Pirates Press devised for their hugely successful two hundredth release, the awesome triple LP box set ‘One Family One Flag’, albeit here they have decided that rather than simply celebrating their glorious past, this one also adds in some rather splendid new material, and perhaps most surprising its Oi! legends Cock Sparrer who lead the charge offering up, not one, but two, new cuts spread across these releases. ‘Marching Onwards’ is the tune on ‘For Family..’ and it’s a blistering terrace anthem that shows the Sparrer lads building on the sound of their ‘Forever’ album of three years ago by adding in some more contemporary influences and even a hint of a dub breakdown mid tune. ‘Marching Onwards’ Sparrer most certainly are.

 

Where ‘For Family..’ really works though is in the eclectic nature of the collection, and whilst the likes of The Bar Stool Preachers (‘When This World End’) and Subhumans (‘Thought Is Free’) all deliver immediate dancefloor fillers it’s the tunes that throw me a slight musical curveball like the jazzy big band swagger of ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ by Shuffle and Bang (which opens the record and is absolutely glorious stuff) and the one man band folk punk of Lenny Lashley with ‘Need’ (which closes the record) that immediately have me dropping the needle again and again.

 

Plus, what’s not to love about Charger thundering through their recent 12” ‘Watch Your Back’ like Motorhead’s true bastard sons?  Add in some riotous streetpunk tunes from the likes of Noi!se, Lion’s Law and (the more straight up hardcore of) Seized Up and this LP is guaranteed to make your socially distanced Christmas party all the more interesting. Result!

 

Likewise, the Garry Bushell compiled ‘Oi! 40 Year Untamed’, which kicks off with ‘Take It On The Chin’ the second of those aforementioned new Cock Sparrer tracks. Here Colin McFaull demands we all “grow a pair” and just like ‘Marching Onwards’ this is the sound of Sparrer at their most anthemic. You know, if one great thing has come out of this pandemic it’s these bloody Sparrer tracks. I just hope we’ll get to hear them live sometime next year.

 

Though, to be fair, this record is far from being just the Cock Sparrer show, and with Mr Bushell’s name above the door of the gaff the big guns of Oi! are all out in force to join the celebrations. Cockney Rejects, The Business and Last Resort are all present and correct, with ‘New Disease’ by Roi and the bois being an immediate hit with yours truly. Jeez. Is it really seven years since ‘This Is My England’?

 

Of the newer breed of bands included ‘Against All Odds’ by Crashed Out really stands out largely due to the band’s metallic take on the Oi! sound kind of making me think what Rose Tattoo might have sounded like had their 80s albums had a production that actually captured their live sound. Elsewhere the likes of Gimp Fist, (the excellent) Bishops Green, and The Drowns all once again make me long for that day when I’ll once again be able to stand amongst my mates at a live gig, pint raised high in the air singing along at the top of my voice.  Something that ‘Noddy Holder (Bootboy Mix)’ by The Old Firm Casuals was custom built for.

 

Sparrer aside I’ve deliberately not gone track by track through these albums simply because the real strength in both collections is in depth and variety of the tracks on offer, and that ladies and gentlemen is what great compilation albums are all about.

 

Essential stuff!

Buy ‘For Family & Flag Here

Buy ‘Oi! 40 Years Untamed’  Here

Author: Johnny Hayward

 

 

2020 has been a bit of a musical shit stain. It began well and thanks to Nottingham’s Scene Killers it’ll at least end in style.

 

Scene Killers are kind of a punk rock supergroup made up of Jesse Luscious from Blatz, Hip Priests guitar hero Austin Rocket along with TV Crime’s rhythm section John G Warrior and Luke J Moss.

 

Their debut EP, ‘Rev it Up’ is a six song fifteen minute manic joy ride lovingly brought to you by those very nice people at No Front Teeth Records.

 

Join me on a magical journey of discovery as we step into this lovely slab of toxic snot splatter vinyl

 

On first play, I’m hearing bits of Circle jerks, Germs, OFF!, Poison Idea, and moreover a Wednesday 13 fronted Misfits. On the second, third, and fourth play I’m liking it more and more…..

 

Opener ‘Rev it Up’ is full-on face shredding stuff with some off-kilter guitar harmonics and even some Scott Ian like backing vocals at the end.

 

The second tune ‘Not So Working Class’ is no let up, full bore fist in the air stuff.

 

‘Divided”s crushing bass intro gives way to a more mid-pace menacing tune. A moment to catch your breath but no less as skull pounding as the other tunes on offer.

 

‘Eyes and Ears’ is a horror fuelled classic- “war peace ignorance strength” it screams in equal measures punk rawk and hardcore.

 

Next up is Scene Killer’s take on The Replacements ‘Colour Me Impressed’. Can the original really be 37 years old???  A mighty fine take on a mighty fine tune with Jesse’s Wednesday 13 like delivery adding a perfect degree of menace.

 

‘Death’ somewhat aptly brings the EP to a close and it’s full on Misfits-inspired Horror Punk anthem. It’s probably the most immediate tune on the record and the one that’ll grind it’s way into the memory first.

 

The cool thing about this record is the way it grows on you more and more with every play. It’s certainly a record that’ll stay with you for a while rather than scratching that itch before it joins it’s 12” friends in the great record pile.

 

Find your way to their Bandcamp page and give them 15 quid for the prettiest angry slice of vinyl this side of Satan’s tea shop –  Here and then send dick pics to their Facebook page – Here

 

I’ll let JJ introduce what you’re reading, ” In short, the reason we did this was, we were going to record a video for Rats from the album with the guys from the notes, but, well, covid! So I also had a hard drive fail and lost some of the original files, so, we decided to rerecord it, and, also round and a round, as Billy sang on the original demo (on Best Of You) before Kory Clarke sang the album version, so, we redid that
We have a few songs already for the next album, and some weren’t going to fit, so we added a couple here. And, struck on the idea to get The Suicide notes on all the songs. Always loved Smoke It Like A Cigarette by them, so, we did our version, but, Billy sang it, Alex took the lead, and, his better half Kate had a vocal that was meant to be on the original but they didn’t get it down, so, she is on here.
Covers wise, Billy, Alex and Dame are helping with my Anti-Fashion project, so, we pinched Bad Luck from that. Drunk Like Me, I love, we love, and, knew Billy would kill the vocals. Bathroom Wall was a last minute addition/suggestion from Alex, so, we threw that down as well. On these 3, we have the wonderful Bret Barnes adding some sax
The last track we started a while back, the Alice cooper cover, and, it turned out amazing!
We also have the very talented Frank Meyer (Streetwalkin Cheetahs) adding additional vocals, keys, etc all over too.”
Ok, that makes perfect sense.  But what the fuck does it sound like I hear you shout and where can I give them my money?
 Here goes, ‘Rats!’ opens up with the title track and on a thunderously sleazy hotrod of Glam Slammin’ rock and roll it is.  It’s got a heart as big as a beachball and it’s pumping ten to the dozen and a real whiplash rocket ride it is too. but don’t think for one minute that’s where it ends.  No sirs it goes on with the party anthems of ‘Round And (A) Round’ followed by the brawling ‘The Right Way’ which is barking and snapping at the heels of the previous song.
There’s a bit of respite as ‘Inside Of You’ might be slower and more melodic but it’s not losing any of the attitude that’s pouring outta this record.  You might be familiar with ‘Smoke It Like A Cigarette’ if you were paying attention to the acoustic Suicide Notes release. Sped up and rocked out it’s a top tune no question.  I guess it makes sense to follow that with their take of the Dogs classic ‘Drunk Like Me’.
If you ever had a passing admiration for Mike Ness you might want to check out their take on ‘Bad Luck’ and of course, they slaughter the Faster Pussycat classic that is ‘Bathroom Wall’ in a suitably sleazy demolition job and the Sax is a welcome addition on the song. But the take on ‘Department Of Youth’ is impressive and the bar is raised with a great job completed on a great tune.
Closing off proceedings is a super sleazy take on Love Hates Classic Rocker ‘Blackout In The Red Room’ who said sleazy Hard Rock was done?  you might want to check this out. It sounds like an arctic truckload of pinched harmonics and distorted scales.
Get the beers in boys and girls and wrap up all breakables, move the furniture back and turn the stereo up City Kids and The Suicide Notes are taking over the decks, and it’s a nonstop Rock and Fuckin Roll Partee, motherfuckers! and none of em give a single Rats! Get on it right now!

British Heavy Metal legends Saxon will deliver a full-roar-fun-down set of covers with their latest album Inspirations, which drops a brand new 11 track release featuring some of the superb classic rock songs that influenced Biff Byford & the band.

Set for release on March 19th2021, via Silver Lining Music, Inspirations gets things rolling with the release of Saxon’s crunching take on The Rolling Stones’ ‘Paint It Black’.  Biff Byford comments: “Loved this band since I first saw them and heard them.  I liked the Beatles, but the Stones appealed to my rebel side; their iconic look… so many great songs, such a great attitude in the music!” 

Inspirations was recorded at Brockfield Hall near York in the UK, which was built in 1804 and holds the largest collection of paintings by Yorkshire’s impressionist artists – the Staithes Group.

For Byford, recording Inspirations all together within such a rich historical environment was a major ingredient of the project. “The warmth and feel of Inspirations had so much to do with being together in this magnificent place and doing it ‘old-school’ style,” Byford explains. “This is how many bands back in the day -including some of the ones covered here- made such great albums, so it just felt really good to be able to do this somewhere like Brockfield Hall.” The results speak for themselves.

From the super-charged melodic romp of The Beatles’ ‘Paperback Writer’ to their freeway mad take on Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Stone Free’, Saxonshow their love and appreciation with a series of faithful, raw and ready tributes.  Maintaining a firm eye on the old school way using Marshall cabs, Marshall amps, real drums and produced by Biff Byford with Jacky Lehmann recording and mixing, Saxon approach the likes of Motörhead’s ‘Bomber’ (with added whistle!),AC/DC’s ‘Problem Child’, Black Sabbath’s ‘Evil Woman’ and a raucous Deep Purple’s ‘Speed King’ with refreshingly warm, unfiltered, “vintage” sounding renditions.

We wanted to do an album based on our influences, the songs and bands that inspired us to write what we did and still do,” continues Byford, “and it was also interesting to see what my voice could do as I haven’t sung many of these songs before.

Byford does, indeed, take on some new vocal challenges, which he duly smashes on the likes of Thin Lizzy’s ‘The Rocker’. The net result is that whether cranking up a heavyweight take on Led Zeppelin‘s ‘Immigrant Song’ or throwing down AC/DC’s ‘Problem Child’, Saxondoes a supreme job of entertaining both themselves and their audience throughout Inspirations.

We didn’t want to change any of the songs too much, just play them more like Saxon,” concludes Byford, “and we also think it’s very important to have -and share with the fans- some fun in these dark times.”
You want even more proof of the validity behind that statement? Wrap your ears around their sparkling take on Toto’s ‘Hold The Line’ and consider Saxon’s Inspirations a mission accomplished.
Saxon’s Inspirations is available on Vinyl, CD, digital formats and limited edition D2C products; to pre-order go  Here

 

Follow Saxon on:
www.facebook.com/saxon
www.instagram.com/saxon.official
www.twitter.com/SaxonOfficial
www.youtube.com/PlanetSaxon
www.saxon747.com

 

The Deathtraps are putting out a couple of tunes next Friday too. They’re two of the tunes that were given away with pre-orders of the last record but they’re sitting there doing nothing so we thought we’d sling them out for anybody who’s picked up on the band since that album came out pre-pandemic. There’ll be a video too but that’ll come soon enough.
Be naughty or nice maybe Santa will drop it pre-Christmas.  Hit em up on Bandcamp and buy your family some gifts from the Rock and Roll Gods this Christmas – Here
If that’s not enough how about this bad boy? Aldora Britain Records have put together a compilation on Bandcamp for the princely sum of £1.80 but don’t be fooled there are some great bands and songs on offer Deathtraps being one who offers up their homage to Joan Jett.
AB Records is an e-zine and record label that promotes the music and work of authentic independent or underground artists from all around the world. Originally established in 2013, they revamped themselves in 2018 with a brand new approach. Their first weekly compilation, aptly titled ‘The Second Coming’, was released in late 2019. They now also release original singles, EPs, and charity projects. ‘Night Shadows’ offers twenty-two tracks from a whole variety of underground bands.  Get it Here

In an increasingly odd year, this should come as no surprise, but I was still taken aback. After the pleasant shock of The Damned announcing dates by the original line up, I am now listening to the new album by the original line up of The Vibrators. There are those who will say “never look back”, and, usually, that’s sound advice. But, ably assisted by Chris Spedding, the band have produced a great album.

 

I admit that I haven’t followed their progress since Knox originally left, and gave them his blessing to continue. I have no feelings either way, and was a fan of his albums as Fallen Angels as much as anything. So, I’m not approaching this as a purist. But, his voice has certainly been missed.

 

The title track could indeed sit nicely on a Fallen Angels LP, with the familiar drawl in place over three chords and what I assume is Spedding’s lead work, which would compliment that of ex-Angel Andy McCoy. Like a six-string version of Suicide. ‘Jesus Stole My Little Dog’, apparently. Lyrically weird, but it works, another up tempo number.

 

‘Garbage Can’ is a close cousin of ‘Amphetamine Blue’, then lead vocals change on ‘Turn The Pages’. The countrified riff could be Neil Young, not a bad thing at all. John Ellis wrote ‘Big Black Sea’, which is in a similar vein. He also wrote ‘Platinum Dress’, with some nice slide work, and ‘Passing Of Days’ which is more brooding, in the style of ‘Working Class Hero’.

 

Good songs, but for me it’s Knox’s voice that holds it together as a band. Whether on the heady four chords of ‘Woman 3.2’ or the tender ‘Love Me Forever’, it sounds like The Vibrators. Even the cow bell on ‘Follow Your Destiny’ works. ‘Made In Heaven’ is slushy but lovely, with a great solo.

 

‘Paper Tiger’ and the riffmungous ‘This Is The Way’ are a fine way to bring it to an end. Who’d have thought it? Now, once this pandemic nonsense is under control, will they spoil us with some gigs?

Buy ‘Mars Casino’ Here

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Author: Martin Chamarette

Well, finally 2020 is running out of time but here in the singles club we’ve seen a late flurry of quality singles getting released, and whilst I’d imagine it being the last one for the year we’ll see you again in January all being well.  Thanks for checking in and we hope you found more than a couple of singles that tickled your fancy.
Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour – ‘The Powder Dry’ (King Outlaw) An absolute triumph. Tyla’s songwriting skills are in rude health here. With a real laid back ballad of sorts with some fantastic backing vocals that sound like a late-night backroom choir before sailing off into the moonlight. Big acoustic chords and wonderful piano fills before a scorching electric guitar break that is an excellent payoff to a really strong song that opens this EP.  Then to follow it up with the western canter of ‘Stole My Love Away’. Another cracker to be fair as it gently saunters by.  There are four tracks in this here EP and the classic ‘Mad Bad Jack is also involved lifted from Tyla’s visit to Tokyo from earlier this year.
Then wrapped up with a solo acoustic take of the opening song that sounds epic stripped bare and takes me back to when The bard of Wolverhampton first cut loose with his ‘Nocturnal Nomad’ demos. Buy It Here
The Hip Priests / Supersuckers – Split (Ghost Highway Records) Order Here
Now then kids, the kings of the 7″ single returns to take their reward for best single releasers in all of Rock and Roll and this time they’ve got their pals from Supersuckers to take control of one side of this single.
Of course, it’s worth picking up its the fucking Hip Priests, they ain’t ever gonna die again. Its crash bang wallop! as the guitars get wrung to within an inch of their lives you’ll be joining in on the chorus before you know it. ‘Ain’t Ever Gonna Die Again’ should be a promise from Nottingham’s finest purveyors of filthy noise as they continue their trajectory of unrivaled quality singles.
As for Eddie and the boys well ‘Deceptive Expectation’ is the best AC/DC song they’ve done since back in black. Great distorted lick that rolls and grooves along very nicely with a wonderful guitar solo to boot and Eddie’s vocals are spot on.  Of course you should buy it
The Heck – ‘Hate It Here’ b/w ‘I Like It Here’ (Sour Bomb Records) This is an autobiographical song about feeling socially completely out of place. So you’re hating everything and everyone around you and life itself in general. Not because you have a good reason for it. Just because you have to because you can! So a song full of HATE is the result; what’s not to LIKE about that? If punk rock is your poison, you should check this out! For fans of Dead Kennedys, Gun Club, NOFX, Reatards, Oblivians. And for grandparents who hate their grandkids.

“Hate It Here” is the third gunfire of The Heck’s upcoming 2nd album. The Heck are another of Henri Soulmann’s brilliant bands alongside De Keefmen, The Miracle Men, and The Sensational Second Cousins.

The Speedways – ‘This Is About A Girl Who Loves The Sun​/​The Day I Call You Mine’ ( Snap! Records/Hurrah Musica) A bit of a departure with a more dreamy Johnny Marr style on the intro into the chorus.  It’s one of the stronger songs from the album ‘Radio Sounds’ very understated and the more you play it the better it gets.

Then a more power-pop song you won’t hear this year from the overdriven guitar to the gang vocals ‘The Day I Call You Mine’ is like a little ray of sunshine on a cold winter’s morning. For good measure, there’s a lo fi live recording of ‘Just Another Regular Summer’ If you needed further encouragement to pick up this bad boy it comes with a download code for their live Radio broadcast for WFMU.  Bargain!

Buy it Here
Full Tone Generator feat Nick Oliveri – ‘Without A Sound’ (Golden Robot) What a fuckin banger! Loud, in your face and chuffin’ rockin.  Without a Sound is bad ass and dangerous to know. Australian desert rock at its finest with added Oliveri for insurance.  If you needed to ask the flip side is a roaring beast. ‘If You Want Me’ is punk as fuck. Buy It! Stream/buy Without A Sound HERE

 

 

 

 

 

WARPED – ‘Raised By Goats’ (Golden Robot Records)  Ok so we’re ending the year with another awesome bunch of singles so its fitting that Warped join the gang with this heavy as a fuckin anvil dropped from an airplane.  Hailing from Geelong, Australia WARPED are a 3-piece band that have been around the traps for 30 years and are highly respect scene veterans even if we’ve never heard of them now is as good a time as any to become introduced.  Facebook

 

 

 

 

Bigspin – ‘Bottomless’  Punk as fuck Facebook / Bandcamp  Taken from the bands new album it’s skate punk or whatever you want to call it but it’s a slice of Californian punk style but from Mexico City that’s been missing for a while.  With that huge heavy bottom end as the song sprints towards the end via a sing along chorus.  It’s a tidy tune to introduce you to the band who’ve been absent for many a year and even though the album sneaked out in the opening of 2020 it makes sense they see the year out with a neat video.

 

Ghosts Of Sunset – ‘Another Rock N Roll Show’ (Golden Robot Records)  Hold onto those leather trousers lads Ghosts Of Sunset are turning back the clock with a hefty sleazy slab of Glam Rock with it’s catchy chorus.  You know what the lyrics are about obviously a lot of tears when this one gets aired. 

Featuring Tim Mosher from Junkyard on Lead Guitar.  It’s unashamed glam rock from multi-instrumentalist Todd Long. Hit that play buttonWhy not Pre-order/pre-save the EP ‘Headed West’ HERE

 

 

 

Come Closer ‘Get It Wrong’ (Pirates Press) Southern California’s COME CLOSER has released their debut single “Get It Wrong” which comes from the band’s upcoming album ‘Pretty Garbage’ which will be released in early 2021 on Pirates Press Records.

Indie rock sensibility, with influences from legends like Husker Du and early Lemonheads, Come Closer’s knack for creating lo-fi, hook-laden tunes will make you want to instantly hit the “replay” button and if this is a taste of what’s to come they can definitely abandon the social distancing rules and come closer.

You can listen to “Get It Wrong” on all major streaming services, Bandcamp, and YouTube: Here.

 

Delilah Bon – ‘School’ (Self Release)  Not content with writing a few acoustic covers or doing a livestream or two during this ole pandemic, Hands Off Gretel’s Lauren Tate went one better and invented a whole new alter-ego she christened Delilah Bon. Motivated by the backlash she endured online when she spoke out about women and young girls getting harassed at gigs (remember them), the Barnsley based songwriter channeled her fury into a new project. This day-glo collision of hip-hop beats and bratty punk attitude has already spawned 5 singles since its inception back in July.

New single ‘School’ is the dread-headed singer raising a middle finger to the school bullies and teachers who said she would amount to nothing. While it’s not as instant as the likes of ‘Bad Attitude’ or the excellent ‘Devil’, it’s still a quality diatribe from the potty mouthed, punk princess. It’s like if Eminem and Pink had a baby and bought her up on a diet of Public Enemy, L7 and Gorillaz, and that’s a good place to be.

This project is all self-written, self-played and self-produced. As Delilah Bon, Lauren Tate continues to excite with music and attitude that pushes boundaries in her quest to be the poster riot grrrl for the jilted generation. Bring on the album!

(Reviewed By Ben Hughes)

 

Paul-Ronney Angel – ‘Seven Spanish Angels’ EP (Gypsy Hotel Records)  Following his debut solo single ‘One Horse Town’, The Urban Voodoo Machine main mouthpiece Paul-Ronney Angel has ditched the horse, grown wings and flown the coop with James Brown’s wife Tomirae Brown! While not strictly true, this single is a cover of the old Willie Nelson/Ray Charles duet ‘Seven Spanish Angels’ and is a collaboration with the Godfather Of Soul’s widow. Recorded at Space Eko Studio in London by Alex McGowan, the acoustic-driven single is full of raw emotion and countrified blues. PR’s raw vocals mix well with Tomirae’s sweet tones, like the devil and the angel taking us to church with handclaps, acoustic guitars and a bottle of whisky. He’s even dressed as a dandy highwayman in the video!

A cover of Linda Gail Lewis’ recent (and topical) single ‘Oh Pandemic’ fits the Urban Voodoo groove perfectly with brass and banjo adding rustic charm to PR and Tomirae’s vocals’. Also, the acoustic reworkings of ‘Goodnight My Dear’ and ‘Pipe & Slippers Man’ are suitably ramshackle and the spaghetti western style instrumental ‘The Flattened Earth’ make this a value for money purchase and the perfect stocking filler for all those ne’er do wells craving some rock ‘n’ roll salvation. Buy ‘Seven Spanish Eyes’ Here

(Reviewed by Ben Hughes)