The Muffs – ‘New Improved Kim Shattuck Demos’ (Omnivore Recordings)

The Muffs – ‘New Improved Kim Shattuck Demos’ (Omnivore Recordings)

Now the dust has settled on another wallet-busting RSD, it’s time to assess the picks of the pops and if you weren’t lucky enough to pick one up there are some floating around the internet from shops that unbelievably didn’t sell their allocated copies. Limited to 2500 copies.

During the period leading up to 2004’s ‘Really Really Happy’, The Muffs had been keeping a busy schedule of live performances as well as working through an ever-increasing list of songwriting demos from singer/guitarist Kim Shattuck a process explained on the inner sleeve notes by fellow bandmate Ronnie Barnett. Once this bunch of tunes was narrowed down, the band set to recording them for the album. Appearing as bonus material on the upcoming, expanded 2-CD/Digital reissue of ‘Really Really Happy’, ‘New Improved Kim Shattuck Demos’ represents the only vinyl appearance of these 16 tracks, composed and performed entirely by Kim.

The 16-track, black vinyl LP is fully endorsed by Kim’s friends, family, and bandmates. It also contains a personal note to Kim from bandmate Ronnie Barnett. The world lost Kim to ALS in 2019, ‘New Improved Kim Shattuck Demos’ shows the enigmatic singer, songwriter, and performer in her true creative element. While The Muffs turned this material into their classic fifth album, it all began with Kim.” To get beyond the loss of such talent is like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that you were always told was a myth. One of the must pick up items these will all go. So until the CD is released this will more than do.

The pick of the pops would have to be a vibrant run through ‘The Story Of Me’ and a banging take on the melodramatic ‘A Little Luxury’ with the raw edge of a demo but it loses none of the drama and with hindsight, I hope she found her Luxury.

Sure it’s missing the final polish and gleams that a fully finished and mastered record has but it’s those rough edges and rawness that hold up these fantastic tunes and if it was possible to love them a little more then it’s job done.

It’ll be interesting to see what the CD is like as it features twenty-two tracks (all of these demos, and a further six that will be released on a 7″ hand stamped single). The explanation on the inner sleeve is a beautiful thing and quite how this took almost twenty years to emerge is another miracle. Much like some of the other RSD releases Bleeding Hearts is the one that springs to mind, an absolute belter of a release and why I’m not down on RSD (not yet) but having these gems to listen to long after the studio finished recordings come out is what loving music is all about and why people are so passionate about it. If you can buy it!

Author: Dom Daley

The Courettes – ‘Back In Mono’ (Damaged Goods Records)

The Courettes – ‘Back In Mono’ (Damaged Goods Records)

The Courettes are hot hot hot! at the moment and rightly so. Heading over to the UK in June for an extensive tour this 10″ record brings together a whole bunch of B sides and outtakes. Striking whilst the iron is hot is a good thing and this duo are knocking out quality records and drawing these together in one convenient place is a bargain. They ask that you play this record loudly and through shite speakers but that’s not an exclusive request because it’s also available on CD as well.

You know the drill with this pair, they’re retro in a wall of sound way and bang up to date current as well. It’s not just a cobbled-together compilation because there are non-album B sides, and three tracks that have added instrumentation on them it also has the Japanese-only split ‘So What’ available right here, right now.

Their brand of pop smart melodies wrapped up in a Rock and Roll sound was perfectly described as not playing Rock and Roll because they are Rock and Roll, if you know – you know! At times you have to concentrate hard on the record because you think it is a four-piece and some making that wall of sound and not just two musicians, it’s got that warm Fuzz on the guitar and a shimmering smokey mix over the top of the whole sound. Surely it’s only a matter of time before everyone gets down with The Courettes and their music maybe one DJ who knows their music will get smart or a Jools Holland to champion this pair and whoosh! away they’ll fly. ‘Tough Like That’ is a bruiser with it’s punchy riff and then the cool smoldering ‘Talking About My Baby’ before it just takes off for the chorus before switching vocals and dropping back into that cool smolder.

Try them – buy this 10″ you won’t regret it they write and perform wonderful music that let you leave all your real-world woes at the door because for the next half an hour your gonna dream and pretend you’re onto the best-kept secret in music – The Fabulous Courettes Schh! or everyone will cotton on. Bop shawaddy bop baby! Eight tracks to tide us over. Perfecto!

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Author: Dom Daley

The Drowns – ‘Lunatics’ (Pirates Press Records)

The Drowns – ‘Lunatics’ (Pirates Press Records)

Long EP or short album you decide. For my sixpence on The Drowns blistering slab of Rock and Roll is this. ‘Live Like Yer Dyin’ just about does exactly what it says on the tin and has a healthy dose of Rock and Roll along the lines of label mates and stalwarts The Harrington Saints. their cut from the same blue-collar roots rock n roll. With a wonderful disposition and outlook of positivity and whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. It’s a blast straight out of the traps.

The title track is less Rockin in one respect but more upbeat in other respects as it touches on the Galic vibe with shades of SLF and maybe Dropkick Murphys feel with a great walking bass line throughout get your martins on and go for it.

‘The Working Dead’ is a happy-go-lucky thumper with PMA running through its core. It’s comfortable and familiar for sure but it also comes across as fresh and full of excitement.

This is the real deal. If you want some punk rock but a band that also adds some Rock n Roll and isn’t afraid to rock out (‘She’s The Knife’) then this is a band you should get behind, Possibly my favourite track on the album for those Malcolm young rhythm riffs and DC stabs (no pun intended) it’s a top tune full of energy.

Six tracks just isn’t enough I’m sorry but I want more and I love the vibe on the acoustic ‘Look What We’ve Become’ – resisting breaking it out after the opening verse is great. More Gaslight Anthem meets Downtown Struts for sure but that’s another string to the bow. Then to wind things down with the final cut of ‘Tokyo Red Alert’ which pulls several styles together with a social Distortion meets Green Day kinda thing that really works with a country jig vibe on the melody. Just buy the record and go play it – it’ll make perfect sense and you can thank me laters.

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Author: Dom Daley

Howie Pyro R.I.P

Howie Pyro R.I.P

Howie Pyro, punk rock legend and co-founder of D Generation, DJ, and music lover in general has sadly passed away aged 61. Pyro had undergone a liver transplant last year and was recovering in a Los Angeles hospital when he was living. Jesse Malin, Pyro’s bandmate in D Generation and close friend, confirmed his death from Covid-related pneumonia following a long battle with liver disease.

Pic Bob Gruen

Pyro was a fixture on the LES and was friends to the good and the great of the punk scene he was one of the last people to see Sid Vicious before he passed away in 79. In 1991, Malin, Pyro, guitarist Danny Sage, drummer Michael Wildwood, and guitarist Richard Bacchus came together to form D Generation, an attitude-heavy Noo Yawk group that mixed Seventies punk with Eighties aggression. The group was born in a Chelsea loft where Malin and Pyro, disgusted by the decadent Eighties metal scene, would throw their own debauched and sleazy parties known as Greendoor.

Together with Malin and Bacchus, Pyro, picked up the bass and wrote D Gen’s first single, “No Way Out.” Pyro would record three albums with the band, including 1996’s ‘No Lunch’, before the unit broke up in 1999. They’d reunite in 2016 for a reunion tour and new album, ‘Nothing Is Anywhere‘. In 2000 he played Bass in the latest incarnation of Danzig where he reuniting with New York guitarist and onetime D Generation bandmate Todd Youth.

Also an accomplished  DJ, He was getting gigs for a bunch of high-profile celebrities such as Christina Aguilera’s birthday party to a residency at the Ace Hotel. Pyro hosted the ‘Intoxica! Radio’ show. Pyro will be greatly missed by his family, friends and fans. Once described as “the glue that held a scene together” it’s a sad day when we have to report another important figure passing away. Rest In Peace Howie. A true NYC legend.

DION LUNADON (ex-A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS) New Video For ‘IT’S THE TRUTH’

DION LUNADON (ex-A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS) New Video For ‘IT’S THE TRUTH’

SOPHOMORE ALBUM ‘BEYOND EVERYTHING’ OUT JUNE 10TH ON IN THE RED RECORDS ON ALL DIGITAL PLATFORMS & LIMITED EDITION COLORED VINYL (PRE-ORDER)

After releasing his self-titled debut album in 2017, Dion Lunadon (The D4, ex-A Place To Bury Strangers) is set to release his sophomore album ‘Beyond Everything‘ on June 10th via In The Red Records. Available for pre-order HERE.    Today, Dion shares second track ‘It’s The Truth’, with a video directed by Alexander Barton. “This is one of my favorite songs on the record,” says Dion. “It started with the opening drum beat and the rest came together quickly. It’s about me writing songs in my little hovel of a studio and looking forward to my wife’s return home from work. A “distance makes the heart grow fonder” kind of thing”.  Alexander Barton says; “In Dion’s live performance he has a wall of sound and noise, it’s very textural and real. About 3/4 of the way through his set, he drags a chain out of a bag like a snake wrangler presenting a cobra to the audience. It’s an exciting moment of the set where he breaks the routine of the rock formula and shares his experimental interests and the audience really laps it up. The cameras pop out and feed his exhibitionism. I make films that feel and use not only the beauty of film, but welcome the noise and error that come with the raw and naive nature of my tools. The chain as an object and material is a fully loaded symbol and historical icon which is a powerful character itself. I wanted to honor the chain for all its brilliance, referencing metal, design, rock n’ roll, violence, sculpture, industrialism, eroticism, and Jacob Marley. ‘It’s The Truth’ is about material and the spectacle.”   

Photo cretdit: Ebru Yildiz

Dion continues; “The record was written and recorded sporadically between 2017 and 2019. I probably wrote about 100 songs during this period. The first album was pretty relentless which I liked, but I wanted to make something more dynamic for the 2nd record. Something that could be more conducive to repeated listens. I’d get in my studio, come up with a song title, and start working on any ideas that I had. For example, with Elastic Diagnostic, the idea was to create a hum that evokes the sound of life coursing through your body. Everything else kind of formed around that idea.”     

‘Beyond Everything’ will be Dion’s first release on In The Red (an ideal match for his music), as well as his first full-length since departing A Place To Bury Strangers. Written, performed and recorded by Dion, the songs tap into a raw, palpable energy that blurs the line between the music and the person. Drums on the record were played by Blaze Bateh (Bambara) and Nick Ferrante (The Black Hollies).   

Dion will be touring with a full band in North America and Europe/UK throughout 2022. The US tour begins in Denver (some of the dates are supporting The Black Angels), with European and UK dates in November. All dates are listed below with more TBA. Ticket links HERE.

US TOUR Sat May 14 – Bethlehem, PA – National Sokols +

Thur Jun 09 – Denver, CO – Ogden *

Fri Jun 10 – Salt Lake City – Metro Music Hall *

Sat Jun 11 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory *

Sun Jun 12 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile *

Mon Jun 13 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre Lounge

Wed Jun 15 – Arcata, CA – Miniplex

Thur Jun 16 – Petaluma, CA – Phoenix Theatre *

Sat Jun 18 – Oakland, CA – Elbo Room

Mon Jun 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge

Wed Jun 22 – San Diego, CA – Music Box * 

EUROPE/UK TOUR

Thur Nov 03 – Reignier, France – La Poulpe

Fri Nov 04 – Gigors, France – Gigors Electric

Sat Nov 05 – Torino, Italy – Blah Blah

Sun Nov 06 – Zurich, Switzerland – Safari Bar

Mon Nov 07 – Fürth, Germany – Kunstkeller 027

Wed Nov 09 – Hamburg, Germany – Hafenklang

Thur Nov 10 – Berlin, Germany – 8mm

Fri Nov 11 – Regensburg, Germany – VOID CONCERT @ Alte Malzerai

Mon Nov 14 – Bristol, UK – Crofter’s Rights

Wed Nov 16 – Nottingham, UK – Chameleon

Thur Nov 17 – London, UK – Shacklewell Arms

Wed Nov 23 – Paris, France – Supersonic

Thu Nov 24 – Rennes, France – TBA

Fri Nov 25 – Nantes, France – Duchesse

Sat Nov 26 – Lyon, France – Le Sonic 

* with The Black Angels+ with Haldol and Death Bag

Drive By Truckers – New song previewed & Tour Dates

Drive By Truckers – New song previewed & Tour Dates

SPIRITED HORN-BLASTED ANTHEM HERALDS UPCOMING NEW ALBUM,’WELCOME 2 CLUB XIII’ OUT 3RD JUNE ON ATO RECORDS

UK SHOWS JUNE

Drive-By Truckers have announced the premiere of ‘Every Single Storied Flameout’, the latest track from their upcoming 14th studio album, ‘Welcome 2 Club XIII’, due via ATO Records on Friday, June 3. Pre-orders are available now. 

The spirited, horn-blasted ‘Every Single Storied Flameout’ sees founding member/vocalist/guitarist Mike Cooley looking back at his younger years with unsparing self-reflection and a bit of rambling wisdom.   “I wrote that song when my son was turning 16 and going through a rough patch for a bit,” Cooley says. “Luckily, he’s turned it around and he’s doing great now, but it was a tough time for a while. Part of my way of dealing with it was to take ownership of the example I might’ve set, in the hope of leading him out of it.”

LISTEN TO ‘EVERY SINGLE STORIED FLAMEOUT’ ON SPOTIFY, YOUTUBE AND SOUNDCLOUD PRE-ORDER  ALBUM ‘WELCOME 2 CLUB XIII’

JUNE1 – Berlin – Kesselhaus †

Photo Credit: Brantley Guitierrez

2 – Koln – Kantine †

3 – Antwerp – De Roma †

5 – Raalte, Netherlands – Ribs and Blues †

6 – Amsterdam – Paradiso †

7 – Brighton – Chalk †

8 – London – O2 Forum †

9 – Leeds – University Stylus †

11 – Dublin – Vicar Street †

12 – Glasgow – SWG3 TV Studio †

14 – Tilburg, Netherlands – 013 (Jupiler Zaal) †

15 – Paris – La Maroquinerie †

17 – Mendizabala, Vitoria-Gasteiz – Azkena Rock Festival

19 – Eridge Park, UK – Black Deer Festival

† w/Special Guest Jerry Joseph

CONNECT WITH DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS:

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O.C Rippers – ‘Wasteland Blues’ (Ruined Records)

O.C Rippers – ‘Wasteland Blues’ (Ruined Records)

By no means a new record this bad boy was sent via the US mail and probably took the duration of lockdown to get over the big pond to RPM HQ. These gutter punk rockers hail from outta Ocean County New Jersey and are channeling the spirit of the Stooges, Dead Boys, Ramones, and a few other legendary punk rock bands.

From the opening riff-o-la of ‘Do The Whip’ you get the flavour of the Rippers MO and it’s a healthy dose of scuzzy punk n roll in places, they remind me of the epic legends that were Uncle Sam mixing up the punk rock with a bluesy vibe. ‘Brats’ being a great example.

Hell ‘White Lightning’ I hope its a tribute to the lovely drink of the same name but alas I think that refreshing drink never made it stateside but the Rock n Roll is like WL bottled and cut loose in the studio. then to follow it up with the Sleazy groove of the Stooges like ‘I’ve Had It’ with a good lick on that old guitar ringing out makes for a decent tune. The record gathers pace from there with ‘Born In Waco’ a thunderous ride on a hotrod fueled on moonshine.

Following that Stooges vibe Side two gathers pace and is ‘Never Coming Down’ with its meaty punk rock. The songs never outstay their welcome seeing as most clock in at less than two minutes even ‘Vomit Pig’ keeps me interested. ‘Rock N Roll Til I Die’ rocks out like a sped-up Cramps and I like that it would make for a hectic pit in a smelly boozy club. Get some O.C. Rippers whilst they’re still with us and not spontaneously combusting on some stage somewhere or a highway to hell.

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Various Artists – ‘Forever Reigning – A Tribute to Slayer’

Various Artists – ‘Forever Reigning – A Tribute to Slayer’

Slayer’s legacy is a strong one. Throughout their reign (see what I did there) as the undisputed kings of thrash metal, they influenced and inspired a whole generation of metal heads to pick up a (pointy) guitar or a pair of drumsticks. Unfortunately, that also means some of the bands that have inclusions on this pointless tribute album. There are (some very ropey) covers from bands such as the charmingly named Skull Fuckers Incorporated, Skrog, and Bloat Toad, and others you’ve never heard of. It really is about as welcome as a dose of crabs. Awful production values and poor performances just make for a total mess of an album that absolutely no one needs to hear. That’s not to say that some of the attempts here don’t have some merit, Eulogy of Blood’s version of Bloodline is half decent, along with Skrog’s attempt at a lesser-known Slayer track – Divine Intervention.

Apart from that, it’s all very forgettable. The least said about Slokill’s murdering of the track Disorder (which was nicked from the Exploited in the first place) the better… dreadful. If you’re a Slayer fan like me, do yourself a big favour and avoid Forever Reigning like the plague. Just go and listen to the genuine article, you really don’t need this in your life.

SSSLLLLLAAAAAAAAYYYYEEEERRRRRR!!!!!!

Author: Kenny ‘Don’t Fuck With Slayer’ Kendrick

The Honeymoon Killers – ‘The Love The Lost & The Last’ (Bang! Records)

The Honeymoon Killers – ‘The Love The Lost & The Last’ (Bang! Records)

With a howl of feedback and some inspiring floor tom thumping The Honeymoon Killers are thumping their way into my affection at a rate of knots. With levels that would give a modern sound engineer a heart attack The Honeymoon Killers’ final album gets its much-belated release on vinyl thanks to the good people at Bang!.

Noo Yawk City 91 is the place and all three Blues Explosion members join up with Jerry Teal to kick out the jams motherfuckers and what a beautiful noise they make.

From the wild and reckless ‘Guess I’m Falling In Love’ the line in the sand is drawn and the chaotic, unbridled abandon in which these Rock and Rollers create their beautiful noise is blasting through the speakers. Like the love child of The Stooges, Jesus And Mary Chain, early Damned, and a whole bunch more besides sees that Noo Yawk was still getting its groove on into the 90s. The choppy guttural punch to the throat that is ‘Love Man’ is brilliant in its simplicity and the fact that these cats just want to rock n roll and to hell with the fineries of obtaining a rounded mix – it’s all about the vibe and the moment and capturing the excitement of what’s being created and this is like lightning in a bottle.

They’ve even got time for a trashy romp through ‘Oh Oh I Love Her So’. It’s all about the love on side A and when they rip a hole right through the heart of Dead Boys classic ‘What Love Is’. IT’s a raging thumper of a track but a fine line to get it right and if you have it coursing through your veins then you’ll nail it every time and The Honeymoon Killers just gets it. ‘Love Love Love Love Love’ is pure Spencer magic. To finish up side one there’s even time for a cheeky ‘Love Is All Around’ that needs to be heard – tuning is for pussies or something like that.

Side two begins with da Blooze with a gob iron honking ‘Who’s Driving Your Plane’ that twitches and twangs like a cat on a hot tin roof. The guitar tone for ‘Dead Again’ is exceptional like a refined East Cost Brian James on a hack and slash mission to kill every other instrument other than the crisp snare.

Man, Noo Yawk City has spewed some amazing bands that didn’t get the coverage they deserved when they were taking names but thanks to labels like Bang! we can pick up some of those recordings for less than a mortgage on a house. This record crosses the T’s and dots the i’s on a top turn. Get on cool kids you wont regret it!

http://www.bang-records.net/

https://www.facebook.com/BANGRECORDS

Author: Dom Daley

JOYCE MANOR ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM & Video

JOYCE MANOR ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM & Video

JOYCE MANOR ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM ‘40 OZ. TO FRESNO’ OUT JUNE 10 ON EPITAPH RECORDS

The first single available on all streaming platforms. Pairing sentimental lyrics with an aggressive bridge, the track emphasizes the “punk” in pop-punk and is the perfect re-introduction to the band.

Originally planning to take a small break from music, Joyce Manor brought their latest project 40 oz to Fresno to life thanks to singer/guitarist Barry Johnson’s desire to keep writing during quarantine. Produced by Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Tokyo Police Club, Joyce Manor’s ‘Cody’,) mixed by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Phoenix) with Tony Thaxton of Motion City Soundtrack on drums, a sense of liberation lies at the core of this project. It’s strangely fitting that the title was taken from an auto-corrected text message about Sublime. Those types of happy accidents are all over 40 oz. To Fresnoand are worth the subsequent sonic hangover.

Vocalist Barry Johnson summarizes,“This album makes me think of our early tours, drinking a 40 in the van on a night drive blasting Guided By Voices and smoking cigarettes the whole way to Fresno.”

Since forming in 2008, the pop-punk group has proved time and time again that they capture listeners’ attention through their catchy yet thought provoking lyrics, and high energy shows. Although they have an established sound that reflects the energetic and gritty nature of the band which fans have come to expect, they push the limits by experimenting throughout the recording process.

Joyce Manor will be touring in Europe with The Menzingers in October this year. Please see below for the full list of dates. The tickets can be purchased via band’s website.

Joyce Manor Tour Dates with Menzingers

3-10-2022 – Dublin / Opium Rooms (IE)

4-10-2022 – Dublin / Opium Rooms (IE)

6-10-2022 – Glasgow / Barrowland Ballroom (UK)

7-10-2022 – Manchester / Manchester Academy (UK)

8-10-2022 – London – The Roundhouse (UK)

10-10-2022 – Antwerp / Kavka Zappa (BE)

11-10-2022 – Amsterdam / Melkweg (NL)

12-10-2022 – Münster / Sputnikhalle (DE)

13-10-2022 – Hamburg / Markthalle  (DE)

14-10-2022 – Berlin / So36 (DE)

15-10-2022 – Linz / SBAM Fest (DE)

17-10-2022 – Solothurn / Kulturfabrik Kofmehl (CH)

19-10-2022 – Cologne / Gloria Theatre (DE)

20-10-202 –  Cologne / Gloria Theatre (DE)

21-10-2022 – Wiesbaden / Schlachthof (DE)

22-10-2022 – Stuttgart / Im Wizemann (DE)

23-10-2022 – Munich / Backstage Werk (DE)

For more info on Joyce Manor, visit:

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