THE INTERRUPTERS ANIMATED VIDEO FOR ‘ALIEN’

THE INTERRUPTERS ANIMATED VIDEO FOR ‘ALIEN’

 The Interrupters, have an animated video for the track “Alien,” of their fourth studio album ‘In The Wild’.

Ukrainian sisters Olga & Vira “MadTwins” Ishchuk (@madtwinsart) known in the punk scene for their animation works for punk bands such as Social Distortion, NOFX, Flogging Molly, created the “Alien” video based on a plot invented by Aimee Interrupter. Mad Twins tell: “the song “Alien” spoke to us strongly because we know what it is like to be an abandoned child and a weirdo. Aimee and the guys wanted the main character to be a skeleton, and that was a challenge. In punk rock and metal there are a lot of visuals of skeletons, we wanted the main character to be different and the audience to empathize with him. The value of the song Alien is precisely in the openness of the emotions of suffering due to the difficulty of finding one’s place in society, which are well known to those who come to the punk rock subculture. The “happy end” at the finale of the video is not so important as the story about that the character sincerely tried to find his path. This is not the time to lie down in the pit of death, life is precious even if you are feeling yourself as an alien.”

Fresh of a month-long US headline tour, The Interrupters will be back for a selection of festival and headline shows across the UK and Europe, starting at Slam Dunk coming Saturday. The band will also be supporting Green Day in France and The Netherlands and The Hives in Italy. See below for the full list of dates.  
Tickets & info are available at wearetheinterrupters.com

UK/Europe Summer Tour

May 25th – Hatfield, UK – Slam Dunk  
May 26th – Leeds, UK – Slam Dunk
May 28th – Lille, France – Le Splendid *
May 30th – Santiago De Compostela, Spain – O Son Do Camino [SOLD OUT]
May 31st – Lisbon, Portugal – Lisboa Ao Vivo *
Jun. 1st – Madrid, Spain – Road To Rio Babel [SOLD OUT]
Jun. 3rd – Valencia, Spain – Repvblicca *
Jun. 4th – Bilbao, Spain – Santana 27 *
Jun. 5th – Lyon Decines, France – LDLC Arena # [SOLD OUT]
Jun. 7th – Nürnberg, Germany – Rock Im Park
Jun. 8th – Nürburgring, Germany – Rock Am Ring
Jun. 9th – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique *
Jun. 10th – Hamburg, Germany – Grosse Freiheit * [SOLD OUT]
Jun. 12th – Prague, Czech Republic – Lucerna Music Bar *
Jun. 13th – Nickelsdorf, Austria – Nova Rock
Jun. 15th – Interlaken, Switzerland – Greenfield
Jun. 16th – Luxembourg, Luxembourg – Den Atelier * [SOLD OUT]
Jun. 18th – Paris, France – Accor Arena # [SOLD OUT]
Jun. 19th – Arnhem, The Netherlands – GelreDome # [SOLD OUT]
Jun. 21st – South Tyrol, Italy – Natz Alpen Flair
Jun. 22nd – Lyon, France – Slam Dunk
Jun. 23rd – Landgraaf, The Netherlands – Pinkpop
Jun. 25th – Bologna, Italy – Sequoie Music Park +
Jun. 27th – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys Neue Welt * [SOLD OUT]
Jun. 28th – Munster, Germany – Vainstream
Jun. 29th – Clisson, France – Hellfest

*  Headline Show

#  Supporting Green Day
+ Supporting The Hives

For more information on The Interrupters, visit: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Amyl and The Sniffers release two new singles – ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ and ‘Facts’

<strong>Amyl and The Sniffers release two new singles – ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ and ‘Facts’</strong>

Recorded with Nick Launay (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), this is the first new music from the Melbourne, Australia foursome since the 2021 sophomore album ‘Comfort To Me’. ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ backed by B-side ‘Facts’ is out now on Rough Trade Records.

The single will be released on limited edition 7 inch, on May 24th. Pre-order from your local retailer or webstore now. Listen to the tracks / pre-order HERE

The band play a sold out show at London’s Scala on May 27th 2024, as well as headlining Bearded Theory festival in Derbyshire, UK on May 26th.

Amyl and The Sniffers head out on a North American Tour in July / August including supporting the Foo Fighters.

UK / EUR Tour 2024
MAY 26 – Bearded Theory Festival – Walton on Trent 
MAY 27 – The Scala – London 
MAY 30 – Primavera – Barcelona 
JUN 1 – Freak Valley – Netphen Germany 
JUN 3 –La Nuit Fournier – Lyon 
JUN 4 – Bikini – Toulouse 
JUN 6 – Primavera – Porto 
JUN 8 – Northside – Arhaus – Denmark 
JUN 9 – Best Kept Secret – Hilvarenbeek – Netherlands 

US Tour 2024
JUL 13, 2024 Day In Day Out Seattle, WA
JUL 19, 2024 Citi Field New York, NY *with Foo Fighters
JUL 20, 2024 White Eagle Hall Jersey City, NJ
JUL 21, 2024 Fenway Park Boston, MA *with Foo Fighters
JUL 23, 2024 Hersheypark Stadium Hershey, PA *with Foo Fighters 
JUL 25, 2024 The Majestic Theatre Detroit, MI
JUL 28, 2024 Underground Music Showcase Denver, CO
JUL 30, 2024 Granada Theater Lawrence, KS
JUL 31, 2024 Mercury Ballroom Louisville, KY
AUG 1, 2024 HI-FI Annex Indianapolis, IN
AUG 3, 2024 Asbury Hall Buffalo, NY
AUG 4, 2024 Osheaga Montreal, QC
AUG 5, 2024 Higher Ground South Burlington, VT
AUG 7, 2024 Pioneer Courthouse Square Portland, OR
AUG 9, 2024 BMO Stadium Los Angeles, CA *with Foo Fighters 
AUG 13, 2024 The Sound at Del Mar, CA
AUG 14, 2024 The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA
AUG 15, 2024 The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA

Alien Airforce – ”Give Pigeons The Right of Way’ (Easy Action)

Alien Airforce – ”Give Pigeons The Right of Way’ (Easy Action)

The first solo album from Crispin Gray, legendary guitarist from 90s indie noise fiends Daisy Chainsaw and Queenadreena, and currently Starsha Lee. Sure the artwork is a headfuck and the title asks questions but doesn’t offer much in the way of answers. Drop the needle and the album opens with the loud ‘Good Luck World’ and whoosh you’re off on a crazy soaring adventure. The fact that this is all the work of Gray shouldn’t be overlooked and a thoroughly interesting and rewarding album he delivers.

Let’s not waste time here it’s a rocking effort with so much more going on, the all out rocker that is ‘Life Is Suicidal’ sounds great before heading down a twitching darker route for ‘Used To The Bruise’ which is a dark brooding Depeche Portishead massive attack kinda offering. Don’t get too comfortable because the jittering distorted ‘Daily Damage’ is up next and the raw overdriven guitar is kicked along by the stuttering drum beat and spoken lyrics. You keep waiting for it to break out but it doesn’t and staggers to a finish. but wait, ‘Jesus Will Save You’ marches through your speakers. Mashing up so many influences who like to use distorted guitars and synths and modern techniques like a placebo or something a little further left of field it’s fairly experimental but not for the sake of it. I think it’s fair to say the songs are at the forefront of this album and its not experimentation at the expense of the music or art for the sake of art.

‘Everybody Thinks You’re Strange’ adds some rap whilst ‘Times Running Out’ has a 90s feel to it with the dueting vocals on the chorus and I do like that rumbling Bassline adding weight. We also touch on Goth with ‘Fangs Sink In Too Deep’ love the solo. ‘You Won’t Get Your Paradise’ is a banger. and the album races to a finale with some really strong tunes in the shape of ‘I Am Not Her’ and the album’s closer ‘Goodbye Miss Jane’.

All in all a really good album courtesy of Alian Airforce and one that will grow over time touching different pleasure zones of the brain on every play with the various layers on offer. It’s a rocker baby but not as we know it. Don’t be fooled by the artwork or name into thinking this is some hippy-dippy slice of prog because it couldn’t be further from it.

Buy Here

Bad Nerves – ‘Still Nervous’ (Suburban Records)

Bad Nerves – ‘Still Nervous’ (Suburban Records)

We first got news of Bad Nerves a while back and waited til the wee small hours to see them perform at Rebellion a few years back and caught their support set when The Hives marauded around Shit Island recently with Bad Nerves in tow and they raised their game and kept The Hives on their toes night after night it would seem.

The last live 10″ wet the appetite for what was brewing in the Nerves camp and boom tour finished and record number two was announced. From the much-anticipated blast off Bad Nerves aren’t fucking about here. Time is of the essence and life is for the living so when you get the atomic blast of ‘Don’t Stop quickly followed by ‘Antidote’ you barely have time to catch your breath and I like it – No I love it!

Turn the speakers up because this isn’t for the faint-hearted and it’s rapid. ‘USA’ is a fuckin belter catchy like an STI and just as sleazy and dirty as Rock n Roll should be. The Bass rumble and thrashing guitars of ‘You Got The Nerve’ is exhilarating, sure, they are indeed the torchbearers of honest Punk Rock like The Ramones and they have the pop suss of that first Strokes album but these aren’t merely the bastard children of a Ramones/Strokes broken home, Bad Nerves are snotty like the Dead Boys and cool like Blondie they do play ferociously fast distorted pop songs and I hope they do know it.

We need another band to break through playing guitars, Bass And Drums just like Dee Dee and Stiv did It would appear that maybe the stars and planets have aligned to birth the next big thing

Suburban have a diamond in the palm of their hand and with the right promotion, these Essex boys can blast off to big things. When they take a breather they channel their inner Bolan Boogie on ‘Sorry’ its got a dreamy T Rex quality about it and it wreaks of pop suss.

I get the Ramones and Jay Reatard influences and I can see why The likes of Billy Joe are on board and why The Hives wanted them to tour together and having listened to this album over and over I can also hear why these boys have a big future. It’s music to get your pulse racing and your heart pumping ten to the dozen. ‘Television’ is thunderous whilst ‘Jimmy ThePunk’ is hoping like a cat on a hot tin roof with a wicked lick and Bassline. There are twelve potential singles on here I kid you not. ‘You Should Know By Now’ is simply fantastic and buried deep into the album is like a sleeping giant. Tight and melodic it just soars. Closing the record with the fantastic and punchy ‘The Kids Will Never Have Tier Say’ is excellent rolling on a rapid strong melody its a classic upbeat uptempo album closer – it’s like rockets and fireworks going off left right and centre in celebration of a fantastic album.

I love it when an album you are holding out for arrives and delivers everything you wanted and some. Well, ‘Still Nervous’ is one of those albums. Quite simply don’t fuck about just order it! Superb stuff!

Buy Here

FOLLOW BAD NERVES – SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Author: Dom Daley

The Courettes return to North America in July and August!

<strong>The Courettes return to North America in July and August!</strong>

America & European Dates

Check out the tour posters and visit the band’s website for TICKET LINKS! A full list of the band’s gigs including their European and UK shows is at the bottom, just scroll down!

The band also have a new single lined up for release in July. ‘California’ b/w ‘Run Run Runaway’ will be available on a RED vinyl 7″. It features guest vocals from none other than La La Brookes of The Crystals! More info and pre-order details coming soon. Finally, don’t forget the band’s recent ‘SHAKE!’ 7″ is now available on BLACK VINYL. Just 500 copies on this pressing.

FULL TOUR DATES

23.05 Lux – Hannover, Germany

24.05 Sniester Festival – Den Haag, Netherlands

25.05 Botanique – Brussels, Belgium

12.06 Fermento in Villa – Bologna, Italy

13.06 Mocvara – Zagreb, Croatia

14.06 Bad Music Bogaloo – Belgrade, Serbia

15.06 Trash & Burn Fest – Sveti Martin na Muri – Croatia

20.06 Arena – Vienna, Austria

21.06 Club of Newchurch – Neukirchen A.G., Austria

22.06 Summer Live Fest – Lixing-lès-Rouhling, France 

18.07 Cafe Nine – New Haven, CT, USA

19.07 Robo Bar – Ottawa, ON – Canada

20.07 Le Festif – Baie-St-Paul, QC, Canada

21.07 L´esco – Montreal, QC, Canada

22.07 Monarch Tavern – Toronto, ON, Canada 

23.07 Lager House – Detroit, MI, USA 

24.07 Cafe Bourbon St. – Columbus, OH, USA 

25.07 Melody Inn – Indianapolis, IN, USA 

26.07 Portal – Louisville, KY, USA 

27.07 Liar´s Club – Chicago, IL, USA 

10.08 The Earl – Atlanta, GA 

11.08 Static Age – Asheville, NC 

12.08 Cobra Cabana – Richmond, VA 

13.08 Metro Baltimore – Baltimore, MD 

14.08 Pie Shop – Washibgton, DC, USA 

15.08 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA 

16.08 Hi-Tide Summer Holiday – Asbury Park, NJ 

17.08 Union Pool – Brooklyn, NY 

18.08 Askew – Providence, RI 

25.09 The Adelphi – Hull, UK 

26.09 The Night Owl – Birmingham, UK 

27.09 NE Volume Music Bar – Stockton, UK 

28.09 Acapela Studio – Cardiff, UK 

29.09 St Marys A Creative Space – Chester, UK 

30.09 The Cluny – Newcastle, UK 

01.10 The Caves – Edinburgh, UK 

02.10 Room 2 – Glasgow, UK 

03.10 Night & Day – Manchester, UK 

04.10 The Dome – London, UK 

05.10 Norwich Arts Centre – Norwich, UK 

06.10 Wedgewood Rooms – Portsmouth, UK 

Deathtraps – ‘The Golden Age Of Road Rage’ (Spirit Of Disaster Records)

Deathtraps – ‘The Golden Age Of Road Rage’ (Spirit Of Disaster Records)

EP1 of 3 for 2024! Thats the mantra and I don’t know why not in this age of disposable Rock n Roll and streaming etc etc etc more bands don’t go down this route of EPs every few months and not a splurge on an LP. See it as a three-course Rock n Roll meal deal Starter (this) main and dessert towards the end of the year maybe with a festive theme who knows?

With printing presses clogged up with Fleetwood Mac and Taylor Swift represses it is down to the streaming and CD market. So saying you can’t get them on streaming services might be a bit of a fib seeing as Bandcamp has them so you can get em digitally I guess and if you buy you also get a CD version to keep. EP number one sees our intrepid heroes expanded to a four-piece and as the noise seeps out of the speakers ‘You’re a Rat’ spitting its bile and infecting the air around you as it barks out of the speakers. Sure it has hints of Towers Of London but that isn’t a bad thing in the chorus and title but that’s where it ends Deathtraps are more Nashville Pussy than Noughties wannabee punks. As Veej and Fraser share vocals and guitar lick the sound is still brash and rough n dirty.

I like the idea of a year’s worth of new tunes trickling out rather than one hit-and-done ‘Do The Right Thing Wrong’ is a bit of a banger going full throttle and heading off into the distance with its rear end on fire.

‘Ready or Not’ is a solid thumper and even if you’re wishing for Fraser to count to ten or ten to one you can properly dad dance in any self-respecting mosh pit to this from the dirty riff to the finger flying solo going hell for leather on this one. ‘You’re The One I’m Talking About’ is more rapid than the previous offerings and I like the dirty Twisted Sister riff and the subtle melody on the vocals. It’s over in a flash but its a lot of fun.

The EP finishes with ‘Shut Up’ and your guess is as good as mine who it might be about but I like it and that’s all that counts. Weirdly Fraser channels his innermost Noddy Holder had he been a punk rocker and not a 70s glam icon. As your starter for six this will do very nicely and fill your soul nicely whilst waiting for the main course in a few months by the time dessert is served we’ll be gagging for more.

Compliments to the chef this one has been most enjoyable. Buy It!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

PETER MURPHY launches new record label Silver Shade Records

PETER MURPHY <strong>launches new record label Silver Shade Records</strong>

First two releases: ‘Peter Live – Vol One – Covers’ & ‘Peter Live – Vol Two – The Blender Theater NYC 2008’

To be released June 21st via Cadiz Music HERE:

‘Volume One Covers’ features a version of ‘Hurt’ by Nine Inch Nails featuring Trent Reznor on piano

pic – Jolene Siana

One of the icons of the post-punk years, Peter Murphy fronted the dark art house crew Bauhaus. His charismatic, devilish and dangerous personae, combined with his stunning voice and razor-sharp cheekbones, saw him become one of the pin-ups for what was to be mislabelled Goth. 

Post Bauhaus, he released a series of acclaimed solo albums and fronted the band on their intermittent back-from-the-dead reunions before the band collapsed in 2023.

Bauhaus were never short of giving a nod to their mentors with several well-executed covers that they made their own. The singer continues this tradition with ‘Peter Live – Vol One – Covers’, the

first of two albums for his own new Silver Shade label, showcasing his own solo interpretations. The albums are prefaced with ‘Peter Live’.  ‘Peter Live – Vol One – Covers’ and ‘Peter Live – Vol Two – The Blender Theater NYC 2008’. Silver Shade will release his live concerts and re-issue solo albums in future times.

There is more to a cover version than copying it note for note, and the ever-astute vocalist gets to the heart of the art of darkness of these songs by unzipping them inside out whilst giving a nod to the music that made him what he is.

He stamps his own authority all over them, from a thrilling take on Iggy’s ‘Funtime’ to a dramatic version of ‘Hurt’. There is a terrifying, sparse dynamic take on Pere Ubu’s iconic ‘Final Solution’ and a stomping and powerful nod to Howard Devoto’s Magazine with a brilliant take on their ‘The Light Pours Out Of Me’.

Theatrical embraces of Elvis’s ‘Love Me Tender’ and Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ underline the eclectic spirit of Peter’s musical journey and, of course, being one of the generation of the children of Ziggy, there is the Bowie moment on the stunning take on David’s first hit, ‘Space Oddity’ that adds to the song’s sense of unease and isolation. 

The album concludes with ‘Hurt’ with the song’s writer Trent Reznor (NIN) playing the piano and Peter re-claiming the song from Johnny Cash’s version for power and emotion. 

Peter Murphy: “There’s no point in covering a song unless of course it’s got you somewhere in there. To have chosen ‘Purple Rain’ was at the time of the general expectation that I would opt for some lame purposely naff ‘alternative’ song was and is a stroke of genius in action. The audio might be wanting on a couple of songs, but if that puts you off, then go and listen to any of the thousand mediocre songs of some tiresome star.”   

The second release, ‘Peter Live Vol Two Blender Theater NYC 2008’, is an unreleased concert from the Blender Theatre at Gramercy on 27th June 2008 and Peter and the band are in shimmering form.

Includes Bauhaus and Peter’s career spanning solo highlights such as ‘Cuts you Up’, ‘I’ll Fall With Your Knife’, ‘Crystal Wrists’ and ‘Gliding Like a Whale’. 

The two albums are snapshots of something special, something spiritual and are full of a musical imagination creating hypnotic takes on key songs from Peter’s life. The live edge adds a frisson of excitement, and the iconic frontman proves he is far from undead with some of the best vocals of his long career in these two snapshots that harbingers further musical missives from the archive.

Peter Live – Vol One – Covers 

CADIZLP269 Sleeve artwork features original painting by Peter. Golden nugget coloured vinyl, limited edition. Embossed sleeve. 

Pre-order HERE:

Find Peter Murphy online HERE:

The Dirty Denims – ‘Party On!’ (Handclap)

The Dirty Denims – ‘Party On!’ (Handclap)

Hailing from The Netherlands, The Dirty Denims return with their 4th studio album entitled ‘Party On!’, where they continue the quest to bring their self-proclaimed brand of “happy hard rock” to the masses. 

If you dig the sounds of AC/DC, The Donnas and Sahara Hotnights, then you can’t go far wrong with ‘Party On!’. The Dirty Denims unapologetically live in a world of denim & leather, flying V’s and flicking horns, and why the hell not, it ain’t a bad place to be!

Straight from the off the title track sees the band, led by singer/guitarist Mirjam Sieben, firing on all cylinders. They play a no-frills, high-energy style of rock n’ roll that never gets tired and never feels old. Angus inspired riffs and licks courtesy of guitarist Jeroen Teunis, a bluesy breakdown led by the rhythm section of bassist Sebastiaan Verhoeven and drummer Suzanne Driesen, making up a raucous, high-energy racket.

Check out that uber cool artwork, that pretty much throws out the vibe of the album. It’s like Joan Jett hanging out with David Lee Roth, drinking beer at a frat party in California circa 1984, and there’s nothing wrong with that in my book.

They’ve pilfered all the best AC/DC riffs, channelled the rawness of garage rock and the melodies of the sleazy 80’s rock scene to great effect here.

There are hints of Suzi Quatro in ‘Devil In Me’, with its killer

glam rock hook and licks that Joe Perry would be proud of. It needs more cowbell though. Elsewhere,

‘Why Do I Wake Up In The Middle Of The Night’ channels Thin Lizzy style twin harmonies and a Sweet style glam rock stomp to great effect. With an infectious melody and an instant earworm of a hook, it’s a strong album closer and probably my favourite track on the album.

With strong singles like the title track, the groovy, guitar-driven   ‘Victory’ and the power pop nugget that is ‘Guestlist’, (it has a bass solo, for real!) the Eindhoven based band have already shown the world a taste of what they have to offer with ‘Party On!’. Are you ready to grab a four pack, spark up a Marlboro lite and join the party? 

Buy Here

Author: Ben Hughes

Lodestar – ‘Zonen’ (Self Release)

Lodestar – ‘Zonen’ (Self Release)

formed in 1996 when Heitham Al-Sayed, John Morgan and “Haggis” put Senser on hold they recruited guitarist Jules Hodgson and set about recording their debut album. Following the release Senser reformed and it was back and fore with other projects taking precedence until 2018 Heitham, John and Haggis started cultivating the second Lodestar LP that we now know as ‘Zonen’ which features Haggis on Bass and Guitar, Heitham on Vocals and John on Drums with additional input from Charlie Beddoes ( Rub Ultra, Nasty Little Lonely) on Bass.

‘Zonen’ kicks off with ‘Surrender To The Tide’ a crushingly heavy Sabbath droning riff before Heitham starts singing and the sludgy doom-laden rock continues. It’s rightly supremely confident in its swagger as it pushes my speakers to the max. I love the breakdown in all its evil heaviness.

Woah I did say my speakers were beginning to creak under the strain and then the Bass throb of ‘Bring Me The Head’ enters the frey. it’s addictive in its heaviness and whirling swirling riff – it must be a blast to play with its hypnotic roll.

‘Be Ready’ is a grinding slog positively bursting with evil licks it sounds dark and full of menace much like the rest of this record. The breakdown gives a feeling of alchemy and aboding darkness in a good way of course before picking up the pace with a subtly solo that tears a hole in space and time and that guitar tone is filthy (should come with a health warning).

And breathe, ‘Hyperitual’ has Haitham going head-to-head with the solo as you ready for the inevitable break out and it doesn’t disappoint like dropping an anvil on your heart through the speakers it ebbs and flows wonderfully.

The first video lifted from the album is ‘Flame’ which has the heaviness but fucks with your head a little more with a crushing bass sound and a more, dare I say commercial melody.

‘1983’ opens with an acoustic-picked synth-laden slice of space rock making way as a brief interlude before ‘The Stranger’ steams in. ‘The Real World’ is like getting in the furious pit wearing old-school lead divers boots and kicking the shit out of anything and everything. The last of the original songs on offer is ‘Sigilis Burning’ which is the accumulated content of everything before it meted into one heaving riff that blows away the cobwebs of those near three decades before surrendering to ‘The Harp’.

Being almost thirty years between albums this is the sound of the 21st Century wreaking havoc for the past three decades of wait. Ten new originals and a head fuckin take on ‘The Harp’ from The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. I needed that, head well and truly cleaned by the heavy as fuck juggernaut that is Lodestar. Welcome back people let the riffs rain down.

Listen Here

Author: Dom Daley

To celebrate the release of Zonen, Lodestar play two shows, including the Desertfest, with more shows to be announced soon.

Lodestar UK shows

May 

Sat 18th Southampton Heartbreakers 
Sun 19th  Desertfest  London

Ferocious Dog – ‘Kleptocracy’ (Graphite Records)

Ferocious Dog – ‘Kleptocracy’ (Graphite Records)

A folk punk band from the midlands I’ve seen live supporting The Wildhearts several years ago are now on album number six and remaining true to their core sound of raging against the machine and other social injustices this wholesome ensemble like nothing more than rebel-rousing with a sound not a million miles from that of the Levellers using a multitude of instruments to accompany the message the lyrics are trying to put across and generally doing it well.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out from the song titles what the band’s MO is and with their hearts collectively on their sleeves. Now the first thing I notice before I get to the music is the vinyl is only your Twelve tracks however the CD version has a budget-busting sixteen songs and an impressive 20-page booklet.

The album kicks off with a ferocious ‘Witch Hunt’, a breakneck jig that has a wholesome pace and duelling banjo and fiddle to boot if their live set starts with this then that’s a high bar to get the pit whirling and reeling to. It even comes with a brief breakdown before hurtling off. ‘Sus Laws’ is of course a Tory thing about the police and the powers given to stop and search pretty much anyone (unless you’re of white privilege stock of course), 

Without pause for breath, the title track steams in. More New Model Army than Levellers to my finely tuned ears. We then take a breather (not) as ‘ Iron Mike Malloy’ is a rebel-rousing slice of prime time Pogues-style Irish folk.

‘Merthyr Rising’ is a historic tale that sways from traditional folk to thunderous punk rock in the blink of an eye.

‘A Place We Call Home’, is a penny whistle and acoustic guitar as the dreamy lyrics set the scene on a track that was Described by Ken as the band’s Fairytale Of New York, some song to aspire to but the vocal back and fore is a beautiful thing.

‘Blood Soaked Shores’, sees the band back on the jig with another upbeat romp mashing up the folk with something altogether more punk rock. Coming on like the Clash riffing on the Batman theme ‘Darker Side Of Town’ is the most excellent straight-down-the-line rocker. The other side of the band is ‘Matty Groves’ a straight folk tune.

‘Running With The Hounds’, grows from the strum of the acoustic guitar and snare to a rousing all in rapid climax. ‘Then there’s ‘Moby Dick’, complete with its lapping waves and seagull sound effects its a dark tale like a punk rock Sea Shanty (not my cuppa at all and the weakest track on offer thus far).

The vinyl album signs off with the fury of ‘Anger On The Streets’, a suitably thrashier affair and a full bloodied punk rock riffs no fuckin about here just full-on fury. Nice.

Now for those who pick up the CD deluxe edition, The first of the four extra songs begins with ‘Brixton’s Burning’ a Ferocious Dog kinda song or something you’d expect the band to dish up.  ‘Protest Singer’s Blues’, Wheezes into view with a gob iron work out only matched by the banjo plucking and the rapid snare rolls. The penultimate track ‘Tell God And The Devil’ is one of the album’s highlights and a shame it’s not accommodated on the wax press coming on like Prime Bad Religion. ‘The Protest Singer’ is a gentle acoustic number to close off the album and give the chance fo the listener to reflect on a band in full flight and hitting a career high which is what it’s all about isn’t it?

Ferocious Dog fans will be delighted with ‘Kleptocracy’ and the quality on offer and new fans will be drawn in on the strength of the songs individually or as a complete body of work. Get involved it’ll reward you in these tough times.

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Author: Dom Daley