Quireboys – ‘Wardour Street’ (Cadiz Music)

Quireboys – ‘Wardour Street’ (Cadiz Music)

The 19th of November 1988 will be forever etched into the RPM Online history books as the night I first met our esteemed boss, Sir Dominic of Daley, down the front at St Davids Hall in Cardiff catching the classic “There She Goes Again’ era line up of the Quireboys (supporting one Yngwie “fucking” Malmsteen would you believe) live. We bonded like brothers that night as it felt like the remaining 99.8% of those in attendance truly wanted to unleash the fury on us cowboy-booted ne’er-do-wells, and a decade or so aside (when our glorious leader went off to play Dick Whittington), we’ve been good friends ever since.  

This is why October 11th 2024 is such an important date for us here at RPM HQ, not only because it marks the release of the all new 11 track album from the mighty Quireboys, but it also sees the band’s frontman Spike reunited in a recording studio with bassist Nigel Mogg and pianist Chris Johnstone for the first time since 1993 and the band’s second album ‘Bitter Sweet and Twisted’. An album, which in hindsight, turned out to carry a pretty prophetic title, given the antics that followed its release and those that eventually unfolded during the band’s second shot at glory, when they returned in the early noughties with the release of their excellent ‘This Is Rock N Roll’ album and an additional “The” preceding their band name.

There’s been plenty written elsewhere about the last line up of The Quireboys’ acrimonious split and Spike’s subsequent battle to regain the band name, but the positives that came from that parting of the ways now sees Spike’s former bandmates treading the boards under the name Blue Eyed Sons and bandanaman himself not only reunited with his former “classic era” bandmates but also having secured the blessing of his ole six string sparring partner and band co-founder Guy Bailey to carry on, before his untimely passing in 2023.  Add into this 2024 Quireboys mix the return of American drummer Rudy Richman, and with Thunder guitarist Luke Morley stepping into the boots of Guy Bailey, with just one listen of the boisterous honky-tonk of lead single ‘Jeeze Louise’ you’d be forgiven for thinking that any of the intervening years since me and Daley first encountered the band had ever really happened, and yeah ‘7 O’clock’ was still without that chorus that would go on to make it a top forty hit here in the UK.

I’m reaching for my cowboy boots by the time I get to track two of the LP, the single flipside ‘Raining Whiskey’, only to realise that they have long since been replaced by Wellington boots (complete with the comedic L/R genius magic markered on the turn downs), and instead I’m just happy to relish in the obvious joy in Spike’s voice as he trades lines with his hero Franke Miller over this Bad Company/Stones-esque stomper. A sprightly opening one/two, and a real statement of intent for sure.

Things slow down slightly for ‘You & I’ the first of a few tracks that sound like smash hit singles in waiting and transport you back to an age when singles actually made musicians into bonafide stars, all before the tempo is back up to “in their prime” Faces pace, and the boogie of ‘I Think I Got It Wrong Again’ has me remembering why I first fell in love with the Quireboys all those years ago.

Elsewhere there’s the swaggering ‘Myrtle Beach’ for you to hum/whistle on the way home from the pub after a few shandies, and the immense Stones riffage of ‘Happy’ (no it’s not a cover) is custom built to get us all up on our feet dancing, add in the rather pointed strum of ‘No Honour Amongst Thieves’, and this trio fully demonstrates the light and shade of the Quireboys songwriting palette here in 2024.

Of the album’s remaining quartet of tracks the harp pumping strut of ‘Howlin Wolf’ reminds me of Horse London’s Gary Buckley’s streetpunk outfit The Terraces but still remains 100% Quireboys rock ‘n’ roll, whilst ‘It Ain’t Over Now’ is another of those potential hit singles I mentioned earlier, being not unlike a modern-day ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’. Which just leaves the funky blues of ‘Like It Or Not’ and the images it immediately conjures up of what a Gary Moore and Spike collaboration might have sounded like if that were indeed still possible before it really is chucking out time as Morley’s acoustic guitar and Spike’s smoky half spoken vocals take us on one last nostalgic walk down ‘Wardour Street’.

I really must at this point take time to mention just how much of a positive impact Luke Morley has had on this set of songs, not only in his impeccable playing but also in his “spot on” production work. He really has captured the vibe and mood of the band and bakerboy caps are well and truly doffed here at RPM HQ.

I’ve enjoyed pretty much every album the Quireboys have released over the years, whatever the lineup, and ‘Wardour Street’ whilst an excellent addition to the band’s already impressive back catalogue is also like a shining beacon of light coming out of some very dark times indeed, and for that reason it makes it just that extra little bit (of what you fancy) special. I’m so glad Spike is once again back in control of all matters Quireboys and I look forward to seeing the band play some of these new songs live when they return to UK stages this November.

“What time is it?” It’s time for you to pre-order you copy of ’Wardour Street’ HERE.

https://www.spikequireboys.com

https://www.facebook.com/QuireboysOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/quireboysofficial

Author: Johnny Hayward

Swami and the Bed of Nails/Mudd Club – Beacon (Lantern Hall), Bristol – 18th September 2024

Swami and the Bed of Nails/Mudd Club – Beacon (Lantern Hall), Bristol – 18th September 2024

Playing their first show outside of the US less than an hour away from my home I was not about to miss seeing the Swami and his Bed of Nails for the very first time, not even when it’s taking place in a venue that’s really not suited to this kind of show.

Tonight, it’s not the only show in the venue either as in the main hall we have Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve reinventing that singer’s back catalogue (a show I’d caught a few nights earlier and found to be very interesting indeed) whilst here in the smaller Lantern side room we have John Reis (like you didn’t know he’s the Swami) ploughing through a set of tunes that whilst not a million miles away from his more fabled days fronting Rocket Front The Crypt are really drawn from a much wider influence gene pool. One listen to the band’s latest ‘All This Awaits You…’ record will prove this, as in the words of the man himself, they are “fanning the embers of rock n roll music.” So, you best stand back, because this five piece really are about to explode, and its only gig number one.

Before all that though, and warming things up nicely for the headliners are local trio The Mudd Club who only found out they had landed the gig a few days ago, not that they let it phase them, playing a set of at times Cramps-y influenced garage rock they utilised their 30 minute slot well, plugging their ‘Give Me A Thrill’ record and winning over some new fans in the process.

By contrast as John Reis comments late into his band’s set tonight, most of the people here to see Bed Of Nails have probably been with him for over three decades now, and the show actually ends with a song by the band I last saw him playing in Bristol with, ‘All Hits’ by The Night Marchers. That was God only knows how long ago. This is certainly no nostalgia set though, and a Sultan’s cover aside (the glorious ‘Just a Fool’) tonight’s set list is all about the frontman’s last two Swami records.

Kicking off with two tracks from 2022’s ‘Ride the Wild Night’ (the title track and ‘Do You Still Wanna Make Out?’) the band sound anything but jaded after their long trip over from the US, in fact if anything a slight timing misunderstanding with the sound guys ahead of the five piece taking to the stage only seems to fire the guys up even more.

It must be difficult for any band to promote a new album when it isn’t officially available in the country they are playing (the vinyl is available at the merch table folks for a very modest £25) but that doesn’t deter the guys as they rip through all the album’s  nine tracks with the keyboards of Joe Guevara really adding that extra dimension to the band’s distinctly rock ‘n’ roll missive. Highlights are aplenty but the furious ‘Ketchup, Mustard And Relish’ is the best Ramones song da bruddahs never wrote, and in ‘How Are You Peeling?’ Reis has possibly written one of his best songs ever…about fruit. Ha!

Outside of the new album there’s a further (I think) three belters from the Swami’s debut record with ‘Vape In The Dark Alone’ seemingly not complete without our leader’s hilarious preamble that fully explains the influence behind the song.

There are another eight shows on this tour (it all rounds off at the Oslo in London on the 28th of September) for you to not only discover this vape related secret but also pick up a copy of the band’s fantastic ‘All This Awaits You…’ record.

Don’t sleep on this one, because you will be seeing one of the gigs of the year if you do pick up a ticket or three.

Just do it!

Author: Johnny Hayward

Pizzatramp – ‘The Last Supper’ (TNS Records)

Pizzatramp – ‘The Last Supper’ (TNS Records)

The three-piece thrash punk band Pizzatramp have finally got their acts together and made a new album. No, really they have and it’s the “classic” lineup as well which might suggest they’ve had this recorded for ages but just didn’t get around to releasing it and waited for the right time and their management team had a plan and wanted to push it out at the optimum moment on the crest of a wave…oh wait, Pizzatramps innit bruv. Fuck it, scrap that. Start again…

The trio of ne’er-do-well herberts from just inside the Welsh border have finally got around to releasing their new record but to be fair it’s fucking excellent and not because it’s a weird colour or packaged in their usual most excellent artwork and has a lyric sheet but because they do indeed bang out the finest racket of Thrash punk on the planet let alone their corner of shit island. To be fair they wrote it three years ago, recorded it two years ago, and it’s finally coming out now all the song’s subjects and references are probably obsolete (Thatcher?) Also, it’s safe to assume the trio haven’t found religion either and God botherers might just be picketing outside their gigs from here on in for their blasphemous artwork. Maybe they’ll have to find a hideout in Norway with some kindred black metal spirits for the foreseeable who knows? Anyway.

So have Pizzatramp evolved? Uhm, Nope. Have they branched out? Uhn Nope. sigh of relief all around then. AAA kicks things off in a truly thunderous Pizzatramp way with foul-mouthed lyrics a plenty, Dan’s drumming is a marvel as is Jim spitting out his rhymes like some modern-day poet who never go the beat poet memo or was born in Monmouth so isn’t a rapper either bruv. Sammy fills the huge bass hole left by…um Sammy so people can’t complain about the new lineup not being as good as the old lineup and they’ve changed since Sammy left. I see what they’ve done there. It’s also noteworthy that a band have great lyrics but aren’t massive dicks they also have a social conscience and a moral backbone even if they joke about it and they have nothing but contempt for the Tories, Farage and Thatcher which is always a winner around here.

The title track is a gurgling monster with a Bass line from Hell and on a song entitled ‘The Last Supper’ if only NYHC sounded this good in 2024. ‘Cop Fetish’ is rampant whilst live classic ‘I Do My Own Research’ pokes fun at those morons who simply don’t or join cults like Farages mob or Trump in the States. This album made me want to revisit the M.O.D and Stormtroopers Of Death era metal and my hunch was correct none of them come close to ‘Mr Slam’ #Fact not even municipal waste are this good.

‘I Spotify’ gives a swift kick to the knackers of those who deserve it. ‘You Missed Billy Elliott’ is one of the best endings ever, only Pizzatramp could deliver this. ‘Flagshaggers United’ might just be Jim’s finest three minutes. Absolutely nailed it. We all know em – a bunch of cunts n all. Not satisfied with that have an earful of ‘Skeletons’ n weep, what a time to be alive and have suffered all that shite. Like the Nazis before the second world war these lessons should be thought in schools for generations to come to warn them about that lot and never forget nor forgive I’m with Pizzatramp but wait there’s more to come ‘Bring Back Margaret Thatcher’ is the albums adios amigos we’re out of here and what an absolute nuclear blast of it is. Of course, nobody wants to bring back Thatcher unless it is to drag her around every town and city in the UK on the back of a Chopper tied to a chain. What an album.

Hats off to you gents, it’s all killer and no filler and joking aside this should be the benchmark for others to follow as far as Hardcore Thrash and Punk records go in 2024. Whatever you’re drinking keep on drinking it and raise a glass to the baddest mofos in the pit Pizzatramp fuckin’ Rule! Buy this album! Right proofread what you just typed whilst playing this record for the tenth time in a row…nah fuck it they won’t mind what’s just spilt out of my head will they?

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

M*ARX – ‘Green Ginger Jive’ (Wrecking Ball Sounds)

M*ARX – ‘Green Ginger Jive’ (Wrecking Ball Sounds)

So, former Sisters Of Mercy founder Gary Marx emerges from the onstage fog to release an album of unbridled joy and retro rock n roll with a pair of Glitter stack boots on to stomp on those fuzz pedals and he also brings a bunch of old pals along for the ride.  Wayne Hussey, Miles Hunt, and John Robb among others join in with vocals, handclaps and timely places high kicks in satin pants and boy make sure those belt loops are big enough to get man-size thumbs in for the dance-off.

Gary said he wanted to be fourteen again and do something joyful and silly but do it properly and boy did he nail that remit. Sweet, David Bowie, T Rex, Suzi Quatro, and Slade are all in there but with 2024 production values. Remember those TOTP albums we had in the 70s well this is the modern equivalent of original bangers from the Hussy vocals on ‘Stone Cold Solid Gone’ and an enthusiastic Miles Hunt adding to ‘Here Comes Seventeen’ I’m already all in and sold on this retrotastic jaunt back in time to when things seemed simpler and less stressful so on that front its mission accomplished.

Jane Murphy sings on the dreamy ‘Sugarcane’ Hell there’s even motorcycle engines on ‘Slingshot’. I’m sure satin gloves and shades were compulsory during the recording song titles like ‘Stardust #5’ leave you in no doubt where the mindset was but the songs are retro but fill your heart with joy and happiness and they’re excellently executed. Hussey returns for ‘Wicked Ways’ and delivers the album’s best song. A vibrant jive and some excellent arrangments going on beneath the 70s glam that give the whole trip a gloss and modern sheen. The album gets down n dirty for ‘Babylon Bop’ with added Evil Blizzards Filthy dirty also riffing it up on guitars.

You have a solid consistent rock n roll party for most of the album with only a fleeting detour into balladry for ‘All The Way From Munster’ tripping on its satin flares into some Mott The Hoople balladeering for a most welcome diversion complete with wonderful and sincere soloing.

Well, in conclusion, the MO is complete and it is a Slade sized thumbs up from RPM HQ for this sixteen-song trip down memory lane and a real tonic it’s been so get the Rothmans and Watneys party seven in were having a party and Marx is on the decks. Get involved kids you know you want to.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Split Dogs are ‘Here To Destroy’

Split Dogs are ‘Here To Destroy’

Bristol Punk Rock ‘n Rollers Split Dogs return with new single ‘Monster Truck’ out now via Venn Records

New album ‘Here To Destroy’ set for release on February 28th 2025 – pre-order HERE:

Rock’n’roll revivalists Split Dogs are not here to make 15 second viral videos, they’re not here to sell you a lifestyle, they’re here to destroy. Born from the frustration of seeing music become commodified and soulless, vocalist Harry Atkins and guitarist Mil Martinez had the idea to form a band as far back as 2015, with the name ‘Split Dogs’ pulled from the classic zombie film ‘Return of the Living Dead’.

In South London, a young Martinez would hear Status Quo, Bachman Turner Overdrive and Dire Straits on the car radio while his father drove him to school. At home he would invade his older brothers’ record collection which leaned towards the harder sounds of punk and heavy metal. Meanwhile in the Black Country, Harry’s mother instilled a love of Northern Soul, Slade and rock’n’roll, with stories of nights out at Club Lafayette and family singalongs at home. According to Martinez, “Our sound is a culmination of all those early influences and, to be honest, it really shows.”

It wasn’t until 2022 that Split Dogs officially arrived on the scene with bass player Suez Boyle joining the band in 2023. Already a prominent figure in the queer punk scene, Suez played the first ever Rebellion Festival at the tender age of 16 with her band The Walking Abortions. Up until that point, drummer Chris Hugall, an old friend of Martinez and former member of ska punks Mouthwash (signed to Rancid’s label Hellcat back in the day), was only on hand to help design artwork. It wasn’t until 2024 Hugall joined the band full time cementing the current line-up.

The raucous live shows and infectious lyrics saw the four-piece make a name for themselves among the punks of Bristol, a scene that has always welcomed LGBTQ+ and marginalised people. As word spread, so did the gigging, and soon enough Split Dogs were playing to sold out rooms in mainland Europe, eventually grabbing the attention of UK label Venn Records (Gallows, Bob Vylan, High Vis).

‘Here to Destroy’ was recorded over three days at Middle Farm Studios by producer Peter Miles. All tracks were laid straight to a 16-track reel-to-reel tape machine, no autotune, no effects pedals, no computers. To add to the music’s authenticity, the album was recorded live, with Harry singing along in a vocal booth. No cutting and pasting, just nailing takes. According to Martinez, “It was a blast! We fully immersed ourselves, sleeping in a small apartment below the studio, cooking meals and listening to Pete’s extensive record collection”.

Back in May of this year, Split Dogs fired out the first sample of these sessions with the ‘And What?’ single that rolled in like a freight train loaded with gravel, and now the band are back with another sucker punch in new single ‘Monster Truck’.

“Monster Truck Is about lessons learnt, seeing it coming but you keep on trucking,” says guitarist Mil Martinez. “Focus on yourself and the good stuff around you. Be strong, lead with an open heart. Don’t take kindness for weakness…. You better not tread on me!”

For the video, it was clear that Split Dogs needed some seriously big trucks to do justice to the song’s giant riffs, so they called on Big Pete Ltd, the UK’s most successful Monster Truck Team, and Big Pete did not let them down.

‘When we wrote our new single ‘Monster Truck’ it was a no brainier that we had to find the best Monster Truck team in the UK to join us for the video so on the hottest day of the year, we hit the road! Big riggs, big riffs and big moves, it’s time to grab your gear stick and get your mind out of the dirt!”

The Bellrays – ‘Heavy Steady Go’ (Sweet Gee Records)

The Bellrays – ‘Heavy Steady Go’ (Sweet Gee Records)

Californians The Bellrays release their brand new long player to coincide with their mega jaunt across the USA supporting Social Distortion and what a banging record it is too. In true Bellrays fashion it’s all killer and no filler. From the bellowing pure Rock n Roll vocals of Lisa Kekaula finely complimented by the sweet tones of Robert Vennum’s guitar. The record is split by two cities, two years and two rhythm sections pulled together to make another finely balanced Bellrays record where they walk the line of punk blues rock n roll.

The record kicks off with a brooding menacing ‘I Fall Down’ that pretty much encapsulates everything that’s good and great about the band. Lisa’s voice dominates the room with another commanding performance as the song builds to a mega solo a song of real cool class with a great chorus that gives you goosebumps.

Once the band have relaxed the record opens up firstly with the groove of ‘Hard Drive’ and the even groovier (is that even a word?) ‘Snakes’. ‘One More Night’ is the sound of a band playing a song they know will be a floor filler in any live setting as Lisa’s vocals take control and I’m wondering how the hell this band aren’t a household name. Every album is packed with bangers and they know what they’re good at and stick to that formula and just deliver every time. The playing is spot on as is the tone of the record it sounds so warm and inviting you must surrender and just enjoy the ride.

There’s a shimmering coolness about ‘California’, The record ebbs and flows really nicely in the middle section from all our rockers to the more laid back rollas but always filled with great tones and a mix that is so inviting. ‘Wolfs Sun’ is a brooding gutsy song with a super fuzz guitar going toe-to-toe with the vocals.

I love the all-out twelve-bar boogie of ‘Down On My Knees’ bollocks to reinventing this wheel let’s just roll with it and do it in style. It’s a peacock strut of a song that even dares to give it some cowbell. Before the record closes there’s time to turn it up with a raging ‘All The Rage’ with a shift of the gears the four to the floor is fired up with a dirty riff that just kills it right to the solo that’s unadulterated guitar hero stuff on a real album highlight wedged into the business end of the record.

Rather than signing the record off with a ballad or laid back song they go for some sidewalk strutting cool entitled ‘Whatever Turns you On’ and they are done. The Bellrays release a record that might just be their finest hour. It ticks every box you’d want from cool to classy to rock and fuckin rolling The Bellrays are in da house mofos and their bringing the PA and guitars and the air raid siren vocals of Lisa Kekaula this record is everything I was hoping it was going to be and some and my advice is don’t let it pass you by, get on the groovy train and lets boogie The Bellrays are once again bringing the party, Heavy Steady Go! cat go just simply Buy It!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

TONY IOMMI TO RELEASE SOLO RECORDINGS WITH GLENN HUGHES ON VINYL FOR THE FIRST TIME

TONY IOMMI TO RELEASE SOLO RECORDINGS WITH GLENN HUGHES ON VINYL FOR THE FIRST TIME

‘THE 1996 DEP SESSIONS’ AND THE 2005 ‘FUSED’ ALBUM TO BE RELEASED ON LIMITED COLOURED VINYL, DIGISLEEVE CD AND DIGITAL ON OCTOBER 4TH VIA BMG.

LISTEN TO THE NEW DOUBLE A SIDE SINGLE ‘GONE’ / ‘SAVIOUR OF THE REAL’

 AND PRE-ORDER HERE https://tonyiommi.lnk.to/depfusedPR

The relationship between iconic Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi and English musician Glenn Hughes stretches far back into the mid-eighties. Best known for playing bass and performing vocals in the hard rock band Trapeze and in the Mk. III and IV line-ups of Deep Purple, Hughes sang on the 1986 Black Sabbath album ‘Seventh Star’. It was the twelth album from the fabled heavy metal originators and was initially intended to be the first solo release from Iommi, but record company and management pressures led to the album being billed as ‘Black Sabbath featuring Tony Iommi’. Despite these demands, the album was a commerical success and reached the Top 30 of the English charts. Glenn’s powerful, soulful voice complimented Iommi’s unique guitar style perfectly and even though the eighties was a turbulant time for Black Sabbath, it was clear that Iommi and Hughes would work together again in the future.

That time came in 1996 when Iommi once again collaborated with Hughes for a release that would become known as ‘The 1996 Dep Sessions’, recorded at DEP International Studios in Digbeth, Birmingham. The recordings were demos and were left unfinished due to the original line up of Black Sabbath reforming at the time. However, a bootleg recording known as ‘Eighth Star’ was circulated among fans so in 2004, to combat this, the session was eventually offically released.

After Black Sabbath’s 1995 album Forbidden, the band would go on hiatus. So when Tony and Glenn reunited in 1996 to record together, it was with a renewed creative vigour and ambition to take a step away from the signature Sabbath sound and forge a new direction. The results were a formidable, contemporary take on a classic rock sound with Glenn’s soaring vocals combined effortlessly with Iommi’s monolithic riffs. These eight songs sound as vital as the day they were recorded and are now being pressed on vinyl for the first time in limited Translucent Black Ice colour.

The official release of ‘1996 The Dep Sessions’ in 2004 proved to be a catalyst for Tony and Glenn, who rekindled their collaboration and within a year, released what would be Iommi’s third solo album in 2005. Titled ‘Fused’, the album was recorded at Monnow Valley Studios in Wales and saw Iommi sounding heavier than ever. The album is chock full of stomping, grinding riffs that saw Iommi tipping his hat to the metal genre he had helped spawn decades before. ‘Fused’ sounded completely modern for what was happening in heavy music at the time and still stands the test of time today. Once again, Glenn’s vocals glided effortlessly over Iommi’s earth-shattering six string attack. Produced, engineered and mixed by American record producer Bob Marlette (whose credits include everyone from Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper to Sheryl Crow), the album was a success and reached number 34 on Billboard’s Top Heatseekers Chart. ‘Fused’ is now reissued for the first time on Translucent Cobalt Blue vinyl and includes three bonus tracks.

In addition to being an active session musician, Hughes also maintains a notable solo career. He currently fronts the supergroup Black Country Communion, and fronted California Breed from 2013 to 2015 and The Dead Daisies from 2019 to 2023. In 2016, Hughes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Deep Purple. Tony Iommi’s legendary status is assured and he continues to record new music to this day, always pushing the bounderies and staying ahead of the pack. It’s only right that these fantastic recordings from his solo years are being cut to wax for the first time for new and old fans to enjoy as well as new digisleeve CD and digital editions. Pre-order ‘The 1996 Dep Sessions’ and ‘Fused’ HERE: https://tonyiommi.lnk.to/depfusedPR

Swami And The Bed Of Nails UK Tour

Swami And The Bed Of Nails UK Tour

SWAMI & THE BED OF NAILS (FEAT. SWAMI JOHN REIS OF HOT SNAKES,

DRIVE LIKE JEHU, ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT) UK/IRELAND TOUR STARTS SEPTEMBER 17TH

DEBUT ALBUM ALL OF THIS AWAITS YOU OUT NOW VIA SWAMI/BMG

Swami & the Bed of Nails featuring Swami John Reis (Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, Rocket From The Crypt, PLOSIVS and more) are following the recent release of their debut album All Of This Awaits You (stream/purchase HERE) with their first UK and Irish tour, commencing in Bristol on September 17th and ending in London on September 28th.

Produced by John Reis and mixed by Ben Moore, All Of This Awaits You was born out of the final Hot Snakes writing sessions in 2023. Transforming into what Reis describes as “a growing tributary” after the passing of his longtime friend and bandmate Rick Froberg, the songs on the eventual nine-song album presented here come from this challenging time of reflection and redirection.

All Of This Awaits You is an immediate blast of joy intended to celebrate our time on Earth. It is nostalgia for a past that probably never happened. It is the hope that the future will consider embracing the innocence of rock ‘n’ roll. It is an idealized pursuit intended to elevate the status of the simplest pleasures and ridicule the unattractive lust of the unhindered ambitious. The music is a reenactment of the past lives of elderly teenagers returning once again to sustain their echo. All Of This Awaits You is punk rock music, but what that means is your guess as good as ours. Watch the music video for new single, “Ketchup, Mustard and Relish” on YouTube HERE.

“I’ve never thought much of self reflection, at least not the deep kind,” Reis says. “I dunno, I think I felt that kind of introspection would somehow derail my rock n roll instincts and objective. My goal has always been to make explosive music, exciting records, play meaningful shows, shake hands, kiss babies and then repeat. I never treated anything I did artistically as being precious. There is always going to be a next thing that I would hopefully love even more.”

Don’t miss your chance to feel the force of this new chapter in John Reis’ musical journey up close and personal.

Swami & the Bed of Nails will be playing the following dates in September:

17 Bristol, Beacon

18 Manchester, Night & Day

20Belfast, Ulster Sports Club

21 Dublin, The Workman’s Club

23 Glasgow, Broadcast

24 Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms Ballroom

25 Newcastle, The Cluny

26 Nottingham, Boat Club

28 London, Oslo

Swami John Reis online:

Swami Store | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music

Joe Jennings MVP’s – Nothing Wrong With Giving Up’ (Rumbar Records, CD) (Sweet Grooves Records, Vinyl)

Joe Jennings MVP’s – Nothing Wrong With Giving Up’ (Rumbar Records, CD) (Sweet Grooves Records, Vinyl)

Here at RPM Online HQ, we’ve always been fans of Joe Jennings work from way back when we first heard his debut single and reviewed it for our singles club back in the old Uber Rock days and have consumed every single record ever since so when we heard JJ had a new record coming out on the most excellent Rumbar record we were overjoyed to see a meeting of great minds and one of our favourite labels in the US teaming up with one of our favourite rock n rollas. So the real Jerks are on hiatus and JJ was now heading up the MVP’s but still dishing up some awesome Rock n Roll of course we were going to all over it like a rash.

Having recently relocated to Tucson Arizona, Joe teamed up with Matt Rendon of The Resonars/The Freezing Hands/The Lemon Drop Gang fame to write & record 11 brand new tracks. The results are a no-nonsense highly energetic blast of raw yet melodic power-pop-infused garage rock n’ roll. If it’s in your DNA then you’re good to go and don’t mess with what you’re good at. The first time we heard the lead track ‘Doing Time on the Company Dime’ it was burnt onto my brain and from the sleazy melody to that fantastic chorus I couldn’t shake it and found myself singing the chorus for days if not weeks. The rattle of the tambourine and wheeze of the harmonica is a really welcome addition to an already excellent tune.

It races off on ‘Cult Radio’ with a mixture of snot and sweat as the song wrestles with the likes of The Ramones at their best going toe to toe with some old-school garage punkers howling at the moon and giving it all they’ve got. Theres barely time for a gasp of breath before the band are into the next one. ‘Help IS Not On The Way’ has Joe pulling out all the stops as he rinses his guitar of every ounce of Chuck Berry on speed riffs n licks all tied down with a thunderous Bassline and a drum beat that is cool as fuck and surfing off into the sunset looking for some other party to crash and tear up, Super stuff.

‘Good As Gone’ opens with the sound of a guitar racing off like an Ambulance on a hook and melody that is what Joe builds his albums with and it’s all about the groove and melody. If the song is fast or not quite as fast there is always an awesome hook to hang the guitar licks on and that is what makes these songs so damn addictive. You won’t hear any cheesy balladeering or any checking out from Joe and his MVPs’ its honest and wholesome Rock n Roll all the way on this record and it’s that authenticity that draws you into the frey and will have you rooting for these guys to succeed.

By the time you’ve played the whole album, you’ll be wonder where has this band been all your life and when they do take a chill like on the title track Joe whips out his secret weapon and blows that Saxophone and takes it to another level. A superb record by a great songwriter and musician I urge you to give this record some love and the reward will be you’re in the cool kids club and enjoying one of 2024s finest releases. Don’t hesitate to hit the links and get on board. these MVP’s are the dog’s bollocks and this album is an absolute banger. Buy IT!

Sweet Grooves Records – Vinyl Here

RumBar Records CD Here

Author: Dom Daley

The Dictators – ‘The Dictators’ (Valley Entertainment)

The Dictators – ‘The Dictators’ (Valley Entertainment)

So here we go 2024 and The Dictators are back in the ring swinging but let’s first address the elephant in the room. This is Andy Shernoff led Dictators no Handsome Dick Manitoba. So regardless of the why and whereforths or who did what where when and why I’m gonna review this with an open mind like the Dictators are brand new band and the baggage is left outside the studio door.

‘Get The Band Back Together’ is a sprightly opener on this ten-track proto-punk record and a jolly decent introduction it is too. Welcome to 2024 The Dictators are in da Mofo Funkin house. To be fair the tempo is fist-pumping heart-racing stuff and the energetic gang vocals on ‘My Imaginary Friend’ is most welcome and the production is massive and really helps create a really good energy. Sure they’re not here to reinvent the wheel but more designed to show the listener that these guys still have the chops to deliver good old school hard rockin punk n roll with the best of em and to be fair they deliver throughout. Its clear the MO was to rock out, do it to the best of your ability and leave nothing behind and as far as that goes it’s job done. I really enjoyed ‘All About You’ and this one showcases a really strong lead vocal on a song that is as good as anything the band has in the catalogue. Stick to what you know is always a safe and authentic move and songs like ‘God Damn New York’ hammer this home. It’s got a beating Big Apple heart and the chorus is something you’ll be punching the air to and that is always welcome be it the 70 or the 2000’s its great to hear. I guess this album does exactly what you wanted it to, if you’re a fan from the old days or you’re a more recent disciple looking for a fix from a band who knows who and what they are and just delivers.

The world is always a better place with bands like this making albums and writing new material as good as this and to close the album off there’s a tribute to one of Noo Yawks finest – ‘Sweet Joey’ is a tribute to the one and only Joey Ramone and a really good tribute it is too with heart-felt lyrics and some great riffage from Ross The Boss. Don’t worry about the politics of the band just play the record and appreciate how damn good it is, it’s only Rock n Roll baby and I like it.

Buy Here