Various Artists – ‘Action Rock Jukebox’ (Screaming Crow Records)

Various Artists – ‘Action Rock Jukebox’ (Screaming Crow Records)

I do love a cover I’ll be honest and fess up from the off. Now sure I guess its all subjective and some bands have done killer covers that are better than the original but we all know that’s not always the case and a lot of the time its really hit or miss with bands either totally missing the point or just not getting it.

This concept was first released as stand-alone 45s where the label put out one cover and one original on a real 7″ single with a big hole so it could be uploaded on a real jukebox it also came with the jukebox cut out for the listener to request the track when they dropped their money proper old school and a great concept to be fair. Then rope in some of your favourite current artists and the jobs a good un then wrap them all together and make a big splatter disc of them all and some. This is only volume one mind so who knows the possibilities are endless.

Side one track one is a thunderous Stacy Crowe taking on Golden Earings ‘Radar Love’ and giving it a shot of energy its fair to say it’s a rampant take – very good but not a song I’m too fond of if I’m being honest I remember The Alarm doing it way back in the mid-80s and I wasn’t keen then but yup its a staple on jukeboxes everywhere cool take. Their original track is ‘Dead Of Night’ and a guitar noodling rocker it is. Solid opener.

The Cheats cover is a Bay City Rollers number ‘Rock n Roll Love Letter’ and what a jolly good effort it is too. Sure they roughed it up but did keep its melody and chorus is killer which was always the point with the tartan rockers. Now their original is a rampant bruising ‘Cussin Crying Carrying on’ and what an energetic belter it is too. Black Sherriff then knock out ‘Centerfold’ by J Geils Band and it sounds like they had a blast something that shines through on their recording no question. ‘Johnnys Fight’ is more of the same to be fair with a stomping rocker with big riffs and anthemic vocals.

Someone had to do it and give Mean Gene more credits on his seasonal royalties and Dirty Denims ‘Rock And Roll All Night’ is note for note on the money. I’m happy to admit I just don’t get the Kiss love in and whilst I’ll happily admit they have plenty of bangers I fail to see the massive stadium attraction, especially after all these years but this is an impressive take and I’m sure Gene n Paul are grateful and would certainly put another coin in the jukebox to hear this again. The band’s original is a rampant ‘Better Believe It’ that boogie woogies out of the speakers in sprightly fashion and in keeping with the high standards set thus far.

Now we’re talking, Scumbag Millionaire gives Abba a good seeing to. ‘So Long’ might not be a song most of us would name when asked to name an Abba tune but this is a rollicking good time from the Scumbags. The original is ‘Gluehead’ and what a barnstorming noise this is. So we’ve reached the hottest core of the record as Scumbag Millionaire kick the shit out of the speakers with the album’s finest moment thus far. Stonkin’ loud rock n roll (try not to slip on the spilt beer mother fuckers).

Killer Hearts give an impressive account of themselves as they rough up UFOs ‘Doctor Doctor’ whilst tipping the hat to the UK rockers they also boogie like fuck. The original track is ‘Demolition Love’ and they push Scumbags pretty hard for the top spot with a hard rockin banger that’s sleazy and would be the most requested side in any dive bar jukebox but Barman hid the pool cues quickly.

The album is brought to an end with the inclusion of Hollywood Creepers taking on the power pop of the Knack and ‘Good Girls Don’t’ and in keeping with the high standards of this comp it’s done with care and love and a heap of respect. Leaving only their original to take this baby home and ‘I Wanna Feel Your Bite’ does a splendid job wrapping this up with a cool riff and even cooler chorus.

Man on this evidence I can’t wait fo volume two it’ll be a tough act to follow volume one because every one of these bands do killer originals and pretty mich the same over fo their chosen covers. Hell, go buy a jukebox and pick these up otherwise settle for the long player from Screaming Crow Records you know it makes sense. Buy It!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Steve Vincent – ‘The Best Kept Secret In Rock n Roll’ (Self Release)

Steve Vincent – ‘The Best Kept Secret In Rock n Roll’ (Self Release)

Steve might get his fonts from his Wordsworth word processor and his drapes from Showaddywaddy but he gets his songs from his rock n roll beating heart. Oh, and he wears the best boots no question.

Joking aside Steve comes from a world that should have ruled the airwaves in the mid-eighties from Hanoi to the Lords to the Quireboys to the Throbs, sleazy rock n roll wasn’t hair bands they were genuine rockers writing soft songs for tough guys and living the dream twenty-four seven. Here Steve spills ten songs onto the digital airwaves made with style and an unwavering dedication to his beliefs. Steve is true to those roots and continues to fly the flag for punky sleaze n roll with plenty of the real Glam carved out of the likes of Stiv, Monroe and the Dolls.

The album opens with the sprightly rocker ‘Baby Don’t Cry’ and Steve wheezes a pretty mean gob iron to boot. Steve not only has his name in lights but pretty much does the heavy lifting from the drum programming to guitars, harmonica and vocals and no doubt tea-making duties as well. Steve has a distinct gravel n whisky vocals but holds onto some decent melodies throughout and also adheres to the rules of the old school in making sure the songs have a strong chorus and melody and then you can dress it however you like from the barroom guitars to the big boy solos ‘Baby Don’t Cry’ has got the jewson lot.

Steve does a decent lyric in reminiscing about the good old days and it’s a question I often ask about where have all those people who used to frequent the Buttz n Spike Club, st Moritz, the marquee a well as the clubs across the country that would sell out for shows from some sleazy mofos. Just where have all those “cool Kids” gone? They didn’t all get jobs cut their hair and have families did they?

There’s a good energy about ‘Live For Today’ and that twelve bar boogie is made for a cowboy booted foot on the monitor and lots of man hugging whilst the guitar player windmills those solos out like their shots from a bottle of jack that’s going out of fashion. Whilst Steve does the heavy lifting throughout the record he does get a heft amount of help throughout especially on the guest solos which helps add different flavours to the songs and I do like the harp throughout ‘Forgive And Forget’ is another with a standout chorus and embracing modern technologies on ‘Living In The Digital Age’ is probably a place the likes of Steve Vincent never anticipated but has embraced and used to his advantage knocking out a couple of solo albums that might never have seen the light of day otherwise.

I think Steve kept the best til last and a vibrant ‘Stop Messing My Heart Around’, the penultimate track, enhanced with the good old underused handclaps and late-night tempo the perfect set ender before the encore gets called for. That encore is the barroom honky tonk title track. Last orders boys n girls and get your dancing slippers on. Had this been on the new Quireboys album people would be saying they’ve turned the clock back to the early days and knocked out a banger but it’s not Spikes its Steves and the honkin’ Saxophone only elevates it further in my humble opinion. Good on ya Steve this is worth keeping on on its own, a slice of pure good-time rock n roll to warm the cockles of your heart. Now whisper it quietly but the best kept secret in Rock n Roll is zipping up his best Cuban-heeled Chelsea boots and he’s ready to rock, so join him and get involved you know you want to. Buy IT!

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EDDIE GARRITY BITES BACK

EDDIE GARRITY BITES BACK

‘a true star… all-conquering like a Mancunian Jaynecounty’ Wired up! – Performing tracks from the critically acclaimed SLAUGHTER &THE DOGS album ‘BITE BACK’

LIVE –
Star & Garter – Manchester – 28th December 2024 – Doors 3.30pm – 8.30pm – Admission
£10 Advance – £12 OTD – PLUS Stuntface/ The Sewer Cats/Hospital Food


Fulford Arms – York – 24th January 2025 – Doors 7.30pm – Admission £12 Advance – £15
OTD – Plus supports – https://www.seetickets.com/tour/eddie-garrity-s-slaughter

Central Bar – Gateshead – 25th January 2025 – Doors 7.30pm – Admission £11 – Plus Heed
Case – www.wegottickets.com


Hope & Anchor – Islington London – 21st June 2025 – Doors 7.30pm – 11pm – Admission
£10 Advance – £12 OTD – Plus The Headhunters/The Phobics
More shows TBC

Performing tracks from the critically acclaimed SLAUGHTER & THE DOGS album ‘BITE BACK’
(Produced by Mott the Hoople drummer Dale Griffin) for the first time since the 40th anniversary
reunion shows of the original ‘Bite Back’ line up back in 2021, during which the band played a sold-out
show at Manchester’s Rebellion club (Released on Secret records as ‘Bite Back Live’ – CD+DVD
25th October 2024) and also gave a memorable performance at the Empress Ballroom during the
Rebellion festival in Blackpool the following year. Wired up! Summing up Ed’s festival performance
perfectly – ‘a true star…strong and soaring, all conquering like a Mancunian Jayne county…a strong
contender for front person of the weekend’

Eddie Garrity aka Ed Banger/Edweena Banger (Ed Banger & the Nosebleeds, Slaughter & the
Dogs/Slaughter) was born and raised in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Ed worked as a roadie for fellow
mancunians Slaughter & the Dogs, when supporting the Sex Pistols & Buzzcocks at the legendary
Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall show on 20th July 1976. Following this Ed formed The
Nosebleeds and became a fixture in the 1977 punk wars, the Nosebleeds single ‘Ain’t Been To No
Music School’ was a schoolboy anthem around Manchester in 1977, selling 10,000 copies.
Ed Banger left the Nosebleeds in 1979, and joined Slaughter & the Dogs, after original singer Wayne
Barrett had left the band on the eve of a 1979 UK tour. The album ‘Bite Back’ was released in 1980
(Ed co-writing many of the songs) under the abbreviated name ‘Slaughter’, the band then embarked
on a sold out, nationwide tour of the UK. The original ‘Bite Back’ era came to an end in 1981. Now,
fans can once again enjoy the voice behind those iconic songs as Eddie Garrity revives his musical
journey by taking a new ‘Bite Back’ line up on tour..

The Cult / Mike Peters – Arena Abertawe 22.10.24

The Cult / Mike Peters – Arena Abertawe 22.10.24

With the late announcement of Mike Peters being added to the Cults appearance in Swansea, it seemed only fair to take my spot early and offer Michael Leslie Peters my support for the two hundred and God knows how many times. Now almost everybody I’ve spoken to who was there said how good his appearance was and sure I’d like to concur I thought his voice sounded really strong and there was an urgency to his performance as he knocked out some recent(ish) bangers from his vast repertoire but I really do struggle with the band-in-a-box performance maybe I’m just a traditionalist like Mr Duffy who later in the Cults performance spoke about it being live musicians up there and not a laptop or other aids, I don’t, however, think he was having a go at anyone in particular just live music in general.

Call me old fashioned but there’s something special about a band hitting the stage and for the next however long feeding off the energy of the music rather than the cold and disciplined karaoke style of using backing tracks (very clever technology I’m sure but I’m struggling to get my head around it). Anyway, I know this opinion won’t be popular with people but having seen him live well over two hundred times I like to think I know my subject and whilst I wouldn’t ever enter the Mike Peters Gathering mastermind I would rather hear him do the acoustic solo performance as exactly that and I’ve seen countless amazing solo shows from the man.

In a slimmed-down set Mike began with ‘Beautiful’ then followed it up with a couple that the casual listener might well remember ‘Strength’ followed by ‘Rain In The Summertime’ which got the audience singing along enthusiastically. Mike then played ‘Transition’ from the ‘Forwards’ album and explained his current health situation and his appeal from the stage for people to register on their way out with LHS in the hope that they could be matched in the future which went down really well and I hope there were plenty in attendance who did register.

The penultimate song was Peters being joined by Billy Duffy for a stonking rendition of Coloursounds ‘Fade In Fade Out and Fade Away’ which worked really well and took me back to that first Gathering show from Coloursound that to this day was one of the highlights of all those shows I’ve seen and the Camden Falcon show from when the coloursound band kicked off. It was great to see Mike Peters on Stage in my hometown again and I look forward to seeing him with a full band in the future be it here or wherever, we’ll go marching on with our hands held high. Which only left ’68 Guns’ and a rapturous ovation as the arena filled up for this emotional support set. The energy Peters puts into such a short set is emotional considering what he’s currently going through with his treatment and how he finds that energy is something 99.9% of performers simply don’t have even without his health issues. Great times and indeed MLP stay alive.

The Cult are up next and a band who’ve not had a new album for a couple of years and who seem to have had a resurgence of late but to be fair have toured a whole bunch since covid. I have seen them a number of times over the last half a decade or so and pretty much thoroughly enjoyed every performance be it in Florida at the House Of Blues to Death Cult on Billy’s home soil to the Cult on every tour since ‘Love’ and they’ve always given me good reason to come back for more even the time they supported Alice Cooper in this very arena a few years back. I don’t know if it was fatigue but that night they seemed to go through the motions which was strange because the times over the last four decades I’ve seen them they’ve always turned in a performance regardless of how they played be it the hedonistic days of ‘Love’ in Cardiff Uni or the ‘Electric’ tour and its hard rock excess to Wembley arena and the drink and drug haze to Finsbury park or The Marquee one off in support of ‘Ceromony’ the Cult have never been dull. In fact Last year in Cardiff Castle they were bang on form and the Death Cult in Manchester was exceptional.

Tonight with the intro tape of the dam buster fading out with the promise of songs from every album (cough cough I don’t think so) they delivered a really impressive set that wasn’t just heavy as fuck in places (‘War’) they played some old gems (‘Brother Wolf Sister Moon’) and one of the best Cult albums ever (Self Titled) ‘Star’.

Early set we were treated to ‘In The Clouds’, ‘Rise’ and ‘The Witch’ and to be fair the band sounded on fire. It was Astbury who looked fitter than he’s ever done and his vocals are in great form, pretty much nailing all the high parts which is something he hasn’t always done (Finsbury Park and early Electric tours) he clearly doesn’t smoke and Drink and do other vocal damaging substances and his voice is all the better for it as he prowled the vast stage mesmerising the audience none more was it evident than their RSD single ‘Lucifer’ whilst Duffy threw out the shapes that helped propel the band to these dizzy heights against a music press that was only ever happy to have a pop at the pair. I believe Duffy once said of support tonight he used to love the Alarm when they had a new record out because the press would have a day off slagging the Cult.

The anniversary set list tonight was pretty much the same as every night of the tour and to be fair it wasn’t reliant on one period and my least favourite album being ‘Sonic Temple’ we had its standout songs which was a bonus. It’s always great to hear the likes of ‘Resurrection Joe’ and the awesome ‘Spiritwalker’ and as time flew by the main set was brought to a thumping finale with ‘Love Removal Machine’ and we were done.

The encore saw ‘Loves’ ‘Brother Wolf Sister Moon’, before the inevitable ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ ended an exceptionally good set and that folks was a wrap. They came, they performed and they once again conquered with a superb set of power, Glory and finesse from most corners of their history but I’d love to have heard something off ‘Ceremony’ if I was to be a bit picky and leaving ‘Pheonix’ in the set wouldn’t have gone amiss either but that being fanboy needy and having a catalogue of banging tunes always helps regardless of what style they do it.

The Cult has a beating heart and when Astbury is in this kind of form they are one of the UK’s finest Rock bands no question about it from the riffs and tones of the Gretch or Les Paul Duffy seemed happy and right on it tonight and that always makes for a good set. The fact they are still here selling out 3,500 capacity venues on a school night is all you need to know whilst Sounds, The NME, and Melody Maker are all long gone means that he who laughs last laughs longest. Duffy lamenting the sound of live Rock n Roll music was loudly applauded and on this evidence it would be crazy to disagree! Chow Baby!

Author: Dom Daley

Balaam And The Angels – ‘Forces Of Evil’ (Darklands Recordings)

Balaam And The Angels – ‘Forces Of Evil’ (Darklands Recordings)

Balaam And The Angel Celebrate its 40th Anniversary With the Release Of Brand New Material the first new material in over 30 years. The three brothers who grew up on a council estate in Cannock played music together as teenagers and finally formed Balaam And The Angel in the early 80’s inspired by the scene that was developing around Bauhaus, The Sisters Of Mercy, Southern Death Cult, Theatre Of Hate etc.

The band achieved success in the 80s signing to Virgin Records for their debut album ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’, and touring the world with the likes of The Mission, Kiss, The Cult, Aerosmith and Iggy Pop until the release of their last album ‘Prime Time’ in 1993. So the sands of time have passed but on first play the band sound energised and with a great production ‘Forces Of Evil’ sounds like time stood still and the years away have been good to the trio. The release sees almost to the day the band’s first 4 track EP World Of Light (released in Nov 1984) bookended nicely.

The four tracks on the EP have been written by the band and show a more developed approach to the lyrical content which embraces some of the bands more common themes about how we navigate our daily lives alongside some more provocative themes such as mental health and the contradiction between religious belief vs religious intolerance and the way in which this are used as one of the reasons for the persecution of others. Only coming out on Vinyl sees the band return to how it all began and opening song ‘Dancing Senseless’ there is an urgency and power to the riff that carries the song. Some might say classic Balaam sound that embraces their darker roots.

I guess my only complaint is it’s only a four-track EP and after such a lengthy gap and being greedy I’d have loved to have heard maybe ten tracks on an album but I guess that can wait.

The title track begins with some sci-fi glitches before the drums kick in with a thumping bassline signalling goths everywhere to get out the Petulia oil and start making those shapes whilst the dry ice wafts through the speakers and a really epic journey begins. Only the final track ‘After Life’ offers something more moody and darker with the synth pulse making way for the piano to chime in. To be fair its classic Balaam folks and that’s a good thing. It’s been a while but its a most welcome return and four really good songs that add to the band’s catalogue and hopefully open a new chapter that will bring in more songs and more live shows. Its good to have you back gents this will more than do for starters.

Pre-order the EP HERE on 12-inch vinyl 

Author: Dom Daley

Catch Balaam And The Angel live at the following dates in November:

Fri 8th Nov: Leamington Spa Assembly Hall

Sat 9th Nov: Reading Face Bar

Thurs 14th Nov: London Islington The Garage

Thurs 21st Nov: Glasgow Room 2

Fri 22nd Nov: Sheffield Network

Sat 23rd Nov: Hull The New Adelphi

Thurs 28th Nov: Birmingham Castle And Falcon

Fri 29th Nov: Bedford Esquires

Mudhoney/John E Vistic – New Century Hall Manchester 28th September 2024

Mudhoney/John E Vistic – New Century Hall Manchester 28th September 2024

Punk rock, but not as we know it. The future of rock n roll always smacks you square in the face when you least expect it. No prior knowledge whatsoever of John E Vistic but I am instantly grabbed in a chokehold by this provocative, shit-kicking set. They are hard to classify without straying away from the sheer fun of their output. Simply put, with a solid rocking rhythm section, bare-knuckle guitar lines, ear screeching saxophone solos and a frontman who can put any room in the palm of his hands, stop what you are doing and seek out John E Vistic and have a better life for it.

Hitting the stage to a rapturous crowd of varying ages, Mark Arm and lads waste no time and get straight down to business. Electrifying all those assembled with varied classics but also blending in and showcasing the latest release Plastic Eternity in this career-spanning set. 

In what must be their 5th decade as a touring band, still unrelenting and no sign of rust on this big fuzz machine. Particular standouts being “suck you dry” and the obligatory “touch me I’m sick”, still effortlessly making the crowd erupt like we’re stuck inside an early 90s time capsule. The mid-era stuff sounds killer too it has to be said, they certainly keep you on your toes with the array of material in their cannon.

What initially appeared to be a blown PA turned out to be a haphazard situation where the socket got pulled out of the wall. Potentially the closest we can get to seeing the lads joining their Seattle contemporaries with a set of Mudhoney Unplugged. No acoustic guitars in sight thankfully. The big muff lives to fight another day.

A real treat today in modern gig-going culture. Ethically priced tickets and merch and a band that can still deliver a stellar live show, much to the joy of this packed-out house and sea of Sub Pop t-shirts. Catch them while you can and treasure the experience.

Author: Dan Kasm

Episode 48 – Goodbye Dianno

Episode 48 – Goodbye Dianno

On this episode of the podcast, Chris & Dom say adios to former Maiden vocalist and Battlezone singer Paul Dianno and as a mark of respect we kick off the show wearing spandex and Gola hightops with studded wristbands and matching belts on top of our lee cooper denim battle vests, ‘Feel The Rock’ is the hymn of choice but only because it features members of the mighty Tokyo Blade so Rock in Peace Mr Dianno rest easy sir. Obviously we couldn’t play a maiden song that would seem weird even for us and I couldn’t find my cassette tape of the self titled Dianno album to play one of his pomp synth rock n roll tunes so Battlezone it is.

We then get the show rockin with a heap of new bands and tunes from the Discarded who bring us to ‘Testify’ before we rock it up with Ronnie Simmons & The Redback Spiders who dish up ‘Little Miss Understood’ featuring none other than Ritchie Ramone and Johnny Martin who play on the track and Johnny plays on the album thats due to be released pretty soon.

Before the debut EP is released the band head out on a tour of Australia in November.

We then play a track off the brand new album courtesy of Rowdy whose album is released on Drunken Sailor Records and one we highly recommend with their brand of bad boy boogie mixed with some sleazy punk n roll Rowdy released a really impressive debut album. The track we played is ‘Love To Lose’.

Described as Masked UK proto punk Garage Oddballs, Thee Headshrinkers is a band we simply couldn’t ignore so its with great pleasure we give this trio some love and drop their fantastic single ‘Sunday Driver’ for your listening pleasure.

The second airing of a track off the Mar*x album ‘Green Ginger Jive’ this one is ‘Louder’ and more 70s influenced Glam Rock for your listening pleasure.

Snarling Dogs is a new band from the US of A and armed with a devastating album this is ‘Highway Of Hurt’ from the self-titled debut. Another new band and new release courtesy of those great people at Drunken Sailor Records.

We head back in time then for a track off Pure Rubbish EP ‘Tejas Waste’ and the track ‘Maximum Boy’ quickly followed by Smash Fashion and the track Marionette from the ‘Big Cat Love’ album. Keep your eyes and ears peeled because we have an interview coming up to coincide with the release of Crymwav‘s new material. A couple of months ago I got to chat with Roger Deering about his life in music and more it’ll be spread over a couple of episodes because Rogers’ life has been something that we shouldn’t edit down as he tells it like it is and we coincide with some awesome music he’s been part of so keep your eyes and ears peeled for that.

Monet are a band from South Wales who have just completed their second album recording and are about to get busy. This no-barriers bunch of nutters mix up the likes of Mr Bungle and post punk with hard rock for some mind-blowing music and they have a new single out entitled ‘Violentist’ that will fuck with you ahead of the album release.

The Silverlites are a new band featuring REMs Peter Buck alongside Rich Robinson from Black Crowes as well as Barrett Martin from Screaming Trees and Joseph Arthur on vocals. The album is out digitally on November 15th whilst the CD is out in the new year and will feature a bonus six tracks.

Delving into the mists of time to bring you The Veins and a track from their ‘Hollywoodland’ album with th rocker ‘Walk Away’. Turn up your speakers because the excellent Headhunters are o next with the A side of their recent single ‘Hour x Hour’ which I’m sure you’ll agree is an absolute banger and hopefully the start of something.

Does anyone remember a side project from Texas Terri Bomb called The Vampire Junkies? Well, they did one CD EP and we air ‘Denmark Street’ which is a cracking punk n roll number and I only wish there was more music from Texas Terri Bomb who in my humble opinion never made a bad record and managed to turn in some memorable live shows as well. Would love to get her on for a chat at some point.

Another Drunken Sailor record is by a band called Loosey and the track is the excellent ‘Hardly See Me’. Hold on we haven’t played a cover! oh yeah, how about ‘Doctor Doctor’ by Killer Hearts off the Action Rock Jukebox. Killer cover of a killer song. Don’t believe us – check it out.

Anyone with an eye on new releases can’t help to notice that Amyl & The Sniffers have a new record and the latest single off ‘Cartoon Darkness’ is the potty-mouthed ‘Jerkin’ and if you have five minutes you might like to check out the accompanying video. We’ll say no more but Hotshot have clicked like and favourites these neerdowells from Down Under.

The penultimate song is the brand new offering from Crymwav and ‘Contagious’ by name and nature get an earful of this from Roger and his band and look out for that podcast special coming in November.

Finally, this week’s show is closed out by the magnificent Wyldlife and their new single ‘Fast Dreams’. That us done and dusted for another episode and we hope you like and subscribe to our little corner of the Rock n Roll universe so until the next episode – keep it RPM Online – Its a Revolution!

Snarling Dogs – ‘Snarling Dogs’ (Drunken Sailor Records)

Snarling Dogs – ‘Snarling Dogs’ (Drunken Sailor Records)

Oh Boy, Drunken Sailor Records is on fire this year, releasing epic album after must-have record. Snarling Dogs is the latest in an ever-expanding line of stunning punk rock’ n roll records.

After submitting a demo last year, These Pittsburgh punks Snarling Dogs unleash their rabid album on an unsuspecting world with a healthy heartful of napalm these dead boys aren’t taking things lightly nor taking prisoners on this first outing they’re scorching the earth and everything in their path. This is top-notch fistful of Fury punk n roll at its finest. I could pack my review with rabid dog comparisons about biting and barking but that’s too easy so I’ll just stick to the facts when it comes to the Rock n Roll and when I get excited it makes me feel alive and almost wanting to run around like a dog with two dicks.
It’s eleven rapid, runaway revved-up rockers, taking in the first knocking of Punk rock n roll from the Stooges through the Bowery in the 70s and all the way to London when ‘New Rose’ changed everything these cats have been paying attention and absorbing it all in order to channel it into their modern twist.

‘Nothing Left’ is charging around like The Stooges only just broke outta Detroit with the speed and mixed with the cheap drug-fueled speed of early Damned or The Dead Boys. It’s all about the energy and attitude and this has it in spades.


The record isn’t just crash bang wallop mind there are more measured moments like ‘Hour at a Time’ – a building groove that sounds like the inner thoughts of some crazed killer running loose through some rainy downtown fleeing the scene of the crime with some great Iggy Style yelps on the breakdown.

‘Enemy’ is brutal and unhinged punk rock with a maniac pace and energy- exploding through the speakers. they should head out on tour with The Cavemen a thought I had when the shimmering guitar filled the void on ‘I’m An Animal’ it’s not all crash bang wallop see.

‘Overtime’ rivals anything Stiff Richards delivers whilst ‘Sniper’ takes aim (sorry, Couldn’t resist that one) is the battle cry for going over the top for WW3 like the spirit of Motorhead dines out with some snotty NYHC in 2024. These boys have a sensitive side as they demonstrate on ‘Highway Of Hurt’ but don’t think they’ve gone soft because ‘USA’ opens fire on anyone listening in. Hell, they even have a ‘Fight Song’ – get in there I’m on team Snarling Dogs sounding like a 70s Glam-inspired foot on the monitor chest-beating anthem.

The album ends with ‘2 Crosses’ as the band goes widescreen with a cool lick and rollicking rhythm proving they’re not a one trick pony and can turn their hand to whatever style they like it just so happens they prefer rockin out like they’ve got rabies and they’re on the run from the pound but don’t get too close this is one wild animal and I freakin well love it. Makes you feel alive and in love with Punk Rock n Roll Ave It! absolutely Buy It!

While the record has these intense dynamic shifts, Snarling Dogs glue it all together with their cohesive live rock-n-roll energy. Snarling Dogs is the perfect escape from the mundanity of life.
Chug that 40 oz on your lunch break, smoke that entire pack of cigs, and take a piss on your boss’s car. There are two dogs in you. Now it’s time to set the Snarling Dog free.

Buy Here

Sergeant Thunderhoof – ‘The Ghost of Badon Hill’ (Pale Wizard Records)

Sergeant Thunderhoof – ‘The Ghost of Badon Hill’ (Pale Wizard Records)

I became aware of the wonderful Sergeant Thunderhoof when I reviewed their superb last LP This Sceptred Veil back in 2022. That album was in my top ten of that year and has been on heavy rotation at Kendrick towers ever since. I love the band so much that I bought all their material up to that point.

To say I’ve been looking forward to the follow up to TSV is very much an understatement. The band released a single: ‘Blood Moon’ recently and it’s a superb taster of what’s to come on their latest long player: The Ghost of Badon Hill. This time around, we get a concept album based on their native Somerset history and mythology. Based on a real-life battle between the Britons and the Anglo Saxons at Badon Hill in Bath, the album delves deep into some fascinating folklore.

The band really have excelled themselves here. The songs are shorter and have more impact while giving us the trademark Sergeant Thunderhoof sound. Dan Flitcroft’s vocal performance is his best so far. Wonderfully atmospheric and powerful when needed. We get plenty of huge riffs courtesy of Mark Sayer and Josh Gallop. If you love Sabbath, Cathedral and Paradise Lost, I guarantee you’ll love Sergeant Thunderhoof.

The production from Gallop is perfection. The album is only six tracks long to ensure the vinyl release is a single LP, but this works so well in the execution of the songs as a concept album. Opening track Badon sets the album up perfectly, wilting acoustic guitars and gentle vocals build up to some beautiful riffing and the vocals simply soar. The rest of the album follows on in spectacular fashion, it really is superb. I honestly can’t recommend this band enough. Just go and find out for yourselves what you’ve been missing. You can all thank me later!

The Ghost of Badon Hill is released on Nov 15th, 2024, and is available to pre order now on CD, limited edition vinyl, and on all major streaming platforms.

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Author: Kenny Kendrick

Meatbeaters – ‘Prime Cu*ts’ (Heavy Medication Records)

Meatbeaters – ‘Prime Cu*ts’ (Heavy Medication Records)

From Down Under via Poland is exactly how I like my loud, fuck you Rock n Roll. Who doesn’t? Meatbeaters are a whole inappropriate bunch of scoundrels from Adelaide. The fact it’s the serial killer capital of Australia is insignificant. Well, It’s also the place where The Meatbeaters have resided. What do they sound like I hear you ask. Well, Imagine Motorhead digested the punk rock songbook and danced with the devil whilst taking advantage of everything that’s illegal and not good for you and turned it all up to eleven. They might have gone unnoticed for a couple of decades but thanks to this here interweb thing we can all play catch up on these deviants. Their filthy sonic destruction is wrapped up in this wonderful compilation album for your leisurely dedication. They are of course loud, and dirty, and make an ugly beautiful din that has no time for subtlety so absolutely zero fucks given here. If you aren’t sure check out ‘C.O.A.B.’ or ‘Lunch’ and watch those easily offended run for their nearest safe space.

The Meatbeaters’ are heavy as an anvil, relentless as prime Fast Eddie, filthy era Motorhead mixing it up with the eMC5 and the Cosmic Psychos. This is a band who’ve gone under the radar for too long so Heavy Medication have stepped up to write this particular wrong and bring it to the masses for immediate consumption. Get the beers in and get this on the stereo and turn it up. with Eleven originals, some of which are making their first appearance on vinyl here. How cool is ‘Spit Roast’ riffing on that ‘Born To Raise Hell’ attitude whats not to like?

Don’t go too hard when you’re headbanging to ‘Show Us What You Got’ because ‘Big Momma’ follows and you wouldn’t want to not be ready for that thunder express rushes through the speakers. It’s a relentless ride but the quality is immense throughout, just be careful not to do yourself a mischief. Now don’t just take my word for it get involved strap on the bullet belt and wear your denim n leather for protection this is The Meatbeaters baby and they play Rock n Roll! Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

This is a vinyl-only release. If you’re looking for Meatbeaters CDs, please visit the band’s Bandcamp site or Pitshark Records www.pitshark.com (European distro).