THE WiLDHEARTS – ‘Troubadour Moon’

THE WiLDHEARTS – ‘Troubadour Moon’

‘Satanic Rites of The Wildhearts’ 

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Headline UK Tour, March 2025

TheWildhearts.lnk.to/SROTW

The Wildhearts release new single / video, ‘Troubadour Moon’, from their forthcoming studio album, ‘Satanic Rites of The Wildhearts’, out on March 7thvia Snakefarm. 

“I was reading an interview with a well-known musician recently, and he was talking about how there aren’t any troubadours anymore – people who play music purely for the love of it. I thought it was an interesting observation, so I’ve addressed it here, along with the idea of being yourself and not being swayed by trend or fashion, by the latest thing. If you allow that to happen, there’s the danger that you’ll always be one step behind or in someone else’s shadow…” – Ginger Wildheart 

“With the new ‘Satanic Rites…’ album reflecting both the spirit and the energy of the classic ‘Earth vs…’ debut, both musically and visually, it made sense for the video for ‘Troubadour Moon’ to contain a host of references – some very subtle and obscure – to the glorious early days of the band. Plus, acknowledging the past in this way will hopefully put a smile on the faces of longstanding fans, and underline the fact that those creating the videos, the artwork and the photos, all of the imagery, are true fans of the band with a passion for detail. And if anyone knows why there’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it nod to former Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan in the clip, then you really are a serious fan! Please take a bow!” – Dante Bonutto, Snakefarm

To purchase / stream ‘Troubadour Moon’ go to: https://thewildhearts.lnk.to/TroubadourMoon

The creatively brilliant Ginger Wildheart is arguably amongst the UK’s best and most prolific songwriters, and his band, The Wildhearts, recently signed a worldwide deal with Snakefarm / Integral. 

“The songs on ‘Satanic Rites…’ were written during a period of transition, from extremely negative to positive,” reflects Ginger. “I realised how much control I have over my mental health, and the songs came from that understanding. There’s everything here – catchy choruses, proper fuck-off riffs, anger, frustration, acceptance and revelation, with plenty of insane detours. The album starts pessimistic then ends up like ‘Ah, so I CAN turn my life around?’ It’s a hard rock album for people who love hard rock!” 

‘Satanic Rites of The Wildhearts’, their 11th studio album, was produced by Jim Pinder (Bring Me The Horizon, While She Sleeps, Bullet For My Valentine) and mixed by Jim Pinder & Carl Bown (Trivium, Machine Head, Bring Me The Horizon, While She Sleeps, Bullet For My Valentine), and the record is conceived as a belated follow-up to their classic debut, ‘Earth vs The Wildhearts’ (1993).

Along with the singles, ‘Failure Is The Mother Of Success’ and ‘Troubadour Moon’, the album features a further eight tracks, including glam stomper ‘I’ll Be Your Monster’ (featuring Shining / Emperor member Jørgen Munkeby on guest saxophone).

To pre-order / pre save ‘Satanic Rites of The Wildhearts’ go to: TheWildhearts.lnk.to/SROTW 

‘Satanic Rites of The Wildhearts’ will be available on coloured vinyl LP, CD (with exclusive bonus track) and cassette. The LP & CD formats contain lyrics hand-written by Ginger, a painting by Ginger, plus other Ginger-related graphics.

To celebrate this release, The Wildhearts will be undertaking four in stores and playing eight headline UK shows in March, starting on March 7that the Leadmill in Sheffield and concluding on March 16th at the 1865 in Southampton. 

“We’ll be taking a full evening’s entertainment on tour, kicking off with party-punks Dirt Box Disco, going to rock ‘n’ roll church with Jim Jones, then being flayed alive with The Wildhearts. The party starts when the doors open, so get a buzz on and get down early. Come join the Wildhearts’ community gathering. We guarantee you’ll leave with the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll firmly restored” – Ginger Wildheart

For three decades, The Wildhearts have remained at the forefront of the UK rock scene, and their incendiary live shows have cemented their reputation and legacy as one of the best band’s their homeland has produced, so miss these shows at your peril.

The Wildhearts dates in full 

March in stores 

8th Relevant Records – Cambridge – Live acoustic performance and signing

9th HMV Manchester – Live Acoustic Performance and signing

10th Liverpool – Jacaranda – Acoustic performance and signing

12th HMV Newcastle – Signing

The Wildhearts UK Tour, March 2025

07thLeadmill, Sheffield

08th  Junction, Cambridge

09th  O2 Ritz, Manchester

11th  Epic, Norwich

13th  Garage, Glasgow

14th  KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

15th  Rock City, Nottingham

16th  1865, Southampton

May

04th Bonfest, Kirriemuir, Scotland 

07th  Wolf, Barcelona, Spain

08th Loco Club, Valencia, Spain

09th Nazca, Madrid, Spain

10th Psilocybenea, Hondarribia, Spain

24th The Big Yard Party, Old Woollen, Leeds

July 

07th Time To Rock Festival, Knislinge, Sweden

25th Steelhouse Festival, Ebbw Vale, Wales

Tickets for the UK tour (7th March – 16th March)  can be ordered here: https://www.gigantic.com/enter-code?c=9BC111E6-FDCB-4B8C-AAE3-94BA07CF575D

http://www.thewildhearts.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TheWildhearts

MC 16 – ‘Machine Code’ (Neverlution Records)

MC 16 – ‘Machine Code’ (Neverlution Records)

Following several mini albums and a plethora of festival slots MC 16 decided to step up and finally release this debut album so here it is, Ten Sonic bombs dropped through your stereo speakers with skill and controlled aggression and from the opening song ‘Shoot Em Up’ with its pacey attack you are left in no confusion that these three are here to leave nothing behind and give your senses a good kicking. Taking five years to shape to their liking it’s at times a monster canine barking and drooling over your stereo like ‘One From Another’ with its barely subdued attack poking your cranium before the spikey ‘Ground Control’ loses control with a thumping Bassline and whip snap guitar riff being swung around like a rabid dog straining at the leash. Fantastic sound they really captured the mood and barking out the lyrics is the icing on the cake, most excellent stuff.

Having Dave Draper at the controls is a great move because he understands this style and gives it a hefty pair of boots to stomp around in. ‘Can’t Get No Fun’ is a slice of real life on any street with spit and love in equal measures. With songs that resonate with topics from The Anniversary of the Miner’s Strike to data Paranoia and modern warfare it’s not a light-hearted album by any stretch but don’t let that put you off the bark on these gentlemen is absolutely spot on and they gauge the tone of many perfectly well.

‘Tourist’ is shooting from The Clash and Ruts DC territory and that’s handled perfectly as not enough bands are treading that path with this much conviction and style. MC 16 are killing it and the five-year wait is perfectly justified ‘Polytechnic’ asks questions whereas ‘Bricks And Martyrs’ is a thumping no-holds-barred rocker, the guitars cut through the rhythm section and provides one of the album’s highlights. I wear my “still hate Thatcher” badge with pride and felt like knocking up a placard or two when Workers 40′ raged through my stereo – “Up The Workers” indeed. There the album finishes on a massive high and what a high to finish on. I highly recommend you check this album out its a Banger!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Episode 56 – The Podcast – Goodbye Ed

Episode 56 – The Podcast – Goodbye Ed

Eddie Garritys Slaughter opens the show with ‘Hell In New York’ which is a fitting tribute to a very popular singer. Taken from the ‘Bite Back’ LP Ed will be missed by family and friends and it’s a privilege to play the song Rest In Peace Ed.

Starting Early outta Arlington USA offers some Alternative rock action with their new single ‘Do As I Do’. One of the best bands currently hitting the stages in the UK has to be Split Dogs who have a new album due for release next month and a brand new single ahead of their Venn Records release so here’s ‘Lafayette’.

We’re going in early with our cover this week and the Ratchets do a rather interesting take on Depeche Modes ‘Policy Of Truth’ from the ‘Under The Covers’ album (pirates Press) which is a rather diverse bunch of covers to say the least with Tom Robinson, Cock Sparrer being just a few of the songs to tickle your fancy.

Dharma Guns are back with a new single. This time they’ve brought ‘The Vipers’ with them with its excellent guitar lick and addictive tune.

The second instalment of our three-from-one connections this week is three of the four members of The Heartbreakers starting with a Johnny Thunders Demo of ‘Subway Train’ that came out a few years ago on Remarkable records which features The Damneds Paul Gray. Then it is the turn of Jerry Nolan & The Profilers and a track from his 1990s recordings with Greg Allen alongside Jerry and ”Chicago Vin” Earnshaw of the Delinquents. The recording were curtailed by the passing of Jerry. Then the final offering is a classic Walter Lure song from The Waldos album ‘Rent Party’ and my favourite track ‘Sorry’ sadly Walter has also passed away over four years ago. such a talented band who deserved so much more but a massive influence individually and collectively on so many.

Lords Of The New Church are up next but two very different incarnations of the band. Firstly ‘Young Don’t Cry’ which was previously unreleased until it appeared on a compilation album and more recently another USA comp on gutterwail Records. Always a pleasure to play some Lords. Then we follow it up with a track off the ‘Hang On’ album that was sold on the band’s 2003 tour dates under the name The Lords. Let’s not argue over the name but revel in the majestic tone of Brian’s guitar as he slashes out ‘Heaven Stepped Down’.

How about an exclusive track off the brand new Evil EP we air ‘Romulan Death Stomp’ from the EP which also has a rather tasty cover of ‘Cough/Cool’ by the Misfits details are scarce at the moment but there will be a sales page but until then go bug Nathan and he’ll send you the details to purchase a copy on Cassette for just your £7.50 in UK money plus postage but don’t sleep on it or they’ll be gone.

Mike Peters has a new single out which we think is under The Alarm banner (no arguing please) called ‘Chimera’ as he tackles Cancer at the Christie in Manchester. We dedicated three songs last week to Mike and his family and want to reiterate our admiration for the guy and send him all the PMA we have at this pivotal time and look forward to his recovery and posting the best news possible. We’d also like to extend our warmest wishes to his family at this tough time for them as well he’s got this Cancer didn’t see Mike Peters coming either.

Another new track this week is that from Ricky Warwick and ‘The Crickets Stayed In Clovis’ taken from his forthcoming album ‘Bloodties’ due soon on earache Records.

Guitar Wolf announced a tour of Australia so what better than to blast out a track from the legends so ‘Can Nana’.

We turn it up a bit with sludgy alt-rockers Pigs, pigs, pigs, pigs, pigs, pigs pigs and their Sabbath-heavy riff-a-rama that is ‘Death Hilarious’. The Phantom Chords featured three members of The Damned and had one class album that got a reissue a few years back and also recorded another LP that didn’t see the light of day so why not spin ‘Someone Up There’.

A fantastic UK band The Speedways recently opened for Billie Joe Armstrong and his Cover Ups on their whistle-stop show in London. I might be correct in saying it was also the bands new guitarist’s introduction as well which would be super cool. what a debut that is. The band did a digital-only live album ‘Sunday Will Never Be The Same – Live Radio Broadcast WFMU – “The Todd O Phonic Todd Show”‘ and on it was the fantastic ‘Just Another Regular Summer’.

Another UK power pop punk rock beat combo that we absolutely love here at RPM is Cyanide Pills. The band have a split EP coming out to coincide with their European tour. It’s on Damaged Goods Records and will be a very limited run so don’t hesitate to order a copy because it won’t be available digitally.  ‘Falling For You’ which is a leftover unreleased track recorded for their debut album back in 2010 Plus ‘I Don’t Wanna Dance’ which was recorded at the same time as their most recent album ‘Soundtrack To The New Cold War‘. Snooze and you’ll lose and to whet your appetite we play ‘Falling For You’.

Wrapping up another action-packed show we bring you the fantastic Trash Bags and their track ‘Trash’. Such a great debut from these New York punk n rollers seems like a great way to end the show.

Gyasi – ‘Here Comes The Good Part’ (Alive Records)

Gyasi – ‘Here Comes The Good Part’ (Alive Records)

Do you remember a time when music fans adorned their bedroom walls with posters of their heroes? Larger-than-life rock stars who seemed untouchable to a wide-eyed teen? Gyasi does. The West Virginia born and raised singer channelled those very same idols: Bowie, Bolan and Zep to the max on his debut album ‘Pronounced Jah-See’ back in 2022, unapologetically wearing his influences on his satin sleeves for all to see. We here at RPM fell for him, hook, line and sinker.

Now he follows up last year’s killer live opus ‘Rock n’ Roll Sword Fight’ with his sophomore studio album ‘Here Comes The Good Part. So, let’s dip right in and see if Gyasi hits the spot second time around.

Opener ‘Sweet Thing’ sets the scene with a Ziggy stomp and a laid back, bluesy Black Keys like groove. The instant hook of a chorus makes a b-line for your brain and Gyasi is well and truly back in business with a sure-fire anthem of self-expression.

The thing I dig about Gyasi is his ability to mix up the sound of his influences to great effect. 70’s glam rock is the order of the day, add to that a smattering of west coast 60’s psychedelia and a shot of Brit Pop for good measure, and we’ve got a good thing going. This is evident on the swaggering ‘Lightening’ and the more bluesy, high-energy stomp of ‘She Says’.

‘Snake City’ has cool dynamics and a stomper of a chorus, ‘Cheap High’ is high octane rock n’ roll done just right. A sleazy, low-slung Aerosmith riff and a cocksure demeanor makes it an early album standout. As is previous single ‘Baby Blue, a shameless T Rex stomp with a chorus to die for. Yes, you know exactly where he’s pilfered it from as much as I do, but fuck me, what a tune!

Some might say there’s blatant Bowie plagiarism going on here. Yes, that arpeggiated riff to ‘Sweet Thing’ certainly carries a passing resemblance to ‘Ziggy Stardust’, ‘American Dream’ with its regimental snare beat, acoustic guitar and sexy sax has a ‘Lady Stardust’ feel to it and stunning CD only bonus cut ‘Apple Tree’ is Gyasi’s ‘Oh! You Pretty Things’. But surely, he’s just embracing his influences, and it never hurt Noel Gallagher, right?

The piano led ‘23’ sees our sequin-suited hero banging to the beat of a different drum. With its laid-back, sexy sax accompaniment and dreamy vibes, its veering towards 80’s new age pop in a good way, hints of Roxy Music come to find here. And then album closer ‘Grand Finale’ comes on like some glam rock musical reprise. Picked acoustic chords, soaring strings and a self-assured vocal performance build with cleverly produced drums to give that authentic 70’s analogue feel.

With just the right amount of sleazy riffs & power chords, a good dose of lipstick & glitter and enough dirt under the fingernails, ‘Here Comes The Good Part’ straddles Bowie in his Hunky Dory/Ziggy Stardust years, it embraces Marc Bolan between ‘Electric Warrior’ and ‘The Slider’ and brings us right up to date for the kids by digging the sounds of Jack White and The Black Keys. It would all be so laughable and throwaway if the songs weren’t up to scratch, but guess what? The songs are good, they are very good.

I’ll tell you one thing for sure, if I was a wide-eyed teen discovering rock n’ roll right now, I’d proudly have Gyasi’s poster on my bedroom wall and this sophomore-long player would be blasting from the speakers day and night.

An eagerly anticipated album from a rising star, and an essential purchase for 2025. Get it on, pre-ordered and demand a UK tour quick sharpish.

Buy Here

Author: Ben Hughes

Thin Lizzy with first New album in over 40 years

Thin Lizzy with first New album in over 40 years

THIN LIZZY RETURNS WITH FIRST NEW ALBUM IN OVER 40 YEARS: ACOUSTIC REWORKS OF THEIR CLASSICS

‘ACOUSTIC SESSIONS’ OUT NOW VIA DECCA

BUY PHYSICAL CD/LP HERE:

FULL ALBUM TO BE RELEASED DIGITALLY MAY 9TH 

“This material brings new clarity and intimacy to Lynott’s vocals.” Mojo 

“This unique collection showcases the other side of West Bromwich-born Irish rocker Lynott – the romantic and idealistic folk poet. The results are majestic.” Daily Mirror

“A die-hard’s delight.” Record Collector  

Thin Lizzy is back with a fresh take on some of their most iconic tracks, marking their first new release in over four decades. This unique acoustic album reimagines beloved songs, offering a stripped-back sound that exposes the core of their songwriting. Original vocals from Phil Lynott are paired with brand-new guitar parts from founding member Eric Bell, creating an entirely new listening experience for fans. ‘Acoustic Sessions’ is out today on CD and vinyl and will be released digitally on May 9th.

Producer and mixer Richard Whittaker, working alongside Eric Bell, went to huge lengths to use the original tapes, vocals and instrumentation with the only new addition being Eric’s fresh acoustic guitar parts which were recorded with him in Belfast at the Oh Yeah! Centre Studios, a unique celebration of Irish artists and their craft.

Each track on the album is a freshly created version of songs featured on either the 50th-anniversary super deluxe editions of ‘Vagabonds Of The Western World’, considered Thin Lizzy’s breakthrough, alongside their self-titled debut and ‘Shades of a Blue Orphanage’.

Today we celebrate the album’s release with a sublime new lyric video for the 1971 song ‘Dublin’. These new visuals compliment this beautiful song perfectly, bringing to life Lynott’s achingly sentimental lyrics for the city he grew up in.

This album marks the first time since Bell’s exit that he has recorded under the Thin Lizzy name. Fans can now experience what might have been their “MTV Unplugged” moment—a chance to hear the band’s timeless music in its most intimate form.

For dedicated fans, a D2C edition includes an exclusive bonus track, “Slow Blues G.M,” a tribute to Gary Moore, alongside acoustic versions of these classic tracks:

The album is available in both CD and limited-edition marble vinyl formats, along with an ultra-limited vinyl edition featuring an exclusive bonus track. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-generation release from one of rock’s most beloved bands.

Order here:

The Podcast – Episode 55

The Podcast – Episode 55

Episode 55

Join us for the latest podcast where we bring new music from Time Thieves from Chicago who released their new single ‘Remember I Forgot’. This Chicago four-piece kicks off the show in style much to Chris’ delight.

Kurt Baker‘s excellent songwriting skills are up next as we play his latest Wicked Cool Records single ‘Warm In The Winter’. This guy is a machine when it comes to writing power pop / new wave songs he churns them out and always to the highest standard.

Always happy to air some Kurt Baker and on these cold days he offers a ray of sunshine that’s for sure.

Vocalist Eddie Garrity releases a four-track EP Entitled Eddie Garritys Slaughter and this is their debut EP which is hard to believe. ‘Hot Raw Metal & Gasoline’ contains four banging rockers and we decided to play ‘Dandy Rocker’ in this week’s Podcast. The CD-only release is available
from website and at gigs (where tracks will be performed as part of the ‘Bite Back’ shows.)

Bomber Music recently released a three track EP from Riskee And The Ridicule that feature two tracks from their Debut album as well as the ‘Young And Beautiful’ cover. ‘Backwards’ gets the thumbs up but we could have played ‘Blue Jacket’ or the Del Ray cover, a band who always impress when we hear them or see them live.

Another UK band that never disappoints is Wonk Unit who recently released their latest album which is their most adventurous and sprawling record to date. Chris went for ‘Luxury Flats’ which just happens to be a bit of a rager. The Album ‘Good Good Glad To Hear It’ is the band’s most diverse and rewarding album to date. The band have really pushed the boundaries and its paid dividends.

Frank Black reissued his sophomore album ‘Teenager Of The Year’ this week on double Gold Vinyl so what better time than now to play ‘Bad Wicked World’ off that album ahead of his London Palladium show.

The Diamond Dogs are back with an album called ‘Macon Georgia Giant’ on Wild Kingdom Records recorded with Chris Spedding. A tip of the hat to the king of rock n roll Little Richard. So why not play ‘King Of Rock n Roll’.

Also released this week is Iggy pop live at Montreux Jazz Festival. Bursting with exciting twists on Iggy classics old and new we chose ‘Modern Day Rip Off’ to promote the horn section of this extraordinary show.

Weep Wave up next with ‘Conscious Dust’ off their Speck album from the trio outta Seattle.

Let me introduce a trio from one artist that we might follow every week starting out with Michael Leslie Peters of The Alarm who enters The Christie Hospital in Manchester this week for groundbreaking treatment in his 30-year fight with Cancer. CAR-T therapy might just offer Mike the fighting chance he deserves after staying positive and one step ahead for three decades. We send him all the PMA in the world from everybody at RPM Online and urge you to click the link to Love Hope And Strength and get on the list. It doesn’t cost you anything but could help someone with the gift of life, imagine that? these three songs go back some thirty years when Mike was freshly diagnosed with Cancer so first up is ‘Psychological Combat Zone/ The Message’ in his poets days just out of the shadow of leaving the Alarm.

Next, we bring ‘Ground Zero’ from the furtive and really impressive ‘Rise’ period before we end with his first direct call to arms in his fight against Cancer ‘Regeneration’ Cancer certainly didn’t see MLP coming and we wish him and his family all the Love Hope and Strength at this time.

The Protos from Amsterdam are up next with their brand of Garage Punk Power Pop on NFT Records ‘Drain My Brain’ indeed.

The Roxies have ‘Animal’ from their ‘Keep You Up At Night’ album offering the world some of Berlin’s finest power pop.

Heading over to LA for the excellent Teenage Frames and the B Side to their latest single ‘Factory Man. America’s Greatest Rock & Roll Re-Creators churn out wonderful slabs of Punk Rock n Roll with awesome melodies and you should check em out if you’ve never heard them before.

As we head into the home straight how about a new one from Michael Monroe Guitarist and Black Halos original Rich Jones who released ‘Old Offenders’ this week past so get involved give him the encouragement to release that solo record you know it makes sense. Like Chris said he’s never involved in a project that isn’t excellent and well worth buying.

The penultimate track this week is from Nasty Rumours who are heading out across Europe with The awesome Cyanide Pills and they’ve released a split single with two songs each now While we are waiting fo their contribution to this EP we will play it for you along with the Cyanide Pills tracks so until then you’ll have to make do with ‘You Got My Number’ from the album they released in 2022. this Bern outfit as so cool and worth checking out.

Finally, we end this show with some old school 88 hardcore courtesy of Epileptic Brain Surgeons with their mature banger ‘Puberty’ from the album ‘Craniotomy’ so, until next week Tra for now and enjoy the music. Like, Subscribe and give us a share we really appreciate it and it helps fill the world with great music.

Episode 55 Here

Guitar Wolf – Set for 2025 Tour Dates Down Under

Guitar Wolf – Set for 2025 Tour Dates Down Under
Following a successful return to Australia in 2023, during which they blew away everyone in attendance at the last ever Boogie Festival, Tokyo’s incredible GUITAR WOLF will return again in March 2025.

Since forming in 1987 and releasing their first album on Memphis’s legendary Goner Records in 1993 (following their first appearance at Gonerfest), the group, which is fronted by the heroic Seiji and always clothed head to toe in black leather, have taken their wild and dangerous sound to the world, working with labels like Matador and Third Man in the process. They have released 12 albums and are signed to a major label at home in Japan. They first toured Australia in the late ’90s, when Seiji rode on to the stage of a packed Tote on the back of a borrowed motorcycle.

Inspired by the ultra-violent records of ’50s guitar wielding maniac Link Wray as well as motorcycles, the Ramones, Johnny Thunders, the Cramps and Joan Jett, Seiji has called their sound ‘Jet Rock’n’Roll’, but that has nothing to do with Joan. As Seiji explained in an interview in 2012, “I love jet plane. I love noisy music, too. So…there were records…many records…every record have no big sounds. So…easy to listen. I hate that! So! I add jet sounds. Bwaaaahng! Explosion!” (When asked by the same interviewer who came up with the term Jet Rock, Seiji replied, “Me. Yeah, yeah. So we are #1 Japanese Jet Rock Band”.)

Guitar Wolf have their own branded motorcycle jacket, the 613 GW, made by Schott NYC of New York, who make the iconic 613 Perfecto jacket as worn by the Ramones. It’s a jacket that dates back to Marlon Brandon in The Wild One, and the birth of the leather jacket as an outlaw/rebel icon. Guitar Wolf are movie stars themselves too, having starred in the low budget sci-fi horror movie Wild Zero in 1999, a sequel to which they announced last year. 

Despite a number of line-up changes – they are now onto their third bass player Gotz, having suffered the death of original bassplayer Billy (Bass Wolf) by heart-attack aged 38 in 2005, and drummer Takuro has only been with them since 2022 – Guitar Wolf are founded on a singular vision and continue to push forward just as they remain the same. Picture a lone rider pushing through an unending tide of fashion-conscious conformists – that’s what Guitar Wolf are like. 

As they state in their Official Bio on their website, Guitar Wolf “single-mindedly pursu(e) an unchanging style and radiat(e) power that transcends time and space.”

Set to appear at the 10th occurrence of Australia’s premier celebration of garage rock and punk, Jerkfest in Geelong as well as the Meadow Music Festival in Bambra (in the Surf Coast Shire), Guitar Wolf are also playing in Melbourne, Frankston, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Bunbury and Fremantle.  Lucky Melbourne fans will also get a screening of Wild Zero at the Thornbury Picture House, with Seiji and his band mates in attendance.  Full dates are as follows:
On The Loose Presents
GUITAR WOLF AUSTRALIAN TOUR MARCH 2025
FRI 21 MAR MELBOURNE THE CURTAIN (w/ The Prize + The States)  
SAT 22 MAR (ARVO) BAMBRA MEADOW MUSIC FESTIVAL  
SAT 22 MAR GEELONG JERKFEST 10, BARWON CLUB  
SUN 23 MAR FRANKSTON SINGING BIRD STUDIOS (w/ Gnome + more! All Ages show, 4pm – 9pm)
MON 24 MAR WILD ZERO FILM SCREENING  THORNBURY THORNBURY PICTURE HOUSE
WED 26 MAR BENDIGO TRASH CULT (w/ Poppin’ Mommas)
THU 27 MAR CASTLEMAINE THE BRIDGE HOTEL (w/Leon)
FRI 28 MAR BRISBANE CROWBAR (w/The Onyas + Eyes Ninety)
SAT 29 MAR SYDNEY FACTORY FLOOR (w/ Antenna & The Crankees)
THU 3 APR ADELAIDE CROWN AND ANCHOR
FRI 4 APR PERTH SEASONAL BREWING (w/ Zerodent & The Murderbirds) 
SAT 5 APR BUNBURY THE PRINCE OF WALES (w/ Turd!)
SUN 6 APR FREMANTLE BUFFALO CLUB (Doors 5:30pm)Tix available from On the Loose Presents | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
www.guitarwolf.net

Split Dogs new Single has plenty of bark

Split Dogs new Single has plenty of bark

Bristol Punk Rock ‘n Rollers Split Dogs bite back with new single ‘Lafayette’ out now via Venn Records

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

Listen/Buy HERE:

UK headline tour confirmed for Feb/March 

Primed to grab 2025 by the scruff of the neck and give it a damn good shaking, high-octane boogie woogie punk rock ‘n rollers Split Dogs are set to embark on their first UK headline tour as they approach the release of their ‘Here To Destroy’ album, due for release on February 28th via Venn Records.

Today, Split Dogs offer up another cut with their new single ‘Lafayette’ which is, says guitarist Mil Martinez “a love letter to our families and the influence they’ve had on our love for music.

At a glance it tells the story of (singer) Harry’s mother growing up in Wolverhampton during the height of the 1970s/80s northern soul scene and the characters she encountered. It also tips a hat to my older brother that passed away in 2023, he played a major role in my song writing growing up.”

The video was shot by drummer Chris Hugall who admits that on the actual day of filming they had no real plan as all of their other ideas had fallen through, but they worked on the fly and the end result compliments the song perfectly.

“It takes you on a journey through the cobbled streets and back bars of the Black Country, Harry’s hometown Wolverhampton,” explains Mil. “From Chewing gum-stained carpets and pints of mild to stone faced locals and tar-stained fingertips. If you fancy a dance? Come out to the club and feel alive!”

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 brother’s 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 that 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”.

As the album title makes clear, Split Dogs are here to destroy, but they’re also here to rebuild and remind us of music’s essence. “We’re not beholden to the digital age, we don’t want to get famous on social media, we just want to show the world that rock’n’roll is alive and well”.

Heads down, see you at the end. 

Catch Split Dogs live at the following dates:

2/2 Incider Festival, North Somerset

7/2 Milton Arms, Portsmouth 

26/2 Hug and Pint, Glasgow

27/2 Gullivers, Manchester

28/2 Billy Bootleggers, Nottingham 

1/3 The Grace, London 

2/3 Daltons, Brighton 

7/3 Rough Trade, Bristol

Europe

18/3 Supersonic, Paris. France

20/ Cafe Central, Brussels, Belgium 

21/3 La Zone leige. Belgium 

22/3 cafe The Jack, Eindhoven. Netherlands 

23/3 Poppodium Volt, sittard. Netherlands 

26/3 Monkeys Music club, Hamburg. Germany 

27/3 Dreikonigskeller, Frankfurt. Germany

28/3 Museumskeller, Erfurt. Germany

29/3 Freak Show, Essen. Germany

Festivals

23/5 Bearded Theory

24/5 Sneister, Netherlands

9-12/7 2000 Trees

9/8 Rebellion, Blackpool

Find Split Dogs online HERE:

First In Line – ‘Connect The Dots’ (Lövely Records)

First In Line – ‘Connect The Dots’ (Lövely Records)

Swedish hardcore outfit First In Line celebrates their 30th anniversary with the new album “Connect the Dots” with 19 frantic, raw, and energetic tracks showcasing the finest of the Linköping HC scene. First In Line has been flying the flag of fast, melodic hardcore since 1994, so maybe now is as good a time as any to catch up and admit this is my first – an introduction if you like and in time-honoured scandi hardcore the guys kicked my backside. Like Zugly before them, they remain true to the roots of the sound and scene and deliver an album that captures the spirit of Harcore and also delivers some exceptional playing and to be fair some great songs.

If you want loud in-your-face, gritty unrelenting energy then First In Line bang em out.

“Connect the Dots” kicks off in style with the brutal ‘What’ that sets the tone with a full frontal assault on your senses. They do mix it up but dive straight into the pit for ‘Cookies And Cream’ thrashing like motherfuckers.

F.I.L are so pissed off at all injustice and stupidity, we have to get it out of their heads and into the songs that they hope will hit right in the heart of you the listener, who can turn up the will to fight and maybe also be a tiny cog in a machinery that can change the world.” which is an admirable stance indeed.

Nineteen track of Hardcore is a lot to absorb in one take but this is the stuff that makes your day go by quicker and puts a spring in your step. It’s not a long album by any means and of course some of the songs are sub one minute so not exactly taxing. Songs like ‘Inbred’ is the sound of the walls collapsing in on you whilst your listening but you’d rather get through the song than worry about your house caving in.

I love it when an album comes out of the blue and asks you to review it and you just put it on in the background but soon enough you find yourself leaning in and paying attention well, First In Line just did that and this stands shoulder to shoulder with any Hardcore released in a decade and I’ll take that all day long. By the time you get to the uncompromising ‘Black And White’ and ‘Good Friends’ you will be nodding in approval these guys have a fire burning in their collective bellies and who doesn’t like that? It’s fast, furious and on fuckin fire. Get involved, you can thank me later Hardcore as fuck!

Connect with First In Line:
https://firstinline-fil.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/fil_lkpg
https://www.facebook.com/fillkpg
https://x.com/fil_lkpg

Author: Dom Daley

Tokyo Blade – ‘Time Is The Fire’ (Dissonance Records)

Tokyo Blade – ‘Time Is The Fire’ (Dissonance Records)

Tokyo Blade are back with their latest offering ‘Time Is The Fire’. Here, we have another collection of blistering heavy metal delivered in the usual fashion of the lads from Tokyo Blade. I’m not going to go on about their NWOBHM roots, blah blah, we’ve heard it all before. Let’s concentrate on the here and now, I reviewed their previous album Fury back in 2022 and loved that album. ‘Time Is The Fire’ follows on nicely from that, we have 14 tracks that deliver a masterclass in old-school metal. Alan Marsh’s vocals soar over the crunchy riffs spectacularly.

The opening track ‘Feeding the Rat’ kicks off with a mid-paced headbanger with some great lead work from Andy Boulton and John Wiggins.  Moth to the Fire has some hair metal-tinged riffs, ‘Man on the Stair’ begins with a spooky intro before we get more chuggerama and fist-pumping rhythms. Are You Happy Now is another great track with another pounding riff. ‘The Enemy Within’ starts with a Judas Priest feel, more lovely lead guitar work here and a catchy chorus. ‘Going With the Flow’ showcases some nice bass work from Andy Wrighton, a melodic intro builds into another powerful track. The 47 has some great lyrics about a historical event in Japan where a band of samurai avenged their former master. ‘The Devil in You’ is my favourite track on the album, muscular riffs, and some fine drumming from Steve Pierce drives the track along fantastically. ‘Soldier On‘ has a feel of old school Thin Lizzy with its twin lead attack.

Overall, it is a fantastic bunch of songs that show that Tokyo Blade is still a force to be reckoned with. My only gripe is the processed drum sound, this seems to be creeping in more and more into recordings.

The album is out now! You know what to do.

Buy Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick