His Lordship – ‘Bored Animal’ (Psychonaut Sounds)

His Lordship – ‘Bored Animal’ (Psychonaut Sounds)

Following last year’s explosive, no frills self-titled debut album, in keeping with the fast-paced punk rock spirit that’s His Lordship’s dish up, the dynamic duo are back and have eleven sharp as a razor songs about love, life and everything in between. ‘I Fly Planes Into Hurricanes’ is a fiery single, combining hotrodding riffs with shambolic drums and fuzzed-out guitar. Hurtling along at breakneck speed, barely breaking for breath, it’s a sonic splash that will get the pulse racing and a smile on any self-respecting rock n roll chops.

Recorded live in under two weeks at Edwyn Collins’ studio in the Highlands of Scotland, with engineer Sean Reed and mixed by David Wrench (Manic Street Preachers, Let’s Eat Grandma, Blur, Baxter Dury), for ‘Bored Animal’ His Lordship decided to streamline their sound (is that even possible? there’s only the two of them) this record has a joir de vivre and a throw it in the air and see what happens about it knowing the bare facts that they have written som ebanging tunes so what will be will be.

On the opening title track, clanging guitars and loud drums rattle the speakers and set the tone for what’s heading the listeners’ way. James Walbourne and Kris Sonne race through the songs with clever lyrics, which lean into scorching anarchic destructive rock ‘n’ roll, ‘Old Romantic’, jabbing ‘Downertown’, distorted punk ‘Marc-Andre Léclerc’, noise rock ‘Weirdo in the Park’, garage-blues riffs galore complete with howling vocals ‘The Sadness of King Kong’, and even psychedelic headfuckery ‘Derek E. Fudge’. As with their debut, ‘Bored Animal’ makes room for an instrumental stripped bare with no vocals, my least favourite genre of music, but hey ho, you can’t have everything. It is vintage rock ‘n’ roll, but with edge and swagger, the album is decidedly not a retro rehash or homage to the past, but they sure respect where they’ve come from and who drove them to this point. It’s in their DNA and hear,t and not something you could ever manufacture to this degree.

Don’t be fooled by the 1950s spiv suits and serious faces. This pair of Herbert’s makes one hell of a roar from their instruments, warts n all, this album is fantastic. More than anything, His Lordship embraces the idea that they have to live in the here and now and not be clever because it’s only Rock n Roll baby and they have something to say. Bored Animal delivers on every level. They know who and what they are and dish it up with volume

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Fantazmaz – ‘Fantazmaz’ (Ghetto Bitch Records)

Fantazmaz – ‘Fantazmaz’ (Ghetto Bitch Records)

Don’t be fooled by the ambient intro ‘Are You Enjoying The Peaceful Skies’ because the roof is about to cave in. ‘Dead On The Way Home’ is a sonic kick to the jaw in just over half a minute. Christ, the song finished before I could type the title out. It’s swift, loud, to the point and bursting with energy. We’re off.

Brazil’s fiercest new punk rock export comes to the UK with their debut self-titled album, with the familiar machine pounding of Jamie Oliver on tub thumping and boy does he tub thump. Formed in 2019 by frontwoman Thami and guitarist Raf Oliver, Fantazmaz found their raw, unrelenting sound with the addition of bassist Chokito and former U.K. Subs drummer. They manage to mix blistering punk energy with a fearless presence; they sound like a band in a hurry, but to where Gawd only knows.

This record was recorded in two days, I’m reliably informed, and it sounds like it – not in a bad way, but the sound of a band who are raring to go and bursting to get out there and cause some trouble, where I think these songs will really come to life.

Rage and fury is one way to describe what follows over the ensuing ten songs, with one as ferocious as the last ‘You Owe Me A Fortune’ is rabid where ‘Distortion’ has a big Bass rumble and frantic fret flurries its as much about the energy they have created as it is about the songs because to be fair they aren’t over egged it is a lean mean war machine. They do reflect on global issues with lyrics such as those on the excellent ‘Does God Know Misery’; the melody is an earworm, and the guitar work is killing it.

This is proving to be a fresh lick of paint on a scene that is so overcrowded, but the music contained within is on fire and will grab your attention; rather, it will demand your attention.

‘Scars Of Downtown’ dissects the loneliness of metropolis and inner city London living, ‘Corporate Behave’ rages whilst looking at the nodding dogs with some post DKs guitar tricks thrown in for good measure. Hell, we’ve almost got to the finale, and it seems like it’s only just started. The thick production offers a real beefy sound that adds weight to the energy this record manages to own from the first to the last, with raging solos attempting to break out all over the place but being fought back by the solid rhythm section, none better than on the thrashing ‘Warheads’.

To close off, we have some weird trip hop beats melting on ‘Just Before Hell Comes Around’ just to fuck with your head before saying adios. A fine album, debut album to be exact, from Fantazmaz, a band I think we’ll be hearing about more and more in 2025.  

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Jesus And Mary Chain – Tramshed, Cardiff 21.06.25

Jesus And Mary Chain – Tramshed, Cardiff 21.06.25

It’s been a while, best part of a decade, since I last clapped eyes on the brothers Reid in Cardiff across town in the second room of the Uni, and the time before that it was this very same venue but tonight was a one-off and not part of a tour, but something of a warm-up for the band’s appearance in Milton Keynes the following night at the Forever Now festival (at the time of writing I believe the stage at MK was beset with tech difficulties so its something of a relief to get this one in). The dry ice rolls across the stage like only a few other bands, such as the sisters of Mercy or the Bunnymen, engulfing the room to that of a post apocalyptic wasteland with just a dimly lit red mist as the band stride on stage to begin what was to amount to a pretty epic and mightily impressive set from Kilbride’s finest.

‘JAMCOD’ kicked off proceedings and Jim proceeded to remove his customary leather jacket due to it being one of the hottest days of the year and in a venue that seemed bereft of oxygen and even the gentlest of breezes but this didn’t stop the band smashing through songs like there was no tomorrow with merely silhoueted shadows on the stage with William swaying in front of his customary Orange wall of amplifiers as Jim holds onto his mic and stand like he’d fall over if it wasn’t there. The sound is clear and throbbing to the huge chords in the break before the second verse. Superb start as we were all hoping to OD on JAMC.

Like a fine wine, The Brothers Reid have matured and aged well sure they’re not the same band who kicked off all those years ago with a fire in their bellies and without a care in the world just a love of Garage rock n roll, art and creating some dark, bleak yet light and warm music that has most defiantly stood the test of time ably assisted currently by Mark, Scott and Justin. If anything, songs off the first album and EP (‘Psycho Candy’) have aged superbly well, but that’s for later in the set. The band’s most recent offering, ‘Glasgow Eyes’, is well represented, as is my personal favourite album, ‘Darklands’. To be fair, the set list is well designed and delivered impeccably, building to a glorious crescendo on the encore.

I’m presuming Jim is enjoying himself because he’s loosened up by removing the jacket, and the rest of the band sound amazing and right on it. ‘Head On’ was like a rabid barking dog, and from the awesome ‘Sidewalking’, it was glorious and possibly the best I’ve ever heard them. Connie from the support band Borrowed Atlas joined the band on stage for ‘Sometimes Always’ and a majestic ‘Just Like Honey’.

For the encore, it was a hat-trick of the impeccable guitar pop of ‘Darklands’, followed by ‘Taste Of Cindy’, and to bring a halt to proceedings and leave nobody in any doubt that they are still the masters of their craft and nobody has done the shoegazing pop noise better. Even when they left the field for hiatuses, their shoes couldn’t be filled and ‘Reverence’ was the perfect full stop to a pretty spectacular warm-up. It seems mad to think on this evidence, they even need to warm up. This was a blazing show of noisy guitar pop perfection. They can be as arrogant as they like, they always maintained how damn good they are and on this evidence it seems time has proven them right. Stunning performance. So until next time gents, nos da.

Charlie Harper – ‘Harpers Road’ (Death Or Glory Records)

Charlie Harper – ‘Harpers Road’ (Death Or Glory Records)

Showing no signs of slowing down or easing back to retirement, Charlie Harper releases ‘Harpers Road’, an acoustic saunter down a leisurely road of traditional covers and Subs classics done to a very different beat indeed. Sure we’ve had an acoustic version of Subs releases previously, but not quite like this. A truly solo album of Charlie doing whatever Charlie wants.

Containing fourteen tracks of which over half are reimagined Subs classics from all over the band’s career, tracks like ‘C.I.D’ and ‘Stranglehold’ pepper side one. ‘Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms’ is a campfire hoedown with a very traditional performance. ‘Bottle Of Wine’ is more of the same, complete with fiddle courtesy of Duncan Menzie. Some traditional fuzzed up swampy blues in the shape of ‘Diving Duck Blues’ where Charlie gets to wheeze his harmonica.

Now Subs fans will have a hoot with these reworkings of ‘C.I.D.’, pretty much faithful to the electric version but the polar opposite., ‘Stranglehold’ is a campfire jam whilst ‘I Live In A Car’ is more a trad blues lick slowed down and knocked out on the porch in downtown Brighton, complete with hilarious ott police sirens for good measure.

I do like hearing old classics stripped bare, so ‘Tomorrows Girls’, ‘Kill Me’ are interesting skiffle jams not like anything you’ll hear Charlie do with his full electric band howling behind him. It’s great to hear Charlie enjoying himself and doing just what the hell he likes, not feeling he has to dance to anyone’s tune and knock out loud and aggressive punk rock, so songs like ‘Rat Race’ have the drive but with a very different flavour. ‘After Hours’ is a Ukulele ride you never thought you’d hear. My least flavour o music is an instrumental so ‘Ride In The Black Forest’ is next before the record signs off with a penny whistling romp through ‘Wild Rover’ now it might not be a polished Pogues take nor in the same league as a Wolftones but its loose and fun exactly what this album set out to achieve. Different takes and flavours of some well worn songs and a most welcome addition to the Charlie Harper catalogue. Never, ever retire, Charlie, you’re just too good at this to stop. This is a very limited pressing as well so snooze, you’ll probably lose.

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Desperate Fun – ‘Ready To Rot’ (Take The City)

Desperate Fun – ‘Ready To Rot’ (Take The City)

In these troubling global times, we’re all searching for some Desperate Fun, so it seems only right for us here at RPM to point you in the direction of some in the share of punk rock n rollers from London Town, Desperate Fun.

Raised on American and Australian ’77 punk rock. KBD addicts. Formed in London back in 2017. No Front Teeth records were obviously there with their finger on the pulse of this down n dirty loud n sleazy punk rock and released the bands debut album so fast forward a pandemic and some where we find ourselves confronted by a wonderfully loud, nasty, sleazy follow up in the shape of ‘Ready To Rot’. issued by Take The City Records (another label with their finger on the pulse of what’s hot in punk n roll) Let’s not muck about here, after a spoken intro, ‘Dead Love Sex’ bursts out of the speakers in a frantic Early Subs style kicking and screaming with a face full of snot n sweat it’s just what the punk n roll doctors ordered.

Six tracks in fifteen minutes kicking the living shit out of my speakers with the time honoured Johnny Thunders guitar licks (I’m Not) Going To Rot’ is a blast of energy and a swift kick to the groin…lovely stuff. As you can imagine there are no love songs or ballads to contend with just piss and vinegar steaming out of every pore. To be fair, it’s a lean, mean six of the best. sounding like thunder and brimming with energy its exactly what you need to be sticking in your ears this summer. My advice is to get hold of it now, while you can; it’s a banger.

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Author: Dom Daley

Turbulent Hearts – ‘All Out’ (Pirates Press Records)

Turbulent Hearts – ‘All Out’ (Pirates Press Records)

Suzi Moon seems to have been around for ages and has achieved some mightily impressive releases thus far. From Civet through Turbulent Hearts and into her solo career, Suzi has achieved a lot for a fiercely independent artist. From those aforementioned bands to the split with Billy from Black Halos, it was about time that her spell with Turbulent Hearts got the treatment it thoroughly deserved. ‘All Out’ sets out to achieve just that and maybe balance the scales by putting together a pretty comprehensive collection spread over two lovely slabs of vinyl.

the journey shes been on has been followed by RPM having reviewed Civet and Turbulent Hearts live and on CD as well as her recent escapadeses as a solo artist shes matured into a very impressive songwriter and awesome performer leaving nothing on the stage her performances were always captivating but the music was also the thing that drives her. Turbulent Hearts deserves this double LPand it’s an essential chapter in the journey to where we are now.

After starting off as a young teenager, Suzi spent years touring in the Long Beach punk band Civet (alongside her older sister Liza Graves) before stepping up to the center stage mic with Turbulent Hearts in 2014. She’d been writing her own songs since the age of 13, and she was ready.

The band made their mark in the mid- to late-2010s, and after they parted ways, Suzi moved on to the garage psych combo LA Machina and ultimately, recording under her own name. Across the four sides of  All Out, the band’s entire recorded output – 4 EPs and change over the course of 7 years – is collected in one place for the first time for fans old and new to enjoy.

Aided by the rhythm section of bassist Mark Johnson and drummer Jay Skowronek, Turbulent Hearts had the chops in the studio and on stage, letting Suzi take centre stage was right, and she shone brightest there, delivering the songs.  Suzi admits it was a prolific period, and the quality of the output will stand the test of time, no question about it. Something of a rite of passage, if you like, to get to where she is now.

From the rampant gallop of ‘Panic’ through the measured groove of ‘Never Getting Over You’, Suzi can rage with the best of em but also has an eye on crafting pop melodies that have mass appeal. Choruses and hooks a plenty take ‘Cryin’ or ‘Redwood Nights’ for contrast, but a songwriter who knows what it takes.

Hell, punks can cut loose on ‘On My Own’ and ‘Hangin Around’ but it’s not all crash, bang wallop of course. ‘Notice Me’ coulda, shoulda and all that. To be fair, the spread of material is excellent and an album I highly recommend, not just for completists but for people who love Rock n roll with sweat, snot and a heap of cool. Get yourself the complete Turbulent Hearts in one fell swoop; you won’t regret it. Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley



Infamous Stiffs – The Ornery Six’ (Golden Robot Records)

Infamous Stiffs – The Ornery Six’ (Golden Robot Records)

California’s own Infamous Stiffs are back with a vengeance, A six-track rollicking good time barrage

Unapologetic and loud, ‘The Ornery Six’ stays true to the band’s roots, gritty and rough around the edges but honest and relevant. From start to finish, you have the sound of a band who knows what they’re doing and delivering it to the best of their ability and that, my friends, is considerable. From the frantic ‘No Static’ through the ‘Loose Screwz’, they mix early GnR with punk rock west coast style. With a mix of crunching guitars, pummeling drums, and no-nonsense vocals, the Stiffs deliver,r and that’s the whole purpose of this EP.

‘Evel Mann’ packs a punch, and the fact that it’s only six tracks is enough to digest in this ever-changing, fast-moving time. If you’re asking for a favourite track, then I’d go for the energy of the opener or the more restrained ‘Lonesome’, either way it’s a rock solid EP.

The EP closes with ‘Top Secret’, a tribute to LA punk legends Kaos and the late Johnny Stingray, tearing through the speakers like a high-octane homage to the scene that shaped them and a fitting tribute to a fallen comrade, nice touch and also hints of the Wildhearts and Ramones if that’s possible and quite some endorsement me thinks.

This is music to play loud, have a good time all of the time and get the horns up as the band says – either way, these are non-negotiable rules. Go get some

Pre-save The Ornery Six HERE

Aerial Salad – ‘ Roi De L’herbe’ (Venn Records)

Aerial Salad – ‘ Roi De L’herbe’ (Venn Records)

Venn are cultivating some of the UK’s most vital punk rock and alternative sounds with Bob Vylan and Split Dogs. You can also add Aerial Salad to that list of must-own records, and they’ve followed up last year’s album with this vital EP containing five stunning tracks. Sure, they’ve not reinvented the wheel here, but they’ve doused it in petrol and rolled it down a hill. From the opening ‘King Of The Grass’ you just know they’ve hit the jackpot here with a stunning, snotty, loud dose of music that jabs you in the chest and doesn’t relent for its duration.

Following on from last years acclaimed ‘R.O.I.’ album, Manchester’s favourite sons Aerial Salad have been playing on the continent a lot lately so felt inspired, ‘King of The Grass’ is about the band’s bassist Mike Wimbo who works for Rochdale council on the greens team, which means he spends his life in the pouring rain chopping down overgrown hedges and mowing lawns and what a fitting tribute it is too kicking off this EP. Vibrant and grows on you like a weed, something I’m sure Mike would have a remedy for. Elsewhere on the EP, ‘Inject Your Blood’ is another romantic love song inspired by the TV series ‘True Blood’ (“I’d inject your blood, into mine just to feel you close”), not at all creepy. ‘Wires’ rages against the world of AI and GPT.

‘My Girl’ is a rapid charge to the finish line full of chaotic energy and a catchy melody guaranteed to set your day up right. Hopefully, this is the shape of what’s to come from the Salad boys, and on this evidence alone, punk rock is in rude health and good hands. Do yourself a favour and invest in this EP and keep Mike off the verges and borders of Rochdale and in the studio and on tour, you know it’s right. Buy IT! 

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Author: Dom Daley

All The Madmen – ‘All The Madmen’ (Rum Bar Records)

All The Madmen – ‘All The Madmen’ (Rum Bar Records)

It’s been a while since we last reviewed a Rum Bar Records release, but All the Madmen simply couldn’t be ignored. encompassing a huge catalogue on one release (almost 40), when the virtual needle dropped on the magnificent Bowie Glam stomping ‘So Many Times’, I was transfixed. With a great mix, it was cancel everything I’m all in on the Madmen for the time being.

Vibrant, punchy, paying homage to an era of discovery and wonderment, yet keeping it real and relevant the songs popped and jumped out of my speakers with a joy of life and grabbed my undivided attention like all good records.

All The Madmen complete retrospective encompassing 3 full-length album releases: Ordinary Life / Twinstar Radio / Teenage American Style

If you love an artist and they have a profound impact on how you deliver your music, then why the hell not embrace it, Don’t spend your short time on this spinning rock denouncing or denying, embrace it and run with it – see where it takes you. Obviously don’t rip ’em off for parodying them, but emulate and be inspired, that’s always cool and that’s what is happening here. There is no avoiding the fact that singer Glen Meredith is a fan and shapes how he delivers the vocals, but there’s more to it than that; he’s not mimicking, he’s being himself. When the band get locked into the music, it’s a beautiful thing, all the glitzed-up sleaze of it.

There’s a hard edge going on, but also a keen eye on the pop melodies and mass appeal, which isn’t a bad thing. Sure, there’s a lot of material to get through, but it can also be indulged in manageable chunks. Some of the highlights would be the softer moments like ‘Teenage American Style’ and the anthemic ‘Ordinary Life’. Music is there to be enjoyed, and All The Madmen got the memo and delivered a thoroughly enjoyable bunch of tunes. Go on, dive in, you’ll like what you hear.

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Author: Dom Daley

Degenerate – ‘Rituals of Rage’ (Self Release)

Degenerate – ‘Rituals of Rage’ (Self Release)

Dutch thrash/death metallers Degenerate latest release ‘Rituals of Rage’ certainly does rage. If you’re a fan of early Sepultura, Kreator, Death and Morbid Angel, you will LOVE Degenerate.

Since they formed back in 2016, Degenerate have built a solid reputation in the Dutch metal scene, their debut release (Devastation Ahead) put them on the map, and since then, the band have gigged tirelessly.

Rituals of Rage is a full-on headbanging feast of an album, completely relentless in its attack on the senses. Honestly, after listening to the entire thing, I was exhausted!

Superb musicianship all round, shredding guitars, God knows what BPM double bass drums and screaming/guttural vocals are the order of the day with Degenerate. These guys really know how to play. Don’t be fooled into thinking that they can’t write a melody, though; there are plenty to be heard here. My favourite track, “The Cult”, is full of Maiden-esque guitar melodies and shows the lighter side of the band (on occasion!)

“Illuminate” is another great track with some added gang vocals for full on effect. Lovely stuff. As I said earlier, if you love your classic thrash/death metal, Degenerate will be just up your street. Give Rituals of Rage a play, you won’t be sorry.

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Author: Kenny Kendrick