Daddy’s Boy – ‘Four Hombres’ (Drunken Sailor Records)

Daddy’s Boy – ‘Four Hombres’ (Drunken Sailor Records)

2022 saw Daddy’s Boy’s debut hit the shelves, well, buckle up, kids they’re back to kick the living fuck into your senses and eardrums with their nosebleed loud hardcore noise. ‘Four Hombres’ is a magnificent racket – a no-means-no style assault: angular, sharp guitar noise filling every void imaginable. It’s an intense sonic kicking your given through the medium of hardcore punk. The Chicago-based quartet push the boundaries of what’s acceptable as the songs ramble on with often hypnotic unison riffage and lick after lick whilst the rhythm section hypnotises through their instruments.

‘Four Hombres’ was recorded in Chicago following the passing of the studio’s legendary engineer Steve Albini, this time the band opted to work with longtime friend Greg Norman. According to drummer Neal Markowski, the band were keen to ‘break any habits’ they’d developed, and sure enough there are no retreads of familiar ground. It’s one hell of an intense ride, but stick with it it will pay off.

It’s not all bleak; the lyrics offer hope in an ever-confusing world, and the record sort of reflects the chaos that is North America at the moment. They should get together with Dead Pioneers and hit the road it would be glorious. ‘Crows Feet’ lends itself to the band declaring war on your senses the vocals sound distant before abruptly ending.

The title ‘Four Hombres’ is a ZZ Top nod that was chosen, Markowski adds, because “we’re four dudes who like making music together.” This is where any link to ZZ Top ends, hell, these guys would have terrified tres hombres. Eighteen minutes of brutal sensory assault, but in the best possible way, hardcore never sounded so essential. Get a hard hat and step away from the speakers, but do remember to turn it up but at a safe distance.

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Author: Dom Daley

Ruckus – ‘Self-Titled’ (Drunken Sailor Records)

Ruckus – ‘Self-Titled’ (Drunken Sailor Records)

I love a good noisy record full of enthusiasm and clearly in love with the process of making music.

Ruckus hail from Boston via New York, centred around the vocals and lyrics of Kam Lindsey (once of oi faves, The Stance). They’re also former members of The New York Hounds (drummer Alex Palazzo and rhythm guitarist Brian Crozier), plus bassist Mario DaCosta, with more lead guitars from Nick Norrman (Ingrates) and Ethan Stahl (The Prize, Loose Lips).

I know there are only six tracks here, but it’s an introduction, and I like that, easing you in gently. Well, when I say gently, that’s not strictly true; it’s like a throwback to a land time forgot. ‘Talk Ain’t Cheap Enough’ has a rough house guitar with splendid guitar breaks from the Berry meets Thunders school of no-nonsense, as long as it fits shimmering through a distant reverb that’s wayyyy too loud and a walking bassline that’s doing the heavy lifting. All wrapped in a great pop song.

There’s a strut and confidence about ‘Pocket Full Of Cash’, all David Johansen meets Sylvain, and it’s infectious like they’re having the best time ever and making records is fun. ‘Hot In The City’ is more of the same with a great hook to reel you in. ‘Hello From Up Here’ sounds familiar without knowing what to put your finger on, but these cats would have had a ball playing the old Wardour Street Marquee with Hanoi and the Lords, with a dash of the craziness thrown in for good measure.

Where I’m from, a Rukus is a fight, and this would be a glorious punch-up in a bar as long as the women are beautiful and the beers cheap and everyone’s having the best of times. It’s only rock n roll, after all. Pick this up if you like your music catchy, rough, but a whole lot of fun.

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Author: Dom Daley