Having avidly followed those Manx rockers Mad Daddy, and as I live in France, it was a no brainer for me to purchase this ear-rattling compilation album from French label Pigmé Records. This is the second volume of garage rock goodness, and while it includes Mad Daddy’s most recent single, ‘Road Racer’, they are in good company from all over the world.

I was only previously aware of  Swiss rockers The Jackets, whose inclusion of ‘Queen Of Pill’ gives The Fuzztones a run for their money. I see they are playing Paris in September with The Darts (USA), who feature here with ‘Intersex’, and that is a tempting double bill, as they really suit each other. French rockers La Flingue offer ‘Selbsmodell’, while Belgium is ably presented by ‘I Ain’t Dead’ by Chiff Chaffs and their swelling organ (ooer).

‘Strange Baby’ by The Go Go Killers (USA) sounds like it’s sung in an unknown language, but is a pleasing clout to the head, while ‘It’s A Girl’ by Strange Attractor (Canada) will get you up and dancing. ‘Stab Me’ by Slocks (Italy) is altogether darker, as you’d imagine, and Mad Daddy rev things up with the aforementioned ‘Road Racer’. I’m determined to see them one day!

Side two kicks off with ‘Confusion’ by The Cogs (Italy), proving that three chords and a lot of energy still works well, and ‘See That Girl’ by The Mocks (Netherlands) is very groovy, baby. They are definitely worth researching further. Sinister Six (USA) obviously have an extensive Cramps collection, if ‘Pretending To Be High Class’ is anything to go by, very nice.

‘Veneno Barato’ by Nestter Donuts (Spain) pounds along, probably with a sore throat by now. Short and snappy. The Fadeaways (Japan) provide the addictive ‘She’s A Rat Trap’, another top tune, and Davilla 666 (Argentina) provide the grungy ‘Chloe Sevigny’.

For once, I could afford the vinyl! As it didn’t include the crippling customs tax, not coming from the UK, but you can possibly pick up a copy via Mad Daddy’s Bandcamp page. Get on it!

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Author: Martin Chamarette