Hailing from Bologna in Italy Cut peddle a post punk garage rock n roll sound with sharp angular riffs rasping floor tom drum drills and decent vocals that remind me of International Noise Conspiracy as the songs unfold thats exactly who they remind me of, off kilter rhythms, delivered at pace.
This is their seventh album and the first in six years and the first with the “New” drummer Tony. You have thirteen songs of variety and I love the uneasy rhythmic ‘I Ain’t Got You’ as its jerkin’ rhythm evolves around the drums with a sharp guitar and jarring desperate vocals. Impressive stuff. The theme of the album deals with the pandemic and the ‘Dead City Nights’. The rhythm pattern of drum and bass works well on the head fuck of ‘Your Face’ which has a beating heart force-fed on classic Therapy? and other uncompromising bands who dish out cold angular rock n roll from all directions. More chanting at you than singing whilst the guitars attack from all corners.
To find out these three have shared the stage with th elikes of Iggy , Royal Trux and Guitar Wolf comes as no suprise and whover is pairing these up has done a great job and the quality of the songs ensures they are in good company and vice versa. Cut do a great line in rapid disjointed jarring punk rock n roll and tracks like ‘Dig It!’ work really well.
The album’s title track is a dark meandering pulverising song that works well in the middle of the record from the tortured intro to the hypnotic beat. Great stuff. An impressive album that works really well as a whole or diving in now and then.
Our favourite Norweigan cock rockers Razorbats were so busy partying and celebrating they forgot to send the Promo for their new long player to their favourite UK website. Yeah, we know it’s only Rock n Roll baby but we should have been invited to the party.
This brand new album kicks off in true Razorbats style with fireworks and cheerleaders kicking high kicks whilst the band drive by in an open-top Cadillac covered in scantily clad ladies and dry ice with explosions left right and centre as they celebrate the opening track and first single we heard a while back of ‘Break Up The Band’ its bombastic – loud – cock fuckin rock o’clock baby and we love it! They love singing about Rock n’ Roll and the trappings as the twin guitars squeal and howl over the rock-solid rhythm – pure Razorbats. Big chorus’, even bigger harmonies and a sound somewhere between Twisted Sister and Turbonegro a heap of 70s glam for good measure some Cooper n T rex and just a sprinkling of Cheap Trick dancing to the best of Kiss will have you in just the right ball park.
They aren’t expanding their envelope or going techno to get new listeners they are playing to their strengths and writing solid rockers and radio-friendly hard rock none more evident than the second track ‘Only In America’ born to be played across the States. ‘Shotgun Wedding’ is a real shit kickers from the growling riff to the gang vocals on the beer soaked chorus its a winner all the way.
‘Edie’ is the slow dance retro classic stepping off the gas and cruising. Not a band to pander to gender sensitive modern times. Razorbats like to keep it simple and its leather jackets, denim jeans boy meets girl and wham bang thank you man. ‘Love Is For Suckers’ will take you back to the 80s if only you could get yer nan to sew on those beer towels to your jeans and your battle jacket still fitted you this would be one you’d turn up and wave those horns in the air like you just don’t care and swing your full head of hair like a windmill – drink it up boys ‘coz love is for suckers.
Doubleing down with ‘Scandinavian Girls’ sees Razorbats do what they do best with a filthy throbbing bass line humping away as the steady rhythm drives this sucker home. ‘Kiss Me’ is the penultimate offering on this impressive record with more big vocals and infectious chorus before the lighters go up for the whistle in the wind ballad of ‘Seventeen’ looks back on the good ole misty eyed days of yesteryear.
Once again congratulations to our favourite Oslo rockers living the dream and making music that puts a smile on your face exactly how it was meant to do. Buy It!
After last year’s successful dalliance with the old flame of Scabies – James – Vanian & Sensible it seemed about right and proper that the Modern Damned got back in the saddle for some live shows in support of their new album. This the first night of the UK tour sees the band return to Cardiff Uni the city of many great nights in Damned history being the city that had four Damned bassists on stage at once (The now long gone Point Venue) New Ocean Club was the venue where the MCA years took off and who could forget the Night Vanian decided not to go on tour and carnage ensued at the hippo club.
The Damned in 2023 are a more altogether (cough cough) professional unit. With New drummer Will Taylor sitting in the band launch into ‘Street Of Dreams’ to open the show with a sound system that is absolutely top of the shop and every clanging Paul Gray note and the deft touch of the new boy that was seamless and a pleasure to hear driving the songs on in the engine room letting Sensible do his usual sterling job on the guitar.
The second track was ‘The Invisible Man’ before shifting gears through some old classics from ‘Wait For The Blackout’ and an epic ‘Lively Arts’ Vanian then introduced the audience to tracks off the new album thats coming out next month but it wasn’t going to be one or two new tracks the band were going to showcse the flaming lot! Now I know there are your hardcore who will never be pleased with whatever they decided to delve into from their almost half a century of songs but we’ve done the original line up, The Paladium extravaganze the the Black Album anniversery or the Machine Gun in full sets so it seems right and fitting that the band throw a curve ball and play the whole new album. Me, I’m well up for that I’ve seen the band play almost 100 times and as much as I love a ‘Fan Club’ or a ‘Limit Club’ or recently getting a raft of ‘Music For Pleasure songs on the reunion shows this was something else and I love that about the Damned so bring it on.
‘Motorcycle Man’ sounded fantastic and overall I know it was live but the songs knocked spots off the lukewarm last album and they had more bite and energy about them. and before you knew it ten new songs out of the opening thirteen were done. If you left the venue then it’s your loss but the Damned audience can be a tough crowd sometimes but I think the majority were with me and love it.
There was still time as the band sounded tighter than usual and certainly looked to be enjoying the set and the reception they were getting new boy Will was certainly driving them on with a performance that was more Rat like than I was expecting and it only helped spur on the performance. ‘Born To Kill’ kicked into an epic ‘Love Song’ which in turn segued into ‘2nd Time Around’.
There was time for two encores consisting of ‘Eloise’before ‘Smash It Up’ was ruthlessly played before the excellent ‘Girl Stop’ bowed out, leaving us where it always began with ‘New Rose’ and we were done. Captain showed his appreciation and promised to return if they were all still alive at some point down the road and I left happy. Another day another impressive Damned show – Me I fuckin love em and if I could only see one band again it would be this bunch of rogues and their immense catalogue of songs.
‘Through The Teeth’ sees canadian punks Brutal Youth make a video for the first track off their new album set for release via Stomp Records later this month.
‘Rebuilding Year’ is the bands fourth album and this the first single with interesting video for ‘Through The Teeth’.
First up on this first Tuesday in April 2023 is York/Leeds band “The Black Skies” are about to release their third single in 12 months with the help of NMG and co-producer George Shilling (Oasis/Primal Scream). They have a new single which was released on 30th via streaming services. This time they have chosen to release a cover of the Nina Simone classic “Felling Good” featuring American Outlaw/Scumbag Country band Hellbound Glory (Shooter Jennings American Label).
Sick of paying silly money for a major studio vinyl reissue of an album that you really don’t need to listen to ever again? Hail Satan, then, for a real splatter platter that matters; a long player thoroughly deserving of finally getting a vinyl release.
‘Torture Rock’, the second album from Brooklyn’s own Chesty Malone and the Slice ’em Ups (originally released in 2011), will be released on vinyl for the first time this April. Available on Red & White, Red & Black Splatter, along with Classic Black Vinyl, ‘Torture Rock’ is being reissued by Boise, Idaho’s most evil record label – 1332 Records.
The album was recorded in Fall 2009 at Queens, NY studio Wild Arctic by engineer, Shawn Kimon, and featured maniac drummer, Angel Cotte (Demolition Hammer) who said that recording ‘Torture Rock’ was “the best experience of my life!”
Originally released on just CD and streaming platforms, this long-awaited vinyl release has the band pretty excited. “‘Torture Rock’ is finally coming out on vinyl,” singer Jaqueline Blownaparte commented, “…just like the Devil intended!”
The album’s artwork has been faithfully recreated from the original elements of the CD release by artist, Anthony Allen Begnal: “Since that album was sized for a CD cover originally, it was obviously way too small so I had to go searching through all my various flash drives to find the original pieces that I used for the artwork back then. I still have the painting I did and the cover photos, and I reached out to an old friend, photographer Holly Neil, to get some band pics she took right around the time the album was recorded. It took some doing but I think it came out great – slightly different from the CD, but also completely faithful to the time that the album was recorded.”
‘Torture Rock’ saw the Slice ’em Ups expanding on the old school American hardcore vibe of the band’s first album, ‘Now We’re Gonna See What Disaster Really Means!’. Guitar player Anthony Allen Van Hoek commented, “Our first album was a total hardcore record at heart, and with ‘Torture Rock’ we had the perfect drummer in Angel Cotte to add a lot of our crossover and thrash metal influences too. We poured everything we had at the time into that album!”
As ‘Lucifuge’ was to Danzig, ‘Torture Rock’ is to Chesty Malone and the Slice ’em Ups. It slaughtered all who listened to it unlike any thrasher has done before. Available for the first time on vinyl, do yourself a favour and grab this iconic horror hardcore masterpiece and soak yourself in its bloody embrace!
We’ve reviewed Local Drags before be it the records or digital only downloads this one man band sure does know how to pen absolute killer power pop new wave, grungy classics and instant classics at that. There is no time to let them disolve into your brain (but they will) these are fizzy pop catch the bubbles before they’re gone power pop. I’ve probably said it before but this guy is a genius and his records should be familiar to the cool kids all around this spinning rock we dwell on.
this time out its ten songs all dripping with class from the opening feedback and white noise of ‘Keep An Eye’ with its distant piano/voice intro before the drums and electric guitar crash in. The melody is killer (of course it is) the chorus will have you throwing yourself around as you remember what it was that made you fall in love with alternative music.
As ‘Heard About It’ crashes in I’m thumbing through my collection looking for the classic albums I feel inspired to play after this one has finished. From Buffalo Tom to the Lemonheads to some Neil Young, Redd Kross and Replacements all via Teenage Fanclub at their peek.
It’s all about the song, not the singer and the pedal steel wheeze of ‘Call You A Baby’ this is such a joy to play especially loudly. ‘Good For Nothing’ is a mellow acoustic number with some 70s stylings and a real earworm. They remind me a little of The Speedways from the UK less Ramones and 50s pop-influenced but the alt American version but both pen great guitar-driven pop songs.
The acoustic is out again for ‘Cheap Rates’ and the Teenage Fanclub vibe bubbles to the top. Kicking back or rockin out I’m not bothered either way, Local Drags write big sweeping guitar pop/rock songs and I love ’em. Right up to the final cut of ‘Better Now’ those big crashing chords sign yet another triumph of songwriting excellence and if you take the time to dive in you will reap the rewards over and over and when you’ve delved into the catalogue of previous releases my work here is done. Get involved and get down with Locla Drags because ‘Mess Of Everything’ is all killer and no filler. Buy It!
Hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll veteran Pete Berwick has come storming into 2023 with a real no-holds-barred, punch-in-the-gut record. Despite having no previous intentions to make a new album, Berwick reportedly followed up an opportunity he simple couldn’t refuse and stepped into the studio with Charlie Bonnet III (who also plays guitars here) to produce this unapologetic barnstormer and slam it right in our faces.
‘The Damage is Done’ treads quite a different road to its predecessor ‘Island’, released in 2019, and sees Berwick returning triumphantly to his harder side – and then some.
From the rip-roaring opener of ‘She Ain’t Got Me’, it’s quite clear where Berwick’s focus is in making this record – it’s a fast and fierce fuck you, and it’s glorious. The dogged songwriter retains his witticisms and endearing self-deprecation, but it’s all served here with a huge sneering slice of scorn. From the “maggots crawling on my coat” in ‘Finger Down My Throat’ to the gang vocals of ‘You’ll Get Used to It’ or the shotgun blast of title track ‘The Damage is Done’, the album is teeming with grit and determination.
There are two sides to Berwick’s music, and of course this album is not without it’s accomplished acoustic offerings in songs such as the beautifully nostalgic ‘Timeclock on the Wall’, or the sing-along of ‘Ghost Tears’, a song fit for a slow dance at any demented high-school disco. Yet it’s the snarl of offerings like ‘There You Go Again’ that give the album its identity.
A sweet version of Charlie Bonnet III’s ‘Haunted Heart’ is included before ‘Fool in Love’ plays out the record in magnificently fun fashion with a groove that will lead you right back to the beginning of the album to do it all again.
Bob Vylan – ‘The Delicate Nature’ (Bandcamp) Heres a new remix that Bob played at his recent London show. God knows living on Shit Island we could all do with a pick me up and a cheeky smile here and there so why not turn it up and bounce around to this one. Bob had this to say abotu why this release –“When we played this remix at the end of our London headline show last year and the crowd was dancing and smiling I knew we had to share it with everybody. I love UK Garage and it’s ability to bring instant joy and movement to all that hear it. Enjoy – Love Bobby”
Chuck Norris Experiment – ‘Way Out Of Your League’ (Ghost Highway Records) What a banger this is. Great hook and some big rock from CNE. Something of an anthem the first track is a big guitar lick lapping around a catchy simple sing-a-long rocker. With guitar breaks galore from one of the finest exports outta Sweden. they also take on a suprise cover of Eagles ‘Trying’ and own it with an impressive vocal from Chuck Ransom with an impressive Screaaaam!
The also include a third song adding value for money with a punked up ‘Landslide’ complete with handclaps and a rollocking tempo The Chuck Norris Experiment never dissapoint. Buy it!
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard – ‘Chew’ (Self Release) this is what Buzzard x 3 do best, sumptous harmonies with a dirty guitar lick all wrapped up in some dreamy twisted story. Lean in kids you need to hear this one. Whammo! rockin! ave it! Mad as a box of frogs but we love it! the Buzzard rock out with their lovely scary doggie – nice
V2 – ‘Johnny Rocco’ (Still Unbeatable Records) Hailing from Manchester but releasing on German label Still Unbeatable the catchy chorus of the rapid and jagged guitar-driven slice of punk rock old school style ‘Johnny Rocco’. it’s a bit of a banger and tells the tale of a larger-than-life character from Manchester. it ends as abruptly as it starts but for three minutes it’s a pure adrenaline blast – love it! Backed by the equally good ‘Car Crash’ that has the feel of a long lost UK Subs banger. an excellent single packaged and performed just how a 45 should.
The Empty Page – ‘Level Sedentary’ (Bandcamp) Manchesters’ finest exponents of alternative rock the Empty page recently dropped this subtle earworm that perfectly mixes some Sonic Youth with a bit of Pvement for a gentle roar about staying in. Maybe out of step and out of time, The Empty Page does this alt-rock as good as their heroes ever did and this is possibly their best offering to date as they get to grips with who and what they are and knock this one right out of the park.
Anyone who follows Kel on social media can see how in love with music and how it comes about can tell you her positivity in infectious as is her music – This an excellent insight into what’s coming on their new album and on this evidence it’s going to be a bloody marvellous listen – get on it!
It Man – ‘White Head’ (Sore Records) In a moving tribute new band IT MAN made a statement on their social media this week ahead of the release of debut single ‘White Heat’, which reads as follows,
“After much thought and consideration, we have decided that we will no longer perform or release music as The Jacques. Since the formation of the band 8 years ago, our line-up has changed, sometimes amicably but also in ways beyond our control. Four years ago, we lost our best friend and bassist Will. We had just completed our debut album ‘The Four Five Three’ after spending our early 20s living and touring together. These are precious memories of ours and we are grateful for all of the friendship, support and love we have received over the years. We are currently finishing an album that we feel marks a departure from our previous musical direction. It is for that reason that we have agreed to be known by a different name moving forward. Thank you all for your continued support.
‘White Heat’ was recorded by the legendary The Strokes producer Gordon Raphael and its a catchy little earworm bumbling along with its rolling melody and sumemry vibe its a fantastic slice of guitar pop.
Malibu Lou And The Attackers – ‘Teenage Kicks’ (Rum Bar Records) Its a classic IT’ll never ever be beaten by anyone taking it on but whilst its a sacred tune those who do honour it with a rendition have to do it with heart and soul and be able to understand it and have it in their heart beating in time with the rhythm. Malibu Lou just gets it. He is in tune with the spirit of such a great track and delivers a most respectful version. Hit it up on bandcamp and whilst your there check out some of the released Lou has put out. The man bleeds rock n roll and thats why he can do ‘Teenage Kicks’ in one take and make it sound like he wrote the bloody thing. Go get it!
Apotropaico – ‘Trapped’ Spanish thrashers Apotropaico have unleashed a lovely little ditty called Trapped and I bloody love it! Using a blend of old school Metallica, Exodus, Megadeth and Slayer the lads have a winning formula. You know when you start nodding along after only a few bars? Yeah, that. It really roped me in from the start.
Crunchy guitars, bright bass tones, clicky bass drums and barking vocals make for a great few minutes of metal. The artwork is brilliant too depicting an old school thrasher/skater dude trying to escape from a prison cell. I look forward to hearing more from Apotropaico. If, like me you love this kinda stuff, be sure to check this out. Mosh it up! Reviewed by Kenny Kendrick
Lucky Thief – ‘Silencer’ (Self Release) Silencer is the first single from the Debut Album coming out in August from the Bristol based multi-instrumentalist. Its a big Rolling riff and quite the statement for a debut single. Mixing elaments of grunge with big rock all done with attitude. The album is comign late summer and it promises to be quite the statement on this evidence.
The outro reminds me of Soundgarden and is a bit of a basher with that big riff being front and centre.
Tape Trash – ‘TT4 Ever’ (Banditt Media) TAPE TRASH is the new project of Anders Magnor Killerud (Ludvig Moon, Kyss På Halsen, Team Me) and Kristofer Mathias Staxrud (Spielbergs, Hilma Nikolaisen, Ludvig Moon). Indie rock incorporates infectious choruses, catchy jagged guitar riffs and big drums. Leaning on American alt-rock like Husker Du and the Pixies it isn’t a bad place to find yourself. This is the latest offering off their debut album set for release later this month.
You might well be asking me who the fuck are Punter? It’s a good question and one I can only answer by saying I was sifting through Bandcamp one night (early hours) sober I might add and came across this Australian punk band who sounded like they didn’t compromise one iota and they kicked my eardrums into next week so I ordered the record from the good folk at Drunken Sailor. Who incidentally don’t do bad releases so I knew my bruised eardrums were in good hands so to speak.
Punter hail from Melbourne and their brand of noise are thrillingly intense. They describe themselves as a hardcore band described as a rock band’ and that’s it, in a nutshell, sure they have the rough edges of hardcore but the solo and dexterity of a rock band as they effortlessly slide from one to the other perfectly all whilst raising your blood pressure via some edgy tempos. It’s in your face like hardcore and I can feel the breath of the frontman.
They described themselves as three sick cunts from Melbourne which is nice. what you hear on this exciting album is songs that tackle boredom, stress, fear, youth, death, grief, change, and class politics, all set against the backdrop of the emerging global technocracy, blasted at you from the Aussie suburbs, not least of all Melbourne, the most locked-down city on the planet during the time of writing and recording.
Its short sharp fast exhillarating but most of all fuckin ace and that my friends is why you should at least give these three cunts the time of day. Zero bullshit taken and zero fucks given ladies and gents I give you Punter. Ave It!
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