Midnight – ‘Steel Rust And Disgust’ (Metal Blade Records)

Midnight – ‘Steel Rust And Disgust’ (Metal Blade Records)

Anyone who knows the modern metal scene probably already recognises that Cleveland’s Midnight are the closest thing we have today to the classic punk metal blitzkrieg of Motorhead, Venom, Tank and Warfare. That main man Athenar should follow up the band’s incendiary 2024 ‘Hellish Expectations’ album with an album chock full of covers, and it does not feature a single track by any of those bands, though, had all of us at RPM towers scratching our heads. I mean, maybe we’d got Midnight’s influences all wrong after all. Then, I got to do some (grave) digging….

Originally conceived as ‘Throw Ups’, in homage to David Bowie’s very own album of covers ‘Pin Ups’, before then being retitled as ‘Steel Rust And Disgust’ to fit in with the band’s previously named six syllable back catalogue. This is a twelve-track album that brings together ten covers of songs written by bands who shared the same sights, sounds, and sewage as Athenar’s region of birth so hence why there are no British bands, adding in a couple of new Midnight cuts.

The first of these newbies is ‘Cleveland Metal’ a track that hammers home not only the record’s purpose but also proves why no one betters Midnight when it comes to writing three-minute blasts of pure punk metal…no one, and that’s a fucking fact.

The other new cut on offer is the album’s title track, ‘Steel Rust And Disgust’ and this beast is more of a pounding red hot slab of molten black rock ‘n’ roll. It’s classic Midnight, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

It’s when we get to the cover versions that things get really interesting though as whilst (like me) you may be aware of the likes of ‘Final Solution’ (originally by Rocket From The Tombs), ‘3rd Generation Nation’ (originally by The Dead Boys) and  ‘Frenzy’ (originally by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins) what you have yet to hear is the total pummelling these tunes get in the hands of Athenar, the later in particular being delivered with the type of frenzied reverence that Lemmy used to have for the old classics.

Of the less familiar tunes on offer, take your pick from ‘Child Eaters’ (originally by Rubber City Rebels), ‘Iron Beast’ (originally by Kratos) or ‘Rock N Roll Fever’ (originally by David Allan Coe) with which to start your journey into a whole new world of great rock music. Of course, they are all given the compulsory Midnight mauling, but nonetheless, they are all made to sound like songs Athenar himself could have written, and that for me is the art of doing a great cover version, making it your own. 

Which just leaves me with ‘I’m Insane’ (originally by Synastryche) where I must admit I really was hoping for a cover of the Ratt classic of the same name (if only they were from Cleveland), the VoiVod-esque ‘Carrions Keep’ (originally by False Hope) plus the short sharp shocks of ‘Black Leather Rock’ and ‘Agitated’ (originally by Electric Eels) to round things off in truly chaotic fashion.

At times, cover albums can be something of a hit or miss affair (I mean, just look at ‘Pin Ups’), but ‘Steel Rust And Disgust’ is 100% underground hit after muthafuckin’ hit. BUY IT!!!!!

Buy Here

Author: Johnny Hayward

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https://www.instagram.com/midnightviolators

Wonk Unit – Hippos, Swansea 16.05.25

Wonk Unit – Hippos, Swansea 16.05.25

It’s been a while, but the Wonk Express was always going to show up at destination Swansea at some point, seeing as it’s been about eight years since their last visit, but it’s not like Alex hasn’t been busy conquering the world one town at a time.

The mighty Wonk Unit are a force for good, weaving their brand of Punk Rock into people’s ears, and it’s been a considerable length of time since I first clapped eyes on Alex and his band reciting poetry at one of the mighty Slugfest gatherings many many moons ago. With more than a handful of albums later, Wonk tonight are joined by Ed Wonk depping in on drums for I believe his debut performance however, it’s fair to say you’d never have guessed from his stellar performance behind the kit.

Now I’m aware my intro is almost as much waffle as Alex is capable of between the songs and tonight he’s joined by Vezzy, who’d obviously done her homework on tonights host city and rightfully informed anyone in doubt that the City was named after the birthplace of the majestic beast that is a Swan. Ok she might be ill informed or looking on the wrong website there but it fits into the world of Wonk perfectly with her hidden behind a stack of PA speakers almost obscuring Alex Wonks long standing partner in crime Pwosion on the bass but with the stand in drummer in situ we were off to an impressive start with ‘Day Job Wanker’ quickly followed by (when I say Quickly followed what I mean is ages between songs as Alex tries to coordinate the PA mix in his in ear foldbacks its the new album opening two tracks that burst out of the PA ‘Rapidly Declining Dignity’ and ‘Now That I’ve Grown Up’ then ‘Luxury Flats’ in fact the albums opening five songs spill out tight as a nats chuff to be fair and Alex’s praise for Eds performance is justified as he holds the engine room tempo and power perfectly well and sounds like has always sat in.

We get the awesome ‘Awful Jeans’ and an explanation for ‘Silly Voices’ before Alex enquires about any attendees who might have asked for the guest list, but pfew, nobody holds their hand up, not even I. Its a tight set as we steam into a middle section of absolute stone cold bangers like ‘Lewisham’ and ‘Go Easy’ and the evening progresses swimmingly they even stray from the tight setlist due to Ed not apparently knowing much outside of the list but it was thrown out the window momenterrily or rather Alex took his readers off to get involved with the mic in his paw and before we knew it the night was quickly racing to an end and the clock ticked past eleven the time when gigs used to end, and its a signing off with the quite brilliant ‘Kings Road Sporting Heroes’ followed by ‘Rambo’ and we are done.

The return to Wales’ premier rock n roll city is done, and Wonk Unit had delivered an epic set of top material from all corners of their repertoire,e and by the looks of it, Alex had thoroughly enjoyed himself as well, and hopefully it won’t be another seven or eight years before we get a return from one of the finest the UK punk scene has to offer. Wonk Unit came, saw and conquered. We left sweaty and smiling, having been thoroughly entertained again. Let’s all get wonked again sometime; that was honkingly good, you mad crazy bastards.

Aerial Salad – Roi de L’herbe ep

Aerial Salad – Roi de L’herbe ep

Aerial Salad release new track ‘Wires’ ahead of their ‘Roi de l’herbe’ 5-track EP to be released June 27th via Venn Records on 12” vinyl and digital

Pre-order the vinyl HERE

UK tour confirmed for June!

Following on from last year’s acclaimed ‘R.O.I.’ album, Manchester’s favourite sons Aerial Salad are set to return to the fray with a brand new 5-track EP titled ‘Roi de l’herbe’, to be released June 27th on 12” vinyl and digital via Venn Records.

No longer in the same line of spirit destroying day job work, with some seriously exciting gigs on the horizon, Aerial Salad wanted to kick off the next era of the band with a short, fast and hard EP and have served up five absolute bangers that sit somewhere between 2020’s ‘Dirt Mall’ album and ‘R.O.I.’

Today, the band have previewed another cut from the forthcoming EP with new single ‘Wires’, which is, as singer and guitarist Jamie Munro explains, “an aggressive dismantling of modern work/life culture. As we head ever deeper into the digital abyss. I’d rather be on fire than have to spend my life looking at spreadsheets.

“’Wires’ is an outcry to anyone following something in life, he continues. “The most ‘punk’ movement of my youth was the grime movement. It was ALL DIY, and it absolutely dominated British culture – there’s a lot of similarities between grime / punk/ hardcore. From the fashion to the beats. So, we thought we’d do a 50-pound music video ‘on a nostalgic backdrop’. ‘Wires’ picks up from where ‘Telekon 5’ left – you can’t keep drifting from what you believe in, and you can’t be tied by matters beyond what’s really important in life.”

“The EP is like the teaser for what’s next,” summarises Jamie. “The overall hook for this EP is one of hope, that by sticking to what you believe in you can do anything.”

Catch Aerial Salad live at the following dates in 2025: 

16/05/25 PERIGUEUX – LE MOULIN DE ROUSSEAU
17/05/25 MONTAIGU – FURY DANCE
18/05/25 RENNES – TY ANNA

UK TOUR
21/06/25 NEWCASTLE – ZEROX
22/06/25 GLASGOW – THE GARAGE (ATTIC)
24/06/25 BIRMINGHAM – SUNFLOWER LOUNGE
25/06/25 LONDON – THE SOCIAL
27/06/25 MANCHESTER – SOUP
28/06/25 SHEFFIELD – CORPORATION

FESTIVALS

6/08/25-10/08/25 BOOMTOWN FESTIVAL

31/07/20-03/08/24 Y-NOT FESTIVAL

Aerial Salad are:

Jamie Munro – vocals/guitar

Mike ‘Wimbo’ Wimbleton – vocals/bass

Jake Marshall – drums

Find Aerial Salad online at:

Instagram: 

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Website:

Kety Fusco ft Iggy Pop

Kety Fusco ft Iggy Pop

Kety Fusco releases love letter to the harp, ‘SHE’ ft. Iggy Pop on May 16th.

New album ‘BOHÈME’, out 19th September 2025.

With her second studio album, ‘BOHÈME’, Kety Fusco transforms the harp into an entirely new voice, redefining what this instrument can represent in the contemporary music landscape. This is not just music: it’s a vision. It’s an invitation to explore a sound world that has never existed before.

Every sound in ‘BOHÈME’, which follows acclaim for Kety’s music from BBC 6 Music, The Guardian, Wonderland and more in the UK, originates from the harp, yet nothing is as it seems. Sound manipulations, underwater recordings, and unconventional techniques create a unique musical language, far from traditional boundaries. Among the boldest experiments, Kety literally submerged herself in a pool to record the sounds of the harp underwater, turning the instrument into a medium for narrating the unexpected. This daring approach shines in the opening track, ‘Hi, this is Harp’, a manifesto of sonic avant-garde.

The second single to come from ‘BOHÈME’ was born from an urgency. An impulse Kety Fusco couldn’t ignore. “When Iggy Pop spoke about my album THE HARP – CHAPTER I on the BBC, he said something that shook me to the core: “The harp is not heard as much””, explains Kety. “It felt like he was speaking directly to me. To the harp I carry in my heart, to my vision, to my voice and those words awakened something deep: the need to make the harp heard. To give it space, body, freedom. So, I took Iggy’s voice. I listened to it over and over. I chose some of his words the way you obsess over a single detail. I wove them into my music—instinctively, almost physically. ‘SHE’ was born as an intimate, personal gesture. A small secret that connected my soul to his voice”.

‘SHE’, which Craig Charles, Riley & Coe and Radcliffe & Maconie have already been spinning on BBC 6 Music, is a powerful encounter between two worlds. Two extremes that touch, recognize, and merge with one another. This track is a love letter to the harp. A way to say: “I see you, I hear you, I’m taking you further”. It’s also a challenge: to break the rules, to tear down the borders, and to make the harp resonate in spaces where it has never dared to go. “I expected nothing. But when I sent the track to Iggy, he replied. Not only with his approval, but with his authentic presence. His voice came alive in the piece, and my world opened up. ‘SHE’ is my heart, my skin, my revolution. And Iggy Pop’s voice is a living part of it”, Kety further adds.

The video for ‘SHE’ is set in a world long abandoned, where a drone hovers, desperately searching for traces of life, while fragile, ancient harmonies—like those of a harp—echo in the void. Like the drone, ‘SHE’ moves through a forgotten sonic landscape, chasing lost vibrations to give new voice to an ancient instrument, making it bold, alive, and free. ‘SHE’ is not just a track: it is a quest, a rebirth, a response to the silence of a forsaken world.

Discovering the harp at just 6 years old, Kety Fusco’s magnetic talent has now taken her to iconic stages such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Swiss Federal Parliament, and the prestigious Euro Jazz Festival in Mexico. With over 200 concerts worldwide, Kety has redefined the role of the harp, bringing it to the most unexpected contexts: from the Notte della Taranta to the United Nations, and even on a tour of South America for the Swiss Embassies.

An unstoppable composer and creator, Kety has written soundtracks for a film and a documentary set to be released in 2025, as well as composed the theme music for the Rai Radio3 program Voci in Barcaccia. Her original works are a manifesto of artistic freedom, captivating audiences with their fusion of tradition and avant-garde. In 2024, she served as the Swiss juror for the Eurovision Song Contest, adding another milestone to her path of international excellence. The year 2025 promises to be a year of great achievements: in September, ‘BOHÈME’ will be released and with her collaboration with Iggy Pop on ‘SHE’, Kety Fusco is solidifying her place as a revolutionary figure in the global music scene.

‘SHE’ ft. Iggy Pop is released 16th May.

Kety Fusco’s new album ‘‘BOHÈME’ is released 19th September 2025.

For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/ketyfusco/ 

Ash – ‘ Ad Astra’ Tour tickets

Ash – ‘ Ad Astra’ Tour tickets

Following a career that has so far yielded 8 acclaimed studio albums – including 1977 and Free All Angels, both of which reached #1 in the Official UK Album charts, and the recent 2023 Top 15 album Race The Night – an Ivor Novello Award and a headline performance at Glastonbury Festival, the legendary ASH have announced details of a mammoth UK and Ireland tour for the autumn and winter of 2025/26. The Ad Astra Tour will begin in September and end in February.

Tickets go on general sale at 10:00 on FRIDAY 23 MAY from: https://ash-official.com/pages/shows

For those of you wondering, Ad Astra is Latin for “to the stars”, the words that came out of a teenaged Tim Wheeler’s mouth in the summer of 1995, setting up the classic chorus to the band’s first Top 20 hit Girl From Mars.

Speaking about the tour, the band say:

“You could call it going back to our roots, but that’s only partly true. You could all it something noble and say we’re supporting the smaller venues upon which the music industry is built, and that’s somewhat true. But the truth is we’re doing this because tours like this are part of our DNA. Whether that’s cracking the ceiling in the Jug Of Ale as Girl From Mars climbed the charts, or recording live versions of Meltdown at the Leadmill or doing Glastonbury warm ups at the Venue, it’s something we’ve always done. And it feels like the right time to do it again. It’s gonna be a visceral, whites-of-their-eyes experience and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.”

Ash have announced a mammoth UK and Ireland headline tour for the autumn and winter of 2025/26, named after the latin for “to the stars”, the words that came out of a teenaged Tim Wheeler’s mouth to set up the classic chorus of their first Top 20 hit Girl From Mars. Full dates as below.

SEPTEMBER 

Tue 09 London Scala

Wed 10 London Scala

NOVEMBER 

Sun 16 Swansea Sin City

Tue 18 Newcastle Boiler Shop

Wed 19 Manchester New Century Hall

Thu 20 Glasgow SWG3 Galvanizers

Sat 22 Blackpool Bootleg Social

Sun 23 Sheffield The Foundry

Tue 25 Oxford O2 Academy

DECEMBER 

Fri 05 Listowell Mike The Pies

Sat 06 Dundalk Spirit Store

Sun 07 Galway Roisin Dubh

Tue 09 Cork Cyprus Avenue

Wed 10 Limerick Dolans Warehouse

Thu 11 Dublin The Academy

Sat 13 Belfast Ulster Hall

FEBRUARY 

Fri 06 Tunbridge Wells Forum

Sat 07 Cambridge Junction

Sun 08 Milton Keynes Craufurd Arms

Tue 10 Exeter Phoenix

Wed 11 Bristol The Trinity Centre

Fri 13 Liverpool Grand Central Dome

Sat 14 Stoke On Trent Sugarmill

Sun 15 Hull The Welly

Tue 17 Norwich Epic Studios

WEBSITE: https://ash-official.com

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ash

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ash_1977/

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@AshOfficial1977

TWITTER: https://x.com/ashofficial

YOU TUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@AshOfficial

The Future Shape Of Sound – ‘Oh Mama’

The Future Shape Of Sound – ‘Oh Mama’

‘Oh Mama’ is the latest offering by The Future Shape Of Sound, taken from their forthcoming album, currently brewing at Space Eko East with record producer/band leader Alex McGowan aka Captain Future at the helm!

The band has been playing live extensively at congregations such as Glastonbury, Womad, Shambala, Boomtown, Craig Charles Funk & Soul, Camp Bestival, etc., but they are taking a little break to complete their new long player. However, the band will venture out for an appearance at Red Rooster on Friday, May 30th, a week after the single release, plus a couple of London shows.


Following last year’s release of ‘I’d Rather Be Alone’, ‘Blues Racket People couldn’ Alex’s previous collaborations include ‘Oh Mama’ is the latest offering by The Future Shape Of Sound, taken from
their forthcoming album, currently brewing at Space Eko East with record producer/band leader Alex McGowan aka Captain Future at the helm! Oh Mama’ is another foot-stomping
Blues racket featuring the raw lead vocals of The Godmother Of Soul herself, Tomirae
Brown, backed by the powerful Gospel harmonies of The Future Sisters and the band’s
groovetastic instrumentalists.


Lyrically, it deals with things gone wrong on a personal level as well as globally, touching
on themes of Imperialism and cultural division, created by world leaders. This is juxtaposed with the wisdom of Mama Universe that we sadly tend to misinterpret, except that everything ends anyway and you might as well join a band…


The accompanying lyric video is directed by long-time collaborator The Baron Of JuxtaConcept and filmed in the unadopted street outside Space Eko East in Forest Gate, East London. It’s reminiscent of the band’s Guerrilla Street gigs in 2020/21, when the t come to the Rock’n’Roll, so the band brought the Rock’n’ Roll to the people, Alex previous collaborations include Stewart Copeland, Tricky, Josh Homme, Martina Topley Bird, Jah Wobble, Son Of Dave, Sister Cookie, The Urban Voodoo Machine and many more…

Music | Captain Future

Lab Rat – ‘In The Walls, We Wait’ ( Mushroom Pillow)

Lab Rat – ‘In The Walls, We Wait’ ( Mushroom Pillow)

Australian based alt-rock grunge artist LAB RAT releases his debut album ‘In The Walls, We Wait” and a modern mindfuck cobbling together many parts of the alt scene to create a huge sounding sonic temple with all the tweeks and blips that modern recordings can afford you. Mixing it with dark swirling riffs is a fine line with modern music, when you add some (Gasp) rapping, it would be fair to say. What’s been done before, what’s breaking new ground or what’s just rolling with a particular scene and producing the best collection of songs you can. Lab Rat has certainly experimented with sounds and structures and delivered a really modern record. ‘Medicate Me’ is the guy rapping with the best of them over a big riff and hypnotic rhythm.

In 2014, having reclaimed his life from the clutches of addiction, Dylan found himself at a crossroads. Fuelled by the memory of his late brother (who tragically died in a car accident) and driven by an unyielding determination, he sought refuge in Singing Bird Recording Studios in Melbourne, determined to carve out a path in the music industry. Despite facing numerous hardships, including physical altercations on stage and bouts of hunger, Dylan persevered, finding solace in a community of kindred spirits who shared his vision. 

Dylan’s story is one of redemption and resilience, a testament to the transformative power of music and the indomitable human spirit. Through triumph and adversity, Lab Rat wants to conquer the globe and seems determined to forge ahead. All power to him and following his dreams. Some of the album’s darker corners make for the most listenable stuff here, reminding me of a fledgling Linkin Park on songs like ‘Lucid Dreams’. There are no boundaries in music; you can be and create whatever you want and on your own terms, and Lab Rat is doing just that.

Buy Here

Spotify

Les Lullies – ‘Une Nuit A Lepizig’ (Adrenalin Fix (FR), Folc (ES), and Wanda Records (DE))

Les Lullies – ‘Une Nuit A Lepizig’ (Adrenalin Fix (FR), Folc (ES), and Wanda Records (DE))

Whether on wax or in the flesh, Les Lullies continue to prove that real rock’n’roll is best served loud, messy, and with absolutely zero compromise. These dandies cut the crap from the simple no bullshit artwork to the shapes they cut on the grooves you listen to Les Lullies just do Punk Rock N Roll and do it oh so well, zero fucks given and zero Bullshit peddled.

Les Lullies are back with ‘Une nuit à Leipzig’, a live LP that captures the raw nerve and sweat-soaked energy of exactly what they do. Tracked in June 2024 at Club ZERO in Leipzig and mixed by Rudy Romeur in Marseille, the album delivers the urgent, high-voltage punch tp the throat the band has built its reputation on. , Une nuit à Leipzig is a no-frills document of the band in its purest form—loud, loose, and completely unfiltered.

Formed in Montpellier in 2016, Les Lullies have spent nearly a decade slinging their primal brand of rock’n’roll across Europe, North America, and beyond. Their 2023 full-length Mauvaise Foi, produced by Maxime Smadja, saw the band embracing their native French with sharper songwriting and a more personal touch. Now, Une nuit à Leipzig captures that evolution in real time—full-throttle riffs, pounding rhythms, and enough swagger to rattle any stage they land on. From the opening energy of ‘Doctor’ it’s all guns blazing and nobody is getting out alive, just the way God intended punk rock n roll to sound.

For your money, you get a dozen wicked tunes dished up on a platter of sweat and attitude. Try not to pogo in your pyjamas to this, or if you’re on public transport with this rolling round your head, no gobbing. Live as fuck, raw, bouncing jam packed with bangers it matters not half the songs are sung in French its the universal language of good time rock n roll that matters and Les Lullies have it going on in spades and I highly recommend every one of you with a soul and heart check this bad boy out. Buy IT!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SlovenlyRecs

Bandcamp: https://leslullies.bandcamp.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslullies

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100061677671529/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6bsK7FaVan7M1Hh6xUyVbL?si=nivY6UOrSCmHWIWu6SlBXA

Author: Dom Daley

REBELLION FESTIVAL 2025 COMING 7th – 10th AUGUST AT THE WINTER GARDENS IN BLACKPOOL

REBELLION FESTIVAL 2025 COMING 7th – 10th AUGUST AT THE WINTER GARDENS IN BLACKPOOL

STAGES & TIMES ANNOUNCED!

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY DAY TICKETS NOW SOLD OUT!

LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR THURSDAY AND SUNDAY DAY TICKETS

WEEKEND TICKETS SELLING FAST!

www.rebellionfestivals.com

Returning this summer over four days from the 7TH to the 10TH of August at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Rebellion Festival is respected the world over for bringing together the best in new and legendary punk and alternative bands from across the globe every year.

With only twelve weeks to go until the Winter Gardens opens it’s doors to the best weekend in the punk rock calendar, it’s time to start planning your weekend, checking out who you want to see, what stage they’re on and working out the inevitable clashes where you have to run from room to room to catch a bit of each set!

Check out the excellent CLASHFINDER here: https://clashfinder.com/s/reb2025/

You can switch views and see bands side by side / in list format / for mobile or PC etc.

Tickets are selling fast. With Friday and Saturday day tickets sold out, limited availability for Thursday and Sunday day tickets and weekend tickets running low, now is the time to get your tickets if you haven’t already!

Prices held from last year.

BUY NOW – https://www.rebellionfestivals.com/buy-tickets

It’s no surprise that tickets are selling so quickly this year as the Rebellion Festival Team have assembled a veritable who’s who of artists from the all-encompassing world of punk rock. From iconic headliners The Damned, Millencolin, Public Image Limited, The Exploited, to a wealth of incredible bands across the multiple stages, the event is positively bulging with incendiary talent. Highlights include Peter Hook & The Light, Circle Jerks, Ruts DC, TSOL, Jim Jones Allstars, The Lovely Eggs, Elvana, Wreckless Eric, Hugh Cornwell, The Selecter, Bad Manners, Ferocious Dog, Neville Staple From The Specials, HR from Bad Brains, Anti Nowhere League, DOA, Los Fastidios, Swell Maps, The Courettes, Maid Of Ace, Crux, Buster Shuffle, Down By Law, The Undertones, MDC, UK Subs, Snuff, The Exploited, Riskee & The Ridicule, Voodoo Glow Skulls, 999, Pegboy, Toxic Reasons, Sloppy Seconds and many more.

To see the schedule head over to: https://www.rebellionfestivals.com/line-up

Since its original inception in 1996 as the then named Holidays In The Sun festival, Rebellion is still a family-run, family-orientated ALL AGES event and children under 12 are admitted free of charge (accompanied by an adult).

Head to www.rebellionfestivals.com for more information.

Instagram: @rebellionfest

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/RebellionPunkMuskFestival

Peter Doherty – ‘Felt Better Alive’ (Strap Original Recordings)

Peter Doherty – ‘Felt Better Alive’ (Strap Original Recordings)

Eclectic, Minstrel, poet, folky chancer, Whats undeniable is Peter Doherty is a busy boy and a Rock n Roll Lifer. Writing and recording his brand new solo album on the tail of a superb run of shows with his day job co-piloting The Libertines, and off the back of an excellent album from them. This, however, is Peter Doherty, so expect the unexpected. His last foray minus Barat and co was a very gentle affair with Frédéric Lo, a more gentle and wistful string to his bow. Whilst this is more of the same in its eclectic nature, going with the flow and where the melody takes him it is however less dreamy and more gypsy rock n roll with big strumming acoustic guitars and accompanying drums adding a vibrant slice of Rock n Roll whilst the lyrics add texture and depth alongside the well placed strings and vocals. Doherty has assembled a fine set of songs that travel on the breeze and wherever he damned well feels like going.

Like shifting sands on a shoreline line the moods drift in and out, but the overall atmosphere of the record is one of contentment and joy with one’s lot. It seems Doherty is in a great place, and it’s brought the best out of him with his excellent lyrics and arrangements.

The album eases the listener in with ‘Calvados’ an acoustic countrified workout painting pictures with a sweet melody. When the band rolls in, we can begin. To take the theme on further and explore, Doherty starts ‘Pot Of Gold’ with some lush strings before the familiar easy listening drawl wheezes in on a great single and accompanying video. You’d like to think the recording is as loose as the song suggests, but it probably isn’t, and it’s a skill Peter has mastered to perfection and making his unique style very listenable.

Like a modern punk rock pirate who landed in the midst of a britpop groundswell Peter Doherty has never followed trends and always remained an outsider kicking against the pricks and surviving like a magpie lifting lyrics from all corners of the musical landscape but always crafting them into a sound that is unmistakable, a rare talent in these times.

The album flirts and flutters from ramshackle late-night stories like ‘The Baron’s Claw’ to the interesting mysterious flavours like ‘Stade Ocean’ and my pick of the album ‘Poca Mahoney’s’ featuring an excellent vocal from Lisa O Neill with its rough saw guitar pulling at your ears and when it gathers pace its really rolling could have been a minute or two longer to be fair.

‘Fingee’ sounds like Peter playing with the listener before the circus arrives for ‘Pretre De La Mer’ with so much going on it reminds me of the excellent Urban Voodoo Machine (now that would be some tour) before the record closes with ‘Empty Room’ an acoustic jaunt that sounds like a one take warts n all sign off on what has been a most excellent meandering joyful trip around the head of Peter Doherty as he empties all his musical thoughts for our listening pleasure and take it or leave it I doubt he gives one shiney shite, because he as I do know that he gives his all and its generally far better than most other musicians anyway be it ramshackle rock n roll or folk or blues or chamber strings and bodrans it matters not. It most certainly feels better alive, and my advice after several plays of this wonderful record would be – Buy it! it’s not something you’ll regret and if it is who cares its only rock n roll but with a fairer gentler hand and headful of poems.

Buy Here