Razorbats Interview Exclusive

Razorbats Interview Exclusive

Razorbats are a band we’ve known about for some time and have had a few false starts from that debut album that blew us away which ended with that lineup playing the legendry Slugfest.  three albums down and several line-up changes later the band is like a phoenix out of the flames and with this new album blazing a path for world domination and global success.  I caught up with mainstay Kjetil and flung some questions in his general direction and with a flick of his fringe answered them all without flinching as we get down to the nitty-gritty and what’s going on in the world according to Razorbats…

 

Hi Kjetil,  Hope you’re good? The feedback I’ve had from people who’ve heard the new album has been amazing and the songs are going down really well with everyone who’s heard them.  Is that what you’re hearing?

Yes, sir! The feedback has been crazy good and I think ‘Mainline Rock ’N’ Roll’ is our best selling album after just a couple of weeks! Almost all the reviews have been 9/10 or 10/10, and as far as we know more than 150 radio stations in Europe and America have played the singles. Also done a bunch of radio IDs all over the place, from Argentina to Poland! The guys in the band are all buzzing, and it feels like we really have a special album on our hands this time around! Great to get some positivity in this mind-numbingly boring Covid world!

 

 

 

When you were writing and recording ‘Mainline’ did you feel you were onto something?

Not really! We tend not to write finished songs before we go in the studio. We just have rough sketches of the songs, with a main guitar riff, a chorus and maybe an idea for what to do in the verse and bridge. But they are not complete songs by any means. You don’t really hear what you’re doing in the rehearsal room, so you often end up with parts that don’t really get the full potential out of the songs. Especially for the singer it is a lot better to write the melodies in a studio setting where you can clearly hear what works. Something might sound amazing with guitars blasting at 115 dBs at rehearsal, but when you do the same in the studio it sounds like Phil Collins on PCP trying to serenade a pissed off pimp at a rave party!

 

We thought most of the songs showed some promise, but it wasn’t until Paul recorded the main vocals that we started to get an idea of how well the songs worked. And when Last Erik Westby at H10 Productions sent us the finished mixes we were all blown away! I think that was when we knew we had made a great album! It sounded huge, punchy and the songs jump out of the speakers. The songs also work well together as a whole, with enough variation that you can listen to the entire album without getting bored. From the pop rock of ‘Working For The Weekend’ to the cinematic semi-ballad ‘Little Ms. Crazy’  and the Mötley Crüe style album closer ‘Nightcrawlers’. That is something we always try to do, and people seem to think we really succeeded this time.

 

Was the process any different from previous recordings?

It was very different! On the previous albums we have worked with a producer/engineer called Kai Christoffersen. He is great and a lot of fun to work with, but we wanted a different sound on ‘Mainline Rock ’N’ Roll’. When you work with a producer the sound of the record is often the producer’s interpretation of what you’re going for, and not necessarily the sound you have in your head. So we decided to produce this one ourselves. All of us have recorded a bunch of albums, and we had a pretty clear idea of what we wanted it to sound like. So we felt it was time to take the plunge!

 

The production side of it was pretty easy since knew what kind of sounds we were going for, but the engineering part was a bit difficult to get right. All that technical stuff, physics, computer geeking, and gadget-noodling is fascinatingly tedious for guys who basically just want to play loud rock music and drink beer! So the album probably took twice as long to record, because there was a lot of trial and error going on. We had to learn all the basics of the craft as we were recording, and of course, re-recording when we fucked up! Which was A LOT!! Three different studios were used in the process. One professional studio and we also built two home studios to record guitars, bass and keys. It took a lot of time, but we are very, very pleased with the results!

 

 

How is Covid affecting you guys up there in Norway?  Did it alter your plans for recording the record?

I think we have coped well with Covid here, and there haven’t been as many deaths and break downs in the health care system as we’ve heard stories of from other countries. But we have had very strict restrictions. So we didn’t get the chance to be all of us together in the studio at the same time, as we were recording. That was a bit strange for the boys I think, because they didn’t know what the others were doing until it was their turn to lay down parts. And when they were done, they didn’t always hear the songs again until the rough mixes were done. But at the same time I didn’t have the studio full of  loud, drunk rockers coming up with seemingly fantastic ideas after the 11th pint and maybe something extra to not pass out. So recording was a bit more efficient, and a little bit less fun. Apart from that, we were more or less able to make the album they way we had planned.

 

 

Talk us through the new album.  How have line-up changes had a bearing on the sound of the band?  Through the changes you’ve still managed to keep the Razorbats sound what have the individuals brought to the record?

We have always had this mantra in Razorbats, that the band should be whatever we want it to be. It’s OK to try something a bit different, and we don’t have to just make the same record over and over again. So line-up changes have had a pretty big impact on the changing sound of the band. The guys who recorded the ‘Bring It On’ EP and ‘Camp Rock’ album were very much into old dirty punk rock and garage rock, and I think you can hear that very clearly on those releases. That line-up collapsed during the record of ‘II’ after alle the basic tracks were done. We actually had done most of the vocals with the old singer, Even Berg, and I think we were just missing some guitar solos and backing vocals. We got Paul in the band to redo the vocals and finished up the album, and because of that we consider ‘Mainline’ the first real album with this line-up.

 

I don’t think the song writing has changed all that much over the years, and I think that’s the main reason the band still sounds like Razorbats even though the musicians have changed. The guys who are in the band now are more into classic rock, glam and melodic hard rock, and that’s why we sound less like a  punk band and more like a modern hard rock band now. I personally love the direction we are heading in, and it will probably influence the song writing as well in the coming years.

 

 

What specific input has members brought to the recording process and I guess the songwriting? 

All the guys have brought great things to the recording. Even more than before! Most of the songs are still written by me, but this time I didn’t make demos for all of them. That way the others would play what came naturally for them, instead of copying parts I had already written. I think that made a big difference. We did it the same way for the songs we hadn’t play before at rehearsals. The guys had usually prepared their parts at home, and we tried out a bunch of things when tracking. Asle also plays a couple of the guitar solos on this album, and he did a great job!

 

The song called ‘Rebel Soul’ was an old song Paul had leftover from a band called Hollywood Vampires that he was in 10 years ago, so we recorded that one. I always liked that band, and the song was too good not to use! ‘Nightcrawers’ was a collaboration between all of us. I had the main riff, and we came up with the rest of the song at rehearsals. Martin, the bass player, wrote the words for that one. So all in all the boys were a lot more involved in every aspect of the writing and recording on this one, and that made it a lot better!

 

What about live.  Did you get the chance to road test any of these songs before the various lockdowns around Europe? 

Nope! Not a single one of them… But we knew that we needed some more party songs that would work great live, and had that in the back of our minds when deciding what songs to record. Hope it worked!

 

 

What about live plans,  getting out there and playing shows especially in other territories and of course plague Island (UK) shame there isn’t still a slugfest I bet you guys would love to come back here and play that?

We have one gig booked in Oslo in June, but apart from that, there’s absolutely nothing going on. Extremely disappointing, because playing live is what we live for! I think I am the only one who likes being in the studio, but even I prefer playing live. It’s not just the shows. It’s all the rituals that go with touring. Spending endless hours in a beat-up van from the early 80s with a bunch of smelly guys, drunk or hungover, blasting music on the stereo and laughing at lame jokes. Showing up late to soundcheck so we don’t get one, check-in at the hotel with one room for those who are getting shitfaced that night and one room for those who will drive the van in the morning, so they can get a couple of hours of sleep. And then the reward of playing kick-ass rock ’n’ roll and watch people have a great time and sing along to the songs we have spent so many hours getting just right. Hang out with the fans after the gig and talk about the show, music and life in general. It’s the best feeling ever! Those who have not experienced it are missing out on one of the best things life has to offer! Damn, I miss touring!!! We’ll be back in the UK as soon as humanly possible to make your asses shake!

 

Anyway back to the album.  I’m loving it are there any particular songs you are most proud of on the record?

Thank you! That’s great to hear! It’s difficult to single out just a couple of tracks on this one, because I think it’s a very even record and no real fillers in my mind. We haven’t done a song quite like ‘Little Ms. Crazy’ before, so we are very proud of that one. It’s not really a ballad, but more of a slow, cinematic rocker with a great opening riff that Asle came up with. That one came out great, and people seem to like it a lot! ‘Rock ’N’ Roll Kills’ was a lot of fun to write. We needed an introduction to the theme of the album, and that is what the song is. The album is about rock ’n’ roll lifestyle, and all the dumb shit people like us do. So we wanted a warning to tell people that if you choose this life, you’ll probably go to hell! At least that is what we were told as kids. But it is of course just a load of bollocks, and what will really happen is that you will have a great time! Like this line from the chorus: Cruising like an easy rider. Feel the breeze softly on my skin. All around the road gets wider. The straight and narrow is somewhere I’ve never been». Of course the dudes in the Easy Rider movie got killed by rednecks for being different and part of the counterculture, and there are consequences to choosing that kind of life!

 

 

What about the easiest or quickest to write? 

All of them took a long time to complete since I didn’t have them finished before we started tracking. So none of them really stand out in that way. The words to ‘Working For The Weekend’ were quick to write! It just tells the story of a guy who works a dead-end job, hates his boss and just wants to get drunk and have a good time with his friends. For some reason, that one came very naturally to me!! Hahahaha…

 

The flip side of that was there any songs you didn’t think were coming and found difficult to complete?  Talk us through your process?

‘Venice’ was a pain in the ass to finish! I had the chords, melody and some of the words to the chorus for months, but could not finish the damn lyrics until the night before Paul was going to sing them. I always need some sort of angle or approach to the story of the songs before I can write them, and I just couldn’t find a good one. That is one of the drawbacks of writing the chorus first, and then figuring out what the hell a song is really about! It is a break-up song, but I wasn’t sure why this guy was breaking up with his girlfriend. I liked Venice as a metaphor because it’s considered a romantic city, but it is also very slowly sinking into the sea and drowning in a sense.

 

So I did what most people would do when you’re stuck and the singer is gonna track the song the next day. I started drinking! And after five hours, six beers and bottle of wine I came up with the pre-chorus line ‘There’s no fire’. There was nothing big that had happened that made him break up with her. He had just fallen out of love. He still loved her as a friend, but that romantic fire was gone and he felt he was living a lie. He had actually tried to break up with her before, but came back to her. At 4AM in the morning and another bottle of wine it was done, and I could get up in the morning, puke like a sailor on shore leave and go to the studio to record Paul! Good times!!!

 

 

What have I missed that Razorbats need to let people know?

We need to let the people know that we now have distribution for the new album in the UK through Glunk Records and that it is a lot cheaper for them to order from them! (drop Glunk an email at glunkrecordstcb@yahoo.co.uk for details)

 

Who are those bands that have had the biggest influences on the band?  Who’s got the most annoying touring habits? Which band member has hidden depths or talent?  who would shock us with their record collection out of the band any hidden shame perhaps a Phil collins record or a secret  Ed Sheeran fan amongst you? C’mon these are the questions people really want to know.

Ohhhh!!! Tough question! The biggest influences are Cheap Trick, KISS, Hanoi Rocks, Aerosmith, The Ramones, Rancid, The Bouncing Souls, Def Leppard, The Hellacopters, Poison and Joan Jett (just to name a few). Basically all the cool and often popular rock bands from the 70s, 80s and 90s. We like some more obscure stuff as well, but most of us would rather put on ‘High ’N’ Dry’ by Def Leppard over some weird band with one good song that no one has heard of, except a few hipsters with silly beards! We have some guilty pleasures, but they are the normal stuff, like Samantha Fox, ABBA and Scooter! Fun songs to be played at high volume in the van to lighten the mood!

 

All the guys in the band are pretty easy to get along with, so there are no really, REALLY annoying habits I can share with you. But after a couple of days the van usually smells like a cheap hooker died in there, so maybe showering after the show or in the morning would be a good idea? And the farts can be a bit overwhelming at times. We don’t spend money on proper food on tour and there’s more than enough beer drinking. The natural effect of that combined has a very characteristic odour, that is more of an entity or life-form, that an actual smell! We call him Bob!

 

Finally, anything else you need to get off your chest?

Yes! Listen to the album, and buy it if you can! We love you all and hope to see you at a concert venue as soon as Armageddon is over!

Website / Facebook / Webstore

UK fans can buy signed copies whilst stocks last from – Glunk Records

 

 

 

 

Bandcamp Friday

Bandcamp Friday

We’ve got a few suggestions this Bandcamp Friday and we’ve kept it lean for you so get yer credit card out and come with us on the Bandcamp Friday journey kicking off with a couple of recommendations from some artists we love and then a few labels who do such a great job of releasing some of our favourite records.  There are others that haven’t quite gone live at the time of writing such as a long out of sale Loyalties release you should go find and Steve Conte has an offer today

 

 

‘Be There’ (369 Music) is the next single from The Dowling Poole. Listen to the track on Soundcloud here.

It will be released on Friday the 7th of March for Bandcamp Friday when the music platform waives their fees and all revenue goes straight to the artists.

‘Be There’ features guest appearances from long time collaboratorAndy Lewis (Jackdaw4, Sugar Plum Fairies, Jocasta), on bass. Darby Todd guests on drums. Darby’s recently played with Martin Barr (Jethro Tull), The Darkness and Kee Marcello (Europe) and featured on the recent The Dowling Poole songs ‘We Are The Noise’ and ‘Slow Genocide’.

Recorded in different locations in France and the UK, Jon and Willie are busy writing their fourth album to be released later this year.

Author: Martin Chamarette

 

Another favourite round here is Rich Ragany & The Digressions so check out the latest tune Here

“There’s a place in the universe callled Boötes Void… where it’s near empty. It’s also been called “The Great Nothing”.  A supervoid. One of the largest-known voids in the universe. Surrounded by galaxies and light.

It is believed the scale of the void is such that if the Milky Way had been in the center of the Boötes Void, we wouldn’t have known there were other galaxies until the 1960s.
That’s how long it would have taken light to travel… to journey through the darkness.

The song is from the perspective of someone who is within darkness in their lives and can’t unsee it.
Then, sees it in everything. Maybe even becomes it. But finds that through the very act of experience, and through the struggle of moving forward, can begin to see the warmth and light that also exists.

I find it very moving and inspiring that, even in the expanses of space, where there is cold chaotic changes that routinely destroy, that life and creation can, and do, emerge.

The idea of all these galaxies and filaments surrounding Boötes Void is light giving it a frame that can eventually travel through to the other side, is a comforting thought.

Not always easy… but our eyes, our hearts and spirits can stretch to see something beautiful.

I try to remember this (with varying degrees of success) when things get really rough… old ghosts and doubts whisper in my ear and tell me I am alone, not worthy or with no direction.

Stretch to see something beautiful.  That was the feeling I had when writing it.  Please forgive me if it’s a clumsy metaphor.  It’s not so linear that it can’t be interpreted for your own experience (or hopefully, it will just sound pleasing to you).”  What more can we add to that?

 

Some others who should benefit from Bandcamp Friday would be those independent labels who are the beating heart of the underground scenes we all love so much.  A few of our favourites would be Beluga Records from out of Sweden who have their Bandcamp page and offer some amazing records we’ve had many an hour rocking out to some of their releases and records they put out.

 

Some of the recent records they’ve put out have been fantastic such as More Kicks, Jordan Jones, Mud City Manglers and most recently a nice compilation from Asteroid B-612 and most recently a cracking single from The Erratix.

 

 

Heading south you have Ghost Highway Records outta Madrid Spain.  They’ve long championed underground garage rock and all other sub-genres including power pop, punk rock and more.  Some of their recent releases that deserve people’s attention would be The Boatsmen and their superb ‘Verses The Boatsmen’ album they co-released as well as the tribute to the New Bomb Turks compilation.  They’ve long been champions of UK kings of garage noise The Hip Priests and given access to some of America’s finest in the shape of Jeff Dahl, Electric Frankenstein and Pat Todd.  A worthy benefactor of anyone’s Rock and Roll coin on Bandcamp Friday.

 

How about heading across the pond to Spaghetty Town Records and a label who’s partnered up with their European brothers in vinyl.  they’ve also brought to the party some epic Rock and Roll records most recently in the shape of RMBLR who’ve just dropped their new EP and Spaghetty Town is the perfect label for these scuzzy rockers. The label has a wealth of great titles so you could do a lot worse things this Friday than delve through the Spaghetty Town wormhole and head off on a rockin’ discovery trip.

 

Heavy Medication Records have for a while had records reviewed on RPM and more recently put out a couple of really impressive releases primarily a New Bomb Turks tribute that’s available through their Bandcamp page.  Based in Warsaw Poland the label have been responsible for Doojiman & The Exploders record that’s a must-own as well as records from Poison Hearts.  Hit em up

 

 

 

What about some Taken By Suprise records?  Out of München, Germany the label does a fine service if punk rock n Power Pop is your thing then they have a big catalogue up on Bandcamp that deserves your attention.  Releases from The Briefs, Suspect Parts and more recently Neighbourhood Brats.  you certainly won’t be disappointed with your catch if decide to dip in.

 

 

TNS Records out of Manchester have some cracking offers up for Bandcamp Friday as well and in turn, help support some great punk rock bands such as Wales finest Pizza Tramp.  The new Jodie Faster is also a fine addition to their catalogue.  They also do a Spotify list of New Punk Friday where they champion the best in punk, Hardcore and Ska tracks released recently.  A label that does tireless work for a scene that deserves our attention.

 

Another German label that has always had the back of punk rock and roll is Wanda Records.  With some excellent releases from Peter & The Berlin Blackouts and Mom the label has always delivered brilliant product and ship anywhere (or the UK at least).  They’ll also be handling the Euro distro of the new RMBLR EP which is good for those having palpitations when faced with some of the overseas shipping fees.

 

Finally, another label releasing really good records is Drunken Sailor Records Banging out new bands and records like its nobodys business.  Drunken Sailor also struck a distro deal to handle Australias finest Stiff Richards that should be Sold Out but they don’t hang about and are also pressing up a couple of new records that are also available for you digital fiends in the shape of Australias Jackson Reid Briggs & The Heaters out on digital through the label but coming soon on vinyl.  They trawl through the worlds best underground bands to fit into their vision of what makes a great records and release it for our listening pleasure.  Head down to their Bandcamp page and get lost investigating what they have to offer and grab yourself a new favourite band.

 

Jakob Mind – ‘The One Who Got Away’ (Lovely Records)

Jakob Mind – ‘The One Who Got Away’ (Lovely Records)

Jakob Mind, mostly known as the singer and frontman of Swedish punk outfit Rotten Mind, has released his solo debut album ”The One Who Got Away”. Honest indie-punk with strong melodies and no-nonsense lyrics and themes of everyday life.

Jakob pretty much stays true to what he does with Rotten Mind but adds his own individual touches that I guess he can dictate goes in the mix on a solo record whereas in a band it has to be a little more democratic. The result is a blend of influences, from straight-up punk rock to more pop or that should be power-pop leanings.

 

The album begins with a sprightly jangly number and the title track. It’s got an 80s retro sound on the attack of the vocals but it’s engaging and an opener that kinda lays out what’s coming over the next half hour.  There aren’t really any surprises on offer here just uplifting power pop punk rock and if it leaves a smile across your chops then its job done isn’t it?  ‘7 Days’ is a dreamy melody but an uptempo number. ‘Let Them Know’ is even more upbeat as it scuttles along towards the chorus with a retro ’60s harmony that gets in my head and it’s The Buzzcocks where I’m finding my comparison with a great Chuck Berry guitar rip on the solo.

 

‘The Little Evil One’ sees Jakob throw in some guitar effects to shake up the mood of the record and it’s like an 80s alternative walkthrough maybe in line with some Early Cure or a bit of Banshees for good measure. I keep waiting for the vocals to arrive but they don’t which is a curveball for me.

‘Rock And Rolls Got Me All Messed Up’ is the one that could reach a wider audience with a neat chorus that’s simple to remember and join in with as we just roll with the good times that this song alludes to all its missing is the handclaps to go with the shuffle backbeat. The tempo is taken down a gear with ‘On The Floor’ whereas ‘You Wanted Me To Hang Around With You’ is one of the best songs if not my favourite on offer.  With a great heartbreak melody and some good lyrics and a chorus that I really enjoyed as the solo breaks through like the first sign of light in the morning, its got a great ragged feel to it.

With ten songs offering slightly different textures around a theme its a decent offering from Jakob and one I like and I’m sure power-pop-punk rockers will feel the same as the album ends strongly with ‘I Don’t Want To Be (Around) You’ so all in all a really decent offering and one that didn’t disappoint at all.

 

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Defiled! – ‘A Heavy Medication Tribute To New Bomb Turks’ (Heavy Medication Records)

Defiled! – ‘A Heavy Medication Tribute To New Bomb Turks’ (Heavy Medication Records)

In a week when I hadn’t thought about New Bomb Turks in quite a while not one but two tribute albums drop and all of a sudden I’m transported back in time when a trip to TJ’s in Newport was an exciting time because one of the best-kept secrets in underground punk rock n roll was happening and along with bands like D4 and the Datsuns something was happening it seems like yesterday but it wasn’t and the old adage of time flies is certainly true and when I popped the CD in the player and I turned up the volume and peeled open the booklet and instantly recognised many of the bands taking part and was looking forward to some of the bands I’d never heard before taking on some great tunes and adding maybe a twist here and there.

 

First up is Berlins Hell Nation Army a band we’ve featured on RPM before so no surprise to hear them on this tribute with an impressive opener ‘Point A To Point Blank’.  There are eighteen tracks on offer here and as the booklet points out four are from Poland, not somewhere you instantly associate with dirty punk rock n roll but don’t let that put you off investigating because Poison Heart are right on the money here with a blistering take on ‘Snap Decision’.

 

This is an exceptionally well researched tribute and a great platform for many bands as the booklet tells the story of each tune with detail and a passion that shines through.  One of the best bands I’ve heard knocking out some sleazy punk n roll over the last few years has to be Doojiman & The Exploders who are at it again as they own ‘Automatic Teller’ which is a superb song anyway and done with much gusto here.

 

Warsaws Red Crap blast out the bass rumble as they annihilate ‘If I Only Could’ with no compromising on the attitude and quality another really great version from a band I’m off to investigate further. Randy Savages have a track on both the Turks tributes and why not I say because this version of ‘Leaving Town’ is exceptional it’s sleazy and greasy but with a melody to die for and they nail the harmonies making it one of the albums real highlights.

 

One of the best things about getting two tribute albums to the same band in the same week is there isn’t much overlapping at all (like magic that) and the fact they’ve recruited a couple of Australia’s finest in is another tip of the hat because no stane has been left unturned and no bar has been left untrawled as Howlin’ threads turn up the noise with a Rockin ‘Professional Againster’.

London dirty rockers Flash house are present and correct on the CD only track ‘I’m Weak’ which is set to rumble anything that’s not nailed down in yer house if the volumes right.  Sleazy and dark its another highlight to be fair.

Anyone for some Dog Toffee? ‘I’d Slip In’ is a belter full of attitude and slipping it next to those Satanic Overlords Of Rock And Roll is nice as they blast away ‘Tattooed Apathetic Boys’ like it was some long lost Ramones romp then to unleash the wah on the breakdown before setting the burners to blast off for the finish line.  Top tunes.  This album is bursting with great bands contributing some fantastic interpretations of someone else’s songs.

 

With bands from Texas to Italy there a world of talent out there as Smalltown Tigers throw their hat in the ring with a really impressive take on ‘Girl Can Help It’.  I’m sure they’ll be more widely known especially in the UK when they play support to The Original Damned when they do those shows next year.  you also get Puffball turning up the distortion on ‘Never Will’ even though these Swedes don’t strictly exist anymore they like to keep their hand in so to speak and this compilation is all the better for it.

 

Punk rockers Moron’s Morons turn up with a barroom blitzing ‘wine And Depression’ whilst Jack Saint twists the melon with a delta bluesy take on ‘Grounded Ex Patriot’ it’s like the Gun Club never happened with this tip of the hat take.   As we head into the final furlong the tasty Tongue Action have a sleazy Rockin’ take on ‘Telephone Numbrrrr’ but when you’ve paid your dues playing with Electric Frankenstein, Texas Terri Bomb and Killer Hearts was it ever in doubt that this was going to rule?  Course not.

 

It only leaves two more entries with the band who opened proceedings Hell Nation Army to knock out a brutal ‘I Want My Baby…Dead!’ so its a rough and ready trip to the land of the rising sun and Jet Boys sleazy ‘Killer’s Kiss’ which seems like a fitting full stop to proceedings and another exception tribute to New Bomb Turks who had plenty to say and said it so well and passed on the baton to so many who carry the torch into the unknown and hopefully back into the filthy corners of the world where Rock and Roll still matters.  Rock on kids and check out this tribute and the bands who’ve given their time and considerable talent for the good and the great.  Get it!

 

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Buy ‘Defiled!’  Here

*Includes a CD copy of the record, as well as a two-sided color, insert with information about the contributing bands. Tracks 9, 17 and 18 are CD-only tracks.So nobody misses out!*

Author: Dom Daley

Various Artists – ‘No Heroes No Leaders No Artists No Gods’ (Ghost Highway, Dragstrip Riot Records, Spaghetty Town Records)

Various Artists – ‘No Heroes No Leaders No Artists No Gods’ (Ghost Highway, Dragstrip Riot Records, Spaghetty Town Records)

A year ago  Ardo from Dead Furies had an idea to compile a tribute album for New Bomb Turks, perhaps his favorite band. He reached out to some of the best up-and-coming rock bands and some rock mainstays to see if they would be interested. The response he got was overwhelmingly positive. The tracks started coming in, they were even better than he had hoped for.  In the end, he got 14 different incredible artists from Europe and North America.

Newish label on the block, Dragstrip Riot Records collaborated with seasoned labels Ghost Highway Recordings from Spain and Spaghetty Town Records from the US to bring you “No Heroes No Leaders No Artists No Gods”. Every label released a different limited colored vinyl and also the regular black version.

 

I love me some New Bomb Turks back in the day and like many, they were one of those underground bands who didn’t make bad records yet never copped the break to take them overground say in a way that Rocket From The Crypt did for a little while and had their fifteen minutes.  I’ll admit I’ve not played a Turks record in a while but with recent represses of bands like The Dragons I did delve into the 90s mob of Zeke, Street walking Cheetahs and of course New Bomb Turks.  Then this compilation album of some of the finest bands currently making the earth move popped up on my radar featuring fourteen takes on NBT tracks.  what a great idea that man.  But wait. Not one but two tribute albums come out around the same time as ‘Defiled’ A Heavy Medication Tribute To The New Bomb Turks also gets released. with a bumper eighteen covers featuring eighteen different bands but that’s for another review.

 

First up is Professional Againsters who do a rather splendid take on ‘Bolans Crash’ which sets the tone to be fair. With some harmonica honking added for good measure, it’s a really solid start to proceedings from a band who clearly gets it.   Some of our favourite noisemakers are present and plugged in and its great to hear how bands put a twist on someone else’s song and take ownership like “Demons” who knock out an eventful ‘Pretty Lightning’.

Having knocked out this year’s frontrunner to the best album of the year The Boatsmen electrify ‘Wine And Depression’ and take it downtown for a night on the tiles and maybe a street fight before giving it an Iggy and the stooges twist  – great stuff.

 

The Chuck Norris Experiment add some muscle with their take on ‘End Of The Great Credibility Race’ which appeared on the Turks ‘Nightmare Scenario’ album back in 2000. The quality of these bands is evident for all to hear and the respect for one of the bands that helped define a scene is clearly a labour of love as the bands do such a sterling job here none more so than plague Islands finest The Hip Priests who take ownership of ‘Jukebox Lean’ and close off a rather impressive side one as Von Cruz leads the boys on a scuzzed up fuzzed up noise fest and I love it.

Flipping over its time for Estonias finest combo Dead Furies to get their groove on as they kick back and just get on the groove of ‘Your Beaten Heart’ which is one of the records best numbers to give credit where its due. This really is a league of nations as Scumbag Millionaire turn up the bass rumble as they’re ‘Tryin’ To Get By’.

 

If I were to pick my favouite Turks album it might well be ‘Scared Straight’ and its a joy to hear The Drippers kick the shit out of that albums opener ‘Hammerless Nail’. Staying on ‘Scared Straight those purveyors of filth Jonesy knock out a fistful of dynamite on ‘Jeers Of A Clown’.  Kicking it back they really use the harmonies well and give the track plenty of swing as they delve right back to the bands beginnings.

 

As we head into the home straight it’s the time for those punk rock n rollin Killer Hearts ‘Spanish Fly By Night’ that’s a lo-fi attack before Londons Randy Savages blast through ‘We Give A Rats Ass’ with gusto and a swagger that sums up what we have here and proof that there are plenty of great bands out there making loud rock and roll that you really should check out from the labels who’ve pulled this together to the bands who contriubte its always a real joy and pleasure to review some records when they’re as good as this.

 

with Scandi Rock legends the Hellacopters closing off this mighty fine tribute with ‘Veronicas Lake’ its an exceptional way to call time on this tribute.  If you’ve never heard of the New Bomb turks or any of these bands then this a fantastic introduction but hurry before they are all gone!

Available through:
Spaghetty Town Records- USA / Dragstrip Riot Records – Estonia / Ghost Highway Recordings – Spain

Author: Dom Daley

Brad Marino – ‘Looking For Trouble’ (Rum Bar Records / Spaghetty Town Records / Beluga Records)

Brad Marino – ‘Looking For Trouble’ (Rum Bar Records / Spaghetty Town Records / Beluga Records)

It’s simple, really. Do you like Ramones? The Flamin’ Groovies? ‘Exile On Main Street’? If you answered “yes” to all the above, then Brad Marino has the album for you. He’s already written two of my favourite power pop classics in ‘Wake Up, Baby’ and ‘C’mon..’, and knows how to craft a short, snappy tune with four chords.

 

And he wields his Telecaster in a decidedly Keef-like fashion on opener ‘Even The Score’, plenty of slide guitar and choppy rhythms, similar to the title track, which straddles Stones/Groovies camps to good effect.

 

‘Taillights Fade’ sees the protagonist chased out of town, complete with handclaps and a simple, effective solo. ‘Local Show’ will be a familiar tale for many musicians; “it’s a local show, which means nobody will go”. Including the inevitable list of excuses your “friends” use to avoid going/paying to see an amateur gig.

 

‘Tripwire’ is a classy instrumental, while ‘False Alarm’ and ‘What Do You Know’ remind me a little of The Speedways. High praise indeed! Yes, some of the songs here are similar, but that never hurt Ramones, who I feel would approve of ‘To Bleed’. And when the quality is this high, it’s not a criticism. ‘Take Your Time’ has a hint of the mighty Groovies, with some Rickenbacker twang.

 

In an ideal world, these would be big radio tunes, especially with summer just around the corner. And the cd has three extra cover versions, as if you needed another reason to order it. In these somewhat bleak times, this is a pleasant respite.

Beluga Records

Ghost Highway Records

Spaghetty Town Records

Buy Brad Marino Here

Bandcamp

Author: Martin Chamarette

RMBLR – Release new video ahead of EP release

RMBLR – Release new video ahead of EP release

RMBLR show their lighter side with the release of “Main Muscle” from the MF/EP,

coming soon

(Atlanta, GA)  The release of RMBLR’s 6 song MF/EP is so close to seeing daylight, out officially in June.  But we wanted to give you another sneak peek at the MF/EP.

“Main Muscle” shows the lighter side of RMBLR, but please, proceed with caution. There’s nothing soft about this track, and the vocals are more savage than the “Macho Man” himself. Wild west piano tapping helps to elevate the track into a saloon style brawl.

“Main Muscle” will be available on all streaming/download outlets on May 14, 2021.

The RMBLR MF/EP will be out in June 2021. In North America on Spaghetty Town Records and in Europe on Wanda Records (Germany).  The MF/EP will be available on vinyl and digital formats.

The Mighty Mighty BosstoneS – ‘When God Was Great’ (Hellcat Records)

The Mighty Mighty BosstoneS – ‘When God Was Great’ (Hellcat Records)

I’ll confess right from the off and admit I’ve been a casual listener of Boss ToneS over the years sure they’ve made some great records but I always had other bands who I thought did it better or more consistently that would be fairer to say.  When this album dropped it was the sunniest day of the year I’d been couped up for months with this pandemic so I went on my daily walk and put it on the walkman and BANG! it hit me hard and I was skanking in no time with a smile wider than kid creoles brim hat.  Man, this album is like a ray of sunshine and such a feel-good record and it just connected with me from the opening skank blast of ‘Decide’ right through the tootin’ of ‘Don’t Believe In Anything’ to the gang choruses that make you want to join in no matter where you are its just such a great record.

 

Sure these cats know their field and are masters at their craft.  They manage to mix styles throughout without seams from the lap steel and horns blasting out the melancholy on ‘Certain Things’ with the lyrics sitting front and center the albums had me thinking and not just getting lost in the music either.  What a gift.

 

‘Lonely Boy’ is like the sound of waves lapping your feet whilst the tide drifts in whist in contrast the more edgy ‘The Killing Of Georgie (Part iii)’ is like a big band going rogue.  The title track is piano-led glancing over your shoulder kinda stuff but it’s with a smile and a mellow intake of breath – reminiscing is cool and makes the heart beat faster in a good way. The album does go a little easy listening for a couple of tracks but don’t let that distract you,  the overall feel is good, possitive, up and on point.

 

The album closes with a seven-plus minute epic story ‘The Final Parade’ and it encapsulates all that’s good about this record as it waves its magic into your ear and reaches its final destination of your heart.  BossToneS magic that is right there.  Check it out for yourself if you don’t believe me I believe in something, the power of good music.

Buy ‘When God Was Great’ Here

 

Author: Dom Daley

 

 

Frank Black – ‘Frank Black Francis’, ‘Honeycomb’, Fast Man Raider Man’ (Demon Records)

Frank Black – ‘Frank Black Francis’, ‘Honeycomb’, Fast Man Raider Man’ (Demon Records)
Having been a big fan of The Pixies and always admired the songwriting skills of Frank Black it was always a joy to spin those epic first few solo records especially the opening trio of albums from ‘Self Titled’ through ‘Teenager Of The Year’ (being a particular favourite) and ‘Cult Of Ray’.  You could never tie Black to one sound or style and as he progressed through his solo output he certainly wasn’t afraid to experiment or throw a curveball the listener’s way.
From those late 80s flawless output through the early 90s and the demise of pressing vinyl a lot of Franks CD output got lost and it’s great to see all these years later some of those more experimental records get a new lease of life on the old black circle format. (even if it’s not strictly on black wax) but you know what I mean.
First up this month is a double album version of the ‘Frank Black Francis’ album spead as I said over two records as part of a bigger campaign which will eventually see throughout 2021 no less than twelve solo records hitting the vinyl format and many being on vinyl for the first time.
‘Frank Black Francis’ also includes solo acoustic demos from 1987 ahead of the first Pixies Studio session. Plus, a second LP of revisited classic Pixies songs.  And as Frank Black elucidates: “It had come to my attention that a forgotten old demo, recorded by my own hand on my own boom box in my old apartment, had resurfaced and would I be willing to release it?  As a time capsule it seemed fairly interesting, but as a full release it seemed lacking for the customers; and so while I was in London, waiting for something to happen in my lovesick life, Keith Moliné and Andy Diagram, David Thomas’ Two Pale Boys, took me into their atelier and let me cry into my lager while they helped me augment the demo from the crypt.  At some point, I think I took off into the night and encouraged them to do whatever the hell they wanted; I think I may have been a bit of a drag on the session.  Being the consummate professionals they are (they had played on the Catholic’s ‘SHOW ME YOUR TEARS’ record recently, so I know they were…very good eggs) Keith and Andy really did not have a problem with this lost man paradigm, and I think their deconstructive and self-referential art methods are absolutely lovely.  Their treatment of ‘PLANET OF SOUND’ remains one of my favourite versions.” 
Just like a lot of the recent PJ Harvey releases they were accompanied by a separate collection of Demo recordings this ‘Frank Black Francis‘ was songs that were a work in progress and how a prolific writer gets things done.  From the opening ‘Holiday Song’ its billy Bragg inspired workings where the bare songs are collected with spoken musings left in as Black communicates with the control room.  Probably something dedicated fans will really appreciate and pour over but maybe not for a first time fan of music looking to get into the music of Frank Black.  Closing with the same song but with added brass and percussion for real insight.  The more out there jazzy leanings of ‘Subbacultcha’ might confuse less avid fans. However ‘Monkeys Gone To Heaven’ is intriguing and interesting.
The Pixie tracks will have wider appeal for sure but not something casual fans will gravitate towards.  but a treat for hardcore Black fans.
2005’s ‘Honeycomb’ is an album of Nashville collaborations with legendary musicians including Steve Cropper, ex-Presley guitarist Reggie Young, Anton Fig, and Spooner Oldham.  Unusually for a Frank Black album, it has 3 cover songs, including “Sunday Sunny Mill Valley Groove Day” by Doug Sahm. In many ways, another experimental record from Black where he really does stretch his songwriting to the limit and with the three covers shows his eclectic taste for sure. I always had a soft spot for this record as it reminded me in places of one of my favourite bands Green On Red especially on songs like ‘I Burn Today’. It’s a gentle album where the songs are given space to really breathe and grow and having not played this record for several years it was a joy to revisit.  It won’t be so long between plays that I’ve promised myself.
Finally in this round-up of releases ‘Fast Man Raider Man’, released in 2006, is a double album backed by a team of all-star musicians: Al Kooper, Bob Babbitt, Levon Helm, Lyle Workman, Steve Cropper, Jim Keltner, Rick Gilbert, Simon Kirke, Ian McLagan, Chester Thompson, Dave Philips and Spooner Oldham. The album includes, ‘Johnny Barleycorn’, ‘In The Time Of My Ruin’ and ‘If Your Poison Gets You’. An interesting cover of ‘Dirty Old Town’. ‘Wanderlust’ still sounds fantastic and the horn honking of ‘Dog Sleep’ would fit rather nicely into a set from Urban Voodoo Machine.  ‘Fast Man’ has almost forthy musicians contributing to its rich tapestry from the jazzy smokey tones of ‘My Terrible Ways’ to some countrified rock and roll of ‘Fitzgerald’ via straight-up pop of ‘Fare Thee Well’ it’s Black doing what he does best and twist your melon with his take on Americana and Stax as opposed to his Rock with The Catholics which just about offers something for everyone all dusted down with his instantly recognisable tones of that voice with his abstract and broad stroke lyrics.
there are moments of sublime playing and sometimes as you’re switching off a pedal steel break reels you back in.  Whist these three are classic Black they are something of an acquired taste and not as accessible as those early records nor as Rock as his barroom noise he makes with the Catholics which will no doubt be reviewed with the next set of Frank Black Releases but until then these will be most welcome as vinyl fights back and Frank Black adds more weight (140gms) to his canon of work.
To purchase ‘Frank Black Francis’ go – Here
To purchase ‘Honeycomb‘ go – Here
To purchase ‘Fast Man Raider Man‘ go – Here
Author: Dom Daley

Avalanche – ‘Second-hand Band’ (Golden Robot Records/Sliptrick Records)

Avalanche – ‘Second-hand Band’ (Golden Robot Records/Sliptrick Records)

‘Second hand band’ is the latest offering from Aussie hard rockers Avalanche. The Sydney based four piece have been around for two years, and have built up a strong following in their native Oz and even have their own music festival! I know!

 

The band have their tongues very firmly in cheek and sound ever so slightly like that other well-known Australian rock band, yes them, the ones with a lightning bolt in their logo. They aren’t afraid to show their influences on their sleeve and let’s be honest, it hasn’t done much harm to Airbourne’s career. It does get a little too close to the mark on occasion though, with the riffs sounding almost identical to a few AC/DC numbers. Being influenced and downright plagiarism are completely different things!

 

 

Opening track ‘Killer Instinct’ bounces along nicely with some shouty bits and a great widdly guitar solo from lead guitarist Veronica ‘V’ Campbell and a frenetic, full on rock n roll ending. Next up we have the title track which tells us the bands story so far, including lyrics about ‘wanting to blow them all away’ and they admit that they are pretty much re hashing everything that came before them. After listening to the lyrics to this I start to enjoy the band more. They don’t give a fuck that they sound like other bands, and they are obviously having a great time. The production of the EP is crystal clear with plenty of bottom end to boot.

 

 

‘Get Back (To Fuckwit City)’ is ‘If You Want Blood (You Got It)’ played slightly differently lol. More great lyrics with plenty of puns here make it a standout track. Vocalist/bassist Steven Campbell (yes, they are married) barks out the words with gusto and his better half cranks out more fine solo work. ‘Spit in My Mouth’ starts off with a nice build up before we are off into full on AC/DC territory again (think ‘Riff Raff’ and you won’t be far off). Drummer Ryan ‘ADHD’ Roma deserves a mention here, his solid grooves propel the band along superbly.

‘Down in the Gutter’ has a more Ramones-like feel to it with a more up-tempo groove before dropping down into an extended jam. There’s more solid guitar work from Campbell and rhythm guitarist Arthur Divis on display here. Final track ‘Permanent Ink’ closes the EP in style with another barnstormer.

Avalanche aren’t going to change the world and they certainly aren’t doing anything new, but they sound like they are having a blast, and I would bet that they are a great band to catch live with a few beers at your local dive.  Don’t over analyse them, just bang your head, stamp your feet, and enjoy a burst of good old (new) fashioned rock n roll!

Buy ‘Second Hand Band’ Here

Social Media Links:
Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp / Spotify / Youtube / Apple / Website / Soundcloud

Author: Kenny Kendrick