Dealing with Damage – ‘Ask the Questions’ (Little Rocket Records)

Dealing with Damage – ‘Ask the Questions’ (Little Rocket Records)

Dropping this baby onto the virtual deck and what leaps out in opener “Stop everything” is a sound grounded in the underground, hinting at punk, fuzzed-up rock “ala” the MC5. Does it move towards the new genre that I seem to hearing about everywhere “Action Rock”, I don’t think so, even though this will appeal to anyone with more than an affiliation to the underground. No, it draws on a much richer musical tapestry, but ultimately pinning your ears back and screaming “LISTEN TO ME!!!!!”

 

Next up “No Money, No Peace”, moves up the intensity, there’s a hint of the much-missed Stiv Bator’s sneer, but blink and you’ll miss it, this ain’t prog in any way shape or form.  Moving into “How much will this affect us” and things get a darker heavier feel, that bass run holds you, before the guitar demands your attention, I really like this track it’s a real burner. “Worlds within a world” hits the raw fuzzed up psychedelia of the fuzztones, while at the same time kicking it up the arse, with that incessant punk underpinning.  “Language Lesson” comes tearing out of the speakers, that iggy and the stooges madness taking centre stage, this is a blinder, but for once I’d have liked it a bit longer!!, “Slow Shadow”, moves to a very different beat, more commercial? Dare I say? Yup, it would make a cracking single, this just drips fuzzed-out psychedelia, dropping into 13th-floor elevators territory, complete with the space rock exit!

“The Process” kicks in with a tasty Tribal drummed intro, before it takes off and moves you on a very different path, this is rapidly becoming a fave for yours truly. “Strange Melody” again revisits the psychedelic sounds of the sixties, but with an added pop sensibility reminiscent of The Only Ones.

 

It’s at this point you begin to realize how good an LP this is, crammed full of ideas, honing a musical heritage, taking hints of the past, reimaging them for a current listening audience. I’m starting to drift here but I’m as always thinking about how this will play out live and smiling to myself. Maybe these years Camden Rocks?

 

“Shark Bait” again grabs you from the start, holding that crossover vibe, hinting at a more commercial line, there’s an almost gothic Guitar underpinning and extra to this track.  “Some Colours”, “No Barriers” and “The People I see” maintain the power and intensity, “No Barriers” in particular mixing up the vocal style and again rapidly becoming a favourite, while “The People I see” moving into territories held up by The Ruts.

 

Finishing up with “For Barbara Dane” an acoustic gem with an underlying message, think The Kinks meet the Subways!!! Before the lp plays out with “The American Empire”, I love this Hardcore blast and what a way to finish up a powerful LP from a band that I’ll look forward to picking up on the live scene, and definitely an LP I’ll be investing in.

 

Find Dealing With Damage at WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / BANDCAMP / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / YOUTUBE

Author: Nev Brooks

 

EP Club Round Up feat Motherfuckin’ Motherfucker, The Suicide Notes and more

EP Club Round Up feat Motherfuckin’ Motherfucker, The Suicide Notes and more

 

Well when one EP arrives you can bet your bottom dollar that another is close behind. the thing this month is when one os followed by another then another and another how could we ignore them?  We couldn’t and when they are as varied as this bunch we tell you were blessed to have such talent sent our way. But above all this bunch of EPs and splits were of such a high standard it would be a crime had we brushed over them or not given them all a fair hearing.  If another month dishes up a collection stronger than these then I’ll eat my favourite hat.

 

Motherfuckin’ Motherfuckers – ‘Dance Motherfucker’ EP (Lux Noise) What an exhilarating rush this is. Easily the best songs the band has penned so far. Sure its a breakneck blood rush but fuck me sideways it’s good.  Like the kick off a defribulated donkey with size 13 hoofs, the title track lasts the length of a blink of an eye.  It’s a beauty alright. So its sweary, Hard, Fast, Loose n loud but the tunes are absolute Boss.  ‘Cat In Hell’ also comes with a beautiful guitar solo that sounds like a fuckin’ Jedi lightsabre being wielded around the studio pure bliss.

‘It’s All Shit’ is a bruiser with a great slasher intro as it builds into the frenzy you want it to. Where are the scandi bands who used to do this so well?  A pair of nerdowells from middle England and a couple of reprobates from Switzerland are leading the charge and doing it so well.  Now when are the tour dates to do this shit live.  We don’t want it we demand it! oh and the cover is a banger too but we all kinda knew it would be.  Essential purchase? Of course it is.

Bandcamp

 

The Suicide Notes – ‘Pleasures Of Despair’ (Self Release) When Billy and Alex first had the idea of doing some fairly lo-fi recording of ‘a couple of acoustic numbers’, I bet they weren’t expecting it to seel out its initial 100 copies quite so quickly and before it even had the chance to be birthed properly.

So the idea was to record some tracks in Alex’s studio, maybe record a live version or a cover or something, somewhere, unique to the EP, and then package it up with some exclusive artwork from Billy and put it out there. The fact that they are now discussing artwork and packaging for a second, non-limited ‘general’ run over and above the limited first 100 will come as a relief to everyone who didn’t get in there. Let’s run through the damn thing then.  ‘Mama Sang The Blues’ sees the whiskey and cigarette vocals of Billy croon over the acoustic shanty of the first track.  It’s called Mama Sang The Blues what do you think it sounds like?  It’s late, we’re all drunk and the band has got the tunes nicked from the devil and if you howl loud enough they’ll sing em. ‘Ragdoll’ is a haunting acoustic rendition and with less of a party going on its a wonderful melancholy number. Sure there’s an elephant in the room but hell if it sounds like the Dogs D’Amour did back in the 90s then so what if it’s good then that’s all that matters its a big world out there and there’s more than enough room for a few singers with velvet tones wrapped in too many cigarettes.  Its a simple song but the delivery is spot on. Talking of cigarettes next up is ‘Smoke It Like A Cigarette’ this initially came out with an accompanying video if I remember correctly and dark and brooding its a wonderful slice of the darker side of the city and again the delivery is superb.

To wrap up this one you have the slide guitar and harmonica honking of ‘Take A Bullet’. Sounds to me like the electric versions and studio album can’t come quick enough.  the Suicide Notes are happening and I’d love to see them blow right up because the devil hasn’t got all the best tunes The Suicide Notes have nicked some of ’em the cheeky scamps. I expect big things this year and hope that this is just the very beginning.

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Craggy Collyde – ‘Wrapped Up In Ribbons’ (Self Release) After a cracking 7″ single last year this duo are back for more except this time they are armed with a 10″ record that contains a nicely varied six tracks. Totally self-financed and independent Craggy Collyde are killing it and as the opening track says “worth investing in” RPM says Hell yeah! Built around a nice 12 bar riff and cool backbeat ‘Dead Refrain’ is a great opener. We stay on it for ‘Roll Me’ as the good times keep playing. sure its a well-trodden path but when it’s done well who cares,  The backing vocals and melodies are great.

‘Don’t Put Me Down’ has a nice mellow intro before breaking out with a melody straight from Alternative American radio that gave us the likes of Buffalo Tom. ‘Better Than A Lie’ is a chilled out laid back vibe and Craggy tells a decent story like lying on your back on a deserted beach staring at the sky as the clouds roll by its another side to the band and another really strong song. ‘Wrapped Up In Ribbons’ is an acoustic ensemble with a rolling piano and shuffle snare beat and possibly my favourite on the EP for sure. An excellent song well written and well played out.  To wrap up this record there is the excellent ‘In The Shade Of The Wide Oak Tree’ with its sparse intro you keep waiting for it to break out but it doesn’t which helps keep you engaged.  All in all, another super-strong offering that covers all of Craggys loves from the Rockers to the acoustic laid back minstrel a most worthy addition to anyone’s collection.

Website / Bandcamp

Glitter Piss / The Damn Shebang – Split EP (Guru Disques) I jumped on this the minute it became available this week and boy what a glorious decision that was. The Damn Shebang kick off with the shimmering seedy Rock and Roll of ‘Molly’ gets things off to a top start.  Part Sleazy Gallon Drunk Part punk rock part Urban Voodoo Machine part Cramps is just where you want a band to sit. ‘Molly’ deserves to be played loud, no not loud,  LOUD! you fuckers. If that doesn’t stir your Rock and Roll pants then surely song title of the year ‘Goths On A Beach’ will. Love it Love It Love It! love the guitar tone, love the solo, love the vocals love the backbeat love the lyrics. ‘ave it! If you thought the first two were good then get up and lace up those creepers because ‘Richochet’ is a dance floor filler with attitude. Don’t put away your flick knife comb yet ‘Be Your Baby’ is a howling good time. and this is only the first four on this must-own Cassette EP split!

Glitter Piss.  Hell yeah, what a great name. ‘Nothing To Lose’ is the sound of a band being fired out of a canon with their asses on fire.  fuckin’ champion tune. If youre not convinced yet then shove ‘Suck My Soul’ up your backside. Garage rock with attitude and a whole bunch of Riff-a-rama to boot – awesome stuff. when they say ‘Party Town’ sit up and listen for fucks sake.  Shaking like Iggy shitting on a hot tin roof this is a blast. With a final blast of VFM the eighth track crammed onto this split is the groovy ‘Not Like You’.  If I don’t hear another split all year it doesn’t matter because it can’t and won’t be better than this bad boy.  Now if you haven’t already rushed over to the link to buy a copy then what’s the matter with you?  Do it before they’re all gone.  You need this bad boy RPM Online Fact of the day #1.

Bandcamp

 

Mansion Harlots – ‘Happier Alone’ / ‘Until We Work It Out Tomorrow’ & ‘KUNM Sessions’(Magic Cat Records) Whilst doing the rounds to promote the Mansion HArlots record back in 2018 Baz and Rachel ended up in Luxembourg City at a radio station and laid down A quite exquisite rendition of ‘Happier Alone’ and ‘Until We Work It Out’ as Baz lets loose as part of his radio sessions found here.  Also last year Baz ended up in New Mexico where he recorded six tracks that make up the KUNM Sessions anyway Baz lets the music do the talking with a heartfelt and thunderous take on songs from across his solo album and Mansion Harlots.

‘Live, Raw as it is’ Baz is a unique talent with a fantastic sense of melody and a keen ear for a great delivery raw and live without a safety net it’s engaging and at times quite beautiful. ‘Until We Work It Out’ is a beautiful number and laid bare here sounds majestic and proves that the art of balladeering is alive and kicking as Baz is in fine form. As for the KUNM Sessions again yet more proof of the exquisite talent that is Baz Francis Duarte. ‘Eyes Of A Fool’ is chilling whilst ‘Panda Eyes’ stripped back works really well. A great melody is a great melody be it electric or acoustic and Baz knows how to write both. Lay back chill out and get an ear full of Mansion Harlots and Baz Francis Duarte you won’t regret it and if you’re here reading this you deserve it. Quality counts in a world that moves so fast sometimes music can be overlooked and we wouldn’t want you to miss out.  Hit em up folks.

Listen here

Dboy dish up awesome blast of Punk rock live in the studio

Dboy dish up awesome blast of Punk rock live in the studio

Three piece punk band DBoy, hailing from who knows where (allegedly Welland, ON), came by and blasted off one quarter of their latest album ‘New Records in Human Power’ – “Why Do You Only Luv a Dboy (Who’s Down?)” / “Thumbless” / “Red Ultra Glide”. Sideways opened its doors and arms to the boy, and in turn the boy gave us one hell of a performance.

We can’t get enough of em here at RPM and seeing as its Friday and it looks like the world is being derailed by a virus we thought you could drift away with this so check-in and drop out in self-isolation with DBoy.

 

DBOY | Instagram | spotify

 

RANCID Skeletim V2 Limited Edition Throbblehead & HR Bad Brain is back

RANCID Skeletim V2 Limited Edition Throbblehead & HR Bad Brain is back

We love pop culture here at RPM so why wouldn’t we be all over this bad boy.

SHIPPING NOW – ORDER HERE
Limited to 1000 hand-numbered figures
RANCID’s first “Skeletim” Throbblehead was such a hit, they asked them to make another one!
This version is limited to just 1000 hand-numbered units, stands at 7″ tall, and is made of a high quality polyresin.
Skeletim is rocking a studded denim jacket, black docs with white laces, and a lime green mohawk.
Whilst were on the subject of statues HR of Bad Brains is back!  ORDER HERE
 
The return of a classic from PressPop (Japan), this officially licensed figure of H.R. is made with PVC and ABS and has articulation in the neck. His shirt and pants are made from fabric. Designed by Sof’boy comic creator, Archer Prewitt. Comes in beautifully designed large box packaging. Sculpted by Japanese master sculptor, Tomohiro Yasui.

Therapy? – The Greatest Hits (Marshall Records)

Therapy? – The Greatest Hits (Marshall Records)

Enduring and endearing that’s the threesome that makeup Therapy? they’ve have never been ones to follow convention even when they do something quite conventional like releasing a greatest hits album.

‘The Greatest Hits’ takes tracks from throughout their career of highs and maybe not so highs. This their 30th-anniversary run sees this new album breathing a fresh breath of brutality into already fiery songs.  I’ve always seen Therapy? as an iron fist in a velvet glove kinda band.  they can write some right out and out abrasive in your face slabs of noise but they can also be touching and heartfelt whilst delivering that punch (if you know what I mean?)  Oh and before I forget it also comes with a bonus live album.  Always offering value for money. I always thought the old adage about Motorhead applied to Therapy? because they will survive after any holocaust along with the cockroaches then probably put on a show before feasting on the mites such is their dogged determination to push on and never stand still even when looking back at themselves and what they’ve achieved they twist it and push the boundaries rather than offering up some cut and pasted best of and that’s because they give a shit about their legacy, their fans and the future.

‘Teethgrinder’ is first up and with a sparkling production, it has to be said. The band worked with producer Chris Sheldon, who produced the original ‘Troublegum’ album as well as working on ‘Semi-Detached’, ‘High Anxiety’ and ‘Cleave’ so a safe pair of hands – someone who knew the band and what they were/are about and was able to give them that extra piece of x-factor needed on this project.  No cost spared as they headed for Abbey Road none the less and its paid off in spades.

The 12-track album includes all their UK hits including ‘Screamager’ and a reworking of ‘Diane’; Featuring James Dean Bradfield of the Manics.  I forgot how fuckin’ menacing ‘Turn’ sounds with that grinding bassline twisting the listener’s inner ear throughout.  The one thing that stands out is how damn fresh these songs sound.  They never suffered from a shit production but this is another level as 2020 sees songs reborn.  ‘Nowhere’ still sounds epic and a real rush of adrenaline.  I can’t help but feel there’s a little chuckle being made having James Dean Bradfield singing on ‘Die Laughing’  maybe they should have renamed it ‘Dai Laughing’.

‘Diane’ is one of my favourite song from the band and this new take is brilliant.  Welcome to the church of noise one and all and those old-timers this is a great celebration happening here and those new to this band you’re most welcome but where the fuck have you been you maniacs? Heres to the next milestone and something else from Therapy? Oh, I guess I should mention the bonus disc, well, that’s fifteen songs one from each album live as a bonus with the CD version. It’s a great time to be a fan of the band then with so much going on as they head out the door to promote their 30-year plan so you can see them after you’ve played this greatest hits package to death.

As far as greatest hits go this one is up there with the best in the noisy bastard genre. Still on fire – Still not compromising – Still doin’ the biz. Therapy? I love em

Greatest Hits (2020 Versions) here

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Author: Dom Daley

 

Biff Byford Cancels UK & European Tours

Biff Byford Cancels UK & European Tours
unfortunately, Biff Byford announces the cancellation of his UK and European Tour dates.

We are very sorry to announce the cancellation of the BIFF BYFORD solo tour previously scheduled for April & May 2020. The cancellation is mainly due to low ticket sales, which may or may not have been affected by the current Worldwide Covid 19 Virus pandemic.
Biff Byford “The honest truth is the tickets for the forthcoming tour have just not sold as everyone expected for whatever reason, so we have cancelled the dates as scheduled with a view to hopefully re-visiting at a later date.
It’s sad as I was looking forward to the spoken word & live band show but it’s just not to be at this time. I want to thank everyone who bought the album and supported me. Keep the faith and see you on the road with Saxon”
The show was to take an “evening with” format and will be split into two halves. The first half featured a spoken word show compared by American Comedian and star of VH1 Classic’s “That Metal Show” DON JAMIESON, where Don would quiz Biff on all aspects of his life and career. The second half consisted of a live show with Biff and his band.
Ticket refunds are available from point of purchase.
Follow Biff –  facebook.com/biffsaxon747; facebook.com/saxon twitter.com/biff_byford; twitter.com/SaxonOfficial www.saxon747.com

The Lovely Egg – New video, tour , album

The Lovely Egg – New video, tour , album

For the last two years, The Lovely Eggs have sat back and watched England and the rest of the planet slowly eat itself. Their new album ‘I am Moron’ is the result of their observations, a relentless analysis of a modern culture that is bringing the world to its knees.

 

‘This Decision’ is the first taste of that new album – an outright attack on greed and mindless consumerism and a fierce defence of a no-frills lifestyle they have chosen to pursue. ‘This Decision’ goes further than capturing the zeitgeist of Brexit Britain. It’s about choice and the lack of choice in society. This decision is all mine. Is it?

 

Today we get to see the video for ‘This Decision’, a song that has already been supported on the airwaves by broadcasters of fine taste such as Iggy Pop, Marc Riley, Steve Lamacq, Chris Hawkins, Tom Robinson and John Kennedy at Radio X and the swirling, cacophony of images and psychedelic psychosis resonating from the video perfectly represent the song’s seething two-minute-and-fifty-seconds of rage.

 

“For the video we wanted something with the pedal to the frigging floor,” explains frontwoman Holly Ross. “The track is pretty intense so we wanted something to match that and to take a pop at the moronic relentless capitalist culture that we’re surrounded by these days.”

 

‘I am Moron’ is the follow up to their critically acclaimed 2017 album ‘This is Eggland’. It is their second album co-produced and mixed by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, MGMT, Tame Impala) and continues their journey through Eggland into the unknown.

 

Throughout their 13-year career, The Lovely Eggs have embraced isolation. Both metaphorically and geographically the married couple have chosen to shun the social conventions of normal life and dedicated their band and their life to the pursuit of what feels right.

 

Operating out of their hometown of Lancaster, The Lovely Eggs are lonely pioneers and self-confessed kings of idiocy. Working in an industry whose currency is money, success and nepotism, The Lovely Eggs want none of it. They call out everything fake and plastic about the music industry and demand you to re-evaluate on their terms.

 

They’re undoubtedly the most real band in Britain, operating in a world when true authenticity is hard to find. They have also spent more time on hold to the Working Tax credit hotline than any other band on the planet.

 

‘I Am Moron’ was self recorded by the band in Lancaster (“The Twin Peaks of Northern England”) between Lancaster Musicians Co-op and their home. During the recording, Lancaster Musicians Co-op was threatened with closure, so the band put their album on hold to fight the eviction.

 

While the band were writing the album, they became fascinated by the Mars One program- a global project which aims to establish a permanent human settlement on Mars. Applicants are offered a one-way ticket- never to see earth again. This fascinated Holly and David who drew parallels between this mission and their own isolation as a band.

 

Continuing the heaviness of ‘This is Eggland’. ‘I am Moron’ brings more depth to their sound bringing with it a mix of heavy psych, pop and strangeness. Some songs flicker between an earthly realism and the otherworldly loneliness of a one-way space mission. While in contrast, ‘Insect Repellent’ launches a gonzo-style attack against the middle classes and Bearpit questions the essence of working-class freedom.

 

With no booking agent, manager, record label or publisher The Lovely Eggs are truly independent. And this isn’t due to economics. This is by design. From day one. And support for them is snowballing. They are selling out bigger and bigger venues and more eggheads are joining them in their crusade against bullshit.

 

Their songs have been produced by Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals), remixed by Tjinder Singh (Cornershop) and sampled by Zane Lowe for Scroobius Pip. With releases in the UK, Europe, USA and Japan, The Lovely Eggs have played hundreds of gigs around the UK, USA and Europe.

 

Released on limited edition 7” vinyl and accompanied by mind melting artwork designed by Casey Raymond, This Decision is a powerful harsh hit at reality. The Lovely Eggs say it how it is. They’ve never been afraid to swim against the current and now they’ve got an army of fans behind them.

 

Welcome to their world. This Is Eggland!

Catch The Lovely Eggs live in April 2020 for the ‘I am Moron’ UK album tour:

 

April 2020

Thur 9               The Cluny, Newcastle

Fri 10                 The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds *SOLD OUT*

Sat 11               The Castle and Falcon, Birmingham

Sun 12               The Bullingdon, Oxford

Mon 13             The Fleece, Bristol

Tues 14            The Loft, Southampton

Wed 15             The Portland Arms, Cambridge *SOLD OUT*

Thur 16            Komedia, Brighton

Fri 17                 The Garage, London

Sat 18                Gorilla, Manchester *SOLD OUT*

 

May 2020

Fri 1                   The Mash House, Edinburgh

Sat 2                   CCA, Glasgow

 

Tickets available HERE:

 

Order the This Decision single HERE:

Physical pre-order link HERE:

 

Find The Lovely Eggs online at: WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM

The Fuzztones- ‘Raw Heat’ (Bang Records)

The Fuzztones- ‘Raw Heat’ (Bang Records)

Before I start this review I have a confession to make, I’m a bit of a fan of the Fuzztones, Lysergic Emanations has been played to death as have virtually every other LP in their back catalogue, and my excitement levels went through the roof when this baby landed in my inbox, especially with the accompanying record company Blurb.

 

“The Real Sound of “In Heat“: the disclaimer on the album states, “NOT produced by Shel Talmy” (The Who, Kinks). The original version of the album “In Heat” as it was intended to sound.”

 

For the uninitiated, THE FUZZTONES have been around for over 30 years, call them under-ground, call them psychedelic?  Call them the band that brought Garage Rock back into fashion.  Though originally from New York City, they were massively embraced by Europe, where the fuzzed out retro vibe really hits home. Now remember when In Heat first came out it was back in 1989 at the peak of the garage revival, when bands like the Chesterfield Kings, Lyres and Cynics were all the rage.

 

So here we go polished up, fuzzed out re-mastered and everything you could want from a modern day masterpiece, as this now sounds. What hits you straight away is how fresh it now sounds, and on first listen there are things that jump out for example “What you don’t know” comes from that classic Lords of the New Church Blueprint, before it takes off and moves into a huge guitar laden climax.

 

As I’m pulling thoughts together, smiling to myself, influences start to come to mind, Chocolate Watch Band, 13TH Floor Elevators, Strawberry Alarm clock from the psychedelic sixties, early 70’s, but blend them into a Stooges led Iggy, add in a definite punk rock and roll attitude “ala” the Cramps and you end up with the classic “In Heat”, worth buying the LP for this track alone!!! I mean any tracks with the opening lyric “I’m a big bad wolf, can’t you here me howl?’ how much more rock and roll could you be.

 

This LP deserves a place in every ones collection!! the swamp boogie, New Orleans sound of “Nine months later” with it’s nod to the bubblegum pop of the 60’s chorus is a real thing of beauty. While  “You must be a witch” is just garage rock perfection, the organ tempered down sitting properly within the song. I suppose this LP keeps drawing me into Cramps style comparisons, if you’re a fan of one then the other will definitely appeal. I could go on talking through the other tracks, but if you’ve read this far, this LP is definitely for you, what an LP, re-mastered, up to date, vibrant and in your face, now lets get them back into the UK preferably with the resurgent Hypnotics on the same bill, what a double header that would be, Happy days.

But ‘Raw Heat’ Here

Author: Nev Brooks

Bullets And Octane announce April Pre Orders for new album

Bullets And Octane announce April Pre Orders for new album

US hard rock band, BULLETS AND OCTANE, have announced the release of their new full length album “Riot Riot Rock N Roll” worldwide physical and digitally on April 24th via Bad MoFo Records/Cargo Records UK. The new single and music video for the first single ‘Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog‘, co-written with ex Buckcherry guitarist Keith Nelson will be available on March 20th, 2020.

Riot Riot Rock N Roll is the follow up release to 2018’s “Waking Up Dead” from LA rockers Bullets and Octane and can be pre-ordered here

Riot Riot Rock N Roll is a energetic take no prisoners rock and roll album with 10 new tracks.

Bullets and Octane did extensive touring for “Waking Up Dead” that included 5 European Tours and a US tour. Opening slots for CKY and festival appearances at Malmo Festival in Sweden and Call Of The Wild in the UK helped build an already rabid fan base.

During the time on the road the band wrote the new album “Riot Riot Rock N Roll” in which guitarist Felipe Rodrigo says “This is the heaviest and best Bullets album to date”.

BULLETS AND OCTANE is:

Gene Louis – vocals
Felipe Rodrigo – guitar, backing vocals
Zachary Kibbee – bass, backing vocals
Jonny Udell – drums

Bullets and Octane exploded onto the scene in 2003 with their debut EP “One Night Stand Rock N Roll Band” on Critereon Records. 2004 saw the 2nd EP “Bullets And Octane” and their debut album “The Revelry” produced by Gilby Clarke of Guns And Roses also on Critereon Records. In 2005-2006 they Supported Avenged Sevenfold in America and Europe on the City Of Evil Tour.

2006 was a big year for the band as they were signed to RCA/BMG Records. They released their first major label album “In The Mouth Of The Young“, which was produced by Page Hamilton of Helmet. They played The Download Festival and where on “The Family Values Tour” with Korn, Stone Sour, Flyleaf and Deftones. They headlined their own UK tour as well.

2007 saw them Leave RCA for Ares Records, released “Songs For The Underdog” album and tour with Unwritten Law. They had headlining UK Tour with The Knives that year as well. In 2009 they released “Bullets and Octane ” a full length album and Toured the U.K. with Gunfire 76 (Wednesday 13’s project).

In 2016 they played Lost Highway motorcycle show and concert with Social Distortion, Foghat and Eagles Of Death Metal as well as releasing a new song “Burning At Both Wicks“.

In 2017 back at it full time with a solid line up, released songs and videos for “Bad Mother Fucker” and “Waking Up Dead“, headlined a very successful tour of the U.K and Sweden. They finished the “Waking Up Dead” album and played a string of successful shows in Hollywood, Orange County and Las Vegas.

In 2018 they are looking to release the album “Waking Up Dead“. They are already slated to headline U.K. dates and Sweden dates in February to kick off the 20 Year anniversary of the band with what has been touted as the most solid line up in it’s history.

www.facebook.com/BulletsAndOctane

Girls In Synthesis – debut album due to be released May 22nd & Video

Girls In Synthesis – debut album due to be released May 22nd & Video

London trio Girls In Synthesis have today announced details of their debut album ‘Now Here’s An Echo From Your Future’, due to be released May 22nd on Harbinger Sound.

Following a steady stream of ultra-limited 7” singles, that were collated together in 2019 for the ‘Pre/Post: A Collection 2016-2018’ on Louder Than War, the bands highly-anticipated debut album, by those that know, arrives with the first bitter taste of new single ‘Pressure’; one-minute-and-fifty-four seconds of screeching feedback, tribal drums and unbridled rage that is exactly the shot in the arm and the boot up the arse this nation, if not the world, needs right now.

 

“In both music and lyrical content this song sets out to capture the unrelenting pressures of living in the modern world,” explains vocalist and guitarist Jim. “The pressures and expectations of which ‘they’ force upon you – with the apparent realisation that you will never be what they want you to be. “Pressure, the twist of the gut, as one door opens another fucking shuts”

Since forming in late 2016, Girls In Synthesis have quickly forged a fearsome reputation as one of the most exciting and volatile live acts in London. In equal parts frantic, considered, ear-splitting and melodic, the group take their cues from the early DIY punk and post-punk pioneers to keep everything in-house; artwork, videos, performances and recordings are created entirely by the group and their handful of trusted collaborators, under a bedrock of heavy, bludgeoning, dark, post-punk.

‘Now Here’s An Echo From Your Future’ is their first release for fabled experimental punk label Harbinger Sound and finds the band advancing their sound, making subtle but experimental shifts in texture and tone, helping to break free from the shackled straight-jacket of punk rock that, to be fair, never really held them down in the first place.

Across the album’s ten songs, Girls In Synthesis explore a wide range of sensations and sounds as the album detonates into life with opening track ‘Arterial Movements’ in a screeching flurry of over-driven guitar and hammering drums. The contrast between the slow, mesmerising look into aging and dying in ‘Human Frailty’ (‘The realisation that you cannot halt their impending death’), to the aggressive attack on the rise of the right-wing in ‘They’re Not Listening’ (‘The time-old tradition of the right wing accosting desperate working class people has returned’) shows a wide range of subjects and reactions aggressively tackled. Mental health in a fast-moving, unforgiving world, media control, the divide widening between the have and the have nots, the class divide, the blaming of the poor, NHAEFYF bristles with an unforgiving frustration and temper.

 

The recording of NHAEFYF started at Rockit Studio, Hull in April 2019 during days off on the UK tour to promote the ‘Pre/Post’ compilation album. The Hull sessions were engineered by studio owner and local musician Sean Tomlinson. The remainder of the album was recorded and engineered by the band throughout summer 2019 in a large rehearsal room at Gun Factory studios, Homerton. Production and finishing touches were completed at GIS bassist John’s S.I.C.K Studio in Hither Green. The album was mixed by long-time band collaborator and engineer, Max Walker (currently studying at Abbey Road). The album was mastered by Brett Shaw at 123 Studios, Peckham.

In their few years of existence, fans and critics alike have been stunned by the bands pure visceral and punishing wall of sound, as well as applauding the groups way of making a GIS show an all-inclusive experience; playing from within the crowd to create a unique and awe-inspiring spectacle.

 

Being hand-picked to support acts as diverse as Damo Suzuki, Slaves, Bad Breeding, Warmduscher and Wolf Alice has seen a widening of the groups fan base. Sold out headline shows across the UK have led to frantic and chaotic performances, and packed, sweaty venues, the word is getting out and spreading rapidly. Catch GIS while you can and witness the rise of one of the UK’s most original and unique underground bands.