Gyasi – Androgyne (Escaped Peacock Records)

Gyasi – Androgyne (Escaped Peacock Records)

 

You can forget about your boot boy Glam of Guida or any other pretenders who think they have their finger on the pulse of ’70s glam rock vibe because there can be only one at the top of the pile and quite frankly that’s Gyasi. From the opening intro and lyric come the wise words “if you can’t hide it hang bells on it, Baby!” Hell yeah! we’re off.

With a trashy tempo ‘Colourful’ is up and running. The title track is up next with its big strumming acoustic guitar holding the rhythm along with handclaps and some sweet organ toots its glam alright like when the 60s turned into the 70s and it was all about the music.  Excellent stuff.

As the record goes from a fruity early Joe Perry like riff or the Zep inspired ‘Young Love’ to the out and out glam of ‘Tongue Tied’ the band kick back and mix up some classic Lower East Side rock and roll al a Lou Reed stylings on ‘Blackstrap’ its got some lush horns and matching riff which makes for an interesting and enjoyable cocktail for sure.

To be fair this album has ten really good tunes it might not necessarily make album of the year it is full of solid rock and roll songs that are well written and well played and borrow bits and pieces from the good and the great from a bygone era – given a dust down and remodeled with extra feathers is always going to go down well around here.  I do like what they bring on ‘Bring Your Love’ mixing up the acoustic and electric guitars and summoning the spirit of prime time Robert Plant draws on some classic trippy rock as well. ‘Nightcrawl’ has a cool organ rasping away on the intro like John Lord in platforms and feathers with a nice line in nail polish and listening to classic Iggy Pop when he went to Berlin for inspiration.

Saving the best until the end ‘Kiss Kiss’ is a piano tonkin’ sax blowing romp that the Dolls would have been proud of and ‘Little Tramp’ is sitting crossed legged with only ‘Hunky Dory’ for companionship atop of a mountain.  great record go pick it up glam slammers.

Author: Dom Daley

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Buy Androgyne Here

ANVIL head back to the UK for a 17 date tour March 2020

ANVIL head back to the UK for a 17 date tour March 2020


Of course there are bands that have garnered higher chart positions, sold more albums and filled bigger venues than Anvil. Yet there are few metal acts that have earned as much respect from their colleagues as the Canadian act surrounding vocalist/guitarist Steve ´Lips` Kudlow, Robb Reiner and Chris Robertson.

The most renowned Anvil aficionados include, among others, international stars such as Metallica and the late Lemmy of Motörhead, who have expressed their unreserved admiration time and again.

Expect a romp around the country in sold out, sweaty, hard rocking/metal shows to tell your mates about from these living legends that are an inspiration to many.

Tickets go on sale 24th September and will be available from the venues and various ticket outlets as listed on the band’s website Here

Special guests are yet to be announced.

March 2020:
4th Bannermans, Edinburgh
5th Flowerpot, Derby
6th Tivoli, Buckley
7th Nightrain, Bradford
8th Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
9th Academy3, Manchester
11th Limelight 2, Belfast
12th Voodoo Lounge, Dublin
13th Queens Hall, Nuneaton
14th Lantern, Halifax
15th Cobblestones, Bridgwater
17th Level 3, Swindon
18th Exchange, Bristol
19th The Haunt, Brighton
20th The 1865, Southampton
21st O2 Academy, Islington
22nd Y Llew Coch & Y Plas Machynlleth

http://www.anvil-metal-pounders-union.com/
https://twitter.com/AnvilMetal666
https://www.instagram.com/anvil.metal/

Dinosaur Pile Up announce extra date

Dinosaur Pile Up announce extra date

O2 PRE-SALE – WEDS OCT 2nd
For early access pre-sale sign up here:
VIA http://www.dinosaurpileup.com/

GENERAL SALE – FRI OCT 4th
VIA MYTICKET

DECEMBER UK HEADLINE TOUR
**SOLD OUT**

Dinosaur Pile-Up have announced a landmark headline show at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town on April 3rd. Tickets are available on O2 pre-sale on Wednesday October 2nd, and go on general sale on Friday October 4th via MyTicket.

Regarding the show frontman Matt Bigland says, “We’re blown away to be headlining the Forum. Just so so pumped. Some of the best shows I’ve ever seen have been in that room, and we’ve supported countless bands there, and the fact that we’re now going to headline that stage is something we’re really grateful for and super f***ing excited about. It’s our turn, and I can’t wait to play on that stage.”

They announce the Forum on the back of selling out their forthcoming UK headline tour in December in support of the critically acclaimed new album Celebrity Mansions out now on Parlophone.

The new album has seen Dinosaur Pile-Up lay claim to 2019 as one of the UK’s most exciting and talked about rock bands.

Dinosaur Pile-Up recently completed a monumental nine week US tour, which saw them play 37-dates, as they toured arenas across the country with Shinedown before embarking on their first ever headline tour of the country.

On return to the UK the band jumped straight into Reading & Leeds Festival where they performed as the specially requested guests of Radio 1’s Dan P Carter.

Celebrity Mansions’ singles ‘Back Foot’, ‘Thrash Metal Cassette’ and ‘K West’ have all received great support from Radio 1, so much so the band made a ‘Back Foot’ jingle for the Breakfast show following the song being added to the Radio 1 playlist. The singles have also made the playlists of Radio X and ‘Back Foot’ is now proving a hit in the States and is the highest UK entry in the Active Rock Chart at No.5.

Before embarking on their forthcoming UK headline tour, the band are heading back across the Atlantic to play arenas in Canada on a 14-date tour with The Offspring and Sum 41 next month. Full Dinosaur Pile-Up tour dates can be found below:

DINOSAUR PILE-UP TOUR DATES

CANADA (W) THE OFFSPRING & SUM 41
NOVEMBER
12th – Halifax, Scotiabank Centre
13th – Moncton, Avenir Centre
15th – St Catharines, Meridian Centre
16th – Sudbury, Sudbury Arena
17th – Laval, Place Bell
19th – Sault Ste Marie, GFL Memorial Gardens
21st – Winnipeg, Bell MTS Place
22nd – Moose Jaw, Mosaic Place
23rd – Medicine Hat, Canalta Centre
27th – Cranbrook, Western Financial Place
29th – Penticton, South Okanagan Events Centre
30th – Abbotsford, Abbotsford Centre
DECEMBER
2nd – Kamloops, Sandman Centre

DECEMBER UK HEADLINE TOUR **SOLD OUT**
6th – Bristol, Exchange
8th – Birmingham, Institute
9th – Glasgow, Garage (Attic Bar)
10th – Manchester, Academy 3
11th – London, Scala

APRIL
3rd – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town

BLACK STAR RIDERS/ THIN LIZZY’S RICKY WARWICK ANNOUNCE AUCTION TO SUPPORT CANCER FUND FOR CHILDREN TO START TODAY

BLACK STAR RIDERS/ THIN LIZZY’S RICKY WARWICK ANNOUNCE AUCTION TO SUPPORT CANCER FUND FOR CHILDREN TO START TODAY

Legendary guitarist and front-man of iconic rock bands Black Star Riders and Thin Lizzy is set to auction his denim cut off jacket to the highest bidder to support the excellent work Cancer Fund For Children are doing to help patients and families throughout the hardest time of their lives.

Ricky Warwick will auction off the denim cut off he wore on stage during the Thin Lizzy summer shows in 2019. The jacket features a design of Black Rose by Zoe Hinton and it is signed by all members of the band: Ricky Warwick, Scott Gorham, Darren Wharton, Damon Johnson, Troy Sanders, Scott Travis. All the proceeds will be donates to the charity, which desperately needs funding, receiving only 0.5% of government help.

The auction starts in 1stOctober 2019 at 10:00 AM PST and will take place on the Black Star Riders Facebook page. Bidders need to send an email to ace@sirenmanagement.comwith their bid and their contact details (shipping and handling costs will be included).  The auction will end on 31stOctober at midnight PST.  The highest bidder at that time will be notified and settlement made.

Ricky Warwick comments: “This is a wonderful charity doing many good things and helping kids who have been diagnosed with cancer, they recently helped a good friend of mine who’s young daughter had been diagnosed and helped her fight and overcome this terrible illness. Please help them to continue doing the wonderful work they do.”

Based in Northern Ireland, Cancer Fund For Children, offers support to families and patients and aims to empower, connect and strengthen them, so they feel equipped to deal with whatever the future may hold.

Further info on the charity are available – Here
You can access the auction here –Facebook

WARBRINGER Premieres Explosive New Single ‘Firepower Kills’!

WARBRINGER Premieres Explosive New Single ‘Firepower Kills’!

L.A. thrashers’ sixth album due in February; marathon tour with Enforcer continues this Fall!

Three weeks into their ongoing 54-shows-in-54-days co-headlining tour with Enforcer, the Los Angeles-based thrash quintet WARBRINGER has released a new single, “Firepower Kills.” The song can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Music and other digital platforms

WARBRINGER‘s new album will serve as the follow-up to 2017’s “Woe To The Vanquished,” which Metal Hammer said “delivers all the pounding riffage and machine-gun tempos a thrash freak could want.” The as-yet-untitled new record – which was helmed by returning producer Mike Plotnikoff (In Flames, Fear Factory, All That Remains) and mastered once again by Howie Weinberg (Anthrax, Slayer, Overkill) – will be coming out on Napalm Records and marks the band’s first full-length release with bassist Chase Bryant (Oni), who joined the group last year.

“’Firepower Kills’ is the album opener and is a rapid-fire thrash burner, with both lyrics and music following the theme of the rapidly evolving and really frightening side of technology. We’ve been playing this tune nightly on the current tour and it’s been highly well-received,” explains Warbringer vocalist John Kevill. “We are right in the middle of this massive North American tour with Enforcer and have left a wake of fire over much of the continent. More updates on Warbringer incoming… yes, the future looks bright!”

 

Over the past dozen years, WARBRINGER has released five acclaimed albums of intense, aggressive thrash and toured with a who’s who of metal, including Megadeth, Testament, Obituary, Napalm Death, Exodus, Suffocation, Overkill, Arch Enemy, Kreator, Soilwork, Municipal Waste, Skeletonwitch, Destruction, Nevermore, Symphony X, Iced Earth and Death Angel, among others. More information on the group’s forthcoming album will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

Remaining North American Tour Dates –

 

10/01/2019 The Foundry – Philadelphia, PA

10/02/2019 Dingbatz – Clifton, NY

10/03/2019 The Chance – Poughkeepsie, NY

10/04/2019 Kingsland – Brooklyn, NY

10/05/2019 Blackthorn 51 – Elmhurst, NY

10/06/2019 Fish Head Cantina – Halethorpe, MD

10/07/2019 Cattivo – Pittsburgh, PA

10/08/2019 Canal Club – Richmond, VA

10/09/2019 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN

10/10/2019 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA

10/11/2019 Motorco – Durham, NC

10/12/2019 The Haven – Winter Park, FL

10/13/2019 O’Malley’s – Margate, FL

10/14/2019 Crowbar – Ybor City, FL

10/15/2019 Southport Music Hall – New Orleans, LA

10/16/2019 Scout Bar – Houston, TX

10/17/2019 Rock Box – San Antonio, TX

10/18/2019 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX

10/19/2019 Trees – Dallas, TX

10/20/2019 Aftershock – Merriam, KS

10/21/2019 The Shrine – Tulsa, OK

10/22/2019 89th Street Collective – Oklahoma City, OK

10/23/2019 Launch Pad – Albuquerque, NM

10/24/2019 Herman’s Hideaway – Denver, CO

10/25/2019 Liquid Joe’s – Salt Lake City, UT

10/26/2019 Backstage Bar and Billiards – Las Vegas, NV

10/27/2019 The Rock – Tucson, AZ

10/28/2019 Club Red – Tempe, AZ

For More Info Visit:
www.facebook.com/Warbringermusic
www.warbringermusic.com
www.napalmrecords.com

 

Pardon Us – Wait (Self Release)

Pardon Us – Wait (Self Release)

Pardon us are a pop-punk band from Liverpool who formed in 2014. Some of their members have also played in Flamingo 50, the Down and Outs and Town Bike (No I’ve not heard of them either but I have heard of Pardon Us). They can be seen on the bills of DIY gigs, festivals and all-dayers around the UK, and are often compared to Jawbreaker, J Church and Off With Their Heads (mmm Nah me neither). This is their debut long-player and it’s been worth the wait let me tell you.  If you’ve never heard of them until you read this then let me give you my take on ‘Wait’.

‘Wait’ is the work of three people who make a very tasty racket, very tasty indeed.  Its loud (hooray) its got melody (hooray) some great lyrics and the album is full of fuckin’ bangers.  Drawing their inspiration from a load of places there are moments of classic Jam happening and also some early punk roots like Husker Du and I’m also having shards of Stiff Little Fingers punching through their wall of sound. I love the simplicity of ‘Brains’ with the gang backing vocals and raw guitar these boys know how to write top tunes.  At times it’s so raw its savage but its always wrapped in a melody which is where I get my SLF and Jam influences from. There is an air of joir de Vivre about it, they’ve penned ten pop songs and played them through distorted guitars with a reckless edge and youthful abandonment at times it could be some britpop fops playing punky or a Supergrass in the melodies songs like ‘Brains’ have a touch of the Jam about them if they went pub rock instead of soul boys.  The arrangements impress me with the gang vocals and attack on the riffage being just loud guitars and not using a wall of virtual sound technologies. ‘Counting Backwards’ is like screaming on top of a mountain and then rolling down it like a big kid and without a care in the world. 

 

I go back to my influence obsession and will site Husker Du and throw in a Replacements (a little bit at least when they were young) and some Buffalo Tom as well on ‘Thankful’.  The Scouse accent comes through loud and clear and I like that on ‘Phil Ochs’.  ‘If The Black Shirt Fits’ is off like a speeding bullet and the vocals are stretched to the limit. Raw and passionate it’s one of the best tracks on the record for sure.  when I stumbled across the singles a while back I found the band really exciting and the album has realised those expectations and that pleases me greatly because after all said and done and all the musical comparisons I could muster Pardon Us is fresh and exciting and the main thing is the songs are bloody good and that’s job done for me. Signing off with ‘We Are The Champions’ is a good place to finish seeing as its true these three are indeed champions.  If they rock up in your town go see em and tell em RPM sent you – you won’t be disappointed – great album!

Buy Wait Here

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Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

With a bunch of fantastic album reviews coming up this week heres a taste of whats coming up as we review the new Dead Furies album but heres something off their last album just to tide you over.

 

This week we also have the brand new Starcrawler album for review and its a banger trust us.  so heres a teaser from that

To round it off try Gyasi for size with their new album reviewed these cats have got it going on

45 RPM – Singles Club Round Up

45 RPM – Singles Club Round Up

 

Another month another visit to the jukebox to see what sevens are spinning round the RPM Jukebox.  this month sees a mixed bag with some of our favorites knocking out 45s and some welcome new bands dipping their toes in the water.  We love a 45 and this month sees some tasty singles. In no particular order this lot are well worth checking out.

Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour – ‘(Everybody Needs) A Friend’ (King Outlaw Records) What a reet little corker this is.  Not expecting a tune this good to come from camp Tyla but hey, here it is, its a gentle rock and roller with all those vital ingredients that were required in the 80s and beyond. It’s got the sloppy rock n roll edge you know you want to hear when Tylas familiar vocal comes in.  ruffle your hair (if you can) get out of bed put this on and you’re good to go. It’s backed by live renditions of ‘111’ with the band firing on all cylinders and you also get an exceptional atmospheric live take on the epic ‘Bullet Proof Poet’ part acoustic part electric but it melts into ‘Angel’ to create a pretty epic eight minutes that makes this worth the price of a pint any day of the week.  Still got it , still relevant, still rockin’? Absofuckinlutely! don’t ever doubt it! Pick it up Here

Suicide Generation – Prisoner Of Love (Surfin ‘Ki Records/ Family Spree/Spaghetty Town Records/Wanda Records) Another day another absolute killer record from Suicide Generation.  This time they’ve got some seriously good labels to share the love around with each label having its own coloured vinyl.  Three tracks of classic Suicide Generation it’s wild, loud and a whole lot of fun in the tradition of Garage Punks from The Stooges to the Damneds debut via channeling some Lux interior   Suicide Generation are an explosion of the finest noise currently making exciting records that you would be foolish to ignore.

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Razorbats – White Trash Radio Another slice of Prime Norweigan Rock and Roll with their usual mix of HArd Rock some classic Rock and a generous slice of power pop a melody and hook to die for Razorbats always deliver and this one is a beauty.  An instant hook on the chorus that you can sing along to and a breakdown that sounds like Had the Police been a ’70s inspired glam Rock outfit then they might have penned this bad boy.

Don’t be daft it’s one single do yourself a favour and go discover your new favourite band from Norway – you can thank me later and if this is a taste of what’s to come then I can’t wait for the next album on this form it will be a real contender. Facebook

 

Paradise Alley/Plastic Tears – Class of ’92 (Self Release) Turning back the clock Paradise Alley look back all (Plastic) teary-eyed at ’92. It’s a romping glam slammer and these two bands have teamed up to make what might just be the best song for both bands to be fair.  Call it nostalgia call it some old rockers just not wanting to go quietly into the night but whatever the reason for the regrouping of Paradise Alley songs like this makes it worthwhile.  Sounding like 69 Eyes used to sound isn’t a bad place to hitch your wagon and anyone can join in on the chorus.

Available as a CD from the band for the handsome price of £3 so hit em up glamsters and pull on those cowboy boots n backcomb your hair its time to get rockin’

Lauren Tate – What About The Kids (Trash Queen Records) Second single taken off her debut album Lauren Tate heads off in a differnet direction that will have fans purring at her new direction and diversity.  Check out the new album details on her website Here

Los Pepes – Automatic / Here Comes The Darkness (Wanda and Beluga Records) Los Pepes have joined Beluga Records for a guest 7inch record, to support there euro tour. Still the loudest powerpop band on earth…the Motörhead of powerpop! No hit wonder 60s and 70s garage pop melodies drowning in a wall of punk rock guitar. With four new tracks on this 7″.

‘Automatic’ is the best song The Hellacopters never wrote.  Man has Ben ever written a duff track?  Of course he hasn’t and this EP is another blinder Catchy, Melodic, loud and smack bang on the money. They’ve even had time to nip back to the 1960s and nick a Small Faces inspired tune ‘Here Comes The Darkness’ but thats not to say this is Rock and Roll isn’t up to scratch because it isn’t its a splash of fury, 12 bar at breakneck speed wham, bang, thank you, man! and ‘your Justice’  is pure Los Pepes coasting on a wave of everything they’re great at.  Another essential single from London’s finest.

Buy Here

Crapsons – Who’ll Babysit The Goths? (Self Release) In the good old spirit of DIY meet these pair of Herberts from The Wirral with their punk rock noise.  Enjoy!

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Baby Shakes – Cause A Scene (Surfin ‘Ki Records) Features a previously unreleased B side of the Teenage Head track ‘Tearin’ Me Apart’ available in several coloured records this Garage punk rock and roll banger is available Here With a Racey rockin drum beat on the intro its more poppwer than power pop but its sickly sweet and a beautiful thing and well worth checking out. Baby Shakes always do Rock and Roll with a tonne of melody and attitude and the solo is bitchin as they say in some rock and roll quarters.

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Fast Eddy – Toofer One (Spaghetty Town Records/Boulevard Trash) You want Rock and Roll with loud guitars then Spaghetty Town have unopened another cracker in the shape of Fast Eddy.  Having your EP Produced and endorsed by Tuk from Biters is something to wear on your denim cut off. Coming outta Denver these four (named after their Drug Dealer) they’ve been weaned on the best stuff money can buy no not drugs I mean Rock and Roll.  From the power-pop with loud guitars of ‘Hurricane Alley’ its got all the vital ingredients to sustain life from the kickin harmonies on the pre-chorus to the solos and guitar licks that cover the tune its all killer no filler. ‘Milwaukee’ is a distant relative of the Faces if they were born stateside and they saved the best til last as ‘Lost’ is the best tune of the month pure 100% Rock and Roll with energy aplenty its just sunshine on a 45.  Awesome

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The Gotham Rockets – Blast Off (Rum Bar Records/Murry Sounds) When you name check being past as members of The Devil Dogs, The Fleshtones, Jack Black, The Prissteens, Simon & The Bar Sinisters, The Swingin’ Neckbreakers, The Trash Mavericks, and The Waldos, Of course, RPM is gonna be interested in what you have to offer.  From the awesome horn honkin’ on ‘What’s Done Is Done’ via the bad boy boogie of ‘Bad With Girls’ this is the bomb. ‘Rip this Night’ is a slice of classic heads down and jive talk and duck walk as we hand jive through the next three minutes of rock and roll. What a great slice of rock and roll and with added sax appeal its gotta come highly recommended and we endorse it 100%

The Empty Hearts – Coat Tailer (Wicked Cool Records) Just another Cool as tune from these power-pop giants. ‘Coat Tailer’ is a sprightly humdinger with some great harmonies and sharp solos but theres enough bit in that guitar riff and its got Clem Burke on the drum kit.  It’s great to have them back making new music and they’ve found the perfect label for their well-rounded sound.

The B Side is a light Beatles esque tune with more great vocals as it just sort of reminds me of walking through a park kicking leaves carefree.  The Empty Hearts doing what they do best writing great power pop – Result.

Available on glow in the dark vinyl – Cool.  Buy it  Here

 

45 Rally – Bigly (Rum Bar Records)  Switzerland’s garage rock sensations 45 RALLY have taken all of their song titles from presidential tweets. But in keeping up with their Swiss heritage, they have decided to remain politically neutral. The music here, a combination of Bubble Gum, Garage Rock, Country and Punk was created for everyone’s listening pleasure.  So to all of  our Conservative, Liberal and Moderate fans,  it’s time to unite! Grab your earbuds, some chocolate and hit the slopes with TWEETS FOR MY SWEET by 45 RALLY! With an equally swing yer pants video this is happy garage for sure.

Screamer – Halo (the Sign Records) Heavy Fuckin’ Metal! make no bones about it folk Screamer aren’t nu metal or Death Metal they just rock like a steam train.  Fist pumpin’, Denim, and leather-clad, long-haired, metalheads.  think Tank think Motorhead think Tysondog think real metal.  Screamer do no frills metal and its Rockin’. with a new album that has a man with wings on a horse al thats missing is some fire and a weapon like a mace or a hammer and they’d be all in. The album is due this month and its called ‘Highway Of Halos’ get on it.

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Right Hand Left Hand – Chacabuco (Bubblewrap Collective) clocking in at the most unsingle like length of a couple of seconds under seven minutes and two minutes elapse before former Estrons singer Taliesyn Kallstrom joins the party.  Post-Rock duo Right Hand Left Hand are back with a brand new album. Following on from their self-titled, Welsh Music Prize-nominated second album, their third offering, ‘Zone Rouge’, tells the story of humanity’s contempt for the earth beneath us, the air above us and the people around us. Layers of guitars and driving drums are the order of the day married with ambient space in between call it art rock or post-punk indie but one thing it does is build and build.

’Chacabuco’ is available to buy and stream digitally on 27th September. The album will follow on 15th November 2019. It will be available digitally, on CD, and on limited edition double clear vinyl. They launch the album with a show at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff on the 13th of November, more info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/400022130707013/?ti=cl

Alice Cooper – The Breadcrumbs EP (earMUSIC) 12″ six tracks from the Coop singing about Iggy and The MC5 how can this possibly not have RPM salivating at the sight and sound?  ‘Detroit City 2020’ sounds good – Sure its modern Alice Cooper but there is more of the old school garage rocker in this and out of all his contemporaries I can’t think of any that are still out there doing it night after night and delivering the good and managing to still churn out new music that is relevant and bloody good. If you were impressed with the opener then hold onto your bobblehead because ‘Go Man Go’ is having it big time.  A good tempo with a lotta rhythm and some blazing guitar work. Sure it helps when you can call on yer mates like Wayne Kramer and drag ou tof them such great performances this was always going to be a winner. He gets his funk on on ‘Your Mama won’t Like Me’ and those horns are quality. I’ll admit I’m not so fussed on the lackluster ‘Devil With A Blue Dress On’ but the bar is raised on the finale of ‘Sister Anne’.  So all in all a mighty fine way to round off this singles club and with it being a 12″  long ‘un the Coop might just have taken it on the home straight.

Buy Breadcrumbs Here

Happy Birthday Taime Downe

Happy Birthday Taime Downe

Gustave Molvik better known to you and me as Taime Downe lead singer of Faster Pussycat was born on this day in 1964.

Taime first formed a band named The Bondage Boys, and going under the stage name “Vaun Hammer”, he released a song with this band called “The Loser” on ‘Northwest Metalfest’, a compilation featuring ten Seattle-area bands. he left Seattle for San Diego before moving on to Los Angeles.

When Taime Got to LA he worked for ‘Retail Slut’ in Hollywood and ran the stage lights at the Troubadour. Magnus Walker of Serious Clothing accidentally got his start when walking into Retail Slut, Taime wanted to buy the pants off him, so he ordered pairs for the store. In 1985 he formed the band Faster Pussycat. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1987 on the same day Guns N Roses released ‘Appetite For Destruction’ and the rest, as they say, is history. The bands toured the UK together ending with an epic night at the world-famous Hammersmith Odeon along with The Quireboys.  whilst Guns were being touted as the most dangerous band in the world and Appetite was hailed as the greatest Rock album for decades – As good as Appetite was those clued in would agree that it was that self-titled Faster Pussycat record that really stood the test of time and is head and shoulders the better of the two.  I know its not a competition but whilst Guns n Roses played stadiums Faster Pussycat never achieved such riches.

Faster Pussycat were signed to Elektra Records and sold over 500,000 copies of 1989’s follow up ‘Wake Me When It’s Over’ and had hit singles like ‘.House Of Pain’ and ‘Poison Ivy’. MTV was good to Faster Pussycat who waited three years to follow up with a third the much-maligned ‘Whipped’ which was a lot better than the band got credit for with the single ‘Nonstop To Nowhere’  it also had some great tracks although quite diverse in style ‘Friends’ and the excellent ‘Jack The Bastard’. The band then dropped off a cliff and weren’t heard of for what seemed like an age.

In the interim Downe went on to form The Newlydeads for which he wrote and produced. Around 1998, he opened his own club, called The Pretty Ugly Club, with co-owner JD Terziu, and the club achieved the same level of success as The Cathouse, the club Taime had formerly run with Riki Rachtman at the height of Faster Pussycat and Guns upward trajectory. Taime has also been the promoter of other clubs in L.A. such as Thunder Pussy and Pretty Pussy. He also was the DJ at Metal Skool with Josh Richman as the MC.

The Newlydeads were a different beast and the music landscape had changed since Downe burst on the scene with his sleazy band of brothers.  it was now 1997 and with a more industrial edge and not afraid to push the boundaries Downe hooked up with Kyle K formerly of Bang Tango the band was probably best known for their exceptional cover of ‘Cities In Dust’.  A year later they revisited the album with ‘Re-bound’ made up of remixes before recording ‘Dead End’ in 2001.

Downe Resurrected Faster Pussycat with a fucked-up industrial mash-up of classic Faster Pussycat tracks that left the songs almost unrecognisable along with a really messed up cover of ‘I Was Made For Loving You’ and one new track entitled ‘Blood’. to be fair to Downe he kept the name alive touring every shit hole in Europe and the USA with a new line up of the band they went on to record ‘The Power And The Glory Hole’ which had the tribute to Bianca from Betty Blowtorch who lost her life under tragic circumstances  they also included a great version of ‘shut Up And Fuck’.

there were wars of words with members of the original line up and patched up friendships along the road. Downe has had some health issues in recent years but looks healthy and has quit the cigarettes and looks and sounds like he’s wound the clock back.  Happy Birthday Taime Downe you still rock and RPM love Ya man! So don’t change that song!

SMALLTOWN TIGERS unveil video for ‘Just Friends’.

SMALLTOWN TIGERS unveil video for ‘Just Friends’.
Italian upstarts SMALLTOWN TIGERS have just unveiled the video for their debut single ‘Just Friends’.
The release comes just in time for their first ever UK dates which kick off on Thursday 10 October in Southend and include an appearance at Loud Women’s 4th Birthday Party at London’s iconic Hope & Anchor venue.

Hailing from the Adriatic resort of Rimini, the Tigers hit the road last Spring for a tour with NYC powerpoppers Baby Shakes, and have been preparing their debut album for release in the New Year. The album was produced by blues-punk guru Stiv Cantarelli (Silent Strangers, J.D. Hangover) with the tracks mastered for release by legendary Detroit producer Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Dirtbombs, Sonics).

Smalltown Tigers play the following dates…

Thurs 10 Oct – The Railway Hotel, Southend-on-Sea

Fri 11 Oct – The Shacklewell Arms, Dalston, London (w/ The Speedways)

Sat 12 Oct – The Hope & Anchor, Islington, London (Loud Women 4th Birthday – onstage 5pm)

Sat 12 Oct – Biddle Bros, Clapton, London (w/ The Dublo)

Out now, ‘Just Friends’ is available from Bandcamp and all the usual digital platforms.