Next up we’ve gone down under and found this bunch of misfits Bakers Eddy with their ‘On My Own’
To wrap it up we’ve got a new video from one of our favs Berlin Blackouts who are back with ‘anti-Cap Messiah’
Introduce The Slop. Who are you and what do you play?
Mickey – Guitar/Vocals
Kiki – Drums/Vocals
When and where did the Slop come together?
Kiki had a band called Lost Cat, They had a studio in LA and when they couldn’t make it to practice we would swoop up on the spot and jam for fun. This was about 2015 ish
Where did the name come from?
It probably came from Hasil Adkins song “The Slop”, but it wasn’t like we heard the song and named ourselves The Slop. We were listening back to our recordings one night on the way home from jamming, by this time we had a couple songs together and we just started laughing at ourselves because it sounded so sloppy but it was still kick ass! Hence, The Slop was born.
What/who were your influences growing up that made you want to be in a rock and roll band?
There’s always so many to name, but of course like The Beatles, Elvis, New York Dolls, Stooges, Dead Moon, The Ramones, Link Wray just off the top of the head
Describing yourselves as 77 punks and the antidote for zipper booted punks of the last 20 years there must be kindred spirits you’ve bumped into on your travels? where do you think you fit in in today’s scene? there is always a circle of life as far as fashion and music trends come and go. Who will you spearhead the scene with?
Honestly, we paid some guy to write a bio for us we didn’t exactly want to describe ourselves as 77 punks, buuuuut, we’ve played with Cheetah Chrome once at The Shitskey A Go-Go and we got asked to play with Agent Orange but it was kind of a far drive and the budget was full so we had to pass cuz we’re rockstars like that hahahaha jk, but seriously we were just too tight on cash to bust that mission.
And as for the scene… Fuck the scene! WE WANT THE AIRWAVES! 1 2 3 4! ….. just kidding. I’d say were somewhere inbetween the garage rockers, the teenie boppers and the boot stompers. I don’t know, We hardly fit in at all. You either love us or you hate us.
Tell us a bit about recording the album? How did the songs come together? What about recording it did you have a plan? producer in mind? what about the songs how many did you have written? how long were they there being road tested?
Oh God, it was a fucking nightmare. We basically taught ourselves how to record for this record. In retrospect we probably should’ve just went to a studio, but we didn’t want to pay somebody to do some half ass shit with our shit. We didn’t want to be rushed and get stuck with some dinky ass recordings that didn’t do us any justice. We wanted it to sound kind of like the US Horrors first album like trashy, fatty, lo fi.
Long story short we recorded that bitch in a few months, we’re happy with it. For the most part. We had been playing these songs for like 2 years, these and a few other songs that we scrapped that might be on the second album, who knows. We just wanted to have them recorded so we could focus on new stuff.
What is next for The Slop? 2020 a new record? Singles? Tour? a European tour maybe?
We just put out two Halloween singles on iTunes and Spotify and all that gnar .. We actually recorded those at Lolipop which changed our opinion about recording studios. We had had a lot of fun, Iggy was great to work with.
We’re gonna be remastering and re-releasing a Christmas song called Mr. Santa Claus mid December.
We plan on releasing a couple singles starting in February leading up to a full length album by Spring/Summer. Followed by a European tour BAYBEE! We’re super stoked.. we have a couple dates set up in France, Spain, and Belgium. We want to go to the U.K. but our tour manager said it’s gonna be a little tricky because of Brexit, but our fingers are crossed!
Album reviewed Here
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10th Anniversary Box Set in a Limited Edition Tin
get this with a Dr Feelgood Limited edition Vinyl plus Free Best of Wilko Johnson Double CD for £30 Here
get this with a Dr Feelgood Limited edition Vinyl plus Free Best of Wilko Johnson Double CD for £30 Here
Buy vinyl & tin DVD Here
A good old fashioned live EP dust up. Get your elbow pads on and find your spot in the pit because the fearsome foursome are taking the stage for a shit or bust romp through their five track special delivery. No fucking about these roughhouse hooligans are ‘Guilty Of Nuthin’ and as they strap on those guitars its four to the floor and lets kick up some dust. No nonsense powerpoppin hard rockin tunes. Its a buzz and a pocket full of catchy tunes is exactly what the doctor ordered the only gutter here is its restricted to five numbers when a whole live album would have satisfied my dancin shoes.
‘Doghouse’ is addictive and catchy as an STI and I’ve heard a rumour that this is just to wet the whistle before 2020 and that long-awaited long-player hits the death decks. ‘Better At Your Age’ has got a lovely thick bass thump and a melody that once upon a time a young Wellar might have penned. If you happened to walk in early to a venue and these guys were on stage dishing up this racket you’d be delighted. and as the beer flowed and the likes of the boogie-woogie, good-time rocker ‘Misanthropic Boogie’ kicked in you’d get a second wind and sail into the thick of it. It might only be Rock and Roll but boy do I like it. Loud and a lot of fun its what a good time should be. Nothing too serious except the rock n roll. It sounds like they’re channelling the spirit of Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds and a bit of Motorhead for good measure especially on the final fling of ‘Intercontinental’ again plenty of Rock but with just enough Roll squeezed in for good measure. A great bit of good time Rock and Roll so what are you waiting for? Get on it ya fools and it’ll give the band enough of a kick up the rear to get that long-player out but until then this will do very nicely the Rock and Roll bastards Be loud be Proud! Lets Rock!
Author: Dom Daley
Tensheds is the brainchild of keyboard wizard Matt Millership, a multi-instrumentalist who tinkles the ivories full time for Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind and Beans On Toast. While in these bands Matt is more of a hired hand, Tensheds is completely his baby, and with long time drummer Ed Wells, he has been exploring unique ways to bring piano music crashing into the 21st Century for well on 10 years now.
The pair recently retreated to Free House Studios in Wales and tracked their 4th album ‘Deathrow Disco’ in 3 days. Taking a minimalistic approach, it was recorded completely with a Rhodes organ and drums, with just the occasional tinkle from his beloved 1835 Collard & Collard grand piano. No guitars, bass, synths or ulterior motives were used in the making of this album.
‘Deathrow Disco’ is not your average piano based record, that’s for sure. This is a hard hitting, gritty alternative beast full of heavy beats and gravelly vocals. If you dig a bit of James Leg (which we certainly do at RPM) then you will most likely enjoy ‘Deathrow Disco’. There are many parallels; the pair both follow the same 2 piece band format of Rhodes organ and drums. But while James Leg has a more swampy blues approach, Tensheds are more, dare I say…gothic noir. Imagine Tom Waits on crack, downing whiskey and jamming out Donna Summer records all night long and you might get some idea where Tensheds are coming from with ‘Deathrow Disco’.
Thumping beats pump through the stereo on opener ‘Youngbloods’ before Matt’s gritty vocals take over, sounding like a man on 40 a day. ‘Gold Tooth’ has a signature Rhodes refrain and musically goes off on a tangent to itself. It’s fast, fuzzy and its dare I say…dancy!
Tensheds create dark imagery as Matt weaves sonically seductive effect-ridden Rhodes runs all over gothic, Tim Burton-esque soundscapes. But this isn’t a Danny Elfman style soundtrack, oh no. Well, maybe if you kidnapped the songwriter, scrubbed his vocal chords with sandpaper, soaked the open wounds in cheap whiskey and packed him off to an Amsterdam whorehouse for a dirty weekend, it would be!
‘Slag’ takes the fuzz to another level as Matt growls about the rich and the poor, the music builds in intensity, as piano runs and stabbing chords fight for supremacy. A three and a half minute deathrock opera. ‘Black Blood’ is upbeat and funky, yet dark and foreboding, a schizophrenic musical delight, and ‘Secrets’ is a seductive murder ballad that will haunt your very soul.
Let’s get one thing straight ‘Deathrow Disco’ is not a party album, well not any party I have ever attended anyway! It’s a dark and emotional rollercoaster ride through the deep recesses of the songwriters mind, exploring the themes of incarceration, whether that be metaphorical or physical. He suggests there is no freedom from love, loss, politics or the destruction of our planet. The lyrics are topical and the music is simply fascinating.
Buy Deathrow Disco Here
Author: Ben Hughes
Gibby Haynes, fearless front man of Butthole Surfers, has been immortalized as a Throbblehead.This figure is limited to just 1500 hand-numbered units, stands at 7″ tall, and is made of a high quality polyresin.
Gibby is accurately sculpted right down to his infamous megaphone, wacky shirt, and chipped tooth.
SHIPPING LATE JANUARY
NOTE: For customers outside of the US, your order will take an average of 4-5 weeks to reach you via economy shipping, which does not have tracking. If tracking is needed, you can upgrade to priority shipping at an additional cost but must email us for details.
Gibby Haynes Signed Book and Throbblehead Bundle
Limited To 100 Sets (US Customers Only)Gibby will be signing copies of his darkly humorous debut YA novel “Me and Mr. Cigar” and we’ll have 100 copies to include in these exclusive Throbblehead bundles!
The book, which centers on a lost Texas teen and his supernatural dog and the power of found family, will be available on January 14th from Soho Press.
Signature appears on endpapers boasting Gibby’s original artwork.
US CUSTOMERS ONLY
SHIPPING LATE JANUARY
SEX PISTOLS Block Figure Toys by brokker Japan
brokker, a Japanese company that specializes in crafting 85mm music figurines, is proud to present its latest collection… SEX PISTOLS!
These figures are faithful reproductions of the “God Save the Queen.” All details and accessories are independently molded and meticulously reconstructed.
ORDER HERE (Ships immediately from Japan)
NOTE: Only available to customers in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom
also available from brokker…
Back in the late nineties, I had a cassette in my car with all the best songs from the cover-mounted CDs that Kerrang! Magazine gave away. The first song on side 1 of that TDK C90 was ‘Every Little Thing Counts’ by Janus Stark, possibly the most pedal to the metal, anthemic opener anyone driving a Vauxhall Nova could desire back in the day!
Formed by former English Dogs/UK Subs guitarist Gizz Butt, Janus Stark released their mighty fine album ‘Great Adventure Cigar’ in 1997 on Earache records, at that time Gizz was also playing guitar for The Prodigy while they were touring on the back of ‘Fat Of The Land’.
Of course, all good things must come to an end and even something as great as an adventure cigar is not made to last, and Janus Stark sadly split in 2002. Fast forward to 2018 and Gizz decided to reform the band, roping in Richard Gombault of 90’s pop-punk band Midget and friends Fozzy Dixon and Simon Martin. A recent tour with The Wildhearts and The Professionals followed and this leads nicely up to the highly anticipated release of their first album in way too many years entitled ‘Angel In The Flames’.
The thing that sets Janus Stark apart from their contemporaries is the fact that Gizz is a shredder. While ‘Angel In The Flames’ is littered with turn of the Century pop punk sensibilities, buzzsaw guitars and full band harmonies, there is a more technical and aggressive element in place thanks to Gizz’s guitar histrionics. Yet, while the lyrics are socially and politically aware, and the riffs crunchy, it’s the melodies that always shine through, they are pure sugar for the soul.
The topical opener ‘Crucify All The Leaders’ sets the scene nicely with harmonies and melodies straight out of the Eureka Machines songbook and sweet picking to match the likes of Vai and Satriani. ‘Last Exit To Change Your Mind’ builds nicely with a cool melody to a signature Gizz Butt chorus that embeds straight into the brain. A power punk chorus that reminds me of Brit Rock contenders Compulsion.
These comparisons continue through the album. Punchy, anthemic choruses abound in the likes of ‘Dead Dead’, and while the 80’s metal riffage that opens ‘Karmageddon’ could easily be mistaken for Quiet Riot or Ratt, that is where any Sunset Strip comparisons end. The melodic hardcore and post-punk roots of the songwriters here shine through and save the day.
‘Some Stars Never Fade’ has great songwriting and sentimentality that bring to mind another long lost nineties favourite of mine Mega City 4. There’s great song dynamics as the chilled verse builds beautifully over picked chords to a rousing, yet passionately delivered chorus that sends shivers down the spine. A killer solo is over in a flash and we return to the anthemic chorus hook. It’s beautifully delivered and a lasting album highlight.
2020 is shaping up nicely for the band with a return to live-action that will see Janus Stark travel the length and breadth of the UK through February, March and April for a headline tour of their own. They will surely come within spitting distance of your comfortable abode, so my advice to you is buy this album, dig its glorious sonic sounds then buy a gig ticket… you can thank me later.
Author: Ben Hughes
Two legends from the British punk era – TV Smith and the Bored Teenagers & GBH have been added to HRH Punk 2 Line-up – with only 80 pairs of tickets left – plus this year’s HRH Punk Anarchy in Sheffield video documentary is now on Amazon Worldwide TV!
Heading to Sheffield for 2020 are TV Smith and the Bored Teenagers, featuring the legendary frontman of British punk pioneers The Adverts. TV Smith has been lauded as one of the leading singer-songwriters to emerge from the punk era, and also fronted bands such as Cheap and TV Smith’s Explorers.
Also added to the already incredible line-up are the hugely influential GBH. Not only were they front-runners in the punk scene from their inception in 1978, but they have also led the way for metal bands too such as Bathory. The core of the band remains in-tact with both Colin Abrahall (vocals) and Colin ‘Jock’ Blyth (guitar) being ever-present right up to the current line-up.
Get your tickets Here
As if that wasn’t enough for the HRH Punk faithful – today sees the launch of the video documentary HRH Punk – Anarchy in Sheffield!
HRH are Europe’s leading residential festival promoter, when they were tasked with doing an HRH Punk event, anything and everything could happen – and it did. For lovers of ‘76 punk and beyond, this is the first punk documentary on Amazon – join some punk heroes llve and behind the scenes with nearly 4000 fans who had it all at Anarchy in Sheffield where we hear it, see it and feel it, straight from the horses mouth.
Available now : Here
I can’t remember where or when I first heard Red Arms it might well have been one late night when I vanished down a Bandcamp wormhole and just happened across ‘Better Than Nothing’ the second track on ‘Critical State’. Maybe the first thing I noticed was they were Canadian and to be fair they throw up more than their fair share of great records in recent years. Post punk, Power pop or alt rock whatever you want to call it Red Arms dish it up in spades and have made a most excellent long player.
I’ll level with you I don’t know anything about the band when I went looking for details and previous work I struggled to find anything so it was a real discovery for me .I hear some Husker Du and The Who as well as more modern alternative bands like some Buffalo Tom and Anti Flag as well for good measure so a real melting pot but the production is bright and the songs sound well constructed and worked on. The album kicks off with ‘Post Punk’ which has something of a Stooges riff and rhythm about it and to be fair its more No Means No or Fugazi than anything else. Its got energy for an opener and it’ll reel you in for sure. As the record unfolds the songs tend to settle down to mid paced efforts but with strong melodies and harmonies take ‘All This Noise’ as an example.
‘Midwinter’ builds around a bass rumble but a bit of an epic as the first minute takes its time to get going but by the second minute things get rockin’. To be fair the second half of the album only gets stronger for me and I love the groove they get in on ‘Pathetic Charms’. If you like a thumping bass rumble then ‘Huckster’ is for you before it starts thrashing around it ebbs and flows through some tempo changes.
To be fair I hear different influences on every play but they’ve managed to create a really listenable sound with a bunch of top tunes. Red Arms are another fine string to Canada’s impressive bow of Rock and Roll bands strutting their stuff this being immersed in the alternative underground but full to bursting with excellent melodies and tunes. Go check em put but don’t hold me responsible for starting you off down that wormhole of discovery but it will be worth it.
Buy Critical State Here
Author: Dom Daley
When does a genre of music become overground? How many records do you need to sell to stop being underground? All questions plenty of genres deal with day in day out and year in year out. From the origins of Ska to today there have always been plenty of bands skanking it out. Politics or just goofy misfits acting out Ska covered it all.
‘Pick It Up! Ska In The 90s’ just about covers a whole scene with the movers and shakers playing their part and covering the story in detail. A thoroughly enjoyable movie that gives the back story and takes on all comers using the people who were in the trenches from Tim Armstrong narrating to No Doubt being included along side the big players from The Specials to Operation Ivy to Reel Big Fish and Blink 182 right up to today’s players like Aimee Interrupter.
Focusing on the 90s explosion this film is a great two hours of musical education thats a comprehensive coverage. Regardless of if you like or love or can’t get into it at all its a really engaging flick. I particularly like how fondly and honestly the main players talk about the scene. When it went from the top of the scene right back down to going underground its a great story and the flow is really good.
As far as music films go its watchable and informative cramming a hell of a lot of detail into just over an hour and a half its great to see the likes of Roddy Radiator getting screen time to tell his story alongside how No Doubt broke out they give props to the likes of Operation Ivy through to Rancid and their contribution. who knew Goldfinger played 385 shows in a single year! Amazing stuff.
Someone describes it as like a pendulum swing and I like that because its spot on from grunge to ska punk to nu metal back to rock to indie and back round again. the endurance of some of the bands like The Slackers and Rancid has no doubt helped bands like The Interrupters and Bar Stool Preachers who are coming through and will be the next generation to challenge the BossTones and thats cool and as it should be and to see The Specials and Neville Staples filling halls in 2019 is awesome.
Check this film out its like a ray of sunshine in dark times and the soundtrack is really really good. Put on your pork pie hat and get skanking you know you want to.
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