After a quick jaunt across Europe, The DeRellas have been announced to perform at next years Rebellion festival on the back of an excellent show in the Opera House this past August. Joining them will be Headliners Cock Sparrer as well as the excellent CJ Ramone so already its shaping up to be a fantastic lineup. We’ll keep you posted as other acts are announced.
Dom Daley.
Post-Clash Strummer was a prolific writer still and whilst he might not have always got it right or reached the heights of his former band he was still the icon and when he needed to could turn in a tune or two and when he was playing live he was still the captivating legend he always was… Its taken a few years for someone to go through his post Clash catalogue and by the look and sounds of it Ignition has done a fine job in preserving this material and uncovering some pretty decent finds as well along the way not just to satisfy the completists but to maybe open Strummers work up to a new audience who have no clue what he did after The Clash ended.
With several formats available from the super duper everything fanboy edition to the digital download the one thing you do get no matter what edition you invest in is new songs that have been lovingly preserved here.
The collection begins way back in ’75 and takes us right up to his untimely passing in 2002 (has it really been 16 years?) Everything you’ll hear has been remastered by Grammy award-winning producer Peter J Moore in Toronto Canada and in notes he said that Strummer had hidden tracks on cassettes sometimes twenty minutes after the original recordings had ended. With the deluxe set, you get Vinyl, CD Cassette and a hardback book, 7” single bells and whistles which is a must own for the serious Clash / Strummer fanboy.
Let’s get down to some of the nitty-gritty. On the CD the quality of the recordings is what you’ll first notice – whilst its effectively demoed on primitive equipment back in the mid 70’s the restoration work is exceptional and ‘Letsagetabitarockin’ is a 101Ers stomper and has the classic Strummer sneer as he spits out the lyrics.
You also get ‘Love Kills’ from the Sid and Nancy soundtrack with its 80’s drumming. Also, you have another soundtrack tune in the shape of ‘Tennessee Rain’ again from an Alex Cox flick ‘Walker’ which features a plethora of musicians as Joe kicks back for some folk driven campfire blues.
‘Trash City’ is the third film soundtrack song by Joe and was featured in 1988’s ‘Permanent Record’ and features Joe with The Latino Rockers. This one is lifted for the 7” version that most people won’t have heard and then we start to venture into fanboy territory with 7” single B sides like ‘15th Brigade’. There are twenty tracks on the CD disc one most are culled from obscure film soundtracks and singles. ‘Ride Your Donkey’ is selected from the difficult to find ‘Earthquake Weather’.
I’d forgotten Strummer featured with Isaac Hayes on a track for Chef Aid a South Park Movie that came out in 98 but ‘It’s A Rockin World’ is the sound of a track that someone like Strummer could write in his sleep.
A favourite and high point from his solo career was the excellent ‘Rock Art And The X-Ray Style’ and the albums finest song is ‘Yalla Yalla’ one that always stood out live for me and the Richard Norris E Bow always takes me back.
With a couple of Mescaleros numbers firstly ‘Johnny Appleseed’ from ‘Global A Go-Go’ and then ‘Black Hawk Downs’ ‘Minstrel Boy’ tickled me with the sleeve notes that Scott Shields just sat there staring into space which is a good place to be as any I would have thought? Then its a few star-studded duets firstly the Johnny Cash take on ‘Redemption Song’ which was easily one of the highlights of the Cash series of releases on Def Jam but I love the feel of the Jimmy Cliff track ‘Over The Border’ that has a pair of exceptional vocal performances so full of passion and it seems right to finish the first disc with the rockin’ ‘Coma Girl’ from ‘Streetcore’ and ‘Silver & Gold/Before I Grow Too Old’ from the same recording.
Disc two is pretty much more of the same and it also begins with the same two songs as disc one but with vital differences that are what these recordings are all about. With the first being an acoustic demo with just Strummer on guitar and vocals and then ‘Czechoslovak Song/ Where Is England?’ which is rescued from ½ inch tape and has Simonon on bass and is exceptional yet haunting with the reverb echoing throughout the track spine-tingling for sure. Presumably from the same recordings, there is the previously unreleased ‘Pouring Rain’ that is the same line up of Strummer, Simonon and Pete Howard.
To continue the uncovering of lost treasures ‘Blues On The River’ is a solo offering of vocal and guitar that is seeing the light of day for the first time and as we get into the meat of disc two I think disc one was softening up the fanboys for the plethora of unreleased material on disc two as the mid 80’s turned up some exceptional songs that could and would have been lost forever. One that will have Clash fans purring is the bluesy jam of ‘Crying On 23rd that features a certain Mick Jones on guitar and one time Johnny Thunders drummer Chris Musto its followed by another ¼ inch tape find featuring Jones, Musto Pearl Harbour, and B.J. Cole as well on ‘2 Bullets’ that was from the Alex Cox film ‘Sid & Nancy but ‘When Pigs Fly’ is another unreleased until now recording taken from Rockfield in South Wales that saw Strummer turn his hand to producing and it also sees the sets only real double up when ‘Pouring Rain’ gets the Rockfield treatment and with Accordion certainly has that authentic Celtic feel and the same must be said for ‘Rose Of Erin’ also used in the film ‘When Pigs Fly’.
As we head reluctantly into the final throws of disc two ‘The Cool Impossible’ has Strummer turning his hand to some Jazzy notes – with a shuffle on the brushes and the familiar Strummer strains it seems strange to think that these have only now surfaced. Penultimately 2002 sees Strummer record the previously unreleased ‘London Is Burning’ with the Mescaleros and with a sneer and more than a bark its classic Strummer. Which only leaves ‘U.S North’ to close off this solo career compilation and it seems fitting that this Mick Jones produced track put the full stop on an incredible career from someone taken way to early when he had so much to give and someone that has been sorely missed especially in some tough times when a spokesman – poet-activist – songwriter was needed Rest In Peace Joe, we love you, man, whilst his body turned to dust his soul and spirit will live forever.
Fraser Munro.
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Supersuckers and Eddie Spaghetti and Co are celebrating with album number 12 “Suck it”.The ‘suckers have mutated again, now featuring the 6 strings of Marty Chandler and tub-thumping of Chris Von Streicher but are they are still the self-proclaimed Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band in the World?
While the last album, “Holdin’ The Bag” dug deep into the country side of the band, “Suck It” is total rock & roll (but with a country flavour). Full on 70’s rocker “All The Time” kicks things off in classic (latter-year) Supersuckers style, while “The History of Rock & Roll” slows it down a little and takes the coolest bits of Guns & Roses and serves it up raw and dirty, with Eddie reminding us of all the greatest bands in the world, while being sure to point out that he’s still top of the pile. One thing that immediately strikes me is that Eddie’s vocals sound a little gruffer than on previous albums, maybe a little more attitude-y and balls to the wall, which is cool in a Motorhead kind of way. “Dead Inside” feels more like a traditional ‘Suckers tune, “Breaking My Balls” takes you to the land of Nashville Pussy and finally side one closer “Worst Thing Ever” slows things right down with a touch of grunge.
Side two screams into action with the full-on “What’s Up With This Mother Mother Fucking Thing”, taking you right back to the Rick Sims era, then immediately takes a left turn in to classic country Supersuckers land with “Cold Wet Wind”. “Til I Die” is a classic boogie stomper all about jerking off and “ Private Parking Lot” is another Faces-ish banger delivered with classic ‘Suckers style.
All too soon, ZZ Top tune “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” comes along to close side two with a full pint salute, reminding us that it’s not only the spirit of rock n roll running through their veins of Supersuckers.
As Eddie says in the press blurb, “We’ve finally become the band that we’ve always threatened to be.” He may be right….. Supersuckers remain (one of) the Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band in the World !!!
After playing plenty of shows across Shit Island Deathtraps have released the second video from their Sophmore album ‘Gotta Get Some’. This South Wales three-piece show no signs of relenting as shows are booked and music released their hard work looks to be paying off as they get better and better don’t let them pass you by go check em out. They play Neath, Swansea, Reading and Abertillery before the years out and already booking for 2019.
‘Fucked Up’ is no-nonsense Punk ‘n’ Roll taken from the follow up to ‘Justice For The Risca One’ ‘Gotta Get Some’ is reviewed on RPM soon. Until then why not check em out at the links or catch a show as the video testifies their driving isn’t up to much but their tuneage certainly is, Fast, Furious and fucked up. Just the way we like it!
Hot on the heels of the release of their ‘Spunk Volcano Bastard BBQ Sauce’ a few months ago, (200+ bottles sold and counting!) those rock and roll freaks in Dirt Box Disco are now preparing to launch yet another hot sauce!
In association with the legendary Chilli Pepper Pete, Dirt Box Disco is proud to announce the release of their ‘Freaks Hot Green Salsa’.
Drummer Maff Fazzo says “Our Bastard BBQ Sauce was received incredibly well and I don’t think that any of us expected it to be quite so popular. The only criticism we heard was that it wasn’t hot enough, so we thought we’d best come up a hotter version. In my favourite colour green!”
Clocking in at 5/10 on the heat scale, ‘Freaks Hot Green Salsa’ is a delicious green sauce with a bit of a bite and a whole lot of zing! Perfect as a dipping sauce with nachos and vegetables, or as a salad dressing. Or just poured all over your chips! The sauce was created using all natural ingredients, is suitable for vegans and is wheat, dairy and GM-free.
The sauce was officially launched at this year’s Rebellion Festival in Blackpool and is now available to order online from the Dirt Box Disco/Spunk Volcano website.
After another awesome weekend at the Great British Alternative Music Festival and before SV & the Eruptions head out on the road with Wolfsbane Europe can catch them at these dates throughout Rocktober and the by fans for fans video for ‘My Life Is Shit’ – Enjoy!
Numanoids gather round. BMG has got a two-disc audio recording taken from Brixton Academy and one DVD box set from the Savage tour coming out in November. With an awesome eighteen track set list you’ve got time to save your pennies and pre-order to avoid disappointment Buy Here
It comes out the same day as he releases a three track EP entitled ‘The Fallen EP’ via Townsend Music which will be available on 12″ coloured vinyl and CD single. Townsend
Dom Daley.
A couple of Cripps and a Mogg what could possibly go wrong? Well, nothing to be fair because this is one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve had musically all year. Mogg on the mic now who’d have thought that?
The Brutalists sit somewhere between the Beat, Selector, and Wilco Johnson and his old pals in Dr. Feelgood and a whole host of other bands and musicians that spring to mind as I listened to the musical landscape of this self-titled debut album.
Sure its a new genre on me this ska pub rock but to be fair that’s about exactly where it sits. It comfortably strokes the pub rock chin with some great lyrics and cheeky melodies and also has the happy go lucky charm of some decent ska like chops.
‘I Don’t Believe A Word’ is like a mid summers breeze from the choppy guitar riff-a-rama through the chilled keyboard swirls but it’s held together nicely by a great early door down the pub melody. If that was a nice surprise then the Kinks beatnik vibe on ‘Far Away’ is excellent and that nod of appreciation is turning into a smug grin that These Brutalists might be onto something here and you’re in on it.
‘Form & Function’ is like a mid 80’s dash of Jagger and at times has some Adolescent Sex about it which is always a good thing in my book. ‘Meet Me Half Way’ is a good old knees up so crack open those jellied eels and turn up those bass bins.
The band really hit their stride by the time ‘Talk Of The Town’ bosses proceedings you’ll be bowlin’ down the street with this bad boy on your headphones a right proper jack the lad anthem. When ‘Know Your Value’ is finished with its keyboard swirl these guys show that they’re not afraid to tread on some pop-smart tones in pursuit of a good tune before the happy go lucky ‘Nutter’ shows up for a bit of 70’s glam slam and like a first cousin once removed of Hanoi Rocks ‘Boiler’ if I might be so bold. Then they rock it up whilst dropping the C Bomb on ‘You Got It’ and to close off proceedings they simply turn in an immaculate bit of rock n roll like ending this bad boy with a huge exclamation mark.
Mick, Nigel, Kent, Charlie, and Robert know how good this album is and so do I – I only hope you’ve got the sense to follow the links and pick up a copy for yourself you can thank me laters me old chinas. Now ‘op it and do yourself a favour – you won’t regret it!
Fraser Munro.
The words “Power Pop” don’t usually drag me in; I tend to think of it as the AOR equivalent of punk but this my friends is different. “Just Another Regular Summer” is stripped down dirty pop, played with the attitude and honesty of a man living every chord and every word. Think Tom Petty playing Revolver or perhaps Johnny Thunders jamming with latter-day Monkees and that’ll only get you half way there…
Matt Julian, formerly of the rather splendid Breakdowns, is serious about his pop. Hardly a day goes by and when he’s not posting a picture of his latest record store find. This boy is serious about the 7” single. All this research has now paid off as he’s only gone and crafted a perfect pop album. A record that most bands could dream of making and he’s done it pretty much all on his tod.
Side 1 just whizzes by from Thunders-esque opener “All I want”, through to the song everybody will wish they the had written, the title track “ Just Another Regular Summer”, complete with a little Alarm-like harmonica (please don’t hate me for that one !!??!). So far, there’s nothing not to like and everything to love.
Just when you think you’ve hit the high point, “That’ll Be The Day The Earth Stood Still (Drink The Pain Away)” kicks off side 2. I had to stop there and play it again. Matt Julian take a bow you talented bastard! “Lonely Girl” is pure pop and closer “Reunion In The Rain” insists you flip the plastic over to live the last 35 minutes of your life again.
“Just Another Regular Summer” is released on October 19th via Canada’s Gods Candy Records, but get in there quick because if you want the record there are only 50 White, 100 Solid Pink and a 100 on good old Black.
Rock Legends KING’S X Join Golden Robot Records, Set to Release First New Album in Over a Decade in 2019
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