Lovers Left Alive – ‘How..’ (Today is Going Well / Xonoring Records)

Lovers Left Alive – ‘How..’ (Today is Going Well / Xonoring Records)

Sorry Finland… Lovers Left Alive don’t belong to just you anymore. They have been unleashed on the rest of the world, and with some promotion and breaks, they will get to see the rest of the world soon. I received a tip to check out the band (thanks, Graeme), and one of the first things I found was a live cover of the early Dogs D’amour song ‘Wired and Wide Awake.’ The band were immediately speaking my language. After a run of singles over the past few years, I believe this is their debut album, which makes an immediate impression and memorable introduction.

If we travel back in time, we can identify some of the influences in Lovers Left Alive. One of those would be very early Hanoi Rocks when they were crafting their debut album. Another one would be some early Stooges. The Rolling Stones would be one of the ingredients, and some early punk (Heartbreakers) as well. What’s special, though, is that the band has created their own identity out of these ingredients and influences. The mix on the album is beautifully messy and gives it a live sound. I recommend turning up the volume and losing yourself in the magic.

It would all mean nothing if the band didn’t have the songs, and they definitely have the songs. ‘All About Luv’ has a great sing-along section, an addictive beat, and a lead guitar that feels like it is going to go off the rails at any moment. The cacophony of sounds at the end feels a bit like the hot mix early Jim Jones Revue recordings had, think ‘The Princess and the Frog.’ Fuzzy backing ‘ooohs’ peek through the mix in ‘Haven’t Seen the Sun’, which showcases the band’s ability to write catchy songs with great riffs. ‘Want You There’ is built on an addictive beat with guitar licks dancing around it. There are some twists in the vocals, but this is one of those songs where I heard some early Stooges. The song feels like it can morph into different directions at any moment. When it does, we get an incredibly catchy chorus that is used minimally over the song’s five minutes.

Changing directions, the band unleash ‘Sum of These Young Hearts’ which feels a bit like ‘Roads’ by the Backyard Babies. The mix gives the song some grit, and the song provides another catchy moment that gets stuck in your head. ‘Let the Good Times’ gets the party started again with a rockabilly type beat that blends their influences and originality into a powder keg, with the guitars sounding pushed to the extremes. You can almost see the amps smoking and the sparks popping in the air. The too-short ‘Crackdown’ could pass as a missing song from ‘Self-Destruction Blues.’ The guitar riff works perfectly over the beat, and the band deliver a contagious infection that induces air guitar and sing-alongs.

The beginning of ‘Bedroom Talk’ feels like the band has just plugged in their instruments and then jumped into the song. The slower tempo provides another example of the diversity through the album. This is another one with excellent guitar work and musically in the same world as the New York Dolls. The album ends with two longer songs, with ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’ being the first one. There is a burning intensity to the beat and vocals. The guitar notes after the choruses work perfectly, and the feedback from the guitars adds more magic to the song. The way the song creates an inferno near the end could have been an epic closer to the album. Instead, the band found a way to build to an even better ending. ‘Out of My Reach’ may have a running time over nine minutes, but it never feels that long. The introduction and slow pace at the beginning feel a bit like early Jesus and Mary Chain- think ‘Darklands’ with ‘Psychocandy’ production. The song builds and adds elements as it goes, with an ending that is unexpected on first listen and becomes even better when you hit the 15th or 20th listen. If I had to single out a favourite song on the album, it would probably be this one.

Once again, with apologies to Finland, Lovers Left Alive belongs to the whole world now. This album has grit, finesse, barbed wire hooks, and great songs. They have taken their influences and infused them with their own originality to create an album that feels both exciting and familiar. What they need is exposure to begin their ascent to the next levels of popularity and hopefully live performances across the world.

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Gerald Stansbury                  

Electric Boys – ‘Shady Side Of Town’ EP (Mighty Music)

Electric Boys – ‘Shady Side Of Town’ EP (Mighty Music)

Following on from the release of their 8th studio album ‘Grand Explosivos’ in 2023, Sweden’s finest exponents of funk n’ roll, Electric Boys, return with a four-track digital-only EP made up of songs recorded in the same sessions. These are songs that were left to one side for whatever reason, the band feel these songs were too good to be left unheard and are sending them out into the wild.

If you’ve not heard Conny Bloom and his boys since their Funk O Metal Carpet Ride days, you may be surprised to find they are a harder rocking machine than they were in the late 80’s.

Years of being on the road, and a stint for Conny and bassist Andy in the reformed Hanoi Rocks at the turn of the century, has given the band a new lease of life and a harder, groove-heavy 70’s rock sound. Over the course of the last decade, they have released a series of quality albums and toured them extensively.

Opener ‘Head Honcho’ has a signature groove, with some tasty licks and that familiar sultry Conny Bloom vocal that leads to a stadium-sized chorus.

Next up is ‘Grand Explosivos’, and it leads me to wonder why this was not included on the album that shares its title. It’s a killer tune to be fair, with an almost mariachi feel to the verses and a bombastic rock chorus. It fits the eclectic and commercial feel of the last album. I guess it just shows the high quality of the songs on offer, that this was left by the wayside.

‘Looking For Vajayay’ is pretty cool too. It rides along on a heavy bass groove, has some crazy ass horns going on, but lacks a catchy chorus, feeling like more of a jam than a finished song. That said, it certainly warrants repeated plays, and you won’t be hitting that skip button anytime soon.

Closer ‘Keep It Dark’ takes things up a notch, it features the vocal talents of guitarist Martin Thamander, who comes on all Paul Stanley here, which adds a different flavour to the Electric Boys palette. It’s a strong closer to a groovy set of tunes.

The band claimed these songs were too good to be left unreleased, and they weren’t wrong. They stand tall against the songs already released on ‘Grand Explosivos’ and are the perfect companion. While it’s a shame it is only a digital release, ‘The Shady Side Of Town’ EP is a worthy set of songs to add to any playlist. 

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Author: Ben Hughes

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Dead Pioneers new Single ‘Freedom Means Something’

Dead Pioneers new Single ‘Freedom Means Something’

DEAD PIONEERS RAIL AGAINST CURRENT AMERICAN POLITICS IN NEW SINGLE ‘FREEDOM MEANS SOMETHING’

STREAM/DL HERE:

UK AND EU DATES CONFIRMED FOR FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026 – TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE:

Dead Pioneers, the indigenous punk rock band from Denver, have never been afraid to use their art as a vehicle to express their beliefs and anger at the current political landscape in America. Over two albums – their self-titled debut in 2023 and ‘PO$T AMERICAN’ from earlier this year, the band have concocted a unique blend of spoken word, hypnotic post-rock and punk roots that has quickly caught the imagination of music fans searching for something new, something real and a band with something to say.

Dead Pioneers have now returned with a new single that is perhaps their most enraged work to date. ‘Freedom Means Something’ was recorded at the same time as ‘PO$T AMERICAN’, but didn’t make the album at the time, yet despite being written over a year ago, it captures the political and social moment of the United States and the anger, fear and vitriol that comes in policy changes and egregious decisions being made by this current administration.

“It was one of a few pieces we did that didn’t make the album cut at the time,” clarifies frontman Gregg Deal. “It wasn’t an issue of good or not, so much as curating our second record to something that made sense. We are so pleased to be releasing this piece now. Much like our second record, we wrote for the moment and didn’t expect the message of the music to be more relevant to what is currently happening here. We stand by our message, politically, socially and culturally, in hopes for change. These statements are meant to be in the moment of recognising that there are those among us, the most vulnerable, who will be the first to feel the effects of what we can only call oppressive. It is our moral duty and obligation to say the quiet thing out loud in an effort to use the medium of music to provide another way to hear ideas that stand in opposition of policies that align with the principles of white supremacy and fascism and nazi ideology, undermining the basic principles of freedom. We hope you see this in Freedom Means Something.”

“We will tar and feather you with your money and prepare you for your place in the annals of historical genocide. Amidst the nationalistic maniacs that destroy families and land, and legacy and truth and decency. Your end is near,” says Gregg in the song’s closing verse. It’s powerful, intense and righteous.

Dead Pioneers are confirmed to play their first EU and UK tour in February and March, 2026. Support for all UK shows comes from Yakkie, featuring Janey Starling formerly of Dream Nails. Go HERE for tickets.

Dead Pioneers emerged as a dynamic extension of vocalist Gregg Deal’s performance art, seamlessly blending music with critical cultural commentary. Rooted in the same themes of identity and resistance that define his visual work, the band’s sound acts as a powerful platform for addressing the complexities of Indigenous experience. Deal harnesses the raw energy of punk and alternative influences to challenge prevailing narratives, using lyrics that provoke thought and evoke emotion. Just as his performance art confronts the legacies of colonisation and systemic marginalisation, Dead Pioneers – completed by Josh Rivera and Abe Brennan on guitars, bassist Lee Tesche (Algiers) and drummer Shane Zweygardt – engages audiences in a visceral dialogue about survival, resilience, and reclamation of voice. This musical endeavour not only amplifies his artistic vision but also creates a space for collective expression and solidarity, inviting listeners to reflect on the intersections of culture, history, and identity in a contemporary context. Through Dead Pioneers, Deal continues to assert that art, in all its forms, can be a powerful vehicle for activism and change. 

The band are currently playing shows in the US and working on new material and will start recording their third album later this year.

See Dead Pioneers at the following dates in the UK and EU in 2026:

February

26th UK Bristol, The Croft

27th UK Manchester, Rebellion

28th UK Leeds, Key Club

March

1st UK London, The Underworld

3rd NL Arnhem, Willemeen

5th DE Wiesbaden, Schlachthof

6th DE Stuttgart, Juha West

7th DE Cologne, Helios37

9th CH Zurich, Bogen F

11th AT Vienna, Arena

12th DE Munich, Backstage

13th DE Berlin, Cassiopeia

14th DE Hamburg, Hafenklang

Find Dead Pioneers online HERE:

Mini Skirt – ‘All That We Know’ (Fuzz Club/Bad Vibrations)

Mini Skirt – ‘All That We Know’ (Fuzz Club/Bad Vibrations)

All grit and no glamour, Mini Skirt are a no-nonsense noisy bunch of musicians, and this new album gets right into the mix with the driving ‘Pottville River’ battering the listener with a hypnotic riff and tub thumping that will crawl inside your head and make you crave it more and more.

Lean in and take in every lyric and bop til you drop, nailing the tone of the record to perfection as the vocals are spat out rathe rthan sung like a lullaby this is music for people who give a shit and know exactly what they want. Noise but not for the sake of it, lyrics that give a shit that aren’t shit and an overall album that will take you on a journey you don’t want to go on but are a willing victim. Mini Skirt are in killer form.

Australia is the epicentre of this sound and boy do they do it well, in fact, they do it better than anywhere else on the planet from Stiff Richards and Split System to The Outsiders and the sniffers through Civic, C.O.F.F.I.N. and Grindhouse right back to Birdman and The Saints this far away island rules.

Five years since their debut album ‘Casino’, this album follows on from where that left off, leaving the informed in no-brainer territory, knowing what they’re getting for their bucks. For the newcomers, just jump in, it’s loud, raw, but bursting with passion. ‘All That We Know’ is now ready to push Mini Skirt in front of more people around the world, and that’s a good thing. These Australian pub-punkers will probably not give two shiny shits about some writer on the other side of the world, but they should know that they’re on the right path, and for someone who loves this honest, raw, passionate rock n roll thing, they should continue to deliver their brand of jagged, raw political Aussie noise.

I love the Saints wrapped in their DNA on songs like ‘Smart Enough’ and then to punch harder on ‘Chew The Cud’. I can imagine being in a sweaty, dark club being thrown around to, this being an experience we all should be on board with.

I find the hypnotic rhythms married to the noise-overdriven guitars the perfect match and most engaging. There is a darkness happening that’s like musical voodoo casting a spell over the listener. Songs like ‘Mud’ weave their way into your brain and are most addictive. ‘Squeeze Down’ is epic, but saying that, this whole album is pretty epic and one that opens different moments on every play. Man, I love records like this, and my advice is you will too, so waste no more time and get some Mini Skirt on the turntable. You can thank me later.

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WitchDoktors – ‘Izzatso?’ (Bomber Music)

WitchDoktors – ‘Izzatso?’ (Bomber Music)

London rock n’ roll band WitchDoktors are back with a new album, ‘Izzatso?’, and what a bright slice of sunshine Rock n roll it is too. From the punchy opener ‘Lightning Strike’, you can lace up your creepers and get boppin. Featuring 11 tracks, WitchDoktors they refuse to stand still and incorporate styles outside of their comfort zone of rootsy punk rock n rolland on the opener, the breakdown is infectious and holds up the wonderful slide courtesy of Ruts DC Leigh Heggarty. Equal servings of Trashy glam rock n roll played loudly through amps with real instruments with big throaty gang vocals, it’s the perfect opener.

Hot on the heels is the punchy ‘Before The War’ with a fantastic chorus bursting with energy, it’s simply majestic, and the clincher is a hearty, warm, engaging production that’s elevating the songs into the next league.

Conceived during COVID and then delayed by the sad passing of their longtime collaborator and legendary recording engineer Pat Collier,  ‘Izzatso?’ is named thus for the listener to not take things on face value and to question everything. It’s no coincidence that the band are big fans of Mr Strummer, who’s woven into their DNA. See through the veils of bullshit or spins on stories or propaganda, and to think for yourself.” Wise words.

‘High Dry And Burn’ has a feel of Michael Monroe going on, and what a track it is from the backbeat, its exceptional songwriting and already the album is barely awake, and it’s pulling the listener in several directions and all of the highest order. Impressive stuff.

Heading into Strummer territory for ‘Freedom Fighter’, this could stand tall alongside tracks like ‘Tony Adams’ with its lively Bass run and inner city skank. Man, the horns on ‘Planet Of Pain’ with its energy are something else. The song is honkingly good and will deffo fuck you up!

WitchDoktors have hit a career high on this one, and the punch and zip of ‘Spanner In The Works’ is another side step into some ska skank with funky horns and twitching keys that a mid-70s Rolling Stones would have killed for. Whereas ‘God Knows’ has a pulse of Kinks in the song, at least that’s what I’m hearing mixed with some Small Faces for good measure, and the super strong vocal helps.

It’s an album full to bursting with potential singles left, right and centre, with a mixture of styles that work really well, making the best WitchDoktors album thus far. 2025 has been an awesome year for new albums and this is next level for these Londoners, showing that they can go toe to toe with anyone in this risky business. Kicking ass and doing it with a beaming smile, no doubt. Hell, they even don the sombreros and chew on cigars for a little mexicana on the album’s closer, ‘Kicking The Can’, complete with its squeezebox and trumpet, it’s making Paul-Ronney Angel blush, it’s so good. Andy and Tony, who write the songs, have really delivered without hesitation. I suggest you go and get a copy of this one right off the bat and demand they come to your part of town and bring the big guns, ‘Izzatso?’ is all killer and no filler, and you can tell I said so! Buy It! 

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Author: Dom Daley

Senser / Collapsed Lung – Hanger 18 – Swansea 23/10/25

Senser / Collapsed Lung – Hanger 18 – Swansea 23/10/25

It was great to see a very busy venue on a school night when the wind and rain were lashing down outside but inside it was warming up rather nicely as Collapsed Lung were on stage entertaining the crowd with a set of bangers and by the time they got to ‘Eat My Goal’ the audience were caught in the moment moving with the break beats and the energy was excellent. I particularly liked the Grange Hill Just Say No in ‘New Song Old Band’, Zammo would have been proud as the vibes in the room were spot on and Collapsed Lung had achieved their Goal of warming up the audience well for Senser.

With the audience packed in and the clock just ticking past nine, the band took their respective places as Haitham and Kerstin brought the energy out on the battle line. ‘To The Capsules’ ‘Devoid’ signalled the intent to drain every last bit of energy the audience had was about to commence and the rhythmic beats began and the riffs were cranked up, and with a one and a two, we were off! Heavy as a bomb with all the finest ticks and scratches, making this anything other than straightforward. Senser are up and running, no, scrap that charging.  No time to pause for breath because a frantic ‘Resistance Now’ is drawing the pit closer as Haitham stares into the middle distance as he delivers the sermon of the hour, and Swansea is all in.

A special mention must go to the band here who put in a shift and were tight as delivering the intensity needed and mixing the Deckwrecka who weaved live scratches and some into the ferocious riffs from Nick whilst the rhythm section held it tight in the engine room it was spectacular and the old ‘Stacked Up’ tunes sounded as fresh as songs off the new album especially ‘Ryot Pump’ which was devastating in its deliver, intensity and execution. Senser were on fire tonight and showed that they are indeed a force to be reckoned with.

There is an intensity to Haithams delivery as he grips the mic but a smile is never far from his lips as the audience bounced to ‘State Of Mind’, ‘Switch’ or the new ones like ‘Full Body Rebellion’ or the frantic mosh of ‘Harbinger’ showing they have the chops to go toe to toe with any heavy band when they want to.

‘No Comply’, ‘The Key’ were all present and correct leading up to a frantic and energetic ‘Age Of Panic’ as the guitars were rinsed before the non encore of the epic ‘Chanel Zero’ which encompassed everything these guys are great at it was indeed a mash up of Slayer meets PE but giving it a sarf London twist and owning the sound better than most in this genre. Politically aware, sonically astute, and a thunderous live band, Senser 2025 are a force to be reckoned with, and if you get the chance, pick up the new album and get to a show, it will entertain you and give you a shot in the heart that bands can still kick it and are relevant today as they were in the early 90s. Oh, and of course, they finished the set with a brutal ‘Eject’ and then they were gone. Swansea, you were served. Let’s do this again in the not-too-distant future that was memorable.

Author: Dom Daley

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Buzzcocks – ‘Attitude Adjustment’ set For January 2026

Buzzcocks – ‘Attitude Adjustment’ set For January 2026

Legendary Manchester punk pioneers Buzzcocks return with a brand-new studio album, Attitude Adjustment – their twelfth to date and another thrilling chapter in one of British music’s most enduring stories.

Bursting with 14 new tracks, Attitude Adjustment finds Buzzcocks doing what they do best: combining raw punk energy with melodic smarts and lyrical bite, all delivered with trademark heart and humour. As Steve Diggle puts it, “It’s punk rock with a Motown vibe! A new album should always have elements of surprise and create its own world, and this does. It avoids the cliché and expands the Buzzcocks’ magical journey.”

From the swaggering opener Queen of the Scene, the album is packed with spirit, invention and attitude — proving once again that Buzzcocks are far more than just a heritage act; they’re a living, evolving force.

Formed in Manchester in 1976, Buzzcocks’ influence on punk and independent music cannot be overstated. Their self-released debut EP Spiral Scratch sparked a revolution, paving the way for generations of DIY musicians and indie labels. Through classics like Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve) and What Do I Get?, they helped define the sound and spirit of late-70s British punk.

Though the band sadly lost founding frontman Pete Shelley in 2018, co-founder Steve Diggle has kept the Buzzcocks flame alive — writing, recording and touring with the same passion and purpose that have always defined the group.

Attitude Adjustment stands as a celebration of resilience, creativity and pure rock ’n’ roll energy — proof that nearly five decades on, Buzzcocks still know how to hit hard, hook deep, and move fast.

The band will spend 2025 on the road, including a run of UK dates with The Stranglers this October:

BUZZCOCKS – TOUR DATES WITH THE STRANGLERS 2025

·       Fri Oct 17 – Leeds, O2 Academy

·       Sat Oct 18 – Manchester, O2 Apollo

·       Tue Oct 21 – Newcastle, O2 City Hall

·       Thu Oct 23 – Edinburgh, Corn Exchange

·       Fri Oct 24 – Aberdeen, Music Hall

·       Tue Oct 28 – Bristol, Beacon

·       Wed Oct 29 – Brighton, Dome

·       Fri Oct 31 – London, Roundhouse

·       Sat Nov 1 – London, Roundhouse

Stay in touch with Buzzcocks Here

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Michael Monroe – Gets On His ‘Rockin’ Horse’

Michael Monroe – Gets On His ‘Rockin’ Horse’

New Studio Album ‘OUTERSTELLAR‘

Set For Release February 20

New Single “Rockin’ Horse”

Surprises are rare and wonderful. When music decides to just show up and strut and rock and roll and stomp with swagger, swing and raw energy all over you, that’s the rarest surprise and Michael Monroe does not disappoint with his brand new studio album, Outerstellar, set for release via

Silver Lining Music on February 20th 2026.

“Rockin’ Horse is a cool, rockin’ song that we made a great fun video for with the fantastic director Leigh Brooks,” comments Michael Monroe. “We got into different characters on the so-called ‘Waking Up With Michael Monroe’ TV morning show, with me as the host.

And it’s the first time you have ever seen me without make-up (!). Great fun and good times. Hope you enjoy it!”

‘What ‘genre’ is Michael Monroe?’ Oh, go and throw yourself back into the shoebox you restrict yourself to if you need a genre… How about ‘sweet smelling leathery sweat wrapped in one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll voices?’ How about ‘harmonies and vibes swimming in silk scarves and lounging on a beaten sofa in leather pants, with the AM hours alive and the melodies so, so intoxicating?’ And how about ‘attitude! Which screams carefree, not carelessness, confidence, not arrogance, a cocksure sense of self-bathed in the sheer joy of playing the religious experience of real rock ‘n’ roll.’

From loud crashing guitars to harmonicas, to gorgeous acoustic moments, you’ll sing, you’ll dance, you’ll shiver, you’ll shake, and you’ll smell this wonderful exhilarating record in all its weathered biker jacket incense-coated glory and you’ll also realize that whatever the hell is going on in the world right now, when you put this album on, it’s an instant escape to carefree days and an emancipation from worries, fears and woes.

It is EXACTLY what rock ‘n’ roll in its truest sense is meant to be, and Michael Monroe is handing you permission to get lost in the love of it. In fact, just stop reading this, get off your ‘Rockin’ Horse’ and go see Michael Monroe on tour at your first opportunity! In support of the release of Outerstellar, Michael Monroe and the band will embark on a UK co-headline tour with Buckcherry, kicking off in Southampton on February 24th. For a full list of upcoming shows and tickets, visit: michaelmonroe.com – more dates to be announced.

2025:

24 Nov Rock Beyond Rock Vol. 2, Osaka (JP)

25 Nov EX THEATER ROPPONGI, Minato City (JP)

2026:

24 Feb The 1865, Southampton (UK)

25 Feb O2 Ritz, Manchester (UK)

27 Feb KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton (UK)

28 Feb Northumbria Institute, Newcastle (UK)

1 Mar SWG3, Glasgow (UK)

3 Mar Tramshed, Cardiff (UK)

4 Mar The Foundry, Torquay (UK)

6 Mar Rock City, Nottingham (UK)

7 Mar O2 Forum, London (UK)

8 Mar Chalk, Brighton (UK)

3-7 Apr Underground Garage Cruise, Miami (US) to Cozumel (MX)

Outerstellar will be available on Limited Edition 12” White Viny, 12” Turquoise Vinyl, 12” Black Vinyl, CD Digipak, Digital Download, Streaming and special D2C bundles. Available to pre-order now at Here

https://michaelmonroe.com/web

Bad Sam – ‘Trauma’ (Property Of The Lost Records)

Bad Sam – ‘Trauma’ (Property Of The Lost Records)

It feels like an eternity since ‘Bring Me The Head Of…’ the last album by Newport punks Bad Sam was released into the world back in 2017, but when it comes to Dean Beddis and Richard Glover, the musicians behind this latest version of the band, it’s always been about quality tunes and never mind how long it takes to write them, which as a result means ‘Trauma’ is packed with 10 cuts of premium punk pomp from da Port….albeit with a 2025 twist.

Taking the live insanity of the Bad Sam line ups that have gone before and distilling it down to singer Beddis and bassist/guitarist/producer Glover might have been considered a risky move by some as the intensity of the band live had always a joy to behold – even if it was like taking your life into your own hands at times. Here though with ‘Trauma’ the “brains” behind the band have momentarily paused operations, observed what is going on around them, and then tweaked the Bad Sam songwriting formula to return angrier than ever before.

There’s been demo tracks released over the past couple of years on Bandcamp, tracks like ‘Pedigree Poor’ and ‘Terrable Dance’ (rechristened ‘Monster’s Dance’ for the album)  which hinted at what might be coming, and there’s also been a handful of chaotic local low key gigs that have seen the duo breaking in the new material to ascertain what songs best fit their twisted vision of the future, and as a result ‘Trauma’ is an all out attack on the senses, a record that actually makes you stop and think…”what the fuck is going on in this world?”

‘Emotional Hostage’ kicks things off in fine style as Slayer-esque riffage blends perfectly with industrial drum loops over which the immediately recognisable Beddis barks out his warning of living your life always looking for a return to “the good old days”.

‘Pedigree Poor’ quickly follows, remixed and rabid, it’s a grimy real-life tale of living well below the poverty line. This track demanding you to listen to it on headphones to truly absorb the avalanche of sounds that underpin this anthem for the less fortunate in our society.

Elsewhere, ‘The Van’ sounds just how Public Enemy jamming with a hardcore crossover band should have always sounded, whilst ‘Turn You Off’ is the first of a trio of tracks on ‘Trauma’ that are the closest to the Bad Sam sound of old, with a more straight-ahead punk rock approach.

As ‘Trauma’ reaches its midpoint ‘Silent Death’ comes out of leftfield sounding not unlike err Leftfield and Lydon and it’s almost Gothic chorus would instantly fill a club dance floor if the youth of today still did such things.  Recent single ‘Popcorn And Blood’ is a banger too, taking the Killing Jokey dark vibe further and giving it a savage lyrical twist courtesy of Beddis and his views on death tourism. Meanwhile if it’s a throbbing slab of industrial punk all about societal peer pressure you are looking for then you need look no further than ‘Perpetual Consumption’.

 ‘Trauma’ enters its final trio of songs with ‘Monsters Dance’ staggering out of the speakers like the perfect soundtrack to a zombie parade from a classic George A. Romero film. Then it’s time to return to the more direct Bad Sam sound of old via ‘Salute The Media’ and (the awesomely titled) ‘Tupperware Death Party’ that close the album down in spectacular full pelt punk rock fashion.

The bio that comes with this advance stream of the album sees Rich Glover comparing the band’s sound on ‘Trauma’ as having the energy of Reagan Youth mixed with the power of LARD, and whilst he’s not a million miles off with that description I think there’s actually loads more going on here than he gives himself and Beddis credit for, as ‘Trauma’ is a record that defies categorisation, and in 2025 we absolutely need bands like Bad Sam producing records like this, exciting, challenging, and above all, essential.

It would be Kriminal not to pick up a copy on vinyl or CD when ‘Trauma’ is released on the 28th of November, or you can preorder a copy NOW via the Bandcamp link below.

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Author: Johnny Hayward

Spøgelse – ‘Spøgelse II’ (Welfare Sounds & Records)

Spøgelse – ‘Spøgelse II’ (Welfare Sounds & Records)

Gothenburg’s drunk’n’roll/hardcore-punk wrecking crew Spøgelse are back to remind you what punk is supposed to feel like: loud, raw, and one beer away from total collapse. Their second album, Spøgelse II, lands this October via Welfare Sounds & Records, packing fifteen tracks that hit like a fist to the jaw for anyone sick of polished, overproduced punk.

Born in the deep Swedish woods but raised on Gothenburg afterparties, Spøgelse have spent the past five years cramming into beat-up cars, dragging gear across highways, and spilling beer on every stage reckless enough to host them. Their mission hasn’t changed: fast riffs, feral live energy, and no compromises.

Spøgelse II is my first taste of the band, so it’s a good jumping-off point, knowing I only have to dig a little for the back catalogue. No Bubblegum pop punk happening here. Right from the starting line its thunderous unleashing of hellfire and fury, and that just the opening three quarters of a minute it takes to put you right in the cross hairs of what Spøgelse are all about. It’s the fury of early Damned married to Motorhead with the volume stuck on eleven, no time to fuck about, otherwise these beers will get spilt and go warm. ‘All Go’ crashes into ‘Terrible Head’ before we all have a ‘Meltdown’.

Crash, Bang, Wallop, I love it when some punk bands just cut loose and fuck shit up and head down a Zeke path blasting out the tunes that get them excited, and if you dig it, then hop on for the ride, if not then don’t forget to shut the door on your way out. The guitars sound like they’re being flogged into oblivion with some brutal riff-a-rama being handed out. It’s a fine art to play this fast ‘Sober Curious’, ‘Beer’ ‘, Speedfreaks’. There’s a theme developing here, kids, so just don’t try this at home, leave it to the experts.

The energy is relentless, but the songs are of quality Hell, they even indulge in a bit of Thrash riffage on ‘Kick Them Where IT Hurts’ in all its prog-like length of just over two minutes, to be fair it might well be my favourite track on a very impressive album. The grunt on the bass guitar of ‘In My Way Again’ is stinkingly good. You also get your money’s worth as there are fifteen tracks on offer here, and as we head towards the inevitable come down when it’s all come to a shuddering halt, we get some pro skating lyrics before their tongue is firmly planted in their cheeks for ‘To Fat For Satan’

Stay pissed. Stay punk. But place this rampant mofo on your turntable to help you along the way, best zeked up punk album I’ve heard in quite a while, go get a copy, kids, it’s a beast. Cheers.

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