A single launch show next Friday 15th July Camden Assembly with Healthy Junkies/Kyran Thrax/DJ Pete Fox.
‘No More Good News’ was written after hearing that Tom Petty had died. David Bowie was lost the year before…two of the band’s musical heroes. ‘We lost many before them, and of course, there was to be more after them.’ Tom Petty’s Album & Song‘Wild Flowers’ is referenced in the song.
A single launch show will be held at the Camden Assembly on the 15th of July with special guests Healthy Junkies. The band are currently collaborating with Eater main man Andy Blade, after meeting at a recent Wasted Youth gig. A London show on the 26th October in celebration of Cleopatra records 30th anniversary has just been announced where the band will be Andy’s back up band playing ‘Ant’ in its entirety. Also on the bill Jah Wobble, who will be playing ‘Metal Box’ in dub for the fist time & 999.
New rock outfit UMBILICUS have released their first single, called “Hello Future”, from their debut album “Path of 1000 Suns”. The group is made up of CANNIBAL CORPSE drummer/lyricist Paul Mazurkiewicz, guitarist Taylor Nordberg (DEICIDE, INHUMAN CONDITION), bassist Vernon Blake (ANARCHUS, NAPALM DEATH-live), and vocalist Brian Stephenson (FORE, OLD JAMES). Though the band members are active in the metal community, the quartet put their love of 60’s and 70’s rock into an album of hard rock, drawing influences ranging from GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, AEROSMITH, LUCIFER’S FRIEND, SCORPIONS, LED ZEPPELIN.
Become Like They Are is the latest offering from Horned Wolf. Hailing from the US, they have been described as ‘progressive sludge metal’. I’m not sure what that is, they just sound like ‘metal’ to me…. The band have been around since 2015 and this is their first release with vocalist Sav.
If you like shouty, growly vocals, down tuned guitars, Sabbath and Alice in Chains style riffing, as well as some powerhouse drumming, Horned Wolf will be right up your street. I have to say that I’m not a huge fan of Sav’s vocal style, but I can certainly appreciate the talent it takes to be able to sustain that kind of delivery.
Opening track ‘You’re Boring’ kicks off with a mid-paced chug along, some tasty drumming from David Zey really helps to elevate the track. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested at this stage. ‘Bloodlines’ has a Kyuss kind of sludgy feel to it, nice and doomy. ‘Charnel House’ highlights some clean vocals from Sav, I much prefer this to the Evil Dead-style shouting that goes on for most of the time.
‘Drag the Bayou’ is another mid paced number with some cool riffing and twin lead work from guitarists Don Bailey and Justin Mullin. It is all a little on the generic side though and the tracks do tend to blend into each other. The title track gives us more of the same, by the time I’ve got to this stage of the album, I’m bored and don’t really want to listen to anymore. Not that Horned Wolf aren’t good at what they do, they are. It just doesn’t resonate with me, not enough melody, no real earworms to speak of and it just becomes background noise.
As I previously stated, Horned Wolf are good at what they do, it’s just not my bag. Best of luck to them, I’m sure in their genre they will be appreciated. The album artwork is pretty cool too.
A slick half dozen and some tunes this month but they are some of the finest of their genres and singles that need hearing. From Gospel to Hardcore we love em all. Can I get an Amen! now don’t waste time get on em.
Steve Conte – ‘Wildwood Moon’ (Wicked Cool Records) Another track off the stunning ‘Bronx Cheer’ album Available Here If you are not familiar maybe now is the time. Check out this video and then get on the album in all its glory.
The Chisel – ‘Deconstructive Surgery EP’ (LA VIDA ES UN MUS DISCOS) – Now already on its umteenth press this five-track EP is kicking up a shitstorm and if you’ve never heard of this yob crew of hardcore noise then please explain where you’ve been the past 12 months? ‘Class Oppression’ is like a swift kick in the bollocks before being headbutted through the saloon doors just seconds before the pile on that is ‘Blackpool20’ – unbridled energy like a swift intake of breath before having your head thrust back underwater – its a frantic rush but boy does it sound good?
Of course there isn’t a bad song on here, there isn’t time. They even have an anthem to assault you with ‘Chisel Boys’ will get the job done – of that there is no doubt. What a banger of an EP Buy it Here
Tramp – ‘Jailbait’ (Wanda Records) With lyrics that’ll make your nan blush Tramp aren’t shy coming forward. Viki Venom, Suzi Sleeze and Joey Deuce from New Hampshire in the US of A play Snotty garage punk’n’roll with a raunchy back beat and sleazy lyrics they made up at the bus stop whilst blowing bubbles with their Hubba bubba gum. They don’t want to hang with the cool kids because they are the cool kids.
They might not be the Lunachicks but I’m sure they are looney chicks – in a PC world Tramp are so un PC and proud of it ‘All I Want’ is punk as fuck with a pogo-tastic chorus that sounds like it was recorded in one take because A they nailed it and B they couldn’t be arsed to do another anyways because they had better things to do innit. Pick it up Here
The Amplifier Heads – ‘Space Cadet’ (Rum Bar Records) Always delivering quality bands from their HQ in Boston Rum Bar have another 45 that just rocks out like the best secret party anywhere on this spinning globe. Handclaps, distorted rock n roll riffs, happy smiling people everywhere. The Amplifier Heads kick ass! then ‘Two Headed Girl’ is like a twist on Tom Petty and his heartbreakers just kicking out the jams. Sal Baglio has got the chops kids and this EP is three tracks to tempt you in and shake your shit to. Love the guitar lick on on ‘Earth Girls On The Loose’ it short sharp and right on the money. Go check it out and tell em RPM sent you I’m sure Lou will welcome you in like an old friend and pour you a big one! – Rockin and a rollin here
Soul Glo – ‘Gold Chain Punk’ (Epitaph Records) From the album ‘Diaspora Problems’ The music video satirizes the frustrations of being lumped together with other bands and artists due to the colour of their skin when individually, they hold it down on their own. Vocalist Pierce Jordan, one of AV Club’s ‘20 Best Frontpeople In Modern Rock,’ explains, “If you’re a Black person who is into any kind of hard rock, you’ve probably had a white person try to talk to you about Bad Brains. We are constantly compared to them. Apparently, I even look like HR. Can I fuckin live?” The band hit the uk for a string of dates starting in London on September the 7th and ending on the 16th again in London. hit em up and check out the album now. https://soulglo.ffm.to/diasporaproblems
The Future Shape Of Sound – ‘Paradise City’ (Gypsy Hotel) Now that’s how to do a cover version. Yes, it is indeed the Guns n Roses big hitter that is ‘PAradise City’ but hell yeah! this version is what Guns and Roses could never have birthed. from the jungle beats to the funked-up guitar lick right up to the amazing Gospel chorus vocals this is a revelation brothers and sisters.
Captain Future’s Rock’n’Roll Gospel phenomenon that is The Future Shape Of Sound will be out on Gypsy Hotel on Friday 15th July as download and CD including 4 live bonus tracks. The other cover is a take of the Urban Voodoo Machine classic that is ‘Help Me Jesus’ that the y take ownership of releasing their own twist on this barnstorming tune has this down as the record of the week hands down. performed at last year’s magical Red Rooster Festival, all songs featuring the captivating voice of one of the most exciting soul singers in the U.K. today Miss Divalee Wells! superb release and songs. Facebook
Sator – ‘Shimmy Shake’ (Wild Kingdom) Lifted from their brand new album of covers Sator gives classic Devo a rockin make-over and does it so well. Yeah, the Devo synth drills are there and the melody holds up. It’s in the 30s outside as I type and nothing sounds as good as this bubblegum power-pop stab at some Devo it’s cool and refreshing and totally fresh just what the doctor ordered.
Here Hare Here – ‘Chez Liam’ (Lux Noise) The home of Basle noise makers Bitch Queens and The Brokendolls you can now add Here Hare HEre to that list of top-notch noise makers. check out their brand new video ‘Chez Liam’ and get down to some hot trashy garage rock n roll
TOYAH joins the tour! alongside Television and Headliner Billy Idol. Billy Idol is delighted to announce that Toyah will be joining the UK dates in October of The Roadside Tour 2022, alongside very special guest, Television. Billy will be heading out with some new music and a stack of timeless classics for his first appearances in the UK since 2018 and will play 6 Arena dates. Tickets are available Here
The ever-popular Toyah will bring an extra sense of fun to the tour. Alongside a flourishing acting career, Toyah carved out a successful musical career with three top ten UK hit singles in the 1980s and the Gold-selling album Anthem.
“We’re looking forward to having Toyah join us in the UK,” said Billy. “This is the final piece in what is going to be an epic show!”
“I am thrilled to be opening for Billy Idol on The Roadside Tour,” an excited Toyah commented. “Billy is an icon whose music has thrilled millions worldwide and continues to do so. Billy has created a style of rock that has gone on to inspire generation after generation. ‘Rebel Yell, ‘White Wedding’ and ‘Mony Mony’ are up there with the all-time greats.
“I can’t wait to start the tour and I am excited to be included in the fabulous line up alongside Television who made one of the first albums I ever bought.”
Billy Idol’s very special guests are Television featuring Tom Verlaine. Television will be performing their seminal debut album Marquee Moon in full.
Billy’s touring band features his long-time guitarist and collaborator Steve Stevens along with Stephen McGrath (bass, backing vocals), Billy Morrison (guitar, backing vocals), Paul Trudeau (keyboards, backing vocals) and drummer Erik Eldenius.
Pic by John Patzer
Billy Idol The Roadside Tour 2022dates:
Thursday 13 October Manchester AO Arena
Monday 17 October Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Wednesday 19 October London The SSE Arena, Wembley
Friday 21 October Glasgow The SSE Hydro
Sunday 23 October Birmingham Resorts World Arena
Tuesday 25 October Leeds First Direct Arena
Tickets for The Roadside Tour 2022 can be purchased from www.aegpresents.co.uk/billy-idol. All existing tickets are valid for the revised dates.
A CAREER SPANNING PLAYLIST FEATURING NEW & LOST RECORDINGS
Streaming on Spotify now
Manic Street Preachers have posted the second in a series of career spanning Spotify playlists specially curated by the band.
Sleep Next To Plastic focuses on the cover versions Manic Street Preachers have performed over the years. It includes new/lost recordings, B-sides and album tracks. Fifteen of the covers have previously been unavailable officially through streaming services; the version of Madonna’s Borderline was recorded in the band’s Door To The River especially for this playlist.
Covers have away been central to Manic Street Preachers ethos, whether playing raw versions of Happy Mondays or Clash songs at early gigs or adding inspirational classics written by Guns N’Roses or Echo and the Bunnymen to recent live shows.
Manic Street Preachers on Sleep Next To Plastic: “Cover version have always offered us a chance to pay direct, public tribute to records we grew up obsessing over, be that C86 bands or artists as diverse as Madonna, John Cale and Paul Robeson. Collectively, these covers are a heartfelt musical tribute to our formative influences.”
London post punk noise bringers Girls In Synthesis turn up the tempo on this EP? Mini Album? Extended single? Who knows what to quantify it as but once the needle drops and the hum of overdrive and distortion grinds through your speakers added to the metronomic beat ‘Pulling Teeth’ will certainly test your fillings from the constant steady beat that creates a solid platform for the synth and guitar drones to test the limits of your speakers its hypnotic qualities draw you in like a modern-day homage to Joy Division via some Gallon Drunk meets Germanic industrial – its a melting pot alright and pretty captivating it is too throughout its nine minutes lifespan. I can’t believe they haven’t fallen through a portal in time and left post-WWII Berlin and landed in wet south London on a freezing cold and damp November.
At about six minutes your head feels like it’s about to explode with the metallic feedback reaching a crushing climax before the bass thumps through the ether. Modern anarco punk is calling and its pulling teeth mantra is perfect as it escalates to its explosive conclusion. Intense and mesmerizing.
‘Enveloped’ is like a post-Bauhaus industrial banger – easy listening this isn’t. ‘Bypassing’ is a widescreen landscape of twitching noise and brass blasts as the waves of noise washes over you. From the nine-minute opener to the sub-one-minute ‘Interlude’ seems obvious before ‘The Engine’ crashes in to wrap up this record. With four minutes of dark bleak guitar clashing with a great tune to wrap proceedings up before lying in a darkened room to get over the end-of-the-world noise, I’ve just experienced. It’s great to test your head with some extreme noise terror and Girls In Synthesis do it as well as anyone I’ve heard recently. It’s like pushing a johnsons cotton bud through one ear and out the other without dying it’s not for everyone but those that get it will achieve immense enjoyment from their listening experience.
Digital downloads are available or direct from Hound Gawd! if you prefer the best experience on wax.
Here at RPM we pride ourselves on our diversity, like to think we cover a wide range of artists and we strive to step out of our comfort zone at every opportunity. So, taking a 2-hour car journey and seemingly stepping back in time a good 100 years or so, I head to The Toon for one of only five (mostly sold out) UK shows from Nashville’s best kept secret Sierra Ferrell.
Born and bred in West Virginia, Sierra Ferrell grew up on a diet of punk and grunge. She started busking in her 20’s and adopted a nomadic lifestyle, where she discovered a love for bluegrass and swing music, adopting her style to suit. She settled in Nashville and signed a 3 album deal with Rounder Records, releasing her debut album ‘Long Time Coming’ in 2021. Some say it’s her solo performances, preceding the album release and uploaded to YouTube, where this girl truly shines.
Sierra Ferrell has a voice that sounds like it should be on old, crackly vinyl, and in a live environment, as on record, she has the ability to transport the listener back to another time.
This is Sierra’s first visit to the UK and many of these long postponed European dates are sold out, so it’s no real surprise that there is an air of anticipation and excitement leading up to the performance. Its already hot in The Cluny as Sierra plucks the opening chords to ‘In Dreams’ and walks on to whoops and hollerin’ from the packed-out crowd. Wearing a red, flowery dress, matching cowboy boots and her hair up in rollers, she certainly looks old school country, yet it’s the septum ring, tattoos and ultimately the quality tunes that sets her apart from the usual Nashville country artists that come our way.
Flanked by Oliver Bates Craven on mandolin and fiddle, and upright bassist Geoff Saunders, the diminutive singer takes us back to another place, another time with her ageless, gypsy jazz and folky laments that incorporate as much calypso and Latin influences as they do country.
For an artist who has just one album, she seems to have a cult following in the UK. Looking around me the demographic is similar to an Alabama 3/Primal Scream sort of crowd, a mix of gig-hardened 50 somethings, alternative students and die-hard roots music lovers. A Glasto sort of crowd, a festival which funnily enough is happening as we stand here. How is she over here this weekend and not playing? She would be perfect at Glastonbury. Maybe next year.
A lot of people know all the words tonight and it’s a very vocal and upbeat crowd. There’s a lot of chat, a lot of foot-stomping and a whole lotta singing. Yet, a song like ‘Whispering Waltz’ stops everyone in their tracks and you could hear a pin drop while we are mesmerised by the near perfect rendition. Sierra transports the listener to the mountains of Virginia with mournful, rustic accompaniment and a stunning mandolin solo (not a phrase I ever thought I would say!).
They pretty much play the whole album, past singles and a few covers. Highlights for me would be the gypsy jazz of ‘The Sea’, the countrified ‘Bells Of Every Chapel’ and the heartfelt balladry of ‘West Virginia Waltz’ that was simply outstanding.
There was also a new song which will be on her next album called ‘Fox Hunt’. It featured Oliver and Sierra both on fiddle and had a foot-stomping, folk driven intensity that brought to mind The Levellers at their finest. This I liked a lot, instantly gratifying and judging by the whoopin’ and hollerin’ from the crowd, I was not the only one. A song that promises good things for album number two.
Between songs, Sierra sinks a large wine glass of something pink and makes use of the strategically placed fan to cool down. The main set closes with the finger-pickin’ delights of ‘Jeremiah’, one of those YouTube wonders that has the crowd singing along.
No drums, no electric guitars, just simple, honest songs played by 3 players on stringed, acoustic instruments and a voice that is effortless in its perfection.
They sure missed a trick not having any vinyl on sale tonight, as you can’t find the album for love or money over here, but the t shirts were cool, so that was a bonus.
As we always say at RPM, we strive to bring you the cool artists from the underground, the ones on the way up, the ones who bring something a bit different and edgy to the table. Sierra has something, from the first video I watched and the ensuing YouTube rabbit hole I went down. It was well worth a 2-hour trip and I will do it again when she returns. She will return, she expressed a wish to live here from the stage tonight. When she does come back, I highly recommend you check her out. In the meantime, has anyone got her record for sale please?
This years “Bitch Fest” line up! 6 bands, 2 stages, weird and freaky stuff to discover – just one night of pure punk-rock madness. Tickets are up for sale now for a more than fair price of 32CHF (about 30€) here: https://www.seetickets.com/ch/tour/bitch-fest-v
Wanna give some extra love? Then be sure to buy a “Bitch Love”-Ticket. They recommend to party hard through the night with DJ Danny Ramone to save money for drinks. But if you need a good place to stay close by then ibis budget Basel City is probably the easiest and cheapest way to go.
Our beer ORANGE LIGHTNING will be available through Systembolaget in Sweden on August 1, 2022. It is a wonderful fruity hard rocking IPA on 6,66% vol alcohol.
This is no brands for fans crap! We brewed this IPA ourselves under strict supervision from the amazing Lakeside Brewery in Uricehamn, Sweden. Beer me and cheers! More info soon!
Aug 5, 2022 – WTJT XVI Aftershow party, Molotow, Hamburg (DE) Aug 26, 2022 – Garage Bar, Höganäs (SE) Aug 27, 2022 – Eksjö Stadsfest (SE) w/Sahara Hotnights etc. Dec 09, 2022 – Ajz Bahndamm, Wermelskirchen (DE) w/Stacey Crowne Dec 10, 2022 – Mitsubishi Electric Halle, Düsseldorf (DE) w/Massendefekt More info/tickets here>>
It’s been five years between ‘We’re Still Dead’ and ‘Please Chesty’ five years one pandemic, two presidents, a shit show in the UK, and Europe on fire but through all that bad shit we’ve had punk rockers burrowing away in lockdowns writing punk rock in different way but always coming back to what sounds best. thirteen songs in less than three-quarters of an hour every one as fast as the last, soaked in attitude and spat out ten to the dozen. the solos rage and the vocals are like a headbutt you weren’t expecting.
‘The Worthy And The Worthless’ sounds exactly like you’d expect. It’s got a razorblade raw guitar riff and Chesty is slicing up those vocals testing your tinnitus to the max. Now when I said every song was as fast as the last I meant it. Don’t get sucked in by the intro on ‘No One’s Dying’ its something of a false start before we have lift off!
‘The Fine Art Of Choking’ is right up there with the best songs the band has ever made. It’s toe tap tastic and the gang vocals are bruising. It’s a vicious song with lyrics that intimidate and deliver. Horror punk meets hardcore in one delicious three minutes banger.
There might be a small fascination with death and how to achieve it but the music matches the titles ‘Axing Doesn’t Hurt’ or so Chesty says but I wouldn’t like to put it to the test however, I’d like to speed down the high street on a busy Saturday with this busting out of the speakers pissing off ever man woman and child because I can and that’s how Chesty and the boys make me feel. Punk as fuck, never overcomplicating things and sometimes just giving those instruments a damned good hiding.
‘Antibiotic Death’ continues the horror but ‘Ticket Wallet Drugs & Chicken’ is like the Wildhearts if they were born on B movies and east coast punk rock it’s punk as fuck and winning the race to the bottom of the swamp. When you have a love of class punk and thrash metal and everything in between you can write songs like ‘Torture Rock’ and pull it off. It’s easy to miss the point and make a horrible mess of crossing over but these veterans of the East Coast make it sound easy.
They even go for some heavy as fuck Punk Rock Blues on ‘Satan Never Sleeps’ where the band just slays it with twisted licks whilst Chesty sounds like she’s finally gone insane. I’d love to be in a hot sweaty pit for ’13 Punks’ windmilling and slam dancing my way through a proper punk rock workout to this evil speedball of a tune.
Whisper this quietly but if the Misfits were to have recorded songs like ‘Flesh Peeling Angel or ‘Energy Vampire’ people would be going crazy for it. They didn’t because Chesty Malone & The Slice Em Ups have and people in the know will get it and love every second of this filthy and furious skull cracker of a record. They sign off with the pit-pleasing ‘Planet Impossible’ Hardcore as Fuck and a lot of fun. Chesty Malone & The Slice Em Ups have another killer platter of punk on their hands and I love it! Go stream this album to your heart’s content and when you’ve finished go delve into their back catalogue, oh and check out their covers EP – You’ve been warned or Chesty’s comin’ round to hurt ya!
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