45 Revolutions Per Minute

45 Revolutions Per Minute

What an epic mixed bag this month’s singles are.  We delve into hardcore territory with some killer singles EP’s and downloads that raise an eyebrow or two as well as dip our toes into indie and alternative goodness but the one thing we can assure you is we review quality and if its on RPM 45’s then you really should give a fuck and go check em out you might just find your new favourite band. We’ve covered this months feature with two absolute belting slabs of hardcore from both sides of the pond in Asbestos Beach and Cheasty Malone and we also have the finest power pop with the brand new More Kicks who can’t put a foot wrong with their releases so far. There is also some top-notch Grunge vibes hitting the death decks this month in the shape of Hellebore and Weekend Recovery who expand the envelope for us and most welcome they are too.  Cock Rock in the house as well in the shape of Piston and opening up some Killer Punk Rock N Roll in the shape of Killer Hearts… Boy I love my job. 1-2-3-4 take it away guys…

Killer Hearts -Killed By Volume EP (Gods Candy Records/Spaghetty Town Records) Its like a seal of approval currently if your record is released on Gods Candy or Spaghetty Town you the listener don’t need to hear it just hand over your money because you know its going to be quality rock n Roll and Killer Hearts brand new EPs the latest in that conveyer belt of Rock n Roll goodness.’Do Your Thang’ is first up and what a horn honkin slab of killer Rock n Roll it is.  It’s snotty – it’s rockin’ – it’s like the bastard sons of The Dead Boys and Bon Scott Iggy Pop and Thin Lizzy that’s the pedigree these guys are mainlining.  Four tracks that just sizzles with attitude like the sound you want a band of Rock n Roll outlaws to make. Another fantastic four tracks that we highly recommend you check out with immediate effect. Facebook Gods Candy Records Spaghetty Town Records

Chesty Malone & The Slice EM Ups – Satanic Brooklyn Scum (1332 Records) fuck me it’s been way too long since I had a slice of Chesty Malone across my record player. They don’t so much come creepy crawling back to life but more like a hybrid punk slam dance from speaker to speaker in a rapid quick fire in your face slice of slice em up’s. ‘Cannibal Girl’ is hardcore and right up in your grill – have some of that boys n girls I’ve missed em. ‘Everybody Hates Me’ is pure Noo Yawk hardcore – barking like a rabid dog they should hook up with Pizzatramp for an Atlantic crossover of hardcore throw down it would be carnage. They have saved the best til last though in fairness with a more menacing and measured number ‘Satanic Brooklyn Scum’ might just be the bands finest three and a half minutes to date. Welcome back you lot we’ve missed you. Its like Venom jamming on Bloodclot or early slayer playing Madball tunes.  Nah it’s like Chesty Malone doing what the do best and slicing up the opposition. Killer EP.  Buy it here off the label or head over to Chesty Malone Website

 

Vegasettes – Lose Sight (Self Release) It’s loud its brash its Vegasette.  sighting the likes of the Foo Fighters is a bit wide of the mark for me as this is louder than that and more of a hard-rockin’ riffarama affair. The opening track is built over a big riff as it forges on with a big melody on the vocals with plenty of punch. ‘Breathe’ is altogether a different beast with a big riff its a slow burner but gets there, in the end, we always love a gang vocal and Vegasettes have got one.  A promising introduction from these UK based rockers.

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Mozes & The Firstborn – Sad Supermarket Song (Burger Records) This video is taken off his new long player ‘Dadcore’ that was released a few weeks ago. the band play See them live at The Shacklewell Arms, London, March 12th as part of their European tour. with a blend of power pop and a more alternative sound it has a commercial edge for sure but is a very listenable tune from a very impressive album. Check em out Here 

 

 

More Kicks – I’m On The Brink (Wanda Records) Ok Rock n Rollers here’s the brand new single from Londons very own power pop rock n rollers kicking out the jams on this fine pair of tunes.  Do you want energy? Do you want melody? Do you want some exciting Rock n Roll? Well, jump on board because More Kicks are the real deal. Available on several coloured records from Wanda Records this is a must own record. The A-side is a fantastically crafted slab of rock n roll as it makes your heart glow and your toes tap just what a 45 should sound like. Whilst the B-Side is a little faster it’s just more of the same.  These gents really do know how to craft great rock n roll and then the hard part of capturing the magic but once again they’ve done it.  Get down and get with it kids More Kicks should be huge.  Now with two singles down how about that long player? Wanda Records  Bandcamp

 

Pizzatramp / Domestics (self Release) As usual these boys don’t do things by halves and decide to release a spilt that clocks in at less that one minute! yup, one minute if there is such a thing as a ten-second love song then ‘I Went On A Double Funded Kickstarter Holiday To The United States Of America And All I Brought Back Was This Shitty Fucking Album’ isn’t it.  Yup, it takes longer to type the song title than the song lasts and we know what its about but c’mon guys that’s just plain nasty.  We love Pizzatramp and we love that they do things their own way and we should be the ones to suggest that we all get together and have a group hug because things won’t seem so bad after we’re all loved up or something like that.  Sure it’s shouty and its fast as fuck but its Pizzatramp so what did you expect a Bon Jovi cover? Bandcamp

 

The Gala – Boy (Dead Beat Records) Some down n dirty sleazy rock n roll ala NY Loose with some smart keys in their mix thats what you get from the Gala. With a rumbling bass line and swirling organ, this back street rock n roll tune is a great introduction to their soon to be released long player ‘Bad News’. If this single is an indication of what’s on offer then ‘Bad News’ is a must hear deal from Bostons the Gala because they’ve got the chops boy.

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 Hellebore – The Bomb EP (Self Release) Three tracks from Nottingham noisemakers sitting somewhere between The Pixies, PJ Harvey and Esterons With three tracks that have a foot in the alt scene of the early ’90s call it post-grunge or just plain indie but what they have done is craft three different tracks from the dreamy edges to the noisy feedback-laden moments not a million miles from PJ Harvey on ‘Swimming In’.

The title track ‘The Bomb’ is the pick of the three with an aggressive edge but always just under control. Well worth checking out if you’ve ever had a passing hankering for well crafted indie rock. Passionate and clearly in it for the love of the music that much shines through check them out on Facebook and Bandcamp and pick up a copy of ‘The Bomb’. Facebook

 

Sick Bags – Cigarette Spit (Self Release) Richmond punks Sick Bag knock out three super sleazy slabs of Punk Rock N Roll. ‘Cigarette Spit’ is like The Runaways playing Ramones its got a big dollop of Toilet Boys thrown in for good measure so what’s not to like? ‘Die In California’ is more of the same. If you don’t like this then you have to question yourself and what you’re doing with your life. Sick Bag are wonderful.  Trashy glitter punk is a thing of beauty when its done properly and Sick Bag certainly do that.  I think I’d have my money on these cats in a street fight with Amyl & The Sniffer. Oh and the third track on offer ‘Bandit Baby’ is um kinda more of the same just with a different solo but it puts its lipstick on with a switchblade knife.  Check em out you’ll love em. Bandcamp

 

Liily – I Can Fool Anybody In This Town (Flush Records)  Alt-rockers Lilly hail from San Fernando Valley and are a causing a bit of a stir with their tunes and for a bunch of teens they are way ahead of the curve with a sound that bands twice their age can’t capture.  The lead track reminds me a bit of Japan and their alt-rock roots but there is a lot more to this band than one style.  They embrace several genres and can rock out with the big boys when they need to.  Interesting times and interesting band, one to keep an eye on.  Buy Liily Here

The Magic Lotus – Change The World (Animal Farm)  London based two piece make alternative rock their weapon of choice are back with a measured slice of pop-rock with an emphasis on the harmony and melody.

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Asbestos Beach – Tape (Self Release)  But it has eight tracks that’s not a single I hear you say.  Yeah but eight-track in around ten minutes like having a dentist drill rammed through the side of your head I think its fair to say that these Glaswegian hardcore loons have a single length release if that’s alright with you?

The artwork to this release pretty much sums up what you’re hearing.  It’s like Bloodclot meets Mayhem but in a Glasgow park after dark whilst pouring Buckfast into your eyes.  Harcore as fuck uncompromising – tight as fuck and like a rabid dog you just can’t or want to shake off.  fuckin’ ace! I couldn’t pick a favourite that would be futile just enjoy it for what it is.  A fuckin’ beautiful racket, well done Asbestos Beach ‘Tape’ wins. Name your price on Bandcamp 

Piston – One More Day (Self Release) Five Piece Rockers Piston have this brand new video available its taken from their forthcoming debut album that is being released in yonder well September to be exact so its a hell of a lead-in from here. The song is commercial enough to have widespread appeal for the band with a bit of Billy Duffy in the riff and guitar sound as well as enough Backyard Babies Piston have an interesting few months ahead methinks.  Good luck gents.

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Weekend Recovery – Bite Your Tongue (Self Release) Four tracks on the brand new Weekend Recovery EP with a sound that’s sharp – well produced it crosses a few genres from the harsh guitar overdrive to the strong melodies on the vocals the band have crafted the songs possibly most noted on ‘On My Knees’ and ‘I’m Not That Girl’ which starts off quiet and moves purposefully as the band builds around the chorus for the pick of the tracks on offer.

In a post Grunge sound, I can see the band reaching a wide audience on the strength of these tunes and a really strong performance on vocals as Lorin excels and turns in a great performance. There is certainly a bit of My Chemical Romance in this the way the song flows and its easily the pick of the four on offer. Good effort indeed.

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Tiger Touch – Hawthorne Boogie (Tyrannical Volts) Sneaking in at the eleventh hour is Tiger Touch from Portland & here at RPM we’re so glad they did because this two track 7″ is dominating our airwaves.  Its a slice of Action Rock ‘n’ fuckin Roll that smoulders along and has a real touch of class from the opening chord right through to that sweet Angus like solo.  Hawthorne Boogie never goes over the top crazy but there is a menace there that’s just bubbling under which makes for a classy tune. The B side is an altogether different beast with its rapid stomping rhythm.  A classic slice of attitude fueled rock n roll. A single that will interest a lot of RPM readers. Love the snippet of ‘Search And Destroy’ if you’re going to reference anyone might as well make it the best.  Excellent record!

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Bromide – Magic Coins (Scratchy Records)  HAving some pretty lofty praise heaped on this English Three piece ‘Magic Coins’ ebbs and flows between indie heavyweights Dinosaur Jr and Teenage Fanclub for the melodies and power chords.  It’s not without merit I know that much and whilst they might not be up there with Beach Slang they’re certainly sneaking up on the outside especially with songs like the hypnotic ‘Always Now’.  I like it and want to hear more. Facebook

 

 

 

 

To finish off this roundup of great singles I’m going to just leave this beauty here, enjoy!

Christmas cracker in January – RPM talks to Max about 2019 and his band Christmas

Christmas cracker in January – RPM talks to Max about 2019 and his band Christmas
2018 saw Christmas release their third album ‘Scum As You Are’ to a huge nod of approval from RPM HQ so with a bunch of UK tour dates announced we thought it was only fair to get hold of frontman Max and ask him a few choice questions about the past present and future for Christmas.  Take it away Max…
firstly for those who don’t know to introduce yourself? Let the readers know a little about the band?
We started Christmas in 2010. We planned to found a glam-rock band. It didn’t end up as one (maybe luckily?!). Glam rockers are good musicians, we just have been looking good with our instruments. Also, my hair stopped to grow on my head and started growing on my belly. After a few years of searching for our sound, we released ‘APPETITE FOR SELF-DESTRUCTION’. It’s the perfect record for me!
Looking back to the first and second albums, those titles, did they cause the band any problems (we all know how touchy some Rock stars can be over what they perceive they own) or did people have a laugh at the titles? Tell us how you look at the recordings you’ve made to this point?
Well, like I said, ‘APPETITE FOR SELF-DESTRUCTION’ is the perfect record for me. Written in about three months we caught a wild mix of Turbonegro’s ‘ASS COBRA’ and Poison Idea’s ‘FEEL THE DARKNESS’. The artwork was made by a good friend of mine from Mexico who also worked for other huge bands and the producer is from the Mod scene in the UK and moved to Germany about fifteen years ago. He totally got into it and was a brilliant addition when we produced the record. 
As for ‘LOSE YOUR ILLUSION’ we worked way longer on the songs. The production process was not that perfect like the first time we went to JPs studio and I think he had different things on his mind. He did a good job in mixing and mastering, but he didn’t get the connection that much on that one. I can hear it from my side I think. The artwork was made by another good friend who also did our logo and the first EP’s artwork. You see, I know many people that are a genius in doing artworks! 
‘SCUM AS YOU ARE’ is the perfect example for a DIY record! Even if the beginning of the songwriting took ages because we had band members come and go, in the end, we wrote the songs very quickly.  Alex, our drummer at that time, has built himself a small studio in his basement and recorded everything himself. He also mixed and mastered it and did a really good job. My girlfriend, Annika, took care of the artwork this time. With her together we screen printed all the covers ourselves. Now we do all our merch ourself as well. Pretty much a lot of hard work, but definitely worth it!
You’ve announced a bunch of tour dates already for 2019 what other plans have you got lined up?  Any more recording or is the plan to tour ‘Scum As You Are’ for 2019?
We are a multi-tasking band! We will record our next album in the first half of 2019. In fall we will have a huge tour in southern Europe on the schedule, that one is not announced yet, so we tour as well.
Did you do anything differently for this third album? The total package was great and a lot of attention to detail was put into the whole thing how important is it to bring your music out on vinyl as well as CD? Does it enable you to tour or is it the other way around does the touring enable you to make records?
Music is made to be heard! For each and everyone, no matter if vinyl addict, CD listener or music streamer. Our vinyl album contains everything, vinyl, CD and download code. Packed in a screen printed sleeve and with a huge booklet! We wanted to deliver quality! 

Touring and releasing record goes hand in hand. You go on tour to pay the studio, then you release music and want people to hear it, so you tour again. Then you got money again and hey, why not go and record some new songs?
What about the future? singles? A new record.  any plans? or videos maybe?
Absolutely! We did three 7″ singles next to the album last year. One of them was a split with my childhood idols THE TURBO A.C.’s. Now we are working on a split single with SKINNY MILLIONAIRE, the other band of the guitar player from the TURBO A.C.’s. Probably there will be another one before the album as well.
Your playing with Trigger Mcpoopshute again when you come to Wales and you also have the excellent Pizza-tramp with you for a few shows on the continent is it important who you take out with you on tours?  
Punk rock means friendship. Our first show in the UK was with those grumpy old men from TRIGGER MCPOOPSHUTE. We straight felt in love, they are kinda punk rock daddys for us! Last year they came to Germany for some shows with us. I want them back next year! With PIZZA-TRAMP.  it is just by chance that we play together. In the past we played some shows here and there together, it never was planned. Pretty cool dudes though and they are wild!
That European tour last year looked great fun when you do it with bands who value what they do like those guys its lifelong memories and it has to be a good time doing it as well.
It’s always important to be on eye level with people. Never look down on someone else, you don’t want them to look down at you, right? Respectful and fair handling makes a tour a really cool time for everyone. Unfortunately, in the past, we also toured with bands that looked down on us. Each night they made a drama of everything. Horrible! 
Any future plans or news you want to announce? The floor is yours.  Just leaves me to say Good luck with the tour and hopefully, we can catch you when you arrive in the UK…
There is nothing with a deadline yet. But thank you for being there for us!!

Bad Sam/Pizzatramp-Newport LePub  21/12/2018

Bad Sam/Pizzatramp-Newport LePub  21/12/2018

Do you know it’s been a fantastic year for gig’s, The Bellrays, Thee Hypnotics, Lee Bains, to name just a few and all in Le Pub. A superb year for Lp’s loads of new artists discovered, and a time to watch some I’ve followed for a while step out of the underground on to a much larger stage the Bar Stool Preachers, Estrons, and tonite’s support Pizzatramp to name just a couple.

 

Pizzatramp have put in the miles this last year, as they did the year before, levelling Rebellion in the process, they are a well-oiled machine and so far from those beginning couple of gigs, in fact, I’d go so far as to say they just get better every time I see them. Tonite’s showing was a foot down, full throttle, flat out fucked from the time they hit the stage.

 

Now if you haven’t caught Pizzatramp live, the first thing you’ve got to ask yourself is why the next the next thing you have to do is find out where their playing and strap yourself in for the next big thing to hit the punk rock scene.

 

I mean anyone who’s penned a song called ‘Bono is a cunt’ deserves the time of day, it was played tonight and levelled the place, as was Millions of Dead Goths, blowing chunks, Scumbag Boogie, Nunchucks of Hell, My Backs fucking Fucked and” I got work in the morning”. 100% the greatest punk rock band in Caldicot!!!

Following on from the lunacy that Pizzatramp bring it was over to Newport’s finest Bad Sam, now anytime around Xmas your not quite sure of what your going to get from Bad Sam, Beddis pulled out all the stops this year and we’re confronted with the pope stepping in all the way from the Vatican to mumble absolutions overall in attendance and fair play it was packed solid, as the mask drops what we actually have is Bad Sam, Beddis fronted, firing on all cylinders, gone was that metal sheen brought in by the last guitar player, and what a noise and twin guitar carnage now bestowed onto us by Jeff and the Glove, what we now have is punk at its very best.

 

Looking deeper into the band you begin to see the reality which is you also have a shit hot rhythm section locking it all down.  I mean come on starting with “I’m a Terrorist” from the Bring me the head of Lp its only going one way.

 

Now if you’ve ever caught Bad Sam or The Cowboy Killers back in the day, you’ll know that usually the last place you’ll find Beddis is on the stage watching the “Pope” tear through the crowd was a little disconcerting but watching the Pope sings “Dicks with dogs” “Newport Hotel” “Valium”, “Cocaine me” even “Christ Betrayed” took on a whole new dimension.

 

To finally finish off the crowd “I love the Port” was what was demanded and duly delivered. Now if your hoping to see a lot more of Bad Sam in 2019, this line up has shifted things up about three gears, you might be disappointed, in fact, if you see any gigs advertised anywhere get in there!!! The only thing you’re likely to get is the unexpected.

Author:Nev Brooks

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – August

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – August

“Didn’t we have a luvuly time the day we went to Blackpool, Kiss me quick and Lets Rock Like Fuck!”

August

August.  All roads lead to Blackpool, for it’s time to head into the Winter Gardens for the UK’s finest alternative extravaganza and catch an awesome line up at this year’s Rebellion Festival.  However you look at it this year was one of the finest line-ups ever at the festival and RPM scribes were in attendance for plenty of giggles, wobbles and plenty of old and new favourites. I wouldn’t know where to start to sum it up and do justice to the bands who played, however, there were a couple of outstanding performances at this year’s festival most notably Michael Monroe who stole the show with the Sunday night headline in the Opera House.

There were so many other high points so many great bands and looking back there are so many memories that I’ll never have again. As the year unfolded and I look back bands and people that I’ll never see again which makes me grateful to have had these moments however brief in the first place.

There were a few mentions I need to make as I mentioned the performance from Michael Monroe.  sure its no secret I think the guy is the best in the business and an incredible talent and has never had the credit he deserved by wider audiences but those who get it just get it and can see that the guy and his band ooze class and he has a back catalogue so full of great songs its one of life’s mysteries how he’s not selling out stadiums and sitting on a pile of platinum records globally but hey life ain’t like that and he just gets on with it and does it with a smile and a wink as he and his band rocks like Fuck! at least now Rebellion knows this as well.

TSOL rocked like fuck – Pizzatramp turned up like fuck (well except Dan) – Clowns blew my mind – Neville Staples skanked like teenagers and considering we stood on the side of the stage to take them in for a song or two we ended up staying for the whole set and loving every minute of it – The Adolescents did Soto proud with an awesome heartfelt performance and all power to them for having the balls to turn up and play and not cancel. The Briefs showed that not all Americans are stupid – Buzzcocks were once again worthy headliners knocking out over an hour of power pop buzzsaw classics. Bar Stool Preachers were also worthy headliners and with their new album in tow, they showed a lot of established bands with decades under their belts how to rock the house and do it with a smile an outstanding and memorable performance.

Idles told it as it is and their assessment of the Tories was spot on. We danced with The DeRellas and pogoed with the Cyanide Pills. We boogied with The Boys who did two sets on two stages and ripped it up on both possibly with the Acoustic taking first prize maybe because it was a little different but the songs sounded so good acoustic.  All in all, Rebellion was once again the highlight of the festival season and as far as the UK goes still the best there is beside where else are you going to chat with Supla and see his action figure – you should try it sometime you’d enjoy it. To be fair Rebellion has so much going on besides the bands its championing alternative culture in so many ways and they also had Mr. Lydon trying to be so controversial but only making himself look like a silly billy as a result but even his bizarre words can’t damped what was a massively enjoyable four days and we’re proud to be a small part of championing them because its a platform that’s pretty much free from the clutches of the big circus-like festivals that charge a fortune and treat the fans like customers in a supermarket and only want your cash because that could never be leveled at Rebellion that’s for sure and we’ll be back next August if they’ll have us to do it all again If they’ll have us that is.

But this was only the first weekend of August and this budget-busting month was barely alive and already there was so much going on.

Ben managed to take in The Wildhearts acoustic performance in York where all the hits were stripped bare.  Before we could even get over Rebellion it was back to South Wales where we had a date with some Big heads oh and Duncan Reid who turned in a spectacular performance on a night that decided it was going to rain like when Noah built his ark, in fact, it was rumoured that Duncan had to swim back to the Severn Bridge where his band had hired a bigger boat but it didn’t matter to the hardy souls who braved some water falling from the sky because there was rockin’ and rollin’ to take care of.

To kick back a little Leigh Fuge took a leisurely stroll through Hyde Park and happened upon one of his guitar-slinging heroes – none other than old slow hand Eric Clapton kicking up a bluesy stink in Hyde Park along with some other six string slingers (you say that after a few bottles of house red at British Summertime Events prices) namely Carlos Santana and Gary Clark Jr. it really was the Cream (sorry couldn’t resist it) of old-school blues guitarists.(who said we aren’t a broad church here at RPM?) Leigh had to tick this one off his must-see list and was glad he did as the bluesmen certainly delivered. He also took in Maiden in Birmingham he said this about it, “Even after 40 something years of rocking, this band seem to improve with age like a fine wine. While they may not be to everyone’s taste, this year’s Legacy of the Beast tour was one of the highlights of my year. I’ve seen the band 14 times now and this one felt like something very special.” Who said we’re not a braod church?

As far as album releases in the month of August go – There was Idles releasing their ‘Joy As An Act Of Resistance’ which went down rather well at RPM. there were also albums released by some old friends that were more than welcome making a return to our turntables namely Mr Walter Lure who managed to put out a new album with the Waldos for the first time in 24 years!  has it really been 24 years? My God, I feel old but ‘Wacka Lacka Boom Pop A Loom Bam Boo’ yeah that’s right it is called ‘Wacka Lacka Boom Pop A Loom Bam Boo’ but its Waldo and its rock n roll just accept it and move on.  Ian McNabb also put out his latest long player this month with ‘Our Future In Space’ rocking out like he promised he would.  There were also notable releases from The Ringleaders with their superb effort ‘Bi-Coastal Blasphemy’ and if that wasn’t enough Lovesores released ‘Gods Of Ancient Grease’. Craggy was outside his local record shop at half eight in the morning to purchase his copes of The Dahlmanns ‘American Heartbeat’ and Fertile Hump ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ in August as well he hasn’t stopped playing them since. sneaking in through the back door right at the last minute of August was a fantastic record that I was shocked to hear but in a good way and the more I played it the more I liked it and to be fair its been easily one of the highlights of the year. Oh yeah, The Brutalists with their debut long player ‘The Brutalists‘. go check it out its a belter.

As far as singles go those 45 RPM releases saw the wonderful Damaged Goods celebrate being in existence for 30 years by releasing a whole bunch of cool singles and the first one being those wonderful chaps Cyanide Pills and their take of the Glitter Band single and what a job they did on ‘Just For You’ which we picked up at Rebellion along with a new 7″ from TSOL and The Briefs ‘Kids Laugh At You’ but I have to mention TV Crime as well because their single ‘Hooligans’ was pure earworm and once it was in the old noggin I couldn’t shake it.  Fantastic stuff. Hopefully, 2019 will see them release a long player we can hear never mind “shitty attitude – killer tunes” sort it out gents I want the album, thank you kindly.

In a nutshell that was the briefest glimpse into our August. On to September…