PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED to headline Rebellion 2025

PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED to headline Rebellion 2025

REBELLION FESTIVAL 2025 SET TO RETURN 7th – 10th OF AUGUST

AT THE WINTER GARDENS IN BLACKPOOL

PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED CONFIRMED FOR HEADLINE SLOT ON SATURDAY AUGUST 9TH

THE POST PUNK LEGENDS RETURN TO THE FESTIVAL FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018

MORE INFO AND TICKETS AT REBELLIONFESTIVALS.COM

Rebellion Festival are excited to announce that post punk icons Public Image Limited will return to the event at its annual home at the Blackpool Winter Gardens in 2025. Having previously played the festival in 2012 and 2018, PiL are confirmed to headline on Saturday August 9th as part of their ‘This Is Not The Last Tour’ tour.

Led by former Sex Pistols frontman and punk originator John Lydon, PiL’s tour dates for 2025 come after Lydon thought the band might not tour again. His lifelong friend and manager, John Rambo Stevens passed away suddenly following the last PiL tour, in December 2023, soon after the death of Lydon’s wife, Nora, in April 2023. Lydon thought that might be the end of his touring days. However, he was overwhelmed by the love and support of fans when he undertook a spoken word tour of the UK in spring this year.

Lydon said: “I thought that might be it. After losing Nora, and Rambo, I couldn’t see a way through. I’d already committed to the spoken word tour, this spring, and I never let anyone down – I always stick to my word – so I had to do those dates.

“The thing is, people were so overwhelmingly positive, and they asked me to tour PiL again. With so many people asking and with the band meaning so much to them, I couldn’t just stay on my sofa and not tour – tempting though that obviously is.”

PiL are sure to treat Rebellion Festival to yet another captivating set from their vast back catalogue of classics and join an already stellar line up of punk and alternative icons and rising new talent at the fabled punk festival, set to return to the Blackpool Winter Gardens, August 7th – 10th 2025.

Bands and artists already confirmed include Peter Hook & The Light, Hugh Cornwell, The Selecter, Bad Manners, Ferocious Dog, Neville Staple From The Specials, HR from Bad Brains, Anti Nowhere League, DOA, Los Fastidios, Crux, Buster Shuffle, Down By Law, The Undertones, MDC, UK Subs, Snuff, The Exploited, Riskee & The Ridicule, Voodoo Glow Skulls, 999, Millencolin, Pegboy, Toxic Reasons and many more.

Rebellion Festival 2025 is already hotting up to be one not to miss!

Head to www.rebellionfestivals.com for more information and updates.

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Silverlites – ‘Silverlites’ (Sunyata Records)

Silverlites – ‘Silverlites’ (Sunyata Records)

On November 15th The Silverlites proudly release their self-titled debut album on Sunyata Records distributed by Sony Music.

You might think so what who are these new kids on the block? Well, They might be a new band but wet behind the ears they most certainly are not. In the great traditions of a supergroup, This quartet includes Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes), Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees and Mad Season) and Joseph Arthur, a singer-songwriter who was first discovered by Peter Gabriel. 

You’re gently eased into the world of Silverlites with ‘Still Don’t Know You’ which in a predominantly acoustic affair before the cool tones of an electric guitar fall in like rainfall on a misty evening. Sitting comfortably? ‘Forever And A Day’ has a dreamy Bowie-esk feel to it as it drifts in on a cool shuffle courtesy of Barrett Martin. Putting the supreme relaxed structure of the music as the interplay of the electric and acoustic guitars takes hold of the earworm that’s settling in nicely maybe its Arthurs vocals that are soothing and sounding like a hushed Scott Weiland to my ears.

The gentle laid back mood continues until the first single chimes in with a cool swagger, ‘Don’t Go Don’t Stay’ is the work of a band comfortable in their own skin who need to prove nothing and can therefore concentrate on making the best music they can together as a band. Excellent single and song that showcases their individual talents and their collective cool.

The Silverlites initial spark happened in 2015, when Barrett and Rich played together in the backing band for a tribute to Led Zeppelin guitarist, Jimmy Page. 4 years later, in 2019, Rich called Barrett to see if he was interested in assembling a new band that could create equally adventurous music. That’s when Barrett called Peter Buck, a long-time friend and collaborator, and Peter called Joseph Arthur, whom Peter had also worked with. The Silverlites debut album was recorded during the pandemic years between 2019-2021 in a series of recording stages. 

It began with Barrett recording Rich and Peter in a hotel room in Nashville when they took out their acoustic guitars to write the initial songs. Barrett literally ran down to the local music store, bought a portable recording rig, set it up in the hotel room, and started recording these initial basic tracks. The following year, in 2020, the band recorded overdubs and vocal arrangements from the Nashville sessions, and they also recorded a few more new songs at Jack Endino’s studio in Seattle, WA. Barrett then collected, organized, and edited all the final overdubs and prepared 18 songs for mixing.

Final mixing happened in New York City in the summer of 2021 with Barrett, Joe, and mixing engineer Daniel Sanint. When it came time to sequence this huge initial offering, the band had differing opinions, so Barrett sent the mixes to his former bandmate, Mark Lanegan, singer of the Screaming Trees. Mark loved the songs so much that he offered to create the sequence you now hear, which includes the 12 song album, and a 6 song EP. 

The album was delayed for release because of everyone’s incredibly busy touring schedules post-pandemic, but now the album is ready to be heard by everyone. The band has decided to release 2 singles in early October and early November, and then the full album will be released on November 15th, followed by the additional 6 song EP in March of 2025. 

You can see why they broke the flow of the songs into the EP and the 12-track LP. It’s a lot of music to get through and the beauty of these supergroup projects is to create something that is outside of their wheelhouse I guess and that is certainly achieved here. There are times I’m thinking of Neil Young with the keys and acoustic combinations but the laid-back restrained percussive drums take it somewhere different, especially on the excellent ‘No Time’ and the countrified ‘Dark And Magic Skies’. The production is massive and adds a grande and confident feel to the songs and songs like ‘Looking For A Friend’ it’s easy to see how Mark Lanigan was so impressed and wanted to be involved in some capacity.

The penultimate track on the LP is ‘No More’ which is the loudest track on offer and a nice contrast to the more laid back acoustic stuff. This will have intrigue and appeal to fans of their day job bands for sure and some will love it whilst others not so much but isn’t that the beauty of creating music? Me, I find it really impressive and very enjoyable now where did I leave those Josticks and my paisley rug? Catch you later you crazy kids, peace out!

The CD will be released with six more songs on January 10th.

AmyJo Doh & The Spangles, release Album & Single

AmyJo Doh & The Spangles, release Album & Single

The Party Punk Darlings of Madrid, AmyJo Doh & The Spangles, release their new album, Spangle Landia, through Strap Originals on Friday 8th November on Red Vinyl, CD and digital download. It is available to order Here. A new single, Rock n’ Roll, is released the same day.

AmyJo Doh says of Rock n’ Roll: “This was originally called ‘Despedida Rock N Roll’… for me personally this is a goodbye to the past. The old fears and shadows and the parts of that person that no longer serve us. Whatever you are saying goodbye to, let’s give them a good squeeze, thank them for the lessons learned and then kiss them goodbye! No hard feelings! Just a lot of love, and of course…. A lotta LOTTA rock and roll!”

The video for Rock n’ Roll, directed by Pablo Lopez, is a performance video with the song’s narrative brought to life by Spanish actress Raquel Saiz. Rock n’ Roll is the second single along with Arise to be lifted from the album.

In true Spangle style, the album brings together various EPs and members of the extended Spangle family, yet the energy and message remain coherent. It’s an eclectic mix of great songs which explore themes of love, rebellion, personal freedom, …and Jamón. The band remains unapologetically versatile. As AmyJo says, “Punk is not a musical style, it’s an attitude…..Every song is a universe in its own right.” 

AmyJo Doh & The Spangles have toured with The Libertines and Peter Doherty and will be announcing tour dates and festival appearances shortly. In the meantime, they will be playing the following shows in Spain:

NOVEMBER

16th Madrid – Vermut en FunHouse
DECEMBER

13th Madrid – Sala Siroco
FEBRUARY

20th Madrid – La Corriente
MARCH

1st Zaragoza – Sala Creedence

21st Valencia – Sala Black Note

AmyJo Doh & The Spangles were formed in 2016 and inhabiting the beautiful, sometimes grubby streets of Madrid, they have quickly become a force to be reckoned within the underground scene. Led by the dynamic AmyJo Doherty, Peter Doherty’s older and on occasions, wiser sister, they released their debut album, Calle de Spangles, in 2018 and have since carved out a unique space for themselves with their eclectic sound and captivating stage presence. AmyJo’s music is an exciting blend of punk, rock, and indie, infused with her distinctive voice and powerful lyrics.

AmyJo Doh & The Spangles’ message is a joyful one and they want to share it live and LOUD! So, listen to the album, buy it, sing it, and share it; but whatever you do, don’t miss their show when it comes to town. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.  

The Spangles are: AmyJo Doherty (vocals) David Lancho (guitar) German Moderno (bass) Matty Tyack (drums)

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Jim Jones Allstars – Earl Haig, Cardiff 06.11.24

Jim Jones Allstars – Earl Haig, Cardiff 06.11.24

The second time I’ve seen The Allstars in the Earl Haig this year and about the umpteenth time I’ve seen Jim Jones in one guise or another and I keep going back and each time they seem to get better and better. With a new drummer Lawrence joining the All-Stars tonight for the first time you’d never have guessed and to be fair to him he grasped the opportunity with both hands (quite literally) and led from the..back.

In Allstars time-honoured fashion we begin proceedings with a quick instrumental right lets get you on your feet first few minutes then bosh! let’s go. Tonight we had several new songs as well as a romp through Jim’s back catalogue as well as plenty of covers both familiar and most welcome new additions to the repertoire. ‘

Its always a welcome sound hearing an impeccable ‘Human Fly’ and Jones does a sterling job honouring the sadly departed Lux but the real trump card of this lineup is the horns, never mind the honkingly good piano or the more traditional Bass, guitars and drums combo. the horn section is exceptional and hearing them literally tearing up songs like the epic and groovy Thee Hypnotic classic ‘Shakedown’ is a truly beautiful thing.

The hour and some when the band were on stage the near-capacity hall was having a blast as ‘Run Run Run’ honoured the Velvet Undergrounds whilst the revue tunes raised the temperature ‘Burning Your House Down’ is always a welcome romp as is the Righteous Minds ‘Satan Got His Heart Set On You’.

It’s the newer Allstar cover of the funky ‘Troglodyte’ that works up a sweat before ‘The Greatest Love’ eases the heart rate for five minutes whilst the band are put through their paces before having some ‘Rock n Roll Psychosis’ take us to the encore.

The briefest interlude is had before the band is called back to the stage and The Beatles ‘Me And My Monkey’ gets its collective groove on. The familiar ‘Big Bird’ slinks into view before we have one last hurrah and it’s done. Another night of awesome Rock n Roll courtesy of Jim Jones Allstars now let’s get off the road thank you very much and get this follow-up album in the can and in my gruby hands and then we can do this all again next year thank you very much. Jim Jones Allstars is an honest and fair reflection of what’s on offer. If there was a better show in town this midweek evening then I never knew about it and I was fully aware that Nick Cave was down the road but I’m confident I had the better deal Hell Yeah! another phenomenal night of Raw, unadulterated, top-class Rock n Roll.

Author: Dom Daley

The Virginmarys –  ‘The House Beyond The Fires’ (Self Release)

The Virginmarys –  ‘The House Beyond The Fires’ (Self Release)

“There ain’t no future, Halle-fuckin-lujah!” Spits Ally Dickaty two songs into the magnificent new opus from Macclesfield duo The Virginmarys. That diatribe sums up the frustration, the anger and the pent-up aggression of not just a small-town northern band, but the collective of a whole generation who face an uncertain future in 2024. 

Right now feels like a time where bands with something to say will shine. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ren, Delilah Bon and Bob Vylan, The Virginmarys join a whole host of artists who are pissed off and shouting from the rooftops social/political commentary, tackling the subject paths others fear to tread.

For a band who came close to throwing in the towel a few years back, The Virginmarys sound invigorated and ready to take on the world with ‘The House Beyond the Fires’, their fourth album, produced by Ally and go-to-guy Dave Draper.

The picked chords and sweeping strings of cinematic opener ‘White Knuckle Ride’ creates atmosphere in the same way ‘Ends Don’t Mend’ closed the debut album ‘King Of Conflict’ over a decade ago. Intentionally or not, maybe The Virginmarys have come full circle in that time? Sonically at least the duo retain all the fire and energy of a band on their first record. The big riffs, melodies and powerhouse beats remain as solid as the friendship of singer/guitarist Ally Dickaty and drummer Danny Dolan. 

‘The House Beyond the Fires’ is a viscous snarling beast from beginning to end. The singles released in the lead up shine strong on first listen. ‘Northwest Coast’ with its stabbing power chords and bombastic drums is full of northern grit and bleak desperation, like a band teetering on the edge, pulling the pin from a musical hand-grenade with their teeth. It’s glorious. 

Second single and second track on the album ‘There Ain’t No Future’ is quite possibly the best rock song of the year. If MTV was still a music channel, that striking video would be on heavy rotation, it’s a song that should be a standard on rock radio right now. Punchy as fuck, both lyrically and musically. And most recently ‘When The Light’s Go Down’, with its hi hat count and crunchy riff is about as AC/DC as you get in 2024, but the infectious melody and songwriting suss of Ally takes it to a different place entirely. The duo weave their sonic tapestry to great effect, creating dark atmospheres with urgent rhythms, effect-ridden guitars and clever use of space.

Elsewhere, ‘You’re A Killer’ is dark and edgy, punky goodness, ‘Trippin’ New York City’ is a funky curveball with killer dynamics and guitars that are sloppy as fuck, right up my street.

The intensity builds song after song culminating mid-album with the acerbic ‘Lies Lies Lies’ a brutal assault on the senses that just makes you wanna turn it up and turn it on. 

Ally is one of those songwriters that has a knack of creating imagery in his songs and putting you in a certain mind frame, ‘Where Are You Now’ is a tune that does just that. The loud/quiet/loud formula is delivered with passion, emotion and angst in equal measures. The epic ‘Dance To The City’ then veers towards Trail Of Dead territory, before closer ‘Urban Seagull’ throws one last curveball. 

‘The House Beyond The Fires’ is dedicated to Danny’s father Tommy who passed away last year. He was a big inspiration to Ally in his songwriting and the boys have done him proud. 

Equal parts emotive and raging, passionate and powerful, The  Virginmarys have delivered a masterpiece with ‘The House Beyond The Fires’. A modern rock record that is up there with the best albums this year. Essential listening. 

Buy Here

Author: Ben Hughes

Split Dogs ask why does it burn?

Split Dogs ask why does it burn?

Bristol Punk Rock ‘n Rollers Split Dogs hit back with new single ‘Precious Stones’ out now via Venn Records

New album ‘Here To Destroy’ set for release on February 28th 2025 – pre-order HERE:

Listen/Buy HERE:

Rock’n’roll revivalists Split Dogs are doing things the old way and the best way. This is not a band content to sit behind laptop screens, fifteen second viral videos or digital marketing campaigns to spread their noise. No, Split Dogs are true road warriors, almost physically incapable of turning down a gig, they’ve spent the last few months playing every conceivable stage, space and venue to spread the word as they approach the release of their second album ‘Here To Destroy’, due for release February 28th via Venn Records.

And it’s working. The reputation for their own firebrand of frenzied, high-voltage rock ‘n’ roll is spreading fast and wide throughout the punk rock community and beyond and Split Dogs gigs are fast becoming eagerly anticipated events.

Today, the band follow previous singles ‘And What?’ and ‘Monster Truck’ with a brand new two-minute killer titled ‘Precious Stones.’

“The song shines a spotlight on the people that imply false authority in society based on their job title or financial position,” explains guitarist Mil Martinez. “From the obvious traffic wardens all the way up to entitled yoga instructors, nothing burns worse than being falsely reprimanded by another adult so they can attempt to assume dominance over you.”

Musically ‘Precious Stones’ drives along at a storming rate, building in power as it progresses, with singer Harry Atkins the architect of the intensity. The accompanying video conveys just that. Focused solely on Harry’s face, it’s an unflinching, uncompromising experience. 

“The precious stones video was all about intensity, and hard intent,” continues Mil. “There’s no escape, feeling like it’s just you in the room and Harry has you cornered. Relentlessly demanding that you answer the question ‘why does it burn?’

Born from the frustration of seeing music become commodified and soulless, vocalist Harry Atkins and guitarist Mil Martinez had the idea to form a band as far back as 2015, with the name ‘Split Dogs’ pulled from the classic zombie film ‘Return of the Living Dead’.

In South London, a young Martinez would hear Status Quo, Bachman Turner Overdrive and Dire Straits on the car radio while his father drove him to school. At home he would invade his older brothers’ record collection which leaned towards the harder sounds of punk and heavy metal. Meanwhile in the Black Country, Harry’s mother instilled a love of Northern Soul, Slade and rock’n’roll, with stories of nights out at Club Lafayette and family singalongs at home. According to Martinez, “Our sound is a culmination of all those early influences and, to be honest, it really shows.”

It wasn’t until 2022 that Split Dogs officially arrived on the scene with bass player Suez Boyle joining the band in 2023. Already a prominent figure in the queer punk scene, Suez played the first ever Rebellion Festival at the tender age of 16 with her band The Walking Abortions. Up until that point, drummer Chris Hugall, an old friend of Martinez and former member of ska punks Mouthwash (signed to Rancid’s label Hellcat back in the day), was only on hand to help design artwork. It wasn’t until 2024 Hugall joined the band full-time cementing the current line-up.

The raucous live shows and infectious lyrics saw the four-piece make a name for themselves among the punks of Bristol, a scene that has always welcomed LGBTQ+ and marginalised people. As word spread, so did the gigging, and soon enough Split Dogs were playing to sold out rooms in mainland Europe, eventually grabbing the attention of UK label Venn Records (Gallows, Bob Vylan, High Vis).

‘Here to Destroy’ was recorded over three days at Middle Farm Studios by producer Peter Miles. All tracks were laid straight to a 16-track reel-to-reel tape machine, no autotune, no effects pedals, no computers. To add to the music’s authenticity, the album was recorded live, with Harry singing along in a vocal booth. No cutting and pasting, just nailing takes. According to Martinez, “It was a blast! We fully immersed ourselves, sleeping in a small apartment below the studio, cooking meals and listening to Pete’s extensive record collection”.

As the album title makes clear, Split Dogs are here to destroy, but they’re also here to rebuild and remind us of music’s essence. “We’re not beholden to the digital age, we don’t want to get famous on social media, we just want to show the world that rock’n’roll is alive and well”.

Split Dogs are:

Harry Atkins – vocals (they/them)

Mil Martinez – guitar (he/him)

Chris Hugall – drums (he/him)

Suez Boyle – bass (she/her)

Catch Split Dogs live at the following dates:


05/11 Exchange Bristol w/Zeke
06/11 Water Rats, London w/Desperate Measures
16/11 Phoenix, Exeter w/Sham 69
6/12 Railway inn, Redditch 
7/12 Workman’s Cellar, Dublin
20/12 King Arther, Glastonbury 
21/12 Cavern, Exeter w/GBH
29/12 Electric Bar, Bath

2025

11/01 100 Club, w/GBH

12/01 Con Club, Lewes w/Subhumans

26/02 The Hug and Pint, Glasgow

27/02 Gullivers, Manchester

28/02 Billy Bootleggers, Nottingham

01/03 The Grace, London

02/03 Daltons, Brighton

07/03 Rough Trade, Bristol

18/03 Supersonic, Paris

20/03 Café Central, Bruxelles

21/03 La Zone, Liége

22/03 Café The Jack, Eindhoven

23/03 Poppodium Volt, Sittard

9-12/07 2000 Trees Festival

Find Split Dogs online HERE:

Porno For Pyros – Pyrotechnics: Porno For Pyros’ Latest & Greatest (Rhino/ Warner Records)

Porno For Pyros – Pyrotechnics: Porno For Pyros’ Latest & Greatest (Rhino/ Warner Records)

When Janes Addiction first imploded Perry and Stephen Perkins formed Porno For Pyros and managed to release a couple of albums in the mid-nineties. I have to admit the first album had some very high moments but a couple of lulls and more so on the second album the highs were replaced by even more lows. I guess it’s why the band fizzled out. However, after RSD we now have Rocktober, and it would seem a whole host of reissues and so forth in the month of October so when I saw the Porno For Pyros release I had to check it out and indulge myself and reacquaint myself with the band. Firstly looking to see if ‘Packin .25’ was here but alas it’s not which is a shame but having dropped the needle on side one and ‘Pets’ breaks out I remember how good this song was. I have a faint memory of seeing the band play some enormadome with Velvet Revolver or was that Satellite Party even? Who knows (not me seemingly).

The album offers only nine songs or ten to be exact but the tenth is a remix of ‘Pets’. your two from the debut album the opener and ‘Cursed Female’ which also sounds better than I remember from the early 90s. with the rest being made up of ‘100 Ways’ and ‘ Tahitian Moon’ from the band’s follow-up album ‘Good God’s Urge’ whilst the rest are pretty decent songs to be fair with the exception of ‘The Cable Guy’ soundtrack, the only duff track here, saying that it’s not total pap but just a bit… grey, ‘Satellite Of Love’ is a Lou Reed Classic. It’s Not as good as the original at all, not even close which might be why it passed me by back in the day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixe8Snxu3wo

A couple of digitally only releases pulled together here are also pretty decent songs but in the wake of the onstage Janes spat maybe Porno For Pyros isn’t quite done yet who knows unless Janes kisses and make up this could be the start of something who knows but to be fair this has a great flow to it and apart from the pretty grey version of Lou Reeds ‘Satellite Of Love’ well worth spending your pocket money on. Rocktober whatever next? Not a reunion it would seem after guitarist went to twitter to lay more heat on the beeagured frontman and his attitude and approach to music in general which were all deleted after the Janes spat. Pop stars eh whatever next one of them throws a tantrum?

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Steve Vincent – ‘The Best Kept Secret In Rock n Roll’ (Self Release)

Steve Vincent – ‘The Best Kept Secret In Rock n Roll’ (Self Release)

Steve might get his fonts from his Wordsworth word processor and his drapes from Showaddywaddy but he gets his songs from his rock n roll beating heart. Oh, and he wears the best boots no question.

Joking aside Steve comes from a world that should have ruled the airwaves in the mid-eighties from Hanoi to the Lords to the Quireboys to the Throbs, sleazy rock n roll wasn’t hair bands they were genuine rockers writing soft songs for tough guys and living the dream twenty-four seven. Here Steve spills ten songs onto the digital airwaves made with style and an unwavering dedication to his beliefs. Steve is true to those roots and continues to fly the flag for punky sleaze n roll with plenty of the real Glam carved out of the likes of Stiv, Monroe and the Dolls.

The album opens with the sprightly rocker ‘Baby Don’t Cry’ and Steve wheezes a pretty mean gob iron to boot. Steve not only has his name in lights but pretty much does the heavy lifting from the drum programming to guitars, harmonica and vocals and no doubt tea-making duties as well. Steve has a distinct gravel n whisky vocals but holds onto some decent melodies throughout and also adheres to the rules of the old school in making sure the songs have a strong chorus and melody and then you can dress it however you like from the barroom guitars to the big boy solos ‘Baby Don’t Cry’ has got the jewson lot.

Steve does a decent lyric in reminiscing about the good old days and it’s a question I often ask about where have all those people who used to frequent the Buttz n Spike Club, st Moritz, the marquee a well as the clubs across the country that would sell out for shows from some sleazy mofos. Just where have all those “cool Kids” gone? They didn’t all get jobs cut their hair and have families did they?

There’s a good energy about ‘Live For Today’ and that twelve bar boogie is made for a cowboy booted foot on the monitor and lots of man hugging whilst the guitar player windmills those solos out like their shots from a bottle of jack that’s going out of fashion. Whilst Steve does the heavy lifting throughout the record he does get a heft amount of help throughout especially on the guest solos which helps add different flavours to the songs and I do like the harp throughout ‘Forgive And Forget’ is another with a standout chorus and embracing modern technologies on ‘Living In The Digital Age’ is probably a place the likes of Steve Vincent never anticipated but has embraced and used to his advantage knocking out a couple of solo albums that might never have seen the light of day otherwise.

I think Steve kept the best til last and a vibrant ‘Stop Messing My Heart Around’, the penultimate track, enhanced with the good old underused handclaps and late-night tempo the perfect set ender before the encore gets called for. That encore is the barroom honky tonk title track. Last orders boys n girls and get your dancing slippers on. Had this been on the new Quireboys album people would be saying they’ve turned the clock back to the early days and knocked out a banger but it’s not Spikes its Steves and the honkin’ Saxophone only elevates it further in my humble opinion. Good on ya Steve this is worth keeping on on its own, a slice of pure good-time rock n roll to warm the cockles of your heart. Now whisper it quietly but the best kept secret in Rock n Roll is zipping up his best Cuban-heeled Chelsea boots and he’s ready to rock, so join him and get involved you know you want to. Buy IT!

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Various Artists – ‘Action Rock Jukebox’ (Screaming Crow Records)

Various Artists – ‘Action Rock Jukebox’ (Screaming Crow Records)

I do love a cover I’ll be honest and fess up from the off. Now sure I guess its all subjective and some bands have done killer covers that are better than the original but we all know that’s not always the case and a lot of the time its really hit or miss with bands either totally missing the point or just not getting it.

This concept was first released as stand-alone 45s where the label put out one cover and one original on a real 7″ single with a big hole so it could be uploaded on a real jukebox it also came with the jukebox cut out for the listener to request the track when they dropped their money proper old school and a great concept to be fair. Then rope in some of your favourite current artists and the jobs a good un then wrap them all together and make a big splatter disc of them all and some. This is only volume one mind so who knows the possibilities are endless.

Side one track one is a thunderous Stacy Crowe taking on Golden Earings ‘Radar Love’ and giving it a shot of energy its fair to say it’s a rampant take – very good but not a song I’m too fond of if I’m being honest I remember The Alarm doing it way back in the mid-80s and I wasn’t keen then but yup its a staple on jukeboxes everywhere cool take. Their original track is ‘Dead Of Night’ and a guitar noodling rocker it is. Solid opener.

The Cheats cover is a Bay City Rollers number ‘Rock n Roll Love Letter’ and what a jolly good effort it is too. Sure they roughed it up but did keep its melody and chorus is killer which was always the point with the tartan rockers. Now their original is a rampant bruising ‘Cussin Crying Carrying on’ and what an energetic belter it is too. Black Sherriff then knock out ‘Centerfold’ by J Geils Band and it sounds like they had a blast something that shines through on their recording no question. ‘Johnnys Fight’ is more of the same to be fair with a stomping rocker with big riffs and anthemic vocals.

Someone had to do it and give Mean Gene more credits on his seasonal royalties and Dirty Denims ‘Rock And Roll All Night’ is note for note on the money. I’m happy to admit I just don’t get the Kiss love in and whilst I’ll happily admit they have plenty of bangers I fail to see the massive stadium attraction, especially after all these years but this is an impressive take and I’m sure Gene n Paul are grateful and would certainly put another coin in the jukebox to hear this again. The band’s original is a rampant ‘Better Believe It’ that boogie woogies out of the speakers in sprightly fashion and in keeping with the high standards set thus far.

Now we’re talking, Scumbag Millionaire gives Abba a good seeing to. ‘So Long’ might not be a song most of us would name when asked to name an Abba tune but this is a rollicking good time from the Scumbags. The original is ‘Gluehead’ and what a barnstorming noise this is. So we’ve reached the hottest core of the record as Scumbag Millionaire kick the shit out of the speakers with the album’s finest moment thus far. Stonkin’ loud rock n roll (try not to slip on the spilt beer mother fuckers).

Killer Hearts give an impressive account of themselves as they rough up UFOs ‘Doctor Doctor’ whilst tipping the hat to the UK rockers they also boogie like fuck. The original track is ‘Demolition Love’ and they push Scumbags pretty hard for the top spot with a hard rockin banger that’s sleazy and would be the most requested side in any dive bar jukebox but Barman hid the pool cues quickly.

The album is brought to an end with the inclusion of Hollywood Creepers taking on the power pop of the Knack and ‘Good Girls Don’t’ and in keeping with the high standards of this comp it’s done with care and love and a heap of respect. Leaving only their original to take this baby home and ‘I Wanna Feel Your Bite’ does a splendid job wrapping this up with a cool riff and even cooler chorus.

Man on this evidence I can’t wait fo volume two it’ll be a tough act to follow volume one because every one of these bands do killer originals and pretty mich the same over fo their chosen covers. Hell, go buy a jukebox and pick these up otherwise settle for the long player from Screaming Crow Records you know it makes sense. Buy It!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

EDDIE GARRITY BITES BACK

EDDIE GARRITY BITES BACK

‘a true star… all-conquering like a Mancunian Jaynecounty’ Wired up! – Performing tracks from the critically acclaimed SLAUGHTER &THE DOGS album ‘BITE BACK’

LIVE –
Star & Garter – Manchester – 28th December 2024 – Doors 3.30pm – 8.30pm – Admission
£10 Advance – £12 OTD – PLUS Stuntface/ The Sewer Cats/Hospital Food


Fulford Arms – York – 24th January 2025 – Doors 7.30pm – Admission £12 Advance – £15
OTD – Plus supports – https://www.seetickets.com/tour/eddie-garrity-s-slaughter

Central Bar – Gateshead – 25th January 2025 – Doors 7.30pm – Admission £11 – Plus Heed
Case – www.wegottickets.com


Hope & Anchor – Islington London – 21st June 2025 – Doors 7.30pm – 11pm – Admission
£10 Advance – £12 OTD – Plus The Headhunters/The Phobics
More shows TBC

Performing tracks from the critically acclaimed SLAUGHTER & THE DOGS album ‘BITE BACK’
(Produced by Mott the Hoople drummer Dale Griffin) for the first time since the 40th anniversary
reunion shows of the original ‘Bite Back’ line up back in 2021, during which the band played a sold-out
show at Manchester’s Rebellion club (Released on Secret records as ‘Bite Back Live’ – CD+DVD
25th October 2024) and also gave a memorable performance at the Empress Ballroom during the
Rebellion festival in Blackpool the following year. Wired up! Summing up Ed’s festival performance
perfectly – ‘a true star…strong and soaring, all conquering like a Mancunian Jayne county…a strong
contender for front person of the weekend’

Eddie Garrity aka Ed Banger/Edweena Banger (Ed Banger & the Nosebleeds, Slaughter & the
Dogs/Slaughter) was born and raised in Wythenshawe, Manchester. Ed worked as a roadie for fellow
mancunians Slaughter & the Dogs, when supporting the Sex Pistols & Buzzcocks at the legendary
Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall show on 20th July 1976. Following this Ed formed The
Nosebleeds and became a fixture in the 1977 punk wars, the Nosebleeds single ‘Ain’t Been To No
Music School’ was a schoolboy anthem around Manchester in 1977, selling 10,000 copies.
Ed Banger left the Nosebleeds in 1979, and joined Slaughter & the Dogs, after original singer Wayne
Barrett had left the band on the eve of a 1979 UK tour. The album ‘Bite Back’ was released in 1980
(Ed co-writing many of the songs) under the abbreviated name ‘Slaughter’, the band then embarked
on a sold out, nationwide tour of the UK. The original ‘Bite Back’ era came to an end in 1981. Now,
fans can once again enjoy the voice behind those iconic songs as Eddie Garrity revives his musical
journey by taking a new ‘Bite Back’ line up on tour..