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)
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
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.
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?
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!
Balaam And The Angel Celebrate its 40th Anniversary With the Release Of Brand New Material the first new material in over 30 years. The three brothers who grew up on a council estate in Cannock played music together as teenagers and finally formed Balaam And The Angel in the early 80’s inspired by the scene that was developing around Bauhaus, The Sisters Of Mercy, Southern Death Cult, Theatre Of Hate etc.
The band achieved success in the 80s signing to Virgin Records for their debut album ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’, and touring the world with the likes of The Mission, Kiss, The Cult, Aerosmith and Iggy Pop until the release of their last album ‘Prime Time’ in 1993. So the sands of time have passed but on first play the band sound energised and with a great production ‘Forces Of Evil’ sounds like time stood still and the years away have been good to the trio. The release sees almost to the day the band’s first 4 track EP World Of Light (released in Nov 1984) bookended nicely.
The four tracks on the EP have been written by the band and show a more developed approach to the lyrical content which embraces some of the bands more common themes about how we navigate our daily lives alongside some more provocative themes such as mental health and the contradiction between religious belief vs religious intolerance and the way in which this are used as one of the reasons for the persecution of others. Only coming out on Vinyl sees the band return to how it all began and opening song ‘Dancing Senseless’ there is an urgency and power to the riff that carries the song. Some might say classic Balaam sound that embraces their darker roots.
I guess my only complaint is it’s only a four-track EP and after such a lengthy gap and being greedy I’d have loved to have heard maybe ten tracks on an album but I guess that can wait.
The title track begins with some sci-fi glitches before the drums kick in with a thumping bassline signalling goths everywhere to get out the Petulia oil and start making those shapes whilst the dry ice wafts through the speakers and a really epic journey begins. Only the final track ‘After Life’ offers something more moody and darker with the synth pulse making way for the piano to chime in. To be fair its classic Balaam folks and that’s a good thing. It’s been a while but its a most welcome return and four really good songs that add to the band’s catalogue and hopefully open a new chapter that will bring in more songs and more live shows. Its good to have you back gents this will more than do for starters.
On this episode of the podcast, Chris & Dom say adios to former Maiden vocalist and Battlezone singer Paul Dianno and as a mark of respect we kick off the show wearing spandex and Gola hightops with studded wristbands and matching belts on top of our lee cooper denim battle vests, ‘Feel The Rock’ is the hymn of choice but only because it features members of the mighty Tokyo Blade so Rock in Peace Mr Dianno rest easy sir. Obviously we couldn’t play a maiden song that would seem weird even for us and I couldn’t find my cassette tape of the self titled Dianno album to play one of his pomp synth rock n roll tunes so Battlezone it is.
We then get the show rockin with a heap of new bands and tunes from the Discarded who bring us to ‘Testify’ before we rock it up with Ronnie Simmons & The Redback Spiders who dish up ‘Little Miss Understood’ featuring none other than Ritchie Ramone and Johnny Martin who play on the track and Johnny plays on the album thats due to be released pretty soon.
Before the debut EP is released the band head out on a tour of Australia in November.
We then play a track off the brand new album courtesy of Rowdy whose album is released on Drunken Sailor Records and one we highly recommend with their brand of bad boy boogie mixed with some sleazy punk n roll Rowdy released a really impressive debut album. The track we played is ‘Love To Lose’.
Described as Masked UK proto punk Garage Oddballs, Thee Headshrinkers is a band we simply couldn’t ignore so its with great pleasure we give this trio some love and drop their fantastic single ‘Sunday Driver’ for your listening pleasure.
The second airing of a track off the Mar*x album ‘Green Ginger Jive’ this one is ‘Louder’ and more 70s influenced Glam Rock for your listening pleasure.
Snarling Dogs is a new band from the US of A and armed with a devastating album this is ‘Highway Of Hurt’ from the self-titled debut. Another new band and new release courtesy of those great people at Drunken Sailor Records.
We head back in time then for a track off Pure Rubbish EP ‘Tejas Waste’ and the track ‘Maximum Boy’ quickly followed by Smash Fashion and the track Marionette from the ‘Big Cat Love’ album. Keep your eyes and ears peeled because we have an interview coming up to coincide with the release of Crymwav‘s new material. A couple of months ago I got to chat with Roger Deering about his life in music and more it’ll be spread over a couple of episodes because Rogers’ life has been something that we shouldn’t edit down as he tells it like it is and we coincide with some awesome music he’s been part of so keep your eyes and ears peeled for that.
Monet are a band from South Wales who have just completed their second album recording and are about to get busy. This no-barriers bunch of nutters mix up the likes of Mr Bungle and post punk with hard rock for some mind-blowing music and they have a new single out entitled ‘Violentist’ that will fuck with you ahead of the album release.
The Silverlites are a new band featuring REMs Peter Buck alongside Rich Robinson from Black Crowes as well as Barrett Martin from Screaming Trees and Joseph Arthur on vocals. The album is out digitally on November 15th whilst the CD is out in the new year and will feature a bonus six tracks.
Delving into the mists of time to bring you The Veins and a track from their ‘Hollywoodland’ album with th rocker ‘Walk Away’. Turn up your speakers because the excellent Headhunters are o next with the A side of their recent single ‘Hour x Hour’ which I’m sure you’ll agree is an absolute banger and hopefully the start of something.
Does anyone remember a side project from Texas Terri Bomb called The Vampire Junkies? Well, they did one CD EP and we air ‘Denmark Street’ which is a cracking punk n roll number and I only wish there was more music from Texas Terri Bomb who in my humble opinion never made a bad record and managed to turn in some memorable live shows as well. Would love to get her on for a chat at some point.
Another Drunken Sailor record is by a band called Loosey and the track is the excellent ‘Hardly See Me’. Hold on we haven’t played a cover! oh yeah, how about ‘Doctor Doctor’ by Killer Hearts off the Action Rock Jukebox. Killer cover of a killer song. Don’t believe us – check it out.
Anyone with an eye on new releases can’t help to notice that Amyl & The Sniffers have a new record and the latest single off ‘Cartoon Darkness’ is the potty-mouthed ‘Jerkin’ and if you have five minutes you might like to check out the accompanying video. We’ll say no more but Hotshot have clicked like and favourites these neerdowells from Down Under.
The penultimate song is the brand new offering from Crymwav and ‘Contagious’ by name and nature get an earful of this from Roger and his band and look out for that podcast special coming in November.
Finally, this week’s show is closed out by the magnificent Wyldlife and their new single ‘Fast Dreams’. That us done and dusted for another episode and we hope you like and subscribe to our little corner of the Rock n Roll universe so until the next episode – keep it RPM Online – Its a Revolution!
Oh Boy, Drunken Sailor Records is on fire this year, releasing epic album after must-have record. Snarling Dogs is the latest in an ever-expanding line of stunning punk rock’ n roll records.
After submitting a demo last year, These Pittsburgh punks Snarling Dogs unleash their rabid album on an unsuspecting world with a healthy heartful of napalm these dead boys aren’t taking things lightly nor taking prisoners on this first outing they’re scorching the earth and everything in their path. This is top-notch fistful of Fury punk n roll at its finest. I could pack my review with rabid dog comparisons about biting and barking but that’s too easy so I’ll just stick to the facts when it comes to the Rock n Roll and when I get excited it makes me feel alive and almost wanting to run around like a dog with two dicks. It’s eleven rapid, runaway revved-up rockers, taking in the first knocking of Punk rock n roll from the Stooges through the Bowery in the 70s and all the way to London when ‘New Rose’ changed everything these cats have been paying attention and absorbing it all in order to channel it into their modern twist.
‘Nothing Left’ is charging around like The Stooges only just broke outta Detroit with the speed and mixed with the cheap drug-fueled speed of early Damned or The Dead Boys. It’s all about the energy and attitude and this has it in spades.
The record isn’t just crash bang wallop mind there are more measured moments like ‘Hour at a Time’ – a building groove that sounds like the inner thoughts of some crazed killer running loose through some rainy downtown fleeing the scene of the crime with some great Iggy Style yelps on the breakdown.
‘Enemy’ is brutal and unhinged punk rock with a maniac pace and energy- exploding through the speakers. they should head out on tour with The Cavemen a thought I had when the shimmering guitar filled the void on ‘I’m An Animal’ it’s not all crash bang wallop see.
‘Overtime’ rivals anything Stiff Richards delivers whilst ‘Sniper’ takes aim (sorry, Couldn’t resist that one) is the battle cry for going over the top for WW3 like the spirit of Motorhead dines out with some snotty NYHC in 2024. These boys have a sensitive side as they demonstrate on ‘Highway Of Hurt’ but don’t think they’ve gone soft because ‘USA’ opens fire on anyone listening in. Hell, they even have a ‘Fight Song’ – get in there I’m on team Snarling Dogs sounding like a 70s Glam-inspired foot on the monitor chest-beating anthem.
The album ends with ‘2 Crosses’ as the band goes widescreen with a cool lick and rollicking rhythm proving they’re not a one trick pony and can turn their hand to whatever style they like it just so happens they prefer rockin out like they’ve got rabies and they’re on the run from the pound but don’t get too close this is one wild animal and I freakin well love it. Makes you feel alive and in love with Punk Rock n Roll Ave It! absolutely Buy It!
While the record has these intense dynamic shifts, Snarling Dogs glue it all together with their cohesive live rock-n-roll energy. Snarling Dogs is the perfect escape from the mundanity of life. Chug that 40 oz on your lunch break, smoke that entire pack of cigs, and take a piss on your boss’s car. There are two dogs in you. Now it’s time to set the Snarling Dog free.
If there was ever an ad for joinmyband.com, this story is it.
Rob (stocking) and Gino (balaclava) found each other there and started practising as a duo in a mate’s garage sandwiched between rusty bicycles and an old MG. They wanted to sound like The Jesus & Mary Chain. It didn’t quite work out that way. Planning for his imminent move to Hastings not to be a lonely one Stiv (doll’s head) also found the couple, who by this time thought a human drummer would be a nice addition, through the aforementioned musician matchmaking site.
The road they travel is littered with youthful memories of all bands across the world and through the ages. Being in a band is THE adventure, a gang of misfits you want to be part of. Practice rooms being raided by armed police because there was a starter pistol modification factory next door and being coined off stage after an ill-judged booking, just a couple of whimsical recollections. Rob, primarily a lover of Northern Soul and reggae, spent his youth playing in mod and ska bands and spent one summer travelling across Europe in an ambulance playing squats and community centres with crust punks Rites Of Man. It was never the plan for him to be chief lyricist and singer, he just did it until “they found someone better” but with subject matters from driving your motorbike at night and switching off the lights to not letting go of past beefs and resentments, it’s going be a long wait.
When asked for band inspiration. The answer is immediate. The Eighties Match Box B-Line Disaster, The Fall and the Sex Pistols. And ambition? “To play the 100 Club.” Can’t say fairer than that. They have all the raw power too. Songs driven by the bass line, with no middle eight, making repetition an art form. Vocals spit and sneer but touch on the pop sensibilities of The Mary Chain that Rob & Gino first wished to emulate. Gino’s turns his Vox Phantom into a full fuzz incendiary device, all held together by Stiv’s fast and loose garage beat.
From playing 20 capacity basement gigs, 2024 has seen the masked crusaders star rising with promoters and venues across the country asking for their attendance. This debut album does what every debut should. A sum up of the band right here, right now. Recorded in three days at Ranscombe studios in Rochester with Jim Riley at the helm. Home to the “medway sound” boasting a back catalogue of The Prisoners, The Dentists and of course Billy Childish. Twelve tracks delivered, most not reaching the three-minute frontier of abrasive garage energy.
Today the music world gets to sample its first taste of the albums bitter sweet charms in new single ‘Sunday Driver’ which is ‘about a man who only feels alive behind the wheel of his killing machine,’ and storms along like Mark E Smith if he was staring in 1970s car gore fest ‘Death Race 2000’. It’s raw, frantic and oozing petrol guzzling charm.
Thee Headshrinkers will be roaring into your town, and then your life, very soon. And if you don’t like it well then that’s just head cheese.
Catch Thee Headshrinkers live at the following dates:
SAT 19th Oct – Dust, Brighton, with THE SURFRAJETTES
Sat 26th Oct – Elmo’s, Bristol
Sat 9th Nov – The Pig, Hastings (POTL / GYO all dayer)
Sat 16th Nov – Chaplins Cellar Bar, Bournemouth
Sat 30th Nov – Tough Love instore, St Lenoards
Sun 1st Dec – Smugglers instore, Deal
Sat 14th Dec – The Anchor, Wingham (Garage / Psychobilly all dayer)
From Down Under via Poland is exactly how I like my loud, fuck you Rock n Roll. Who doesn’t? Meatbeaters are a whole inappropriate bunch of scoundrels from Adelaide. The fact it’s the serial killer capital of Australia is insignificant. Well, It’s also the place where The Meatbeaters have resided. What do they sound like I hear you ask. Well, Imagine Motorhead digested the punk rock songbook and danced with the devil whilst taking advantage of everything that’s illegal and not good for you and turned it all up to eleven. They might have gone unnoticed for a couple of decades but thanks to this here interweb thing we can all play catch up on these deviants. Their filthy sonic destruction is wrapped up in this wonderful compilation album for your leisurely dedication. They are of course loud, and dirty, and make an ugly beautiful din that has no time for subtlety so absolutely zero fucks given here. If you aren’t sure check out ‘C.O.A.B.’ or ‘Lunch’ and watch those easily offended run for their nearest safe space.
The Meatbeaters’ are heavy as an anvil, relentless as prime Fast Eddie, filthy era Motorhead mixing it up with the eMC5 and the Cosmic Psychos. This is a band who’ve gone under the radar for too long so Heavy Medication have stepped up to write this particular wrong and bring it to the masses for immediate consumption. Get the beers in and get this on the stereo and turn it up. with Eleven originals, some of which are making their first appearance on vinyl here. How cool is ‘Spit Roast’ riffing on that ‘Born To Raise Hell’ attitude whats not to like?
Don’t go too hard when you’re headbanging to ‘Show Us What You Got’ because ‘Big Momma’ follows and you wouldn’t want to not be ready for that thunder express rushes through the speakers. It’s a relentless ride but the quality is immense throughout, just be careful not to do yourself a mischief. Now don’t just take my word for it get involved strap on the bullet belt and wear your denim n leather for protection this is The Meatbeaters baby and they play Rock n Roll! Buy It!
This is a vinyl-only release. If you’re looking for Meatbeaters CDs, please visit the band’s Bandcamp site or Pitshark Records www.pitshark.com (European distro).
On a recent trip to Barcelona, I had my phone with a few new albums to review for entertainment. What better way to spend your flight than writing up some reviews Especially when they come courtesy of Drunken Sailor Records. Rowdy is the band and boy it felt like my flight was about two minutes long so good was the inflight entertainment via this album. all that was missing was lashings of booze and a Karen fight on board but hell, the soundtrack was awesome.
Now Rowdy are a new band on album number one so this is the ground floor kids so jump in they hail from Texas via Scotland who are a new combo on me but the sounds aren’t new at all, its Rowdy by name and Rowdy by nature. From the howling good time melodies through some ragged arsed punk rock n roll its loose baby, like all those great bands from the 70s. It’s got an innocent charm and sounds like they’re already well-oiled but the music comes first and the rock rolls on.
Banging melodies played through thrift store instruments hit hard but with passion and a deep-rooted love of what they do. ‘Keep It Secret’ is light enough to be carefree but raw enough to keep the punkers interested, and the melody is everything here. The chorus is awesome, and the tempo keeps things exciting and honest. Pretty much the mantra throughout, to be fair, is racing downhill with the roof down and the stereo cranked, with everyone singing at the top of their voices having the best of times. It’s just such a great record. With clunky power chords thumping out the rhythm over a solid bass line and Moon the loon style drumming, it’s all good in the hood here.
With a classic four tunes per side it’s time to get the job done and not muck about like a cool Joan Jett howling for the Dead Boys with a fist full of classics on their mind. ‘Fine Mystery’ is like a rougher early Blondie with no fine smooth edges just plenty of grit and some wonderful guitar licks to help it on its way, such a fine tune. The variety is loaded up on side two as the cool ‘Cost Of It’ rips through the speakers. The loose production is unfussy and everything is crystal clear which is perfect for this primitive Rock n Roll and it all helps to hammer home how good the music is ending on ‘Love To Lose’ like a bruising lets ave it rocker if AC/DC were punk rockers jamming on something way more garage than Blues and a mighty fine way to bring the curtain down on any album kicking up dust and rockin out. Outstanding album just buy it! Now if all flight soundtracks were this good!
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