Introducing…Smalltown Tigers

Introducing…Smalltown Tigers

Can you imagine Suzi Quatro writing a real punk rock record? Or Joan Jett not being sucked in by glam rock limelight? SMALLTOWN TIGERS hail from Romagna, North/East of Italy. Deborah, Giulia and Serena (who replaced Antonio later this spring) cut their teeth on The Rockaway Bitches, playing Ramones’ songs and spreading their love for surfboards and punk rock antics. The trio earned their stripes playing squat clubs and beach parties, before scooping the support slot for NYC powerpop aces BABY SHAKES on their jaunt around Italy this spring. Already being talked up on the Euro garage-punk scene, SMALLTOWN TIGERS have dropped their debut album ‘Five Things’ early this year and will be playing a bunch of UK dates to support it.

Who the hell  are Smalltown Tigers?

Smalltown Tigers are a young female trio from North Italy who play raucous rock and roll with a 70’s punk vibe. We were due to come back to England in May but that has been cancelled because of the world crisis. The tour dates have been postponed, for the moment it seems that November it could happen and we are really looking forward to it. We are still optimistic that when this crisis ends we can go on tour and bring “Five Things” to the live stage in London and Italy.

 

The group, which consists of Valli (bass, vocals), Monty (guitar, vocals) and latest recruit Castel (drums), was formed out of the remnants of a Ramones cover band and played their first UK shows last year.

 

So Where do you guys come from?

We come from different cities of the same region (Romagna). We – Valli and Monty – live in the same small village on the outskirts of Rimini; Castel comes from the biggest (but still small though) city in the area, Forli.

How did the band come together?

Smalltown Tigers were born in 2018, when after years spent playing the Ramones, we decided to create our own songs. It all started from the desire to try to play something of our own, to experience our creativity, and somehow we succeeded, still remaining glued to the sound of the Ramones.


Any previous recordings available?

We don’t have previous recordings, “Five Things” was our first recording experience. It was amazing. We recorded the whole album at L’Amor Mio Non-Muore studio in Forli, Italy. It’s an all analogue studio, where they use old reel-to-reel recorders and a 70s mixing desk.  No computer tricks, just a bunch of tube amplifiers. It has been recorded live, loud, fast and powerful.  That’s the Smalltown Tigers.

Post pandemic what’s the plan?

We were due to come back to England in May but that has been cancelled because of the world crisis. The tour dates have been postponed, for the moment it seems that November could happen and we really looking forward to it. We are still optimistic that when this crisis ends we can go on tour and bring “Five Things” to the live stage in London and Italy.

Album review Here

New York Junk – ‘Dreaming’ (Tarbeach Music)

New York Junk – ‘Dreaming’ (Tarbeach Music)

Nailing that quintessential NooYawk rock and roll sound but doing it in the Czech Republic is some feat but New York Junk nailed it.  It’s fair to say these cats are vets of the scene and been in the thick of the Bowery scene since its inception back in the ’70s and survived to tell the tail.  Getting Tarbeach Records to release the record of seven tunes recorded in the Czech Republic at the tail end of 2019 and mixed pre-pandemic these seven tunes are coming out on red vinyl.

It’s a simple formula.  Guitar, Bass and Drums and play from the heart, make it Rock and Roll – sing about what you see and believe in yourself then everything else is gravy.  You either have “it” or you don’t.  We know whos fakin’ it and who isn’t and on this evidence, you can take the people out of Noo Yawk but you can’t take the Noo Yawk outta the people.

New York Junk have released three previous records starting with ‘Passion of the 10th St Blues’ (2008), ‘Doing Time in New York City’ (2014), and ‘7 Train’ (2018). Their sound is somewhere between Thunders and The Stones with a bit of Lou Reed creeping in on some of the melodies but there are some real gems in here. I love side two from the more aggressive ‘Scared’ with a cool thump on the floor toms and strained vocals it’s fragile yet looking for trouble great opening tune to side two. The albums best track ‘Passion’ with its rather splendid Thunders dripping guitar solo the songs got a tonne of passion and it shines through.  They’re not reinventing the wheel here they’re just writing great tunes and relying on what’s pouring out of their hearts and spilling into the grooves of the record. Let’s stay with side two and the title track which is a repetitive riff that’s moving slowly and gently, for the most part, meandering through the cracks of the recording towards the solo sure it’s like a VU moment in time but that’s always going to be cool.

Anyway, Let’s continue as we flip flop back to side one and the opening blast of the ‘Gutter Angels’.  Like a poem to the Lower East Side leaning on the Voidoids or something Lou Reed might have penned. ‘She Don’t Care’ could have been borrowed from Walter Lure whilst ‘Walk My Dog’ is some Thunders homage and fairly standard. Closing off side one is ‘Don’t Cry For Me’ which sounds like we’ve just been dropped off in the early ’70s after finding out this time capsule is captained by Sylvain Sylvain and the cabin crew consists of Johansen and Killer Kane. Pure nostalgia done with care and a big smile – whats not to like?

All in all a really enjoyable seven tracks from New York Junk and for anyone who hankers for a slice of that time when giants walked the earth and strutted their stuff. Check it out if you’re smart enough and start ‘Dreamin’.

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Enuff Z’Nuff – ‘Brainwashed Generation’ (Frontiers Records)

Enuff Z’Nuff – ‘Brainwashed Generation’ (Frontiers Records)

There was always more to Chicago legends Enuff Z’Nuff than day-glo clothes, peace signs and drug problems. To a select few back in the day, singer Donnie Vie and bassist Chip Z’nuff were our generation’s Lennon & McCartney. And while they peaked commercially with their self-titled debut album, 1991’s follow-up ‘Strength’ was their masterpiece. Then along came Grunge and knocked them straight outta the ball park like many others. The following album ‘Animals With Human Intelligence’ sank without a trace, as did their career.

But unlike many of their contemporaries, the band battled through the subsequent line-up changes, legal issues and drug & alcohol addiction. Original guitarist Derek Frigo died of an overdose, long time drummer Ricky Parent succumbed to cancer. They changed labels more times than they changed drummers and guitar players, yet through all the tragedies, the one constant was that Chip & Donnie released quality music year after year. Even Donnie’s departure couldn’t stop the band. Now 15 albums into their career Enuff Z’nuff are back with a new album entitled ‘Brainwashed Generation’, the second to feature Chip as lead singer.

 

To be honest, I had little interest in hearing EZN’s last album ‘Golden Boy’. For me, EZN without Donnie is like Queen without Freddie, its peaches without the cream; it’s like a broken pencil…pointless! While their voices work well in harmony together, can Chip really compete with those golden Vie pipes, and does he even have the songwriting chops on his own? Well, I’m glad to report that ‘Brainwashed Generation’ goes a long way to prove me wrong.

Joining Chip on this latest excursion is long time guitarist Tory Stoffregen, drummer Daniel Hill and ex Life Sex & Death/AntiProduct legend Alex Kane (back in the band for the first time since 1987). Rick Nielsen’s son Daxx contributes drums for more than half of the album, along with Mike Portnoy and even estranged main man Donnie puts in a guest appearance.

With the basic tracks recorded back in November 2019, mixed and finished off by Chip at home during lockdown you could call ‘Brainwashed Generation one of the first ‘post lockdown’ releases?

 

Opener ‘Fatal Distraction’ sets the scene with hazy, lazy vocals and great power pop hooks to die for. Chip’s penchant for Cheap Trick is never far from his songbook, and the combination of loud, brash guitar work and a very hummable chorus takes this opener into classic EZN territory.

Ok, Chip you have my attention but any band can put their best tune as an opener, put your money where your mouth is and prove it! As if in reply, the punchy ‘I Got My Money Where My Mouth Is’ follows and puts to bed any doubts that the bassist needs Donnie Vie to carry his songs in 2020. This shows a band full of confidence, urgency and bravado. With continuing Cheap Trick vibes, trademark backing harmonies and a chorus that insists you sit up and take notice, I’m convinced just 2 songs in; they have already done enough to prove EZN are far from a spent force.

 

It’s impossible to do an Enuff Z’Nuff review and not mention The Beatles. Lennon-esque, sentimental balladry is rife in the likes of ‘It’s All In Vain’ and ‘Broken Love’. Chugging guitars, ringing chords and soaring vocal melodies take this listener to the same heights the likes of ‘Fly High Michelle’ and ‘Right By Your Side’ did back in the day.

Donnie Vie returns for ‘Strangers In My Head’ and it’s no surprise that its an album highlight. His lush tones carry the dark and foreboding tune to another worldly plain. It’s a powerful. riff heavy rocker that sees the writer delve deep inside his own head. So much so, it makes the following ‘Drugland Weekend’ sound like a just another dumb ass rock song, all style and no substance, but hey there’s nowt wrong with that sometimes!

 

Enuff Z’Nuff never got the breaks they deserved. But let’s face it, most of the greatest bands suffered the same fate! But put an Enuff Z’Nuff greatest hits package together and it stands tall quality wise with any band you would care to mention and that will be their legacy.

‘Brainwashed Generation’ is a surprisingly good album, which recalls their glory days and the best of their influences. Sure, it’s not as good as ‘Strength’ or even ‘Animals…’ song for song, but it’s on a par with anything the band put out after, and that is a good place to be 15 albums into your career.

Chip continues to fly the flag for Enuff Z’Nuff, writing quality tunes and touring the world. It’s all he’s done since the heady 80’s and no one’s gonna stop his love train now.

Buy ‘Brainwashed Generation’ Here

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Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

 

 

Introducing…The Suicide Notes – ‘Pleasures Of Despair’ Electric (Self Released)

Introducing…The Suicide Notes – ‘Pleasures Of Despair’ Electric (Self Released)
Hailing from Oxfordshire and Berkshire, the Suicide Notes ooze gutter-trash rock n’ roll. With low-slung buzzsaw guitars and raw nicotine-soaked vocals, they play rock ‘n’ roll with a swagger.  The illegitimate sons of punk and sleaze, conceived on a bed of red wine, cigarettes, and back-alley attitude, in their ranks they featuring ex-Black Bullets vocalist Billy Tee and signed up with a management company in 2019 like most things it sort of ground to a halt with the Covid-19 Virus but they did manage to sneak out the very popular Acoustic EP before everything was locked down. But they’d already banked the Electric EP and with the UK currently unlocking humans from the pandemic its time for The Suicide Notes to get back to business and let the world know what they have to offer.  
On the evidence of the response after their acoustic EP came out the future looks very bright for The Suicide Notes. that debut acoustic EP sold out its initial limited art digipak edition in under 36 hours through pre-sale orders alone, and demand was such that a second edition had to be produced hence why we’re here now as they follow up February Acoustic with its more fierce alter ego ‘Pleasures Of Despair (Electric)’ but before that let me introduce the Suicide Notes or rather let Billy Tee Introduce The Suicide Notes…
Who are The Suicide Notes? 
The Suicide Notes are Billy T on lead vocals and harmonica, Holmes on lead and rhythm guitar and vocals, Dame on the four-string and sometimes guitar and vocals and Gav is on drums, pizza, and garlic bread. We play tragic rock n roll in a raw carefree and drink idled haphazard style.
How did the band come together?
I ( Billy ) wanted to form a band that reflected my music roots, the red wine stained shuffle of bands like The Faces, The Stones, The Quireboys and The Dogs D’Amour mixed the raw edge of the Izzy Stradlin GnR and the romantic tragi undertones of people like Nikki Sudden, Neil Leyton, The  Decedents and The Suicide Twins. I new Alex played guitar and Alex had played with Dame for years so they were a tuned to each other’s way of playing already. Getting the restless dynamo that is Gavin Hobbs to drum was the perfect final piece in our dirty little ramshackle outfit.
Where are the band from? 
The boys hail from Witney in Oxfordshire and I’m the posh tart from Berkshire
Whats in the name?
Gore Vidal once said, “Write something, even if it’s just a suicide note”.

So we did, we wrote a bunch of Suicide notes disguised as songs. It’s the only way I tend to write. I’ve spent a long time-fighting depressions and mental health issues, all of the band do, mine was brought on by long term substance abuse. I’ve been clean two years but I’m still one step from falling off the wagon, I can bloody taste it still, but things are looking good I’m keeping my head down and concentrating on the music and my art anyway …

 Recordings so far?

We released our first single ‘Smoke It Like A Cigarette’ for our acoustic four-track EP, ‘Pleasures Of Despair’ (Acoustic Demo’s Vol One) then we released the full EP as our debut (like you mentioned already) We then went into the studio and recorded a full almost live electric set.

Post-Pandemic Plans?

We’ve written a bunch of new tracks while in lockdown, Alex and I throwing stuff at each other via the wondernet. The plan is to pretty much start from scratch again, literally, we’d only managed four gigs before the whole ‘shithouse went up in flames’ but we had a solid year of festival appearances booked, so hopefully we can get back on the horse in 2021, record an acoustic E.P vol 2 from the new songs and try and find our feet and hopefully we ( all the bands and promoters and venues ) all find some kind of normal again.

As the bells chime on the dark ‘Black Dog Howlin’ it sleazy alright. it’s right in that pocket of early LA Guns sleaze but without the American polish this is genuine Sleaze with attitude from the rolling dirty riff to the chorus where the gang joins Billy Tee for the call back its good stuff.  A well-timed guitar solo fits right in the pocket as the three minutes fly by which is exactly as it should be.  Not for a second does it outstay it’s welcome and like a donkey punch you know its happened.
No doubt there will always be comparisons with Billy’s vocals and a certain Bard from the Black Country so it would come as no surprise to hear The Suicide Notes taking on ‘On The Rocks’ by The Dogs D’Amours. To be fair there’s no point messing with classic Dogs tunes so whilst it’s pretty much kept intact they do add their own twist on it and to be fair it holds up very well. I like the tone of Alex’s guitar licks its got bite but it isn’t dumb and has a swagger that doesn’t come over like he’s forcing his tone.
Having praised the band for their short sharp attack I did balk a little when I saw ‘Ragdoll’ was in excess of six minutes but once we got past the intro tape I was able to sit back and let the rock and roll flow over me.  sure its got the obvious comparisons but I like the chorus and the breakdown works really well and I’m always a fan of using a saxophone in my sleazy Rock and Roll. great stuff!
To wrap it up the Electric treatment of ‘Smoke It Like A Cigarette’ is really good and works better than the acoustic which was excellent to be fair. So all in all a four-track EP that gets better as the songs unfold.  The band has energy and style and can and will carve out their own niche as people get to hear them and appreciate what real proper sleaze should and could sound like.  Oh, and we need more cowbell – obviously.
Pick it up pronto if you want to get in on the ground floor before these guys climb that greasy totem pole of Rock and Roll and you miss out on the collectible early stuff. Now put on yer silken scarf slide into them boots n skinny jeans and get yerself involved.
Buy the EP Here

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Author: Dom Daley

The Heat Inc. Release ‘Raptors’ for a debut single

The Heat Inc. Release ‘Raptors’ for a debut single
Armed with a venomous swagger The Heat Inc. release their debut single ‘Raptors’, a caustic slice of vitriolic rock’n’roll through Melted Dino Records.
 
On this scorching debut, The Heat Inc. have delivered a visceral thrill, with Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age) hailing ‘Raptors’ as “a perfect rock song.”.
 
Describing themselves as a “Rock and Roll band”, The Heat Inc. recorded ‘Raptors’ in the RYP Recordings Studio in North West London, with Michael Smith (Elvis Costello) producing.

 

“So when I say I know rock ’n’ roll when I hear it, you best believe I know rock ’n’ roll when I hear it—and The Heat Inc. are good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll, just like mother used to hate. You might have a good idea of how great The Heat Inc. sound—but don’t bother because The Heat Inc. are so cool they defy definition. There’s all kinds of heat. There’s the summer hot heat that’ll drive you crazy. There’s the in-ring heel heat that’ll get a wrestler over. And there’s the relentless hard heat that’ll track you down until you’re trapped. But ain’t none of them can compare to The Heat Inc you’re about to hear—and that’s not hyperbole, that’s a fact. Who you gonna believe, me or your own ears?”  exclaims Jeffrey Morgan – Creem journalist and biographer of Alice Cooper and Iggy & The Stooges.
 
The Heat Inc. is the suavest new band around and enough to make most God-fearing rockin’ rollers believe in miracles.
 
To purchase Raptors go to Bandcamp or Stream ‘Raptors’  Here
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IDLES SHARE NEW SINGLE + VIDEO – “A HYMN”

IDLES SHARE NEW SINGLE + VIDEO – “A HYMN”
Pic: Tom Ham

The emotional centerpiece off the Bristol band’s forthcoming LP, ‘Ultra Mono’ (out Sept 25th via Partisan). The accompanying music video features the band driving with their parents through their hometown streets to the shops, providing a grey window into suburban English life that matches the song’s heavyhearted churn.

 

Frontman Joe Talbot says of the song: “‘A Hymn’ is a hymn that rejoices in the sinister flesh-eating virus of the pedestrian. It sings the tune of normal’s teeth sinking into your neck as you sleep stood up with your eyes open. Amen.”

“A Hymn” follows the release of other ‘Ultra Mono’ highlights “Mr. Motivator” and “Grounds,” the latter of which earned a spotlight in the NY Times (“What’s a British post-punk band to do at a moment of black American protest that has spread worldwide? Slam and declare solidarity.”)

Ahead of release, IDLES will host a series of three live performances from an iconic studio space (to be named later) on Aug 29 & 30, which will be professionally recorded, filmed, and livestreamed. Tickets on sale now, more info and link to purchase HERE.

Talbot also recently launched a new virtual talk show called BALLEY TV, rolling out new episodes every other Friday this summer. Guests have already included Mike Skinner (The Streets), Nadya Tolokonnikova (Pussy Riot), Lauren Mayberry (CHVRCHES), Hak Baker + more. Watch the most recent episode HERE featuring Arlo Parks and Billy Bragg. Subscribe to see more episodes HERE.

Produced by Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire) and Adam ‘Atom’ Greenspan (Anna Calvi, Cut Copy), with Kenny Beats (FKA Twigs, DaBaby, Vince Staples) providing additional programming, ‘Ultra Mono’ was sonically constructed to capture the feeling of a hip-hop record. The album also features guest vocals from Jehnny Beth (Savages), and additional guest contributions from Warren Ellis (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds), David Yow, and Jamie Cullum.

More info:Official / Facebook / Twitter

The Blinders – ‘Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath’ (Modern Sky)

The Blinders – ‘Fantasies Of A Stay At Home Psychopath’ (Modern Sky)

Here we have the second outing from The Blinders, definitely one of the brighter stars of the modern day Post Punk revival. ‘Fantasies Of The he Stay At Home Psychopath’, the follow up to the fantastic 2018 debut ‘Columbia’.

The band are often compared to contemporaries Idles and more recently Fontaines DC, though this does not do them justice. The band themselves are quite young but certainly have something to say, as a result showing the others on the scene to be almost juvenile and of their time rather than timeless.

For me, the songs on this release give off a rare quality where the listener can already envisage what they’ll be like live. First track ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ sends me somewhere mentally akin to being a teenager at a festival experiencing these songs first hand with an ultimate sensory thrill.
If track one was euphoria the next, ‘Forty Days & Forty Nights’ is a call to arms ending it’s barrage as quick as it started. As the album goes on more and more I’m hearing riffs comparable to eighties Cow Punk, differing somewhat from their first album but adding further dimensions to what was already a solid sound.
The trio offers us a brief ‘Interlude’ to catch our breaths. A laid back Cool Jazz number that wouldn’t be out of place alongside Pulp’s ‘This Is Hardcore’. You have very limited time to dust yourself off before you’re back in the throng again with recent single ‘Mule Tracks’. This is certainly the standout song on the record, even with no apparent chorus it grabs the listener with vigor.
The second half of the record continues at this pace, never faltering the listener even for a moment. ‘Black Glass’, another remarkable single with almost ‘Heroin’ esque Velvet Underground guitars hitting you with a desolate psychedelia.
Final track ‘In this Decade’ opens as you have awoken from a surreal dream, entering a beautiful new tomorrow in the form of this early Dylan style number. It leaves you reflective of the fanatical decadence that has preceded it and wondering timidly whether you dare put yourself through it again….. but can you resist?

buy ‘Fantasies Of A  Stay At Home Psycopath’ Here

Riskee and The Ridicule honour New York singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey

Riskee and The Ridicule honour New York singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey

Riskee and The Ridicule honour New York singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey with their own unique take on her hit ‘Young And Beautiful’.

 

Not a band you can second guess, unpredictable Kent punks Riskee and The Ridicule follow-up their first lockdown release in May, the seething anger of the Brexit-baiting single ‘Blue Jacket’, with their own respectful take on New York pop singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey’s award-winning 2013 smash-hit, ‘Young And Beautiful’. This, however, is no guilty pleasure for the band, who are longtime fans of Lana’s work.

 

“Lana Del Rey is one of pop music’s best storytellers,” states frontman Scott Picking. “There’s something about her music that is so intense and descriptive that it’s movie-like and in these times of being locked down, that type of escapism has been a personal paradise. In choosing this song, I knew I could bring something different vocally and musically, we were excited about changing the song dynamically while staying true to the emotiveness of the original.”

Despite being isolated from each other at the time, Riskee and The Ridicule were able to create a video for ‘Young And Beautiful’ by recording their individual parts at home, allowing their former bassist David Thomas to collate them together with footage from one of the bands early hometown gigs.

 

“The video feels like a nod to both our early days as a band, just us and our own motivation, as well as where we are all at in this unique moment, one that we’re not likely to be in again any time soon (hopefully). ‘Young And Beautiful’ is a song I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” confesses Scott.

 

2019 was an amazing year for the band and saw the highly anticipated release of their third album ‘Body Bag Your Scene’ well received by both fans and critics alike, with their sets at Rebellion and Boomtown proving to be real highlights of 2019

Body Bag Your Scene was written and recorded at breakneck speed, a reflection of its reactionary nature to the daily uncertainty projected upon us. Taking aim at the powers that be (“Our Time”), sexual exploitation (“Sex”) and the barrage of contradictory news (“Black, White & Grey”) it’s a record that holds a mirror to the world with simultaneously acerbic and humorous analysis.

 

Growing up in Kent, Riskee and The Ridicule have always been a staple of the UK DIY scene, but their fervent attitude and unique “Grime-Punk” rallied troops of dedicated fans across the world. Musically, the band meld their genre-spanning influences with their intent to challenge preconceptions. On the surface they may appear easy to read, when in fact Scott Picking (Vocals), Jimbo Aglony (Guitars, Vocals), Jordan Mann (Guitars, Vocals) and Matt Verrell (Drums, Vocals) are a gang of progressive punks who form a powerhouse of change. Full of fierce energy, the Kent quartet have motives resting among The Clash with relentless streams of wit, literacy, and observational accuracy akin to The Smiths and a background in the UK Grime scene.

 

There is much more to come. You can be sure that Riskee and The Ridicule will be back onstage as soon as the world allows.

 

Buy ‘Young And Beautiful’ Here

 

Find Riskee and The Ridicule online at: Bomber Music / Band Website / Facebook / Twitter

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

Something for the Week sir? how about the brand new cartoon video from The Cutthroat Brothers?  Of course here goes.

Next how about some Dizzy Reed and his Hookers & Blow jazz up the Stones classic ‘Rocks Off’

Finally this week we bring you the brand new video from Bullets & Octanes  “Riot Riot N Roll” the band have released a new single and  video for “Ain’t Gonna Be Your Dog”: