The Snivelling Shits – ‘Shits Alive!’ (Damaged Goods Records)

The Snivelling Shits – ‘Shits Alive!’ (Damaged Goods Records)

The Shits resumed live duties pre-pandemic when original member Pete Makowski decided to have another crack at playing with the Shits and they managed a few choice performances like Rebellion and support to Johnny Moped for Damaged Goods birthday bash. They managed one original album ‘I Can’t Come’ which was put out by Damaged Goods way back at the tail end of the eighties. but every band deserves a live album don’t they? Well, maybe not but the shits have a number two in them and here it is! ‘Shits Alive!’

Tom Crossley was persuaded to join the band on vocals who happened to be in Giovanni’s second band Famous Monsters after The Shits burned out the first time around. Pete roped in his mate James on the drums and Snivelling Shits mark two is all systems go. This record you could be lucky enough to hold in your sticky mitts was recorded when Damaged Goods got the tape machine rolling at their 30th Anniversary show at the Lexington and The Snivelling Shits were duly roped in to play. After playing a wonderfully chaotic show at Rebellion in 2019 the bloody pandemic stepped in to derail what was blossoming into something quite beautiful until sadly Pete passed away late on in 2021.

With all that’s gone on and circumstances conspiring against this record hitting the shelves what with Brexshit, vinyl shortage, pandemic and death etc. This record is a fitting tribute to Pete who oversaw the artwork and tape recordings, as well as all original members its a small peek into what a great band they were/are. Also it brings two demos from the original lineup that was briefly available at that Rebellion show (long gone now sorry) (on Brown Vinyl). It was also a fact that Pete wanted this recording also pressed on Brown Vinyl but with all, that’s going on Brown wasn’t available so all the colours of the rainbow would be the fitting alternative I’m sure Pete would approve. The record kicks off with ‘Terminal Stupid’ which is a punchy romp Buzzcocks style and Tom’s vocals are the perfect fit. The mid-song banter from Tom is quality as the band launch into ‘Only 13’ with that Steve Jones snarling riff it’s toe-tap-tastic. ‘Bring Me The Head Of Yokio Mishima’ is a belter of a tune be it live or the demo mix that’s included here on this record a real highlight. I did have a giggle at ‘Crossroads’ and I’m sure Benny would approve with its Lower East Side sleaze and snarl and that Lou Reid chug.

It’s not all fun and games they also ponder serious questions like ‘Isgodaman’ with its loose riff being punched down the line by James Sherry’s solid beat it happens to be a thumping good tune. The live songs are brought to a crushing end with the ode to pens everywhere with ‘I Wanna Be Your Byro’.

This only leaves room for the demos ‘Bring Me The Head’ and ‘Et Mo, Et Moi, Et Moi’ which is a fitting way to put a full stop on the magnificent Snivelling Shits. So if you want to join the cool kids then what are you waiting for? ‘Shits Alive!’ is a blast, a lot of fun and some top tunes, no seriously these tunes are where it’s at in 2022 and God bless Damaged Goods for getting to release it for our listening pleasure. If only they were flushed with success

Buy Here

Snivelling Shits Facebook

Author: Dom Daley

Michael Monroe Can’t Stop Falling Apart

Michael Monroe Can’t Stop Falling Apart

You can pre-order the new album ‘I Live Too Fast To Die Young’ and assorted goodies from Here. The album comes out on June 10th and is the first new music from the band since 2019 ‘One Man Gang’.

“It’s an ode to our wives and loved ones who have stuck by our sides through years of playing music and touring the world,” offers Monroe on the new single. “But this can also apply to any person working hard, away from home a lot of the time, who is lucky enough to have a loved one sticking by their side through thick and thin. So, it’s a celebratory song to our nearest and dearest who are always there for us.”

“It’s a big, 1970’s Slade-inspired glam stomper,” adds Rich Jones, “It celebrates our loved ones who support us through the ups and downs of being a touring musician”.

Throughout his latest (and greatest) venture I Live Too Fast To Die Young, Monroe tells tales of glory and observed stories, some pretty, some shitty, but all through a lens of eventual optimism, hope and a sense of dirty, cheeky late-night fun. Monroe’s lens has always been directed towards the upside, even after the greatest downs a man can suffer, and the sheer power of his positive energy infuses everything he comes into contact with.

The eleven lean, mean, raw power rock ‘n’ roll songs which make up I Live Too Fast To Die Young see Monroe swagger the streets like a rock-punk poet, a storyteller who’s seen it all from the hellholes of Helsinki to the late-nights in London’s St. Moritz with some trashy times in Tokyo to boot. Warm, funny, occasionally sad but ultimately upbeat, I Live Too Fast To Die Young brings the listener into the heart and soul of its creator.

The title track, ‘I Live Too Fast To Die Young’, is quintessential Monroe, playing with words and concepts in a playfully irreverent way and wrapping it all up in some proper ‘fuck you’ rock ‘n’ roll. A close friend of Monroe’s, Slash from Guns N’ Roses, throws down some lead guitar on the track.

Recorded at Inkfish Studios in Helsinki, Finland between November and December 2021 and produced by the band with engineer Erno Laitinen, the album features Monroe on lead vocals and harmonica, Steve Conte (guitars and vocals), Rich Jones (guitar, vocals), Karl Rockfist (drums) and Sami Yaffa (bass/vocals/guitar). With I Live Too Fast To Die Young, it is clear Michael Monroe is striding into the summer with a triumphant -and perhaps most importantly, defiant- roar to offer you a chance to let your hair down (or up!) and to once again enjoy the freedom of joyous celebration and expression.

The band is due to appear at a string of summer festival shows and will be touring in support of the album on the following dates:

04 Jun – ROCK HARD FESTIVAL, Gelsenkirchen (DE)

06 Jun – K.B. Hallen, Copenhagen (DK)*

9-11 Jun – SAARISTO OPEN AIR, Kaarina (FI)

10 Jun – ROCK IN THE CITY, Kuopio (FI)

11 Jun – SWEDEN ROCK, Sölvesborg (SE)

15 Jun – Dolina Charlotty, Charlotta (PL)*

17 Jun – Stadthalle, Zwickau (DE) *

18 Jun – AZKENA FESTIVAL, Vitoria-Gasteiz (ES)

21 Jun – Mitsubishi Electric Halle, Dusseldorf (DE)*

22 Jun – Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt (DE)*

25 Jun – HELLFEST, Clisson (FR)

29 Jun – Ippodromo San Siro, Milan (IT)*

07 Jul – SAUNA OPEN AIR, Tampere (FI)

08 Jul – ROCK IN THE CITY, Oulu (FI)

15 Jul – VAUHTIAJOT, Seinäjoki (FI)

16 Jul – ROCK IN THE CITY, Rovaniemi (FI)

30 Jul – SKOGSROJET FESTIVAL, Rejmyre (SE)

03 Aug – WACKEN OPEN AIR, Wacken (DE)

06 Aug – VAASA FESTIVAL, Vaasa (FI)

27 Aug – HRH Sleaze, Sheffield (UK)

*Supporting Alice Cooper For tickets and more information please visit: http://www.michaelmonroe.com/

The Alarm / Dave Sharp – Bristol O2 – 17/04/22

The Alarm / Dave Sharp – Bristol O2 – 17/04/22

After not being able to go to see The Alarm on their 40th Anniversary UK Tour apart from the recent Gathering weekend in Rhyl it was Bristol that got canceled after the band was caught in a police incident on the M4 on the way to the venue that led to a last-minute rearrangement and then the date was arranged for the final night of the tour on Easter Sunday – Hooray! a date I can go to never mind eating chocolate fire up the batmobile and all roads lead to Bristol.

On arrival at the O2 Mr sharp was already on stage running through his fine selection of warm honest folk songs with the odd Alarm classic thrown in for good measure. When the final knockings of the original lineup (many moons ago) were being played out Mr. Sharp released an exceptional album in the shape of ‘Hard Travellin’ (surely its time this classic got a release on wax Mr. Sharp? Pretty Please. He followed it up with 1996’s ‘Downtown America’ which also could do with a rerelease on vinyl, thanks. In a venue like the O2 a minstrel and his weapon of choice alone on the stage maybe needs a band to shift some gears rather than a balladeer set but that’s just my observation tonight. I do always enjoy hearing his raspy voice on these songs but maybe next time it’ll be electric with a band.

As for the Alarm 2022 it’s an altogether different beast to the older traditional setup with Peters patrolling the stage moving between three mics at the stage front flanked by Mrs. Peters on keys to one side and the very talented Mr. James Stevenson on guitar to the other flank. I do find his skills on the six-string a much better form on the songs of The Alarm both older and new rather than on previous tours when he switched between the bass and a bit of guitar. Also in the engine room, the ever-beaming Smiley hits the drums with vigour and purpose that really drives the songs.

It takes me a wee bit to get my head around the using of bass tracks rather than a bass player but to be fair it doesn’t take anything away from the music other than another body on stage I guess. It is what it is and we move on no doubt something for the faithful to debate because the Alarm family likes nothing more than a good old lineup debate.

As for tonight’s setlist, I must admit I’m a sucker for deep cuts setlists, having seen the band (cough cough) play well into three figures its fair to say I like the music old, new borrowed and blue. Tonight Bristol being the final night of the tour began with a sprightly ‘Protect And Survive’ it was Peter on a mission with little crowd interaction but a hell of a lot of music to throw our way. ‘Absolute Reality’ sounded fresh and then it was ’45 RPM’ to lift the energy levels one last time over the last twenty-plus dates before we got the first new song ‘Fail’ from the summer’s new records that is done and dusted. It was a bruising ‘Superchannel’ before we got ‘Wars’ Cover ‘Safe From Harm’ minus the Benji Webb vocal.

Peters found himself center stage for ‘Coming Home’ and a bluesy ‘Sold Me Down The River’. The band returns for a sort of medley of ‘In The Poppyfield’ that saw the band blitz through songs from all corners of the band’s catalogue from the ‘Stand’ through Everythings Beautiful via the much underrated ‘Shout To The Devil’, ‘For Freedom’ and ‘where Were You Hiding’ it was also peppered with Peters solo music in the shape of the rousing ‘Closer’ and a modern classic of ‘My Town’ it was a breathless and pulsating set with no time for messing about or end of tour dismantling equipment or goofing around it was crowd-pleasing singles ’68 Guns’, ‘Spirit of 76’, ‘Rescue Me’ and ‘Blaze Of Glory’ before dropping back into ‘Poppyfield’ and the main set was brought to a sweaty close.

There was still time for a deserved encore of ‘Breathe’ and for the first time, Peters spoke offering up the song ‘Psalms’ for the people of Ukraine and an end to the Russian invasion which was heartfelt and touching. There was still time for one more track to wrap up the tour and this evening’s epic performance as new song ‘Frontline Warriors’ saw the curtain brought down on this leg of their 40th-anniversary tour but there is more to come for the good people of the UK when they see the return of the Gathering 2023 when there will be another addition to the Alarm catalogue oh and the much rearranged St Davids Hall show still to come.

What a Brucie bonus of an evening out with The Alarm, when can we do it again?

Author: Dom Daley

Beach Rats(Ft. Members of Bouncing Souls, Bad Religion and Lifetime) Announce Debut Album ‘Rat Beat’

Beach Rats(Ft. Members of Bouncing Souls, Bad Religion and Lifetime) Announce Debut Album ‘Rat Beat’

Beach Rats announce their debut album Rat Beat, out on July 29th via Epitaph Records. An impressive lineup of punk rock lifers, the band is comprised of vocalist Ari Katz (Lifetime), guitarist Pete Steinkopf (Bouncing Souls,) bassist Bryan Keinlen (Bouncing Souls,) guitarist Brian Baker (Bad Religion, Minor Threat) & Danny Windas (Let It Burn) on drums. They also share the music video for the album’s title track “Rat Beat” which embodies the nature of punk in its purest form; hard, fast and loud.

Pre Order Here

Beach Rats came to be as each member found themselves settled in the beach community of Asbury Park, New Jersey. After releasing an EP in 2018 and performing a slew of high-energy shows, the global pandemic gave the band a reason to get back to recording. The majority of the songs on Rat Beat were conceptualized and rehearsed in the basement of Brian Baker’s home and then tracked by Eric Bennett at Lakehouse Studios in only one day.

Baker recalls, “We’d go down in the basement, put on masks, open the windows and we could play – within CDC guidelines! We couldn’t go to dinner at each other’s houses but we could practice.” 

The DIY spirit of punk music is very much alive in Beach Rats. With the fervor to create something new, yet nostalgic, the band intentionally wrote the 12 tracks on Rat Beat how they used to back when they were teenagers. Or as Baker puts it, “like we did before we knew how to write songs.“

Not wanting to take themselves too seriously, the band formed merely over a love of the genre. These are veterans of punk rock just having fun and trying replicate that feeling and sound of what it was like to make punk music in the 80’s.

“You’re gonna get authentic punk and hardcore from BEACH RATS because we are all from the 80’s,” Bryan Kienlen comments. “It’s literally taking it back to some of our biggest influences like Negative Approach and Poison Idea, And of course, Minor Threat.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BEACH RATS, VISIT: 
INSTAGRAM

The Boys are back in town RSD releases

The Boys are back in town RSD releases

Radiation Records released Special Limited Edition copies of The Boys “To Hell With The Boys” (Red vinyl) & “Boys Only” (Orange vinyl) for Record Store Day on 23 April. 

Both albums also come with gatefold sleeves and were remastered directly from the original Safari Masters (as used by the recent Safari CD Box Set release)

The albums, which have been in Record Stores since Saturday, will also be available to buy online from Radiation Records from April 26th ‘Boys only’: Here ‘To Hell With The Boys’ Here


To help promote the two albums Cherry Red will give a digital release to The Boys 1980 single “Weekend” on Friday 29 April – Spotify


Mike Read has been playing “Weekend” on his Breakfast Show for the past two weeks and it has entered the UK Heritage Chart at Number 44.  You can vote for “Weekend” here

The Slackers – ‘Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya’ (Pirates Press Records)

The Slackers – ‘Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya’ (Pirates Press Records)

Summer is almost here ladies and gentlemen, and this all new twelve track album from New York ska outfit The Slackers is going to provide the perfect soundtrack.

That’s right folks, because after the high intensity punk and post punk stuff I’ve been reviewing elsewhere on RPM this month, ‘Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya’ actually came as something of a welcome respite. Indeed, cranking this one out of the RPM boombox over the recent bank holiday was like a much-needed foot on the brakes of life, providing me with a chance to reflect on matters whilst also enjoying the first rays of 2022 sunshine on my face.

‘Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya’ has been seven years in the making for Vic Ruggiero and his bandmates, and for once that old adage about the best things come to those who wait has really never been more apt, because this record really is a right bobby dazzler.

The New York Times recently dubbed the Slackers part of ‘the sound of New York’, and just one listen of ‘Windowland’ later I’m suddenly whisked off to an upstate Manhattan bar one Friday night supping on a cold one totally absorbed in the band playing on the small stage in the window, with the rest of the assembled weekend crew going suitably bananas all around the place. Yup, The Slackers are bringing their A -game via their special brand of ska party to your living room, and all you have to do is pick up a copy of this record to gain entry.

At this point I do have to admit that Nev Brookes should really be reviewing this album, because after all he is RPM’s resident expert in everything with a skanking rhythm, but after hearing the album’s superb title track (which got a video release a few months back) I just had to hear the rest of ‘Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya’ and here within the context of the full album said title track still makes me think it’s a song custom bult for Elvis Costello to one day cover.

Elsewhere, the likes of ‘Hanging On’ and the riotous ‘Nobody’s Listening’ shine through via some truly inspired vocals from Ruggiero, whilst it’s the band’s impressive horn section (of Dave Hillyard and Glen Pine) that get to steal the show on the glorious ‘Way Of A Woman’ and on the subtle soul stylings of the sultry ‘Second Best’. Things get political for the powerful ‘Statehouse’, and dare I say that during the lament of ‘They Are Losing’ the long shadow of a certain Tom Waits looms large over proceedings.

‘Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya’ is very much a dance album though and when you follow the aforementioned ‘They Are Losing’ with the almost 2Tone-esque ‘Shameboy’ you’d have to be one tough cookie (or perhaps an idiot) not to find yourself immediately caught up in the dance craze The Slackers generate.

Look, we’ve all had a couple of tough years, right? Well, it’s time to heal, and great music is the perfect medicine to help us do just that.  So, treat yourself, go get a copy of ‘Don’t Let The Sunlight Fool Ya’, smile, dance and as The Slackers themselves wisely say whilst ‘Time Won’t Set Us Free’ great music most certainly will.

Buy Here

Author: Johnny Hayward

Singles Club – Easter Eggs

Singles Club – Easter Eggs

It’s the season to be jolly… oh shit wrong season. Never mind this sitting of the singles club is choc-o-bloc with great songs for you to check out whilst you demolish your kids easter eggs so fill yer boots why doncha

Kurt Baker & Bebe Buell – ‘Blood & Roses’ (Wicked Cool Records) This is a cover of The Smithereens’ 1986 hit, ‘Blood & Roses’, which hit #14 on the US singles chart this time it’s given the Kurt Baker and Bebe Buell treatment.  This is their first musical collaboration between the pair with Buell complimenting Baker on his music. It’s fitting that this is a tribute to one of their mutual favorite bands, The Smithereens.  Baker says, “The Smithereens were an integral part of my rock n roll education growing up…without [their] music I wouldn’t be where I am today”  Both artists inject their unique musical styles into a track and the finished product is outstanding.  It’s a no-brainer for us here at RPM we love Kurt’s music and Wicked Cool doesn’t release bad records. Get on it kids – Here

The Sweet Things – ‘Brown Leather’ (Spaghetty Town Records) Wooh easy tiger the Sweet Things just turned up the heat on that sloppy exile on main st tip and flipped the Black Crowes the bird with this authentic sleazy barroom rocker ‘Brown Leather’. This is the real deal kids 100% kicking ass and taking names. from that honky tonk to the horns this is as exciting as you can get. Whilst the Quireboys implode The Sweet Things get back in the game and throw this bad boy boogie right in the ring and step to the top of the pile. Make no mistake kids this is the record of the month. The album is gonna slay.  Find more about THE SWEET THINGS online at: FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM


Bitch Queen / Scumbag Millionaire – ‘Split’ (Lux Noise Records/JanML Records / Maja von Lobeck) As you know we do love ourselves a split and when it’s containing two-band we fucking love it’s always a win/win. With limited pressings on these they’ll sell out pretty damned quick so don’t muck about kids – you snooze you lose. Bitch Queens offers up ‘2000 & Late’ and as it builds like a forest fire into a thumping, raging mosh pit happy slice of death rock. It’s uncompromising and further proof that its an outrage that Bitch Queens aren’t on the cover of the alt press magazines and headlining festivals.

Teaming up with Swedens Scumbag Millionaires is a great pairing as they bring the rage of ‘Fast Bob’ and with that seal of Scandinavia Quality its a blistering song from the six-string licks that Chuck Berry would be proud of to the tempo in the engine room holding this rager together – it’s a single you need to hear. Now off you fuck and order it before they’re gone! Buy here:

ELECTRIC BOYS – ‘Into The Midnight Sun’ (Mighty Music)  ELECTRIC BOYS  decided to release a couple of new tracks. These are songs that the Swedish band recorded during the ‘Ups!de Down’ sessions. A classic, psychedelic Bloom-riff over a hard shuffle beat, not usually associated with the band. Martin (Thomander) and Andy (Christell) are singing lead in the verses. In 2018 the return to studio albums finally happened and since lockdown, the band has managed to record ‘Ups!de Down ‘ bringing different shades to the Electric Boys sound. The band adds plenty of swing to their classic rock roots and along with some big guitar solos, this makes for an excellent new sound and songs. If you don’t believe us check it out here

Dub War – ‘War Inna Babylon’ The rousing ragga-punk cover of the Max Romeo and the Upsetters’ classic “War Inna Babylon”, features guest vocals from the legendary Ranking Roger of The Beat in his last ever recording before his sad passing in 2019. The vivid reimagining of the track sees the band deliver angular guitars, frenetic rhythms, and powerful and uplifting vocals from the band’s frontman Benji. What you’d call a banger right there kids.

Snuff – ‘Green Glass Chippings’ (SBAM Records) the second SBAM offering this edition of the singles club sees punks Snuff deliver the goods via moped with a great chest-beating slab of punk rock that will have them singing along in the bars and mosh pits everywhere. Lifted from their upcoming album “Crepuscolo Dorato Della Bruschetta Borsetta Calzetta Cacchetta Trombetta Lambretta Giallo Ossido, Ooooooh Così Magnifico!” yeah go on you say it. Pick it up here

The Darts – ‘Love Sunami’ (Beluga Records co-released with Adrenalin Fix, Dirty Water Records, Ghost Highway Recordings). Fantastic keyboard twitching psyche garage rock and roll from The Darts. Man, this single has an attitude from the hypnotic beat to the mind-altering chorus this is a great single for sure. It doesn’t end there because ‘Shit Show’ is almost as good. A cooler backbeat yeah! this EP is freakin awesome and the more I play it the louder I want to hear it and those retro keys are superb. Then to twist your melon a little more the third track is a psychotic romp through some great fuzzy bass guitar and lead guitar and ‘Underground’ is bouncing with energy. I would have this at number one in this bunch of pop choons kids but the Sweet Things have it by the single thread of a molting afghan coat fringe but when the album drops from these ladies I’m all over that!

Bottlekids – ‘NOWT’ (SBÄM Records) Three mates from Chepstow, South Wales announcing their brand new EP ‘ZILCH!’ to be released by SBÄM Records on May 27th lead it with ‘Nowt’ a raging slab of punk rock with obvious influences from Stateside punk like Green Day and Bad Religion and why the fuck not? Its excellently delivered and a real contender. ITs got the vital ingredients to take them far and if the rest of the EP is as good as this then why not. Love the bass line and tone it sets this up to go for it and give the Anti Flag bands a real run for their money. Quality song.

Like a lot of music seeing the light of day it was written in lockdown it’s about kicking out the jams and all that pent-up aggression had to come out in the music and to my ears, Bottlekids made some great choices. With a sparkling production, this ‘Zilch’ EP could be time for the band to blow up!

Supersonic Deuces – ‘Bored & Stoked’ (Devil’s Beat Records) We’re all about the quality in the Singles Club and it’s often a great gateway into an album or EP that’s coming down the track. To celebrate the first year of activity, Supersonic Deuces just released the ‘Hey Now!’ ep. It includes the single “Hey Now!” plus the previously released singles “Haze the Hides” and “Bored & Stroked”, and “Strutter” from the upcoming Kiss tribute album on Devil’s Beat Records. If you don’t dig this slab of garage punk n roll then we won’t be friends for long. Banger no doubt about it and you can join the cool kids by checking out www.supersonicdeuces.com and tell em RPM sent you.

Sons – ‘Nothing’ (Pias) Having landed the support slot with Jack White the future looks bright for Belgium garage ragers Sons. Here’s their latest video for ‘Nothing’ taken from their album ‘Sweet Boy’ released in the week. It’s a loud, aggressive slice of post-punk garage rock, (if you like your pigeon holes) not a million miles from Idles, and ‘Fontains DC this is set to blow up everywhere.

KOMBI KILLERS -‘Sick World’ (Riot Records) Old school 82 fuck you punk rock from Kombi Killers. Pulling no punches a direct slice of social commentary about the pandemic and their succinct feelings about lockdowns and covid. Brisbane heat and lockdowns must have got to them because they make no bones about their feelings here and let the world know in an old-school assault. Batten down the hatches Kombi Killers are on the loose again spreading their disease – punk as fuck!

Stream/Buy ‘Sick World’ HERE

Crows – ‘Beware Believers’ (Bad Vibrations Records)

Crows – ‘Beware Believers’ (Bad Vibrations Records)

So, an old friend of mine (who has been working with, managing and writing about cool bands for the best part of three decades) said to me a few weeks back. “Come and see Crows in Cardiff, you’ll love them”.

“Nah – they’re too Indie for me” I quickly replied.

He even asked me again on the day of the gig, and yet again I replied in the negative.

Then, as I woke the morning after said gig, I found another friend had tagged me in a live video from the gig on social media, only for me to click on it and think.  “Hang on this is actually really really good.”

And, a few quick spins of ‘Beware Believers’ (the London band’s recently released second album) later, and boy oh boy am I regretting my decision.

Why all the fuss you might wonder? Well, this week whilst the world and its dog are all seemingly losing their shit over Wet leg’s new album, Crows have crept out of leftfield with next to no media fanfare and have released one of the albums of 2022.

Having witnessed the very good The Imbeciles supporting Killing Joke just a week or so earlier I cannot help but think the self-styled Lords of Chaos missed a trick not getting Crows out with them too, because whilst Killing Joke’s flame still burns very brightly indeed Crows are (to my ears at least) the voice of a whole new generation of disaffected UK music fans.

Take ‘Garden of England’ for example, this tune bristles with the spirit of post punk circa 1978-79 and even adds a soupcon of Mr Lydon (In the “England” phrasing) towards the end of the track – yet with its subject matter of a diseased country falling to rack and ruin it is very much 2022.

Elsewhere, the gargantuan ‘Only Time’, the Mark E Smith fronts IDLES drone of ‘Room 156’, the Division Of Laura Lee-like ‘Moderation’ and the truly sublime ‘The Servant’ are all standouts in an album jam packed full of them, and it’s only when the pace (and indeed intensity) drops for album closer ‘Sad Lad’ that I actually get a chance to reflect on the greatness on offer throughout all of the record’s eleven songs.

‘Beware Believers’ is an album I could easily write 10,000 words about, but the litmus test will be you going out and listening to it and loving it too. This is all killer no filler post-punk, and in a rock world seemingly crammed full of lip synching manufactured beige bollocks it’s bands like this that really keep old farts like me interested and excited about the UK scene.

Oh, and Andy, you were right all along… I do love them.

Buy Here

Author: Johnny Hayward

Chip Z’Nuff – ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ (Frontiers/Avalon Japan)

Chip Z’Nuff – ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ (Frontiers/Avalon Japan)

The line-up history of Chicago Power Pop legends Enuff Z’Nuff is a complicated thing to follow. In a nutshell; After 15 years and 10 albums singer leaves band – guitarist (not original guitarist) becomes singer. Guitarist quits band – singer rejoins. Singer quits again – guitarist becomes singer again and subsequently quits…bassist and founding member becomes singer. In-between all this, add the usual band antics including drug addiction/stints in rehab, lawsuits, being shafted by record label/band members, and the tragic deaths of 2 band members. Are you still following?

Fair play, Chip Z’Nuff  is still holding the Enuff Z’Nuff flag flying high in 2022 and if he looks a bit disheveled in his trippy, hippy attire then, he has good reason to be. Not only is his third studio album as lead singer of Enuff Z’Nuff to be released later this year, he precedes that with this, his second solo album entitled ‘Perfectly Imperfect’.

You could be forgiven for being skeptical when Chip took over lead vocal duties from the estranged Donnie Vie. Yeah, the harmony vocals of Chip & Donnie were sublime, but could the bassist possibly pull it off without his longtime songwriting partner? Well, with 3 EZN albums under his diamond studded belt as lead singer and his second solo album on the shelves, it seems the rose-tinted bespectacled Chip is doing just fine on his own.

Of course, the ghost of his former singer is never far from any EZN related release and this album is no different. The first single ‘Heaven In A Bottle’ is an old Chip & Donnie tune that harks back to the early years of the band and has been doing the rounds in demo form for eons. It’s a typical, mid-paced ode to Cheap Trick, the sort of tune they could knock out in their sleep back in the day. Chip’s trippy, laid-back tones are more subdued compared to Donnie’s Lennon-like rasp, and that feel sets the pace for the whole album.

It’s impossible to review this album and not make comparisons to his past songwriting partner. And Chip doesn’t really help matters on ‘Doctor’ by pilfering the main hook from Donnie’s ‘Light Shine On’ from his 2014 release ‘The White Album’. But that said, the duo co-wrote so many tunes the original idea could be from either of them, I guess.

His reworking of ‘My Heroin’ (cunningly re-titled as ‘Heroin’ here) from EZN’s 1995 album ‘Tweaked’ is quite frankly the highlight of the album. I was skeptical on first listen, as its one of my favourite EZN tunes, but fair play, he somehow improves on it. The original was a bare bones recording, a masterpiece of the acoustic slide, harmonica and gut-wrenching sadness, an ode to the pitfalls of addiction. I didn’t think a full band version would improve it, but somehow, with just the addition of bass and drum tracks, it does.

Of the originals on offer, album opener ‘Welcome To The Party’ brings to mind ‘We’re Alright’ (again from ‘Tweaked’) and is a fine listen. It chugs along on the cool hook, again coming on like a long-lost Cheap Trick poptastic dittie that would not sound out of place on ‘Live at Budokan’. ‘I Still Hail Ya’ has a quirky vibe, it’s full of dreamy pop melodies and euphoric vocalisin’. And I’m still not sure if ‘3 Way’ is a driving song or a euphemism for kinky sex, but it’s one of the more upbeat Power Pop ditties on offer and I like it.

Still dressing like a late 60’s Carnaby Street reject at 53 years old, Chip Z’Nuff is flying high again with a selection of old melodies, reimaginings and new ideas.  But listening to ‘Perfectly Imperfect’, I’m left wondering why this album is released under the ‘solo’ moniker? It is no real departure from the signature Chip sound, but it is a departure from the Enuff Z’Nuff signature sound, as are the last 3 albums without his songwriting partner.

If you are an Enuff Z’Nuff fan you will love it I’m sure, but at just 9 songs, it speaks volumes to me that the strongest offerings are the last two on the album; the aforementioned ‘Heroin’, a song Chip wrote a lifetime ago, and a 48-year-old Mott The Hoople song called ‘Honaloochie Boogie’. Maybe it’s just a stop gap to keep the fanbase happy, or one of those ‘contractual obligation’ albums, but as the title suggests, this solo album feels a bit cobbled together, out of time and out of place. But you know what, I do quite like it.

Buy Here

Author: Ben Hughes

Lux And Ivy Say Flip Your Top – ‘Sinners And Penguins Doing The San Francisco Twist’ (Cherry Red Records/Righteous Records)

Lux And Ivy Say Flip Your Top – ‘Sinners And Penguins Doing The San Francisco Twist’ (Cherry Red Records/Righteous Records)

Records from the beginning of popular music or modern popular music way back in time called the 1950s.  Pre Beatles and Stones, pre-Britpop, pre-grunge.  There was always a subculture going on and music was no different and it wouldn’t surprise me for one second that Lux and Ivy would have owned a fabulous and largely unknown record collection.  They were hardly easy listening themselves and they drew their songs out of the fringes of music be it Jazz, Blues or pop.  You just know it’ll be an interesting and informative ride.

This double CD also comes with a lavish booklet full of poptastic nuggets courtesy of MOJO magazines Davie Henderson.

There are fifty tracks on offer and everyone has the potential to blow minds it’s that far out and lyrically messed up for these modern times(I can picture Lux smirking down on us all).  The fact there are two tracks with Tarzan in the title tells you something but as we swing from Jazzy RnR to big ensembles of bloated balladeering to weird Rock n Roll this is something to get the party started for sure.

A lot of music for your hard earned and a CD that will certainly have the guests impressed at your vast taste either that or they’ll be running to the hills and worrying about your eclectic collection.

The early years rama lama Rock n Roll is heavily represented here like the Charms.  If you’re familiar with the bop n roll of Chris Cerf then I bow down to your knowledge. Imagine a song called ‘Too Big For Her Bikini’ coming out today.  The insta tictokkers would have a lynching squad firing up the torches. To be fair Slim Marbles isn’t just a great name and how didn’t ‘The Switch’ catch on?

Anyway, fill yer boots and your speakers with a hefty slab of good time Rock n Roll. It’ll make you smile and fill your ears with top tunes in a world that gets madder by the day this will cleanse your soul.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley