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

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

“Wake Me Up When September Ends”

September 

After a frantic couple of months and some rather pleasant sunshine over shit island, September couldn’t possibly keep up the pace set by the previous summer months, could it? Fuckin’ right it could. There was the trip to Steel City to catch up with HRH Sleaze for several intrepid RPM scribes as the whiff of Hard Rock Hairspray filled the air and the crush in the gents for the mirror was more of a worry than in the ladies but a few old favourites were treading the boards and rocking the house over the weekend that was too good a temptation for some. I have it on good authority that LA Guns yeah the LA Guns with Phil Lewis in not the other LA Guns without Mr. Lewis anyway people who need to know just know and this line up still have the chops that’s for sure. Jetboy were also on the bill and were a draw for quite a few and they didn’t dissapoint either turning in a great set. Brit sleaze punks The Black Bullets had a rapturous reception after a fantastic performance on the acoustic stage and also killed it electric a band that are really getting into their stride and 2019 looks interesting for the band who have an album ready to go at some point.

As we freewheel downhill to meet the tour that had a load of grown men thinking about their mothers-in-law so as not to get some wood. It was the prospect of The Hip Priests touring with Bitch Queens and the nefarious yobs better known as Deathtraps that was doing it for most but they picked up some other seedy punks along the way in the shape of those Rotten Foxes. Camden Black Heart played host to this cluster fuck of garage punk and by all accounts from some who were there, it was spectacular. I managed to catch the Bristol show and have to admit it was every bit as spectacular and Bitch Queens pushed the Hip Priests all the way and it was just the evening out I hoped it would be.

Other live shows circling the UK in September were recorded on RPM the first being a rather splendid show from Eureka Machines @ The Fulford Arms in York that Ben attended in support of their latest record. Another of the must see shows of the year it would seem The North of England was definately being spoilt for great live shows in 2018.

To be fair Eureka Machines have the songs and always deliver in spades and RPM was delighted to bring a report on it Here. There was also a celebration going on in Yorkshire as Urban Voodoo Machine celebrated their 15 shots in Leeds and Ben attended that for RPM as well.

On the recorded front September was an Action Rock bonanza with long players hitting the shelves from the likes of RPM favourites Nashville Pussy with ‘Pleased To Eat You’, Supesuckers rocked up with ‘Suck It’ whilst one of our favourite albums of the year featured Fraser and his band Deathtraps who told us all we’ve ‘Gotta Get Some’ we don’t know what they Gotta Get but whatever it is I hope they find some because it sound interesting. It found its way into many a CD player around RPM and rightly so for all its Garage/Action Rock goodness. In fact, it would be a dereliction of duty if I didn’t advise you to Go Get Some too. Right that’s September done and dusted next up October…

 

That’s the week that was

That’s the week that was

That week went quickly.  No sooner did we bring you the finest alternative album reviews but we also ushered in some welcome reviews from the best live bands breezing through the United Kingdom.

You had Canadian rockers The Dirty Nil turning up their master volume last weekend and we also went loco over power-pop royalty Paul Collins and his new album Out Of My Head.  If those two didn’t tickle your fancy then you should try out some UK hardcore in the shape of Welsh upstarts Social Experiment and their stunning debut ‘Rumours of Our Demise Are Not Greatly Exaggerated’.

We brought you Commies who played with Tommy, Some Italians who just rock like fuck in the shape of some Peawees, German sleazy rock n rollers in the shape of Hell Nation Army. and as the week drew to a close we took on board The Virginmarys new record that is a must hear any day of the week.

We also got to have a chat with Alvin Gibbs and get the low down on his soon to be released debut solo album and the UK Subs bass player also had some amusing tales about his band and what he spends his time doing when not on stage.

All that was last week when we also announced details of some great tours and shows and new records being released.

 

To prove that we should be the bookmark site for all the best reviews, news and interviews over the coming seven days we’ve got exclusive reviews and interviews that you won’t find anywhere on the internet beginning today when we have Tyla spilling the beans about his new record and over the next seven days. Reviews from Deathtraps, Nicotene Pretty, King Brothers, and Bottle Rockets but we also go balls deep into some fantastic live show reviews from the likes of Glenn Hughes and Jesse Malin to name two so you know where to go and click when you’re skiving in work – Oh and Nev just gave you his tips on the shakers and movers in the 2018 ska/punk scene with a few just about to head out around the UK if you’re quick there might still be tickets left for The Interrupters / Bar Stool Preachers Tour.  So skive a bit more with us and keep up to date with what’s what.  As Lux used to say – Stay Sick! Luv

RPM Online

Turbocharged Rock and Roll writing.

 DeathTraps – Gotta Get Some (Self Released)

 DeathTraps – Gotta Get Some (Self Released)

Dom Daley.

Hot on the heels of ‘Justice For The Risca One’ Deathtraps are on a frantic runaway train of garage punk and it’s steaming out of control towards a stereo near you and not wanting the green green grass of home growing under their feet this prolific bunch of reprobates is killing it on album number two.
Its uncompromising and at times brutal as it pounds your ear canal with its twelve tunes of acidic melodies – overdriven garage rock goodness and above all quality tunage.  I can’t shake the quote that the debut cd is the soundtrack you’ll find in the glovebox of a serial killers truck or words to that effect –  imagine Lemmy sharing a lyric book with some people who should know better but choose not to. Hidden inside is a social conscience and an astute eye on what’s going on (and wrong with this (often)  fucked up world we spin round on) VJ might not have the pipes of Aled Jones and have more in common with the dearly departed Mr. Kilmister but these boys have a shit load of melody and have borrowed a riff and a melody from some pretty awesome bands and put them to good use.
By the time you get balls deep (otherwise known as) the fifth track and its Dead Boys like intro as it heads feet first into what is another decent chorus that’ll have you toe-tapping at the very least its not subtle but I don’t spose it’s meant to be sometimes its best to let people know whats coming.  but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.  The titles might not be original but they will give you a feel for where these are boys are hitching their wagon.  ‘Automatic Thrill’ throws itself headfirst into the first slam dance of the day and the next few tunes follow suit (check you’re pulse and practice breathing steadily).
Turning up the speed ‘Track Marks And Lullabies’ thrashes about kicking and screaming whilst ‘Get Loose’ delves into some splendid punk rock waters whilst taking the foot off the gas.
‘Fucked Up’ might not see them nominated for the award for literary finesse and heartwarming lyrics and surely having veins of piss and whiskey can’t be healthy? Saying that ‘Bored Of You’ has a wonderful Fast Eddie like lick that hides behind VJ’s barkin’ dog riffage that goes well with the lyrical tone.  Deathtraps might not be reinventing the wheel but they’re playing garage punk rock n roll and doing it very well. ‘Teenage Knife Crime’ is terrifying and the title track is creepy crawly like that deranged killer who had a tit full and is going loco regardless of the consequences a real slasher of a song and the albums high point.
As we head into the home straight the blues and twos are flashing in the rear view mirror  and the tempo is reaching cardiac arrest levels hearing VJ growl into my ears is a weirdly beautiful thing even considering the subject matter ‘Know Your Rights’ is a grade A bonafide Belter and worthy of five pounds of anyone’s money. (Really only five ponds? I get it; it must be like the kiddie catcher they lure in with lollipops then bosh the cage falls and you’re theirs that’s what Deathtraps are doing)  Excellent tune.
But it’s never over until Deathtraps say so (or the police have managed to riddle this ride with bullet holes) you can’t hear them still breathing because ‘Fan Clubbing’ is also top notch and very well – special.  Sarcastic? Much? To take this bad boy home is the death of rock and roll – no, quite literally Deathtraps try their best to kick the beating heart of Rock ‘n’ Roll to death and almost manage it with this final shit kicker.
If you’ve been paying attention for the last 50 years then you will love this record like one of your own.  They’ve borrowed and stolen off the good and the great and used it to pleasure themselves first and foremost. If Deathtraps have gotta get some then so have you.  No brainer this – Buy It!
I’m now off to check the windows are shut, doors locked and the phone lines working because there are lunatics out there and they might be watching and listening (unless they have a gig somewhere and therefore I know where they are – as you were kids tonight its safe…..I hope)

The Hip Priests / Bitch Queens / Deathtraps – Bristol Exchange Sat 15/09/18

The Hip Priests / Bitch Queens / Deathtraps – Bristol Exchange Sat 15/09/18

Oh, the joy of pegging it up the M4 on a Saturday evening to catch three bands who are playing on a five-band bill kicking off at 7 pm sharp. South Wales Deathtraps are first up on this autumnal evening and with a healthy audience in they get on with the task of shaking off any cobwebs and rattling a few bones with their take on all things garage punk. I believe bass player Fraser is trying his damnedest to lure punters into buying their brand new launched the day before second album ‘Gotta Get Some’ and as they preview choice cuts from the mentioned CD they sound tight and pretty bloody good if truth be told.  Playing to an audience who generally aren’t aware of their music up until this point they engage in some banter during the breaks and give it some welly when the instruments are hit. When songs like ‘Automatic Thrill’ and the laid back ‘Get Loose’ are aired the audience move and applaud in appreciation for what’s pounding out of the PA These boys know how to write this garage punk and clearly love it.  Benefitting from playing a few gigs the future looks rosy for this three-piece who have more than a decent tune or two in their arsenal and they’ll definitely get better and we need that in the UK right now.

Heading over to the UK for another round with their dysfunctional extended family The Hip Priests Basle based Bitch Queens (try saying that after a few dry ciders) haven’t got time to mess about and just get down to business and as previous encounters testified they really have the chops to pull off this garage hard rock dueling guitars gig to an absolute tee.  Starting with the lead track off their last studio album ‘L.O.V.E’, ‘Anti Social’ is the perfect floor filler as bodies right from the off get flung around the venue. With a set mainly populated with tunes  from their last long player it’s a joy to see and hear a band come to shit island and have their finger right on the pulse as  ‘Anti Social’ is a perfect song for early doors and as the band sound fantastic and right up for the challenge tonight as they prepare to duke it out with tonight’s headliners and show that there are bands out there who get this Rock and Roll lark and duel with the biggest and best No matter what venue or how many people are in attendance and this deadbeat generation has something to offer.

With time at a premium they proceed to smash out a really energetic set that is really well appreciated from ‘R-Rated’  through ‘Naked Or Denim’ singer Mel is crowd surfing with his guitar in tow and without dropping a note makes it back on the stage in time to close with the magnificent ‘Techno Is Dead’ that has the band purring like a finely tuned muscle car and if ever a band had a song that put a huge flag in the sand that said follow that fuckers then that was it.  A really excellent set to hand the baton over to tonight’s headliner.

Amazingly this was to be the first time I’m witnessing the Hip Priests as a five-piece after having witnessed them with several drummers also present when they performed as a three piece and after hearing firsthand accounts of how good this new line up is sounding I was getting excited.

With a new album in the bag and off the back of their finest 12” single and most ambitious release to date these were good time for the Hip Priests and having such an impressive undercard it was time for the band to come out swinging and that they duly obliged with a pulverising ‘Instant Delinquent’ followed by ‘Motherfucker superior’ and not even a broken lead instantly followed by a broken string can derail this juggernaut when its rolling and with the addition of Silent Mike this freight train was kept on the rails as ‘Zero Fuck’ were most defiantly given.  It only seemed to fuel Austin who played harder and flew the middle finger in the face of adversity.

The tunes kept coming in devastating frequency as ‘Jesus Died’ was the prelude to a filthy barking version of ‘Loose’ that I’m sure the brother Ashton would certainly have approved of. Always adhering to the old adage of always leave the punters wanting more and never outstay your welcome so ‘Cheers To Me’ made way to the classic that is ‘Sonic Reproducer’ which only left time for ‘Wired Amped Skulled’ and that ladies and gents was it. Adios Amigos and into the balmy night we trouped having witnessed yet another fantastic evening in the company of some awesome bands who are doing it their way and slowly but surely building quite the formidable repertoire and with the likes of Deathtraps and Bitch Queens offering their own takes on this garage punk business the future looks bright or it should do if there was any justice.Hip Priests Facebook 

Bitch Queens Facebook

Deathtraps Facebook

Oxjam Reading takeover

Oxjam Reading takeover

Tickets

With this awesome live extravaganza happening this weekend there is still time to snap up some tickets to see some superb bands.  Rich Rags & The Digressions and Deathtraps will hit Reading one after the other on Castle Street so don’t think about it too much just pick up a ticket at the link.  All for a great cause support live music and support bands that support good causes.

Deathtraps release new video from ‘Gotta Get Some’ album

Deathtraps release new video from ‘Gotta Get Some’ album

Deathtraps – Fucked Up

Second video from from Gotta Get Some.

Geplaatst door Deathtraps op Maandag 8 oktober 2018

 

After playing plenty of shows across Shit Island Deathtraps have released the second video from their Sophmore album ‘Gotta Get Some’. This South Wales three-piece show no signs of relenting as shows are booked and music released their hard work looks to be paying off as they get better and better don’t let them pass you by go check em out.  They play Neath, Swansea, Reading and Abertillery before the years out and already booking for 2019.

 

‘Fucked Up’ is no-nonsense Punk ‘n’ Roll taken from the follow up to ‘Justice For The Risca One’ ‘Gotta Get Some’ is reviewed on RPM soon.  Until then why not check em out at the links or catch a show as the video testifies their driving isn’t up to much but their tuneage certainly is, Fast, Furious and fucked up.  Just the way we like it!

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