Craggy Collyde release their new video for the song ‘Don’t Put Me Down’, taken from 2020’s debut Wrapped Up in Ribbons. The video was first set to be filmed shortly after the album’s launch, but border restrictions due to the coronavirus meant that the band couldn’t meet for several months and so the video was delayed.
The video was shot by Oriol Camacho in an old disused theatre & cinema at the Brno Exhibition Centre in the Czech Republic, providing a nice backdrop for the nostalgic romanticism at the heart of the theme of the song. The modernist building was constructed from 1927 to 1928, along with the rest of the original centre.
This is the second video from the album, following last year’s release of ‘In the Shade of the Wild Oak Tree’.
Craggy says: “Oak Tree was never meant to be the only song to be given a video. The lockdown meant that we couldn’t make the follow-up video for Don’t Put Me Down, and so promotion of the album kind of ended with the melancholy of Oak Tree. I guess it turned out to quite fitting for the times, really.”
You can get hold of the mini-album ‘Wrapped up in Ribbons’ here
Next up is the video for the song ‘Living Each Day to Rock & Roll’ from Andy Guttercat. The song was mastered by Dave Draper, who’s CVincludes The Wildheart, Ginger and The Professionals to name a few. The autobiographical song is available for download, on Bandcamp and all proceeds from its sale with go to charity. https://andyguttercat.bandcamp.com/tr…
Finally, we have the new video from The Dollyrots. Track 3 off the B-sides, rarities, & covers collection “Down the Rabbit Hole”, A 2 disc deluxe digipak & exclusive bundles, straight from the band! Written by The Dollyrots, Jaret Reddick (Bowling For Soup), and Linus of Hollywood
With Christmas fast aproaching we thought it was time to swing open the doors of the RPM Online singles Club and see who strolls in. We weren’t disappointed as the mixed bag of miscreants waltzed in. With out most diverse bunch yet theres plenty to ponder from our staple favs to some wide ranging inclusions check em out at your leisure…
DIRT BOX DISCO – ‘Fuck me it’s all Gone Wrong’ (AVENUE RECORDZ) Hey Hey it’s a Dirtbox Day, Fuck Me its only Dirtbox Disco damaging my ears with their Motorhead infused punk rock n roll.
Of course its a banger as it lodges in your head and you can’t get rid of the gang vocal chorus for days and you find yourself saying fuck me at every oportunity. Its got a catchy chorus of course it has, It’s to the point and its got guitars that are razor sharp and Maff is kicking the shit out of his tubs. Dirtbox are back in the ring and doing what they do better than anyone else. Loud and proud and right on the money! Its all gone right more like.
Available in the following formats -
Digital download and streaming.
split 7" with issue 13 of SAFETY PIN MAGAZINE
JOHNNY CASINO -‘Another Girl’ (Golden Robot Records) This is the first single from his February 2022 release ‘5×7 the Days of Wine and Cola‘ ‘Another Girl’ started out as a moody acoustic piece until it found its way into the recording studio on the Costa Blanca in Spain. Here, a fire had been lit underneath it, a couple of bottles of wine poured all over it and an inspired electric guitar burned into it by Johnny and his band. There is a san fran vibe about it as well maybe is in the vocals but whatever its a great tune and if the rest of the record is up to this standard then bring it on. The solo is blistering.
Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music – ‘No Fun Anymore’ (Wicked Cool Records) A thumping good tune. Though Mickey Leigh has been making music for over five decades, 2022 sees his first solo full-length release under the name Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music. Growing up the brother of Joey Ramone, If this is the standard of what we can expect from his first solo album, ‘Variants of Vibe’, in February 2022 then bring it on. The first single, ‘No Fun Anymore’ is like the bastard child of Stiv Bators solo material and a real Rock and Roll tonic packed with energy and a strong hook get this on your new years wish list. hit it up here
Kurt Baker – Christmas In The Sand (Wicked Cool Records)The first of two singles from Kurt Baker this round-up ‘Christmas in the sand’ was inspired by Kurt and his longtime collaborator and bandmate, Wyatt Funderburk’s, experience writing the song in the cold weather of Maine. He said, “It’s a song about wanting to be at the beach during Christmas time! If only we lived in the southern hemisphere, haha!” The original version of the song was released in 2012, but 2021 saw the band revisit the song and “kick it up a notch.” I’m sure you’ll agree it has all the hallmarks of a crimbo classic. Get it on the playlist at the office party and turn it up its got sleigh bells n everything – Check it out Here
Night Courts! ‘Fractions’ (Snappy Little Numbers /Debt Offensive Records) Second video/single by Vancouver lo-fi indie/punk trio NIGHT COURT from their debut release Nervous Birds! is a right little earworm as it burrows in and unsuspecting throughout the day week you want to hear it again and again. Infectious? sure is. Check it out in the video below. Get into them here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tifahzarjFQ&t=7s
Edweena Banger – ‘Let’s Do It’ (self Release) Album number two on the horizon this first glimpse of what to expect is a right banger (no pun intended) sizzling Rock and Roll with a big hook is the order of the day and one we fully endorse here at RPM Online. Connect with Edweena Here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL2ccPg6HOM
Kurt Baker – ‘Turn It Around’ (Wicked Cool Records) wow Kurt Baker is in da house and he’s burning it down with this banger of a tune. A rapid stab of powerpoppin punk rock oozing attitude with a thumping backbeat. Of course it’s got a bloomin’ great big hook on the chorus but it’s got a warm winter fuzz going on from the kickoff. Another day another thumping good song released from Kurt Baker
Swedish Magazines – ‘Head On Ice’(Rubber Records) If you know you simply know. Melbourne rockers Sweedish Magazines are dropping bombs off their new album ‘I Wish Life Could Be’ and this is the latest – full of barroom Malcolm Young fire it barrels along like a bouncing bomb with boundless energy before smashing in your ear with an explosive chorus that makes your toes tap and your head move back and fore. Fantastic tune and one that makes you want to hear more and on this track they hit a groove and ride the shit out of it. If you want a catagory for this then punk n boogie would be apt as they mix Bon era DC with some punk rock SLF style. Whats not to like – excellent stuff.
Cheap Cassettes – ‘She Aint Nothing Like You’ (Rum Bar Records) Hell Yeah! the first glimpse under the hood of the new album from Candas Cheap Cassettes is a slow grooving rock and rolla and with great subtle gang harmonies these cats are back in the saddle and make this grooving rock and roll seem effortless from the clear melodic guitar break to the subtle late night overdrive they make great bedfellows with The Speedways from the UK and mixing up some Georgia Sattelites its such a cool tune that gets me excited for the album when it hits the shelves.
Chew Manga – ‘Listless’ (Stray Cat Records) full phat and fuzzy. This rocket-fueled slice of alternative rock is the first glimpse into the world of Chew Manga. Not heard these guys before but this Manchester mob has got some cool ideas and mix it up on single with a catchy hook and some great playing making for a most listenable tune and a pretty good introduction to the band. Check it out Here
Tony Iommi – ‘Scent Of Dark’ It might not be a crimbo single (Thank god) but this is the new release from Sabbath Guitar God Tony Iommi and as the video testifies it’s a slow brooding grinding beast of an instrumental combining those riffs and some lush cello playing. Of course, there isn’t any singing just riff after riff after mother fucking riff from the originator of all that is heavy and dark. Get it Here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xala32PZ5vU
Wax On Water – ‘The Drip -Part 1’ EP This Camden ensemble kicks off this EP with a dark-stringed intro before their electro attack creepy crawls into your ear. ‘Don’t Bore Us’ builds slowly with a dark brooding tempo before breaking out with a menacing riff before falling back into the electro grunge fused twist.
‘The Sting In The Raw’ is a raw as razor blades riff that meanders through the song slashing away with menace. ‘Seventh Son’ is more haunting but again breaks out with a big raw riff that’s dark and brooding. ‘For The Love Of Money’ is a twitching electronic beast as it moves slowly but purposefully to the chorus with all the dark frills of an electro pulsating gothic slap but the vocal add some softer texture to the track and its better for it.
Hearts and Rockets – ‘TV Is Boring (EP)’ (Psychichysteria) Following from their recent single and video ‘Square Eyes’ and single ‘On/Off’, Naarm (Melbourne)-based bratwave duo Hearts and Rockets’ 5-track EP, ‘TV is Boring’, is out on cassette and digitally today and is available via their Bandcamp page, psychichysteria.com, and on all digital and streaming services.
The EP features 4 new originals, including recent singles ‘On/Off‘ with its hypnotic guitar lick, ‘Square Eyes‘ however is like a pulsating bass line and synth hook twitching like a metronome, plus the band’s longest track to date the title track ‘TV Is Boring‘ – which clocks in at almost 13 minutes. PLUS there’s a bonus cover of Black Flag’s classic anthem ‘TV Party’ and Hearts and Rockets’ post-punk anthem ‘Buy It’. Melbourne is having some cool tunes poured out of its backstreets with this really good post punk scuzzed up down n dirty rock n roll noise and we like it baby! Check it out Here
Finnegans Hell – ‘Happy Christmas’ (Sound Pollution) The second best Christmas song ever written? In any case “Happy Christmas” by Finnegan’s Hell qualifies as the second-best Christmas song coming from a Celtic punk band. – “Fairytale of New York” is still number one, but “Happy Christmas” contains enough social realism to make you reach for the bottle once the song is over, says lead singer Pabs Finnegan. His haunting whiskey voice takes the listener through three shades of black in a song that depicts anything but a happy Christmas. It might not be as good as The Pogues (Obviously) nor is it Slade or Wizzard but it shure as shit beats most of the insipid crimbo tunes we hear around this time.
Carrjam – 21 – ‘Can You Feel It’ (sound Pollution) A project started by Dregen to tip the hat to Kiss drummer Eric Carr who has passed 30 years ago! featuring Dregen (The Hellacopters, Backyard Babies), Gustav Kronfelt (video producer), Jolle Atlagic (Electric Boys, The Quill), Jesper Lindgren (Velvet Insane), Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper/Slash’s Snakepit) Åge Sten Nielsen (WigWam), Philip Shouse (Accept, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons), Jesper Binzer (D-A-D) and Martin Ekelund (Bonafide). It must be cock rock o clock judging by the style of this slow grooving rock song. Together with some of the most well-known and KISS-inspired musicians, Dregen has recorded 2 songs written by Carr plus 2 KISS related bonus songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN3X4mXfPFc
James Domestic – ‘Push On Through’ (KIBOU RECORDS) second single from James is an electronic departure from his day job with the Domestics. Lifted from James’ debut solo album ‘Carrion Repeating’, due out in April it’s a sparse ride that ends with a freak out of guitar noise broken down by a synth and the techo rhythm and drum beat. widescreen post punk for sure check out the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd95SJQspDQ
Hanterhir – ‘Waiting For Bertie’ (Easy Action) Cornish alt.rockers HANTERHIR return with a brand new single and video ‘Waiting For Bertie’ An adventurous mix of post punk with psychedelic undertones as well as some flutey tones for good measure it seems like the time is right for the band to get back to releasing their album that is penned for early 2022 release Connect here
Ryan Hamilton album, released digitally & CD November 26, 2021 on (Stevie Van Zandt’s) Wicked Cool Records
Hamilton’s Americana fuses his Country heritage with alt rock & power pop sensibilities.
The central theme of this latest album is collaboration. Pandemically stripped – for now – of his transatlantic band the Harlequin Ghosts, Hamilton, working with long-time collaborator and producer Dave Draper, has drawn upon a variety of sources here. Including covers of tracks by The Spin Doctors, The Refreshments and Great Yarmouth’s finest – Catherine Wheel, ‘1221’ also offers a brace of previously unrecorded originals by Chuck Prophet and Bob Schneider along with the Hamilton penned singles.
Hamilton has released a track a month during 2021, each hitting the iTunes Americana Top 20. Hamilton has been heralded by Spin magazine as one of the ‘Best Lesser-Known Artists of the Last 35 Years’.
It’s been a long time coming but finally, the wait is over. ‘Bronx Cheer’ is finally here and the wait has been well worth it. Having had the first insight into the new music from Conte way back when he toured with Michael Monroe in 2017 and had copies of his single in tow it has been a weird wait for this album what with a global lockdown and as we creep back out into daylight it seems that every musician and his dog has been creative and creating new music to get to our ears and through all the chaos we’ve had delays and whatnot but as soon as news crept out as to who was playing on this record anticipation began to grow.
Reeling in Charlie Drayton (Keith Richard Expensive wino) on the drums was a super cool catch as Drayton sure knows how to swing and where to raise the temperature and where to ease back. Steve also has his brother John on the bass and some cool hangs with Clem Burke (Blondie), Andy Rourke (The Smiths), and Jesse Malin for good measure.
Kicking off proceedings with the loose and effervescent ‘The Human Animal’ once the lid is removed the song fizzes along with a happy-go-lucky rhythm and something of a restrained vocal easing the listener in gently. The record kicks off as soon as ‘Liar Like You’ cranks up the ante. Racing off like the bastard child of The Ramones and Replacements with nicely placed backing vocals helping Conte as he comes out swinging.
We hit one of the singles we’ve previously heard in the shape of Rock and Roller ‘Recovery Doll’ one where the spirit of Keith Richards is evident with some great playing, built around a great deal of swing from the band from top to bottom this is a classy number around a traditional theme. Cool stuff. Staying with a retro vibe ‘Wildwood Moon’ has some great lyrics and of course, great playing that is captivating and a real sunshine song.
We ran the ‘Flyin’ video a few weeks ago and commented on Conte’s vocals and how it was his best performance and as the album unfolds I stand by my initial reaction sure its got some ‘Exile On Mainstreet’ and Faces style to it The delivery is fantastic. It reminds me of Rod Stewarts’ performance of ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ the production values are outstanding with every instrument having its own space to breathe and create what is a wonderful song.
Some musicians have the rare gift of being able to lift ones emotional state with a three-minute pop song and Conte manages that every time I hear ‘Dog Days Of Summer’. It seems such a simple task pick up a guitar throw some chords together get a few equally talented musicians to get together and start jamming then voila! you have a tune. I’m sure it’s not quite as simple as that but that’s how easy these cats make it sound on songs like this. Like a ray of sunshine, I love it.
The flow of this record seems better than previous solo albums maybe its due to the time gifted to sit and let a record mature due to the pandemic there are plenty of flavours on offer and just cutting loose on tracks like ‘Overnight Smash’ next to the slower more reflective ‘Flyin’ is perfect.
‘Those Sexy Lies’ is a song Aerosmith should still be writing but don’t. Then fast forward to the slow-burning ‘Guilty’ which is a real highlight, from the guitar tone to the subtle swirl of the organ or is it the backing vocals that are timeless. Maybe its the lead vocal and response from the girls is majestic as the song builds up to be taken back down is a beautiful thing and as soulful as you could legally get on a record in 2021 Conte must have done a deal with old nick down at those crossroads because this is absolutely class.
Before calling time on ‘Bronx Cheer’ there’s the noo yawk cool of ‘My Degeneration’ before taking us all the way back to where this record began with the single ‘Gimme Gimme Rockaway’ and its youthful party time anthem.
I’m sure the instant gratification of listening to this record over the first few plays is wonderful but as it gets more plays the subtle melodies and guitar breaks jump out that weren’t there on first impression, this stands it in good stead for the longevity of the record and I love that. Its timeless rock and roll baby and easily one of the best records I’ve heard all year right up at the top of the list alongside his fellow bandmate Sami Yaffa – man these cats are some of the most talented musicians around and what a pleasure it is to be able to review their records. Don’t let this one pass you by it’s a freakin belter from start to finish.
Been waiting a long time to reacquaint myself with a Jesse Malin live show. Throughout the pandemic, I tried watching various broadcasts and live streams but, not one single effort caught my imagination and made me set a reminder to tune in except for one; ‘The Fine Art Of Social Distancing’ Jesse Malin is someone who has always been on my musical radar from the moment in the 90s his band D Generation managed to save the decade with their punk rock n roll and when they broke up I went to New York in search of Bellvue and then Jesse went solo and I just couldn’t get enough of it from the 169 EP to the present pandemic Malin seemed to cut through whatever genre he chose I was on board.
I find myself easing back into live surroundings and having taken in a few over the last few weeks I ventured into the Fleece with a minute to spare before the excellent Kris Gruen (sure yes he the son of Bob) I mean if Bob Gruen was my dad I’d be telling everyone and sundry but he didn’t drop that Clang! until well in the set.
Kris was stripped down to just his voice and an acoustic guitar and to be fair it’s an impressive voice to begin with as he regaled us with songs from his new album as well as a couple of choice covers. You could have heard a pin drop throughout his set as he went about his business. Sure it was a soulful blend of countrified rock and roll but his take on ‘Bankrobber’ was majestic but his interpretation of the Thunders classic ‘Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory’ won me over. Haunting and memorable as he took ownership in a way I’m sure Thunders would have approved of. Warm-up or opening act call it what you will Kris Gruen won over a few new fans tonight in Bristol for his style and quality of craft just what the doctor ordered.
Onto Malin and his Guitar, Bass, Drums, and a piano band that was geared up to race through his repertoire picking up a song from here and there like a Magpie fluttering over the shiny songs like pieces of gold and silver and buffing off any cobwebs that might have gathered over the past eighteen months of being left in the box.
With a stunning new album in tow Malin slotted in songs like the blissful ‘Shining Down’ alongside classics like ‘Downliner’ and ‘Wendy’ but its more than that Malin engages with his audience like its a private gathering and only you and his band in the room regaling us with stories he’s gathered on his travels about his songs and the journey he and these tunes have been on. Opening the set with ‘The Way We Used To Roll’ from the new album and then hitting ‘Backstabbers’ another new one before dopping the earworm that is ‘Downliner’ and then back into the new album with ‘Before You Go’. Already there was a sense that this was going to be something special and sending out three new songs in the set so early was brave but it’s exactly what we needed and the energy pouring off the stage was huge.
I’m not sure the mains needed turning up but the standout track from ‘New York Before The War’ was a stomper before the shimmering ‘Room 13’ gave us some respite before a top rendition of The Pogues classic ‘Fall From Grace With God’ enabled everyone in the room to get loose and get up to speed because live shows are back baby and seeing Malin move through the audience looking for a bar or vantage point to climb was a beautiful thing. I love the new record and the Blondie Noo Yawk disco beat of ‘A Little Death’ fitted in nicely showing another side of Jesse’s songwriting masterclass.
To be fair before we hit the encore Malin had given up seven new songs throughout the set and whilst I could go on he didn’t play this or that and nothing from ‘The Heat’ and only a pair off the debut solo album it was one of “Those” nights where everything seemed to be perfect and whilst it looked effortless and the band just hit their groove I’m sure it isn’t quite that easy. It seemed apt that Jesse offered up his version of ‘Sway’ to Charlie Watts it was his parting shot of the excellent hymn for travellers from his new album ‘St Christopher’ seemed to have always been in the set and with Kris Gruen joining for some team spirit and vocal aid it was the parting gift of The Clash classic ‘Rudie Can’t Fail’ that sent us off into the cold Bristol night knowing we’d just seen a fantastic set from a unique talent and one of the best songwriters out there.
You can get so far with a little PMA and a pocketful of dreams but you still need the tunes and Jesse Malin has got a whole fuckin’ suitcase full of em and more the only regret was he didn’t have some Noo Yawk saxophone with him now that would have been something, maybe next time, please. Hopefully, with a little PMA, it won’t be so long before we can do this all over again. I can’t remember almost two hours of live music passing so quickly and leaving me wanting more. Just what live shows should do. Brilliant simply brilliant.
Written and recorded during the lost year of 2020, through times of fear, anxiety and isolation, to a background of sirens, street protests and impending doom, ‘Sad And Beautiful World’ is Jesse Malin’s 9th studio album. A follow up to the 2019 critically acclaimed album ‘Sunset Kids’, this 17-track double album was recorded sporadically by Jesse in his native New York at Flux Studios, with his touring band of 10 plus years, in-between weekly livestream shows from The Bowery.
‘Sad And Beautiful World’ is a double album spilt into two halves. First, we have the more mellow ‘roots rock’ of disc/record 1, followed by the slightly more upbeat ‘radical’ disc/record 2. Jesse is a troubadour who sings songs and tells stories about what he knows and what he experiences, and this album is not so much a Covid record, as an observation of feelings, fears and searching for redemption. Overall, it comes across as a record filled with hope in troubled times.
From the laid-back Americana of opener ‘Greener Pastures’ to the closing celebratory and euphoric ‘Saint Christopher’, out illustrious host takes us on a journey, a trip through his mind if you will.
To be honest the themes of the two records blur into one with not much to distinguish between roots and radical, and while this whole double album would fit snugly on one CD (like record companies insisted sometime in the 90’s), Jesse is old school and releases albums like his heroes, so we’ll go with the double album format. The single ‘State Of The Art’ for example is as upbeat as you like, it hits like a statement of intent, from that piano intro to the killer, familiar pop melody that builds to a classic Malin chorus, it’s up there with Billy Joel and Springsteen as far as I’m concerned, and don’t take that statement lightly.
If you’re a fan, you will probably be aware of several of these tunes already, as there have been quite a few singles in the past 12 months. From the retrospective ‘The Way We Used To Roll’ to the Lou Reed groove of ‘Backstabbers’, onto the heartfelt, rootsy balladry of ‘Tall Black Horses’, they all showcase the diversity and depth of a singer/songwriter at the top of his game.
For me, there were two songs that stood out from the crowd in the lead-up to the release, and after a dozen play-throughs of this album they still come out trumps. ‘Todd Youth’ is a gloriously heartfelt tribute to a fallen friend, featuring pumping NYC street bass, handclaps, and HR from Bad Brains. The juxtaposition of sad subject matter and an upbeat, radio-friendly melody makes for a tune that imbeds itself deep in the soul. Jesse also pays tribute to another fallen hero/influence by covering Tom Petty’s ‘Crawling Back To You’, a lesser-known but highly sentimental trip from his 1994 solo album ‘Wildflowers’. The bare-bones recording with acoustics, piano, and that unmistakable Malin NY drawl, its melancholic, starkly beautiful, and as much an album highlight here as the original was in its initial release.
Come to think of it, the ghost of Tom Petty rears his head throughout ‘Sad And Beautiful World’. The country twang and heartfelt feel of ‘Lost Forever’ is as Tom Petty as you can get. But there’s also nods to another icon David Bowie in his 80’s heyday on the likes of ‘Before You Go’ and ‘A Little Death’. Sometimes it’s just in the bassline or the way he phrases certain things, just listen and you’ll hear it, trust me.
For me, ‘Sad And Beautiful World’ harks back to Jesse’s debut album ‘The Fine Art Of Self Destruction’ that came out nearly 20 years ago. The mark of a great songwriter is the ability to take you on a lyrical and melodic journey, and the fact that Jesse still has the power to create emotional works of art filled with hope, optimism and heartbreak in equal measures is a testament to his years on the road and his ability to express and keep it real. An essential purchase for all you rastas, as Jesse would say.
Filmed in The Netherlands during the summer of 2021 by Director Jacoba Cornelisse, the video beams the positive sensations everyone is yearning for. A family event of sorts, Conte, as well as his wife and kids, all appear in the video as a complimentary visual to lyrics which remind us to appreciate the simple things in life, embrace them, and never let go.
You can pre-order the new Steve Conte album, Bronx Cheer here:
Seconds out we have got the new video from the very talented Carol Hodge. ‘So Much For Summertime’ is an ode to the lost summer of 2020, and the Covid hangover continuing today. Instead of being a lamentation, Hodge digs deep to find the irony and positivity in the precariousness of our current existence. Wall of sound vocal harmonies, synths and swooping guitars ensure an uplifting listen, a counterpoint to the wry lyrics about imbalance and feeling trapped.
The music video was created by video artist Daniel Mudford Of Balham. Daniel has an impressive back catalogue that includes shooting BTS documentaries for classic movies Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, Pirate Radio and Hot Fuzz. Dan also composed the soundtrack for one of Carol’s favourite films, Shaun Of The Dead, and has toured with Bill Bailey, so she is very excited to work with him.
Finally how about some rock from Toronto? Toronto’s premiere buzz band, Wine Lips, have just announced their latest full-length release Mushroom Death Sex Bummer Party due out this Fall on Montreal’s Stomp Records.
Known as “rock n’ roll’s secret weapon”, band leader and frontman Kris ‘Fingers’ Rodgers has been a recording & touring sideman in top touring garage rock and power pop acts like The Connection, Scott Sorry, The New Trocaderos, Bullet Proof Lovers, and Kurt Baker Band for years but hes also more than that he’s a fully fledged solo artist or rather moved his stool out front, centre and headed up his own beat combo the Dirty Gems.
Born and raised a half-hour from the band’s home base of Portland, Maine, Kris Rodgers already had one full-length album and several EPs with The Dirty Gems under his belt before beginning work on ‘Still Dirty’ in 2019 (pre pandemic right). Recording commenced in bassist Ryan Halliburton’s basement, known as The Wreck Room. Along with guitarist Tom Hall and drummer Craig Sala, the four longtime bandmates tracked the bulk of the album right there. Drums and vocals for the nine original songs were re-recorded at two additional studios in Maine, and the energetic cover of Elton John’s “Take Me To The Pilot” was cut live in a pro studio environment.
Unlike previous releases where Rodgers wrote the original material himself, a more collaborative aproach was taken for this record I guess to show its a unit, a band in every sense of the word.
Having already been given the acolade of Stevie Van Zandt’s number one Coolest Song of the year.the time had come to add a little more history. Starting this tour off in funky town, with the vocoder and funky bass with added dueling jazzy solos Kris sings like hes wearing a cheshire cat smile on his face and this little ray of easy coast sunshine is up and running. The songs keep coming and the smile gets wider as the party has started and the songs keep coming, ‘I Can Still Feel It’ rattles its two left feet into the more laid back ‘Can’t Give It’ with its cool shuffle on the backbeat of course its great musicianship and theres breathing space for all the players.
They can Rock out on ‘Don’t Look Back’ and they can kick back on the dreamy ‘Across The Galaxy’ sure its got middle of the road American Radio mainlined but why not? The Elton cover is a no brainer for this band as they effortlessly nail it. But wait another change of pace with the peacock strut of ‘I’m Your Man’ – jees they get smooth for the jazzy shuffle of ‘Tortuga’ – nice!
Signing off this record theres the baladlike piano intro of ‘See You Later’. Its not for everyone and people might raise an eyebrow as to how its found its way onto RPM Online but we don’t give a damn about all that genre jazz we like to champion great musicians and whist this record is a ray of sunshine the nex trelease could easily be a slice of down n dirty garage rock n roll thats the beauty of this business and talen like Rodgers and his Dirty Gems. Fire up the BBQ and invite the famiy over and someone hit repeat and bring on the sunshine.
RICKY RAT- “She Feels Like a Good Thing” b/w “Born in Detroit (I-94 Recordings) Ricky has teamed up with his Rat Pack members Laura Mendoza (bass) and Joe Leone (drums) for 2 new studio tracks. The “A” side is a brand new original and the “B” side is a cover of the classic “Born in Detroit” (The Rockets). The amazing Jimmie Bones guests on piano on this barnstormer. A good time slice of Rock and Roll sees Ricky do what he does best just cruising down this Rock and Roll freeway kicking up the dust with some punk rock n roll with a catchy chorus and gang vocals that sound like one of those memorable nights out.
The B side is worth the money for this 45 alone. Ripping it up with some cool as fuck piano licks to give the feel good kick this bit o boogie woogie needs. Class!
Preorders are available at I-94Recordings.com (they will ship out August 20th).
Delusions Of Grandeur – EP (Savage Magic Records) is the result of a bunch of mates from two different countries, recording songs remotely, to help kill the boredom of Lockdown 1.0.
It is not a band, there will be no gigs. It is a one off, 4 track 7” of songs that would have otherwise been left to rot on Austin’s hard drive if Mel hadn’t suggested that they should try recording them and see what happened.
Blah blah Hip Priests, blah blah Bitch Queens. It doesn’t sound particularly like either but it’s fast, bangin’ and has loads of guitar solos! That’s a pretty succinct press release and right on the money to be fair. Obviously, Mel’s vocals would point to the Bitch Queens comparison but the solos are pure hear n aid bliss wig out for guitarists especially on ‘Drinking My Life Away’. One for the collectors of these bands involved but that would be doing these tunes a disservice because they are proper bangers and that’s why you should buy this record. Respect the Rock!
Chuck Norris Experiment – ‘This Will Leave A Mark’ (Transubstans Records / Ghost Highway Recordings) is taken from the upcoming album with the same name, which will be released on September 17. The single is released on all streaming services and download platforms! Spotify / YouTube
A clean sharp stab of high octane Action Rock from Sweden’s finest most uncompromising rockers giving fans and newcomers a nice little taster of what’s to come from Chuck and the gang.
Confused – ‘I Want A Beer’ (Confused Records) Get the WD 40 ready for those double bass pedals and heads down wait for the starting gun and Go! Hardcore as fuck Confused go for it. M.O.D., Agnostic Front, D.R.I.paved the way for this to come crashing the party. Brutal. RIOT PRE-SAVE URL:www.tinyurl.com/getriot Website / Facebook
Brian McCarty & the Jen-U-Wine Faux Diamond Band “Hamtramck Jukebox” b/w “A Place in the Sun” (I-94 Recordings) Brand new single from Brian McCarty. The “A’ side pays tribute to Lili Karwowksi and her bar Lili’s 21 which was the hangout/hometown bar for the gang back in the day.
He was the vocalist and founding member of Detroit’s glam punk Trash Brats (1987-2002) and has been consistently putting out solo releases for the last 20+ years. A wonderfully sunny rocker with a tip of the hat to Detroit rockers whilst the flip side is a bright and breezy tip of the hat to Stevie Wonder with a rocking version of the song “A Place in the Sun”. A blast from start to finish and a real ray of sunshine and hope in difficult times. check it out! Here
FRVITS ‘Stupid Era’ (Slovenly Recordings) A banging six tracks spread over a 7″ EP is VFM if ever I saw it. This debut EP from Montreal’s first and only Dot Matrix Rock’n’Roll Band FRVITS. It’s thunderous hardcore space punk (or so they say). It is ferocious to be fair, Fronted by Shit Vicious on a radioactive vox, and featuring Wind of Change (associate of PRIORS & DUCHESS SAYS), Krispy Karl, Alexander Ortiz, and Blag Dahlia/Jesus (DWARVES) with a vocal appearance on the penultimate track “Abortion Hoops.” This one is tough, fun, and as abstract as a frvit salad served in a urinal. Head fucked!
Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems – Take Me To The Pilot’ (Wicked Cool Records) Kris Rodgers & The Dirty Gems’ upcoming album, Still Dirty, which was released in July on Wicked Cool Records.
THE Q-TIPS – ‘There Are Those Who Drill Violently!’ EP (Slovenly Records) Prepare your ears and numb your minds, puny humans. The Kids of the Drill Hole, known officially as Munich’s THE Q-TIPS, are here to scrub your auditory canals, getting rid of the grime and re-contaminating ‘em with their 2nd EP “There Are Those Who Drill Violently.” For their Slovenly debut, sequencer Ms. Juliette and programmer Mr. Brotzeit kick four cuts of crunchy and negative synth-punk screamers hysterically down your hear-holes. The sincerity of tracks llike “Full of Hate” and “Shut Your Face” is as real as you are stupid, but the humor never gets lost in translation.
Indonesian Junk – ‘She Stands There’ (Rum Bar Records) Inspired choice of cover for a single. Didn’t see this one coming as the kings of sloppy loud dead boys glam-punk crowd Indonesian Junk do justice to the mighty Degeneration legacy by knocking out a blisteringly good take on this banger.
If you have to ask who Dgen were then their work here is done. Killer band does killer cover who’d have thunk it? Hooray to the Junkos you’ve done good here and we tip our hat to you guys tipping the hat to those guys. Good times!
Ryan Hamilton – ‘Permanent Holiday’ (Wicked Cool Records) ‘Permanent Holiday’ is the 8th track from Ryan’s 1221 project, where every 12th of the month, a new track is released, culminating in a full-length album at the end of the year. This one is like a huge ray of sunshine the feel-good hit of the summer. A song about escapism and this never-ending pandemic or a hopeful future where the new normal rocks. This might just be the tonic for that time.
KOMBI KILLERS – ‘ScuMo’ (Riot Records) oi oi heads down and lace up those docs. Brisbane’s old-school punk rockers KOMBI KILLERS have released their new single ‘ScuMo’ through Riot Records, and it is available on all digital platforms! blink and it’s done. no compromise and boot boy punk. Not for the faint-hearted.
Scumbag Millionaire / Upploppet – Split (Lux Noise) This is how a split should be done. One band you know, in this case Scumbag Millionaire, and the other- a new one on me, Upploppet. and boy what an introduction. Full tilt, no bullshit, heads-down rock and fucking roll. What a pair of bangers we have here.
Scumbags do write shit tunes it would seem and their contribution is (Don’t Say) I Didn’t Say So’ thunderous drums howling guitars and distorted vocals springing to the finish line before they inhale is how a punk rock and fuckin roll single should be and these mofos absolutely nail it. Not wanting to be outdone Upploppet kick the shit out of their instruments for a thunderous romp through the imaginatively titled ‘Born To Lose’ but forgetting the title, of course, they’re from Sweden and of course we highly recommend you pick up a copy of this before they’re all gone with the wind. Pick up here
Jerry Lehane – ‘Drinking Life’ (Rum Bar Records) A heartfelt wholesome Rock and Roll tune wrapped in memory soaked lyrics with some six-string strumming pierced with some sweet barbed solo licks sees Jerry knock out a hard-edged road worn slice of Rock and Roll with some help from Bosstone Dicky Barrett. Sure there are touches of Neil Young and Crazy Horse happening especially when the solo meanders through the chords. But its Epic in every sense of the word from the arrangement to the storytelling lyrics all adds up to a really impressive tune. Bosstones and Dogmatics couldn’t make a bad record if they tried and this is 100% proof. Check it out here
Electric Frankenstein / The Stripp – Split (Spaghetty Town Records) Whoever said rock is dead is definitely not listening to Spaghetty Town Records. They are back with a ripper of a split EP. First up is New Jersey kings of hard rockin punk Electric Frankenstein. If you aren’t familiar, where have you been?! Founded by brothers Sal and Dan Canzonieri, they’ve been knocking out their punk attitude rock and roll since the 90s, they’ve lost none of their venom and passion as ‘American Lies’ is like a cannonball being fired. Then they hit you in the guts with the beast of a tune ‘Everybody’s Dead Again’ which is an absolute banger of a tune. Worth getting hold of this 7″ for this song alone.
Second up, Melbourne Australia’s The Stripp. Who’ve created a buzz in the underground music scene down under. Fronted by Bek Taylor the band’s raw mix of high-speed sleazy hard rock with catchy riffs has had heads turning in the action rock community for their high-energy rock n roll. ‘Dice Man’ has the hallmarks of Girlschool meets something altogether more down n dirty. With their second offering being available in the video below.
Spaghetty Town has made a limited run of this 7″ on green, pink or black vinyl. Of course it’s available on all streaming and download outlets and also available from the bands direct.
Chubby & The Gang – ‘I Hate The Radio’ (Partisan Records)“I Hate the Radio” taken from the forthcoming album ‘The Mutt’s Nuts.’ sees a side step from the rip-snorting hard rockin new wave of hard core that you might have been expecting instead a soft song for hard men in the shape of I Hate The Radio. Absolute corker it is too. Check it out here in video form and then when you’re done go order the bloody album – Listen/pre-order: Here
Smashed Gladys – ‘Never Take No’ (Golden Robot Records) A little rough round the edges this is a demo that was going to make up the bands third album that never saw the light of day back in the day. With a familiar raunchy barroom rocker ‘Never Take No’ is classic Smashed Gladys. this is the third track from the album thats yet to be released. Sadly Cato sadly passed away in 2020 and Golden Robot Records are proud to bring you new material in her honour. These songs as demos for their 3rd album, which has now been remixed.
E.T. Explore Me – ‘President/Drug Me’ (Voodoo Rhythm Records) How about a bit of scuzzy disco then kids? Yeah we go tit right here from these Dutch loons. They’ve got a bit of dodgy lo-fi disco happening in their lives and these powerful grooves will have you out on the dancefloor in those silk shirts bustin moves. When they say columbia meets Trash Disco they aint messin wiv ya. This is exactly whats on offer. ‘Drug Me’ is more of the same with a funky late 70s early 80s keith Richards guitar work happenin’ – what a pair of ace tunes but don’t get me started on the video it will blow your tiny mind. Get on it here
The Chevelles – ‘Steve McQueen (I Wish I Was)’ (Wicked Cool Records) What a banger this is. From Western Australia, this is all flash guitar breaks Keith Moon drum beats and a top melody over some rip-snorting guitar riffing. the Chevelles are power poppin garage rockers with a heap of stone-cold attitude. A real sparkling single this is to be fair.
“Fuck just getting older, let’s get louder” said frontman Duane Smith and a big fat Amen to that we say. Clearly not giving a fourX we like that from our rock n rollas.
Jizzy Pearl’s LOVE/HATE – ‘Wanna Be Somebody’ (Golden Robot Records) I remember watching Jizzy in a small club near my home town and so loud were his vocals I thought they’d blown my eardrums he’d lost none of the venom in his tone and it would seem he still has one hell of a set of pipes on him as the heavy groove-laden sounds of ‘Wanna Be Somebody’ hits you like a baseball bat. Check it out by visiting Jizzy Here / Listen/buy ‘Wanna Be Somebody’ HERE
Listen to ‘Soul Mama’ HERE
Steve Conte – ‘Dog Days Of Summer’ (Wicked Cool Records) Lifted from his forthcoming new long-player Conte delves deep into the sounds of classic Rod Stewart when Rod the Mod was making better records than anyone ( well almost anyone) A real ‘Every picture’ vibe going on here. The sound of summer tweeting in the intro and outro makes way for the carefree sounds of two brothers and an awesome drummer (Charley Drayton) who played with Keith Richards in his expensive winos. A top summery tune – that’s for sure and if it’s the vibe that the album is hitting then this is the sweet spot of summer right here. It’s a Must have! Stream this bad boy here and pre order the album (‘Bronx Cheer’) from Wicked Cool Records. Website:www.stevecontenyc.com
Fake Names – EP (Epitaph Records) Fake Names, the band featuring DC punk legends Brian Baker, Michael Hampton, and Johnny Temple, fronted by Dennis Lyxzen from Refused, have surprise-released a brand new 3-track EP. The EP features guest drummer Brendan Canty (Rites of Spring, Fugazi)! and a punchy catchy ep it is too. Its bright opener has a good hook on the chorus ‘It Will Take A Lifetime’ is a brightly produced slice of post-punk with emphasis on the melody. ‘Running’ has a lot more punch as it steps into the Bob Mould, Bad Religion territory but has some great bv’s and a catchy breakdown. My pick of the three tracks is the laid back ‘Cuts You Down’ with a chilled verse leading to another catchy chorus. A very decent ep and hopefully the start and not a one off.
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