Skids – ‘Songs From A Haunted Ballroom’ (Cleopatra Records)

Skids – ‘Songs From A Haunted Ballroom’ (Cleopatra Records)

Open your mind and just let the music do the talking.  That’s how I approached this album of covers from the Skids but it had to meet certain criteria before being considered for inclusion on this album and to be fair, they only bloody well pulled it off!

Veteran punk rock outfit Skids have returned with a powerful new studio album that pays tribute to the band’s hometown venue, the historic Kinema Ballroom in Dunfermline, Scotland. Both a live venue as well as a traditional dance club, the Kinema became a musical and cultural epicenter for the youth in Scotland’s Fife province, especially during the late ‘70s, early ‘80s punk rock movement. It would also become the home venue for Skids who played numerous shows at the Kinema as both a support act for such legendary bands as The Clash as well as the headliners for multiple sold-out events.

Now, Skids take a walk down memory lane, performing songs by the bands who influenced them in those early years. ‘Songs From A Haunted Ballroom’ includes versions of tracks by The Clash, The Adverts, Ultravox, Sex Pistols, and Magazine PLUS new versions of their own early hits “Into The Valley” and “The Saints Are Coming!” so laying themselves open by covering some iconic punk tunes.  Let battle commence.

The first single from the album, a supercharged version of Ultravox’s ‘Young Savage’ is an eyebrow-raising moment because it’s both vibrant and has boundless energy. Then it’s one of those peek through your fingers moments as they take on ‘Complete Control’ and again I breathe a sigh of relief because they manage to stay on the right side of the cover version style and don’t do it cabaret style.  Capturing a good sound on those guitar crunches that was Jones and Strummers style and Jobson does a convincing job on the vocals.  Purists will no doubt be all over this complaining about one thing or another but I think they do a sterling job and pay tribute rather well.

 

As I relax a bit more it makes sense they do ‘Gary Gilmore’s Eyes’ it’s more Skids style and again it’s really well done. They even manage an energetic take on Rockpiles ‘Heart Of The City’  so its not quite there but to even take on such a top tune deserves some kudos.

 

What this record does do is send your mind back to what seems like better times when music was pouring out of every nook and cranny of the UK and everyone seemed to be indulging in pop culture in one way or another.  I guess they were simpler times with fewer distractions for young people’s time and energy.  I just hope Jobson will wear the Glove when they play ‘Rock On’ Live.  Cool song and a cool respectful take. One of the best versions here is ‘violence’ (never have too much cowbell), not enough bands sound like Mott The Hoople anymore.

 

Some of the best tunes here are indeed the lesser-known covers or ones you weren’t expecting  ’35mm Dreams’ springs to mind and to be fair the guitar sound captured on ‘Submission’ is most worthy then laying it side by side with ‘New York Groove’ is a great idea and two very different genres collide.

 

It’s hard to fuck up a cover of Iggys ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ such is the majesty of the track and Skids manage to avoid any embarrassment but making it a CD-only track is a little puzzling considering the vinyl revival going on.I guess it seems only fair that the band includes two of their most famous tunes as part of this look back at what made the band sound like they did and ‘Saints Are Coming’ is still a fantastic song as is ‘Into The Valley’ and fond memories of school discos come flooding back.  This only leaves the final track which again is a CD-only affair with Vinyl lovers.  ‘Christmas In Fyfe’ is their very Scottish affair and maybe one vinyl lovers won’t mind being omitted but don’t let that distract you from what is a really good album.  On the back of the acoustic record which again I really enjoyed this will also nestle in nicely in my collection – Check it out and remember your own memories of when new bands and sounds were hitting your ears on a daily basis.  Ah, the memories thanks skids this was a real tonic!

 

Pre-order the CD & vinyl: Here

Pre-order/pre-save the digital: https://orcd.co/skids_songs_from_a_haunted_ballroom

Author: Dom Daley

The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs – ‘One More Drink’ (Dead Beat Records)

The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs – ‘One More Drink’ (Dead Beat Records)
The first new album in 20 years is finally here. Those fine people at Dead Beat Records made it happen.  It features guests John Easdale, Rikk Agnew and Paul Roessler.  Eleven songs with a veritable Melting pot of styles is what’s on offer, so turn up the stereo,  sit back pour a cold one and lets go.
‘Ain’t It Summer’ sounds like Cheap Trick and the first thing that stands out apart from Paul Roesslers swirling keys are the layers and layers of harmonies on what is effectively the smash hit of the summer that never happened. it really is like a cool summer evening with the saxophone blasting out in the distance but not quite what I was expecting but ‘Fast Fucked & Furious’ is the rocket ride I was expecting.  Maybe they fucked up the running order I dunno.  Mayers vocals are as sharp and rockin’ as they ever were as he takes this sucker home but not before the guitars get set to melt their fretboards on the solo and from there on in the song is out of control.
Chillin’ or kicking back slightly ‘Bad Vacation’ has got a great hook with the riff and vocals working in tandem on the verse and when the sax joins in I’m sold – I love that setup and this is turning out to be a great tune. ‘We Are The Ones (We’ve Been Waiting For)’ is like a rouged up slice of power pop with the opening riff sounding like Neil Young and Crazy Horse jamming on a Wildhearts track.  Seriously it’s got those ingredients in the DNA.
We have some Rikk Agnew going on on ‘The Rejected’ as the boys fire up the Rock and Roll hotrod and take it out for a spin with a cool melody and vocals from Geoff Yeaton as well as his fantastic saxophone. I think when they wrote ‘Rumblin’ Train’ the title kinda wrote itself because the beefed rhythm section is like the sound of a freight train steaming down the track barely in control and its not Casey Jones honking on the rip chord tootin’ as it speeds down the track its a wide-eyed Frank Meyer with the devil’s horns raised high screaming for all he’s worth ably flanked by Duff as he rips out the guitar licks – great stuff.
They turn up the smooth old school classic rock for ‘Let Me Out’ in contrast ‘One More Drink’ is a punk rockin’ power poppin’ drop of nectar from the Gods of Rock and Roll.  It’s the more you play the better it gets kinda record.  Stick with it kids and the rewards start to filter through one by one.  You can stomp your feet to ‘Warzone’ which might well be the weakest track on offer here but it has some sparkling guitar licks and saxophone honkin’ which saves the cliches that otherwise might have gotten overwhelming. The record is closed off with ‘Switchblade Knights’ where they introduce some proper Ian McLagan boogie piano for good measure and sign off a bloody decent record.
In places, it soars like a phoenix from the ashes of what they used to be.  It never drops below an excellent record and when it does veer into a little cliched territory its got a saving grace that gives the song a free pass be it the vocal, a guitar break or saxophone honk – The world is a better place with bands like the Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs in it releasing records and making a worthwhile noise.  Now do yourself a favour and go get it because when they’re gone you’ll regret it but I hope it isn’t another couple of decades until the next one.
Facebook / Buy it at Bandcamp
Author: Dom Daley

Jess and the Ancient Ones – ‘Vertigo’ (Svart Records)

Jess and the Ancient Ones – ‘Vertigo’ (Svart Records)

If you like your rock in a mysterious ceremonial circle with a load of other rocks then ‘Vertigo’, the new album from Savonian occultists, Jess and the Ancient Ones, is for you.

 

The follow-up to previous album, ‘The Horse & Other Weird Tales’, ‘Vertigo’ may be seemingly simpler-titled but it is certainly not a simple rock record. This eight-track curio from the Finnish psych rock outfit is one of those rare albums that comprises solely of deep cuts, yet is strangely essential and vibrant.

 

The band’s previous brand of twin-guitar-led metal has mutated into organ-drenched heavy psych oddity rock that feels almost as old and certainly as ominous as the hooded figure that listeners will surely see in the corners of their eyes when listening to this audio excursion into ghostlore.

 

Wrapped in suitably jolly artwork – a crude, vintage photograph of a tornado laying waste to some mortals – ‘Vertigo’ features haunting, brooding tracks that could be the soundtrack to episodes of Hammer House of Horror, hauntings, or night terrors – possibly all three… and possibly within the same song.

 

Pop culture permeates the grooves at various intervals here: ‘Talking Board’ points its planchette in the direction of The Exorcist via the infamous “Captain Howdy” dialogue; ‘Summer Tripping Man’ steals a ‘Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb’ sample to great effect; while ‘Love Zombi’ could accompany an action montage in an episode of Space: 1999.

 

This is folk horror rock, not to be mistaken with folk rock; in fact, situated towards the end of the album is a pair of tracks – ‘Born To Kill’ and ‘What’s On Your Mind’ – that threaten to rock out in a more familiar fashion. They only threaten it, mind; normal for this band is still as off-kilter as the most curious thing you’ll see, and be troubled by, all year.

 

Recreating a soulful garage psychedelia from the late Sixties was the aim of Jess and the Ancient Ones on this album and, yes, the band members’ aim is true… even if they have paired those desired sounds with occult rock sonics of a certain vintage that are sure to give those of us from the haunted generation scare flashbacks and cold sweats.

 

The recreation of a bygone era’s sound and folklore exhibited here is quite remarkable, it has to be noted; inspiration found on woodcut, the ritual and ceremony faithfully recreated. This is the lysergic doom album that you were looking for. In the corner of your room. At 2am. It’ll be there again tonight. Watching. As you sleep. Fucking hell. Facebook / Bandcamp

Buy ‘Vertigo’ Here

Author: Gaz Tidey

 

The Boatsmen – ‘Verses The Boatsmen’ (Ghost Highway Records/Spaghetty Town Records)

The Boatsmen – ‘Verses The Boatsmen’ (Ghost Highway Records/Spaghetty Town Records)

Woah! I wasn’t expecting that.

When the needle dropped and you get that initial feeling as you sit back and relax,  It was less than 20 seconds in and I was gripping the armrests and holding on for dear life as ‘Action Delivery’ handed me my ears ringing on a platter of feedback, wah! and a thunderous rhythm all wrapped in a majestic pop tune with melody and hooks galore.

I had no time to recover because ‘Friday Night Forever’ sent me over the edge.  Punky as fuck but in a HArd rockin’ sort of way, these jolly seamen don’t hold anything back in reserve and you get a shot right across the bow as the volume is relentless and the energy captured in these grooves is infectious, exciting and exactly what the noise doctors ordered.  Never mind ingesting bats full of mutating viruses this is my poison of choice and consumed in large quantities is most advisable to help get you through all the real life tribulations.

 

‘Blame It On Me’ is awesome, like the Hives jamming on some Turbo with an unhealthy amount of punk rock blaring through your ears. It’s like a violent headwind that’s out of control.  Then to serve up a steady dose of DC with added woo hoos! sees ‘The Thirst Song’ boogie and swing like a good un – they must know they’ve written a corker here and it must have been hard to record through such a ten-mile wide grin across their faces. I’m delighted they’ve still got a thirst and raise a glass in celebration of such an exciting record.

 

The Boatsmen have hinted at greatness but narrowly avoided it in the past or held back for one reason or another but now is their moment to shine and like a blazing sun they are right on the button. ‘Saved By Rock’ be fucked, they’ve picked up the flag and are carrying it to the top of the mountain triumphant in the knowledge that the Boatsmen are serving up a one-stop Rockin treat and covering all bases of loud in your face good time rock and roll that is this album.

 

It’s relentless in its quality and tune after tune it’s a twist and turn to emphasise how damn good these songs are. Just don’t get me started on ‘Even The Good Times Were Bad’ it’s like bottled lightning and ‘I Don’t Wanna Lose This Time’ is more restrained in comparison but then they up the ante again with the drinking song ‘When I’m Drunk’.

 

Put the beer down you might spill it as ‘Big Waves’ roll around and it’s a chance for us all to raise another glass and sing along. We get our groove on for ‘Clap Canon’ and some cock-rock and roll with a little tip to the 70’s glam stomp of a T Rex and Sweet. I hope you caught your breath as ‘Take Your Money’ is rapid and like a runaway train speeding toward the buffers without a care in the world.

 

It’s not all hard Rockin and Rollin and party party party.  ‘Better Man’ is a laid back brooding, grinding song that paints a darker atmosphere but no lesser quality, that’s a given and the harmonica is an awesome addition to the texture of the record. The temptation to throw in as many puns or going overboard, seamen and piraty themes is difficult but let’s let the music do the talking because, trust me here me hearties, these tunes are superb as is the whole albums feel, attitude and playing.  The Boatsmen ‘Versus The Boatsmen’ is going to be one of the albums of the year no question about it. so hoist the sails and get out there and purchase a copy because I wouldn’t want you to miss out – land ahoy! me hearties Boatsmen ahead.

 

PREORDER NOW!!
Ghost Highway Records / Spaghetty Town Facebook / Bandcamp

Author: Dom Daley

Justin Sullivan announces details and pre orders for new and previous solo albums

Justin Sullivan announces details and pre orders for new and previous solo albums

NEW MODEL ARMY FOUNDER SINGER/SONGWRITER
ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF BRAND-NEW SOLO ALBUM
‘SURROUNDED’
OUT MAY 28th
PRE-ORDER HERE

On May 28th, 2021, Justin Sullivan steps out from New Model Army to release his second solo album, eighteen years after the first. Surrounded is a collection of sixteen new songs, written in the first weeks of the 2020 lockdown. These songs are again guitar-vocal compositions highlighting Sullivan’s love of storytelling, wide open landscapes and powerful atmospheres.

Mostly recorded at home, the album also features contributions from many other musicians including Jon Thorne on bass (Lamb) on harp Tom Moth (Florence and the Machine – and brother of NMA bassist Ceri Monger), plus string arrangements from composer friends Tobias Unterberg, Henning Nügel and Shir-Ran Yinon. Also featured are the current members of New Model Army. The album was mixed by Lee Smith at Greenmount Studios in Leeds, co-producer and mixer of New Model Army’s recent albums, including 2019’s From Here – their highest charting album to date globally.

Justin Sullivan says, “Under the circumstances, it wasn’t particularly surprising that this was the moment to make another solo record and the songs came thick and fast in the first few weeks of the lockdown. There is not so much about ‘what’s happening in the World’. As with ‘Navigating by the Stars’, which was written in the aftermath of 9/11, I wanted to write about other things – some well-known stories, some less well-known, a few autobiographical and more a landscape of the imagination than social comment.

“I’m grateful for all the many musical contributions I received from friends that help create all the different atmospheres and places; it’s a long album, but it seems that all the songs belonged together in one collection. I hope people enjoy it.”

Surrounded will become available on multiple formats such as CD Hardcover Media Book, Heavyweight Double Vinyl Gatefold and Digital and is available for pre-order as of now: Here

Today also sees the release of ‘Amundsen’, the very first single from Surrounded which gives an emotional first insight into this very personal album.

Justin Sullivan about ‘Amundsen’: “The stories of polar (and in particular Antarctic) adventurers at the beginning of the 20th Century have long been a fascination. On my first solo record, ‘Ocean Rising’ is, in part, the story of Ernest Shackleton’s epic voyage from Elephant Island to South Georgia. The final race to reach the South Pole between Robert Scott and Roald Amundsen is another fascinating tale.

“Being raised in England, Scott and his ‘noble, tragic’ failure is a story written large in national mythology but the other man, a truly remarkable explorer, is rarely acknowledged. The battle over who gets to tell which version of a story is very relevant in these times of ‘culture wars’, but the song is more a simple study of the man himself; I hope I have done him justice.”

‘Amundsen’ is now available as stream and digital download: Here

The single is also accompanied by an official music video which can be found on the official New Model Army YouTube channel: Here
The release of Surrounded will also see the re-release of Sullivan’s only previous solo album from 2003, Navigating by the Stars, released on CD but unavailable for many years. Described by The Independent as having “the warm organic quality of Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks”, the audio of this new version has not been altered but carries two additional tracks. These are ‘Sooner or Later’, which first appeared on a B-side in 2003, and ‘The Wreck of The Essex’, a song written and recorded later that same year that has laid dormant ever since but for a few live performances.

Navigating by the Stars will become available digitally and for the first time ever on vinyl. In addition, Justin Sullivan’s stunning debut album comes in a CD Digisleeve Edition with an expanded booklet as part of a Ltd. CD Box-Set Edition of Surrounded, followed by a standalone release later this year.

The Fuzztones – ‘ NYC’ (Cleopatra Records)

The Fuzztones – ‘ NYC’ (Cleopatra Records)

The Fuzztones Celebrate Their 40 Year Anniversary With A Heartfelt Love Letter To Their Home City of yup, you guessed it Noo Yawk City.

When I checked the track list I did a double take as I thumbed down the tracks wondering how these purveyors of wee small hors garage rockers were going to take on the tunes or had I just imagined that Rudi had finally lost his shit and gone for songs I’ve never heard but on the first play, I was on my feet shaking my head grooving like a good un because God damn it Them Fuzztones had only gone and knocked this one out of the park and just when you thought they’d bitten off more than they could chew they would only go and raise the bar a little higher. I mean c’mon, sure going for The Fugs is something I could see, or even the fine rendition of ‘Dancing Barefoot’ closing off the record is done with the utmost respect and perfectly in keeping with the idea that The Fuzztones were going to own this record take these songs and lovingly recreate them into their own unique fuzzed up slice of the big apple.

Opening with a Sinatra classic and making it jive and groove will raise an eyebrow and get people talking but hitting Wayne County ‘Flip Your Wig’ was perhaps more predictable and with the familiar Fuzztones organ honking away towards the chorus its a decent stab but its quite safe. Again The fuzztones tackling the Cramps is a no-brainer and ‘New Kind Of Kick’ is respectfully carved up.

Hold onto your hats kids because their reconstruction of The Ramones ’53rd & 3rd’ is spectacular and I love it.  they’ve nailed the chorus and the vocal delivery from Protrudi is brilliant. ‘Psilocybe’ is spooktacular and then the band let their collective hair down and crack open the harmonica on ‘Skin Flowers’.

I guess the songs I gravitated to the most were The Dead Boys and Dolls tracks so when I heard ‘High Tension Wire’ begin I sat back and appreciated that Rudi and the gang had really excelled on this one with a particularly good vocal. Sure ‘Babylon’ had the organs turned up to eleven and a suitably trashy take on a classic is duly delivered.

Its fair to say I was a bit surprised to see a Blue Oyster Cult track nestled in between some classics and its dwarfed by the version of Mink De Villes ‘Let Me Dream’ which I think pips the original for the groovy guitar work and the harmonica is excellent and whisper it but Rudi Petrudi is having a ball with the vocals.

‘Microdot’ is a take on ‘Chinese Rocks’ and given a royal garage psychedelic wipe down. but the one track I wanted to be done well more than any on offer here was the Dead Boys ‘ Not Anymore’ and its twisted a little by being sped up but the haunting feel is still intact and the lyrics still sound amazing. Could The Fuzztones all take a bow here because they’ve really stepped up here and the reconstructing of some seriously classic songs has really worked well. Leaving only the Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers rare track ‘You Gotta Lose’ being worked over out the back yard with only a switchblade knife between the original and this take and then ‘Dancing Barefoot’ wafts in on a cloud of mysterious substances like some ’60s black and white B movie.

Protrudi & Co have sealed this l-u-v letter with a kiss and swanned off having taken their curtain call and been called back for an encore that they throughly deserve.  To be fair they’ve owned each and every song here and have goven every one the Fuzztones make over and come up trumps because to cover a song and do it justice is a tricky thing but to do it for a whole album is really taking a risk and for and The Fuzztones deserve to own these classics – #Never forget your roots kids and never forget to tip your hat to those who paved the way and gave you the lifeblood coursing through your veins.  The Fuzztones – ‘NYC’ was never in doubt, was it.  Rudi, the Big Apple loves ya man it’s at the core of what you do and you’ve paid your respect in the best most fuzzed-up way. – Buy It!

Buy ‘NYC’ Here

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Author: Dom Daley

Diamond Dogs – ‘Too Much Is Always Better Than Not Enough’ (Wild Kingdom)

Diamond Dogs – ‘Too Much Is Always Better Than Not Enough’ (Wild Kingdom)

I think we’re up to reissue number sixty nine or something like that but I couldn’t care a less. When it’s the Diamond Dogs it’s all about the song and the Double D’s have ’em in spades.

Record label Wild Kingdom is re-releasing Diamond Dogs’ first 5 classic Long-Players (1993 – 2003). and including the singles and EPs from the same period.

Diamond Dogs were formed in 1991 in Katrineholm, Södermanland. From the very beginning hugely influenced by British Early 1970s R&B rock like Rod Stewart and The Faces, Frankie Miller, Dr. Feelgood, etc. and they are most unapologetic about that and so they shouldn’t be too.  When a band rocks up with an opener like ‘Charity Song’ and along with that huge swing, they have more horns than you can shake a big stick at, and before you know it whatever shitty day you were having will be transformed.

By the time the band made it to ‘Too Much Is Always Better Than Not Enough’  they’d changed personnel a bazillion times except for the lifers and integral members the Diamond Dogs built a formidable reputation for their live shows, with the charismatic singer Sulo, as well as The Duke of Honk and his organ (ooh er Mrs) The sound and style of gritty rock’n’roll was cast in stone. Sören ‘Sulo’ Karlsson also being the main songwriter, and Henrik ‘The Duke of Honk’ Widen serving as the group’s principal producer. as long as the quality of songs was being written the sound was going to be died in the fabric of the bands DNA. Former Oddball Stevie Klasson has the deft touch of a Keith Richards or a Ronnie Wood and could crash out a chord when he needed to like his old boss Mr. Thunders. Such is his quality and the fact the guy oozes it every time he picks up a guitar he was exactly what the Diamond Dogs stood for and then some and he really came into his own on this record.

This their third proper album ‘Too Much Is Always Better.. ..Than Not Enough’ showed they weren’t done yet, the album was released in 2002 (almost twenty years!),it opened some cool doors enabling the band to tour with the likes of The Cult, Nazareth, Ian Hunter, Hanoi Rocks, The Damned, The Quireboys, Dan Baird/Georgia Satellites, Sensational Alex Harvey Band to name a few.

‘Bound To Ravage’ was released as a single and its slide guitar-driven upbeat rocker was classic boogie-woogie. but the band weren’t just about the good times as they mixed it up with the slower more reflective rockers ‘Sad To Say I’m Sorry’ and the epic balladeering of ‘Somebody Else’s Lord’ with the swirling organ is a match for the Rod the Mod classic ‘I Would Rather Go Blind’ or the Stones ‘Get Your Ya Yas Out’ version of ‘Love In Vain’ and I kid you not when I say that. Then to follow it up with the wonderful ‘This Ones For My Lady’ shows that The Diamond Dogs had many strings to their bow and were experts when dealing with the precious tunes that were bestowed upon them. They step back into the beginnings of Rock and Roll with the 50s inspired swing of ‘Desperate Poetry’. Strangely this album is preserved with the same twelve tunes that made up the original release but somehow after all this time the wonderful tones of Stevie Klasson have somehow elevated it for me and his playing gives it the edge on the previous releases.  It might not have the bands best songs on it but as a complete album it’s exceptional.

Now had the Black Crowes continued on the trajectory of the first two and a bit albums I would hold them in the same esteem but alas they went all beardy Casey jones on us and fucked it up.  It always puzzled me how the Robinson brothers could fill large arenas and got people wetting their panties at the prospect of their reunion to play the money maker album but the real tunesmiths are here hiding in plain sight.  Ripping the shit out of rock and Roll and cooming up with top-notch album after top-notch album yet playing in local pubs.  Sometimes life does indeed give you lemons but if my words help one soul turn the way of The Diamond Dogs then I’d be happy and if you remember the band who dished this treat of an album up almost twenty years ago and want the chance to hear it on vinyl – well this is your chance because Too Much Diamond Dogs is never enough just buy it!

Buy it Here

Author: Dom Daley

The Spitfires – ‘Live At The Pic’ (YeahRight! Records)

The Spitfires – ‘Live At The Pic’ (YeahRight! Records)

Anyone who was in the Rock and Roll trenches in the nineties and naughties looking for a fix of high octane well before Action Rock or Scandi rock or Garage Rock or Punk n Roll were used as descriptive words there were pockets of musicians all over the globe rocking hard from the Humpers, New Bomb Turks and D Generation to Glucifer and The Hellacopters. The Dragons and Electric Frankenstein as well as a whole bunch of others I could list.  Well, there was a whole scene in Canada too knocking out some top quality rock and roll from the likes of The Black Halos and the Parias to the Spitfires.

Well, it would seem there was about a decade of full-tilt life in most of these bands and that old adage of its better to burn out than fade away was certainly accurate. The CDs were fairly difficult to find before Discogs and Amazon and the records even harder to locate.  the one place these bands would excel was live (if you were lucky enough to catch them) but lots of them had the sense to showcase what they were all about with some quality live recordings. This is why we’re gathered here today to celebrate The Spitfires as ‘Live At The Pic’ sees the light of day finally after being recorded almost twenty years ago in Vancouver.

Mixing the attitude of the Pistols and other punks they had the guitar chops of a dirty AC/DC and I’m sure if you were to thumb through their collective record collection they would have owned the Thin Lizzys, Stooges, Alice Cooper, and Damned records you need to consume to get this music.

 

Opening with ‘High Test Sucka’ from their debut was a snotty enough opener that prepares you for the sonic assault of ‘Bringing Me Down’ that’s got a stinkin’ attitude and they really captured the magic here before kicking the shit out of ‘Alone’ lifted from the band’s third album, ‘Three’.  An absolute belter of a song from the gang vocals they really captured the energy and power on this recording and the show just soars from here with blistering renditions of ‘Drop Kick Me Jesus’ and the rock star riff of ‘Over The Edge’. Every inch a match for the likes of Gluecifer who must have been brothers from different mothers and you can tell they had by this point become a well oiled live machine.

 

For a few quid, you can pick up the Bandcamp digital or go the full hog and pick up the record from yeah Right! and I’m sure this record deserves to be heard on vinyl and played loudly it sure as hell was recorded loudly.  Its records like this that are making me pine for a live show. Hell, there’s even enough time to shoehorn in a flawless ‘Muscle Of Love’ that the Coop would be proud of.

Whilst we wait for venues to open back up and bands to get back out there let’s show some love for the bands that killed it night after night and managed to capture that magic with a live recording that has stood the test of time.  The Spitfires ‘Live At The Pic’ is one of those rare nuggets of gold that get found from time to time and maybe with some distance in the rearview mirror more people will appreciate how damn good a band they were.

Buy the record Here

Purchase a digital copy directly from the band Here

Author: Dom Daley

Bob Vylan – ‘We Live Here’ (Self-Released)

Bob Vylan – ‘We Live Here’ (Self-Released)

Racism and homophobia, homelessness and job loss, fear-mongery, anxiety, and suicide. These are not new words, but along with ‘Pandemic’, are these the keywords that we will look back on to describe the year 2020? One thing’s for sure, there’s been a lot of relevant music released so far this year that seems to fit the lockdown vibe, but you need look no further than Bob Vylan for the ultimate reaction and the perfect soundtrack to the new normal.

‘We Live Here’ was actually recorded in 2019 and is self-released because the music industry won’t touch them with a barge pole. Even radio and magazines cite them too extreme, and fair play, this 8 track EP from the London duo Bobby Vylan and Bobb13 Vylan is 18 minutes of uneasy listening, but it is also essential listening.

 

A mash up of grime and punk rock, ‘We Live Here’ pulls no punches from the very first pulsating beats until a cheerful girl signs off at the end of the last track, telling us not to forget that “the Queen killed Diana”!

My first introduction to Bob Vylan was the single ‘We Live Here’. It is one of the most brutal, hard-hitting tunes I have heard in a long time. A sloppy Slaves-esque guitar riff, frantic rhythms and a diatribe of childhood racial abuse, delivered with the rage of a lion and power of a ten-ton hammer coming down on a balsa wood Houses of Parliament. It’s no coincidence that Bobby is sporting a Crass t-shirt in the video, this is politically-charged punk rock 2020, and utterly essential listening.

Police brutality is covered in the hardcore ‘Pulled Pork’. A song that channels Rage Against The Machine and Body Count to great effect. You want edgy? Well, this is teetering on the edge of the fuckin precipice, bruthas and sistas! And the skulking beast that is ‘Lynch Your Leaders’ could very well incite you to do just that with its hypnotic beats and deep, thought-provoking lyricism.

You just can’t ignore Bob Vylan. This is life through the eyes of black working-class youth, an angry mouthpiece for generations of black minorities that have suffered prejudice in the same country they were born in.

“I can’t breathe, just leave me alone” screams Bobby on the fear and anxiety induced trip through the London underground that is ‘Northern Line’. Scarily, it mirrors recent events more than the writer could have ever imagined.  Then ‘Save Yourself’ offers retribution before blasting into a 2 minute brutal assault on the senses. It’s the last song proper before ‘Moment Of Silence’ literally gives you breathing space to digest the Bob Vylan experience.

 

This is an album that needs to be heard, a wakeup call that is loud and clear. It crosses genres and it crosses classes. Like the musical equivalent of LiveLeak, it’s what the ‘powers that be’ don’t want you to hear, what they don’t want you to feel or act on. This is the sound of the streets, the true punk rock and the most relevant collection of songs you will hear all year.

You won’t hear it on the radio, you won’t be able to stream it on Spotify, but you can buy it directly from the band on their own Bandcamp page. I strongly suggest you get clicking right away!

Buy ‘We Live Here’ Here

Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

 

Idles – ‘UltraMono’ (Partisan Records)

Idles – ‘UltraMono’ (Partisan Records)

Let’s not hang about here ‘War’ is the sound of bombs dropping from the sky and panic on the streets. Idles are on it and as a unit won’t be stopped by conventional weapons or pandemics it would seem.  Taking it to the next level after the joy of the Glasto performance and it would seem being taken into the bosoms of the press beast and being hailed as the saviours of alternative post-punk rock and roll all by themselves. Idles have taken it in their stride and just gotten on with it, seemingly oblivious as to the outpouring of adulation currently being heaped upon them.

I liked ‘Brutalism’ and I liked what they offered as the next step on ‘Joy As An Act’ so it was with an intake of breath I pressed play on this their third long-player as the band lock-in and pour out what is inside them onto the black grooves.

 

Frontman Joe Talbot says of “Grounds”: “We wanted to write a song that embodied self-belief, and gave us self-belief – a counter-punch to all the doubt we build up from all the noise we so easily let in. We wanted to make the sound of our own hearts’ marching band, armed with a jackhammer and a smile. We wanted to make the sound of our engine starting. So we did. Thank you.”  Talbot sounds like he knows the score. top tune and instantly recognisable and more honed in, more finely tuned.  Sounds like they know exactly where they’re going with this lark.

If you thought the band had hit the peak on ‘Joy’ and the worm might turn from here on in, well, think again this album is more vibrant, focussed and raging than the previous offerings.  Across all twelve songs, there is a brutality as the band continues the social commentary of their past work, with themes of class, gender inequality, nationalism, community, and toxic masculinity and empowerment and ultimately fighting back.  Its not preachy it poignant and informative that there are people who think just like you!

 

Produced by Nick Launay (Nick Cave, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arcade Fire) and Adam ‘Atom’ Greenspan (Anna Calvi, Cut Copy), ‘Ultra Mono’ sounds huge. The album also features guest vocals from Jehnny Beth (Savages), and additional guest contributions from Warren Ellis (Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds), David Yow, and Jamie Cullum like it needed any.

The constant touring sounds like it has galvanised the band and they’re locked in as one and the twists and turns of the opening few tracks are epic and brutal but quite beautiful as well.

Safe it isn’t but I’m sure there will be a hipster backlash along anytime soon saying something along the lines of them selling out or commercial this and that and not being the same anymore (not with these lyrics).  Tosh, I say this is where they’ve been striving to get for the last two albums and this is excellent.  Even after a few plays I’m easily enjoying it as much as the previous offerings if not more due to the production and songs being a lot tighter.

I’ve not read any of the reviews yet but I’ve seen the comments to the videos released so far and I like it and it would seem so do the punters (those that matter anyway).  Hopefully when all this pandemic strife is sorted and we can get back to live music being a thing I’m sure these songs will take on a new life as they get performed and dissected more by the public as we break them in.

 

Its a pummeling album and songs like ‘Mr. Motivator’ has taken things to the next level without a doubt.  I’m sure reviews will champion them as the soundtrack to the revolution, Well, the likes of the Guardian and Mirror will and The Mail will hate it. Fuck em!  This album is demanding another spin and I’m already liking it a lot “How D’you like them cliches?”.  To be honest,  Idles have managed to create music that is pretty much universally recognisable which is always a bonus and something bands strive to achieve – sure they borrow bits here and there who doesn’t but the magic when they are in full flight is awesome.

Ultimately ‘Ultra Mono’ is a document of its time and a bloody good one at that.  They look destined to get bigger and bigger.  From their Rebellion Festival appearance to their Glasto triumph and now this release and the raft of enormadomes they will play once it’s safe to do so is proof that alternative music is alive and kicking and screaming.

Crack on Idles I love it.  Some will love join me – some just won’t get it and others will shy away because they’re too popular. fuck that if you can’t love ‘Anxiety’ then why not? Talbot hits the nail on the head lyrically and when he states our government does hate the poor he means it but not to be cool or trendy but because it matters and people need to wake up maybe this is the sound of the fightback.

It’s not all crash, bang, wallop mind.  Well, I say that ‘Kill Them With Kindness’ has a polite intro before Talbot barks his best Iggy Pop. ‘Carcinogenic’ has a lovely throbbing bassline as does ‘Reigns’ as they push the envelope a little further again. A dozen songs later and I’m thinking that Idles have penned a classic of its kind it’s easily their best twelve songs thus far (no seriously) Check it out.  Stream it (if you have to) buy it on tape if you’re hip but turn the volume up for others to hear and sing along. ‘Ultra Mono’ might only have just been born but it sounds like a band has grown in stature and become a real force to be reckoned with – alternative music always needs bands like Idles so let’s enjoy them here and now – Buy it!

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Author: Dom Daley