Queen Zee – ‘S/T’

Queen Zee – ‘S/T’

Released back in February to much critical acclaim, the debut self-titled album from Scouser proto-punks Queen Zee passed us by at RPM simply because…well, no one sent us a copy! With renewed interest following a stellar performance at Rebellion and an upcoming tour with Skunk Anansie, we dug in, and we dug in deep.

So, we may be late to the party, but the late-comers get to smoke weed with the punks in the kitchen, while the straight kids try to get off with the beauty queens on the sofa…or maybe that’s just my teenage flashbacks! Anyway I digress, this album is a soundtrack for the outsiders, the outcasts and the kids who just wanna raise a middle finger to the ones who try to bring them down.

 

“I’m alone, I’m alone, I’m a loner” snarls singer Zee on album opener ‘Loner’. Delivered straight from the crotch, part Iggy and part Ziggy, it’s an anthemic, glam-slam slice of noise. This is as trashy and as cool as it gets kids. Sometimes a song just hits you from the first bar and ‘Loner’ is one of those songs. My interest is piqued and it doesn’t diminish for the next thirty minutes or so.

Maybe we have a band who can triumph where others have failed and truly ignite the touch paper and start a rock ‘n’ roll revolution for Generation Z (or should that be Generation Zee?)

Apparently, Zee is flying the flag for trans artists. Now, I couldn’t care less if their singer is a boy, a girl or a freakin unicorn! What I do care is that Zee rocks, and lo and behold Zee does rock!

‘Lucy Fur’ is a high energy blast of noise with enough glitter and stack heeled strut to entice a theatre full of Rocky Horror enthusiasts and enough raw guitar power to draw in the hardest of punks. ‘Sissy Fists’ is a darker, heavier beast altogether. Riding on a brooding bassline and urgent beats, it drips cool from every pore as Zee screams into the mic. This is a fight song pure and simple. Talking of fight songs ‘Idle Crown’ comes on like ‘Mechanical Animals’ era Marilyn Manson, and that is a sound for sore ears if ever there was one.

A small, Liverpool-based band who are just finding their feet, but sound like they are ready to take on the world, Queen Zee have an element of danger to their sound, like Manson did, like Iggy did like The Lee Harvey Oswald Band did. I get the feeling this band is living it. Yeah, I do believe Queen Zee are 4 real!

“You fuck like a porno movie” Zee drawls in the best Bowie/Manson hybrid I’ve heard in years. The song is called ‘Porno’, don’t play it in front of your mum! Their high energy pump and grind sound is perfect space-age punk rock, the likes of ‘Victim Age’ and ‘Boy’ are fiery, angst-ridden bursts of energy.

The tongue-in-cheek lyricism of closer ‘I Hate Your New Boyfriend’ is cool before it veers off on a sort of extended reprise as Zee rants over the noisy, repetitive riff the band jam out.

 

Defiantly political and openly queer, Queen Zee are a band who blend sleazy, punk rock sounds with socially aware lyricism, tackling homophobia and transphobia amongst other issues. They dare to raise a fist and yell and tell everyone who will listen that being different is ok. At times they are sleazy and throwaway, at other times they are deadly serious and they sound fresh as fuck in this fucked up world we live in.

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Author: Ben Hughes

The Hold Steady – Thrashing Thru The Passion (Frenchkiss Records)

The Hold Steady – Thrashing Thru The Passion (Frenchkiss Records)

So who’s doin’ the ragged Americana these days?  Gaslight Anthem went on hiatus Paul Westerberg has vanished outta sight I don’t know whos hitting the right notes and whos got that ragged guitar-driven story tellin’ Rock and Roll thing goin’ on?  the Hold Steady it would seem still like to turn up the amps, they still like to rock out they still haven’t gone full country or joined the balladeer circuit (well they might have individually but as a unit) these cats still make a noise.

Opener ‘Denver Haircut’ is just a great little uptempo story about the guy n gal next door but it’s done through a clean marshall amp and sounds mighty fine.  ‘You Did Good Kid’ is like Eels but louder or Waits with a better, less damaged voice.  Its got a lot of music going on under the storytelling with keyboards being hit and horn being honked damn there’s even tubular bells being struck if I’m not mistaken.  If Bruce hit writer’s block I know a band he could work with who would get him and what he does perfectly without becoming the E Street Band but no doubt were influenced by him especially on ‘Traditional Village’.

Finn is up there with the likes of Nick Cave for captivating an audience with his take on life and just scratching around surviving and the guy next door or down the street something someone like Mellencamp use to own. ‘Entitlement Crew’ is a class example of this whilst ‘T-Shirt Tux’ is like Costello when he started out with his Attractions.

The quality is maintained to the bitter end through the Lou Reed guitar clash of ‘Star 18’ and closing proceedings off with the jaunty ‘Confusion In The Marketplace’ I guess it is what it is and an album I was looking forward to picking up because I felt I trusted Finn and the band to just deliver a stone wall solid record and that’s just what I’ve got.  Whist its not going to change the world for half an hour it’ll make it a much brighter place and I love that.

Buy Thrashing Thru The Passion Here

Author: Dom Daley

Frank Turner – ‘No Man’s Land’ (Xtra Mile Recordings)

Frank Turner – ‘No Man’s Land’ (Xtra Mile Recordings)

Everyone’s favourite Etonian punk poet Frank Turner is back in familiar territory on album number 8, musically anyway. Turner has stated that he does not want to repeat himself with each album and ‘No Man’s Land’ sees the troubadour approach writing an album from a different angle. ‘No Man’s Land’ is a concept album based on the tales of forgotten women in history. From a 17th century Camden landlady who poisoned and cooked her lovers, to a Dutch courtesan, executed by firing squad, onto the tale of an Egyptian feminist, history buff Turner has done his homework .

A series of podcasts entitled ‘Tales From No Man’s Land’ accompany each song, and the themes of strong women stretch further than just the lyrical content. Gone (for now) is his band The Sleeping Souls, replaced by a full female backing band and producer to boot.

 

Frank’s canny lyricism and his knack of telling a fine tale does have a tendency to draw you in, and you can’t help but immerse yourself in the lives of these women. Some you will have heard of, some you won’t have a clue about, but after a few listens you will find yourself reaching for Wikipedia to find out a bit more. While over the course of a 3 and a half minute song the songwriter can only say so much, the point is made, and it’s up to the listener to find out more. Sometimes it works a treat and other times… not so much.

Opener ‘Jinny Bingham’s Ghost’ is a mighty fine, upbeat drinking song. Fiddles and skiffle beats fill the air like The Urban Voodoo Machine partying with The Pogues, as Frank reels off the first of many tall tales. Interestingly, the story is set in Camden Town, at The Underworld, on the spot where Jinny Bingham ran the tavern where she committed her dirty deeds.

The following ‘Sister Rosetta’ is typical Turner radio fodder. A pop-laced, perfect single about the godmother of rock ‘n’ roll, who I first learned about through the teachings of Alabama 3. A nifty accompanying guitar riff and a crisp production job courtesy of Catherine Marks makes this song sparkle and shine.

The jazzy ‘Nica’ is a complete contrast from anything else and works really well. Full of brass, woodwind and smoky juke joint vibes, it mirrors the subject matter perfectly. Elsewhere, the album falters in just a few places. ‘Silent Key’, about tragic Challenger Space Shuttle astronaut Christa McAuliffe, is a song that first featured on the album ‘Positive Songs For Negative People’. It’s a bit of a (space) oddity to be honest. Frank just seems to be going through the motions here with a lazy vocal melody that doesn’t really go anywhere. And closing track ‘Rosemary Jane’, a song about his mum, while heartfelt and personal to Frank, is just plain dull.

But there certainly are flashes of brilliance to behold. The stripped back country of ‘Eye Of The Day’ closes side one ‘Nebraska’ style, just the man and his acoustic laid bare, recounting the tragic tale of Mata Hari and her untimely death. Simple, heartfelt and probably my favourite track right now.

Soaring choruses in the likes of ‘I Believed You, William Blake’, written through the eyes of his long suffering wife Catherine, and the epic feel of side 2 opener ‘The Death Of Dora Hand’ stay with me long after my white vinyl album has stopped spinning and I turn my attention to find more about these remarkable women.

 

‘No Man’s Land’ is a perfectly executed album, to be listened to from start to finish as a body of work. The podcasts are interesting, though not essential to enjoy the album to its fullest. Some have labelled the concept of this album as ‘gimmicky’ before even hearing the fruits of his labour, but I say this album is far from it. Is it Frank’s best album? No, but it’s up there with his best and has already had the most plays since ‘England Keep My Bones’ was released for me, so he must be doing something right. A lot of thought has gone into the production, the concept and the lavish packaging and it makes ‘No Man’s Land’ a welcome addition to anyone’s collection. Fascinating stuff indeed.

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Buy No Mans Land Here

Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

 

 

Double Down in the Singles Round Up

Double Down in the Singles Round Up

Want a second round of Singles in August?  Damn right. So many 45s and video singles coming out how could we not update you on whats hot.

Scumbag Millionaire / The Drippers – Split (Lux Noise) Two of the hottest bands on the Scandi Action Rock scene have teamed up for a split which is never going to be a bad thing. arch your back plug in your air SG and drink some beer because ‘Let Go’ rips like fuck from the howl of feedback its off like a dragster.  Top tune to be fair and the band justify exactly why they are one of the best exponents of the scene currently. As for The Drippers, their track is ‘Långgattan’ Don’t worry little Englanders the lyrics are in English and the track is absolutely blistering. This is a shining example of how to do a split.  Two bands kicking the shit out of two songs. Simple.  Lux Noise know their shit – Buy it!

Buy Here

 

The Gotham Rockets – Blast Off (Rum Bar Records)  Oh Yeah man how cool is it to hear a bunch of tunes dripping with sleazy Lowe East Side grease and dirt all over their horn honkin’ low slung rock and roll. If we were to mention such cool bands as The Devil Dogs, The Waldos, Jack Black, The Pristeens, Simon and the Bar Sinisters, and The Fleshtones then you get the picture.  This is cool all-girl bv’s tambourine shaking twelve-bar shmoozing Rock and Roll and we dig it.  ‘What’s Done Is Done’ has lashings of super sexy saxophone and we love that. ‘Rip this Night’ is a familar rolling of that stone known as the hand jive rhythm and to close off this bad boy ‘Nothing But A Man’ is hip shakin’ detroit rock and roll its got the beating heart of the MC5.  Well done to Rum Bar for again pulling up some brothers and letting them ride the crazy train to a wider audience of Brothers and sisters who just get it.  Join in and blast this bad boy off! Facebook

 

Reverend & The Makers – ‘Elastic Fantastic’ (Cooking Vinyl) New song ‘Elastic Fantastic’ is taken from the ‘Best of Reverend & The Makers’ double vinyl, double CD and digital download album. ‘Elastic Fantastic’ is one of two new track featured on this best-of album.  the video is shot by multi BAFTA-nominated director Chris Shepherd. It features Rich Westley from The Moonlandingz and can be pre-ordered Here

Dogmatics – ‘Summertime’ (RumBar Records) It’s been 30 years since Boston’s legendary Rock n’ Rollers the Dogmatics has recorded new music together and this is the taster for what’s to come. later this fall there is gonna be a long-player that’s hitting the shelves.

Its cool Rock and Roll boys and girls and although its a cover its got style and a whole bunch of swagger and a fair indicator that these cats have still got it. Click the link and sample it for yourselves. If this is the appetiser then bring on the main course it’s gonna be great!

Bandcamp

 

 

 

Sweet Knives – I Don’t Wanna Die 2×7″ (Big Neck Records) Rather than wait for the inspiration to do a full album Fat Neck convinced Alicja and gang to do a special Double 7″ with a Gatefold Cover! Alicja has already created 2 videos for this release and they just completed a tour with the songs laced in throughout the set.
Synth Rock, with soulful vocals that have guitar hooks and ripping lyrics striking like a cobra attack! isn’t a million miles away from what I’m hearing. ‘U Don’t Mind’ is like a rough house Buzzcocks tribute. Besides I can’t remember the last time I picked up a double 7″ single how cool is that?

Synth New Wave call it what you like but the four songs on offer are really impressive with ‘Some People’ stealing the show with its dark riff and futuristic synth parps.  Check it out for yourselves at the link

Bandcamp

 

Chuck Norris Experiment – Back It Up (self Release) Taken from their new record ‘Shortcuts’ our friends CNE do what they do best and that’s rock hard and do it on their own terms this one is brief and to the point. They’ve even shot a promo video for it where they flex their muscle. Its always good to hear some new music from Swedens premier hard rockers.  Go check it out

Bandcamp

 

MARK SULTAN “Filthy Rat” EP – (Slovenly Recordings) Garage rocker Mark Sultan has one cool 7″ single out on Slovenly.  I love how they framed this single “Monsieur Sultan makes autobiographical on the suave and sparse “Filthy Rat,” switching gears from slow to GO! on the swinging flip “Heart Attack,” harmonizing with his own bad self over a classic teenpunk shuffle beat with the unmistakable goldenthroat that all the crazed kids the world over swoon for”.  How can one better that?  One can’t so just pop along to his Bandcamp  page and check this shit out for yourselves ya crazy punks.

Bandcamp

 

Puppy – Poor Me (Spinefarm) 

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Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour – Devils Flynn – (King Outlaw Records) CD and vinyl edition signed and numbered by Tyla
In  Celebration of  30 years of the ‘Graveyard of Empty Bottles’.  2019 Dynamite versions of both ‘Errol Flynn’ and ‘Comfort of the Devil’ by Tyla’s  Dogs D’amour. Features Si, Gaz, Matty and Scotty, and T. When I heard about the reworking I was a bit skeptical as to why seeing as the original was and still is one of the finest recordings I’ve ever heard and then I actually gave it a listen and low and behold, whilst it’s not to be compared with the original (Its not a competition) its something of an accompaniment and is different enough to warrant a rework and to be fair sound bloody good, No scrap that it sounds fantastic.  Like Gerald penned in his review recently, I would certainly concur with his fine words.  It’s great to see Tyla back on 7″ plastic that’s for sure and this is a worthy addition to the collection. Buy Here

Indonesian Junk – City Lights (Rum Bar Records) The first track to be released from the band’s forthcoming new album ‘Spiderbites’ is another tip-top slab of sleazy low slung Rock and Roll.  Straight out of Milwaukee this Rockin’ trio have been cutting tunes on Rum Bar Records for a number of years and the one constant (or rather One Of the constants) is the quality of the tunage they keep maintaining.  Its loud guitars, cool hooks, melodies, and just all-round great songs.  What more can you want from your Rock and Rollers these days?

You can be sensible and pre-order the album Here because as night follows day if this is an indication of what’s to come then this is gonna be a good un and you can take that to the bank – Stone Cold Fact!

 

Sinner – Last Exit Hell (AFM Records) The first song from the new album is released on video ahead of the album coming out in September “Santa Muerte” is out 13th September Order here: https://shop.afm-records.de/sinner/

Hawk Eyes – Smokes (Drakkar Entertainment) With a track taken from the album “Advice” which hits the streets next week out September 6, 2019 Order: Here Comes out via a video single this slice of hard rock will have many a bedroom rocka reaching for the tennis racket an mirror

Bankrupt – Come Back Joe Strummer This snappy track from Hungarian Bankrupt is a tribute to Punk Legend Joe Strummer (obviously) with some Eastern European ska-punk in full effect. check it out then pick it up Here

Tarja ‘Tears In Rain’ (Ear Music) Tarja release the single ‘Tears In Rain’ from their album that’s released this week.  Some heavy harmonies and classic rock riffage leads the way for this Heavy Rockin outfit.  Pre-order “In The Raw”: Here Get the single “Tears In Rain” here: Here

Riskee & The Ridicule – Cut Your Teeth (Bomber Music) Fresh from Rebellion Festival Riskee & The Ridicule are back with some in your face grime n punk taken from the album ‘Body Bag Your Scene’.

Black Income – Loaded Gun (Tubeit)

Taken from their brand new album ‘Unsound’ Black Income is available Here  Their dark brooding Hard Rock is something of a throwback to some classic 80’s hard rock but twisted with new techniques and a modern feel check out ‘Loaded Gun’ – Website Here

Automatic _ Too Much Money (Stone Throws Records) Straight outta LA’s DIY scene this three-piece low – Fi post punkers are doing their bit for sleazy pop punk with this catchy ’45. More instant than ‘Calling It’ ‘Too Much Money’ is like a late ’70s early ’80s throwback when anything goes and as long as it sounds cool its punk rock.  from the tin-pot snare hits to the constant bass throb and those Sonic youth spoken vocals this is addictive like sugar pop but dark inside.  The band are heading to the UK and Europe as part of their Winter tour.  If I had to offer a comparison it would have to be Suicide now go check em out Here at these social media outlets.  Bandcamp | Instagram | Facebook

Johnny Moped – Hey Belinda (Damaged Goods) Out on Red vinyl to coincide with the band’s Rebellion appearance is ‘Hey Belinda’ taken from their ‘Lurrigate Your Mind’ ita slab of stone-cold solid punky pub Rock and the production is rather splendid and offers a fine-tune an air of sheen and polish.  It’s backed by an old but gold tune that’s been given an update and again the production is rather splendid and lends itself to ‘Hiawatha’ Making this limited edition 7″ blood red single isn’t a bad purchase punk rockers in fact it would be a bloody good one Get it Here

 

 

 

Diamond Dogs – Recall Rock and Roll (Sound Pollution) Classic good time barroom honkin’ Rock and Roll.  Sulo and the boys are back in the ring taking some hefty swings with this barnstormer PArt classic Bowie and part classic Mott The Hoople but all Diamond Dogs.  Taken from their forthcoming long-player  ‘Recall Rock ‘n’ Roll and the Magic Soul’: Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFxRM1qQrMQ&feature=youtu.be

The Electric Shakes – Phoney Highs (Self Release)  This South Coast three-piece have brought the volume.  Always finish on a high they say so what better way to round up this 45 rpm jaunt.  Are you sure there’s only three of em?  Sounds like a batallion of riff-a-rama throwing shapes and rockin’ the fuck out.  ‘Phoney Highs’ is no-nonsense rock and roll played through some sturdy amps and harnessing (just) extreme volume for the sake of playing dirty Rock and Roll.  Call it Garage Rock or Action Rock with a touch of ’70s hard rock thrown in with the odd bullet belt (please tell me these boys wear bullet belts?) If they don’t they should.  the second track is the cowbell thumping riff n roll ‘Hound Dog’ and its barking at the moon stuff.  What a fine pair of tunes and if you love Rock and Roll like we do here at RPM HQ then this is totally up your alley.  Strutting like a rock and roll peacock this is excellent and the way to close the door on this months round-up and get this party started.  Lets Rock! Bandcamp

AIRBOURNE TO RELEASE THEIR BRAND-NEW STUDIO ALBUM ‘BONESHAKER’ ON OCTOBER 25TH

AIRBOURNE TO RELEASE THEIR BRAND-NEW STUDIO ALBUM ‘BONESHAKER’ ON OCTOBER 25TH

Airbourne will release their fifth studio album Boneshaker on October 25th via Spinefarm Records. The band revealed the cover artwork for BONESHAKER, which was a collaboration between Matt Read of Combustion Ltd, and Sean Tidy of Design House Studio Ltd.

On the topic of the artwork, guitarist Matthew Harrison states: “The whole sentiment we were after was about rock n’ roll for life. We wanted to create something tattoo worthy, and that the artwork was classic and stood the test of time.”

With the creation of Boneshaker, all-action Aussie rockers Airbourne decided to take the bolder path; to align with Nashville’s Number One producer, Dave Cobb, whose credits include both Chris Stapleton and the ‘Star Is Born’ soundtrack, as a way of staking out new turf away from comfort zones and safe havens…

“It’s a live gig in the studio. This is always something we wanted to do – find a way to bring the soul and power of an Airbourne live show into an album. Cobb caught our lightning and put it in a bottle.” states bandleader Joel O’Keeffe.

Relocating to historic Studio A on Nashville’s Music Row, six-time Grammy Award-winning producer Cobb’s natural home and one of Music City’s most prized creative hubs, the four musicians set themselves a challenge: to make a record cut from the same frayed cloth as those classic late-’70s recordings from Australia’s legendary Albert’s house of ‘Oz Rock’ that inspired the band so much.

There are no weird tangents here, no un-called for asides, no messin’ about. This is straight-down-the-line pure rock ‘n’ roll drama smelling of burnt rubber, spilt gasoline and valves glowing red hot. No ballads, no acoustic guitars, no keyboards. 10 tracks, 30 minutes of music. Everything lean an’ lethal, stripped to the bone, to those essential elements that rock ‘n’ roll requires to properly do its work: raging guitars, pounding bass ‘n’ bass, vocals packed full of real personality – the kind of passion that only comes from willfully pursuing a life on the line.

Pre-orders for Airbourne’s fifth studio album Boneshaker are now live, with an instant download of the first single & album title-track and special bundle options including t-shirts, hoodies, enamel badge and poster. Boneshaker was premiered live at Wacken 2019 in front of 80k+ people, their fourth time at the legendary festival, which felt like a homecoming for the band. Order your copy HERE.

 

As always, you can find Airbourne on the road. They will be crisscrossing the planet, in true Airbourne fashion until 2022.

“We are pumped about playing these new songs live, it’s always cool to do that first tour on the album cycle, especially that first run of shows. The first time you hear people singing the words back at you to a new song, it makes us really appreciate how much our Airbourne family around the world supports us. “ states drummer, Ryan O’Keeffe. “2020 is already shaping up to be a jam packed year.”

Airbourne Live Dates 2019:

23.08 – Reload Festival – DE

24.08 – Le Cabaret Vert – FR

24.09 – Ucho – Gdynia PL

25.09 – Proxima – Warsaw PL

26.09 – Kwadrat – Kraków PL

28.09 – Club Zal – St Petersburg RU

29.09 – Station Hall – Moscow RU

02.10 – Roxy – Prague CZ [SOLD OUT]

04.10 – Amager Bio – Copenhagen DK [SOLD OUT]

05.10 – Münchenbryggeriet – Stockholm SE

07.10 – Pakkahuone – Tampere FI

08.10 – Circus – Helsinki FI

10.10 – Rockefeller – Oslo NO

11.10 – Trädgår’n – Gothenburg SE [SOLD OUT]

12.10 – Voxhall – Aarhus DK [SOLD OUT]

15.10 – Melkweg – Amsterdam NL

16.10 – Trix – Antwerp BE

17.10 – La Laiterie – Strasbourg FR [SOLD OUT]

19.10 – La Cigale – Paris FR [SOLD OUT]

20.10 – La Cigale – Paris FR [SOLD OUT]

22.10 – Santana 27 – Bilbao ES

24.10 – Paris 15 – Málaga ES

25.10 – La Riviera – Madrid ES

26.10 – Razzmatazz – Barcelona ES

28.10 – La Paloma – Nimes FR [SOLD OUT]

29.10 – Alcatraz – Milan IT

31.10 – Komplex – Zurich CH

01.11 – Haus Auensee – Leipzig DE

02.11 – Orpheum – Graz AT

03.11 – Tonhalle – Munich DE [SOLD OUT]

05.11 – Barba Negra – Budapest HU

06.11 – Arena – Vienna AT

07.11 – Columbiahalle – Berlin DE

09.11 – Schlachthof – Wiesbaden DE [SOLD OUT]

10.11 – E-Werk – Cologne DE [SOLD OUT]

13.11 – UEA – Norwich UK

14.11 – Rock City – Nottingham UK

16.11 – Academy – Manchester UK

17.11 – O2 Academy – Newcastle UK

18.11 – Beach Ballroom – Aberdeen UK

20.11 – Ironworks – Inverness UK

21.11 – Barrowlands – Glasgow UK

22.11 – O2 Academy – Liverpool UK

24.11 – Cardiff University – Cardiff UK

25.11 – O2 Academy – Bristol UK

26.11 – O2 Forum – London UK

28.11 – O2 Academy – Sheffield UK

29.11 – O2 Guildhall – Southampton UK

30.11 – O2 Academy – Oxford UK

2020:

04.01 – Summernats – Canberra AU

08.02 – RAC Arena – Perth AU*

11.02 – AEC Theatre – Adelaide AU*

14.02 – Rod Laver Arena – Melbourne AU*

15.02 – Qudos Bank Arena – Sydney AU*

18.02 – Entertainment Centre – Brisbane AU*

20.02 – The Trusts Arena – Auckland NZ*

22.02 – Horncastle Arena – Christchurch NZ*

* Denotes Special Guest on Alice Cooper dates

For 2020 and beyond – watch this space…

Redd Kross – ‘Beyond The Door’ (Merge Records)

Redd Kross – ‘Beyond The Door’ (Merge Records)

“No one knows what lies Beyond the Door… but we’re all in front of it.”

So reads the PR blurb that accompanies the all-new eleven-track studio record from South Californian powerpop punk legends Redd Kross, their first new set of songs since 2012’s amazing ‘Researching The Blues’ album, and you know in many ways that opening statement pretty much summed up how I first approached ‘Beyond The Door’, largely because I really did not know what to expect from the band this time around.

With band mainstays Jeff and Steven McDonald promising their most collaborate record since their ‘Born Innocent’ debt from way back in 1981, would the inclusion of Anna Waronker (That Dog), the returning Geré Fennelly, Buzz Osborne (Melvins), and Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) really mess with the powerpop magic formula I have come to know and love the band forever since first discovering them via their genre-defining ‘Third Eye’ album released back in 1990?

Cautiously dipping into ‘Beyond The Door’ the most immediate thing that strikes me is that it is a very “UP” sounding album, in fact  the gangs total commitment to having the best fucking time they can have while they’re all still here is obvious during the stunning opening 1-2 of ‘The Party’ and ‘Fighting’, both tracks sounding like the natural progression to the sixties psych-pop perfection of ‘Researching The Blues’. Guitarist Jason Shapiro and drummer Dale Crover (Melvins, OFF!) are long-time members of the Redd Kross live band, and here they kick off their recording debut with the band in very fine fashion indeed, with both of the opening four to the floor rockers being what I would consider soon to be live favourites.

That live energy continues into the KISS meets Glitter Band swagger of ‘Beyond The Door’ whilst ‘There’s No One Like You’ could very easily be something the McDonald brothers recorded during their post-grunge ‘Show World’ days. ‘Ice Cream (Strange And Pleasing)’ meanwhile is the kind of sugar-sweet bubblegum pop that the band excelled at during their ‘Third Eye’ days as is the uptempo glam slammer ‘Fantastico Roberto’. Phew!! That’s one hell of a set of tunes right there. Tunes which whilst maybe not quite as refined as the ‘Researching The Blues’ album they do possess a vibrancy and unpredictability that record did miss at times.

‘The Party Underground’ is a classic example of this as it sounds like Bob Mould has just popped into the studio and cracked off a tune whilst the closing cover of Sparks’ electro-dance anthem ‘When Do I Get To Sing “My Way”’ really is a truly inspired choice, turning out to a perfect fit for the Redd Kross sound.

So, with that in mind what is the Redd Kross sound here in 2019? Well, it’s probably best summed up the trio of songs that remain for me to mention on ‘Beyond The Door’. ‘What’s A Boy To Do’ is yet another lesson in how to write bubblegum pop perfection whilst ‘Punk II’ thunders along like the Hamburg Beatles speeding their tits off before Lennon and McCartney then get whisked off to Seattle around the turn of the nineties for ‘Jone Hoople’ and all hell is duly let loose.

Look you can stand outside that door forever wondering “what if” but the real magic always lies beyond it.  Redd Kross are most certainly back with a bang with ‘Beyond The Door’ and with US dates already planned with the Melvins we here in the UK can but hope that they will finally return to these shores sometime soon.

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Buy Beyond The Door Here

Author: Johnny Hayward

 

 

Andy McCoy sets release date for new Album ’21st Century Rocks’

Andy McCoy sets release date for new Album ’21st Century Rocks’

Andy McCoy has set a date for the release of his brand new solo album and sets the time and place for the launch show –  Facebook. The Album titled ’21st Century Rocks’ is coming out on Ainoa Productions and can be pre ordered Here

New Andy McCoy single ‘Seven Seas’ was released on August 15th, 2019 (digital) and full album (CD and digital) September 25th, 2019. Vinyl release later in November. The Tracklist is ’21st Century Rocks’, ‘Undertow’, ‘Seven Seas’, ‘Batteram’, ‘Maria Maria’, ‘Bible And A Gun’, ‘The Hunger’, ‘Give A Minute Steal A Year’, ‘Love It Loud’ and ‘This Is Rock And Roll’.

HOT BREATH SET TO RELEASE THEIR SELF TITLED DEBUT

HOT BREATH SET TO RELEASE THEIR SELF TITLED DEBUT

Hot Breath delivers a six track K.O that is set for release the 18th of October on The Sign Records. Blending immortalized classic rock with pure attitude, add a bit of just all those influences that you like and you get Hot Breath’s self-titled debut.

Guitar solos, side by side with Jennifer Israelssons (previously seen fronting Honeymoon Disease) cocky vocals and a brilliant rhythm section in Jimi Karlsson (ex Honeymoon Disease) and Anton Frick Kallmin (Hypnos). Its no doubt that Hot Breath is a guitar-based rock band, but Karl Edfeldt (Grand) and Jennifer’s guitar works are mostly a tease, that makes you want more. Hot Breath provides the soundtrack to the last drink sip that never ends. 

Recorded and mixed by Jamie Elton (ex Amulet) in Stockholm during the summer of 2019. Axel Söderberg (Horisont) have helped out on keys on the recording. Mastered by Hans Olsson Brookes at Svenska Grammofon Studion. Artwork by Jimi Karlsson. Cover photo by Marcus Eriksson. The release will be available on CD in Digipack, 180g Vinyl and Digital formats. Hot Breath is touring and kicks of their first Swedish tour joining a four date The Sign Fest making four stops in Sweden.

 

Pre-Order Physical Album
Pre-Save Album on Spotify/Apple
Hot Breath at Bandcamp

Live:
26th September – Gothenburg (With The Obsessed)
18 October – The Sign Fest Linköping (Festival/Tour)
19 October – The Sign Fest Stockholm (Festival/Tour)
25/26 Oktober – Skövde In Rock (Festival)
8 November – The Sign Fest Gothenburg (Festival/Tour)
9 November – The Sign Fest Malmö (Festival/Tour)
more live dates to be announced….

 

Hot Breath on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/hotbreathgbg/

The Sign Records on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thesignrecords/

New Model Army – From Here (Absolute)

New Model Army – From Here (Absolute)

Recorded in nine days on a Norwegian island New Model Army return with an album steeped in their unique sound with the unmistakable figure of Justin Sullivan leading the charge. With a more traditional sounding or should that be classic sounding New Model Army on ‘From Here’. It seems like an age when the band first announced pre-sales for this record and after releasing a couple of videos for tracks such as ‘Never Arriving’ my excitement started to peak for what the album might turn out like. With a more earthy and classic sounding arrangments, New Model Army have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into another record and the reward for the listener is twelve songs as good as anything in the band’s arsenal thus far.  From the synth-laden opener ‘Passing Through’ it’s a slow burner as the intro fades and the band harks back to a feeling they first laid on audiences way back in the ’80s and Justins narrating vocal is as warm and weathered as ever and as engaging as you’d want it to be.  The track, however, doesn’t open up but merely sets the tone.  Maybe this is something of the mature big brother to ‘Thunder And consolation’ as the acoustic guitar midway through this six-minute epic opener links with the rhythmic drumming before the crunching heaving electric guitar joins the fray.

As far as openers go this is huge and the tone of ‘From Here’ is set. ‘Never Arriving’ is also over five minutes long as Sullivan takes us through his spoken rather than sung lyrics.  The band might have chosen a bleak environment to record in but this record sounds driven and whilst complex its a record that will take some investing in. Sure fans of the band will take that time and give it the attention it deserves but I doubt Justin is looking nor cares for instant fleeting engagement. If you know you know.

There are no two-minute pop songs here rather post four minutes as a rule but the sprightly tempo of ‘The Weather’ with its acoustic strumming is a different texture to the two previous numbers the instruments weave like knotted branches so NMA yet unique and bloody good.

 

I’ve alluded to the fact this record for some reason harks back to the classic heights of ‘Green And Grey’ period for the band although Sullivan is the sole torch-carrier of the band these days it’s in the makeup and ‘End Of Days’ is uptempo and the first track that was released from the record and is a great addition to the catalogue of thumpers written and released by the band.

‘Great Disguise’ builds and builds as Sullivan paints his landscape in your mind’s eye whereas ‘Conversation’ is big broad strokes of that familiar acoustic guitar mixed with rhythmic drums and a story unfolds of travel and landscape earth and water. Sullivan has always done well to paint bleak and cold portraits but in a warm and engaging way it’s what he does really well and this is a great example.

‘Hard Way’ is a darker slower introduction that spends the next four minutes building up and up to layered vocals and heaving bass throb but quickly drops back something of a bloodletting before ushering in ‘Watch And Learn’ with its more aggressive thrust.

‘Maps’ is timpani and cello and maybe driven by the recordings environment with a sense of where you are captured within its tracks as Sullivan sings about his surroundings.  Ending the record with the title track ‘From Here’ is eight minutes of soundscape and sparse piano before the familiar tribal drum patterns signal a rumbling Bassline but you’ll have to wait almost five minutes before an electric guitar chimes in and pierces the trance-like rhythm.

Like I mentioned earlier this might not be the record you want to make your New Model Army debut maybe lock into the best of then come and visit ‘From HEre’ and the experience will be far more rewarding.  Old fans – fill yer boots this is a journey that will take you through multiple emotions pick you up and put you down but always leave you coming back for more.  I’ve enjoyed thus far dipping in here and there and equally immersing from start to finish.  ‘From Here’ will not dissapoint.

Buy ‘From Here’: Here

Author: Dom Daley

The Professor and the Madman – Live at the 100 Club (Self Release)

The Professor and the Madman – Live at the 100 Club (Self Release)

The Professor and the Madman aren’t household names in the Punk Rock, Power Pop fraternity, although they should be. Not just because former Damned drummer Rat Scabies has played on all three of the band’s studio albums or for the latest “Disintegrate Me”.  Rat’s bass playing former colleague Paul Gray lends his considerable talent to it, but because the mainstays of Alfie Agnew and Sean Elliot have just as much Punk cred, having been in the likes of D.I. and The Adolescents and exuded more DIY ethos than both Wickes and B&Q combined.

The birth of this live album deserves a whole section dedicated it itself; publishing approval, Art(?) Work(??) copyright issues, Pressing problems and almost the final nail in the coffin PledgeMusic that had the band putting their hands in their own pockets to fulfill the orders, but enough of the back story let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of The Professor and the Mad Man live at the 100 Club album.

The album was recorded just over a year ago at, obviously, the legendary 100 Club in Oxford Street where Messers Gray and Scabies would be playing together live, something that they hadn’t done since July 1992 when the Damned were either departing or reforming. The twelve tracks that make up this 50 minute album span the bands 3 album career to date with “Peace Bombs” from the “Elixir II – Election” album leading straight into a cover of US Power Pop band 20/20’s “Nuclear Boy” and then “Nightmare” that had me thinking that the band have arranged the setlist as some sort of post-apocalyptic concept. It’s almost as if this live album should’ve been a studio one, no doubt to thanks to various Streaming Services it can be. Even the cover of Eddie and the Hot Rods “Quit This Town”, that features a guest appearance from former Hot Rods guitarist Graeme Douglas, lends weight to this. Either that or this is The Professor and the Mad Man’s stab at their own version of The Monkees “Head” soundtrack done live; brilliantly off the rails but bang on the money. The production is super well balanced; you can hear everybody and everything, no one is too loud or understated. The only thing missing is the crowd appreciation and reaction between songs, until “Quit This Town”, where it springs into life, before mysteriously receding into the background; I was at the gig and remember the crowd to have been on the lively, boisterous side with a lot more stories and antidotes between songs (Adam Ant) and I’m sure “Electroconvulsive Therapy” was the penultimate track and not, as on the CD, the last. Maybe that’s why it fades out?

Overall, it’s a great snapshot of something special that at the time was billed as “For One Night Only”. However, with Alfie, Sean, Paul and Rat working on new material I hope to see “A Welcome Return” sometime next year.

Author: Armitage Smith

Buy PATM Here 

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