Jesus And Mary Chain – Tramshed, Cardiff 21.06.25

Jesus And Mary Chain – Tramshed, Cardiff 21.06.25

It’s been a while, best part of a decade, since I last clapped eyes on the brothers Reid in Cardiff across town in the second room of the Uni, and the time before that it was this very same venue but tonight was a one-off and not part of a tour, but something of a warm-up for the band’s appearance in Milton Keynes the following night at the Forever Now festival (at the time of writing I believe the stage at MK was beset with tech difficulties so its something of a relief to get this one in). The dry ice rolls across the stage like only a few other bands, such as the sisters of Mercy or the Bunnymen, engulfing the room to that of a post apocalyptic wasteland with just a dimly lit red mist as the band stride on stage to begin what was to amount to a pretty epic and mightily impressive set from Kilbride’s finest.

‘JAMCOD’ kicked off proceedings and Jim proceeded to remove his customary leather jacket due to it being one of the hottest days of the year and in a venue that seemed bereft of oxygen and even the gentlest of breezes but this didn’t stop the band smashing through songs like there was no tomorrow with merely silhoueted shadows on the stage with William swaying in front of his customary Orange wall of amplifiers as Jim holds onto his mic and stand like he’d fall over if it wasn’t there. The sound is clear and throbbing to the huge chords in the break before the second verse. Superb start as we were all hoping to OD on JAMC.

Like a fine wine, The Brothers Reid have matured and aged well sure they’re not the same band who kicked off all those years ago with a fire in their bellies and without a care in the world just a love of Garage rock n roll, art and creating some dark, bleak yet light and warm music that has most defiantly stood the test of time ably assisted currently by Mark, Scott and Justin. If anything, songs off the first album and EP (‘Psycho Candy’) have aged superbly well, but that’s for later in the set. The band’s most recent offering, ‘Glasgow Eyes’, is well represented, as is my personal favourite album, ‘Darklands’. To be fair, the set list is well designed and delivered impeccably, building to a glorious crescendo on the encore.

I’m presuming Jim is enjoying himself because he’s loosened up by removing the jacket, and the rest of the band sound amazing and right on it. ‘Head On’ was like a rabid barking dog, and from the awesome ‘Sidewalking’, it was glorious and possibly the best I’ve ever heard them. Connie from the support band Borrowed Atlas joined the band on stage for ‘Sometimes Always’ and a majestic ‘Just Like Honey’.

For the encore, it was a hat-trick of the impeccable guitar pop of ‘Darklands’, followed by ‘Taste Of Cindy’, and to bring a halt to proceedings and leave nobody in any doubt that they are still the masters of their craft and nobody has done the shoegazing pop noise better. Even when they left the field for hiatuses, their shoes couldn’t be filled and ‘Reverence’ was the perfect full stop to a pretty spectacular warm-up. It seems mad to think on this evidence, they even need to warm up. This was a blazing show of noisy guitar pop perfection. They can be as arrogant as they like, they always maintained how damn good they are and on this evidence it seems time has proven them right. Stunning performance. So until next time gents, nos da.

Desperate Fun – ‘Ready To Rot’ (Take The City)

Desperate Fun – ‘Ready To Rot’ (Take The City)

In these troubling global times, we’re all searching for some Desperate Fun, so it seems only right for us here at RPM to point you in the direction of some in the share of punk rock n rollers from London Town, Desperate Fun.

Raised on American and Australian ’77 punk rock. KBD addicts. Formed in London back in 2017. No Front Teeth records were obviously there with their finger on the pulse of this down n dirty loud n sleazy punk rock and released the bands debut album so fast forward a pandemic and some where we find ourselves confronted by a wonderfully loud, nasty, sleazy follow up in the shape of ‘Ready To Rot’. issued by Take The City Records (another label with their finger on the pulse of what’s hot in punk n roll) Let’s not muck about here, after a spoken intro, ‘Dead Love Sex’ bursts out of the speakers in a frantic Early Subs style kicking and screaming with a face full of snot n sweat it’s just what the punk n roll doctors ordered.

Six tracks in fifteen minutes kicking the living shit out of my speakers with the time honoured Johnny Thunders guitar licks (I’m Not) Going To Rot’ is a blast of energy and a swift kick to the groin…lovely stuff. As you can imagine there are no love songs or ballads to contend with just piss and vinegar steaming out of every pore. To be fair, it’s a lean, mean six of the best. sounding like thunder and brimming with energy its exactly what you need to be sticking in your ears this summer. My advice is to get hold of it now, while you can; it’s a banger.

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Author: Dom Daley

Turbulent Hearts – ‘All Out’ (Pirates Press Records)

Turbulent Hearts – ‘All Out’ (Pirates Press Records)

Suzi Moon seems to have been around for ages and has achieved some mightily impressive releases thus far. From Civet through Turbulent Hearts and into her solo career, Suzi has achieved a lot for a fiercely independent artist. From those aforementioned bands to the split with Billy from Black Halos, it was about time that her spell with Turbulent Hearts got the treatment it thoroughly deserved. ‘All Out’ sets out to achieve just that and maybe balance the scales by putting together a pretty comprehensive collection spread over two lovely slabs of vinyl.

the journey shes been on has been followed by RPM having reviewed Civet and Turbulent Hearts live and on CD as well as her recent escapadeses as a solo artist shes matured into a very impressive songwriter and awesome performer leaving nothing on the stage her performances were always captivating but the music was also the thing that drives her. Turbulent Hearts deserves this double LPand it’s an essential chapter in the journey to where we are now.

After starting off as a young teenager, Suzi spent years touring in the Long Beach punk band Civet (alongside her older sister Liza Graves) before stepping up to the center stage mic with Turbulent Hearts in 2014. She’d been writing her own songs since the age of 13, and she was ready.

The band made their mark in the mid- to late-2010s, and after they parted ways, Suzi moved on to the garage psych combo LA Machina and ultimately, recording under her own name. Across the four sides of  All Out, the band’s entire recorded output – 4 EPs and change over the course of 7 years – is collected in one place for the first time for fans old and new to enjoy.

Aided by the rhythm section of bassist Mark Johnson and drummer Jay Skowronek, Turbulent Hearts had the chops in the studio and on stage, letting Suzi take centre stage was right, and she shone brightest there, delivering the songs.  Suzi admits it was a prolific period, and the quality of the output will stand the test of time, no question about it. Something of a rite of passage, if you like, to get to where she is now.

From the rampant gallop of ‘Panic’ through the measured groove of ‘Never Getting Over You’, Suzi can rage with the best of em but also has an eye on crafting pop melodies that have mass appeal. Choruses and hooks a plenty take ‘Cryin’ or ‘Redwood Nights’ for contrast, but a songwriter who knows what it takes.

Hell, punks can cut loose on ‘On My Own’ and ‘Hangin Around’ but it’s not all crash, bang wallop of course. ‘Notice Me’ coulda, shoulda and all that. To be fair, the spread of material is excellent and an album I highly recommend, not just for completists but for people who love Rock n roll with sweat, snot and a heap of cool. Get yourself the complete Turbulent Hearts in one fell swoop; you won’t regret it. Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley



Infamous Stiffs – The Ornery Six’ (Golden Robot Records)

Infamous Stiffs – The Ornery Six’ (Golden Robot Records)

California’s own Infamous Stiffs are back with a vengeance, A six-track rollicking good time barrage

Unapologetic and loud, ‘The Ornery Six’ stays true to the band’s roots, gritty and rough around the edges but honest and relevant. From start to finish, you have the sound of a band who knows what they’re doing and delivering it to the best of their ability and that, my friends, is considerable. From the frantic ‘No Static’ through the ‘Loose Screwz’, they mix early GnR with punk rock west coast style. With a mix of crunching guitars, pummeling drums, and no-nonsense vocals, the Stiffs deliver,r and that’s the whole purpose of this EP.

‘Evel Mann’ packs a punch, and the fact that it’s only six tracks is enough to digest in this ever-changing, fast-moving time. If you’re asking for a favourite track, then I’d go for the energy of the opener or the more restrained ‘Lonesome’, either way it’s a rock solid EP.

The EP closes with ‘Top Secret’, a tribute to LA punk legends Kaos and the late Johnny Stingray, tearing through the speakers like a high-octane homage to the scene that shaped them and a fitting tribute to a fallen comrade, nice touch and also hints of the Wildhearts and Ramones if that’s possible and quite some endorsement me thinks.

This is music to play loud, have a good time all of the time and get the horns up as the band says – either way, these are non-negotiable rules. Go get some

Pre-save The Ornery Six HERE

Aerial Salad – ‘ Roi De L’herbe’ (Venn Records)

Aerial Salad – ‘ Roi De L’herbe’ (Venn Records)

Venn are cultivating some of the UK’s most vital punk rock and alternative sounds with Bob Vylan and Split Dogs. You can also add Aerial Salad to that list of must-own records, and they’ve followed up last year’s album with this vital EP containing five stunning tracks. Sure, they’ve not reinvented the wheel here, but they’ve doused it in petrol and rolled it down a hill. From the opening ‘King Of The Grass’ you just know they’ve hit the jackpot here with a stunning, snotty, loud dose of music that jabs you in the chest and doesn’t relent for its duration.

Following on from last years acclaimed ‘R.O.I.’ album, Manchester’s favourite sons Aerial Salad have been playing on the continent a lot lately so felt inspired, ‘King of The Grass’ is about the band’s bassist Mike Wimbo who works for Rochdale council on the greens team, which means he spends his life in the pouring rain chopping down overgrown hedges and mowing lawns and what a fitting tribute it is too kicking off this EP. Vibrant and grows on you like a weed, something I’m sure Mike would have a remedy for. Elsewhere on the EP, ‘Inject Your Blood’ is another romantic love song inspired by the TV series ‘True Blood’ (“I’d inject your blood, into mine just to feel you close”), not at all creepy. ‘Wires’ rages against the world of AI and GPT.

‘My Girl’ is a rapid charge to the finish line full of chaotic energy and a catchy melody guaranteed to set your day up right. Hopefully, this is the shape of what’s to come from the Salad boys, and on this evidence alone, punk rock is in rude health and good hands. Do yourself a favour and invest in this EP and keep Mike off the verges and borders of Rochdale and in the studio and on tour, you know it’s right. Buy IT! 

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Author: Dom Daley

All The Madmen – ‘All The Madmen’ (Rum Bar Records)

All The Madmen – ‘All The Madmen’ (Rum Bar Records)

It’s been a while since we last reviewed a Rum Bar Records release, but All the Madmen simply couldn’t be ignored. encompassing a huge catalogue on one release (almost 40), when the virtual needle dropped on the magnificent Bowie Glam stomping ‘So Many Times’, I was transfixed. With a great mix, it was cancel everything I’m all in on the Madmen for the time being.

Vibrant, punchy, paying homage to an era of discovery and wonderment, yet keeping it real and relevant the songs popped and jumped out of my speakers with a joy of life and grabbed my undivided attention like all good records.

All The Madmen complete retrospective encompassing 3 full-length album releases: Ordinary Life / Twinstar Radio / Teenage American Style

If you love an artist and they have a profound impact on how you deliver your music, then why the hell not embrace it, Don’t spend your short time on this spinning rock denouncing or denying, embrace it and run with it – see where it takes you. Obviously don’t rip ’em off for parodying them, but emulate and be inspired, that’s always cool and that’s what is happening here. There is no avoiding the fact that singer Glen Meredith is a fan and shapes how he delivers the vocals, but there’s more to it than that; he’s not mimicking, he’s being himself. When the band get locked into the music, it’s a beautiful thing, all the glitzed-up sleaze of it.

There’s a hard edge going on, but also a keen eye on the pop melodies and mass appeal, which isn’t a bad thing. Sure, there’s a lot of material to get through, but it can also be indulged in manageable chunks. Some of the highlights would be the softer moments like ‘Teenage American Style’ and the anthemic ‘Ordinary Life’. Music is there to be enjoyed, and All The Madmen got the memo and delivered a thoroughly enjoyable bunch of tunes. Go on, dive in, you’ll like what you hear.

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Author: Dom Daley

Degenerate – ‘Rituals of Rage’ (Self Release)

Degenerate – ‘Rituals of Rage’ (Self Release)

Dutch thrash/death metallers Degenerate latest release ‘Rituals of Rage’ certainly does rage. If you’re a fan of early Sepultura, Kreator, Death and Morbid Angel, you will LOVE Degenerate.

Since they formed back in 2016, Degenerate have built a solid reputation in the Dutch metal scene, their debut release (Devastation Ahead) put them on the map, and since then, the band have gigged tirelessly.

Rituals of Rage is a full-on headbanging feast of an album, completely relentless in its attack on the senses. Honestly, after listening to the entire thing, I was exhausted!

Superb musicianship all round, shredding guitars, God knows what BPM double bass drums and screaming/guttural vocals are the order of the day with Degenerate. These guys really know how to play. Don’t be fooled into thinking that they can’t write a melody, though; there are plenty to be heard here. My favourite track, “The Cult”, is full of Maiden-esque guitar melodies and shows the lighter side of the band (on occasion!)

“Illuminate” is another great track with some added gang vocals for full on effect. Lovely stuff. As I said earlier, if you love your classic thrash/death metal, Degenerate will be just up your street. Give Rituals of Rage a play, you won’t be sorry.

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Author: Kenny Kendrick

Warfare – Deluxe 40th Anniversary Vinyl Edition – ‘The Lemmy Sessions’ (Cadiz Music)

Warfare – Deluxe 40th Anniversary Vinyl Edition – ‘The Lemmy Sessions’ (Cadiz Music)

RPM Online originally reviewed the 3 CD version of the eLemmy sessions that was released on 3 CDs however fast forward a couple of years and the good people at Cadiz have only gone and pressed the bugger onto a pair of gold and black vinyl records. Check out what our maestro of old school metal has to say about the Lemmy sessions.

Hot on the heels of the excellent 2021 released ‘Songbook Of Filth’ 3CD set (you can read RPM’s review – HERE), where HNE provided a comprehensive history lesson in all things Warfare and their main man, Evo. Here they take a deep dive into the band’s second album, uncovering the “long lost” original rough mix that Lemmy undertook prior to the final mix-down, with the 9 tracks also in the intended album running order.

As with pretty much everything Warfare ever do though this release comes complete with a warning, and whilst this time around it isn’t regarding profanity or a possible health and safety issue what it does involve is the fact that the ‘Lemmy Sessions’ recordings do come from the original cassette, so its complete with the inevitable tape drop outs that were only to common almost 4 decades ago. To put this into context, think about what would have been considered something akin to a soundboard recording back in the halcyon days of tape trading, and that is really what you are getting here.

Of course, playing the original rough mixes alongside the finished album, which is polished up is always going to show the recordings up for what they are, rough mixes, but as a collector’s curio, they are most certainly well worth a listen, as is of course the finished album. Which, on playing again here, I still can’t help but wonder what might have been if the band’s superb ‘Pure Filth’ debut had received the production that Lemmy afforded ‘Metal Anarchy’.

Right, I’m off to dig out my Metal City VHS for a long overdue watch (Google it if you are wondering what the hell I’m on about) as this set has really got me in the mood for some proper ‘Metal Anarchy’.

Let’s get some hell going, right?

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Author: Johnny Hayward

Venom – ‘Blackened Priests’ (DISSONANCE)

Venom – ‘Blackened Priests’ (DISSONANCE)

After the departure of Cronos I sort of lost interest in one of my favourite punk metal band the mighty Venom. See I loved the trashy reckless noise the original trio made they always made me laugh with their interviews and their ott videos and the fact they were from the North East of England was the icing on the cake because obviously that was the entrance to the firey depths of Hell and to this day I stand by at war with satan as a masterclass in pure filthy metal punk noise. When they fell out and Cronos rode off into the depths of bealzibubs fold on his black station I turned my back on Mantas and what he was trying to do with the name and couldn’t bring myself to tune in and give them a chance but here we are many years later and a lot of water under the bridge and I ready myself for a deep dive into the depths of hades to experience and play catch up with this very nice Tony ‘The Demolition Man’ Dolan box set.

CD 1 features their 1989 full length recording ‘Prime Evil’, (including bonus tracks in the form of the ‘Tear Your Soul Apart’ EP) originally hailed as a triumphant return to form, while CD 2 features the follow up ‘Temples Of Ice’, originally released in 1991, whichincluded a Deep Purple cover. I know I balked at that one as well fellow metalhead and The final disc, CD 3, features the band’s 1992 full-length ‘The Waste Lands’.

True legends and trail blazers Venom were unique at a time when music was crying out fo ra twist on NWOBHM and Venom were it The media laughed at them and mocked whilst their core true believers loved the new Speed metal mixed with the harsher edges of punk that was venom.

‘Welcome To Hell’ (1981), ‘Black Metal’(1982) and ‘At War With Satan’ (1984). was a formidable trio before they began to run out of steam before the inevitable split in 1986.

Enter Atomkrafts Tony Dolan alongside drummer Abaddon and the mighty Mantas and new second guitarist Al Barnes. The four-piece signed with Music for Nations imprint Under One Flag and unleashed the ‘ Prime Evil’ record, which included a Black Sabbath cover. That album is bolstered here with the addition of six tracks from 1990s ‘Tear Your Soul Apart’ EP, including a Judas Priest cover .This release is complemented with the addition of liner notes from writer Darren Sadler, who conducted brand new interviews with Tony Dolan and Al Barnes. Barnes also contributed photos from his personal archive. Dolan, Abaddon and Mantas formed Venom Inc. in 2015 and have released two albums to date. The band continues to tour globally, although Mantas recently left the lineup. Cronos, meanwhile, tours under the Venom name with an alternative lineup (Confused? you will be), the two acts co-existing uneasily, but both keeping the Venom name alive and active and this catch all snapshot of the bands four piece line up is a fitting legacy of what they did next and to be fair I wish I’d given these records a go back in the day because to be fair they’re pretty decent even with all these years passing Dolan did a decent job to be fair whilst of course he was no Cronos replacement nobody could fill those Cherry red 96 hole doc martins but The Demolition Man was his own man and songs like ‘Parasite’ and ‘Skelital Dance’ are more than decent. He even holds his own on the bonus cuts of ‘Burstin Out’ and ‘Angel Dust’. Hell, ‘Temples Of Ice’ is decent enough as well, sure I can without all the keys n ambience, but when they get down to it, Venom 2.0 four-piece are a phat combo of rage, even on the final offering of ‘The Waste Lands’ they kicked up a stink, sure its not version Venom original nor is it as good as the disc one but they had fire in their bellies and if like me you never delved into these depths of Hell now is your chance and horns up, long live Venom whoever sails the good ship its been a hell of a ride and now my collection is complete, Hail santas, sorry typo, Satan!

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Author: Dom Daley

Honest John Plain – April 1952 – June 2025 R.I.P.

Honest John Plain – April 1952 – June 2025 R.I.P.

Honest John Plain was a wicked guitarist, singer and songwriter, a true pirate of the stage, swashbuckling gunslinger and genuinely top bloke. John joined the Boys in the summer of ’76 after meeting Matt in art school. John remained a permanent fixture of The Boys after recruiting Kid Reid and Black, who both worked with him at Gaz T-shirts. The Boys made some of the best music in the late 70s but were besieged by bad timing (Nems) (Elvis), and it was when he earned the Nickname “Honest” which stuck with him throughout after flogging the bands gear for money he put on a horse that didn’t pay out (you didn’t think he was going to come first did you?) He also played with dirty Strangers after The Boys were put on hiatus he played with Wood and Richards from The Stones but his playing was scrapped from the final mix when he left the bad. He signed a deal with Mannish Boys to record on Motown, but subsequently got dropped for being white (Apparently). He joined forces with Darrell Bath and managed to record some of his best work as part of The Crybabys along with Robbie Rushton and John Cooper until they signed to Revolver Records and the second album was shelved, which led to Bath joining the Dogs D’Amour in early 91. Again early 90s saw Plain record his Honest John and Friends album, recorded in London and North Wales of all places. After this star-studded ensemble, Plain recorded the Dirty Laundry album with Ian Hunter and old pal Mr Bath, recorded at Abbey Road nonetheless, and finally got the critical acclaim and praise these guys absolutely deserved. Joining longtime pals Cas Steel, Bath and Vom from Die Toten Hosen and Dr and The Medics was former Pistol Matlock on Bass.

The late 90s saw interest in The Boys return, and sure enough, they returned to the stage, losing none of the magic they kicked off with in the 70s. The Crybabys also managed to release ‘Daily Misery’, and a highly productive period for Jon was underway, and with so much great music coming out, life was rosy.

Well into the noughties, Plain managed to record so fantastic music both with The Landslide Ladies and part of ‘Honest Alive’ and his ‘Acoustic Menopause’ release. John was on fire. He recorded the video for a release with his star-studded line-up of a couple of Hanois, a Pretender, a Mott The Hoople tinkler, as some well-known backing singers and his old pal from the Boys Casino on keys. Maybe now we could have that album, please, It was some time after that John had an accident at home and it affected his health but he was out and about at some shows supporting his old pal duncan Reid at one of his launch shows in Camden as well as playing the oddacoustic show with Mr Bath but since Covid The Boys carried on with John sitting out the shows due to his health issues but I’m sure we all hoped that one day he could again rejoin his mates and take his rightful place on the dusty beer soaked stages. Alas its not to be and he joins an illustrious list of former bandmates for a jam on the other side and I’m glad to have witnessed many a Honest John show over many decades and many venues big or small he was always a gentleman and it was a privileged to see him on stage with the Boys as well as interview him several times and review a whole bunch of his music.

Honest John Plain oozed Rock n Roll, He was one of the best always looking cool and rockin and rolling, Be it as part of The Boys or any of the incarnations, an incredably talented songwriter and performer – The tributes that will be uploaded to social media will show what a truly big heart he had and what a big loss he will be to Rock n Roll. RPM Online would like to pass on our condolences to his bandmates, friends and family.

Whilst its always sad when somebody passes like this, you have to love the picture of him next to Pete Stride as part of the New Guitar In Town project cwtching his Party Seven, a classic cheeky snap, pure Rock n Roll. RPM Online will celebrate John’s life in Music on our Podcast next week as we share songs from all corners of his journey through Rock n Roll.

Rest In Peace, Honest John Plain. We’ll see you at the bar on the other side. Let’s celebrate his life in music and share a smile that we had him, not the loss of another Rock n Roll Brother who’s passed on too soon.

Get over to The Boys website for everything you need to know about the band and its members. The Boys Website