Soul Asylum – Slowly But Shirley’ (Blue Elan Records)

Soul Asylum – Slowly But Shirley’ (Blue Elan Records)

Album number 13 for the Minneapolis rockers who were a household name in the 80s and 90s and went from raucous punks kicking out the jams alongside The Replacements they emerged from the indie scene with the likes of Goo Goo Dolls to have some absolute Iconic smash hits. Frontman Dave Pirner continued the band’s impressive legacy way beyond the formative years and the stylistic change through the hit parade years and into the 21st century to the present day and continued to carry the band’s name making some really impressive records along the way to where we are now in 2024 and the eve of this latest impressive record. Joining Pirner are Michael Bland on drums, Ryan Smith on lead guitar, and Jeremy Tappero on bass and together they turn in a really consistent and impressive record. The album was preceded by the single ‘Freak Accident’ that had all the hallmarks of the classic more commercial writings of the band and on repeated playing it became something of an earworm that you couldn’t shake and I admit to keeping going back to play it over and over and found myself singing the chorus and then the full album dropped and I was sold, all in right from the get-go.

This album runs the full repertoire of what you’d want to hear from Soul Asylum in 2024. From the uptempo Rock n Rolla of an opener, ‘The Only Thing I’m Missing’ the band leans on a swaggering rock n roll sound aided by the production skills of Steve Jordan who gives a little spit and polish to the punkier attitude and some of that Stones sheen for sure which only enhances these songs.

The ebb and flow of the record is as good as the heyday albums ‘Grave Dancers Union’ and ‘Dim Light Shine’ era but this also has the attitude from those earlier records like ‘Horse They Rode In On’ and ‘Hang Time’. ‘High Road’ kicks up some dust and brushes away any cobwebs. Then they ease back into the collage radio’s slower song, ‘You Don’t Know Me. ‘ It’s got that black-and-white video sound that builds for the chorus and Pirner sounds great like he hasn’t aged a day.

They get their funk on for ‘Tryin Man’ but with some hard knocks lyrics and vocals mixing it up fo sure but it works alongside this album. To be fair The more I play this record the more I like it. Songs from the middle of the record jump out as real highlight contenders with strong melodies and really well-constructed songs ‘Trial By Fire’, and the timeless ‘Making Plans’ sounds like its been here before and is laid back with well placed keys adding to the mix of songs. ‘Sucker Maker’ is more of that funky shit before finally finishing off with the excellent ‘High And Dry’ with some excellent lyrics as Pirner tells his story he hooks you and reels you in before delivering a really cool full stop on album number thirteen for Soul Asylum. I’m always happy to hear the band making new music and fingers crossed they head over the pond for some live shows again. The world is always a better place with Soul Asylum active and delivering new music of this quality. If you were ever a fan then I can only urge you to check this out. It’s all killer and no filler and to champion that for the thirteenth time is some achievement. Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

Jesse Malin – Second London Show Added 02.05.25

Jesse Malin – Second London Show Added 02.05.25

LIVE IN LONDON
02.05.25
THE GARAGE
BENEFIT CONCERT

tickets
tickets go on sale 04.10.24 @ 11am GMT

The release of the star-studded tribute album ‘Silver Patron Saints : The Songs Of Jesse Malin’ on 20th September was accompanied by tickets going on sale for a special benefit concert in London at Islington Assembly Hall on 1st May 2025. With that show selling out almost immediately, an additional date has been announced for the following evening at The Garage venue close by, with tickets available from 11am on 4th October HERE. Both shows will feature a variety of guests.

“I have a really special connection to London, as it was the first place that truly embraced me when my first album came out and it is always very meaningful to play there,” says Malin. “I am blown away by the response to the first show, so we decided to add a second night. It will be a bit difficult to get there and get around this time, but I miss London so am excited to play two shows in May. I am also very grateful for all the support through the years.”

The New York City-based rock singer-songwriter suffered a rare spinal stroke in May 2023 that left him paralysed from the waist down. Both a tribute and benefit album, ‘Silver Patron Saints: The Songs Of Jesse Malin’ contains 27 choice cover versions of songs written by Malin from across his career, with all proceeds from it going to his Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and helping pay for his ongoing rehabilitation.

Quireboys New Video Ahead of Album Release

Quireboys New Video Ahead of Album Release

QUIREBOYS RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM ‘WARDOUR STREET’

RELEASED OCTOBER 11TH VIA CADIZ MUSIC

Pic Rita D’Albert

ORDER HERE:

UK TOUR CONFIRMED FOR NOVEMBER

PRE-ORDER ‘WARDOUR STREET’ HERE:

Formed in the mid ‘80s in London, the Quireboys quickly established themselves on the thriving rock’n’roll scene of Soho, Camden and beyond. Always a great live band, they perfected their style and sold out the legendary Marquee Club and many other venues around the country, long before they made their first record.

When Parlophone/EMI Records released their debut album ‘A Bit Of What You Fancy’ on January 29th 1990 it went on to climb to the dizzy heights of number 2 on the UK National chart. The album featured many of the songs they had been performing live for some time. ‘A Bit Of What You Fancy’ is revered to this day. The second album ‘Bitter, Sweet And Twisted’ followed in 1993, after which the band entered a hiatus. 

Now in 2024, the Quireboys the band have come full circle with their highly anticipated new album ‘Wardour Street’ and original members Spike, Nigel, Chris and Rudy (augmented by old friend and multi-instrumentalist Willie Dowling) have kept true to their promise of making new Quireboys music after the sad passing of their best mate Guy Bailey. 

Stepping in on guitar is another of their oldest friends, the legendary Luke Morley from Thunder. Luke also produced the album.

The album consists of 11 new original songs that hark back to that famous Quireboys rock’n’roll sound. The album features the singles ‘Jeeze Louise’, ‘Raining Whiskey’ featuring Frankie Miller and the brand new single ‘I Think I Got It Wrong Again’, which is set for release on September 27th.

“The new single ‘I Think I Got It Wrong Again’ is Quireboys at their very best with our classic backing vocals, rock ‘n roll guitar and honky tonk piano. Just wait for it to kick in!” says singer Spike.

This is indeed timeless Quireboys getting back to their sing-along, rock ‘n roll best.

A message from Spike; “To our friends and fans, old and new, thanks for your amazing support. See you on tour and at the bar in a town near you!”

‘Wardour Street’ will be released October 11th via Cadiz Music. Pre-order HERE: 

The Mission – D-Tour 24 – Razzmatazz,  Barcelona 25.09.24

The Mission – D-Tour 24 – Razzmatazz,  Barcelona 25.09.24

With this being my second time in this magnificent city in the last eighteen months and my second time in club Razzmatazz and by coincidence my second time seeing The Mission here anyone would have thought I’d planned it.

As part of this year’s D-Tour tour, the club is less crowded than last time (thankfully I might add today it was 29 degrees and we all know Wayne isn’t keen on AC) but maybe Barcelona playing at home and kicking off roughly the same time has something to do with that as well as two other bands headlining different rooms in this complex on a Wednesday night always warms my heart but can be a bit chaotic.  The last few years have turned up some pretty amazing Mission performances post Simon, Wayne, Craig and Alex being The Mission. I think the first I saw was a warm-up in Cardiff which set the bar pretty high and then they just got better and better. Hoping tonight will be another in this glorious run. There are songs I wish they’d still have in the set from the first time I saw them when they played the New Ocean Club in Cardiff right up to the post covid reset but regardless of what’s in the setlist, I’m always a happy chappy when I see them.


Taking the stage and kicking off with a full on ‘Wastelands’ is a majestic thing and one of those goosebumps moments for me and looking back I’m so lucky to still feel like that all these decades after that first time. As the ticker tape fills the air it’s an opening salvo of ‘Wasteland’, ‘Beyond The Pale’ and ‘Into The Blue’, the band sounds tight and right on it despite Wayne on the tea and full of cold, the venue is cooking and the crowd is in fine voice. The band peeling back the years, Alex has given them a most welcome injection of power and a finesse on the lighter moments as well as kicking their collective backsides when needed.

We we treated to a new song that was really well received, ‘Kindness Is A Weapon’ which is hopefully the sign of a new record for the not-to-distant future. They weave their magic as ‘Raisin Cain’, ‘Dance On Glass’ and ‘Hungry as the Hunter’ touch with the early albums but the atmosphere is once again raising the bar and my decision to once again return to Catalonia to see The Mission looks like being a fantastic choice.

Tonight’s main set is drawn to a close with ‘Afterglow’, ‘Kingdom Come’ and a brilliant ‘Deliverance’. Tonight’s set flew by as the band eased through the gears sounding like a well oiled machine and looking like they were having the best of times as well and enjoying tonights crowd interaction.

We reached the encore beginning with ‘Wake’ followed by the Neil Young cover ‘Like A Hurricane’ which was stonking and a song I always forget how well the band deliver it. I always thought it was one of the best covers they did along with ‘Dancing Barefoot’ especially from the early days the encore was brought to an end with the brooding ‘Swan Song’ that enabled everyone to get even more energy into themselves for the inevitable second encore.

With just enough time for a much-deserved second encore, it’s ‘Butterfly On A Wheel’ and the audience was bloody loud before they threw in a very impressive ‘Never Let Me Down Again’ from the Depeche Mode songbook and Wayne declaring that we weren’t expecting that, well, he was right but it sounded superb. The curtain was finally brought down with a memorable and powerful ‘Tower Of Strength’ complete with Craig giving the security a piece of his mind when they intervened with the human tower, Thankfully it was all sorted and didn’t sour the evening and we all left with shit eating grins having witnessed another unbelievably good Mission performance Did I mention it was a balmy night outside with almost thirty-degree temperatures God knows how hot it was in Razzmataz but I do know I’d like to do this again next year please if that’s ok seeing as the UK weather is so…Well, shit this made a great break and a new tour and album would be just the medicine, Gods Own Medicine if you like. Gracias amegos same time same place next year if you please.

Quality 

Author: Dom Daley

Asian Dub Foundation – ’94 To Now – Collabourations’ (X Ray Productions)

Asian Dub Foundation – ’94 To Now – Collabourations’ (X Ray Productions)

A band I first became aware of when I worked in London in the ’90s I heard a single that mixed up some abrasive flavours full of easter rhythms and much heavier Western rock, these East London upstarts were making music on their own terms and were forging a brave and interesting path all of their own and with lyrics that made you take notice of what they had to say. The last I heard was via their ‘Tank’ album and they were still kicking up a Shit storm being unpredictable and powerful.

Fast forward a couple of decades and once again they appear on my radar and to be fair they’ve lost none of the youthful energy perhaps stinging it with a more mature and measured accents. They’ve most notably roped in some big hitters here to help achieve a wide-ranging melting pot of alternative music most notably Iggy for a full-on take of ‘No Fun’, this isn’t the only helping hand but for me, it’s the most enjoyable but not the most diverse. That goes to Stewart Lee whose spoken words get chopped for yet more heavy content, Sinéad O’Connor singing on ‘1000 Mirrors’ its a heavy dub tinged with a sense of sadness but played with volume its a powerful tune. 

You also get Radiohead, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Primal Scream playing with your senses, and Chuck D and his public enemy chop shop of ‘Black Steel’, a tune I’ve not played for a while. Although it might not hit as hard as the original, it’s still an awesome version.

It all fits perfectly well in true ADF style not playing by anyone else’s rules besides their own, decades on they’re still going strong and mixing it up into the 21st century. Sure there are artists outside my comfort zone and who I’ve never heard of contributing but that’s the beauty of records like this from one track to the next you won’t have a clue and if a song doesn’t float your boat the next will.

Expand your mind and dive into some alternative, subversive mash-ups musically, but remember to always play ADF loud. You have been warned.

Buy Here

DESPERATE MEASURES RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘UNTOUCHABLE’

DESPERATE MEASURES RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘UNTOUCHABLE’

OUT SEPTEMBER 27TH PRE-ORDER HERE:

‘SUBLIME DESTRUCTION’ IS OUT NOW VIA CADIZ MUSIC – ORDER THE ALBUM HERE:

“A level of skilled musicianship far exceeding the Fisher-Price punk of your average contemporary outfits.” Classic Rock 8/10

“Furious punk-infused rock ‘n’ roll with huge choruses. 12 tracks that prove the sulphate spirit never dies.” Daily Mirror Newspaper

Fresh from a UK tour with Australian punk legends the Cosmic Pyschos, and two sold out shows in Finland, New Zealand/London punk ‘n’ rollers Desperate Measures are primed to release a fifth single from their acclaimed ‘Sublime Destruction’ album, released via Cadiz Music earlier this year.

Titled ‘Untouchable’, the song finds Desperate Measures easing their feet a little off the accelerator pedals for a track that loses none of its intensity, despite its slower pace.

“‘Untouchable’ is a bit different for us. It was the last song we wrote for the album, and I guess it has shades of the Psychedelic Furs or Lords Of The New Church about it. Basically, it’s a ballsy, dark love song,” says singer Eugene.

Desperate Measures are busy working on new material for an EP release later this year and will be ripping up stages up and down the country for the rest of 2024. Look out!

Order ‘Sublime Destruction’ HERE:

Desperate Measures are: Eugene Butcher (vocals), James Sherry (drums), Michael Gaffney (guitar/vocals) and Phil Roadkill (bass/vocals).

CATCH DESPERATE MEASURES LIVE AT THE FOLLOWING DATES IN 2024.

October:

4th London, 100 Club (with Menace and The Outcasts)

13th London, 100 Club (matinee with Head South film screening)

November:

6th London, Water Rats (with Split Dogs and Dead Fun) UNTOUCHABLE SINGLE LAUNCH SHOW

9th Reading, Facebar (with Balaam & The Angel)

15th Peterborough, The Parkway (with UK Subs)

16th Corby, Steel House (with Wrathchild and Syteria)

22 Brighton, Daltons

December:

29th London, 100 Club

30th London, 100 Club

4th London, Water Rats (Vive Le Rock X-Mess party)

15th London, Dublin Castle (acoustic show)

Find Desperate Measures online at:FACEBOOK / BANDCAMP

The Peawees- ‘One Ride’ (Folc Records in Europe and Spaghetty Town Records in North America)

The Peawees- ‘One Ride’ (Folc Records in Europe and Spaghetty Town Records in North America)

Six years since their previous album, The Peawees are back with 11 corking new tunes of power pop goodness. Admittedly, I am more familiar with guitarist Dario Persi’s band, Radio Days, and while there are similarities between the two groups, Radio Days are a blast of sunshine while The Peawees sometimes have a darker edge to their melodies. That said, both bands have a pile of strong songs, proving once again that Italian bands currently have the upper hand, with the exception of The Speedways.

From ‘Banana Tree’ onwards, there are tunes to get you grooving, nodding or punching the air. This is a slinky number for the dance floor, as is first single ‘The Wolf’ (see video). ‘Drive’ is a radio friendly anthem, once heard, never forgotten. Simple, but very effective. And that’s what The Peawees specialise in; like Radio Days, they make familiar melodies sound fresh and exciting. ‘Plastic Bullets’ adds keyboards and a “woah, woah” refrain. It’s here that they sound most like The Speedways, as high a compliment as I can give. Two minutes fly by, and you’ll be playing it again.

‘Lost In The Middle’ has that hint of menace that John Reis does so well, currently my favourite track. ‘She Cries As She Kills’ is another slice of power pop, complete with handclaps. The production is excellent throughout, the guitars have just the right amount of crunch, without overshadowing the vocals. ‘Who’s The Enemy’ will get you swinging your pants, with a Beatlesque chord sequence. It’s infectious stuff. What can I add? The title track shares some DNA with Radio Days, no bad thing, obviously. With this album, they’re two of my favourite bands. Speaking of which, ‘You’ll Never Be Mine Again’ sees the band duetting with The Detroit Cobras. While the inimitable Rachel is sorely missed, fair play, it’s a beautiful song. If the above mentioned bands are your thing, you really need this album in your life.

Buy Here

Author: Martin Chamarette

The Shitdels – ‘Where’s Your Head?’ (Big Neck Records)

The Shitdels – ‘Where’s Your Head?’ (Big Neck Records)

Lo-Fi Garage rock baby! The Shitdels started as Jordan Wayne’s bedroom project with his wife, Katelyn, shortly after they moved to Nashville from Memphis in 2015. A handful of the songs were leftover from Wayne’s Memphis garage/psych band The Blackberries (aka Whoa, Blackberries or just Blackberries) and the rest were kind of written/recorded in that vein. It’s fuzzy and the vocals sound like they were recorded in a bucket using a pair of headphones for a mic but that aside it’s a whole heap of fuzzy fun and songs like the swinging groovy ‘Hold On’ have a tonne of charm and the melodies are infectious. 

It’s authentic and has the ingredients such as the honking Farfisa Organ adding layers to the already chaotic sound but in a Fuzztones kinda way it all adds to the charm of what they’re trying to achieve.

The record isn’t going to overtax your brain because the average song length is about two minutes and the pace and tempo goes from swinging to groovy baby in the eblink of an eye its psychedelic and fuzzy and the backbeat are grooving all over the place. the Lo-Fi production creates a feeling of claustrophobia and chaos but the melodies are often sooo pop like ‘Electric Cars’ its a punk rock Devo on acid.

‘All I Wanted Was You’ sounds like it’s hanging on by a thread but has a tonne of charm. it sounds like they left the faders open for a bunch of mics that weren’t being used but thought fuck it it adds warmth. The record is gone in the blink of an eye and the band works best on the faster buzz saw tracks such as the title track that races with an insanely hypnotic melody.

To be fair it’s a real good album and when played loudly its a real buzz and you can get into the sound and feel of the record it is raw as fuck and that is part of the appeal and charm. Get involved in some real authentic garage fuzz rock and on that note add The Shitdels to the top of your list.

The Shitdels Bandcamp / The Shitdels Instagram / Big Neck Records Bandcamp

Quireboys – ‘Wardour Street’ (Cadiz Music)

Quireboys – ‘Wardour Street’ (Cadiz Music)

The 19th of November 1988 will be forever etched into the RPM Online history books as the night I first met our esteemed boss, Sir Dominic of Daley, down the front at St Davids Hall in Cardiff catching the classic “There She Goes Again’ era line up of the Quireboys (supporting one Yngwie “fucking” Malmsteen would you believe) live. We bonded like brothers that night as it felt like the remaining 99.8% of those in attendance truly wanted to unleash the fury on us cowboy-booted ne’er-do-wells, and a decade or so aside (when our glorious leader went off to play Dick Whittington), we’ve been good friends ever since.  

This is why October 11th 2024 is such an important date for us here at RPM HQ, not only because it marks the release of the all new 11 track album from the mighty Quireboys, but it also sees the band’s frontman Spike reunited in a recording studio with bassist Nigel Mogg and pianist Chris Johnstone for the first time since 1993 and the band’s second album ‘Bitter Sweet and Twisted’. An album, which in hindsight, turned out to carry a pretty prophetic title, given the antics that followed its release and those that eventually unfolded during the band’s second shot at glory, when they returned in the early noughties with the release of their excellent ‘This Is Rock N Roll’ album and an additional “The” preceding their band name.

There’s been plenty written elsewhere about the last line up of The Quireboys’ acrimonious split and Spike’s subsequent battle to regain the band name, but the positives that came from that parting of the ways now sees Spike’s former bandmates treading the boards under the name Blue Eyed Sons and bandanaman himself not only reunited with his former “classic era” bandmates but also having secured the blessing of his ole six string sparring partner and band co-founder Guy Bailey to carry on, before his untimely passing in 2023.  Add into this 2024 Quireboys mix the return of American drummer Rudy Richman, and with Thunder guitarist Luke Morley stepping into the boots of Guy Bailey, with just one listen of the boisterous honky-tonk of lead single ‘Jeeze Louise’ you’d be forgiven for thinking that any of the intervening years since me and Daley first encountered the band had ever really happened, and yeah ‘7 O’clock’ was still without that chorus that would go on to make it a top forty hit here in the UK.

I’m reaching for my cowboy boots by the time I get to track two of the LP, the single flipside ‘Raining Whiskey’, only to realise that they have long since been replaced by Wellington boots (complete with the comedic L/R genius magic markered on the turn downs), and instead I’m just happy to relish in the obvious joy in Spike’s voice as he trades lines with his hero Franke Miller over this Bad Company/Stones-esque stomper. A sprightly opening one/two, and a real statement of intent for sure.

Things slow down slightly for ‘You & I’ the first of a few tracks that sound like smash hit singles in waiting and transport you back to an age when singles actually made musicians into bonafide stars, all before the tempo is back up to “in their prime” Faces pace, and the boogie of ‘I Think I Got It Wrong Again’ has me remembering why I first fell in love with the Quireboys all those years ago.

Elsewhere there’s the swaggering ‘Myrtle Beach’ for you to hum/whistle on the way home from the pub after a few shandies, and the immense Stones riffage of ‘Happy’ (no it’s not a cover) is custom built to get us all up on our feet dancing, add in the rather pointed strum of ‘No Honour Amongst Thieves’, and this trio fully demonstrates the light and shade of the Quireboys songwriting palette here in 2024.

Of the album’s remaining quartet of tracks the harp pumping strut of ‘Howlin Wolf’ reminds me of Horse London’s Gary Buckley’s streetpunk outfit The Terraces but still remains 100% Quireboys rock ‘n’ roll, whilst ‘It Ain’t Over Now’ is another of those potential hit singles I mentioned earlier, being not unlike a modern-day ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’. Which just leaves the funky blues of ‘Like It Or Not’ and the images it immediately conjures up of what a Gary Moore and Spike collaboration might have sounded like if that were indeed still possible before it really is chucking out time as Morley’s acoustic guitar and Spike’s smoky half spoken vocals take us on one last nostalgic walk down ‘Wardour Street’.

I really must at this point take time to mention just how much of a positive impact Luke Morley has had on this set of songs, not only in his impeccable playing but also in his “spot on” production work. He really has captured the vibe and mood of the band and bakerboy caps are well and truly doffed here at RPM HQ.

I’ve enjoyed pretty much every album the Quireboys have released over the years, whatever the lineup, and ‘Wardour Street’ whilst an excellent addition to the band’s already impressive back catalogue is also like a shining beacon of light coming out of some very dark times indeed, and for that reason it makes it just that extra little bit (of what you fancy) special. I’m so glad Spike is once again back in control of all matters Quireboys and I look forward to seeing the band play some of these new songs live when they return to UK stages this November.

“What time is it?” It’s time for you to pre-order you copy of ’Wardour Street’ HERE.

https://www.spikequireboys.com

https://www.facebook.com/QuireboysOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/quireboysofficial

Author: Johnny Hayward

Swami and the Bed of Nails/Mudd Club – Beacon (Lantern Hall), Bristol – 18th September 2024

Swami and the Bed of Nails/Mudd Club – Beacon (Lantern Hall), Bristol – 18th September 2024

Playing their first show outside of the US less than an hour away from my home I was not about to miss seeing the Swami and his Bed of Nails for the very first time, not even when it’s taking place in a venue that’s really not suited to this kind of show.

Tonight, it’s not the only show in the venue either as in the main hall we have Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve reinventing that singer’s back catalogue (a show I’d caught a few nights earlier and found to be very interesting indeed) whilst here in the smaller Lantern side room we have John Reis (like you didn’t know he’s the Swami) ploughing through a set of tunes that whilst not a million miles away from his more fabled days fronting Rocket Front The Crypt are really drawn from a much wider influence gene pool. One listen to the band’s latest ‘All This Awaits You…’ record will prove this, as in the words of the man himself, they are “fanning the embers of rock n roll music.” So, you best stand back, because this five piece really are about to explode, and its only gig number one.

Before all that though, and warming things up nicely for the headliners are local trio The Mudd Club who only found out they had landed the gig a few days ago, not that they let it phase them, playing a set of at times Cramps-y influenced garage rock they utilised their 30 minute slot well, plugging their ‘Give Me A Thrill’ record and winning over some new fans in the process.

By contrast as John Reis comments late into his band’s set tonight, most of the people here to see Bed Of Nails have probably been with him for over three decades now, and the show actually ends with a song by the band I last saw him playing in Bristol with, ‘All Hits’ by The Night Marchers. That was God only knows how long ago. This is certainly no nostalgia set though, and a Sultan’s cover aside (the glorious ‘Just a Fool’) tonight’s set list is all about the frontman’s last two Swami records.

Kicking off with two tracks from 2022’s ‘Ride the Wild Night’ (the title track and ‘Do You Still Wanna Make Out?’) the band sound anything but jaded after their long trip over from the US, in fact if anything a slight timing misunderstanding with the sound guys ahead of the five piece taking to the stage only seems to fire the guys up even more.

It must be difficult for any band to promote a new album when it isn’t officially available in the country they are playing (the vinyl is available at the merch table folks for a very modest £25) but that doesn’t deter the guys as they rip through all the album’s  nine tracks with the keyboards of Joe Guevara really adding that extra dimension to the band’s distinctly rock ‘n’ roll missive. Highlights are aplenty but the furious ‘Ketchup, Mustard And Relish’ is the best Ramones song da bruddahs never wrote, and in ‘How Are You Peeling?’ Reis has possibly written one of his best songs ever…about fruit. Ha!

Outside of the new album there’s a further (I think) three belters from the Swami’s debut record with ‘Vape In The Dark Alone’ seemingly not complete without our leader’s hilarious preamble that fully explains the influence behind the song.

There are another eight shows on this tour (it all rounds off at the Oslo in London on the 28th of September) for you to not only discover this vape related secret but also pick up a copy of the band’s fantastic ‘All This Awaits You…’ record.

Don’t sleep on this one, because you will be seeing one of the gigs of the year if you do pick up a ticket or three.

Just do it!

Author: Johnny Hayward