The new video follows a somewhat tragicomic musician whose relationship is on the rocks. In addition to the band members, actress Suvi Kosela also appears in the video.
‘Motorhome’ is one of the tracks from Plastic Tears’ upcoming EP ‘Old Treasures & Lost Pleasures’, which aims to showcase both new and older material performed by the band’s renewed lineup.
No not the seasonal cheer quite yet but those German Hardcore punk noisemakers, that Christmas. They have a new album out the first week in December and We recently had Max on the phone to talk briefly about the new LP and his band.
‘FEAR OF ROMANCE’ CHRISTMAS, once again, show off all the different facets of their self-created ‘Satanic Rock’ sound. The album is like a nihilistic Schwarzenegger movie: bursting with speed, action, power and humiliation. The protagonist is always the one who laughs last! ‘FEAR OF ROMANCE’ will be released on December 16th as an LP/MC. The album was recorded between February and April 2024 at “Tonstudio 45”. Production, recording, mixing and mastering was done by Michel Wern.
On The Podcast we talk about the new album and the band’s history. Hit the link and give it a play and if you’d be so kind why not share, like and follow the podcast and help us grow.
If Spotify is good for anything, it’s that, just occasionally, the logarithm recommends an artist that you’ve never heard of but suits your tastes almost perfectly. Et voila, this is how I first heard of Fleur.
If you also love garage rock, 60s pop of the French variety, Françoise Hardy and the more recent likes of The Courettes and Fabienne Del Sol, you’re in for a treat.
With two albums of laid-back 60s-influenced pop under her belt, this time round Fleur has set free her inner ‘Yé-Yé’ girl and the results are magnificent. All ten songs were written by Mark ten Hoor, of The Kryng, who certainly has an ear for the genre. However, Fleur is more than “une poupée” (puppet/doll). She inhabits these songs, making them her own, along with her image. You have heard it before, but rarely done this well.
I’d already heard ‘Tu Es Un Être Parfait’, on repeat, which is the perfect introduction for the album as a whole. It’s irresistible. The title track has more of The Troggs about it, suitably savage and abrupt.
Don’t worry if you don’t understand a word, just immerse yourself in the tunes and your world will become immeasurably more groovy.
In fact, I was a little surprised to realise that Fleur hails from the Netherlands, so perfect is her approach to the French language and culture. ‘L’amour!’ is sultry in a way that evokes the wonderful Emanuela and The Hillbilly Moon Explosion, which will give you some idea of the standard being set.
‘T’as Tort’ could easily be a rare Françoise Hardy song from 1965, while ‘Ta Faute’ ups the tempo and the fuzz to get the place swinging. There really is nothing to fault, the playing and production are exactly what the songs need to make them shine. ‘Tu N’es Rien’ adds the Stooges one-finger piano motif.
‘Je T’en Prie’ harks back to her previous, mellower albums, but also sits naturally amongst the harder edged tunes. A dreamy number. ‘Nous Continuerons À Marcher Ensemble’ lets rip, and your hips should follow. Consult your doctor if this is not the case. I’m running out of superlatives. This album has been lovingly created, the quality never drops. As a francophone, I also love the way she pronounces the lyrics clearly, so that I can understand everything.
‘J’en Perds La Tête’ would please Jacques Dutronc, sans doute. Another one to swing your pants to.
And with ‘Je Sais Ce Que Tu Veux’, it’s over too soon. After one listen, I ordered the vinyl, a rare thing for me. Available on LP, CD and cassette via Harry Records/Soundflat, get on over to Fleur’s Bandcamp page. It’s nearly Christmas, et tu le mérites.
Not my favourite venue in this thriving musically diverse city and tonight it looks to have been massively oversold to the point of it being quite uncomfortable and the fact the drunkest knob always manages to stand in my personal space but its been five years since I last saw Amyl And The Sniffers that time was in a pub just up the road where about 100 people witnessed a band on the rise, destined for great things with an infectious way about them that was both innocent and ruthless and to be fair they had the chops then and a pocketful of tunes in Amys Daisy dukes. Fast forward five years and a couple of albums as well as about a bazillion live shows Amyl And The Sniffers are well deserving of the fever pitch that greets them when the lights drop and they bounce on stage and being seventy minutes of no-nonsense punk rock that’s infectious and they now have even more worthy tunes to put out there.
‘Doing In Me Head’ opens the set and the pit which pretty much is the whole of the floor in the O2 goes ape shit. There is very little time for small talk and the band kicks straight into most of their excellent new album ‘Cartoon Darkness’ as well as some of their fine back catalogue. ‘Some Mutts’ is a killer tune and the band who are clearly in sync from all the live shows they’ve played since the pandemic. Amy Talor is a ball of energy not standing still for a second patrolling every inch of the stage and beaming with ‘pinch me’ childlike enthusiasm that says fuck you to the haters and join me for those on board. I get that they’re not for everyone but their force is undeniable and I did think to myself that they won’t be playing these sized venues next time it’ll be the arenas of the circuit no doubt about it and they’re putting in the graft to make that happen as well.
Songs like ‘Security’ and ‘Knifey’ (which was a welcome change of pace) sit really well in the set alongside the tracks off the new album which they pretty much play in its entirety which is a bold move for any band and as headliners they have to play longer than forty-five minutes or do they?
I love their attitude but it does overshadow the songs and in Declan, they have a guy who seems to be of the school of Malcolm Young where it’s about the song and not the player. In Bryce Wilson and Kevin Romer, they have a rock-solid rhythm section that is tight and is driving this juggernaut onward and upwards. Standout tracks for me from the new record were ‘Pigs’ and by the time they hit ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ and ‘Jerkin’, they were on fire and had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands. they briefly left the stage before being returning with an olden yet golden ‘GFY’ which was charming before signing off with an impressive ‘Big Attraction’ finale of ‘Balaclava Boogie’ and they were gone.
All in all an impressive night’s work from Australia’s hottest property who are heading right for the top and there isn’t anything that is going to stop them. It’s been a pleasure seeing them go from strength to strength and hope they don’t change or lose that attitude and joie de vivre that has brought them this far. Good on ya you crazy potty-mouthed kids.
The Party Punk Darlings of Madrid, AmyJo Doh & The Spangles, release their new album, Spangle Landia, through Strap Originals on Friday 8th November on Red Vinyl, CD and digital download. It is available to order Here. A new single, Rock n’ Roll, is released the same day.
AmyJo Doh says of Rock n’ Roll: “This was originally called ‘Despedida Rock N Roll’… for me personally this is a goodbye to the past. The old fears and shadows and the parts of that person that no longer serve us. Whatever you are saying goodbye to, let’s give them a good squeeze, thank them for the lessons learned and then kiss them goodbye! No hard feelings! Just a lot of love, and of course…. A lotta LOTTA rock and roll!”
The video for Rock n’ Roll, directed by Pablo Lopez, is a performance video with the song’s narrative brought to life by Spanish actress Raquel Saiz. Rock n’ Roll is the second single along with Arise to be lifted from the album.
In true Spangle style, the album brings together various EPs and members of the extended Spangle family, yet the energy and message remain coherent. It’s an eclectic mix of great songs which explore themes of love, rebellion, personal freedom, …and Jamón. The band remains unapologetically versatile. As AmyJo says, “Punk is not a musical style, it’s an attitude…..Every song is a universe in its own right.”
AmyJo Doh & The Spangles have toured with The Libertines and Peter Doherty and will be announcing tour dates and festival appearances shortly. In the meantime, they will be playing the following shows in Spain:
NOVEMBER
16th Madrid – Vermut en FunHouse DECEMBER
13th Madrid – Sala Siroco FEBRUARY
20th Madrid – La Corriente MARCH
1st Zaragoza – Sala Creedence
21st Valencia – Sala Black Note
AmyJo Doh & The Spangles were formed in 2016 and inhabiting the beautiful, sometimes grubby streets of Madrid, they have quickly become a force to be reckoned within the underground scene. Led by the dynamic AmyJo Doherty, Peter Doherty’s older and on occasions, wiser sister, they released their debut album, Calle de Spangles, in 2018 and have since carved out a unique space for themselves with their eclectic sound and captivating stage presence. AmyJo’s music is an exciting blend of punk, rock, and indie, infused with her distinctive voice and powerful lyrics.
AmyJo Doh & The Spangles’ message is a joyful one and they want to share it live and LOUD! So, listen to the album, buy it, sing it, and share it; but whatever you do, don’t miss their show when it comes to town. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.
The Spangles are: AmyJo Doherty (vocals) David Lancho (guitar) German Moderno (bass) Matty Tyack (drums)
Rock’n’roll revivalists Split Dogs are doing things the old way and the best way. This is not a band content to sit behind laptop screens, fifteen second viral videos or digital marketing campaigns to spread their noise. No, Split Dogs are true road warriors, almost physically incapable of turning down a gig, they’ve spent the last few months playing every conceivable stage, space and venue to spread the word as they approach the release of their second album ‘Here To Destroy’, due for release February 28th via Venn Records.
And it’s working. The reputation for their own firebrand of frenzied, high-voltage rock ‘n’ roll is spreading fast and wide throughout the punk rock community and beyond and Split Dogs gigs are fast becoming eagerly anticipated events.
Today, the band follow previous singles ‘And What?’ and ‘Monster Truck’ with a brand new two-minute killer titled ‘Precious Stones.’
“The song shines a spotlight on the people that imply false authority in society based on their job title or financial position,” explains guitarist Mil Martinez. “From the obvious traffic wardens all the way up to entitled yoga instructors, nothing burns worse than being falsely reprimanded by another adult so they can attempt to assume dominance over you.”
Musically ‘Precious Stones’ drives along at a storming rate, building in power as it progresses, with singer Harry Atkins the architect of the intensity. The accompanying video conveys just that. Focused solely on Harry’s face, it’s an unflinching, uncompromising experience.
“The precious stones video was all about intensity, and hard intent,” continues Mil. “There’s no escape, feeling like it’s just you in the room and Harry has you cornered. Relentlessly demanding that you answer the question ‘why does it burn?’
Born from the frustration of seeing music become commodified and soulless, vocalist Harry Atkins and guitarist Mil Martinez had the idea to form a band as far back as 2015, with the name ‘Split Dogs’ pulled from the classic zombie film ‘Return of the Living Dead’.
In South London, a young Martinez would hear Status Quo, Bachman Turner Overdrive and Dire Straits on the car radio while his father drove him to school. At home he would invade his older brothers’ record collection which leaned towards the harder sounds of punk and heavy metal. Meanwhile in the Black Country, Harry’s mother instilled a love of Northern Soul, Slade and rock’n’roll, with stories of nights out at Club Lafayette and family singalongs at home. According to Martinez, “Our sound is a culmination of all those early influences and, to be honest, it really shows.”
It wasn’t until 2022 that Split Dogs officially arrived on the scene with bass player Suez Boyle joining the band in 2023. Already a prominent figure in the queer punk scene, Suez played the first ever Rebellion Festival at the tender age of 16 with her band The Walking Abortions. Up until that point, drummer Chris Hugall, an old friend of Martinez and former member of ska punks Mouthwash (signed to Rancid’s label Hellcat back in the day), was only on hand to help design artwork. It wasn’t until 2024 Hugall joined the band full-time cementing the current line-up.
The raucous live shows and infectious lyrics saw the four-piece make a name for themselves among the punks of Bristol, a scene that has always welcomed LGBTQ+ and marginalised people. As word spread, so did the gigging, and soon enough Split Dogs were playing to sold out rooms in mainland Europe, eventually grabbing the attention of UK label Venn Records (Gallows, Bob Vylan, High Vis).
‘Here to Destroy’ was recorded over three days at Middle Farm Studios by producer Peter Miles. All tracks were laid straight to a 16-track reel-to-reel tape machine, no autotune, no effects pedals, no computers. To add to the music’s authenticity, the album was recorded live, with Harry singing along in a vocal booth. No cutting and pasting, just nailing takes. According to Martinez, “It was a blast! We fully immersed ourselves, sleeping in a small apartment below the studio, cooking meals and listening to Pete’s extensive record collection”.
As the album title makes clear, Split Dogs are here to destroy, but they’re also here to rebuild and remind us of music’s essence. “We’re not beholden to the digital age, we don’t want to get famous on social media, we just want to show the world that rock’n’roll is alive and well”.
Split Dogs are:
Harry Atkins – vocals (they/them)
Mil Martinez – guitar (he/him)
Chris Hugall – drums (he/him)
Suez Boyle – bass (she/her)
Catch Split Dogs live at the following dates:
05/11 Exchange Bristol w/Zeke 06/11 Water Rats, London w/Desperate Measures 16/11 Phoenix, Exeter w/Sham 69 6/12 Railway inn, Redditch 7/12 Workman’s Cellar, Dublin 20/12 King Arther, Glastonbury 21/12 Cavern, Exeter w/GBH 29/12 Electric Bar, Bath
When Janes Addiction first imploded Perry and Stephen Perkins formed Porno For Pyros and managed to release a couple of albums in the mid-nineties. I have to admit the first album had some very high moments but a couple of lulls and more so on the second album the highs were replaced by even more lows. I guess it’s why the band fizzled out. However, after RSD we now have Rocktober, and it would seem a whole host of reissues and so forth in the month of October so when I saw the Porno For Pyros release I had to check it out and indulge myself and reacquaint myself with the band. Firstly looking to see if ‘Packin .25’ was here but alas it’s not which is a shame but having dropped the needle on side one and ‘Pets’ breaks out I remember how good this song was. I have a faint memory of seeing the band play some enormadome with Velvet Revolver or was that Satellite Party even? Who knows (not me seemingly).
The album offers only nine songs or ten to be exact but the tenth is a remix of ‘Pets’. your two from the debut album the opener and ‘Cursed Female’ which also sounds better than I remember from the early 90s. with the rest being made up of ‘100 Ways’ and ‘ Tahitian Moon’ from the band’s follow-up album ‘Good God’s Urge’ whilst the rest are pretty decent songs to be fair with the exception of ‘The Cable Guy’ soundtrack, the only duff track here, saying that it’s not total pap but just a bit… grey, ‘Satellite Of Love’ is a Lou Reed Classic. It’s Not as good as the original at all, not even close which might be why it passed me by back in the day.
A couple of digitally only releases pulled together here are also pretty decent songs but in the wake of the onstage Janes spat maybe Porno For Pyros isn’t quite done yet who knows unless Janes kisses and make up this could be the start of something who knows but to be fair this has a great flow to it and apart from the pretty grey version of Lou Reeds ‘Satellite Of Love’ well worth spending your pocket money on. Rocktober whatever next? Not a reunion it would seem after guitarist went to twitter to lay more heat on the beeagured frontman and his attitude and approach to music in general which were all deleted after the Janes spat. Pop stars eh whatever next one of them throws a tantrum?
I do love a cover I’ll be honest and fess up from the off. Now sure I guess its all subjective and some bands have done killer covers that are better than the original but we all know that’s not always the case and a lot of the time its really hit or miss with bands either totally missing the point or just not getting it.
This concept was first released as stand-alone 45s where the label put out one cover and one original on a real 7″ single with a big hole so it could be uploaded on a real jukebox it also came with the jukebox cut out for the listener to request the track when they dropped their money proper old school and a great concept to be fair. Then rope in some of your favourite current artists and the jobs a good un then wrap them all together and make a big splatter disc of them all and some. This is only volume one mind so who knows the possibilities are endless.
Side one track one is a thunderous Stacy Crowe taking on Golden Earings ‘Radar Love’ and giving it a shot of energy its fair to say it’s a rampant take – very good but not a song I’m too fond of if I’m being honest I remember The Alarm doing it way back in the mid-80s and I wasn’t keen then but yup its a staple on jukeboxes everywhere cool take. Their original track is ‘Dead Of Night’ and a guitar noodling rocker it is. Solid opener.
The Cheats cover is a Bay City Rollers number ‘Rock n Roll Love Letter’ and what a jolly good effort it is too. Sure they roughed it up but did keep its melody and chorus is killer which was always the point with the tartan rockers. Now their original is a rampant bruising ‘Cussin Crying Carrying on’ and what an energetic belter it is too. Black Sherriff then knock out ‘Centerfold’ by J Geils Band and it sounds like they had a blast something that shines through on their recording no question. ‘Johnnys Fight’ is more of the same to be fair with a stomping rocker with big riffs and anthemic vocals.
Someone had to do it and give Mean Gene more credits on his seasonal royalties and Dirty Denims ‘Rock And Roll All Night’ is note for note on the money. I’m happy to admit I just don’t get the Kiss love in and whilst I’ll happily admit they have plenty of bangers I fail to see the massive stadium attraction, especially after all these years but this is an impressive take and I’m sure Gene n Paul are grateful and would certainly put another coin in the jukebox to hear this again. The band’s original is a rampant ‘Better Believe It’ that boogie woogies out of the speakers in sprightly fashion and in keeping with the high standards set thus far.
Now we’re talking, Scumbag Millionaire gives Abba a good seeing to. ‘So Long’ might not be a song most of us would name when asked to name an Abba tune but this is a rollicking good time from the Scumbags. The original is ‘Gluehead’ and what a barnstorming noise this is. So we’ve reached the hottest core of the record as Scumbag Millionaire kick the shit out of the speakers with the album’s finest moment thus far. Stonkin’ loud rock n roll (try not to slip on the spilt beer mother fuckers).
Killer Hearts give an impressive account of themselves as they rough up UFOs ‘Doctor Doctor’ whilst tipping the hat to the UK rockers they also boogie like fuck. The original track is ‘Demolition Love’ and they push Scumbags pretty hard for the top spot with a hard rockin banger that’s sleazy and would be the most requested side in any dive bar jukebox but Barman hid the pool cues quickly.
The album is brought to an end with the inclusion of Hollywood Creepers taking on the power pop of the Knack and ‘Good Girls Don’t’ and in keeping with the high standards of this comp it’s done with care and love and a heap of respect. Leaving only their original to take this baby home and ‘I Wanna Feel Your Bite’ does a splendid job wrapping this up with a cool riff and even cooler chorus.
Man on this evidence I can’t wait fo volume two it’ll be a tough act to follow volume one because every one of these bands do killer originals and pretty mich the same over fo their chosen covers. Hell, go buy a jukebox and pick these up otherwise settle for the long player from Screaming Crow Records you know it makes sense. Buy It!
Balaam And The Angel Celebrate its 40th Anniversary With the Release Of Brand New Material the first new material in over 30 years. The three brothers who grew up on a council estate in Cannock played music together as teenagers and finally formed Balaam And The Angel in the early 80’s inspired by the scene that was developing around Bauhaus, The Sisters Of Mercy, Southern Death Cult, Theatre Of Hate etc.
The band achieved success in the 80s signing to Virgin Records for their debut album ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’, and touring the world with the likes of The Mission, Kiss, The Cult, Aerosmith and Iggy Pop until the release of their last album ‘Prime Time’ in 1993. So the sands of time have passed but on first play the band sound energised and with a great production ‘Forces Of Evil’ sounds like time stood still and the years away have been good to the trio. The release sees almost to the day the band’s first 4 track EP World Of Light (released in Nov 1984) bookended nicely.
The four tracks on the EP have been written by the band and show a more developed approach to the lyrical content which embraces some of the bands more common themes about how we navigate our daily lives alongside some more provocative themes such as mental health and the contradiction between religious belief vs religious intolerance and the way in which this are used as one of the reasons for the persecution of others. Only coming out on Vinyl sees the band return to how it all began and opening song ‘Dancing Senseless’ there is an urgency and power to the riff that carries the song. Some might say classic Balaam sound that embraces their darker roots.
I guess my only complaint is it’s only a four-track EP and after such a lengthy gap and being greedy I’d have loved to have heard maybe ten tracks on an album but I guess that can wait.
The title track begins with some sci-fi glitches before the drums kick in with a thumping bassline signalling goths everywhere to get out the Petulia oil and start making those shapes whilst the dry ice wafts through the speakers and a really epic journey begins. Only the final track ‘After Life’ offers something more moody and darker with the synth pulse making way for the piano to chime in. To be fair its classic Balaam folks and that’s a good thing. It’s been a while but its a most welcome return and four really good songs that add to the band’s catalogue and hopefully open a new chapter that will bring in more songs and more live shows. Its good to have you back gents this will more than do for starters.
On this episode of the podcast, Chris & Dom say adios to former Maiden vocalist and Battlezone singer Paul Dianno and as a mark of respect we kick off the show wearing spandex and Gola hightops with studded wristbands and matching belts on top of our lee cooper denim battle vests, ‘Feel The Rock’ is the hymn of choice but only because it features members of the mighty Tokyo Blade so Rock in Peace Mr Dianno rest easy sir. Obviously we couldn’t play a maiden song that would seem weird even for us and I couldn’t find my cassette tape of the self titled Dianno album to play one of his pomp synth rock n roll tunes so Battlezone it is.
We then get the show rockin with a heap of new bands and tunes from the Discarded who bring us to ‘Testify’ before we rock it up with Ronnie Simmons & The Redback Spiders who dish up ‘Little Miss Understood’ featuring none other than Ritchie Ramone and Johnny Martin who play on the track and Johnny plays on the album thats due to be released pretty soon.
Before the debut EP is released the band head out on a tour of Australia in November.
We then play a track off the brand new album courtesy of Rowdy whose album is released on Drunken Sailor Records and one we highly recommend with their brand of bad boy boogie mixed with some sleazy punk n roll Rowdy released a really impressive debut album. The track we played is ‘Love To Lose’.
Described as Masked UK proto punk Garage Oddballs, Thee Headshrinkers is a band we simply couldn’t ignore so its with great pleasure we give this trio some love and drop their fantastic single ‘Sunday Driver’ for your listening pleasure.
The second airing of a track off the Mar*x album ‘Green Ginger Jive’ this one is ‘Louder’ and more 70s influenced Glam Rock for your listening pleasure.
Snarling Dogs is a new band from the US of A and armed with a devastating album this is ‘Highway Of Hurt’ from the self-titled debut. Another new band and new release courtesy of those great people at Drunken Sailor Records.
We head back in time then for a track off Pure Rubbish EP ‘Tejas Waste’ and the track ‘Maximum Boy’ quickly followed by Smash Fashion and the track Marionette from the ‘Big Cat Love’ album. Keep your eyes and ears peeled because we have an interview coming up to coincide with the release of Crymwav‘s new material. A couple of months ago I got to chat with Roger Deering about his life in music and more it’ll be spread over a couple of episodes because Rogers’ life has been something that we shouldn’t edit down as he tells it like it is and we coincide with some awesome music he’s been part of so keep your eyes and ears peeled for that.
Monet are a band from South Wales who have just completed their second album recording and are about to get busy. This no-barriers bunch of nutters mix up the likes of Mr Bungle and post punk with hard rock for some mind-blowing music and they have a new single out entitled ‘Violentist’ that will fuck with you ahead of the album release.
The Silverlites are a new band featuring REMs Peter Buck alongside Rich Robinson from Black Crowes as well as Barrett Martin from Screaming Trees and Joseph Arthur on vocals. The album is out digitally on November 15th whilst the CD is out in the new year and will feature a bonus six tracks.
Delving into the mists of time to bring you The Veins and a track from their ‘Hollywoodland’ album with th rocker ‘Walk Away’. Turn up your speakers because the excellent Headhunters are o next with the A side of their recent single ‘Hour x Hour’ which I’m sure you’ll agree is an absolute banger and hopefully the start of something.
Does anyone remember a side project from Texas Terri Bomb called The Vampire Junkies? Well, they did one CD EP and we air ‘Denmark Street’ which is a cracking punk n roll number and I only wish there was more music from Texas Terri Bomb who in my humble opinion never made a bad record and managed to turn in some memorable live shows as well. Would love to get her on for a chat at some point.
Another Drunken Sailor record is by a band called Loosey and the track is the excellent ‘Hardly See Me’. Hold on we haven’t played a cover! oh yeah, how about ‘Doctor Doctor’ by Killer Hearts off the Action Rock Jukebox. Killer cover of a killer song. Don’t believe us – check it out.
Anyone with an eye on new releases can’t help to notice that Amyl & The Sniffers have a new record and the latest single off ‘Cartoon Darkness’ is the potty-mouthed ‘Jerkin’ and if you have five minutes you might like to check out the accompanying video. We’ll say no more but Hotshot have clicked like and favourites these neerdowells from Down Under.
The penultimate song is the brand new offering from Crymwav and ‘Contagious’ by name and nature get an earful of this from Roger and his band and look out for that podcast special coming in November.
Finally, this week’s show is closed out by the magnificent Wyldlife and their new single ‘Fast Dreams’. That us done and dusted for another episode and we hope you like and subscribe to our little corner of the Rock n Roll universe so until the next episode – keep it RPM Online – Its a Revolution!
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