Swingin Utters – Peace And Love (Fat Wreck Chords)

Swingin Utters – Peace And Love (Fat Wreck Chords)

Dom Daley.

These Bay area punks have been doing this now for over twenty-five years and show no sign of letting up as they release their new album for Fat Wreck Chords they’ve toured relentlessly and consistently made records on their own terms and done so with class and a style that has delighted thousands of fans around this globe and on this evidence shows no sign of slowing down.

‘Undertaker, Undertake’ begins with a huge fat bass line that isn’t so much rumbling but thundering through the speakers at a fierce pace with a great hook its a hell of an opening salvo – the Swingin’ Utters are coming out swinging haymakers and this sounds fantastic!

The Thunder might have passed momentarily but ‘Sirens’ is a smooth rolling melodic song that breaks out for the chorus and is like a rainbow pouring out of the speakers filling all available space with its happy go lucky sounds. ‘Louise And Her Spider’ is only the third song in and its another string on the bow and an altogether piece to the opening two tracks. As the rhythm stutters behind the hypnotic riff. With a new drummer and bass player seemingly working some magic in these tracks, a new dawn for The band is given a real shot in the arm and a vibrancy that is noticeable.

I love ‘Constant Companion’ and then to follow it up with the laid-back opening of ’Deranged’ before that rhythm section takes ownership of another belter. Jonny Bonnel stated that this would be a political affair and when sexism, racism, and fascism were on the agenda it was time to speak up and boy do they speak up. All power to the Utters I say.

‘Human Potential’ is the first single off the album and a fair indicator for fans as to how this record generally pans out. It’s a touch of class and has all the hallmarks you’d want in a new record by the band. ‘Yes, I Hope He Dies’ is as to the point as punk rock has ever been and another reason to pick up a copy of this new record. It’s no surprise that this is full of surprises and contains plenty of great songs ‘Imitation Of Silence’ sounds vital and that rhythm section is fuckin’ thunderous as it pummels through the final throws of this great twisting and turning song.

To throw a final curveball ‘H.L.S’ is acoustic guitar and voice of Jack Dalrymple as he pays tribute to Heiko Schrepel who he played with him in One Man Army who sadly passed away in 2015 and its a fitting and warm tribute even when the band joins him to take this record home. Swingin’ Utters hit the spot with ‘Peace And Love’ and deliver one of the years finest punk rock records right up there with The Adolescents proving that class will always stay and when you’ve got it man you’ve fuckin’ got it. Still killing it in 2018 pace and love indeed.

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Handsome Jack – Out Today. ‘Baby Be Cool’ taken from New Album available on Alive

Handsome Jack – Out Today. ‘Baby Be Cool’ taken from New Album available on Alive

Hailing from Lockport NY, Handsome Jack plays a powerful and emotional fusion of boogie soul rock n roll that has earned the admiration of fellow rock travelers such as Chris Robinson (CRB, Black Crowes), Zachary Gabbard (Buffalo Killers), and Ben McLeod of All Them Witches, who produced their new record.

On “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” the trio digs deeper into its soulful influences, brilliantly bringing back to life the classic sounds of Chicago, Memphis and Muscle Shoals, all rolled into one timeless record of American rock music for a new generation.

Handsome Jack is Jamison Passuite (guitar/vocals), Joey Verdonselli (bass/vocals), and Bennie Hayes (drums/vocals).

Buy Vinyl Here.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES
Oct 20 Buffalo Ironworks Buffalo, NY
Oct 26 Bug Jar Rochester, NY
Oct 30 Northside Tavern Cincinnati, OH

DATES W/ ALL THEM WITCHES:
Oct 31 Saturn Birmingham, AL
Nov 1 One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, LA
Nov 2 White Oak Music Hall: Upstairs Houston, TX
Nov 3 Antone’s Austin, TX
Nov 4 Club Dada Dallas, TX
Nov 7 The Rebel Lounge Phoenix, AZ
Nov 8 Beauty Bar Las Vegas, NV
Nov 9 Echoplex Los Angeles, CA
Nov 10 The Casbah San Diego, CA
Nov 13 The Independent San Francisco, CA
Nov 15 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR
Nov 16 Freakout Festival Seattle, WA
Nov 17 Rickshaw Theatre Vancouver, Canada
Nov 19 Neurolux. Boise, ID
Nov 20 The State Room Salt Lake City, UT
Nov 21 Bluebird Theater Denver, CO
Nov 23 The Riot Room Kansas City, MO
Nov 24 Blueberry Hill Duck Room St. Louis, MO

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The Peawees ‘Moving Target’ (Wild Honey and Rum Bar Records)

The Peawees ‘Moving Target’ (Wild Honey and Rum Bar Records)

Gerald Stansbury

 

What if you took some great garage rock and added some sprinkles of the Hellacopters to the mix? You get a really tasty album by The Peawees from Italy. A band that has been going strong for over two decades now. The band does not spend time trying to push boundaries or take huge musical risks. They focus their time on crafting songs that would be as at home in the 60’s as they are now. This is a fun, addictive album that you can listen to in less than 30 minutes, which gives a good excuse to just play it all over again.

‘Walking Through My Hell’ crashes in all at once with the vocal of Herve’ Peroncini making an immediate impact as he sings with an edge created with years of experience but also a lot of melody. This song is direct and wastes no time in its two and half minutes and sets the stage perfectly for what is coming for the remaining 9 songs. Put this thing on your local jukebox and watch the people start moving to the beat. Tommy Gonzalez (drums) and Fabio Clemente (bass) ring in ‘A Reason Why’ on nice MOD beat with Carlo Landini (guitar) and Peroncini (also guitar) providing crunch to the beat and a fun guitar solo that you could almost be lifted from early Hanoi Rocks in tone and approach. The chorus leaves a hook in the brain. ‘Stranger’ is super catchy and features some awesome rocking piano that takes the song to a whole other level. The band keep the party going with some Hellacopters style adrenaline on the fast tempo ‘Christine.’ The bass and drums on the chorus sound awesome as do the Chuck Berry inspired guitar riffs.

Reaching the end of side one, ‘Justify’ offers an easy going rhythm and blues soulful type ballad that is extremely catchy. It ends the first half of the album in fine style. Current blues rockers Vintage Trouble would really appreciate this one. Peroncini shows another great side to his voice within the context of the album. Flipping the album over MP3 style, the band rips into ‘Leave This Place’ with some punk energy and razor hooks. The groove by Gonzalez and Clemente is awesome. ‘Phil Spector’ offers some classic rock n roll with a sticky like fly paper chorus featuring some terrific ‘yeah, yeah, yeahs.’ If this was the soundtrack of his hell as he describes it, hell is sounding really good.

‘The Matter’ offers some great vocal work to build the sneaky good hook as well as great guitar riffs by Landini and Peroncini. This has become possibly my favorite song on the album with repeated listens. ‘As Long As You Can Sleep’ offers a huge chorus that has kept drawing me back to this one. The Peawees do an awesome job of inserting musical breaks in their songs to provide diversity and really maximize the effects of the beats and riffs. I also really like the cool use of repetition in the vocals at the end of the song. Bringing the album to a close ‘Til My Mojo Works’ introduces some nice harmonica work and is a solid song for my tastes, but it does not reach the level of the others. I might have swapped it with ‘As Long As You Can Sleep’ as I think it would have offered a stronger closer to the album.

The Peawees sound great here and have done things the old school way with ten songs mostly under three minutes in length. The CD age tended to find bands trying to fill all 80 minutes with music while the transition to this digital world where albums do not have any restrictions in terms of length has really found bands returning to the past and falling in line with what works best on vinyl.  I have no doubt that this album would sound even better blasting on my turntable with the way it is made. This is a really fun rock n roll album that is best enjoyed at a loud volume. Highly recommended.

‘Moving Target’ is available now.

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Miles Hunt continues ‘The Custodian’ tour this week

Miles Hunt continues ‘The Custodian’ tour this week
Shows are selling fast so remember to book in advance, all ticket links are over at www.thewonderstuff.co.uk

 

“I was in New York a few years back and was invited to guest at a Tom Robinson solo show. Tom has long been an inspiration to me and given the opportunity to perform with him… well, lets just say I couldn’t polish my boots quick enough. During our brief rehearsal together on the afternoon of the show Tom asked me who I felt now owned the songs that I have written over all these years. I answered that whoever the publishing company I signed with probably did, but ultimately, I did. Tom was quick to correct me pointing out that all of my songs now belonged to my audience. Going on to explain that the songs I have written have been part of the sound track to thousands of people’s live and it is those people that now truly own them. He said that my position was now of The Custodian, the person who’s job it is to see that the songs are treated and performed with the respect the audiences deserve. It was an incredibly important thing to have said to me and something I have not and will not ever forget.”

Bad Touch head off round the UK

Bad Touch head off round the UK

 

 

Bad Touch will play a UK Headline Tour in support of their new album ‘Shake A Leg’ tonight its Glasgows turn to get down with the beardy rockers. The 5-piece rock band from Norfolk recently released their third studio album via Marshall Records. The album went to #23 in the Independent Album Charts.

Get a taste of the band’s live energy and watch the official music video for ‘Lift Your Head Up’ 

Their third studio album, ‘Shake A Leg’ was recorded in Bad Touch’s home county of Norfolk at Orange Tree Studios. Engineered, produced and mixed by Andy Hodgson, the new album follows their critically acclaimed 2016 release ‘Truth Be Told’ which featured the rock radio hit ‘99%’. The new album was mastered at Abbey Road Studios. ‘Shake A Leg’ takes a more personal and ambitious approach in both song-writing and production due to the bands choice to write more spontaneously within the studio itself resulting in more emotional ‘in-the-moment’ performances. ‘Shake A Leg’ features 13 hand-picked songs that originate from a collective of all the members influences which they proudly wear on their sleeve.

“We wanted to the album to embody songs that not only sounded fresh and exciting, but also communicated lyrics that meant something to us on a personal level that our fans could identify with,” says guitarist Rob Glendinning.

Known by fans and critics alike for having a reputation as a busy and hard-working band, Bad Touch continue to tour far and wide and are looking forward to playing tracks from the new album when they tour the UK in October and November.

 

Bad Touch’s new album click here –

BAD TOUCH – ‘SHAKE A LEG’ OCTOBER 2018 UK TOUR 
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS AARON BUCHANAN & THE CULT CLASSICS AND DAXX & ROXANNE

TICKETS: www.planetrocktickets.co.uk

Voivod – Bio-Cancer, The Globe Cardiff (3rd October 2018)

Voivod – Bio-Cancer, The Globe Cardiff (3rd October 2018)

 

Johnny Hayward.

For any new band starting out and looking for a role model on which to base their fledgeling career, they won’t go far wrong by looking at Canadian extra-terrestrial metallers Voivod. Now into their 35th year together, and having just released their 14th studio album, the rather splendid ‘The Wake’, the band appear to be at yet another creative high on their rollercoaster ride of a back catalogue, and judging by the very respectable midweek turn out in The Globe tonight I’m not the only one thinking this way.

 

Greek thrashers Bio-Cancer are certainly one of those bands who could learn a thing or two from their European touring counterparts, largely because playing traditional thrash over which singer Lefteris Hatziandreou delivers screaming death metal vocals is not exactly an easy first listen. So, for the first few songs I honestly think this all might be something of an elaborate in-joke, and if my memory banks serve me correctly isn’t that exactly how tonight’s headliners were also described in their very early days? This small point aside certainly doesn’t detract from the fact that the five-piece immediately win over the crowd who absolutely lap up the tight as hell and in your face brand of ear-piercing thrash that these young lads from Athens take great pleasure in blitzing us with. It’s, unfortunately, all pretty one-dimensional stuff for the uninitiated however by the time the guys reach set closer ‘Spread The Cancer’ even I’m nodding along in appreciation.

 

Tonight, is actually my first time of seeing Voivod indoors, it’s also the first time the progressive thrash giants have ever played in Cardiff (Bristol being the nearest they’ve ever gotten to crossing the River Severn previously), and as would be expected for such a momentous occasion stage front of The Globe is totally buzzing with anticipation as the band’s atmospheric intro tape kicks in.  Taking to the stage with the explosive punk metal of ‘Post Society’ from the 2016 EP of the same name the band are immediately firing on all cylinders and the sound is loud enough to totally piss the venue’s neighbours off once and for all. Led by perma-grinning singer Denis (Snake) Bélanger the enthusiasm with which the guys deliver their material simply acts as a means of drawing you into their headspace, then once you’re on board, whoosh you’re off on a musical trip that celebrates a huge chunk of the three and a half decades the guys (in various guises) have been producing some of the most direct yet challenging music ever to be released under the banner of Heavy Metal.

Across the next ninety minutes, we are treated to a set chock full of classics from the band’s back catalogue along with three of the very best tracks (‘Obsolete Beings’, IConspiracy and ‘Always Moving’) from the recently released ‘The Wake’ album. Admittedly it’s the earlier ground-breaking thrash thunder of tracks like ‘Ravenous Medicine’ and ‘Technocratic Manipulators’ that really get the audience chomping at the bit. It’s when the band delve into the more genre-busting aural nuggets like ‘Into My Hypercube’ from 1989’s ‘Nothingface’, ‘The Prow’ from be hugely underrated ‘Angel Rat’ album, plus ‘The Lost Machine’ from ‘The Outer Limits’ that I start to wonder why Voivod have never really achieved the same crossover success that a band like Mastodon has, and if you do have the answer to that one, please make sure to mail it to the usual RPM address, because I’d love to know why.

 

 

With drummer Michel (Away) Langevin being the only constant member of the band since their formation in 1982 it’s certainly worth highlighting that he is also one of the most technically proficient drummers I’ve seen performing in this genre in recent times. At the festivals I’ve seen that band at previously that wasn’t always so obvious but, in a venue, where you are literally standing eyeball to eyeball with the musicians he is nothing short of astonishing, especially on jackhammer fast blasts like ‘Order Of The Blackguards’.  Let’s also not forget the newer guys Daniel ‘Chewy’ Mongrain on guitar and Dominique ‘Rocky’ Laroche on bass who more than hold their own, in particular, Chewy who has been in the band since 2008 and is the almost perfect replacement for the seemingly irreplaceable Denis (Piggy) D’Amour.

With the band also dedicating their signature tune ‘Voivod’ to their lost brother before leaving us, albeit very briefly, ahead of the thoroughly deserved encore of ‘Overreaction’ which sends every one of us home buzzing with excitement and my ears ringing like when I was a teenager. On leaving the venue it was also heartening to see the whole band almost immediately hanging out around the merch table happily chatting away signing shirts and records for fans without the need for the whole VIP bollocks that is being exploited elsewhere in the business right now.  Thirty-five years in the business and these guys are still more punk rock than some punk rock bands are in 2018.

 

Unique, influential and above all absolutely fucking essential in an age of beige. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Voivod.

Buy Voi Vod Here

Ginger Wildheart To Release G*A*S*S MARK II on November 16, 2018

Ginger Wildheart To Release G*A*S*S MARK II on November 16, 2018

Ginger Wildheart – solo artist and frontman of rockers The Wildhearts – has re-launched his own record label – the label he formed back in 1994.

And to celebrate, Ginger is releasing ‘G*A*S*S* MK II’ on double gatefold sleeve vinyl, Compact Disc and Direct Download.

The album features 13 songs recorded as part of Ginger’s 2014 year-long ‘G*A*S*S* project, which saw the prolific songwriter record and release three songs every month direct to fans who subscribed to the project (subscribers also received additional demos, artwork and stories written by Ginger).

After the year was up, Ginger released ‘Year Of The Fanclub’ a CD and vinyl which featured a collection of songs from the project.

‘G*A*S*S* Mk 2’ is the second coming.

Ginger Wildheart – GASS MK II

Says Ginger:

“‘Year Of The Fanclub’ represented some of the popular highlights but omitted some of my very favourite compositions. ‘G*A*S*S* Mk 2’ represents what I consider to be the best of ‘G*A*S*S*, those little gems where planets aligned, musicians excelled and words seem to hit targets.”

The 13-track album is only available direct from Ginger’s website and will be released on CD and double gatefold vinyl.  All the tracks have been remastered especially for the compilation by Dave Draper (Ginger Wildheart, Terrorvision, Ryan Hamilton) and the artwork has been realised by Rich Jones (Michael Monroe, The Black Halos, The Loyalties).

The album features hand written liner notes by Ginger too.

In addition to ‘G*A*S*S* Mk 2’, Round Records will also be shortly reissuing The Wildhearts’ 2007 self-titled album, as well as a brand new solo album from Ginger.

Pre-order for the ‘G*A*S*S* Mk 2’, album are here:

Round Records Here

THE COATHANGERS UK & European Tour Starts Tomorrow In Leeds

THE COATHANGERS UK & European Tour Starts Tomorrow In Leeds

The CoathangersAtlanta punks The Coathangers bring their live show to the UK and Europe, starting off in Leeds Tomorrow.

To celebrate, the band’s singer/guitarist Julia Kugel recorded a raw acoustic video of new material to share with their European fans. “Step Back” is taken from a new album currently in the works.

Back in June, the band released a live album, originally entitled ‘LIVE’. Giving listeners a taste of what to expect on the forthcoming tour.

The Coathangers European tour dates:

18th Oct – Hyde Park Book Club, LEEDS (UK)
19th Oct – Moth Club, LONDON (UK)
20th Oct – Actress & Bishop, BIRMINGHAM (UK)
21st Oct – Sticky Mikes, BRIGHTON (UK)
24th Oct – DB’s, UTRECHT (NL)
25th Oct – Stengade, COPENHAGEN (DK)
26th Oct – Oceanen, GOTHENBURG (SE)
27th Oct – Bar Brooklyn, STOCKHOLM (SE)
28th Oct – Plan B, MALMO (SE)
31st Oct – Urban Spree, BERLIN (DE)
1st Nov – Nochwache, HAMBURG (DE)
2nd Nov – Conne Island, LEIPZIG (DE)
4th Nov – Arena, VIENNA (AT)
5th Nov – Kranhalle, MUNICH (DE)
6th Nov – Club Stereo, NURNBERG (DE)
7th Nov – Alte Hackerei, KARLSRUHE (DE)
9th Nov – Eden, CHARLEROI (BE)
10th Nov – Sonic City Festival, KORTRIJK (BE)
12th Nov – Supersonic, PARIS (FR)
13th Nov – Le Chabada, ANGERS (FR)
15th Nov – Gastropote Market, SAN SEBASTIAN (ES)
16th Nov – Wurlitzer Ballroom, MADRID (ES)
17th Nov – Sabotage, LISBON (PT)

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Tommy & The Commies -Here Come… (Slovenly Records)

Tommy & The Commies -Here Come… (Slovenly Records)

Dom Daley.

Hooligan Pop is a new one on me but I’ll take it when it sounds this raucous and bursting with energy. Of course, they hail from Canada most of the best purveyors of this style come from that part of the globe. If you’re wondering what the cut of their jib well, imagine some small dash of The Jam poured over a large slug of Buzzcocks then stir in a healthy amount of pop suss like say oh the small faces. And you’re on your way guv. Its sharp and to the point and has a tonne of melody in its eight songs.

‘Devices’ kicks things off with a cool raw riff and a backbeat this is like a majestic blend of Wilco Johnsons raw Tele wrestling with Wellers Rickenbacker but it’s all wrapped up in a bit of bovver like early Sparrer with the pop of the Undertones. Regardless it’s a great way to kick things off that’s for sure. Worry not pop pickers because ‘Straight Jacket’ is up next and like Houdini, it breaks free of its shackles easily and strikes a pose with a rollicking melody and we’re under no pretense as to what we’re listening to – this is indeed hooligan pop.

‘Permanent Fixture’ is busy making noises like prime time ‘Cocks and has a Shelly like melody but the magic really takes a grip on the great lick that falls from the guitar neck on ‘Hurtin’ Boys’ which is something special. you have those band stabs around that hypnotic lick and gang vocal chant of the title and you’re ready for a Saturday night down the footy like the 70’s never ever happened.

To be fair the standard is set early on and the fact that Tommy and the boys can maintain that til the end is a wonderful thing and they’ve nailed the production and style of this album. ‘So Happy’ is an apt title because I’m feeling perky from playing this at ear-splitting volumes as the outro riff shakes the floorboards I’m only stopped in my tracks that there is only one more punk rockin’ hack and slash as ‘Reggie Rocks’ takes this album home. With no soft focus or stylized edges smoothed over by big production Tommy has gone for edge and relying on the tunes to chicken dance this bad boy onto your turntable and take up residence.

‘Here come’ might well be a throwback with little finesse but it contains a bunch of well-crafted stompers that are packed with tunes and an attitude that it’ll dance to its own tune and won’t have its head turned by anybody because Tommy knows he rocks and I can tell you that now – we also know Tommy & his commies kick ass!

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Hell Nation Army – ‘Anthems for the Misanthropic’ (Heavy Medication Records)

Hell Nation Army – ‘Anthems for the Misanthropic’ (Heavy Medication Records)

Gerald Stansbury.

Hell Nation Army might be new to me, but they have been delivering their punk n roll since 2010. Based in Berlin, I have definitely been missing out over the years based on this new EP. On paper, I think an EP is often thought of as the safe alternative to an album. There are fewer songs so less of a chance that someone will perceive a song as filler. At the same time, a band needs to really deliver the goods on each song on the EP or we kind of write them off as incapable of writing a full album so there might actually be some extra pressure in that regard. Much like the Criminal Kids did earlier this year and Electric Frankenstein did back in the 90’s, Hell Nation Army delivers six songs that leave me wanting more and eager to explore their discography.

‘Gazoline’ gets us started but really any of the six songs here would have been a strong opener. Within the first 30 seconds, the guitar riff establishes itself, and the rhythm section amps up the adrenalin for a full-throttle assault. The call and response vocals on the chorus are mixed extremely well. Chris the Bliss may not have the most diverse voice or vocal talent, but he has character and an identity in his voice that makes for the perfect fit here. ‘Hell Sweet Home’ is based on an awesome guitar riff and a chorus that mandates audience participation. Special notice really must be given to both Beef and Simmi Sixx for their guitar work on this song as the riffs carry it for me.

Sounding like a locomotive roaring down the tracks, ‘Feed the Machine’ shows how to do shouty vocals right with some great early Nashville Pussy type guitar lines providing an additional hook underneath the chorus. If your foot and body are not moving, check your pulse STAT as the chorus is hammered into our brains. ‘Blackout’ features big drums from Ivil and a classic rock n roll riff turned up to 11 and played at maximum speed. The simple chorus works extremely well here, and the guitar solo is immense.

Hell Nation Army never really dial the tempo back at all, but the songs all have their own identities. ‘I Wanna Be Dead’ features some well-done backing vocals that add meat to the chorus. My favorite part of the song though is how the great bridge leads into the guitar solo. ‘Demon Girl’ is rhythm heavy with a chunky groove featuring some great work by Ivil and Kapt’n (bass). Based on the lyrics, I have concluded that Chris losing his soul has apparently turned out very well for all of us because we get these great songs out of the deal. In my notes on this song, I keep scribbling a bit of Motorhead in the mix.

Punk n roll seems to be a genre enjoying a rebirth, which is great for me as I have always loved the energy and approach of this style with the hooks and classic riffs designed for catchy short songs. Hell Nation Army has created an EP that can be played over and over again with more subtle elements rising out of the songs thanks to the great mix on the record. When Electric Frankenstein was releasing 10” vinyl EPs, I would play them until I was afraid the grooves were wearing off the album. It is probably a good thing that can’t happen digitally. Now, let’s crank up the volume and rattle the foundation by playing all six songs again.

‘Anthems for the Misanthropic’ is released October 13th

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