The Bronx – ‘VI’ (Cooking Vinyl Limited)

The Bronx – ‘VI’ (Cooking Vinyl Limited)

Let’s cut to the chase here.  Has anyone or does anyone know of any sane human being who doesn’t like The Bronx and who can name a bad record they’ve released?  No, I didn’t think so either.

 

No point in asking if anyone has seen a below-par live show because that did not happen ever, or you’re just lying to impress people but that would be stoopid.

It’s been a long time coming and trying to forget it was still months away they kept dropping videos and hints here and there.  I asked one of my learned friends when was the release day and low and behold it was imminent and the wait was over ‘VI’ dropped and consuming it in manageable chunks began.  I could do a concise review by just saying it’s out and you should already own it and it’s everything and more but that wouldn’t be fair.  Some people forget things, and we’re all getting a bit older so it might have slid under the radar, Besides I’ve had a few sleeps to digest the record so here are my thoughts.

First up it’s been eighteen years since they first burst eardrums all over this planet and it’s been something of an upward trajectory since then with a little ebb and flow to be fair but nothing below par and a live phenomena.  We all have our favourite songs and albums (mine was 4 in case you’re wondering)  It’ll take a while for a ‘Heart Attack America’ to emerge from the wall of noise that’s bombarding my senses currently from Matt and the boys but never lose hope that the dizzy heights can be achieved on every record.

 

They might not look cool (like they give a fuck) they might not be the hippest dudes on the scene (like they give a fuck) they might not be on point with the latest trends (like they give a fuck) but what they clearly do give a fuck about is writing and recording the best eleven songs they can possibly muster. Making sure that the listener is tuned in properly then 100% of their time, energy and love is poured into every last damn groove and you will be left exhausted emotionally or physically and if you are not then you probably don’t deserve The Bronx in your life.  I pity you.

 

‘White Shadow’ opens the ‘VI’ in true Bronx style and is a bit of a free hit something of a loosener,  like slugging a few quick shots before heading out.  The sonic blanket of sound is both comforting and warm but don’t become a complacent listener because, the band are about to take a swerve here and there and sure, you’ll end up in the final destination – a satisfied customer – and all in this messed up world will feel fine, sweet and dandy.

 

Strap yourself in because ‘Superbloom’ is thunderous. Matt has some serious pipes, we all know that right?  just listen to those guitars and the thunder of that rhythm section – it is a thing of beauty and they’ve captured it on wax perfectly. Don’t go running with this in your wireless earbuds it’ll be dangerous kids and that solo is seriously out there.  Heavier than an anvil being pounded by a ten pound hammer.  Hit with subtlety (at times) and energy aplenty but it’s more than that.

 

‘Watering The Well’ is driving and those guitars are sharp as hell and the rhythm is a beast making the song sound epic and sprawling even managing some classic rock dueling guitars for good measure.  Nailing the feeling of a reset in society The Bronx are on fire and the record feels like it’s only just begun.  ‘Curb Feelers’ thunders along with a twisting and turning vibe from the melody to the heavy riff to the gang vocals – it’s epic!

 

‘Peace Pipes’ should be a chart topper with epic and lush gang vocals throughout the verses before the bass comes through like a smooth throwback to the 60s – it’s a belter and great choice for a single. It’s uplifting and a feeling of joy and happiness is pumping from the speakers.

 

The Mexicana shimmering of ‘Mexican Summer’ is groovy baby. It’s an expansive sound that has a real feeling of depth as it ebbs and flows. It’s unfair to say the Bronx doesn’t add any new frills because they do – it might be subtle shifts but the Bronx sands move but stay the same and that’s a beautiful thing to be able to do six albums deep into a several decade long career.  Not easy and not something many bands can achieve.  It’s not easy to mix Hard Rock with Punk Rock and make it seem effortless but The Bronx can and do.

 

Damn, ‘New Lows’ is a new high as it powers on and on like a boot to the temple but wait, because ‘Breaking News’ is hardcore as fuck and a real rush of blood.  Anyone who says the band aren’t as good as the early records isn’t listening because this is everything the early albums were and more. The Bronx have lost none of their punch and energy and have even added to it.

Finally ending with ‘Participation Trophy’ on one massive groove the Bronx nail it.  Long live the Bronx because they clearly still Rock like Fuck!

Buy Here 

Author: Dom Daley

Amyl & The Sniffers – ‘Comfort To Me’ (Rough Trade Records / ATO Records)

Amyl & The Sniffers – ‘Comfort To Me’ (Rough Trade Records / ATO Records)

Late in 2020, Amyl and The Sniffers went into the studio with producer Dan Luscombe to record their sophomore album, ‘Comfort To Me’ and so entered Covid 19, much like the story that is being written all over the globe. Some bands began to put their feet up and ride it out and some bands knuckled down taking the opportunity to start writing some new tunes for a new album and seeing the pandemic as just something they have to deal with, an obstacle of how to record remotely or outside of the box.

Amyl &The Sniffers are no different to everybody else in that respect, maybe, some would say with a more primitive, feral sound perhaps they had a jump start on many others but it’s taken 18 months to get this record to the shops.

Not just being an Aussie band the Sniffers have been all over the globe since 2019 touring their debut and have expanded the gene pool they’re fishing in and it shows on this new album.  ‘Comfort To Me’ is still the same beast but with more clothes on figuratively speaking of course.  Written over a long year of lockdown, the album has more Hard Rockin’ influences to the fore, old-school rock’n’roll (AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Motörhead and Wendy O Williams are there for all to hear but it’s more than that the Cosmic Psychos loom large in their influence), There is also the powerful throb of hardcore like the compelling ‘Choices’ but their tip of the hat to fellow Oz underdogs the Cosmic Psychos on ‘Security’  Lyrically,  it is captivating and Amy does have plenty of energy in her vocals.

 

Sure singing about fighting, lust, booze, chaos and a whole lot more besides she’s looking for love for gawds sake on ‘Security’ and the filthy bass throb on ‘Knifey’ shows a departure with a measured sleazy slog talking about social issues as the menacing tempo slowly grinds through the gears adding a new edge to the bands arsenal and I like it.

 

The opener is inspirational as they are ‘Guided By Angels’ but it leads into ‘Freaks To The Front’ and from the thuggish Bass riff we’re taken around the back and given a good seeing to and throwing the C Bomb isn’t something you often get to hear even on an anti-social punk rock record but here it seems wholly appropriate as the band grab you by the face and shake the listener around for a bit. What a stonking introduction to ‘Comfort To Me’.

 

‘Comfort To Me’ is unapologetic and leading the way in feral punk rock n roll where they don’t seemingly give a flying fuck if you like them or now because they’re playing the songs they’d love to hear in some late-night bar and anyone who’s seen them live can testify that hearing some of these songs like ‘Maggot’ with its melody and Captain Sensible style solo is excellent and full of hidden gems showing themselves if you invest the time to play this record the respect it thoroughly deserves – the rewards are plentiful and as far as writing and recording a little better each and every time you enter a studio then Amyl & The Sniffers are winning.  This is a notch up from the debut and the variety is here and when the band are rocking out in full flight its a thing of real beauty, ‘Capital’ is a beast of a track, and ‘Don’t Need A Cunt (Like You To Love Me)’ is a tip of the hat to Lemmy and Venom at their raucous best if they were punk as fuck. Regardless of the controversial title, it’s a blast and guaranteed to leave one’s ears ringing.

 

Before the record signs off Amyl gives ‘Laughing’ a good seeing to and puts down her line in the sand and be warned not to cross it.  RPM isn’t laughing at Her we’re laughing with her and tunes like this make us love her band a little more on each play.  Which only Leaves the thuggish ‘Snakes’ to sign off with a winning combination of power and attitude. Now snakes terrify me but maybe if I had the attitude of Amyl & The Sniffers then I’d be out stroking the fuckers but until then I’ll just familiarise myself with this serpent and slither off to play it again and probably again and when I’m done I’ll play it some more.  What a top record this is. If you haven’t already jumped on board then please take my advice and give it a whirl it’s a fuckin’ Banger! Stick with it it’s a record that keeps on giving and who doesn’t like a record like that?

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Fields of the Nephilim/Faces of Sarah  (Buckley Tivoli 10/09/2021)

Fields of the Nephilim/Faces of Sarah  (Buckley Tivoli 10/09/2021)

 

To say I was looking forward to live music coming back would have been an understatement!!  After being starved for the last 18 months as the world reeled under the pandemic it was great to get back to whatever the new normal looks like, at this point lateral flow tests pre and post gig alongside sanitizing hand gels and respecting peoples personal space.

 

Arriving at the venue (a new one on me)  you can’t help but feel a bit of trepidation especially as the crowd swells out to sell out proportions, but in fairness what was noticeable was that everybody gave space to each other. First up was the Liverpool based band Faces of Sarah, and I had to immediately double take was that RPM’s own Gaz Tidey on vocals? (It wasn’t I think that’ll come with the Sister Morphine re-union shows.)

Moving on from musing, they in fact played a cracking set, straddling the genres between Rock/Goth and indie with a blinding vocal performance from Nick Schultz, the band have been around for a while originally forming in London Way back in 1999, before moving up North to their current base, and the stage craft and presence showed that experience, definitely a band worth checking out, delve backwards into Bandcamp there are some really interesting pieces of work there.

 

The Nephilim, I first caught live way back in the day around Dawn razor time and they really stood out from the Big three they were place within (The Sisters of Mercy and the Mission were the other two). I always gave them a more raw edge, an almost Motorhead like feel at times, as the band intro tape begins and atmosphere starts to build, you can feel the palpable excitement of the crowd, as the music fades out dry ice swirls and we’re into Harmonica Man and the first thing that stands out for me is how well  Carl McCoy’s voice has held up, especially if you compare it to the state of Eldrich’s .

Hats in place? Check, Dry ice swirling? Check, what a welcome back to live music and the gig just built driving into Preacher Man, and we start to get the crowd interaction we’ve all been waiting for, people are hoisted on to shoulders, arms are raised and it becomes the full live experience, the sense of trepidation, about contact with others leaving the room.  For me the gig took off with a blinding couplet of Dawn Razor and Moonchild but truth be told the drive from the band didn’t ease throughout the set and by the time closer Mourning Sun swirled out  just over an hour in, you couldn’t help but smile LIVE MUSIC IS BACK!!! Say it loud.

After the encore kicks in with a sublime version of  Last Exit for the Lost it really did feel that after the losses we’ve all experienced in the last 18 months, there is a pathway out of the chaos, the stage lights are back on, enjoy the ride.

Author: Nev Brooks

Mystery Girls – ‘Mystery Girls’ (No Front Teeth (UK) / Boulevard Trash Records (USA) )

Mystery Girls – ‘Mystery Girls’ (No Front Teeth (UK) / Boulevard Trash Records (USA) )

Albany New York please step forward and bring those Mystery Girls with you please. I always love getting the NFT newsletter because I always know there’s gonna be a couple of new rekids that I need to discover and spin the black circles repeatedly and low and behold this trashy retro Rock and Roll record pressed all my buttons for the 70s glam punk n roll.

 

‘A Little At  A Time’ got things off to a summery trashy start and instantly I’m looking for my cut-off denim and turning the collars up to get down with these cool cats.  What you get for your bucks is plenty of bang in a 60s meets seventies sloppy trashy rock n roll way.   Channeling the thunders solos and neat backbeat sitting upfront in the mix.

 

With an emphasis on strong melodies and heartbreak lyrics about girls, good times, and all teen trash staples. ‘Lipstick Traces’ being a timely example of all that and more.  Almost drunk slur vocals subtle gang vocals holding the lead up and some awesome trashy guitar breaks whilst the rhythm stays in control with plenty of ride – it’s the perfect summer slam heartbreak tune.  Follow that up with a tight ripper that’s all slicked-back hair and leather jackets with a solid switchblade riff and gang vocals. then it abruptly ends because that’s that – done and dusted no point in overstaying ones welcome.

 

I love the hooks that bands like the Mystery Girls just get – it’s not by design or trying hard I imagine this is all they know and it’s like falling off a log for these cats.  A steady diet of Disconnected and L.A.M.F and some sweet records thrown in with Lizzy and the runaways for good measure. In isolation songs like the Dolls heavy ‘Chandelier’ are real dance floor party bangers but as an album the flow is excellent just shifting gears gently here and there probably just enough for the band to refresh their bubblegum and smoke a lucky strike no filter and back at it.

 

There’s a dreamy quality to songs like ‘Head On A Stake’ just like The Cry did but more Blondie with additional textures with the organ in the mix.  Further heading down that 60s pop mix is ‘I Like Kissing’ well hello! who doesn’t and I’m sure being in the Mystery Girls is not something you have to worry about, maybe walk around town with the album under your arm and see what happens, I’m sure you’ll be fighting off admirers with a big stick.

 

Sure a lot of the riffs are recycled and the ideas are timeless but they work and this record is boss.  All snotty and kicking ass just like it should.  To take this sucker home the band rips through a particularly snotty ‘Six Bends’ before signing off with the wonderful ‘Sit And Cry’ sounding like they’ve struck a deal with old nick to get the Ramones to write them one of those ‘End Of The CEntury like pop tunes and just channelled it ending this record on a particularly high note.

Top album I highly recommend it.  Now, where do I get one of those flick knife combs to go in my back pocket?

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Author: Dom Daley

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

Killer Hearts song “Get Some” live at Sugar Hill Studios for the Spaghetty Town Records Circus Show. Featuring Lola Lust.

Bitch Queens ‘Burn It Down’ before the new album is released.

Finally dialing it down with Jim Lindburg and his new single ‘The Palm Of Your Hand’

Singles Club – September

Singles Club – September

Hard-Ons – ‘Lite As A Feather’ (Cheersquad Records)  From the album ‘I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken’ HArd-Ons 2021 are right on the money and killing it with this new single and if this an indication of the album then bring it on.  Tim Rogers joining the Hard-Ons wasn’t mind-boggling enough – plenty of fans of both parties thought it was a prank when initially announced – the group’s new video, for the rousing “Lite As A Feather”, will no doubt cause more confusion. Featuring footage of the four band members playing along to the song in isolation but mixing up their roles.  The albums out October 8th write it in your diary.  Pre order the album Here

 

 

Frvits – ‘Stupid Era’ (Slovenly Recordings)  Hardcore punk rockers kicking the shit out of some poor defenseless instruments with the treble turned up and the twang on the bass set to pierce your head. An important part of your diet is punk rock music and this 7″ will nourish and give sustenance that’s a given.

This “Stupid Era” platter is a relentless attack, fronted by Shit Vicious on a radioactive vox, and featuring Wind of Change (associate of PRIORS & DUCHESS SAYS), Krispy Karl, Alexander Ortiz, and Blag Dahlia/Jesus (DWARVES) with a vocal appearance on the penultimate track “Abortion Hoops.” This one is awesome, fun, and as abstract as a frvit salad served in a urinal haha perfect I hear you say or heave.

Buy Here

 

The Dirty Denims – ‘Rock and Roll All Night’ (Screaming Crow Records) What’s not to like? It’s a decent effort and most people like a summery Kiss cover and this ticks all the boxes.

 

Bitch Queens – ‘Burn It Down’ (Lux Noise Records) Call it Deathpunk call it Action Rock call it what you like we’ll just call it Quality.  This one is a Banger no question about it.  They’ve never let us down before and by the sounds of it they are still raging and writing excellent pissed-off loud punk n roll.  That my friends is unquestionable and a fact.   It is the third single off the upcoming album “Custom Dystopia” which will be released on November 5th. so mark that in your diary!

 

Killer Hearts – ‘Savage Heathen’ (Spaghetty Town Records (USA) / Dragstrip Riot Records (Europe) )  Looking every inch the Rock and Roll superstars that the world is crying out for Killer Hearts have got the chops to back up the leather and are hellbound with all the devils best riffs.  ‘Savage Heathens’ is a perfect introduction for anyone looking for their next bunch of pin-ups to go on their wall like their Ziggy and Iggy pics alongside Stiv and Alice.  Loud, fast, unruly and fuckin dynamite.  Just wait until you hear the whole album it’s a guaranteed no-brainer and must-own record.  Buy It!

 

ACID BLOOD – ‘Tombstone World’ (janml-records)  Trying to break the world record with the number of videos taken from one single album Acid Blood take this one to the altar and knock out a performance for the banger that is ‘Tombstone World’.  Now they’re out of isolation maybe they can get on with that follow up album. Top tune though

Dead Dirty Dinosaurs – ‘Catalyst’ (Riot Records) Brisbane icons in the making are back with a new tune with A love of 90’s alt rock, punk, post punk and post rock it’s engaging and full on – check it out.

 

The Chords UK’s  ‘ Hey Kids! Come The Revolution’ (EPOP Records)  A three-track CD from the forthcoming album ‘ Big City Dreams’ is a cool slice of punk rock with hints of the mighty Clash.  Chris Pope isn’t interested in remaining frozen in time and his aim has always been to push forward to develop a new identity, a new sound and new songs with a contemporary harder edge. ‘Big City Dreams’ does exactly that. And then some and this single is proof that he’s achieved his goal.

 

DANGEREENS – ‘Thieves’  (Golden Robot Records)  We raved about Dangereens during lockdown and their most excellent debut album.  After signing to Golden Robot Records theve picked the excellent rocker ‘Thieves’ to get the band back out there.  Harking back to a time in the 70s when Rock and Roll really mattered and hitting the pop charts was a big deal.  This is the kind of track that deserves to be seen and heard.  Check it out.

 

Seven Days and Doesn’t Die – ‘No Restitution’ – The unmistakable pipes of Kit Swing on lead vocals as her band thump through this unrelenting rocker ‘No Restitution’.  This thumping rocker is lifted from the bands debut album due in November and one you should consider highlighting in your diary for your ears attention. Pre Order it here

MEMBRANES – ‘Borders Blurred’ The track that should have been on the band’s comeback album from 2019 but just couldn’t finish it. After a radical re-haul it now feels fresh and new and reflects these times where cultural borders are truly blurred, whilst also being a song about dislocation and being an astronaut floating in space looking back at the end of times of the planet Earth..  It’s contemporary and pretty bloody good – more please Mr Robb and co.

 
Membranes have just re-issued a double-LP vinyl set of “What Nature Gives, Nature Takes Away”, available from their Bandcamp store https://membranes.bandcamp.com 
Riskee & The Ridicule – Too Young To Be Old’ (Bomber Music) Excellent take on the  Lana Del Rey tune and two others besides.  The band released the songs individually throughout 2020 and have got Bomber Music to package them together as the band take the tunes out on the rad now that things are openng up.  Hit them up for the dates you wont be disappointed.  BUY/PLAY THE EP HERE: WATCH THE VIDEOS HERE: 

 

Chuck Norris Experiment – ‘This Will Leave A Mark’ (Transubstans Records / Ghost Highway Recordings)

Chuck Norris Experiment – ‘This Will Leave A Mark’ (Transubstans Records / Ghost Highway Recordings)

Swedens Chuck Norris Experiment are back in circulation and armed with an album that’s busying the moves of a band that have been in hibernation for far too long and have a tonne of pent-up aggression that they need to expel or else.

 

Kicking off with ‘Dirtshot’ it seems at least they have been able to vent in a positive manner. Beginning with electric guitars being Rinsed of every ounce of Distortion possible the cowbell rings out as Chuck enters the fray and the Rock begins.  With a driving solid rhythm, CNE have found the sweet spot of Action Rock and going to detonate as they see fit.

 

It’s a confident opener that gets faster and is played harder on ‘Landslide’.  The handicaps are like an exclamation mark as the band stretch their legs and riff and roll with the

 

best of em. As ‘Landslide’ collides with the rapid ‘Kill The Night’ that struts its stuff right out of the speakers and into your ear like the best earworms.

 

There’s a change of pace as the menacing ‘In For The Kill’ builds slowly into a wall of guitars with some subtle Stooges piano tinkling for good measure.

 

One of the band’s finest tunes is punched out as ‘Turning Me Inside Out’ is slammed out of the speakers with real fire inside and attitude aplenty.

 

With twelve offerings to the Hard Rocking mofo Community, there is plenty of grunt on show as this hotrod opens up on ‘Benefit Of Doubt’ and of course, ‘Hand Grenade’ goes off. In a time when people are pulled up for over masculine gestures, there is still plenty of sweat and testosterone flowing through this album and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

 

The title track is the beneficiary of some cool backing vocals and arrangements from the floor tom thumping to the grunt on that bass.  Great tune and a real highlight. ‘Spin It Right’ kicks off like the Dictators on ‘Who Will Save Rock and Roll’ and on the evidence of this album it would seem that Chuck Norris Experiment will be in the front leading the charge. Rock or step aside and these guys are indeed kissing the viper without a care for their safety.

 

There’s time yet for some slow grinding blues at the ‘Devils Lake’ but wait that’s a cock Rock rolling riff on ‘Bad Blood’.  It seems that there is no stone unturned on ‘This Will Leave A Mark’ and the band leave the building with a post-apocalyptic ‘New Day Rising’ with its gentle chord roll out and softly sung vocals.

 

CNE has once again nailed this Hard Rockin lark and made it look easy but be careful kids these gents are professionals and have been at this game for a long time and that experience shows this will indeed leave a mark as it exits your head.

 

As the world emerges from the past nightmare 18 months it’s great to hear some things can carry on if not get better and stronger and that can be said of this album and these players.

Buy Here

Authir: Dom Daley

Jim Lindberg (of Pennywise) – Solo Project – “The Palm of Your Hand” Video

Jim Lindberg (of Pennywise) – Solo Project – “The Palm of Your Hand” Video

Most known for his role as songwriter and lead singer of punk rock band Pennywise, Jim Lindberg has been making inspiring, thought-provoking music since the 1990’s. Musically, he is influenced by an array of genres from punk and folk music to old school country and americana. Lyrically, Jim takes inspiration anywhere from transcendental philosophers to real life events; seeking always to tell a story or find the answers to life’s big questions. Today, Lindberg shares the first glimpse of his solo project with the track “The Palm of Your Hand” produced by Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem, Lucero, Flogging Molly). The track features David Hidalgo Jr. (Social Distortion) on drums, Joe Gittleman (The Mighty, Mighty BossTones, Avoid One Thing) on bass, and Marc Orrell (The Dropkick Murphy’s, The Walker Roaders) on guitar. Check it out here and the new lyric video HERE:

 

Lindberg began writing “The Palm of Your Hand” over fifteen years ago, coming up with the chorus at the time but the song remained predominately unfinished until 2020 when he entered the studio to work on his forthcoming solo record. “I wanted to create two fictional characters who are struggling with shame, guilt and self-delusion to match the chorus lyric and so that’s how ‘Left-Handed Sal’ and ‘Walleyed Sally’ were created,” notes Lindberg. “It’s a song about two people who for one reason or another can’t seem to get out of their own way and end up inflicting all kinds of damage on the people around them. The only way they’ll get out from under all their problems is to ‘Let that ego drop’ and let their feelings show. The answer is right there in front of them, in ‘the palm of your hand’”

 

 

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN – FIRST FOUR ALBUMS AVAILABLE ON VINYL | 22 OCTOBER

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN – FIRST FOUR ALBUMS AVAILABLE ON VINYL | 22 OCTOBER

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN are re-releasing their first four albums on vinyl on 22 October. Each of them will be available on 180g black vinyl from all music retailers, as well as limited edition coloured vinyl exclusively from Dig! – CROCODILES (Yellow) HEAVEN UP HERE (Blue) PORCUPINE (White) and OCEAN RAIN (Transparent Blue). Pre-order link: https://lnk.to/EchoandtheBunnymen_Vinyl

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN were formed in Liverpool in 1978 with Ian McCulloch on vocals and rhythm guitar, Will Sergeant on lead guitar and Les Pattinson on bass. They were soon joined by Pete De Freitas on drums and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

The band’s first release was the 7” single Pictures on My Wall with the B-side Read It in Books on Zoo Records in 1979. Pictures on My Wall would appear on their classic debut album Crocodiles in 1980. Released amidst the growing wave of post-punk, Crocodiles cemented the band’s reputation as one of the best around with the NME describing it as “probably the best album this year by a British band”. The album ultimately broke into the Top 20, finishing in many critics greatest ever debut album lists.

 

The Bunnymen followed the album with the release of the Shine So Hard EP in 1981, recorded live at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton, before releasing their second studio album Heaven Up Here in the same year. It became the band’s first UK Top 10 album, winning the 1981 NME Best Album award in the process. Considered to be a slightly darker album, Heaven Up Here was produced by Hugh Jones and was well received by critics and fans alike, featuring tracks such as A Promise, Over the Wall and Show of Strength.

The band’s cult status was soon transformed into mainstream success in 1983 with the release of their third album Porcupine, produced by Ian Broudie. Porcupine provided their best chart performances, with The Cutter reaching #8 in the singles charts and Porcupine finishing #2 in the album charts before being certified Gold.

 

1984 brought the fourth studio album Ocean Rain, regarded by many as the band’s classic opus. Recorded in Liverpool and Paris, the band used a 35-piece orchestra with award winning composer Adam Peters scoring the strings. The iconic, atmospheric cover artwork was taken in the stunning Carnglaze Caverns in Cornwall by photographer Brian Griffin, who also shot their three previous album covers. Ocean Rain continued the band’s use of strings, creating a dark, ethereal aura. Three classic singles were released from the album – Silver, Seven Seas and the massive anthem The Killing Moon, which reached #9 in the UK singles chart and continues to transcend generations to this day.

 

ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN will tour the UK and Ireland in the Spring of 2022, celebrating 40 years of magical songs. Tickets available here: https://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/echo-and-the-bunnymen

FEBRUARY 2022
 
Tue 01 Sheffield City Hall
Wed 02 Leeds O2 Academy
Fri 04 Bournemouth O2 Academy
Sat 05 Cardiff St David’s Hall
Mon 07 London Roundhouse
Wed 09 Dublin Olympia Theatre
Fri 11 Norwich UEA
Sat 12 Gateshead Sage
Mon 14 Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Wed 16 Manchester Albert Hall
Thu 17 Nottingham Rock City
Sat 19 Cambridge Corn Exchange
Sun 20 Bristol O2 Academy
Tue 22 London O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Wed 23 Northampton Derngate
Fri 25 Manchester Albert Hall
Sat 26 Birmingham O2 Academy
Mon 28 Glasgow Barrowland
MARCH 2022
 
Tue 01 Glasgow Barrowland
APRIL 2022
 
Wed 16 Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion

The Dead Beats – ‘Die Screaming, Marianne!’ (Bandcamp)

The Dead Beats – ‘Die Screaming, Marianne!’ (Bandcamp)

Zombie Elvis takes a fast ride with the Shangri Las while listening to a Ramones, Cramps mixtape and drinking Motorhead Beer. Sure I’ll go with that who wouldn’t? featuring former/members of Goldblade, Anti Nowhere League, Jayne County, The Business, Poison Hearts, The Confused, Motorvators its a no-brainer for RPM to be all over this bad boy.

The familiar pipes of Johny Skullknuckles – plough through the speakers as he leads this merry bunch of punk rockers through their paces with a Ramones meets the Misfits intro on the title track and there’s no letup either as ‘Flatliner’ smashes on through on some Motorhead tip with the soul intent of smashing your skull in through the medium of punk n roll and before the zombie’s attack and eat your brain this lot are putting it through a mixer then mincing it with their devilishly good tunes.  I’m already singing with the gang on the big chorus.

The pace goes from foot to the floor to the creepy crawly muted rock n roll of ‘Sweet Toothed Sickness’ and what a fine example of smooth laid back rock a billy this is. Love the reverb swampyness of the lick with that wah solo echoing around the graveyard it cool as kids.

 

Wait, what? ‘Necro Nina’ is galloping like a slice of Maiden oh shit I spilt my cocktail for a minute but Johny’s vocals pulled me back.  There’s a spooktacular intro on ‘Drag Me To Hell’ and we’re off as we creep and crawl to the depths of hell as the Rev handles vox here and kicks the shit out of the tune all the way to its undignified ending.

 

The next few tracks tick over nicely from the Cramps inspired swamp lick of ‘The Devil Rides Out’ and you have to love the B movie intros that set the tone for what’s about to spew forth from ones speaker ‘Buried Alive My Baby’ has that Fuzztones swirling organ heading into a bit of punky psyche territory.

 

‘Of Flies And Men’ is right in the horror rock-a-billy bag and it’s carried off really well and the louder you play it the better it sounds.  The horror punk tunes smash and grab you as they climb out of the speakers racing towards the finale which is rather splendid.  ‘It’s Alive!’ has some tasty stand-up bass slap shuffling along with the drums for one of the album’s high lights, it’s a great way to close off a really impressive album.  Regardless of what’s on offer musically, you’re supporting some great charitable causes so whilst playing the soundtrack as you open up a portal to Beelzebub know that the funds are being put to good use and you never know you might only stay for the barbeque before being let back on earth to walk for a bit longer doing good things.  Bargain.  Get it and love it and remember it’s the little things in life that count and the good tunes to soundtrack it. Spooktacular!

 

IMPORTANT:
Shipping/collection has already started this week in September 2021.  Please specify when ordering shipping or collection from Rockers England, Manchester.


All shipping prices are for tracked and signed for shipping.

This is a collectible pack for charity therefore the shirt will be a random one from stock and we are not able to specify the design or size, but, we will do our best to accommodate ladies or gents option (subject to availability)

All proceeds to Furry Tails Cat Sanctuary and Overgate Cancer Hospice.

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Author: Dom Daley