It’s been a long time coming but finally, the wait is over. ‘Bronx Cheer’ is finally here and the wait has been well worth it. Having had the first insight into the new music from Conte way back when he toured with Michael Monroe in 2017 and had copies of his single in tow it has been a weird wait for this album what with a global lockdown and as we creep back out into daylight it seems that every musician and his dog has been creative and creating new music to get to our ears and through all the chaos we’ve had delays and whatnot but as soon as news crept out as to who was playing on this record anticipation began to grow.

Reeling in Charlie Drayton (Keith Richard Expensive wino) on the drums was a super cool catch as Drayton sure knows how to swing and where to raise the temperature and where to ease back. Steve also has his brother John on the bass and some cool hangs with Clem Burke (Blondie), Andy Rourke (The Smiths), and Jesse Malin for good measure.

Kicking off proceedings with the loose and effervescent ‘The Human Animal’ once the lid is removed the song fizzes along with a happy-go-lucky rhythm and something of a restrained vocal easing the listener in gently. The record kicks off as soon as ‘Liar Like You’ cranks up the ante. Racing off like the bastard child of The Ramones and Replacements with nicely placed backing vocals helping Conte as he comes out swinging.

We hit one of the singles we’ve previously heard in the shape of Rock and Roller ‘Recovery Doll’ one where the spirit of Keith Richards is evident with some great playing, built around a great deal of swing from the band from top to bottom this is a classy number around a traditional theme. Cool stuff. Staying with a retro vibe ‘Wildwood Moon’ has some great lyrics and of course, great playing that is captivating and a real sunshine song.

We ran the ‘Flyin’ video a few weeks ago and commented on Conte’s vocals and how it was his best performance and as the album unfolds I stand by my initial reaction sure its got some ‘Exile On Mainstreet’ and Faces style to it The delivery is fantastic. It reminds me of Rod Stewarts’ performance of ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ the production values are outstanding with every instrument having its own space to breathe and create what is a wonderful song.

Some musicians have the rare gift of being able to lift ones emotional state with a three-minute pop song and Conte manages that every time I hear ‘Dog Days Of Summer’. It seems such a simple task pick up a guitar throw some chords together get a few equally talented musicians to get together and start jamming then voila! you have a tune. I’m sure it’s not quite as simple as that but that’s how easy these cats make it sound on songs like this. Like a ray of sunshine, I love it.

The flow of this record seems better than previous solo albums maybe its due to the time gifted to sit and let a record mature due to the pandemic there are plenty of flavours on offer and just cutting loose on tracks like ‘Overnight Smash’ next to the slower more reflective ‘Flyin’ is perfect.

‘Those Sexy Lies’ is a song Aerosmith should still be writing but don’t. Then fast forward to the slow-burning ‘Guilty’ which is a real highlight, from the guitar tone to the subtle swirl of the organ or is it the backing vocals that are timeless. Maybe its the lead vocal and response from the girls is majestic as the song builds up to be taken back down is a beautiful thing and as soulful as you could legally get on a record in 2021 Conte must have done a deal with old nick down at those crossroads because this is absolutely class.

Before calling time on ‘Bronx Cheer’ there’s the noo yawk cool of ‘My Degeneration’ before taking us all the way back to where this record began with the single ‘Gimme Gimme Rockaway’ and its youthful party time anthem.

I’m sure the instant gratification of listening to this record over the first few plays is wonderful but as it gets more plays the subtle melodies and guitar breaks jump out that weren’t there on first impression, this stands it in good stead for the longevity of the record and I love that. Its timeless rock and roll baby and easily one of the best records I’ve heard all year right up at the top of the list alongside his fellow bandmate Sami Yaffa – man these cats are some of the most talented musicians around and what a pleasure it is to be able to review their records. Don’t let this one pass you by it’s a freakin belter from start to finish.

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Author: Dom Daley

Richard Davies & the Dissidents – ‘Echo Road’ (Bucketful Of Brains)  Excellent grower from a really impressive album ‘Echo Road’ builds via a really earthy swirling keyboard and great barroom vocals the song is excellent for dusty road trips but the real gem here is the B Side and the bands take of the classic Lords tune penned by Tony James and Tory Crimes and whilst I have the Lords on a pedestal this is a pretty impressive take on a classic song and well worth checking out.  To be fair whilst you’re at it go the full hog and bag yourself the album ‘Human Traffic’. Great band great songs.

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ReMission International – ‘TOS2020′ (SPV Records) Wayne Hussey and friends release classic Mission ‘Tower Of Strength’ anthem with Proceeds to charities personally chosen by each contributor. There’s nothing not to like about a classic song being reinvented for a bunch of great causes and it features a glittering line up with people like Andy Rourke, Billy Duffy, Budgie, Evi Vine, Gary Numan, James Alexander Graham, Jay Aston, Julianne Regan, Kevin Haskins, Kirk Brandon, Lol Tolhurst, Martin Gore, Michael Aston, Michael Ciravolo, Midge Ure, Miles Hunt, Rachel Goswell, Richard Fortus, Robin Finck, Steve Clarke, Tim Palmer, Trentemøller.

With pre-orders already reaching over 40K its a truly outstanding contribution. Spread the word, share, tweet, post it everywhere to tell others about it. Shout it from the rooftops and tell your friends, tell everyone. The digital bundle contains 5 awesome tracks for just £2.99, it all helps those that need it most and the proceeds will be divided and distributed equally among all the beneficiaries. It’s an awesome song always has been and always will be and now its been put to great use.  Keep up with ReMission International  Website | Mission Facebook | Mission Twitter | Mission Instagram |

Fast Eddy – ‘Game Of Love’ (Spaghetty Town Records) A couple of things struck me about this here single.  One, Ted at Spaghetty Town sure does know quality Rock and Roll. Two, Fast Eddy sure do play quality Rock and Roll. The title track is a strut and swagger down the blvd. It’s as confident and cocksure as anything you’ll hear all year these cats know they have a swag bag full of top tunes and from the great vocals to the big singalong piano-driven middle eight it’s fuckin’ huge sounding and I mean grande canyon huge sounding.  The flip side is another great tune but a little something different.  It’s hard to pigeon hole these guys it’s catchy and radio-friendly but there’s an edge and a tension in a sort of Afghan Whigs way.  The B Side gets it for me but by a whisker.  Check em out Fast Eddy will make a dent – trust me.  Facebook / Instagram

Poison Boys – ‘Mean Queen’ (Hobo Wolfman Records)  Don’t be sneaking out no new 7″ singles without consulting the RPM Singles Club with the news cmon boys that’s just not fair especially when it’s one of our favourite bands from the good ole US of A. From the opening engine roar this is a sleazy slice of punk rock n roll. Its got the Stooges fueling the engine and that guitar break sounds like they’re in the room with me it’s so alive.  Awesome tune (not that I would ever doubt it) and it’s backed by a cover of the Jerry Nolan ‘Take A Chance With Me’ so what’s not to like?  Cool cats that just ooze quality and a single you should most definitely have in your collection and hopefully a sign that an LP is on the way!

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“Mean Queen” is a celebration of bad ass women, queens, and sex workers everywhere. Make a donation to www.swop-chicago.org to support current and former sex workers, who have been hit extra hard since the start of the covid-19 pandemic.

DEAD DIRTY DINOSAURS – ‘Revenge’ (Riot Records) A restrained, slow burner with a raw, loud, and abrasive guitar riff with a chilled vocal its a smolderer that burrows into your ear.  This Brisbane three-piece might be onto something other than having a great band name they can knock together a pretty good noise between them.  I guess the only thing now is I want to hear more. So, if you’d be so kind send over a few other tunes or the album would be nice. But as far as introductions go this is impressive. Facebook / Twitter / Instagram 

 

 

 

 

The Richmond Sluts – ‘Walkin’ Tall’ (Rock Box Records) Always a good day when The Sluts strut into your life with a new earworm. What a cocksure slab of Rock and Roll this is.  It has swagger and that early ’70s Stones strut that a lot of bands attempt but fall short of but not The Richmond Sluts.  They nail this from the solo on the geetah to the reverb-heavy vocal that sounds like too many late nights and cigarettes n whisky.  A real tonic in these tough times. Three and a half minutes of pure unadulterated Rock and Roll good times.  All hail the Richmond Sluts.

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Ben Wood & The Bad Ideas – ‘Black’ (Back2Forward Records) With a rapid steady beat this is a little belter.  A right ray of sunshine.  I was expecting something altogether different but this uptempo ditty came banging out of the speakers and I like it, I like it a lot.

Just when you’re waiting for something along comes a bolt out of the blue and whilst its nothing original its quality.

 

 

Wanted Noise – ‘Go Get’ (self release) San Diego what’s up?  Surf/skate punks have a brand new single for your consumption.  It’s upbeat and in keeping with the whole sound you’d expect from a bunch of young guns into skating and surfing.   Bandcamp

 

Heap – ‘EP’ (Rave On Records)  Who needs Westerberg and The Replacements? OH OK, so that’s a lie but in the absence of such an iconic Rock and Roll band the void is ably filled by the likes of Beach Slang and for a brief period Gaslight Anthem well you can throw Heap into that mix.  Coming across like a latterday Westerberg with all the right roots rock and roll moves and refrains Heap have penned three really strong tunes on this here EP. Its dive bar rock and roll from the heart its got dirt under those fingernails and a book of stories in their hearts -Well worth checking out.

 

 

 

The Jailbirds – ‘Dull My Brain’ (Golden Robot Records) This three-piece mix up some cock rock gang vocals with some big bluesy 80s influenced Hard rock chops.  Guns n Roses or more specifically Slash sound like they were a big influence.

A really confident new track from the Canadian trio will no doubt turn some heads in the classic rock circles.  Check em out here

Smarts – ‘Small World’ (Anti fade)  Australia has consistently been churning out some of the best music for quite some time now and we’re constantly turning up bands on our radar that are impressing us with their releases and Anti Fade are constantly pushing the boundaries with a lot of the cassette releases and the ever helpful Bandcamp platform who it has to be said are championing alternative music and not just beating them as a cash cow we find ourselves with another Melbourne band Smarts and their four-track cassette ‘Small World’ which is somewhere between Devo, Tubeway army and a whole host of punk rock band we love.  Don’t hang about though because the four songs run in at just a hairs breath over four minutes from the opening ‘Smart Man’ and its robotic Numan like mood to the frantic head fuck of ‘Smart World’ to their ‘Golden Arches’ and final hurrah of Devo like ‘Don’t Slap The Hand’  Smarts are smart and you should try some. Here

 

The Wake – ‘Hammer Hall’ (Blaylox Records) Get your Goth on kids this is as dark and Goth like as you could possibly get without actually being a member of the Sisters Of Mercy jammin’ with Robert Smith on a couple of Bauhaus tunes.  ME, I love a bit of Goff and this is really well done and is a really decent track.

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