It’s A Revolution Podcast – Episode 42

It’s A Revolution Podcast – Episode 42
You might need a thicker skin but you need to give yourself some cool credit points for tuning in to the latest episode of the Podcast as Double D and Chris’Not Too Posh To Mosh’ Davie indulge you the listeners in some pretty awesome tunes from around the globe both old and new. We kick off in style with another new track off the Hip Priests swan song EP and a cracker entitled ‘Need A Thicker Skin’ we don’t let up as Conservative Military Image bing some bovver with ‘Yard Hard’. Short but oh so sweet.

How about the latest from Amyl & The Sniffers? ‘Chewing Gum’ before we head to Sweden for some good old acoustic rock n roll courtesy of Dynamic Drinking Club cut from the same cloth as Dave Kusworth and Nikki Sudden or Johnny Thunders. Its available from Beluga Records and well worth the investment.

Repeat Records are releasing some fantastic records of underground talent and they also released this split track from SMASH and we play another on the next show as well, one of my favourite labels at the moment pumping out great bands and promoting some great shows in south Wales as well.

Another great label we always look forward to hearing what they put out is Slovenly Records and this single Scared Of Chaka and the single ‘Bated Breath’. One of the best band names we’ve come across in a while has to be The Mary Tyler Whores and their new single ‘American Sex Fiend’ what a banger this is.

Jesse Malin has a triple album (Silver Patron Saint) coming out where artists perform one of his songs and we’ve already played Billie Joe Armstrong a few weeks back and this week we offer Bruce Springsteen taking on a Malin classic and knocking it out of the park. Can’t wait to get my hands on this triple album when it comes out this month. I strongly suggest you jump in as well so you don’t miss out it’s going to be special.

As more tracks are released I’m sure we can be persuaded to play more from this.

Captain Razz and Hard Ons have new singles we air from Down Under respectively before we wake you all up with the awesome Shove and their tribute to ‘King Diamond’ before Swami And The Bed Of Nails make us a little peckish with a new one from their fantastic short but sweet album. It’s been a while since we played some Glam Rock, so we offer Starcrazy and ‘What Its Worth’ without further ado.

If you were wondering what cover we have in store this week then look no further than Boundary Breakers Asian Dub Foundation featuring Iggy Pop for a romp through his classic ‘No Fun’ done in a very Asian Dub style before we sign off this week with a Wonk Unit classic from the vault as we sign off with ‘Guts’. Join us next time kids for some more drivel chatter and the most excellent bunch of tunes anywhere. Adios Amigos until next time.

Dynamic Drinking Club – ‘Piss And Cancer’ (Beluga Records)

Dynamic Drinking Club – ‘Piss And Cancer’ (Beluga Records)

Every now and again a record lands on the turntable that is a mystery wrapped up in an enigma hidden in a spellbinding ball of magic, be it good or bad it is never less intriguing and alluring and with absolutely zero social media presence no publicity nothing nada zilch – welcome ladies and gentlemen to the Dynamic Drinking Club. A mysterious bunch of vagabonds and neer-do wells who have a drink in their hand and a twisted melody drenched in Dark red wine-stained lyric sheets that conjure up the spirit of Kusworth, Thunders, Classic Dogs at their exceptional acoustic balladeering best and a fiddle some sweep of ragged desperados trying to figure out why they met how they met and how they managed to draw these tunes out of their blackest of broken hearts. Or if you like a passion project of Andy Hekkandi (Trench Dogs) and Anton Meriläinen (Dave Kusworth).

It all begins gently like a sore head the morning after as ‘Siren’ not so much struts in but staggers and stumbles in on some oh-so-sweet electric guitar pinching as we drift towards the chorus and late-night broken drum beat. It takes me back to a time when only cowboy boots and teased barnet would do but your black Levi jeans only had room for some lucky strikes and any money you have spare to buy some thunderbird wine as the honk of this smouldering intro fills the air and we sway in time for the good ole days to return. Dynamic Drinking Club have arrived and I’m reaching for the tumbler and that bottle – Cheers me dears I’m already in.

Sure ‘On A Lie’ is wearing the jacket of unchartered heights whilst sounding like prime Darrel Bath when he balladeered it’s warm and maudling but oh so wonderful. You have to wait for ‘Daggers’ to swagger in before you have anything resembling an uptempo rocker and trust me it’s worth the wait.

Flip this bad boy over and we’re onto the half-empty side and More of the same is served up. ‘Shortcomings’ is just a voice acoustic guitar and soulful fiddle strumming away. Some electric guitar twitching and licking turns up for some delta blues on ‘Awful Dutch Wine’ something that will fill the hearts of a Paul-Ronny Angel with joy and some mean distorted harp honking for good measure Man that wine must have been really awful. The penultimate song ‘Gone Again’ is a darkened electric stroll down an alley mixing up some of the darkest corners of Green On Red or early Waterboys even for good measure but the song is restrained until the chorus but doesn’t really get the pulse soaring – Laid back would be an understatement. The record ends with the steaming drunk ‘The Crooked Song’ as the band gathers around the campfire and lets the music do the talking as the ole out of toon barroom Joanna gets a good rattling. Everyone takes turns in slurring out some words and raising glasses for fallen heroes and Brothers in arms and we blast off to God knows where. Still, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this retro Rock n Roll balladeering from these mysterious shadowy figures. Still, I can say I’ve been engrossed and thoroughly enjoyed the journey – so much so I’m heading back for one more round, chin-chin drink up, and we’re off again. buy it! I’d suggest Beluga Record would be the place seeing as they released it. Good luck ya Rock n Roll pirates we’ve not had an album like this in a while and like a good bottle this one has been left to age on the shelf and in time will turn into a vintage drop of Rock n Roll.

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Author: Dom Daley

Fast Eddy – ‘To The Stars’ (Beluga Records, Spaghetty Town Records)

Fast Eddy – ‘To The Stars’ (Beluga Records, Spaghetty Town Records)

Great records come in all styles and all genres and sometimes it’s the ones you least expect that bring you the most pleasure. Fast Eddy has been on the RPM radar for a while and this latest offering is head and shoulders the best thing they’ve done thus far and right from the first few minutes you hear the class and top songwriting oozing out of your speakers. The album’s title track is a rock-solid introduction to the album that just gets better with every play. ‘Lucky Strike’ might not be the mantra we should be endorsing but this is excellent “Steal a car Rob a Bank and smoke a cigarette” is certainly old school head space but one thing I do know is it’s one hell of a tune that burrows into your ear and heads straight for the brain and those good vibe receptors.

Fast Eddy embrace the old school when bands like Aerosmith and AC/DC only put four songs on each side of the album. The album veers through the rocky road of high-energy Rock and Roll with Guitar, Bass And Drums being the MO and uses the weapons to write and play the best songs possible. From the title track through ‘Lost Child’ to the high energy ‘Spirit Commander’ that penultimately closes this mighty fine record. Fast Eddy manages to mix pop sensible tunes (‘Grey Day’) with the more full-bloodied rockers they have shades of Cheap Trick mixed with the DNA of Iggy And The Stooges and a whole lot besides it’s a real melting pot of a whole lot of influences and out of the process they have a record full of energy and excitement as well as melodies and some really stylish playing. Produced by Tuk Smith it has the shine and confidence you’d expect but the bottom line is without the songs they’d be nowhere and they could have the best production ever but thankfully they knocked this album out of the park and fill it with earworms that keep on giving throughout. ‘To The Stars’ is an excellent album, You’ll have to trust me on this. buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

The Scaners – ‘iii’ (Beluga Records)

The Scaners – ‘iii’ (Beluga Records)

Strap in and we can begin. Synth punks The Scanners rev up their engine for a blast of pure punk rock synth style. Blasting off into orbit with their sharp yet oh-so-enjoyable blasts of punk rock. It’s rapid, retro yet thoroughly futuristic from the opening energetic race off that is ‘No Return’ It is like friends are electric and whilst they might have one foot firmly planted in the Devo or Numanoid past they are doing it all on their own terms and mixing the furious punk rock/new wave with guitars very much involved there is a fuller sound with the pops and sequenced tweaks of modern technology and none more than the opening energetic blast that is ‘No Return’. This sets the tone for what’s to come.

This electro bop til you drop is rapid and contains boundless energy as the band blasts through the eleven tracks on offer you get whipped up in the maelstrom and I found myself daydreaming about what out there and would they welcome this soundtrack. ‘Brutal City’ is…Brutal I guess, it can be the only way to describe what’s going on. then the pace relents as the bass throbbing ‘Zero Gravity’ sort of mashes up the Britpop bass sound preferred by dare I say it Blur and their more Buzzcocks-inspired songs of their younger days. These gonzo synth punks kick up one hell of a shitstorm as the album careers towards oblivion as their Lo-Fi punches through your speakers tracks like ‘R.O.B.O.T.’ shift through the gears dreaming of space voyages whilst making one hell of a noise it’s a captivating ride and a lot of fun.

None of the songs overstay their welcome and are pretty much all short and very sharp. they also manage to create a variety throughout the record and it never manages to sound boring or samey and who doesn’t love those distorted Tubeway Army style vocals or that whirling synth on tracks like ‘Feel The Blade’ or the thrashing ‘Satellite Rain’ that race to its own implosion.

There are gems throughout this album and every play I think I’ve identified a new favourite song and ‘Cosmos Kid’ might just be the latest. Buried deep in the record its purposeful guitar riff is perfectly complimented by the keyboard tweaks and whirls that really mess with your head (in a good way of course).

I love that bands like Scaners exist and labels like Beluga release them I only regret more people don’t get fully invested in what’s going on. Pick up this glorious racket and spread the word The Scaners ‘iii’ is a banger, that’s a fact kids, let this into your musical orbit and strap yourself in for one hell of a punk rocket ride. Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

It’s Only A Podcast – Episode 15

It’s Only A Podcast – Episode 15

Full steam ahead they said as the good ship RPM Online Podcast sails into treasure-filled waters. This Episode is positively overflowing with new tracks as well as an exclusive Live cover from Ravagers that will never be on streaming services or CD and is limited to 100 copies of White Vinyl. Spaghetty Town Records have kindly let us play the Ravager’s cover of ‘Goin Downtown’ by the Lords Of The New Church. That’s only one of the reasons why you should check the Podcast out.

Sweden’s First Boy On The Moon Kick off this Episode with the opening track of their new album ‘Dreamer’. Hot on the heels comes a new track off the Final Cock Sparrer Album ‘Hand On Heart’ out on April 5th. ‘I Belong To You’ is classic Sparrer and an album that sees the band get better and better.

Now co-host Hotshot likes nothing more than fantasising about Sex Pistol and Radio broadcasting inspiration and role model Steve Jones so we’ve dug deep for a sparkling live rendition of his classic ‘Silly Thing’.

Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper

Hotshot wanted to change the mood by introducing a track from Garbage who penciled in a re-release of the album ‘Bleed Like Me’ with his favourite track off the album. How about Japan’s finest glam punks Angel Face with a brand new track off their Slovenly Records self-titled album. A new track from Bullets And Octane, and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard before Hotshot plays Suede with a track off their latest album ‘Autofiction’.

Ravagers are a glam punk n roll band outta The USA and they have a brand new LP released through Spaghetty Town Records as pointed out in the intro above. 100 copies pressed no streaming and no downloading. This will be a must-own record and rare as rocking horse shit. We’ve got an exclusive don’t miss it.

Desperate Measures have been playing support to Cheetah Chromes Dead Boys around the UK and currently in Europe and getting great reviews so having heard the new Desperate Measures album it’s only fair we play ‘Sublime Destruction’ the title track of their soon-to-be-released Cadiz records album. Staying with Cheetahs how about a new track off The Streetwalkin Cheetahs and a wonderful track ‘Call The Dogs’ being released on Poland’s awesome Heavy Medication Records. While we’re playing the label’s newest releases we also have one from Jonesy the potty-mouthed Canadians 10″ release on HMR but not before Californians Crymwav pop by with ‘Mars Fever’ and Mala Vista get aired with a single off their soon to be released album coming out on Spaghetty Town and Beluga Records in Europe.

Marc Valentine is set to release his second album on Wicked Cool Records in the next few months, so, no time like the present to play a track off it, and having had the privilege to hear the album I can tell you it was tough which one to play seeing as the whole record is fantastic power popping Rock n Roll. Gareth drops in one of his favourite songs from Powerkeg before a fine track from The Mysterines who we reviewed recently when they played support on the Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes tour of the UK.

If you’re still with us then stick around for a banger from The Empty Page who announced this week that they have a new album coming out on their own label if this is anything to go by it promises to be excellent and the first Empty Page track we’ll be playing. With just a couple of tracks to play Sweet Tooth blast away any fatigue with their banger ‘So Gone’ from their epic Lövely Records release ‘Split Image’. This leaves River City Rebels to wipe the floor with us as they blow the fuckin doors off the show with ‘Unless Your White’ out on Screaming Crow Records.

That boys and girls is one hell of a playlist from top to bottom we doubt you’ll hear a running order with as much quality as that. Keep it RPM Online Podcast – It’s A Revolution!

Singles Club – January 2024 we have lift off!

Singles Club – January 2024 we have lift off!

How about half a dozen (and some) bangers to get 2024 started and warm the cockles of your hearts in this cold winter.

Fast Eddy – ‘In Too Deep’ (Spaghetty Town Records/Beluga Records/Boulevard Trash Records) Produced by former Biter Tuk Smith FAST EDDY’s latest single, “In Too Deep” is a dreamy light touch melodic rocker. IT’s got a happy sing-a-long disposition and is a great appetiser for what’s to come in a few months when the album hits the shelves.

Beneath the track’s cheerful nature, lies a narrative exploring the intricacies of relationships and the struggle of acknowledging a desire for connection, and the realization of an unfit partner.  It’s got a timelessly cool vibe and a mature feel with the organ and acoustic layers. It’ll whet the appetite for that album when it drops just an allround top tune. Get on it kids.

J Mascis – ‘Right Behind You’ (Sub Pop) From the upcoming album ‘What Do We Do Now,’ out on Sub Pop Records i Feb Mascis is back with his familiar tone and dreamy American Alt post-grunge sound. It’s a cool breezy pop tune from J and just enough to get you excited for the new album with his familiar fuzzed-up solo and mellowed verses. Its always good to hear him do new music be solo or Dinosaur Jr.

Moron’s Morons – Go Pop (Big Neck Records) Slipped through the net but we’ve managed to net this bad boy. Some cool swaggering punk n roll from Poland’s prime punks get their single released through the Virginia USA label. ‘Cadillac Eyes’ is a banger all Briefs swaggering snotty punk n roll but the gem for me is ‘You’re A Sleaze’ with its uptempo rhythm led by the Boys-inspired keyboards that add the party to this buzzsaw punk swinging round the chuck berry meets the New York Dolls attitude. Always a winner for me when you stitch those influences into your music. Great single.

The Fabulous Courettes – ‘Shake’ (Damaged Goods Records) The grooviest Courettes’ tune to date! Try to listen to ‘Shake!’ without dislocating those hips! Slide into your skinny jeans and Chelsea boots and let’s kick out the jams together. Killer fuzz riff and infectious beat of the Motown variety, hints of soul and rock n roll are in there, showcasing a bit of the recipe of The Courettes’ next album due out in September 2024. Catch them all over that there Europe in 2024. Groovy baby. The B side isn’t too shabby either and it’s exclusive to this release as well ‘You Woo Me’ not arf Pop pickers!

THE COMPLICATORS -‘Blink Of An Eye!’ (Pirates Press) The track is from their upcoming self-titled debut LP which goes up for pre-order on January 12th and hits record stores worldwide on February 2nd. Some angry young men play punk rock with aggressive riffs and broken glass vocals with big drunken sing a long gang choruses. What more do you want? It’s got a tonne of energy and would get any sweaty pit moving. If the album is as strong as this then get ready 2024 it could get messy.

Deniz Tek & Jeff Dahl – ‘Love /Hate’ (Cleopatra Records) I’ve saved the best til last this month with my pick of the pops from Deniz And Jeff as they take two new tracks and sing one each and it’s tough to put a Rizzla paper between them for number one pick but together this is the single to get hold of this month. Pressed on red vinyl ‘Hate’ is swinging in on a filthy dirty sleazy riff with an express train of energy it’s a garage punk masterclass with Dahl snarling out those lyrics but don’t take it personally he’s one of the good guys. If you think you’re going to get redemption on ‘Love’ then think again sounding as cool as a summer breeze its got swing like a classic undiscovered Townsend track before opening out. An exceptional song to be fair if you don’t believe me check it out for yourself. Record of the Month by A Country Mile and the solo on ‘Love’ is a stone-cold killer. If you’d be so kind gentlemen a full-length album would go down really nicely especially if it sounds this damn good.

Chuck Norris Experiment – ‘We Go Boom!’ (Ghost Highway Records) I’m sure when you hear this you’ll agree that your heart just jumped to over double your resting heart rate. r loud and as raw as fuck. The woo hoo! are easy to sing along to even for the drunkest person in the room. Chuck Norris Experiment have captured a classic moment piledriving a slice of The Hives into their familiar uncompromising style of hard rock and on this, they’ve nailed it folks no doubt it. and had Tek and Dahl not released a single this month this would have been number one with a bullet. Taken from the forthcoming album ’20’ that will be released on GHR in April to celebrate their anniversary it also signifies the return of guitarist Chuck Daniels which might explain why the guitars are so fuckin’ huge! whats bigger and better than two guitars? Three of course. Boom!

Brigata Vendetta ‘1000 Cuts’ (Pirates Press) one of the newest Bay Area bands featuring members of Harrington Saints and Bum City Saints, have released a new single called “1000 Cuts.” The song comes from their debut LP “This is How Democracy Dies” which is available for pre-order on January 12th and hits stores on February 2nd. about incompetence and corruption of a Congress to do any sort of governing that would actually help people instead of toeing party lines. The old adage of ‘death by a thousand cuts’ is the refrain in the verse: ‘Lie, cheat and steal / Then feign ignorance / Death by a thousand cuts,” Unwavering uncompromising punk as fuck this is an absolute blast and as pissed off as you’d imagine it would. Darrel and Mike from the excellent Harrington Saints are the seal of quality you needed to have to reassure you this is essential hardcore music to check out.

The Speedways Head Stateside & Go Triple Platinum

The Speedways Head Stateside & Go Triple Platinum

THE SPEEDWAYS have announced a new compilation album ahead of their first US Tour. The 12-track album entitled ‘Triple Platinum’ features four newly rerecorded tracks from the 2018 debut ‘Just Another Regular Summer’, with four from 2020’s ‘Radio Sounds’ and finally four from their latest offering, ‘Talk Of The Town’. the album is set for release next month through Snap!! and Beluga records, ‘Triple Platinum’ and you can pre-order here.

The November US dates cover the East Coast and they’ll be accompanied by Kansas City’s THE WHIFFS.

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A-Bombs – ‘And Just Constantly Rotating’ (Beluga Records, Ghost Highway Records)

A-Bombs – ‘And Just Constantly Rotating’ (Beluga Records, Ghost Highway Records)

A long time ago there was a punk rock n roll scene exploding in Sweden and it was knocking out Rock n Roll bands ten to the dozen. Some terrific records were being made and tremours were felt near and far. The Hellacopters, ‘Demons’, Nomads, Backyard Babies and The Hives all seemed to be releasing records that were taken to the hearts of many a punk rock n roll fan around this spinning rock it also spilled over borders with the likes of Gluecifer and Turbonegro were also delivering truly awesome and memorable records.

A record that crept out on CD that was equally as good as the finest releases from this genre and a whole lot better than most. Step forward A-Bombs and the album was ‘And Constantly Rotating’. Anyone who used to pick up the Hang the DJ comp or used to order from Sonically Speaking at the dawn of this internet before things were readily available at the press of a button. Scores of records and CDs were released some instant standards for the scene and others stayed underground or less known but over time equally as influential and have stood the test of time and with hindsight have grown in stature.

Let’s get this out there right from the top, A-Bombs ‘And Constantly Rotating’ was and is an absolute stone cold banger. Originally released in ’98, I’m assured by people who lived in Sweden that A-Bombs were blowing the roof off venues with their take on punk n roll but their flame burned hard and fast and was extinguished in the blink of an eye. Their legacy is one album and a couple of singles CD eps and that’s it! but hell, if you’re going to leave behind just one album then make it a good one. and A Bombs left behind not a good one but a great one and unlike their contemporaries, it only ever hit the CD shelves… until now that is thanks to labels like these two.

As the howl of feedback builds and the backbeat is hammered out the vocals sneer into view before breaking out in one big bang and we’re off like a shot of adrenaline. A tonne of energy is unleashed and it doesn’t stop for eleven tracks. the menacing ‘Devils Own’ is more of the same a rockin ride played out over some cool wah and a cool sneering vocal.

If you’re looking for the pick of the pack or standouts then look no further than the fantastic fil scored opening of ‘Monstermind’ Just like a nuclear bomb! boom! an epic groove born in the garages and used by the likes of the Stooges and MC5 or even the Flamin Groovies its a fantastic tune and should have been the catalyst to sling these five punkers into all the right places.

‘Playing God’ has some nice n sleazy mouth organ honking on the intro as the song unferls into a beast with hints of Gallon Drunk with the amps turned up to 11! I think its great that albums as good as this get a second wind for the ever increasing vinyl market and an album I loved twenty years ago is introduced to my turntable right where it should be. Fantastic! Don’t snooze on this one kids its a bonafide Banger!

Do I mention a hidden track? Nah go buy it and go find it for yourself Essential purchase!

Buy Here (Beluga Records) Here for Ghost Highway

Author: Dom Daley

The OhNos – ‘Waving From Hades’ (Beluga Records)

The OhNos – ‘Waving From Hades’ (Beluga Records)

Malmö is the place The OhNos are the band. 2017 was when they released their first album ‘Sounds From The Basement’ after they dipped their collective toes in the murky pool of shark-infested Rock n Roll waters that we know and love. you might be forgiven for thinking (such is their confident swagger) that they’ve been at this pop-punk lark for a lot longer. Signing to Beluga Records is most definitely a seal of quality and points to the fact they don’t sign and release rubbish records so be safe in the knowledge ‘Waving From Hades’ is well worth getting your mitts on.

The album struts into life with the title track and easy to see why it was picked for a video, with its catchy hook and familiar-sounding melody. It’s catchy and will ease you into this album like a ray of early morning sunshine but be careful it might get darker. And so it turns down an altogether more punchy alley with ‘Final Call’. Rattling out of the speakers with fists windmilling and some great thrashing guitars raining down on you, it’s always a beautiful thing.

‘Trouble On Legs’ has got swagger and some fierce Backing Vocals. Once the ‘Light’ gets going it’s a swirling mass of snare drum and guitars being rinsing within an inch of their life. Narrowly avoiding chaos.

‘Message’ has shades of PJ Harvey which is never a bad place to find yourself oh and I love those BV’s. ‘Kiss The Boots’ has the tone of prime-time Steve Diggle and is easy to see why it was picked to be a single, Damn, you pick anything off this record there are so many great tunes at every turn. There is some great arrangement going on on ‘Desert Dreams’ which ebbs and flows really well.

‘Tommy Gun’ (no not a cover) has a great melody and guitar lick that gets inside your ear and burrows into your brain, complete with groovy breakdown before heading down the pop-punk route. Before they sign off they offer up ‘Stop’ with its punchy verse juddering towards the chorus. They then sign off with a big grinding ‘NGBG’ like Sonic Youth covering some T Rex. ‘NGBG’ (as far as I know) is a Swedish street festival native to Malmö. All in all an excellent album with variety, attitude, great arrangements, and an album that most certainly rocks but with an eye on the pop and being able to carry all that off with consummate ease. Check this album out!

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Author: Dom Daley

Tommy Ray – ‘Handful Of Hits’ (GAdM/Beluga Records)

Tommy Ray – ‘Handful Of Hits’ (GAdM/Beluga Records)

With his Portland based band The Cry on hiatus, singer/songwriter Tommy Ray has been busy channeling his music into various projects over the last couple of years. Following an album release from his street punk side project The Decayed, and his most excellent 2020 long player ‘First Hits Free’, Tommy wastes no time delivering his sophomore solo album ‘Handful Of Hits’ to the rock n’ roll world.

Seen as a companion album to the aforementioned ‘First Hits Free’, this new collection of songs is as honest, gritty and 4 real as you wanna get.

 

So what does our leather clad, feather-haired rock n’ roll singer offer this time around?  Well, these are simple songs from the heart, with themes that cover his ongoing mental health struggles, and the trials and tribulations of modern life, and how to lose the girl you wanna love.

‘Handful Of Hits’ is a solo album in every respect. Tommy wrote everything, played everything and self-produced this album. And what a gloriously ramshackle collection of songs we have here. Going by his “Don’t bore us, get to the chorus” mantra, Tommy references The Exploding Hearts, Ramones and The Beach Boys as influences in his songwriting, and his love of 3-minute pop songs is always evident. You see Tommy Ray has a knack for penning a melody or two and understands the fine art of a catchy chorus.

 

Opener ‘In Love Again’ is a jangly, power pop anthem straight outta ‘77. It has an instant chorus and a sense of immediacy to it. There’s a sense of euphoria that goes perfectly with the lyrical theme of falling in love feeling like the first time every time.

The honest lyricism throughout the album is to the point. Getting laid (sometimes failing) and getting fucked up (never seeming to fail at that one!). You see like Johnny Thunders before him, Tommy Ray exudes the self-destruction blues, but you can tell he is just a soppy romantic at heart.

Rebelling with teenage kicks and trying to win the girl that is out of your league are the order of the day. The likes of ‘Closer To You’ and lead single ‘No, No, No, No’ are testament to that.

Tommy channels the likes of Hanoi Rocks and the New York Dolls to perfection on the likes of ‘On My Wall’, a Johnny Thunders inspired tale of wasting days and wasted love. Again, on the punky ‘Loser’s Anthem’ and the ode to one-night stands that is ‘Beer, Wine and Whiskey’. Urgent beats, one finger piano prowess and glam rock goodness are the order of the day.

 

‘Feel The Pain’ is killer power pop fodder, make no mistake. This is the sorta thing Tommy knocked out in The Cry day after day, no problemo. Instant, catchy and euphoric, this is a radio friendly hit that should be. You will be singing along wondering how you lived without this song in your life. Likewise, ‘Always Running’ will make you realise you needed someone to mash up the glorious retro sound of The Knack and XTC into one 3-minute pop song. We end with Tommy running from the law on ‘I Didn’t Do It’, one glitter boot stomping in front of the other. He tells us he didn’t do it in his wicked vocal drawl to an accompaniment of bombastic drums and handclaps and general 70’s retro glam rock vibes all over, what’s not to like here?

 

With a DIY ethos, power pop sensibilities and a punk rock attitude, Tommy Ray delivers another fine collection of songs that will fit nicely in your record collection alongside your heroes and possibly some of his too.

If songs about chasing love and getting fucked up from a guy who looks and sounds like he’s been dragged through the hedge of life backwards in his creepers, then look no further than ‘Handful Of Hits’. Like I said, a gloriously, ramshackle collection of tunes available on vinyl from the Bandcamp link below. Go fill yer boots!

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Author: Ben Hughes