Singles Club – December singles and EPs round up

Singles Club – December singles and EPs round up

Whilst Santa is hauling his huge sack around the spinning rock he managed to call in early to RPMHQ and drop off 1988s singles and a bunch of lovely jubbly EPS to get us in the mood for some Yuletide Rock and Roll.

Dead Beats – EP (Self Release) ‘Monsters prefer Blondes’ or so I’m told. This rockabilly punk n roll EP begins with a crash bang wallop! What’s not to like on this six track EP ‘Wanted: Undead Or Alive’ is an all out rocker. Infectious sing-a-long chorus and plenty of grunt but wait the whole damn EP is full to bursting with energy. ‘I Hate Humans’ creepy crawls out of the speakers with some top vocals from Johny Kopek Millionaire doing a sterling job. It might not be the seasonal lyrics that draw you in but there is a whiff of Hanoi Rocks in the melody as the track races along.

I love all six tracks to be fair ‘Zombie Party’ is spooktacular as it kicks and screams in a whirl of horror punk that’s been missing from the musical landscape for ages. Misfit fans should be all over this rumbling, growling slice of B Movie soundtrack. The band take a walk on the darkside for the misty ‘Your Last Breath’. ‘Suburban Chainsaw Action’ signs off this most enjoyable romp through the graveyard rock of the Dead Beats. I look forward to hear what these guys dish up next time but until then this will more than do – my advice, pick up a CD Now in time for the scool disco you might attend this Christmas. Buy Here

The Hip Priests – ‘Shakin Ain’t Fakin’ (The Sign Records) The Good news is incoming thick and fast as Shit Islands finest The Hip Priests release a brand new single ahead of their full-length album ‘Roden House Blues’ released early 2023 on the Sign Records. ‘Shakin Ain’t Fakin’ will come as no surprise to fans of old. Its bombastic, Loud, blurring the lines of old school hard rock some fast and furious punk n roll and a beating heart full of napalm and Garage rock. With a thunderous duel chug this bad boy is on fire! The Hip Priests sound huge and I mean huge. The chorus is pure Hip Priests and will no doubt be a firm favourite when they return to the stage in 2023. Von Cruz is in fine form on the middle eight before the solos sound like a flame thrower. the Hip Priests are about to take it to the next level and Brothers and sisters hit that pre save button to get on board. Beautiful Noise – I’m in. Facebook Pre Save Here

Faster Pussycat – ‘Like A Ghost’/’Pirate Love’ (Golden Robot Records) Winding the clock back like its 1988 Faster Pussycat release new double-A single ‘Like A Ghost’ and ‘Pirate Love’, their first on Golden Robot Records.

‘Like a Ghost‘ is a track about growing up in the 70’s, listening to the radio and doing what kids do and the memories it brings back. It features original Pussycat Taime Downe with his instantly distinctive vocals carrying the song through its Radio friendly big chords like a slice of winter sunshine. The production on this track is second to none with blistering guitars and the band in full force. hit em up for a 7″ copy on coloured vinyl which has on the flip side a romp through the Heartbreakers classic ‘Pirate Love‘ with its sleazy raunchy chords a song that was made for Faster Pussycat. Of course faster Pussycat walk that walk and talk the talk.

Chubby & The Gang – ‘Violent Night (A Christmas Tale)'(Partisan Records) Available as a flexi disc and download this 70s tinged stomper is Christmas Bootboy style. Chubby’s vocals aren’t Santa friendly even if his lyrics are. Handclaps and a backbeat that all crimbo parties need the only thing missing is some jingle bells but that’s cool because ‘Violent Night’ is the best seasonal tune we’ve heard all year by a country mile. Oh, wait on the solo I hear sleigh bells so that’s it every box ticked. this year’s seasonal winner is Chubby and the Gang. Banger – Stream Here

Rowsie – ‘Christmas In Soho (Self Release) ‘Christmas In Soho’ is a story of love, loss and goat-head rings during the Christmas season, with the band delivering a solid rock’n’roll track to drive it all home… After a distinct lack of festive party anthems this is the first and pretty much the only one to grace the letterbox of RPM HQ be it physical or be it digital. Regardless its a quality mid paced tune and one we fully endorse.

Steve Vincent – ‘Poison Heart’ (Bombshell Records) When recording his long awaited album ‘Recovering from my past’ Steve did a few of his favourite covers and released it to fans as RE-Covered from my past, (I like it) He’s also added the Ramones classic ‘Poison Heart’. He knew releasing music under his own name had its advantages- with nobody to convince but himself he made a great choice because the likes of Stiv Bator and Tyla have also taken on this classic Ramones tune so he’s in great revered company.

Not content with covering Da Bruthers he’s delved back into the 70s for some classic B-A-Y City Rollers for a suitably trashy stab at ‘Saturday Night’ Having a ball Vincent gives it a fresh lick of paint and the trashy BV’s give it some welly. Another well trodden path for Rock and Rollers is the classic Stones late night anthem ‘Dead Flowers’ again well worn but also well delivered and the passion and love shines through on this presentation of the Mick n Keith classic. To be honest the real gems on this here EP are the two acoustic songs – Stripped bare from his solo album work really well. No effects, no guest slots, no studio trickery, just a voice and guitar laid bare works a treat. Just in time for Santa to deliver some extra time from Mr Vincent get yourself some sleazy rock n roll from Steve Vincent he walks the walk. Buy Here

The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs – ‘Know Your Product’ (Rum Bar Records) Oh Hell Yeah! If you can’t get the Saints then the next best thing is get Frank and da Boys round to take good care of the finest tunes from down under bar none. We raved about this covers album when it came out and if it keeps rolling by drip feeding the globe with videos lifted from it then we’re gonna get behind it 100%. Put simply – Banging tune covered by a banging band on a banging label – Bosh! go get some

West Coast December 2022 LIVE Dates, catch The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs doing what they do best before the year is up:

Fri Dec 9th @ Permanent Records Roadhouse in Los Angeles with The Ravagers at 8pm – Facebook Event Page

Sat Dec 10th @ The Dollhut in Anaheim, Orangewood Childrens Home benefit show with The Anti-Virals, Change Today feat Joe Wood, Tastee Nuggz, Anxious Annie, Splntr at 8pm

The Courettes – ‘Daydream’ (Damaged Goods Records) Anyone up for a cheeky multilingual pre-order? A Japanese language 7″ from this dynamic duo, it features two versions of ‘Daydream’. The A-side is sung in Japanese with the flipside in English! Set to be released at the final knockings of January 23 pre orders are up for grabs now! They’ve been heralded as the hardest working band currently anywhere on this spinning ball and with dates in the UK for April and this single coming out that claim might be well founded but their talent knows no boundaries with their multilingual skills to the max on this record. Buy Here

The Shang Hi Los ‘Takes One To Know One’ (Rum Bar Records) Taken from the forthcoming 1/20/2023 full length album release: Aces Eights & Heartbreaks. ‘Takes One To Know One’ cranks up a great mix of garage rock and highly produced polish. Walking that old Blondie line… a little punk, a little glam, a little disco, a little girl group, all Shang Hi Los. Love the outro where they just get the job done. One to wet the tastebuds for the album when it comes early 2023. Enjoy!

Dealing With Damage – ‘John’s Gone’ (Little Rocket Records) This’ll shake off any cobwebs you might have after over indulging this festive season. Lifted from the album ‘Use The Daylight’ that’ll be out at the end of January You can get in on it early doors by pre ordering from Bandcamp Here If the rest of the album is as good as this glimpse behind the curtain then bring it on ‘Johns Gone’ more fool john he’s missing out – this is a banger!

The Balladmongrels – ‘Ballad Of The Knucklemen’ (King Outlaw) Well, I didn’t see this coming. What a banger! When under lockdown the pair of Tyla J Pallas & Matty James Cassidy spoke about putting out a 7″ single with a song from either on either side – (Sounds fair) Then they decided after a few shandy’s to take it further and maybe write a whole new album of material together and the idea was born.

Anyway, what we have here is the first song to come from this project with Matty & Tyla handling the vocals ‘Ballad Of The Knucklemen’ is quite far removed from actually being a ballad in fact when you get far enough away keep going this tune rocks! an absolute banger. It’s got a swinging pair of bollocks and plenty of windmilling in the melody. Its piraty good fun with raw guitars, dark romantic lyrics, a beautiful melody and a rousing chorus to boot. Once you play it – it’ll be on repeat, and the earworm will have burrowed itself into your brain and you’ll be singing the chorus over and over. If the rest of the LP is half as good as this then 2023 has just got really exciting! Get on it! Pre Save it Here / Facebook

Sunday Morning – ‘Explain The World/Junkie Don’t Care’ ( ) Covid purchased synth, Bruce Wilson decided to learn the Art Bergmann song “Junky Don’t Care” as a musical experiment trying to weld the tune into a Nick Cave meets Suicide style song. It features Shawn Mrazek from the excellent band Flash Bastard on the wonkier alt rock of ‘Explain The World’. Its dark and brooding and rather good from the melody which is a bit goth and dark its like The Bunnymen from the 80s brought into the here and now kicking and screaming. Violinist Emily Bach brought some X factor to the darkness of the Art Bergmann track ‘Junkie Don’t Care’. It’s certainly got the I’ve got a synth and I’m gonna use it. Marc Almond meets Cave style at times he reminded me of Michael Hutchens in his softer Inxs times. sparse crooning on what is an excellent cover on an excellent single.

Stream Here

Iselder – ‘Cynefin’ (UKEM Records) Iselder is a one-man black metal band from Wales, formed in 2015 by sole member Gofid. Since then, he has gone on to write a handful of EPS, as well as three full length albums. The newest of which is titled “Cynefin”.

Cynefin is the Welsh word for habitat, but it can also be used to describe the elements of our situation
and personal history that influence our thoughts and decisions in ways we don’t understand. Shying
away from his usual message of Welsh nationalism, Gofid instead has opted to write lyrics about his
personal mental health struggles throughout the years, with the music being as ferocious and as
depressive to match the experiences he has gone through because of it. Its a heaving sludgy slice of Black Metal perfect for this season of being jolly n all that. It’s got that classic Norwegian True Black Metal production and the Sabbath sludge on the guitar along with Hell ripper the UK has certainly upped its game recently. Go Gofid we’ve got your back and who doesn’t love a bit of the Blackest Metal in their soul? Top tune.

Cynefin releases February 17th, and is available on CD and Cassette via UKEM Records. Pre Order Here

The Black Skies – ‘Come And Get Me’ (Bad Dog Records) Third single from Northerners The Black Skies sees their slick modern Rock get a very polished big production. the original duo have expanded the band to a five piece and have entered the studio to record their debut album. Its dark, brooding part Rock part Grunge or indie – its got a big global feel to it as the band gears up to take on the world as they ask if you’ll ‘Come And Get Me’ -Exciting times ahead for the Black Skies. Website

Penny Rich – ‘Last Meal’ ( Self Release) Hailing from Cardiff south Wales Penny Rich make a pretty decent racket. Loud – thoughtful – post punk – hardcore, Grunge its all in there. Call it what you like but ‘Last Meal’ is decent.

With a full meaty sound – sharp choppy guitars and a full bodied raging rhythm section this is excellent introduction to the three piece and a great introduction to what else they might have to offer. Buy Here

Beyond the Lamplight – ‘Shelter’ (Feat. Frank Turner) (Flail Records) Harmonies – Banjos – Frank Turner helping out on the vocals will see Beyond The Lamplight reach a much wider audience with their latest single ‘Shelter’.  A song about loving another who has created a guarded existence from the outside world. A story about coaxing someone out of their shell that they hide inside of. Sharing your own strength with that person in hopes to bring them out of their shelter; their shield against the anxieties and stresses of life. Trying to show them the beauty of not only the world but also the beauty in themselves.

Singles Club – Easter Eggs

Singles Club – Easter Eggs

It’s the season to be jolly… oh shit wrong season. Never mind this sitting of the singles club is choc-o-bloc with great songs for you to check out whilst you demolish your kids easter eggs so fill yer boots why doncha

Kurt Baker & Bebe Buell – ‘Blood & Roses’ (Wicked Cool Records) This is a cover of The Smithereens’ 1986 hit, ‘Blood & Roses’, which hit #14 on the US singles chart this time it’s given the Kurt Baker and Bebe Buell treatment.  This is their first musical collaboration between the pair with Buell complimenting Baker on his music. It’s fitting that this is a tribute to one of their mutual favorite bands, The Smithereens.  Baker says, “The Smithereens were an integral part of my rock n roll education growing up…without [their] music I wouldn’t be where I am today”  Both artists inject their unique musical styles into a track and the finished product is outstanding.  It’s a no-brainer for us here at RPM we love Kurt’s music and Wicked Cool doesn’t release bad records. Get on it kids – Here

The Sweet Things – ‘Brown Leather’ (Spaghetty Town Records) Wooh easy tiger the Sweet Things just turned up the heat on that sloppy exile on main st tip and flipped the Black Crowes the bird with this authentic sleazy barroom rocker ‘Brown Leather’. This is the real deal kids 100% kicking ass and taking names. from that honky tonk to the horns this is as exciting as you can get. Whilst the Quireboys implode The Sweet Things get back in the game and throw this bad boy boogie right in the ring and step to the top of the pile. Make no mistake kids this is the record of the month. The album is gonna slay.  Find more about THE SWEET THINGS online at: FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM


Bitch Queen / Scumbag Millionaire – ‘Split’ (Lux Noise Records/JanML Records / Maja von Lobeck) As you know we do love ourselves a split and when it’s containing two-band we fucking love it’s always a win/win. With limited pressings on these they’ll sell out pretty damned quick so don’t muck about kids – you snooze you lose. Bitch Queens offers up ‘2000 & Late’ and as it builds like a forest fire into a thumping, raging mosh pit happy slice of death rock. It’s uncompromising and further proof that its an outrage that Bitch Queens aren’t on the cover of the alt press magazines and headlining festivals.

Teaming up with Swedens Scumbag Millionaires is a great pairing as they bring the rage of ‘Fast Bob’ and with that seal of Scandinavia Quality its a blistering song from the six-string licks that Chuck Berry would be proud of to the tempo in the engine room holding this rager together – it’s a single you need to hear. Now off you fuck and order it before they’re gone! Buy here:

ELECTRIC BOYS – ‘Into The Midnight Sun’ (Mighty Music)  ELECTRIC BOYS  decided to release a couple of new tracks. These are songs that the Swedish band recorded during the ‘Ups!de Down’ sessions. A classic, psychedelic Bloom-riff over a hard shuffle beat, not usually associated with the band. Martin (Thomander) and Andy (Christell) are singing lead in the verses. In 2018 the return to studio albums finally happened and since lockdown, the band has managed to record ‘Ups!de Down ‘ bringing different shades to the Electric Boys sound. The band adds plenty of swing to their classic rock roots and along with some big guitar solos, this makes for an excellent new sound and songs. If you don’t believe us check it out here

Dub War – ‘War Inna Babylon’ The rousing ragga-punk cover of the Max Romeo and the Upsetters’ classic “War Inna Babylon”, features guest vocals from the legendary Ranking Roger of The Beat in his last ever recording before his sad passing in 2019. The vivid reimagining of the track sees the band deliver angular guitars, frenetic rhythms, and powerful and uplifting vocals from the band’s frontman Benji. What you’d call a banger right there kids.

Snuff – ‘Green Glass Chippings’ (SBAM Records) the second SBAM offering this edition of the singles club sees punks Snuff deliver the goods via moped with a great chest-beating slab of punk rock that will have them singing along in the bars and mosh pits everywhere. Lifted from their upcoming album “Crepuscolo Dorato Della Bruschetta Borsetta Calzetta Cacchetta Trombetta Lambretta Giallo Ossido, Ooooooh Così Magnifico!” yeah go on you say it. Pick it up here

The Darts – ‘Love Sunami’ (Beluga Records co-released with Adrenalin Fix, Dirty Water Records, Ghost Highway Recordings). Fantastic keyboard twitching psyche garage rock and roll from The Darts. Man, this single has an attitude from the hypnotic beat to the mind-altering chorus this is a great single for sure. It doesn’t end there because ‘Shit Show’ is almost as good. A cooler backbeat yeah! this EP is freakin awesome and the more I play it the louder I want to hear it and those retro keys are superb. Then to twist your melon a little more the third track is a psychotic romp through some great fuzzy bass guitar and lead guitar and ‘Underground’ is bouncing with energy. I would have this at number one in this bunch of pop choons kids but the Sweet Things have it by the single thread of a molting afghan coat fringe but when the album drops from these ladies I’m all over that!

Bottlekids – ‘NOWT’ (SBÄM Records) Three mates from Chepstow, South Wales announcing their brand new EP ‘ZILCH!’ to be released by SBÄM Records on May 27th lead it with ‘Nowt’ a raging slab of punk rock with obvious influences from Stateside punk like Green Day and Bad Religion and why the fuck not? Its excellently delivered and a real contender. ITs got the vital ingredients to take them far and if the rest of the EP is as good as this then why not. Love the bass line and tone it sets this up to go for it and give the Anti Flag bands a real run for their money. Quality song.

Like a lot of music seeing the light of day it was written in lockdown it’s about kicking out the jams and all that pent-up aggression had to come out in the music and to my ears, Bottlekids made some great choices. With a sparkling production, this ‘Zilch’ EP could be time for the band to blow up!

Supersonic Deuces – ‘Bored & Stoked’ (Devil’s Beat Records) We’re all about the quality in the Singles Club and it’s often a great gateway into an album or EP that’s coming down the track. To celebrate the first year of activity, Supersonic Deuces just released the ‘Hey Now!’ ep. It includes the single “Hey Now!” plus the previously released singles “Haze the Hides” and “Bored & Stroked”, and “Strutter” from the upcoming Kiss tribute album on Devil’s Beat Records. If you don’t dig this slab of garage punk n roll then we won’t be friends for long. Banger no doubt about it and you can join the cool kids by checking out www.supersonicdeuces.com and tell em RPM sent you.

Sons – ‘Nothing’ (Pias) Having landed the support slot with Jack White the future looks bright for Belgium garage ragers Sons. Here’s their latest video for ‘Nothing’ taken from their album ‘Sweet Boy’ released in the week. It’s a loud, aggressive slice of post-punk garage rock, (if you like your pigeon holes) not a million miles from Idles, and ‘Fontains DC this is set to blow up everywhere.

KOMBI KILLERS -‘Sick World’ (Riot Records) Old school 82 fuck you punk rock from Kombi Killers. Pulling no punches a direct slice of social commentary about the pandemic and their succinct feelings about lockdowns and covid. Brisbane heat and lockdowns must have got to them because they make no bones about their feelings here and let the world know in an old-school assault. Batten down the hatches Kombi Killers are on the loose again spreading their disease – punk as fuck!

Stream/Buy ‘Sick World’ HERE

Singles Club is open-a-ho-ho-ho

Singles Club is open-a-ho-ho-ho

With Christmas fast aproaching we thought it was time to swing open the doors of the RPM Online singles Club and see who strolls in. We weren’t disappointed as the mixed bag of miscreants waltzed in. With out most diverse bunch yet theres plenty to ponder from our staple favs to some wide ranging inclusions check em out at your leisure…

DIRT BOX DISCO – ‘Fuck me it’s all Gone Wrong’ (AVENUE RECORDZ) Hey Hey it’s a Dirtbox Day, Fuck Me its only Dirtbox Disco damaging my ears with their Motorhead infused punk rock n roll.

Of course its a banger as it lodges in your head and you can’t get rid of the gang vocal chorus for days and you find yourself saying fuck me at every oportunity. Its got a catchy chorus of course it has, It’s to the point and its got guitars that are razor sharp and Maff is kicking the shit out of his tubs. Dirtbox are back in the ring and doing what they do better than anyone else. Loud and proud and right on the money! Its all gone right more like.

Website

Available in the following formats -
Digital download and streaming.
split 7" with issue 13 of SAFETY PIN MAGAZINE

JOHNNY CASINO -‘Another Girl’ (Golden Robot Records) This is the first single from his February 2022 release ‘5×7 the Days of Wine and Cola‘ ‘Another Girl’ started out as a moody acoustic piece until it found its way into the recording studio on the Costa Blanca in Spain. Here, a fire had been lit underneath it, a couple of bottles of wine poured all over it and an inspired electric guitar burned into it by Johnny and his band. There is a san fran vibe about it as well maybe is in the vocals but whatever its a great tune and if the rest of the record is up to this standard then bring it on. The solo is blistering.

Pre-Save/Pre-Order ‘Another Girl’ HERE

Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music – ‘No Fun Anymore’ (Wicked Cool Records) A thumping good tune. Though Mickey Leigh has been making music for over five decades, 2022 sees his first solo full-length release under the name Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music.  Growing up the brother of Joey Ramone,   If this is the standard of what we can expect from his first solo album, ‘Variants of Vibe’, in February 2022 then bring it on. The first single, ‘No Fun Anymore’ is like the bastard child of Stiv Bators solo material and a real Rock and Roll tonic packed with energy and a strong hook get this on your new years wish list. hit it up here

Kurt Baker – Christmas In The Sand (Wicked Cool Records)  The first of two singles from Kurt Baker this round-up ‘Christmas in the sand’ was inspired by Kurt and his longtime collaborator and bandmate, Wyatt Funderburk’s, experience writing the song in the cold weather of Maine.  He said, “It’s a song about wanting to be at the beach during Christmas time! If only we lived in the southern hemisphere, haha!”  The original version of the song was released in 2012, but 2021 saw the band revisit the song and “kick it up a notch.” I’m sure you’ll agree it has all the hallmarks of a crimbo classic. Get it on the playlist at the office party and turn it up its got sleigh bells n everything – Check it out Here

Night Courts! ‘Fractions’ (Snappy Little Numbers /Debt Offensive Records) Second video/single by Vancouver lo-fi indie/punk trio NIGHT COURT from their debut release Nervous Birds! is a right little earworm as it burrows in and unsuspecting throughout the day week you want to hear it again and again. Infectious? sure is. Check it out in the video below. Get into them here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tifahzarjFQ&t=7s

Edweena Banger – ‘Let’s Do It’ (self Release) Album number two on the horizon this first glimpse of what to expect is a right banger (no pun intended) sizzling Rock and Roll with a big hook is the order of the day and one we fully endorse here at RPM Online. Connect with Edweena Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL2ccPg6HOM

Kurt Baker – ‘Turn It Around’ (Wicked Cool Records) wow Kurt Baker is in da house and he’s burning it down with this banger of a tune. A rapid stab of powerpoppin punk rock oozing attitude with a thumping backbeat. Of course it’s got a bloomin’ great big hook on the chorus but it’s got a warm winter fuzz going on from the kickoff. Another day another thumping good song released from Kurt Baker

get it Here

Swedish Magazines – ‘Head On Ice’ (Rubber Records) If you know you simply know. Melbourne rockers Sweedish Magazines are dropping bombs off their new album ‘I Wish Life Could Be’ and this is the latest – full of barroom Malcolm Young fire it barrels along like a bouncing bomb with boundless energy before smashing in your ear with an explosive chorus that makes your toes tap and your head move back and fore. Fantastic tune and one that makes you want to hear more and on this track they hit a groove and ride the shit out of it. If you want a catagory for this then punk n boogie would be apt as they mix Bon era DC with some punk rock SLF style. Whats not to like – excellent stuff.

Check it out here

Buy it Here

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Cheap Cassettes – ‘She Aint Nothing Like You’ (Rum Bar Records) Hell Yeah! the first glimpse under the hood of the new album from Candas Cheap Cassettes is a slow grooving rock and rolla and with great subtle gang harmonies these cats are back in the saddle and make this grooving rock and roll seem effortless from the clear melodic guitar break to the subtle late night overdrive they make great bedfellows with The Speedways from the UK and mixing up some Georgia Sattelites its such a cool tune that gets me excited for the album when it hits the shelves.

Check it out here

Chew Manga – ‘Listless’ (Stray Cat Records) full phat and fuzzy. This rocket-fueled slice of alternative rock is the first glimpse into the world of Chew Manga. Not heard these guys before but this Manchester mob has got some cool ideas and mix it up on single with a catchy hook and some great playing making for a most listenable tune and a pretty good introduction to the band. Check it out Here

Tony Iommi – ‘Scent Of Dark’ It might not be a crimbo single (Thank god) but this is the new release from Sabbath Guitar God Tony Iommi and as the video testifies it’s a slow brooding grinding beast of an instrumental combining those riffs and some lush cello playing. Of course, there isn’t any singing just riff after riff after mother fucking riff from the originator of all that is heavy and dark. Get it Here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xala32PZ5vU

Wax On Water – ‘The Drip -Part 1’ EP This Camden ensemble kicks off this EP with a dark-stringed intro before their electro attack creepy crawls into your ear. ‘Don’t Bore Us’ builds slowly with a dark brooding tempo before breaking out with a menacing riff before falling back into the electro grunge fused twist.

‘The Sting In The Raw’ is a raw as razor blades riff that meanders through the song slashing away with menace. ‘Seventh Son’ is more haunting but again breaks out with a big raw riff that’s dark and brooding. ‘For The Love Of Money’ is a twitching electronic beast as it moves slowly but purposefully to the chorus with all the dark frills of an electro pulsating gothic slap but the vocal add some softer texture to the track and its better for it.

Check them out here

Hearts and Rockets – ‘TV Is Boring (EP)’ (Psychichysteria) Following from their recent single and video ‘Square Eyes’ and single ‘On/Off’, Naarm (Melbourne)-based bratwave duo Hearts and Rockets’ 5-track EP, ‘TV is Boring’, is out on cassette and digitally today and is available via their Bandcamp page, psychichysteria.com, and on all digital and streaming services.

The EP features 4 new originals, including recent singles ‘On/Off‘ with its hypnotic guitar lick, ‘Square Eyes‘ however is like a pulsating bass line and synth hook twitching like a metronome, plus the band’s longest track to date the title track ‘TV Is Boring‘ – which clocks in at almost 13 minutes. PLUS there’s a bonus cover of Black Flag’s classic anthem ‘TV Party’ and Hearts and Rockets’ post-punk anthem ‘Buy It’. Melbourne is having some cool tunes poured out of its backstreets with this really good post punk scuzzed up down n dirty rock n roll noise and we like it baby! Check it out Here

Finnegans Hell – ‘Happy Christmas’ (Sound Pollution) The second best Christmas song ever written? In any case “Happy Christmas” by Finnegan’s Hell qualifies as the second-best Christmas song coming from a Celtic punk band.
– “Fairytale of New York” is still number one, but “Happy Christmas” contains enough social realism to make you reach for the bottle once the song is over, says lead singer Pabs Finnegan. His haunting whiskey voice takes the listener through three shades of black in a song that depicts anything but a happy Christmas. It might not be as good as The Pogues (Obviously) nor is it Slade or Wizzard but it shure as shit beats most of the insipid crimbo tunes we hear around this time.

Carrjam – 21 – ‘Can You Feel It’ (sound Pollution) A project started by Dregen to tip the hat to Kiss drummer Eric Carr who has passed 30 years ago! featuring Dregen (The Hellacopters, Backyard Babies), Gustav Kronfelt (video producer), Jolle Atlagic (Electric Boys, The Quill), Jesper Lindgren (Velvet Insane), Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper/Slash’s Snakepit) Åge Sten Nielsen (WigWam), Philip Shouse (Accept, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons), Jesper Binzer (D-A-D) and Martin Ekelund (Bonafide). It must be cock rock o clock judging by the style of this slow grooving rock song. Together with some of the most well-known and KISS-inspired musicians, Dregen has recorded 2 songs written by Carr plus 2 KISS related bonus songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN3X4mXfPFc

James Domestic – ‘Push On Through’ (KIBOU RECORDS) second single from James is an electronic departure from his day job with the Domestics. Lifted from James’ debut solo album ‘Carrion Repeating’, due out in April it’s a sparse ride that ends with a freak out of guitar noise broken down by a synth and the techo rhythm and drum beat. widescreen post punk for sure check out the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd95SJQspDQ

Hanterhir – ‘Waiting For Bertie’ (Easy Action) Cornish alt.rockers HANTERHIR return with a brand new single and video ‘Waiting For Bertie’ An adventurous mix of post punk with psychedelic undertones as well as some flutey tones for good measure it seems like the time is right for the band to get back to releasing their album that is penned for early 2022 release Connect here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FucSr0EzdCM

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

The Coop heads up this Monday’s videos and this is the first taste of his new record and what a banger it is.  Check out ‘Social Debris’ taken from ‘Detroit Stories’ which you can pre order Here

 

 

Following the release of their new EP ‘Threesome Vol. 2’, The Lickerish Quartet have just unveiled a hazy video for ‘The Dream That Took Me Over’. Which was reviewed on RPM Here

Set in Los Angeles, or is it set in a dream? Has this happened before or is this the first time? ‘The Dream That Took Me Over’ reflects on longing as well as the uncertainty of desire and its addictive pursuit.

 

 

Finally here’s a banger I can’t stop listening to from The Dangereens who released one of the best albums of 2020 – Enjoy some real good time RnR.

 

Wa Wa Punx – ‘Danny Sucks at Video Games’ video drops check it out

Wa Wa Punx – ‘Danny Sucks at Video Games’ video drops check it out

‘Danny Sucks at Video Games’ is a song for our times. We’re all Danny. We’re all locked in futile combat with our screen avatar, failing again and again to get into the ‘Hall of Fame’. It’s garage, it’s punk, it’s electro, it’s 8bit graphics and it’s the best song of this hideous year.

This is a crazy world and we all need a gut-busting adrenaline rush to induce some socially distanced moshing in order to shake out what remains of our frazzled brains.

With a stupidly infectious second album on the way, skate kids and gamers will be gliding round to these lyrics for the foreseeable:

“Danny sucks at video games, he’ll never make it to the Hall of Fame. All his combos are the same. Cos Danny sucks at video games”

There’s a suitably retro gaming video on YouTube for the single along with a call to action which will celebrate everyone’s most epic ‘gaming fails’ a la Danny. This song really does capture the spirit of 2020 which, let’s face it, completely ‘sucks at video games’.

WA Wa Punx are Dylan Rippon and Cory Jarnagin. The duo met when Dylan was touring the States with his band Bears From Labrador. Cory lives in Seattle and Dylan lives in London and Amsterdam. Dylan explains their first meeting in Bremerton, a nowhere town in the Pacific Northwest,

“I had a bad feeling about the venue. Thrash metal. Too much leather, too many tattoos, too many beards and piercings. We were drinking a few beers when this fresh-faced kid with a huge smile and a Texan drawl introduced himself as the support act. He proceeded to pull out his iPod and explain how he was going to just plug it in and freestyle. I looked at him, full of hope and enthusiasm, then at the sweaty crowd of metal heads. Could get ugly. Half an hour later Cory took to the stage. The room was silent. He fumbled about. Then he started rapping. It was good. It was so good and funny as hell. It was like an Andy Kaufman sketch where you think it’s all going wrong and the guy’s a total amateur but the whole thing was planned out. The next twenty minutes were a joy, Doing a project with Cory was a no-brainer.”

You may not yet have heard of WA Wa Punx, but you’ve almost certainly heard them. Their music has featured on numerous TV shows like ‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown’, ‘Made In Chelsea’, ‘Big Brother’ and ‘NASCAR Raceday’. Bradley Cooper is currently encouraging folks to vote in Pennsylvania backed to the sounds of WA Wa Punx classic ‘Hooty Hoo’.

This one’s for all the geeks, freaks and video sheikhs.

‘Danny Sucks At Video Games’ is released on November 2nd on Hero Rhymes With Zero.

Singles Club – Rocktober second sitting

Singles Club – Rocktober second sitting

Thee Headshrinkers (Shrink Ray Records) slap on some reverb and hit those cymbals Thee Headshrinkers are here to ‘Save Your Life’ with a groovy lick on the guitar and a song that indeed lies somewhere between Mark E Smith fronting The Cramps and poison ivy joining The Fall and just rocking out without a care in the world. To flip this bad boy over you get more of the same with ‘Head On’ sounding like it was recorded by Ron, Scott, and the Iggster, and even they were too fucked up to remember where they left the tapes. Excellent songs and a great vibe coming out of thee Headshrinkers I particularly like ‘Head On’ they should tour with Thee Hypnotics when COVID fucks off they’d be a lot of fun methinks.  get it Here

 

WARRIOR SOUL – ‘Elected‘ (Livewire/Cargo Records), the track is taken from their covers album called ‘Cocaine and Other Good Stuff‘, out in November ‘Elected’ is the first peek into the album and to be fair to Kory who is no stranger to a cover after tackling some quality songs previously taking on the ‘Coop is a no brainer. Maybe bludgeoning down the smoother edges of the original Warrior Soul have left in those cool horns and knocked out a very decent ‘Elected’ to be fair. Kory turns in a very tidy vocal as well to be fair.  If you want to hear it before you pick up your copy of the album stream it here

 

Zodiac Panthers – ‘Black Leather Heart’ (Bandcamp)  Cheeky artwork to accompany a gloriously bubblegum Poppin slab of loud, fun punk rock n roll.  Zodiac Panther sounds like Turbonegro when they were kings of everything sleazy and garage punk rock. But there’s a healthy dose of Ramones going on as well but these cats have got it going on and if there is an album heading our way that pulls together this along with the Hexray Vision stuff then they are onto a winner and its something we would need to hear otherwise what’s the point this stuff could very well be the magic potion that fights off this pandemic. Rock and Roll baby and we fuckin’ like it!

zodiacpanthers.com / Facebook / Instagram

 

 

Teen Creeps – ‘Seeing Shapes’ (Pias)  Harking back to a sound that filled every student uni certainly in America with the likes of Dinosaur Jr or Buffalo Tom with a healthy dose of mid-period Lemonheads thrown in for good measure.  Teen Creeps have absorbed the lot and gone down the Teenage Fanclub route of writing a decent song with what they have and ‘Seeing Shapes’ is what spilt out in the studio.  this is the first single from the album ‘Forever’ that’s set for an early 2021 release and if this is the benchmark then I’ll be having some of that along with many others.  top tune. Facebook

 

Mad Caddies – ‘House on Fire’ (FAT WRECK CHORDS) 25 years and still standing this Californian band had some big plans for this year (Pre Pandemic) it’s not all bad though because the band were able to work on this EP (their first new music in six years) and finally they finished recording and got the damn thing released. Opening track is a gentle commercial number.  The band refers to it as punk rock turned ska and that’s about the size of it.  With one eye on the commercial success, they’ve hit a winning formula and the band’s horn section run riot here ‘Waiting For the Real Thing’ is pure pop.  I think they’ll be adding a whole heap more to their half a million sales with this. In these dark times, it’s a little ray of sunshine for sure.

 

 

J. Graves – ‘Deathbed’ (Illumin Records)  Call me lazy call me what you like but J Graves reminded me of PJ Harvey. Certainly on first play but there’s more to this than sounding like someone else because ‘Deathbed’ is a gutsy introduction from the repetitive guitar lick to the guttural howls on the chorus to the trashy drum beat its got something and I like it.

Portlands Jessa Graves has the talent and the post-punk rattle of ‘Time Travel’ has a real vibrant DIY feel to it and the X-Factor of it being a bloody good song.  ‘Lo The Morning’ is the third offering and proving that the first two are no flunk. wrapping up the EP is ‘331’. interesting, experimental and above all good. pick it up here at  Bandcamp

GILBY CLARKE ‘Tightwad’ (Golden Robot Records) ‘Tightwad‘ is the latest single from Gilby Clarke, and the follow up to his recent singles The Gospel Truth and Rock n’ Roll Is Getting Louder. It was written around a guitar riff he wrote while trying out a new fuzz pedal. Lyrically, it was inspired by deceit, treachery and the creative extremes people will go through to get ahead. Tightwad features Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx on bass and Stephen Perkins (Janes Addiction) on Drums. Facebook

 

 

 

 

KING BULL – ‘What Happened Here?’ (Riot Records) Boundless energy and guitars that are louder than everything else x 10.  Nowt wrong with that for us.  Canada’s King Bull has got a pocket full of catchy hard rockin’ tunes born in the ’70s and fueled by a fuzz box guitar and a bad attitude.  ‘Secret Sauce’ reminds me of another tune but I can’t quite put my finger on it. This EP gets better the more you play it and the songs get better as the EP wears on ‘Dontcha Know’ is wonderfully flamboyant from the guitar lick to the vocals its a ripper.  I’m only disappointed there isn’t a full-blown ballad on here but these five will keep me going as they save the best ’til last with ‘B Side Baby’ being the pick of the bunch and makes you want to punch the air in some arena wearing the silk scarf you picked up off their merch table.  Thoroughly enjoyed check em out! Facebook  Pre-order/save What Happened Here? HERE

Rainy Days & Mondays

Rainy Days & Mondays

 

first up this Monday morning how about some loud guitars courtesy of Headstones and their ‘Dimes And Pennies’.  Action Rock, garage punk, call it what you like it sounds like Rock and Roll to me.  With a hint of the magnificent Gluecifer this ones a banger!

Next up are Manchurian Hard Rockers Carnival Club causing a bit of a stir up north with their sounds.  Well, they have a new video out.  The video, shot in super-8 film by new director Megija Germane matches ‘My Lady’s’ helter-skelter feel; depicting the ‘screwed, blued and tattooed’ off-stage antics of Kai and friends.

Finally bringing up the read is the new track from The Bloody Hell entitled ‘Out Of Our Minds’ and is the bands fourth single of their self titled debut album..I might be wrong but I think it’s safe to say they’re the first band we’ve featured from Nova Scotia but you can  find em on Facebook Here