The Boys – ‘Power Cut’ (Last Exit Music)

The Boys – ‘Power Cut’ (Last Exit Music)

The first time the album has been released on vinyl and will be available on three different limited edition
vinyl’s – White, Gold and Red & Black Splattered vinyl.

The album, originally released in 1996, features four original members of The Boys – Matt Dangerfield,
Casino Steel, Duncan ‘Kid’ Reid & Honest John Plain along ex Berne Torme drummer Mark Harrison and Die Toten Hosen frontman/singer Campino. The album includes sleeve notes from Campino & Matt Dangerfield along with full lyrics and several never-before-seen photos from the recording sessions. There has been a resurgence in Boys’ releases recently what with To Hell and Odds And Sods getting pressed and selling out it makes sense for this beauty to finally get pressed on wax. Along with Mattless Boys, it’s some of the finest Boys-related curio out there and the quality of sound and of course the music is second to none. Sure the staple classics are here like opener ‘See You Later’ ‘Brickfield Nights’ ‘Soda Pressing’ but the hidden gems are the likes of ‘Gabrielle’ which in its stripped back form is an absolute stone cold classic and the delivery is emotional from the deft piano fills to the sparce drum fills its a beautiful song and takes on a new life.

I always loved the artwork and the cheeky Black and white kickabout it sort of summed up The Boys and this particular release. Anyone lucky enough to catch the band playing an acoustic set at Rebellion even the final Duncan Reid set from some years ago will get the picture of just how good these songs are plugged or unplugged a great song will stand tall whatever form. An emotional ‘Brickfield’ takes me right back to those unplugged Blackpool nights.

If you are lucky enough to hold a copy on its rightful format (12″ of wax) then cherish one of England’s finest ever bands stripped back delivering the goods – Its a real joy to hear especially loud and after a few glasses of plonk. Those big sweeping chords of ‘First Time’ or the raw aggression of ‘Sick On You’ is a beautiful thing.

When I was planning to review this release I put the songs on my phone to play whilst out riding my bike on a crisp morning I pulled over along the local canal and just sat and listened to the whole album from top to bottom day dreaming and admiring just how bloody good these songs are. ‘Heroine’ had me wiping a bead of sweat from my cheek It wasn’t a tear honest.

The only problem I have with this is it was recorded back in 96 and therefore doesn’t have any of the more recent ‘Punk Rock Menopause’ tunes given the same treatment then it could have been a double album covering all points of their legacy. As a stand alone LP ‘Power Cut’ is a must own LP Long Live The Boys and all who’ve sailed within. Easily one of my favourite ever acoustic albums, perfectly captured, perfectly executed.

Website

Last Exit Music

Author: Dom Daley

Janus Stark – ‘Rewind To A’ & ‘Chez Wrong’ (Time & Matter Records)

Janus Stark – ‘Rewind To A’ & ‘Chez Wrong’ (Time & Matter Records)

Following 2019 comeback album ‘Angel In The Flames’ former English Dogs and Prodigy guitar slinger Gizz Butt takes us back in time with a couple of curios from the Janus Stark archives that he has made available on CD, limited to 200 copies each, all hand-numbered. Both albums are actually a collection of demos, the first ‘Rewind To A’ is the full demo version of Janus Stark’s debut album ‘Great Adventure Cigar’ released back in 1997, and the second ‘Chez Wrong’, the lost follow-up album demoed in 2002.

Both albums come with 16-page booklets and extensive liner noted from Gizz explaining the history and background of each song and the circumstances surrounding the writing and recording of each.

 

If you are familiar with ‘Great Adventure Cigar’ then ‘Rewind To A’ is a good place to start and an interesting listen. These demos are the sound of a band finding their feet and finding their sound. Following the name change from English Dogs and guitarist Gizz stepping into the frontman role, the band trade in the punk sound for a more commercial, pop/punk feel.

During the time period these songs were demoed (1996-97), Gizz was playing guitar with The Prodigy on the ‘Fat Of The Land’ tour, and this influenced his songwriting. Utilising multi-effect processors, Gizz experimented with Dance music and it spawned some interesting tunes that veer in a different direction to the sound Janus Stark would eventually pursue. ‘Frayed Edges Of Sanity’ is a dark, trippy ride through the songwriter’s mind and a departure from the po/punk/ that would prevail on the debut. The following ‘Only One Can Know Me’ is more experimental, Prodigy style breakbeats and pulsating bass verse that leads to descending chords and a trademark Gizz melody.

Elsewhere. The thrashy blast that is ‘Wedding Bells’ is actually an old Desecrators tune. While it’s a fun run through, the hardcore style didn’t really fit the direction the band were heading.

‘200 Duty Frees’ though, did make the album. This version is a bit more dancey, yet it still has those full distorted guitars. Sonically, as with the other tracks that finally made the album, the songs benefit from a sweet production. ‘Every Little Thing Counts’ still sounds immense even in demo form, even if the extra verse throws me off for a second or two. It’s a perfect example of how a producer cuts the fat from a demo and makes it the song it should be.

For me ‘Great Adventure Cigar’ is up there with the great albums of the late 90’s Brit Rock movement and this collection is a great insight into the development of a band who should’ve got more attention at the time.

‘Chez Wrong’ is considered the lost Janus Stark album, the sophomore album that never was. These are the final demos from 2002 at a time when the band were shopping for a new record deal. Written during tough times, it’s a heavier, more edgy collection of songs influenced by the changing musical climate and the changes within the band.

The band had been touring heavily across Europe with Die Toten Hosen and Fear Factory while these songs were formed, and the likes of Slipknot and System Of A Down were the darlings of Kerrang! And MTV. These influences are evident from the off on the crunchy ‘Near Extinction’, a riff heavy beast that channels feelings of despair and struggle and maybe pre-empting the demise of the band.

The killer opening riff of the title track brings to mind Metallica before descending into more melodic sections and an uplifting chorus that harks back to the punk/pop of the debut. With its arpeggios and jarring riffage, the Nu Metal tinged ‘Paralysed’ could be a Papa Roach outtake.

Elsewhere the fiery ‘Back To Live’ and the brutal ‘The Child Deserves A Life’ are quality highlights. The band only take the time to breathe on the atmospheric closer ‘Empty Chair’, a song that shows a different side to the band with some cool, effect-ridden guitars and cool beats. It’s an album highlight and a great song to bow out with.

 

 

These 2 releases stand tall on their own as albums and also serve well together as the perfect accompaniment to ‘Great Adventure Cigar’. They help to tell the full picture of Janus Stark at the turn of the century before the band split and descended into the wilderness years.

‘Rewind To A’ shows the development of a band with new ideas and experimentation, including songs that for whatever reason, didn’t make the final cut, but are still worth your hard-earned cash.

‘Chez Wrong’ is the sound of what could’ve been. It shows a band on the edge, changing with the times and fighting a (losing) battle to survive. Strangely, even though it covers line-up changes and personal upheaval, I feel it’s the more cohesive of the two albums.

It’s also worth noting both albums are available to purchase directly through the Time & Matter Store as a package deal for 15 notes with an additional free four track digital EP of unreleased tunes. Now, if that’s not a bargain, I don’t know what is!

 

Buy Here

Facebook

Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUSTER SHUFFLE use lockdown to record charity 7” single

BUSTER SHUFFLE use lockdown to record charity 7” single
Get Unsung Heroes Here

In fact quite a lot of their friends….. including members of Die Toten Hosen, Donots, Flogging Molly, Hepcat, Mad Caddies, The Toy Dolls, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Talco, The Infadels and the UK queen of Ska Rhoda Dakar.

Buster Shuffle are releasing a double AA side 7 Inch single titled ‘Unsung Heroes’ which consists of two songs inspired by two real heroes that the band wanted to write about whilst on lock down.

Inspired by the unprecedented times we find ourselves in and the people who are putting themselves at risk daily for the greater good- from doctors and nurses to delivery drivers, lead singer Jet Baker said ‘Whilst on lock down at home, I kept thinking there must be something we can do. Both my sisters work for the NHS on the front line so I needed to do something other than just sit at home and do nothing’.

All profits from vinyl/MP3 sales will be going to the World Health Organisation.

“If we sell 300 then great, if we sell 1000 then even better as its more money for The World Health Organisation” says Jet. “It’s really down to the Ska Punk community on how much money we will raise. It’s a good community so I’m hoping for a positive response”.

The thought provoking and powerful songs are about two brave people who, in their time, faced extreme danger and huge challenges to make changes in the world for others:

Ruby Bridges – At six years old she became the first African American student to integrate into an elementary school in the South USA. Ruby and her mother were escorted by four federal marshals to the school every day that year. She walked past crowds screaming vicious slurs at her. Undeterred, she didn’t miss a single day of school despite all the abuse and physical threats she received.

And

Iqbal Masih was sold into slavery by his parents at 4 years old to the owner of a carpet factory. After many years of forced labour he eventually escaped He then decided to help over 3,000 Pakistani children that were in ‘bonded labour’ to escape to freedom and made speeches about child slavery throughout the world. He was regularly threatened for speaking out but continued to give speeches regardless of the danger to himself. After receiving many awards for heroism Iqbal was murdered at just 12 years old.

This is a truly unique and inspiring single, recorded in total isolation with figureheads of the ska punk music scene spanning the globe making their contribution, all whilst on lock down in their homes and with all sales profits going to charity.

Connect with BUSTER SHUFFLE:

www.Facebook.com/bustershuffleofficial 
www.Instagram/ bustershuffleofficial