Although The Courettes planned to have a much quieter 2023 while they work on the follow up to 2021’s sensational ‘Back In Mono’ LP, it’s almost impossible for this incendiary garage rock duo to resist the lure of the stage and the band have been working harder than ever. Fresh from kicking up a storm at SXSW, The Courettes are currently touring Europe and are set to arrive in the UK early next month for a string of live shows that will not disappoint!
Buy Tickets Here
NYC Cult Indie Faves The Van Pelt Announce ‘Artisans & Merchants’
Their First New Studio LP In A Quarter Century – Out March 17
Pre-order HERE:
Stream The New Single + Video ‘Punk House’ HERE
Band Announces UK, EU and NYC Shows
Influential band stands among a select few of the most revered second-wave emo / indie bands of all time including their peers in The Promise Ring, Mineral, Christie Front Drive, Boys Life, Braid, Karate, and Rainer Maria.
“The lines between post-hardcore, indie rock, and emo blurred on the two mid-’90s full-lengths from the Van Pelt.”- Pitchfork
“New York City’s The Van Pelt are an influential, but too often overlooked indie rock band — cult favourites for many an emo-inclined crate digger.” – Consequence
“…should be mentioned a lot more than they are when you talk about the history of emo.”- Washed Up Emo
After twenty-five years of waiting, New York City cult indie favourites The Van Pelt have announced a March 17th release date for their upcoming fourth studio full-length, titled ‘Artisans & Merchants,’ which will be released jointly by Spartan Records in North America, La Castanya in Europe/World and Gringo in the UK.
The album was recorded and mixed in Summer / Fall 2021 by Jeff Zeigler (The War On Drugs, Kurt Vile) at Uniform Recording in Philadelphia, PA, and features guest appearances by Nate Kinsella and Ted Leo among others.
The first single ‘Punk House’ is out now, along with a brand-new music video.
Frontman Chris Leo says, “When a bunch of old VHS tapes were unearthed, the band had them digitized and they turned out to be from US tours of the mid-90s. The footage is mainly of daily banalities: random purchases at rest stops, packing and unpacking the van, highway views that could be on the outskirts of Any Town USA. Yet there is a nostalgia to it that’s compelling. The song mirrors the mood in both sound and text. Lines like “The floor is filled with resin on the place where you’re to sleep / if you have enough to drink you can pretend that it’s a sheet” bring any musician back to the rougher side of days on the road — yet again, the subtext here is that the spirit of it all is to be longed for.”
The Van Pelt has announced a series of UK, EU and Brooklyn shows in March and April. See dates below. Pre-order ‘Artisans & Merchants’ here – https://thevanpelt.bandcamp.com
‘Bozo’ is the second single and video for Dez Dare’s upcoming album ‘Perseus War’ [out 17.Mar.23]. It delves into the murky underbelly of leadership, control and how the people who wield this power suffer a disconnect with reality and accountability (mostly…). Dez says… “Poor Bozo! The dishevelled leader who can’t get the people to understand he just can’t be fucked. It isn’t his problem, the plebs are so needy! Nanny always told him he was a good boy. Chin up mate.”
‘Perseus War’ is the 3rd album by Australian born, UK based artist Dez Dare. Leading on from 2022s ‘Ulysses Trash’, Dez presents 10 songs of dystopian indifference captured over 4 weeks in late 2022. Meant to be a companion EP to the last record, ideas spilled, riffs flowed, Perseus was born.
‘Ulysses Trash’ is a call to inaction, embracing the reality of the world around us and the place we have within it. ‘Perseus War’ is the violent struggle that the universe and all within it has to survive. The daily pressure of existence, the beauty in the destruction left by the way and the sweet solace of understanding we have no control.
Dez Dare (aka Darren Smallman of BATTLE WORLDWIDE, Low Transit Industries, Thee Vinyl Creatures, The Sound Platform, Warped) grew up in Geelong, a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria, Australia where he became involved in the local punk and rock scene in 1990, playing in a band called Warped, sharing stages with the likes of Bored!, The 5678s, Fugazi, The Dirty Three and the Hard-ons, going on to play in multiple bands spewing out sludgy punk rock, drone riffage and noisy pop abundance. Darren was embedded in the scene, playing music, running labels (founding record label and touring company Low Transit Industries in 1999 working with bands such as The Essex Green, Lilys, Elf Power, Okkervil River, Of Montreal, Black Mountain, Trans Am) before moving to the UK in 2010 where he has operated ever since.
“I looked into the void to find solace (freedom to fight, freedom of mind)” is sung out in the opening line of ‘STOP. STOP. STOP. TALKING.’. Regardless of the viewpoint Dez is singing from, this is the underlying sentiment. You can only be truly free with acceptance. Accepting you for who you are, that we all one day will die, that humans are flawed and beautiful, that otters are the best animals. Let go. The void has it covered.
‘Perseus War’ CD + digital + vinyl album out 17.Mar.23
‘Bozo’ single + video out 17.Feb.23
Pre-order the limited edition red + white 12″ Vinyl with full catalogue download @ https://qrates.com/projects/28591-perseus-war
Pre-order CD + download @ https://dezdare.bandcamp.com/album/perseus-war
Pre-save digital @ https://linktr.ee/dezdareriffs
More info @ https://www.dezdare.com
DADDY LONG LEGS, New York City’s most diabolical Rhythm & Blues street gang, have shared their new track “Silver Satin” from their upcoming and eagerly anticipated new album Street Sermons, to be released on March 17th via Yep Roc Records. The band are also thrilled to announce a full tour in May and June where they’ll be bringing their high-voltage street sermons to venues up and down the UK and Ireland.
The group describes new single “Silver Satin” as an experience where “we take the listener on a trip through New York City’s underground rail system with a bottle in hand concealed by a brown paper bag. Lose yourself in a song dripping with tremolo and electric piano, but whatever you do, don’t fall asleep on the subway.” Street Sermons is currently available for pre-order here.
The band’s fourth studio album represents a wellspring of bottled-up feelings and emotions that need to be taken to the streets. Produced by Oakley Munson of the Black Lips at Old Soul Studios in Catskill, NY the band expands upon a sound that’s all their own and features guest appearances from Punk Rock legend Wreckless Eric providing backing vocals on “Nightmare” and “Silver Satin” and The Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian on “Ding-Ding Man,” In dark times DADDY LONG LEGS continue to shine their light everywhere they go, leaving a piece of themselves on stage every night because it’s in them and it’s got to come out.
DADDY LONG LEGS’ previous album, Lowdown Ways (Yep Roc, 2019), reached #4 on the Billboard Blues Chart. The band has received high praise from Rolling Stone Senior editor David Fricke, who calls DADDY LONG LEGS’ sound “Chicago blues fired at the moon played by the demented children of the Pretty Things” and No Depression who declared that “from the first note, this is clearly a record made by people who live and die for rock and roll.”
Over the last decade these gentlemen have burned down houses the world over with their explosive fire ceremony and have amassed a cult-like following all their own with a tough-to-beat reputation for being one of the finest live acts on the road today. Written and recorded against a backdrop of political tension, riots in the streets and a deeply uncertain future, Street Sermons is a testament to triumph over adversity.
Catch Daddy Long Legs live in the IE/UK in May and June at the following dates:
Tickets available HERE:
May 19 – The Sugar Club – Dublin
May 20 – Black Box – Belfast
May 21 – Sandinos – Derry
May 23 – Deaf Institute – Manchester
May 24 – The Cluny – Newcastle
May 25 – Voodoo Rooms – Edinburgh
May 26 – Room 2 – Glasgow
May 27 – St. Mary’s Creative Space – Chester
May 28 – Olby’s – Margate
May 30 – The Moth Club – London
May 31 – The Hope & Ruin – Brighton
June 1 – Red Rooster Festival – Euston
June 2 – Exchange – Bristol
June 3 – The Night Owl – Birmingham
FIND DADDY LONG LEGS ONLINE AT:
GRADE 2 SHARE NEW MELODIC PUNK SONG “MIDNIGHT FERRY” SELF-TITLED ALBUM OUT FEBRUARY 17th VIA HELLCAT RECORDS
EXTENSIVELY TOURING IN EU AND UK THIS SPRING
Famed for blistering live performances and exceptional musicianship, UK band Grade 2 bring no-frills classic punk to the modern era. Their self-titled album due on February 17th is a bone-crunching 35-minutes that agitates, intoxicates and liberates in equal measure. Ahead of its release they share their new single “Midnight Ferry” out today, featuring slick guitar riffs and lively shout-along verses that lead into crisp vocal harmonies.
“This song is our story, a tale of a night out and the truth of growing up in a rural town,” the band explains. “Capturing the adventurous spirit, trying to escape any mundane responsibilities, if just for a night. Just know you’ll be brought straight back down to earth on that journey home.”
Listen to Midnight Ferry here.
50 years after the genre turned the music world upside-down, UK based Grade 2 are bringing the raw power of old school punk to a new generation. United by a love of old-school punk, ska and oi, childhood friends Sid Ryan (vocals, bass), Jacob Hull (drums) and Jack Chatfield (guitar, vocals) formed the band at fourteen years old, honing their craft playing Clash and Jam covers before refining their own sound. Melding the near-mythical musical heritage of their native Isle of Wight with the humdrum reality of growing up in a tired seaside town, Grade 2 spit out blistering punk music laced with passion, angst, humor and despair.
After signing to Hellcat Records in 2018 – helmed by Rancid’s Tim Armstrong – they put out their second album ‘Graveyard Island’ in 2019. With the release of ‘Grade 2’ comes their most representative work yet; a thumping fifteen track tour-de-force melding the uncompromising ethos of punk with the howl of contemporary injustice, personal identity, and frustrations of Gen-Z youth, authentically told by three lads with punk coursing through their veins.
Grade 2 will be touring extensively this Spring, starting with a UK & Ireland headlining tour in March, directly followed by headlining European Tour with Death by Stereo and a support tour with Rancid this summer. Please find the full list of dates below.
UK & Ireland Headlining Tour
March 3, 2023 -Wakefield, Vortex Bar and Nightclub
March 4, 2023 – Newport, The Cab
March 5, 2023 – Stamford, Mama Liz’s Voodoo Lounge
March 6, 2023 – Norwich, The Waterfront Studio
March 7, 2023 – London, The Lexington
March 8, 2023 – Southampton, The Joiners
March 9, 2023 – Exeter, Cavern
March 10, 2023 – Bristol, The Louisiana
March 12, 2023 – Derby, The Hairy Dog
March 13, 2023 – Stafford, Redrum
March 14, 2023 – Newcastle, The Lubber Fiend
March 16, 2023 – Dublin, The Grand Social
March 17, 2023 – Belfast, Voodoo
March 18, 2023 – Glasgow’ Classic Grand
March 19, 2023 – Manchester, Star & Garter
EU Headlining Tour w/ Death by Stereo
March 23, 2023 – Antwerp, Kavka (Belgium)
March 24, 2023 – Tilburg, Little Devil (The Netherlands)
March 25, 2023 – Vechta, Gulfhaus (Germany)
March 26, 2023 – Drachten, Iduna (The Netherlands)
March 27, 2023 – Hamburg, Hafenklang (Germany)
March 28, 2023 – Berlin, Cassiopea (Germany)
March 29, 2023 – Regensburg, Tiki Beat (Germany)
March 30, 2023 – Dresden, Chemiefabrik (Germany)
March 31, 2023 – Posnan, Pod Minogą (Poland)
April 1, 2023 – Warsaw, VooDoo (Poland)
April 2, 2023 – Budapest, Instant (Hungary)
April 3, 2023 – Vienna, Arena (Austria)
April 4, 2023 – Milan, Barrio’s (Italy)
April 5, 2023 – Lucerne, Sedel (Switzerland)
April 6, 2023 – Dijon, Les Tanneries (France)
April 7, 2023 – Montreuil (Paris), La Pêche (France)
April 8, 2023 – Fontenay-le-compte, Espace Rene Casino (France)
EU/UK Tour Supporting Rancid
June 3, 2023 – Ljubljana, Media Center Cvetlicarna (Slovenia)
June 6, 2023 – Warsaw, Letnia Scena Progresji (Poland)
June 10, 2023 – Stockholm, Annexet (Sweden)
June 12, 2023 – Berlin, Columbiahalle (Germany)
June 13, 2023 – Wiesbaden, Schlachthof (Germany)
June 20, 2023 – London, Brixton O2 Academy (UK)
June 21, 2023 – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse (UK)
Tickets available via band’s WEBSITE.
Canadian progressive post-rock outfit Alex Henry Foster and The Long Shadows are back in the UK this June, following their tour with And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead in early 2020, right before the pandemic hit (thankfully they were just able to complete the tour and make it home!), and they’re back this month to play the following gigs.
21st June: London – Oslo Club
22nd June: Nottingham – Bodega
23rd June: Glasgow – Broadcast
24th June: Huddersfield – The Parish
25th June: Manchester – The Deaf Institute
26th June: Bristol – Thekla
Welcome to the singles club, we’ve not had many sittings recently probably due to the Christmas period but they’ve started to trickle in and when we had a few exciting tunes fly in we had to fire up the jukebox and get some 45″ RPM action going.
First up is a mighty fine 7” split for groups LJ & The Sleeze (Richmond, VA) and Killer Hearts (Houston, TX).
LJ & The Sleeze / Killer Hearts – Split (Eight Ball Record$) The 2 song split features the first new tune since Killer Hearts Debut LP was released last year (one we certainly championed here) ‘Skintight Electric’ was truly all killer and absolutely no filler. ‘High Temptress’ is more of the same with manic, rabid rock and roll resplendent with its chest-beating & frantic tempo, those Dead Boys inspired solos and catchy choruses that make you want to sling down a yard of ale before running through a brick wall – great stuff.
LJ & The Sleeze’s side of the split holds the newly redone ‘I’m Bad’, off of their LP ‘Stay Sleezy’, giving in-your-face punk attitude aplenty. It’s got a swagger and a hook that you won’t be able to free from your head, nor would you want to. Menacing and snotty with just enough snarling venom to make you want to root through your sister’s purse to fund this record. Exactly how a split should be done – Get on it Here it’s out in the middle of March so be sure to keep that link locked down – you won’t regret it.
Totally Slow – ‘The Lost Art of Shutting Up’ ( Refresh Records) Another new one on us comes out off their new album ‘Casual Drag’ its indie punk rock with a great hook and a foot in the past it’s got a tonne of energy like melodic punk of so-cal punks a really good earworm that just gets better the more you hear it.
I love the breakdown and want to hear more. Which is the whole original point of a 45″ single right? I dove into the back catalogue and am currently loving ‘Casual Drag’. Pick it up Here
These Arms Are Snakes – ‘Camera Shy’ (Suicide Squeeze Records) US hardcore/mathrock band These Arms Are Snakes have today announced a new rarities release called ‘Duct Tape & Shivering Crows’ which will be released April 15th via Suicide Squeeze Records.
Formed from the ashes of legendary noise bands Botch and Killsadie, These Arms Are Snakes had a 7-year run in the early 2000s and released three albums and many Eps and splits, toured relentlessly, before splitting in 2009.
Described rather wonderfully as a ‘synth-infused noise rock, bad-trip psychedelia, flamboyant proto-metal boogie, and unhinged basement-show hardcore,’ These Arms Are Snakes reformed for some reunion gigs in 2021 and now have this rarities comp
The Good The Bad And The Zugly – ‘One Dimensional Man’ (Fysisk Format) Any day you get to head a new GBATZ tune is a great fucking day so today must be fanfuckingtastic seeing as two of them have shown up. The first earworms from their new Covid produced album is here. ‘Nostradumbass’ is a huge melodic masterclass. Sure it’s the B side but its got a poptastic lick and a chorus that could have been lifted from Abba.
Now the A-side is loud and has a thumping rhythm and the hook is classic Turbonegro-tastic to boot right out of that ballpark. It’ll take a while to properly burrow down and lay its musical explosions that will go off for weeks to come but you know they’re in there. Bring on that damn album and bring it on now. Essential purchase! Here
The Blue Carpet Band – The Slow Death Of Camden (Bomber Music) dealing with the gentrification and all the changes happening on the once rock n’ roll streets of Camden Town. Major brands taking over and the loss of iconic venues and drinking places have erased the edginess and excitement. The rock’n’roll bandits are all gone. Pretty much the same thing happened in Soho and Wardour St and I guess the LES of Manhattan and St Marks and Time Sq as well as a host of other places to boot. Mores the pitty but these times they are a-changing but Rock and Roll will never die don’t you go thinking otherwise.
The Blue Carpet Band are true Rock and Rollers and this is another slice of sleazy Rock n Roll. Check it out – you won’t regret it. With a new album on the way 2022 is shaping up nicely. Buy Here
Find The Blue Carpet Band Online at: FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM BOMBER MUSIC
Electric Boys – ‘Favorite Hello, Worst Goodbye’ (Mighty Music) Another new song recorded by these hard rockin’ Swedes during the “Ups!de Down” sessions. The first one, “Favorite Hello, Worst Goodbye” is out on digital platforms now.
Claiming the song is made up using Cheap Tricks DNA is a big call but it isn’t a million miles from the mark. The Electric Boys play solid hard rock n roll and do it well. Conny Bloom rallies his troops through this meaty rocker and slides some neat fretwork. Fans will lick it up no doubt it’ll be interesting to hear more of this new material
Supera Morza – ‘I’m Working It Out’ (Bad Apple Music Group) The band’s third single sees Supera Morza, ‘Working It Out’ hailing from Manchester these spikey individuals play uncompromising punk rock. It’s possibly in the same ballpark as Blackwater and Cabbage in its gritty, angular post-punk attack with melody and aggression. Two-and-a-half minutes of uncompromising shit or bust anarchic grunge. Hailed as one of Manchester’s most exciting prospects expect to hear and see a lot more of these guys. The previous singles ‘Roadkill’ which had similarities to Nirvana pre ‘Nevermind’ (which isn’t a bad thing either) and my personal favourite the frantic Scrubber. Check them out via Facebook and Spotify
Fontains D.C – ‘I Love You’ (Partisan Records) Taken from the band’s forthcoming album ‘Skinty Fia’ due in April. A slow-burning, brooding and intense love song the track sees the band offer up a dark insight into what they’ve been up to during lockdown. It follows hot on the heels of ‘Jackie Down The Line’. Check out the video here.
Stacy Crowne had their single reviewed here last year but have since shot a video for the B side of their cover of Golden Earrings ‘Radar Love’ check out the lively ‘Dead Of Night’ Get it while it’s hot Here
Scott Sorry – ‘Black Dog Dancer’ (Generation X-Ray Records) The first new song from Scott Sorry in a while but there’s been a good reason for that as Scotts has been having his private fight that attacked his health and picked on the wrong guy. Having decided that the time was right to strap on the guitar again it’s with a huge shit-kicking grin that I’m delighted to feature this new song. those who are familiar with Scott’s previous offerings know only too well how fuckin’ hugely talented this guy is and when he lays down some music you just know it’s going to hunker down inside your ear and not allow anything to shift it for some time such is the quality of the earworms Sorry drops. It’s a track that has a huge heart and you get the feeling of optimism shining through on what I hope is only the beginning of what’s to come from Scott Sorry and his fantastic band. Play on dude because if you have more like ‘Black Dog Dancer’ then the world needs to hear it! Check it out here
Ciggie & The Darts – ‘Sessions #4’ (Pils Records) A cool label out of Québec Canada has a series of bands being championed and Ciggie & The Darts was recommended to RPM as a band we might like. Well, that’s on the button, what’s not to like from these noisy so and sos from Ottawa, Ontario?
Ciggie plays loud Rock and Roll and that’s what we’re about. Four tracks with attitude that get off to a flyer with the Action punk n roll of ‘The Moon Is High’ that rattles along with a big dirty riff supporting Ciggy as he spits out the vocals. The breakdown and solo is born out of love for early Motorhead which they hit that nail squarely on the head. Following on they get into a rapid groove on ‘Not Of This World’ and beat the living shit out of the song until it reaches a grizzly conclusion.
To be fair all four songs are quality and if you love loud guitars and well-crafted tunes then this one is a no brainer – check it out Here
Saxon -‘Carpe Diem’ (Silver Lining Music) The mighty Saxon are back in the room with a new single and album of the same name. Check out the video below and hit them up for pre orders Here
Biff is leading his troops through a full-throttle heavy rock ride that shows the band has not lost any of its class and display why they have managed to stay a headline act for so long. The long-player of the same name is due for release in Feb 2022 this will do the job of wetting the appetite.
The Dangereens – ‘Love Jive’ (Golden Robot Records) Montreal’s DANGEREENS recently released their first 2 singles ‘Thieves’ and ‘Streets Of Doom’ from their new label Golden Robot Records. They have now released the 3rd single. ‘Love Jive’, available on all digital platforms. After the hoot that was the debut album, it’s an exciting time for the band and this Thin Lizzy-inspired rocker with its meandering duel guitars it hits the spot for some late-night Rock and Roll that oozes quality and class, and the lap steel shows another string to their bow. Its another example of what this excellent band has to offer. Facebook
The Drippers – ‘Time For Some Action’ (The Sign Records) Unashamed Action Rockers The Drippers are about to drop their second bombastic all-action second album but ahead of the December release they have a new lead single in the shape of the excellent ‘Time For Some Action’. If this review could be dialed up to eleven then this would be about the right time as they turn everything up and let loose with a rapid rocket ride of a tune and if this doesn’t wet the appetite for the album then I’d check you still have a pulse. Cracking song! Facebook Bandcamp
Idles – ‘Car Crash’ (Partisan Records) The latest single and video released from Idles ahead of the album ‘Crawler’ that’s set to hit the shelves on the 12th when asked to describe the track Talbot says: “It’s the horrific, comedown hangover — waking up in the morning and realising the smashes, like, what the fuck am I doing with my life?”
Chesty Malone and the Slice ’em Ups – ‘Turn To Crime’ (Self Release) The latest 7″ from these Brooklyn punks is in yer face and pounding your head with their brand of Hardcore Punk that we always love hearing round these parts of HQ. The opening track is an adrenalin rush as the band head full-throttle through your speakers. Love it.
Side two is more laid back, but no less dripping with attitude and perhaps a little more menacing. Hell, it’s called ‘I Like Killing’ and apparently it’s their favourite thing to do, well, who knew? This is probably the soundtrack to their favourite past time which seems apt and to be fair If your gonna get snuffed out by some punk rockers then this isn’t a bad soundtrack to go out to.
Buy Here
Blue Carpet Band – ‘B Movie Boogie’ (Bomber Music) Now with added Demented Are Go members This latest spooktacular offering from Blue Carpet Band. . It’s frenzied, it’s electrifying, it’s primordial punk. This is the type of savage rock’n’roll you need in your life. new drummer and guitarist – Ant Thomas and Stan Standen from Welsh psychobilly legends Demented Are Go! With this vibrant new line-up, the band returned to the studio to record a new album, the first results of which can be heard on horrifying new single ‘B-Movie Boogie’
PRE-ORDER THE 7” VINYL HERE:
SAN QUENTIN – ‘Step Off’ (Golden Robot Records) San Quentin is a 5-piece band from Southend-on-Sea. ‘Step Off’ tells a story of the struggle to keep youth culture alive in an ever-changing world, where youth last only seconds. With big riffs and big chorus, San Quentin is confident of making a dent on the rock scene, and on this evidence, they have the chops to pull it off.
Golem Dance Cult – ‘Nosferatu Waltz’ (Self Release) Heres is a new track from this pair of like-minded Europeans. Charles is based in London and Laur is based in France but share a love of mashing up different genres of music and making it work. Here’s an insight into the song from the pair –
Charles: I had this idea for a bass riff variation on Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker for a while so it flowed naturally from there. Inga Liljestrom lent us her amazing voice on this track and has a cameo at the end of the video.
Laur: Werner Herzog’s “Nosferatu The Vampyre” was the first horror movie I ever watched when I was like 10. Once you go black you can never go back they say…Vampire music is in my blood…
The Melbies – Reboot Me (self release) Having just played with The Wildhearts they play a series of gigs including supporting The Vibrators. ‘Reboot Me’, finds the band in their best form yet. Amping up the fun and creativity whilst sticking true to their power riff roots.
“We’re done licking our wounds from the pandemic. We’re now back performing, writing new music and supporting the scene of local bands around us. We miss our friends and miss the music scene, so out the traps we’ve come back more excited than ever and are looking forward to playing some amazing live performances. We’ve also got a bank of songs that we’re looking forward to publicly releasing.”
NOVEMBER TOUR DATES
NEW SINGLE ‘STABBED IN THE BACK’ OUT FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12th
When Sheffield rock heroes Black Spiders announced their hiatus in 2017, no one in their right minds would have predicted that when the good times, big balls n’ riffs rockers did return, it would be in the middle of a global pandemic. But that is, of course, exactly what happened and in March of this year, Black Spiders unleashed their highly anticipated brand new self-titled album upon an eager, locked down, rock hungry audience.
Critically acclaimed and hungrily lapped up by the Black Spiders rock starved fans, the album put the band firmly back on the map of rock, the only piece missing from the jigsaw being the opportunity to take these pulsating new songs out onto the world’s stages where they belonged. With gigs scheduled to happen right after ‘Freedom Day’ in July, the band were scuppered once again and had to cancel the dates having fallen victim to the ‘ping-demic’. Thankfully, the Black Spiders were able to finally crank out their riffs at this year’s Bloodstock Festival for a triumphant set and are now primed to tour the UK in November and will be releasing a new single from the aforementioned album, the defiant ‘Stabbed In The Back’.
“Even before Julius Caesar made it popular, people have been getting ripped off, misrepresented, f**ked over and double-crossed, left, right and centre,” states guitarist and vocalist Pete Spiby. “It happens all the time and we are no strangers to this occurrence. You just have to find the strength to carry on and keep some dignity.”
“It’s been and continues to be such a strange time, so we’re still getting used to being out and about,” continues Pete. “We set out to tour this album this year and we are determined to honour that. We are already back in the studio, recording towards our next release, so we need to get out there and play these songs while we can!”
Find Black Spiders online at:
Under the Volcano kicks off in style with the chaotic ‘Sublime Architect Of Death’ banging on like a spastic blur of the best of Mark E Smith and his Fall and a bit of Gun Club for good measure. Hey, even a hint of Idles here and there if you’re looking for genres and reference buddies.
Shit, ‘King Of Rock and Roll’ kicks off with a throbbing unravelling bassline decaying with overdrive before the abrasive guitars kick in. Vistic is on fire as he preaches his sermon in front of a wall of vicious guitars colliding with the rhythm section setting off shards of glass-like spears into your ear and burrowing through your head making for uncomfortable sounds but pleasing and addictive drops of raw garage Rock and Roll.
‘Psycho Death Cult’ is like early hypnotic Gallon Drunk mixing it with eldrich or even some extreme garage punk rock Depeche Mode. hunter, gatherer this is primal screaming alright all the way to the chanted chorus. A most excellent start to the record.
‘Its Nature’ is almost tame in comparison – a more gentle Rocker with a pop melody trying to break through as we head towards the chorus which pokes you in the temple demanding your attention and bloody well getting it. Excellent track almost Bowie-like in places. ‘Louts’ is a twisted electronic pop song with distant drums and super fuzzed-up guitar. ‘I Am The Shadow’ is like a long lost classic Pete Murphy – Bauhaus number, it builds to a twisted crescendo with a wah wah static solo – at times it feels claustrophobic and your gulping for air but the music pulls you about like a rag doll and I like it, I like it a lot!
‘Heart In Danger’ builds with a hypnotic drum beat over a raw repetitive guitar rip before a stabbing jarring lyric. This already impressive album just got more epic, more intense, more interesting and believe it or not more enjoyable and we’re only two thirds through.
‘Moronic Inferno’ invokes the likes of Bauhaus meets swell maps and a simple riff meets some twisted stabs and lush piano fills to make a simple yet complicated song but completely enjoyable. To wrap this up we are treated to an acoustic song ‘Sapiens (When We All Are Free)’, building on big Bowie-like chords is the perfect full stop to a really good album and one I’ll invest some time in for a multitude of moods and reasons. Take a bow John E Vistic you’ve done good Man – real good.
Buy Here
Author: Dom Daley
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