Join us for this week’s instalment of the RPM Online Podcast Episode 40 no less. This week’s show opens on a sad note with the awful news that 60ft Dolls drummer passed away recently so it seemed fitting that we kick off with the awesome ‘Happy Shopper’ from ‘The Big 3’ album. I witnessed the band at the peak of their powers when they played to a packed-out house in the next village on the same road effectively that we broadcast from. A band that should have been as big as the Manics no question about it but alas they burned brightest rather than fading away, this one is for Carl may he rest in peace.

After such a sad note to begin with the show starts with the original kick-off and the most excellent Turbonegro cover of The classic ‘The Party Starts Now’ released in 2005, this is how to do a cover version deathpunk style. After Martin reviewed the Love Fiends album recently we had to include this Banger ‘Jimmy (Is An Agent)’. Power Pop done superbly.

Great to have UK Hardcore legends Chubby & The Gang ready to drop their new LP ‘And Then There Was One’, to loosen the juices they’ve dropped this new single ‘Theres A Devil In The Jukebox’ which is going down a treat at the pumphouse HQ. October seems so long away.

Cherry Red are continuing their tradition of releasing double album CDs of classic releases and this time its GBH so ‘Sick Boy the single version is our pick of the pack. Out in months time the band still play to this day with the same power and aggression.

A classic reissue with a superb mix was The Replacements ‘Tim: Let It Bleed Edition’ which came out a few years ago. ‘Kiss Me On The Bus’ (Ed Stasium mix) is our pick from this stunning box set that is well worth the price. Packed with goodies for the fair ear The Replacements always do quality reissues and this might well be the pick of the pack. Now if only they were to do some more reunion shows that would be most excellent. As far as remixes or remasters go this is night and day with the original release probably only outdone by the recent Senseless Things remix /remaster.

Another band we love at HQ is The Hillbilly Moon Explosion and with their most recent album getting a repress and launch in a few weeks it seemed right to play one of the best songs off the album ‘1979’ check em out. ‘Back In Time’ is a fantastic addition to the band’s catalogue and an underground band who have bazillion of plays on YouTube if you want to get a flavour of what to expect.

Now a band we’ve played before The Cavemen have a new album out and thankfully it’s more of the same from our favourite New Zealand reprobates. ‘Cash 4 Scrap’ is all killer and no filler (possibly because they don’t hang around long enough) They do a great line in zero fucks lo-fi garage punk even if this is the slowest song in their repertoire.

The first half of this week’s offerings is the brand-new single from the one and only Marilyn Manson who by the sounds of it is right back on form. With a new album hopefully in the pipeline being released on nuclear blast records it’s one to look out for.

With all the unrest around at the moment, it seems appropriate to drop this last live recording of the late great Joe Strummer when he did the firemen benefit and got Mick Jones up to blast off the cobwebs of ‘White Riot’.

Janes Addiction have been getting some great reviews from their live shows and having the four original members back in the fold ‘Imminent Redemption’ sound right back on form for the Californian rockers. Lets hope this new album is of the same strong output. It would be great to have them back making a noise and upsetting people.

Swansea upstarts Monet are busy recording their second album and after a quality live performance recently celebrating 30 years of Repeat Magazine/Records it would be foolish not to add them to the roster of excellent bands to look out for. We’ve also asked Richard to pop down to HQ and host the podcast with us so fingers crossed that comes off soon. Repeat are the kind of people we want to align ourselves with as we all sing off the same hymn sheet. Love Music Hate Racism.

Another band who played the Repeat party was West Wales noise makers Lacross Club and it might be the first song we’ve played twice but ‘Welsh Weather Heather’ is so good we could play it most weeks, get an album done gents those songs might go off if you leave them.

Chris informed me that Sepultura covered the New Model Army and I had to check it out as I didn’t know that one but they bloody well did. Good solid effort but not a patch on the original and hopefully they’ll play this when I go to see them in a few months, next up is ‘The Hunt’.

The Bellrays have a new album coming and its a banger so we’re playing ‘One More Night’ before they head off on a US tour with Social Distortion. One of the finest voices in garage rock no doubt about it. Another band to write a song influenced by a riot is The Damned who deliver ‘Thanks For The Night’ with Vanian on vocals as opposed to the Captain but regardless of who is singing this was and is a classic.

Tubthumper Dunstan Bruce has signed a contract with Heavy Medication Records to release his ‘Fucking Expensive’ single so it would be rude not to give it an airing. The penultimate track is an unreleased single from the late 70s by The Vibrators who have captain Oi reissuing ‘V2/pure mania’ and ‘Bad Time’ is the tune showcases just how bloody good The Vibrators were another very underrated band from the late 70s.

We end this weeks show with with another new song this time from the awesome Peter Perrett who dropped the news of his pending album and then released the first video off the record and what a banger to sign off with. ‘I Wanna Go With Dignity’ is a swashbuckling slice of classic Perrett. Adios amigos til next time.

PRE-ORDER THE SINGLE HERE:

FUCKING EXPENSIVE is a new single fronted and performed by Dunstan Bruce, former singer in the band Chumbawamba, and current frontman in Interrobang‽, and known for his deep-rooted connection to political music. Always the agent provocateur, ‘Fucking Expensive’ is both a music single and an art piece, reflecting a commitment to creativity and expression.

The song addresses the societal perception of value, touching on themes relevant to both the UK, USA and worldwide, in particular highlighting self-worth and the cost of living. It’s a song, a piece of art, a point of view that is incredibly easy to understand and, if adopted, is simply saying that EVERYTHING and EVERYONE are important and relative. Never before in the history of human existence have we been able to see all the hard facts and information about how our civilisation functions and what we do to ourselves and our incredible planet.

Fucking Expensive is a mindset, a declaration of the inherent value of everything in life. From the mundane to the extraordinary, it recognises the priceless worth of existence. It’s not about monetary value; it’s about cherishing every moment, every relationship, and every experience as irreplaceable. Fucking Expensive reminds us that life’s richness lies in the appreciation of its infinite complexities. It’s a philosophy that transcends material possessions, embracing the profound truth that everything and everyone is fucking expensive.

“I know it seems counter-intuitive, but the song is actually a celebration of how we always find a way to connect, to enjoy, to revel in the good bits, to appreciate the moment, to simply be,” states Dunstan. “In a world where every-fucking-thing is monetised I’m saying, “Fuck that”. We don’t exist in this world to make money. That’s not the reason we’re here. I’m saying that this is your one chance, your one opportunity, your one go at life; so don’t wait; do it. Now!”

People say the simple ideas are the best and this new release pulls no punches, everything about this song holds your attention and that’s saying something these days. The orchestral strings add the tension, the huge beats pull the song along like a truck and Dunstan’s words and delivery hold everyone and everything to account. This is punk in every way but without the guitars. Dunstan’s punk roots still shine.

Dunstan has been working with producers and Oscar winning team Tarn Willers and Jimi Ogden who have been capturing Dunstan’s distinctive vocal delivery while producing tracks that have been crafted with original and inspired style. Dunstan recorded the track in Brighton in the studio of MY LIFE STORY frontman Jake Shillingford whose vocals also appear on both tracks.

From the start this song invites the listener to join in with every verse and chorus (it’s very hard not to) Dunstan’s history and much of his legacy comes from the original and constant band that was CHUMBAWAMBA. Selling more than 5 million albums attaining triple platinum status. Being one of the original DIY bands, from a squat in Leeds to touring the world shouting all the way with their AGITPOP. Dunstan is also a filmmaker and still playing gigs around the country with his creative projects.

Available July 26th via Heavy Medication Records, the single is a double A side and also features the track ‘Pin Number’ and will be available digitally and on limited coloured vinyl.

Pre-order ‘Fucking Expensive’ HERE: