UK Subs – ‘Flood Of Lies’ (Jungle Records)

UK Subs – ‘Flood Of Lies’ (Jungle Records)

Another day another Subs reissue. Get over it I say the more the merrier. Looking for a crisp copy on vinyl with a raft of bonus songs pertaining to the release is most welcome. The fifth Subs studio album, from 1983, not available on vinyl for years, gets an October rebirth just in time for some live-action where we might get to hear some long-lost tunes.  The remastered LP has a new inner bag featuring the lyrics and unseen band photos in limited, transparent yellow ochre vinyl with improved original sleeve art so whats not to like?

The 2xCDversion has seven extra tracks from singles; and a bonus CD ‘Gross-Out USA’ – plus three never-before released demo tracks, one an unheard song.  Packaged in an all-card 6-panel sleeve.   Albums ‘F’ and ‘G’ in the UK Subs A-Z series of albums, on Fall Out Records. Now that’s not to be sniffed at either.

The album came at a time when punk was changing from the original burst of bands who (most of ) were no longer a going concern to the bands who were born from that original youth movement. Remember it took time for the word to spread there were no mobile phones – no social media and the second wave saw the UK Subs right up there. Punk was no longer fashionable, this record saw Charlie having to start from scratch and form what was effectively a new band. Call in Subs bassist Steve Slack (who’d left before their first recordings, replaced by his brother), drummer Steve Jones and guitarist Captain Scarlet.

Embracing wider styles and God forbid acoustic guitars and strings many songs were co-written by Slack and Scarlet with Charlie’s lyrics reflected the current times and politics.  ‘Soldiers Of Fortune’ with its intro made way for a more familiar sound. ‘Working For The DBs’ is punk by numbers and only highlights the “of its time” production that let down some of the songs off this time period. at times it’s paper thin and would possibly have benefitted from a complete overhaul and a (dare I say It) modern production offering some bottom end, especially on the tribal drumming and bass on ‘Tampa Bay’.

I’ve enjoyed replaying an album that probably doesn’t get the love it deserves and considering what it followed it’s probably benefitted from the distance of its release. ‘In The Red’ is still quality and the medieval intro of ‘Dress Code’ still baffles me to this day. The band were clearly not put off small straying away from the punk rock many would have expected and some of the drum stabs explosions like on ‘Jelly Devils’ are of the time for sure. I’m also hearing some Ant music in the arrangments and that’s no shock ‘In The Wild’ could be a punier Adam Ant song. All in all its a great addition to any Subs LP collection and one that should appeal not just to completists but people curious to investigate the second wave or third wave of Subs music. Buy it! Its worth it for the cover art alone, superb.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Fallen Angels – Fallen Angels (Fall-out/Jungle Records)

Fallen Angels – Fallen Angels (Fall-out/Jungle Records)

Way back in the mists of time there were records that got released that a small collection of people went absolutely nuts over much to the bemusement of the rest of the population and still to this day some bands – records are the things of legend and that first Fallen Angels album can certainly be placed into that bracket somewhere near the top if you please.  Sharing the same management and having the stars align meant Knox could have what some (me included) to have the dream team rhythm section helping knock these tunes into shape that would eventually make up The ‘Fallen Angels’ album.  It originally surfaced early 84  after being recorded late 83.  Fallout records released it The band consisted of Knox, Sami Yaffa, Razzle, Nasty Suicide Knox cousin Richard Wernham (The Motors), Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy also guested on the recordings.

The sleeve notes are the same as those used on the CD reissue in 2006 but this RSD exclusive has an extra two tracks to that CD so don’t dismiss this out of hand because those of us who know – know right? Right!

Judging by the sleeve notes it was a bit of a riot recording this and those Hanoi boys had a ball as Sami testifies but lets not gloss over their efforts here because those kids could play and whilst they did like to indulge they were also extremely talented players and Knox knew this and with the rock and roll songs he’d written they would lend themselves perfectly to each other.  From the single ‘Inner Planet Love’ to the ‘Chinese Rocks’ of ‘Rain Rain Rain’ its blistering stuff.

What’s not to love about the snotty ‘Runaround’ and the magnificent ‘Amphetamine Blue’ probably the definitive version right here edging it due to Razzles sense of rhythm and his floor tom rolls having said that how he managed it with Yaffa and Nasty trying to put him off god only knows. The album proper finished with the melancholic ‘Vipers In The Dark’ with its acoustic strum which just about wrapped up an absolute 24 carrot album from the middle of the ’80s make no mistake about that and seeing as its celebrating its 35th year this year why not bring it back for more people to enjoy.

This version pulls in the singles and B sides over the two discs and to complete the set and make this the definitive copy it also has the 12″ version of ‘Inner Planet Love’ and the 7″ version of ‘Amphetamine Blue’ oh and it does come pressed on a couple of lovely coloured records.  Make this one you head straight for on RSD on forever kick yourself its a belter! The biggest shame is the line up never got to play these songs live now that would have been something.

Author: Dom Daley

Website: Here

UK Subs – Sub Mission The Best Of The UK Subs 1982-1998 (Fall Out / JungleRecords)

UK Subs – Sub Mission The Best Of The UK Subs 1982-1998 (Fall Out / JungleRecords)

The lesser known of the Record Store Day family would be the winter version that leans more towards North America and this Black Friday offerings might well be a bit thin on the ground that might all be changing with Jungle being involved in knocking out a few must-have purchases and this latest offering will be of great interest to UK Subs fans (obviously).  Sure this summer just passed the Subs released their entire back catalogue over two box sets that were nicely housed inside a book like cover and split over two periods they housed every single A-Z in the bands releases which was very nice as it had stuff that was fairly hard to find even for avid collectors of Subs stuff but it was all available for under seventy sheets in most places with Charlie’s signature and limited to 1000 pieces.  Well maybe someone somewhere will take on the same collection but on vinyl, however, I’d imagine it might be a little more expensive so one will have to make do.  there is one album included in that set that was released as part of the A-Z but it never got a vinyl release ever.  Until now that is and the good people at Jungle and Fall Out records have taken on the job of producing a double album pressed on yellow and blue vinyl and limited to 500 pieces so you’ll have to be fairly diligent and quick to find a copy before they are all hoovered up.

 

housed in a gatefold sleeve with pictures of all the Subs who passed through the band in the time period and a brief description of each track and where the versions come from.  the one thing that shines through is how diverse the Subs have always been and they certainly aren’t a one trick pony.  I particularly like the Gibbs vocals on ‘Drag Me Down’ from the Killing time Album and the take of Die Toten Hosen ‘Here Comes Alex’ which was done in return for the version of ‘Stranglehold’ that Hosen did prior to this. Subs lyrics have always been on point and relevant except maybe fo r’Hey Santa’ depending on how you view things but ‘Ozone Death’, ‘Warhead’ ‘Riot’ could all have been written yesterday to be fair as sad as it is to say.

Having seen the band recently they are indeed alive and well and still on tour and kicking up a shit storm and as relevant as ever with a new EP on the way as well as Alvin Gibbs having his debut solo album ready to drop.

‘SUB MISSION’, was compiled by Charlie Harper, how he chose the best 20 tracks from their albums F – R I’ll never know although this is indeed a pretty good starting point.  And the bonus of a previously unreleased live recording of the Subs in top form in Bristol 1991adds exceptional VFM. Now we can carry on arguing as to which is the best line up.  any of these? The first? Current?  Does it matter as long as there is a UK Subs playing a venue near you someday soon.

Buy Vinyl RSD Sub Mission Here

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