The Saints – ‘Long March Through The Jazz Age’ (Fire Records)

The Saints – ‘Long March Through The Jazz Age’ (Fire Records)

On 28th November 2025, Fire Records will release ‘Long March Through the Jazz Age’, the last recorded work by Chris Bailey and The Saints, coinciding closely with what would have been Bailey’s 69th birthday. It’s a moving farewell – a testament to a restless, uncompromising artist who always moved forward, one of rock’s great lyricists and iconoclasts. Sure, he was a different fella to the youth who came up with ‘I’m Stranded’ and there might no thave been the same rage as he had many years previous but he matured into a quality artist and had gravitas and can still capture a room when his music comes through the speakers.

Recorded at Church Street Studios in Sydney, Bailey and longtime Saints drummer Pete Wilkinson flew in from Europe to reunite with guitarist/engineer Sean Carey, who had previously toured and recorded with the band. They were joined by Davey Lane (You Am I) on guitar, plus a handpicked ensemble of Sydney’s most exciting young horn, string and keyboard players.

From Bailey’s rough demos, ‘Long March Through the Jazz Age’ is the sound of a man who grew up and his take on modern times.

Lead single ‘Empires (Sometimes We Fall)’ is the album’s anthemic opener, the western guitars sit nicely behind Bailey’s words: “Sometimes we rise, sometimes we fall”. It’s a great intro on an album that has gravitas and a swagger with Bailey’s punk rock heart beat flowing nicely in a really well-produced album.

‘Judas’, is a big piece, with space and thoughtfulness in the arrangement. ‘Gasoline’ has some Stones country honk in its DNA, whilst ‘Bruises’ is an introspective look inside the mind of a legend. Loads of kids who grew up in the glare of the public mellowed later on, take Westerberg as a prime example, add Bailey to that list

There are a few really epic long songs on offer here, and towards the close of the record, I love the cracks in the vocal, which is flawed and rasping on ‘Resurrection Day’ with its uplifting chorus, with beautifully poised horns and strings. It’s a crack of sun poking through the sky on a wet and rainy day, a big panoramic widescreen track.

Over four decade of doing whatever the fuck he liked Bailey and his band The Saints were truly the best from down under make no mistake, utterly pierless and groundbreaking on a global stage and this final offering shows another side of the legend and the best was saved till last with the epic trumpet-punctuated jazzy ‘Carnivore’ as the seven plus minutes unfold like a cinematic widescreen road movie with the vocal sounding both strong and vulnerable at the same time its wonderful through some good speakers or headphones. As it builds, it never really spills over but it does make your heart ache for what could have should have been.

Leaving the whistful acoustic ‘Will You Still Be There’ to carry this fine record home. Saints fans will love it, and I’m sure new fans will find it uplifting, and the full stop of this majestic band brought on for one finale. Buy this record.

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Author: Dom Daley

The Lemonheads – ‘Love Chant’ (Fire Records)

The Lemonheads – ‘Love Chant’ (Fire Records)

Years before going overground with a cover of Mrs Robinson and The whole Shame About Ray’ upwards trajectory and superstardom king of the slackers Evan Dando was besties with Oasis and perenial clusterfuck of drama on the live scene through the pages of Melody Maker and NME but never stopped making records going from the early days of the rather excellent records that were ‘Hate your Friends’, ‘Lovey’,’Lick’, ‘Creator’ before going overground and offered up the iconic stuff and big chart hits like ‘Car Button Cloth’ ‘ Shame About Ray’ and ‘Come On Feel’ before disappearing back into the murky underground Dando never stopped making music doing cover albums playign live as a band or solo this is his first Lemonheads studio album in a couple of decades.

It’s been a long time promised, and a cast of collaborators came and went, it’s a bold, melodic return to form with flashes of all previous models of the ban,d from the soppy acoustic folkified ramblings to the chaotic, rough house punk rock ‘In The Margin’. Dando has certainly found his mojo.

Now based in Brazil, where much of the album was recorded, Dando’s relocation in recent years has given him time to focus his attention on getting this done and on our turntables. ‘Wild Thing’ is powerful with big guitar and his distinctive vocal delivery front and centre. The laid-back acoustic junk of ‘Be In’ sits nicely between the happy-go-lucky uptempo swagger of ‘Cell Phone Blues’, another great Dando tune.

If you want more wild, unhinged meanderings, then the Neil Young styleings on ‘Togetherness Is All I’m After’ with distorted guitars strumming big chords over a slow groove and big vocal melody is classic Dando.

J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Juliana Hatfield, and Tom Morgan rejoin the fold, alongside producer Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Antony and the Johnsons), Nashville’s Erin Rae, John Strohm of the Blake Babies and Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond. Adam Green of cult New York favourites The Moldy Peaches also contributes as co-writer on the aforementioned country detour that is ‘Wild Thing’.

You’ve got the groovy bass-heavy ‘Marauders’ offering something funky, whilst the title track is darker and punchier. ‘The Key OF Victory’ is an acoustic meandering campfire jaunt before the dreamy ‘Roky’ kisses the listener goodbye, and a very well-received new album from The Lemonheads that will, in time, sit proudly alongside some of this band’s fine catalogue of releases. In a different time from the last time we got new Lemonheads material, Dando has delivered a strong album that is worthy of the name. Let’s not leave it another twenty years if there’s more of this in the tank.

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Author: Dom Daley

The Nightingales – DVD/CD & Vinyl News and UK tour details.

The Nightingales – DVD/CD & Vinyl News and UK tour details.

AEG Presents announce that, following a much-postponed but largely sold-out tour of 2021, The Nightingales will again tour the UK in Spring 2022.  Described by John Robb as “The misfits’ misfits”, The Nightingales are the subject of the documentary feature film, “King Rocker” – written and presented by comedian Stewart Lee, directed by Michael Cumming (‘Brass Eye’, ‘Toast Of London’). The reviews were amazing: “One of my all-time favourite rock-Docs” said Mark Kermode, “The new Gold standard for rockumentaries” agreed The Scotsman. This is a band that matters.

there will be a Special edition King Rocker Bookback DVD/CD and  Vinyl Soundtrack Out 18th March 2022. The   
DVD/CD features full-length film with over 90 mins of extras, soundtrack cd & liner notes from Stewart Lee & Michael Cumming.

Comedian Stewart Lee and director Michael Cumming (Brass Eye, Toast Of London) investigate a missing piece of punk history. Robert Lloyd, best known for fronting cult Birmingham band’s The Prefects and The Nightingales, has survived under the radar for over four decades. But how, if at all, does Robert want to be remembered? The anti-rockumentary ‘King Rocker’ weaves the story of Birmingham’s undervalued underdog autodidact into that of the city’s forgotten public sculpture of King Kong, eschewing the celebrity interview and archive-raid approach for a free-associating bricolage of Indian food, bewildered chefs, vegetable gardening, prescription medicines, pop stardom and pop art.

All of the highlights from the film are here, along with rarities which won’t appear on any of the deluxe reissues of the Nightingales’ catalogue, among them 7″ versions of “Use Your Loaf”, the Bob Luman hit “Let’s Think About Living” and “Black Country”, a glam remix of crowd favourite “Thick And Thin” and a version of Christy & Emily’s “Ghost” which rivals the Nightingales’ take on TLC’s “Unpretty” for sheer beauty.

The only act with roots in the punk era that have gone on to make records more captivating, cutting and entertaining today than at any point in their past; 2022 will be a busy year for the Nightingales, with months of live dates planned, a limited edition remix 12″, deluxe reissues of both ‘Hysterics’ and ‘In The Good Old Country Way’, and a hardcover book collecting Robert’s lyrics.

Tickets for the bands UK tour can be found on sale: Here


 
Birmingham’s original punk group The Prefects had been part of The Clash’s ‘White Riot Tour’, recorded Peel sessions, released a 45 on Rough Trade and, years after splitting had a retrospective released by Fire Records offshoot label Call Of The Void to glowing reviews.  The Nightingales was formed by a few members of The Prefects following that band’s demise in 1979. Comprising an ever-fluctuating lineup, based around lyricist/singer Robert Lloyd, they enjoyed cult status in the early ’80s and were championed by John Peel, who said, “Their performances will serve to confirm their excellence when we are far enough distanced from the 1980s to look at the period rationally and other, infinitely better known, bands stand revealed as charlatans”.


 
In the late Eighties, the Nightingales stopped working but, following the occasional gig between times, they re-grouped in 2004, arriving at the current (and now long-standing) line up, which features Lloyd, Andreas Schmid from Faust on bass, ex Violet Violet wonder drummer Fliss Kitson and on guitar James Smith, who Lloyd had spotted playing with Damo Suzuki. The latest album ‘Four Against Fate’ is out now on Tiny Global Productions.


 
The band’s career-spanning soundtrack to ‘King Rocker’ will be released by Fire Records, alongside a bizarro 12″ remix EP ‘The New Nonsense’, and these will be followed by deluxe expanded versions of the band’s ‘Hysterics’ and ‘In The Good Old Country Way’ albums, and a bookback DVD of ‘King Rocker’. This activity is all capped off with the autumn release of their stunning new album, recorded in Spain, as well as a subsequent support tour and rescheduled shows in Europe and America.

The Lemonheads – ‘Lovey 30th Anniversery Edition’ (Fire Records)

The Lemonheads – ‘Lovey 30th Anniversery Edition’ (Fire Records)

▪ Remastered 30th Anniversary Edition Double LP & Bookback CD

In the late ’80s to early ’90s there was an explosion of alternative music coming out of the US of A and some climbed to the top of the pile but they weren’t necessarily the best bands out there.  Sure the early ’80s had the Husker Du’s and Replacements to trail blaze but of the late decade bands, I remember having a mixtape sent to me that had a lofi song from a bunch of punks called The Lemonheads the track as it goes was ‘I Don’t Wanna’ and it was easily the best track on the tape out of about 40 bands I didn’t take a great deal of notice until I heard ‘Lick’ and loved it along with the fantastic cover of ‘Luka’ but these records weren’t easy to track down in a small city in the UK.  I remember seeing an interview with Evan Dando and being impressed with his slacker credentials and good looks.  It must have been around the time of Lovey when they signed to a major and heading out to pick it up and loving it and the next two and a half major-label albums should have seen them trade against the likes of Nirvana and Pearl Jam because out of the three The Lemonheads threw up the best records for my ears.

Fast forward thirty fuckin’ years and the Re-Release of ‘Lovey’ in a big book like format with an impressive bound bunch of liner notes and a lavish reproduction of an 8 track session the band did in Australia for Triple J. but more of that later.

‘Lovey’ saw the band step back and trade in some of that feedback and rage for a gentler acoustic approach or mash-up as songs like the jangly ‘Half The Time’ saw Dando mix up the alternative punk with a power-pop more melodic set of songs with much more thought out vocals. Covering Gram Parsons and Big Star sort of set out the path he was taking.  Maybe with one eye on the prize of international stardom and chart success whilst remaining true to his musical roots.

What’s not to like about the radio-friendly ‘Year of The Rat’ or the beautiful ‘Ride With Me’ there was always a fragility or a vulnerability to Dando’s voice and he used it to great effect from ‘Lovey’ on in. ‘Stove’ was always a live classic and more in keeping with what was to come with the smash album ‘Shame About Ray’ but this was certainly the forerunner.

 

They still had an edge and could kick out the jams when they wanted as they proved on the next few tracks ‘Come Downstairs’ and ‘Left For Dead’.  It was then the wonderful take of Gram Parsons ‘Brass Buttons’ which they nailed by the way.

Worth a reissue on vinyl with a big book type set up?  Sure it is what are the odds of ‘Shame About Ray’ getting the anniversary treatment along the same lines as this which would be very nice but, the real jewel here is the inclusion of the ‘Live At The Wireless’ sessions.  Let’s face it The Lemonheads were always good on record but live they were awesome and this session is perfectly captured from the ‘Lick’ era opener of ‘Come Back D.A’ and the cover of Big Star ‘Nighttime’ and the misspelled download of ‘Year Of The Cat  -Rat’ but the pick of the songs is the epic ‘Ride With Me’ followed up with a raucous ‘Die Right Now’. As much as I loved the Taang!! records they really hit their stride when they hit paydirt and that boys and girls started with ‘Lovey’ and even after 30 years its stood the test of time and remains a fantastic album

 

Deluxe CD Bookback – Pre-order link: Here

Deluxe 2xLP out today 24th October 2020 (Record Store Day) 

RVG – ‘Feral’ (Fire Records)

RVG – ‘Feral’ (Fire Records)

If you want an album that marries pop sensible melodies with some Britpop (I’m well aware they’re Australian) with a twist think Pulp with their Lou Reid angle and some dark topics there is a warmth yet isolated feel to the record it’s like classic Babybird married to some post-punk alternative leanings like Echo and the Bunnymen.  Probably a love of Bowies’ darker albums and a pop collection consisting of bands like the Byrds and Teardrop Explodes and Icicle Works.  I love ‘Asteroids’ its jangly guitar and sweeping vocals it’s a real throwback to the mid-80s alternative scene where there was darkness amidst all the lovely melodies and nice chord changes. Its a theme I’m taken back to time and again throughout the record it’s like RVG have visited the history of dark pop and inhaled it all to create their own thing.

The single ‘I Used To Love You’ is straight forward look back at love that just went, gone cold and final. There is something that draws you in and whether it be the melody or the arrangments in their uncluttered recording its an easy listen – uncomplicated but enjoyable as you look into the soul of a writer bearing theirs and enjoying what you hear.

None of the songs outstay their welcome and then you arrive at the final destination ‘Photograph’ in all its seven-plus minutes of sparse guitar and voice with the late addition of some floor toms and cymbals before finally opening out towards the end.

A really nice sounding record with some really good songs from a band who have a firm grip on what they do and do it so well.  I really enjoyed playing that and all the memories it evoked of times long gone.  I love some nostalgia and when it’s done so well its a bonus.

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Author: Dom Daley

 

 

The Lemonheads – Varshons 2 (Fire Records)

The Lemonheads – Varshons 2 (Fire Records)

So the brand new Lemonheads album is another covers affair but this time they’ve gone bananas, no literally they have.  It’s pressed on Banana yellow scratch and sniff vinyl.  I’ve still got my Damned Strawberries scratch and sniff but it no longer smells of Strawberries though. Anyway, The Lemonheads and Mr Dando what have they got for us?

Thirteen tracks that entered the head of Dando and from his influences it was always going to be an eclectic wide-ranging affair with all aspects of their back catalogue ranging from the country honk of Parsons to the fury of Minor Threat and just about everything in between I guess the only thing to expect is the unexpected.

So clear your mind sit back relax and float downstream as they say. Yo La Tengo are up first and Lemonheads take on ‘Can’t Forget’ then I realise its been almost a decade since the last album of covers and flitting from GG Allin to Gram Parsons you won’t find a more diverse set of tunes yet Dando managed to own the lot of them and on this Varshons he’s managed exactly the same.  Why do covers and not write yourself? Who knows only Evan Dando can answer that one but its once again an inspired collection

I love the quote that Lemonheads’ mainman Evan Dando has this strange ability – he could sing his order for a takeaway over the phone and make it into an achy three-minute epic fit for any bar. Indeed, many moons ago when Bush was dallying with the big red button over a Middle East catastrophe, he delivered an impromptu ‘Eve Of Destruction’ losing his sunglasses due to added angst. is a spot on assessment.

Jayhawks, Westerberg, Nick Cave and The Eagles all make it onto this album and they all fit right into that Evan Dando Lemonheads pocket once again. There’s maudlin beauty in the likes of ‘Settled Down Like Rain’ from The Jayhawks and he’s clearly heavily influenced by the likes of Lucinda Williams and Paul Westerberg.

Dando always liked telling stories and his lyrics like ‘Shame About Ray’ helped carve and style his career so heading out into a Nick Cave tune is something that sits really well and you can tell who wrote it but like previously mentioned Dando takes ownership as well not an easy task.

‘TAQN’ sounds like a hoot as they turn the amps up whilst ‘Unfamiliar’ – a tune Dando penned with former Smudge man Tom Morgan, a kind of skank like Keith Richards number that might have been written whilst under the influence of some substances with its Reggae undercurrent.

They (The Lemonheads) never shied away from covering other peoples songs seeing as in the early days ‘Luka’ helped get airplay in the UK for sure whilst ‘Mrs Robinson’ was a big deal and his version of ‘Hey Thats No Way To Say Goodbye’ was only surpassed by Michael Monroe when he did it. On ‘Varshons 2’ they take the covers idea and really go to town on the concept. Dando crooning on Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds ‘Straight To You’ is fitting even if it’s not the most obvious or indeed popular Cave song he could have borrowed but it works and I like it. Calling time on this album Dando takes a run at the Eagles ‘Take It Easy’ and I’m sat here with a mental picture of a contented Evan Dando taking his cans off saying its a wrap and grinning out the door having just delivered a full stop that was easy peazy playing a bunch of tunes you love and live and getting to take em home with you and shove em on your very own Lemonheads mixtape Evan Dando style – I like it always have liked his work and with records like this there’s no reason to stop just yet.  great work and a lot of fun!

Buy Varshons 2 Here

Author: Dom Daley