It’s Only A Podcast – Episode 15

It’s Only A Podcast – Episode 15

Full steam ahead they said as the good ship RPM Online Podcast sails into treasure-filled waters. This Episode is positively overflowing with new tracks as well as an exclusive Live cover from Ravagers that will never be on streaming services or CD and is limited to 100 copies of White Vinyl. Spaghetty Town Records have kindly let us play the Ravager’s cover of ‘Goin Downtown’ by the Lords Of The New Church. That’s only one of the reasons why you should check the Podcast out.

Sweden’s First Boy On The Moon Kick off this Episode with the opening track of their new album ‘Dreamer’. Hot on the heels comes a new track off the Final Cock Sparrer Album ‘Hand On Heart’ out on April 5th. ‘I Belong To You’ is classic Sparrer and an album that sees the band get better and better.

Now co-host Hotshot likes nothing more than fantasising about Sex Pistol and Radio broadcasting inspiration and role model Steve Jones so we’ve dug deep for a sparkling live rendition of his classic ‘Silly Thing’.

Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper

Hotshot wanted to change the mood by introducing a track from Garbage who penciled in a re-release of the album ‘Bleed Like Me’ with his favourite track off the album. How about Japan’s finest glam punks Angel Face with a brand new track off their Slovenly Records self-titled album. A new track from Bullets And Octane, and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard before Hotshot plays Suede with a track off their latest album ‘Autofiction’.

Ravagers are a glam punk n roll band outta The USA and they have a brand new LP released through Spaghetty Town Records as pointed out in the intro above. 100 copies pressed no streaming and no downloading. This will be a must-own record and rare as rocking horse shit. We’ve got an exclusive don’t miss it.

Desperate Measures have been playing support to Cheetah Chromes Dead Boys around the UK and currently in Europe and getting great reviews so having heard the new Desperate Measures album it’s only fair we play ‘Sublime Destruction’ the title track of their soon-to-be-released Cadiz records album. Staying with Cheetahs how about a new track off The Streetwalkin Cheetahs and a wonderful track ‘Call The Dogs’ being released on Poland’s awesome Heavy Medication Records. While we’re playing the label’s newest releases we also have one from Jonesy the potty-mouthed Canadians 10″ release on HMR but not before Californians Crymwav pop by with ‘Mars Fever’ and Mala Vista get aired with a single off their soon to be released album coming out on Spaghetty Town and Beluga Records in Europe.

Marc Valentine is set to release his second album on Wicked Cool Records in the next few months, so, no time like the present to play a track off it, and having had the privilege to hear the album I can tell you it was tough which one to play seeing as the whole record is fantastic power popping Rock n Roll. Gareth drops in one of his favourite songs from Powerkeg before a fine track from The Mysterines who we reviewed recently when they played support on the Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes tour of the UK.

If you’re still with us then stick around for a banger from The Empty Page who announced this week that they have a new album coming out on their own label if this is anything to go by it promises to be excellent and the first Empty Page track we’ll be playing. With just a couple of tracks to play Sweet Tooth blast away any fatigue with their banger ‘So Gone’ from their epic Lövely Records release ‘Split Image’. This leaves River City Rebels to wipe the floor with us as they blow the fuckin doors off the show with ‘Unless Your White’ out on Screaming Crow Records.

That boys and girls is one hell of a playlist from top to bottom we doubt you’ll hear a running order with as much quality as that. Keep it RPM Online Podcast – It’s A Revolution!

Brian Setzer – ‘Gotta Have The Rumble’ ( Surfdog/Mascot Label Group)

Brian Setzer – ‘Gotta Have The Rumble’ ( Surfdog/Mascot Label Group)

Right folks get on your blue suede shoes, slick back your hair and grease up your quiff as Brian Setzer is going to rock this town with his guitar twanging new album titled “Gotta have the rumble”.

The first cut is titled “Checkered Flag” and it draws the listener in with a killer groove and has Brian’s signature killer guitar playing all over it.

Next up we have “Smash up on highway one” and Brian is in fine voice and with a hypnotic guitar riff this song is a winner.

“Stack my money” and “The wrong side of the tracks” are pure quality and keep the album flowing along with instant foot tapping anthems.

“Drip Drop” is a slower paced number and has a doo wop feel to it with some stunning female backing vocals and is a truly stunning track.

Up next we have “The cat with 9 wives” and the pace is picked back up with Brian telling us the tale of his 9 wives now this would be too much for the average joe but the rock’n’roll legend that is Brian Setzer is more than cool enough to pull it off.

“Rockabilly Riot” is what it says on the tin. The song is filled with hooks that just don’t lodge in your brain; they smash you over the head and if your leg isn’t shaking along to the rhythm Elvis style then get your pulse checked as you might be dead.

“One bad habit” is another effortlessly cool track dripping with attitude and pure energy.

Closing out the album is the track “ Rockabilly Banjo” and what a way to finish this great album off with a killer chorus that immediately gets the listener singing along and yet again Brian is on top guitar slinger form.

Brian Setzer is a living legend who never fails to deliver quality tunes and “Gotta have the rumble” is an album that from start to finish is up there with his best work and will reward the listener with repeated spins.

Buy Here

Author: Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper

The Wildhearts – Cardiff Tramshed – 03.09.21

The Wildhearts – Cardiff Tramshed – 03.09.21

Well, what’s the old saying “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”. For this reviewer that’s certainly been the case as due to the pandemic it’s been 18 months without live music and to say I’ve missed it would be a huge understatement.

So what better way to get back in the saddle than a live concert by the mighty Wildhearts.

The lads come on stage to a huge applause and BOOM it’s the sound I’ve been missing for so long, Ritch’s room shaking drums, Danny’s thunderous bass and the sonic assault of guitars that only Ginger and CJ can muster.

The band start as they mean to go on with a stunning rendition of ‘Diagnosis’ that has the band and audience coming together beautifully, all of us singing “you are not your diagnosis” as one.

Up next we have “Vanilla radio” followed by “Sick of drugs” and what a glorious racket we are being treated to.

Today is also a great day as The Wildhearts cracking new album ’21st-century love songs’ has been released and we get a rip-roaring version of new song ‘Remember These Days’ which if that isn’t special enough the guys manage to squeeze in an old favourite in the shape of the epic ‘splattermania’ in the middle breakdown before returning to finish the above-mentioned song, breathtaking.

It is physically impossible not to jump around to ‘Caffeine Bomb’ and then there is no rest as then the band launch into ‘The Revolution Will Be Televised’ at breakneck speed.  ‘Dislocated’ was up next off ‘Renaissance Men’ which finds Ginger in great voice to be fair. Next the band aired another track off the new album in the shape of ‘Splitter’ and wow, what a riff! I knew it was going to be loud, brash and in your face punk’n roll.  But this takes no prisoners, what a gem of a song this is going to be and a live favourite.

‘Let ‘Em Go’ is dedicated to people we can all let go of in our lives a sentiment not lost on people I’m sure and ‘Mazel Tov Cocktail’ they’re both numbers with huge choruses and are sung along to by tonight’s enthusiastic audience.

Old fan favourite ‘Caprice’ is next and sounds huge with its colossal riffs echoing around the Tramshed which is turning into a bit of a theme tonight the band keep rolling out those big riff guns. Is it really that time? The band walk off the stage before returning for the encore as ‘Inglorious’ with its many twists and turns is ushered in.

Time for a ‘Suckerpunch’ which has the audience again going for it before sadly it’s time for the swan song of the night, the classic ‘I Wanna Go Where The People Go’ brings this splendid evening to a close.

As a first concert back I couldn’t have asked for a better performance from such a great band. It was truly a magical night of loud music and great entertainment. All that is left to say is do yourselves a favour go and see the beast that is The Wildhearts live.

If the last 18 months has taught us anything it’s that you never know what is around the corner so please support live music.

Author: Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper

The Distillers – s/t (Hellcat Records)

The Distillers – s/t (Hellcat Records)

Wow has it really been 20 years since Brody and her band The Distillers unleashed their seminal debut album on the world.

Well believe it or not it has and what we have here is a freshly remastered version which sounds fantastic so now is as good a time as any to take a look back on this stunning piece of music.

The album starts off with the snotty punk of “Oh Serena” and man does this remaster sound good with the rhythm section of Mat Young and Kim ‘Chi’ Fuelleman sounding thunderous and Brody’s and Caspers guitars thrashing away.  This ladies and gentlemen is how to start an album off,  what a bang.

“Idoless” is up next and Brody’s rip snarling vocal sounds magnificent and yet again we are treated to a full-on wall of sound.

“The world comes tumblin’ has always been this reviewer’s personal favorite and it’s great hearing it so fresh and that riff mixed with that voice is heavenly.

“L.A. Girl”  and “Distilla Truant” are both great upbeat numbers and the pace doesn’t slow down for a second.

The cover version of the Patti Smith song “Ask the angels” sees Brody makes it her own and what I like about this song is the way Brody approaches the vocal as this song is a bit slower than the ones that come before this shows what a beautiful powerful melodic voice she does possess.

“Oldscratch” is just under a minute of pure punk rock frenzy. “Girlfixer” is another short track that is just over a minute and sees Kim taking the lead vocal while Brody handles the chorus and is a great number.  “Open Sky” starts off slow before the band kicks into a high octane thrasher with a great bass solo in the middle.

One of my personal favourites off this album is “Red carpet and rebellion” as I just love the chorus and pounding drums on this track. Saying that its such a strong album the likes of “Colossus U.S.A.” and “Blackheart” are so strong tracks they keep the quality of this album at a high until the end.

“Gypsy rose lee” is just a masterpiece of a song with a beautiful melodic opening before it picks up the pace and this track just has a fantastic melody. The album closes with “The Blackest years” and is a great track to bring this statement of intent to a blistering finish.

All in all this remastered reissue is an essential purchase as it sounds amazing and fresh but doesn’t lose the power of the original.

Buy ‘The Distillers’ Here
Author: Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper