Limited Edition 2 x 10″ + Poster
500 copies black
500 copies white
A1: The HELLACOPTERS: Rescue
A2: The SEWERGROOVES: Clouds of Dawn
A3: SATOR: Dead Moon Night
A4: The CHUCK NORRIS EXPERIMENT: Walking on my Grave
B1: The NOMADS: Graveyard
B2: “DEMONS”: Out on a Wire
B3: LOVESORES: My Escape
B4: The BOATSMEN: Kicked Out Kicked In
B5: MONOMEN: 54-40 or Fight
C1: SONIC BEAT EXPLOSION: 40 Miles of Bad Road
C2: MUNLET: Sabotage
C3: DIRTY COAL TRAIN: The 99’s
C4: LA SECTA: Ricochet
C5: BUFFALO: Dead in The Saddle
D1: MARY’S KIDS: Ill of the Dead
D2: The BROOMS: Don’t Burn the Fires
D3: HOLY SHEEP: Psychodelic Nightmare
D4: SUICIDE NOTES: Johnny’s Got a Gun
D5: KING MASTINO: War is Blind
There is no time folks – The Hip Priests are ready – Are You?
With the vinyl away at the pressing plant and the CD’s in hand it’s looking like mid/late Feb for this much anticipated new release from Shit Islands leading noise makers brand new album ‘Stand For Nothing’ to hit the shops.
RPM can exclusively bring you the artwork for the record as well as some details of a special limited edition available only to Spasm Gang members. The SG version is on red/yellow splatter and will come in handmade red velvet sleeve with extras, my advice would be – jump on board with the Spasm Gang and get in on the limited editions and other exclusive offers. Join Here As well as the front cover artwork the reverse is here along with the full tracklist that includes exclusive vinyl only song that isn’t included on the CD version.
What looks like being the bands busiest year so far is quickly filling up with tour dates – those already announced to coincide with the album’s launch around Europe are included on this poster. What will undoubtedly be one of the years finest records from one of the best bands anywhere we suggest you don’t snooze on these dates either they won’t be around forever you know, the time to ‘Stand For Nothing’ is upon us are you with us or against us? What are you standing for? Facebook
when we started this website there were going to be artists we had highlighted to cover and interview and when Jeff Dahl showed up on our radar as having something new in the shops it was as good an excuse to speak to him as any (not that we needed an excuse) Talking of new record its sort of new – Well it is new but not all the songs are new…You’ll know what we mean when you read the review (Here) Anyway where were we? Oh yes he’s a punk rock legend he’s been there done it and probably appeared on the T-shirt so here are the words from the chat we had with the one and only Jeff Dahl…
Hi Jeff, hope you’re well this morning and life is treating you as it should?
I can’t complain. Peach pie & Kava tea for breakfast. Life is good. Congratulations on the new website. Right out of the blocks you’re hitting the nail dead on the head.
ok, so firstly you played in Sweden the tail end of 2017 and hooked up with Demons was the plan always to hit the studio whilst you were there?
Well, I’ve known the Demons since they first started so when I was planning to come to Sweden for a vacation, I’m crazy for museums, the idea of doing something came together really naturally. We’d talked about a tour but I was just there for 10 days so we decided to just do some rehearsals, play the show and spend a few days in the studio. I really enjoyed myself.
They’re obviously fans of your work so they knew how the tunes went or did you forward on a set list you had in mind?
They had their collective shit totally together. We discussed it over emails and we wanted to keep it easy and loose. No stress. Plug in and play. It was easy and it was fun.
You must be delighted how the songs came out? There is a new lease of life in those songs and the energy is fantastic those guys got it straight away I’m guessing?
Thanks! Oh yeah, we set up all facing each other in the studio and just played the songs. It’s exciting to record like that and I hope the songs reflect that energy. I don’t think we played any song more than 3 times, but most were first takes, and the vocals were recorded the next day. I think there were just a couple guitar leads added and that about it. It’s raw and real and that’s how we wanted it. Plus, I have not played with a band in 10 years so this was a treat for me. Demons are a great band and fantastic guys. We had fun.
What was the show like you played?
Absolutely aces. Wonderful crowd. Even the sound system was top notch. I told them I did not want to play any venue where it would sound like shit. That’s a big deal with me. There’s no excuse for bad sound in a club.
What did it feel like to be back onstage playing in Sweden?
Honestly, I was a little jittery before we started rehearsals but that came together quick and easy and I got comfortable pretty fast. I had not played live in 10 years! Would I even remember how to do it? Haha. The one drag was that a month before coming over I blew up my left knee so even though I had loads and loads of lovely plain killers I was limping around in excruciating pain and not able to jump around as I would have liked to.
Has it given you the energy to get out there and play anywhere else?
Good question, I don’t know. I suppose that under the right circumstances I would think about it. But the days of 60 shows in 60 days are over! But the idea of going someplace and playing a show or two with a cool band now appeals to me.
The version of Sonic Reducer on the EP is amazing. I know its a much-covered number but a lot of bands just do other peoples songs and miss the point or never achieve the energy and attitude needed and can often sound lame or forced but not this.
Wow, thank you! I’ve played Sonic Reducer in every show I’ve played since the early 80 and its been a mainstay in the Demons sets so it was a natural choice. That’s a song you have to do justice to or you deserve to be stoned off the stage. Haha.
You also recently mentioned the record you cut with poison idea where you did a really heartfelt tribute to Stiv and your take on some of those songs was the best I’ve heard people cover especially the Lords tracks.
Well, thank you again!
Were these your favourite lords/stiv songs? Open Your Eyes and Method are outstanding.
These are definitely among the many Stiv tunes that are my favourites. Open Your Eyes was actually Poison Ideas choice to record. I knew I could sing the Dead Boys stuff but I was a little intimidated to record that one just because Stiv had done it so well. But it came out pretty cool. In hindsight, I wish I had done one of Stiv’s powerpop songs from his time with Bomp. He had so many great songs to choose from.
I’d say that Stiv is one of the most underrated frontmen ever and never gets the respect he deserves in the mainstream press when they talk about punk yet people who knew him had the utmost respect for the guys work be it Dead Boys, Wanderers, Lords or solo he just had such a talent.
I would absolutely agree with that. I think one of the real problems is that the back catalogues of the Dead Boys and the Lords has never really been properly exploited and promoted. But believe me, there are plenty of Stiv fans out there. He’s well remembered… just not by the press.
Have you had the chance to see any of the Stiv movie that is being made what’s your take on what they’re doing? Are you in the film? In your opinion is his work underrated compared to some of his peers?
I know nothing about this movie but I hope it turns out great. I just heard about it recently. Remember, I live one of the outside islands in Hawaii on the side of an active volcano, ha ha ha. That’s why I need a website like yours to keep me informed.
Moving onto your output you have such a large back catalogue have you tried to re-release any of the albums seeing as a lot of them are hard to find especially on record. What about a box set pulling together some of your favourite albums maybe bundled with unreleased material or alternative versions?
The Triple X Records stuff is up to them. Personally, I’d prefer if they didn’t. Maybe a Vol 2 to the Best Of album would be nice. But I’m happy with my little legacy in punk rock. I can pretty much do anything I want and I’ve got great fans and friends who will always support me. I’m really more concerned with my next project, not so much with what I’ve done in the past.
Do you ever delve into your recording past and listen to some of the records?
Haha, no, never! When I recorded those albums I was so intensely inside those songs and sessions that its weird to go back and listen to them years later. I pretty much only listen to then when someone asks me about some lyrics or some chord changes and I have to go back and listen to figure it out. Then its a trip. Almost like I never heard them before.
What in your opinion would be the go-to records for someone just finding out about your work?
The Triple X Best Of Vol 1 album is the place to start. It’s chronological and in the notes, I talk about each album. So if someone hears something they like from a specific album they can go hunt it down. And a warning, unless you are a complete maniac and half-nuts you might want to avoid Heart Full Of Snot. Its a bit abrasive for most people. One thing I do like about my back catalogue is that among my fans everyone seems to have a different favourite. I guess that means I did something right.
About a year ago I stumbled upon a record shop way out in the sticks miles from any big town and picked up brand new copies on record of Powertrip and mother fucker 666 for pennies the guy in the shop smiled and said he wondered who’d buy those haha I was delighted as you can imagine.
It amazes where my records have travelled to. All over the world and in some of the most unlikely places you might imagine. I had a fan in Antartica who brought some of my records down there.
What about the last album getting a vinyl press is it too late for that or would it be something you’d be interested in?
You mean Made In Hawaii? Yes.
Yeah, it’ll happen on vinyl. It’ll probably be a Europe only release. But CDs? No. We did just 300 copies on CD and that’s it. If you have one, its a collector’s item already. But you can buy it on download at all the usual places online.
Is there any new material written or in the can as they say? Just asking for a friend.
Funny your friend should ask, haha. Yeah, I’ll be recording a new album in December. I have to say, though the songs are all a lot more aggressive than Made In Hawaii, they are weirder and angry-ish. Fans of my punkier stuff should be well pleased. The Angry Samoan is angry again! Ha ha ha.
Is there anyone you’d love to get in a studio and play with right now if the chance arose?
Of, fuck yes. I love working with other people. The problem is that, since I live in Hawaii it makes face-to-face collaborations almost impossible. But people I’d like to do something or other with, Deniz Tek is at the top of the list. And Dave Kusworth. We’d talked about it years ago but maybe now might be the time, while we’re both still breathing. My buddy from the Samoans, Gregg Turner, and I have talked about it too. That’s one I really feel the need to do. Who else? The Nomads, Richard Duguay, Andy McCoy and my dear old pal, Freddy Lynxx… And working with Demons would be great to do again with some newly co-written material. I could go on and on. But I would want any of this to be a real and true collaboration. Starting with sitting down and writing the songs together. Not an album of 5 Jeff songs and 5 songs with the other cat.
You played with some great bands who in your opinion were the ones who did it the best, not necessarily wrote the best song but were the best to go on tour with and who just got it and killed it every night?
Oh yes. I have most definitely. This list could go on for pages but I’ll list just a few bands that I’ve had the honour to share the stage with. UK Subs, Trash Brats, NCC, Los Guarriors, Buzzcocks, GG Allin and the Jabbers, Cosmic Psychos, Hell On Heels, Throbbing Gristle, Fear, Kevin K, Slash City Daggers, Slayer, Battalion Of Saints… really, this could go on and on and I’m sure I’m missing many, many of the best. I’ve played a few shows over the years, ya know?
Do you have a favourite tour you went on or one that you never wanted to end?
This one might surprise people but the acoustic tour I did with Freddy Lynxx and Nikki Sudden. It was such a pleasure. We’d each play about 30 minutes solo then we’d play about 30 or 40 minutes more together. It was such fun and we pulled great crowds everywhere. Sadly, Nikki has passed on and Freddy is MIA but we had talked about doing it again.
Over to you Jeff, anything you want to say or we’ve missed?
I just want to thank all the people who have bought some of my records or paid to see me live or offered me friendship and encouragement over these many years. It means everything to me. I am so humbled and this bond we share can never be broken. Even on to the next world we’ll all be thinking, “What’s wrong with that guy’s hair?”
With enough singles to keep any jukebox fully stocked with the latest and greatest RPM brings you a mixed bunch of Rock n Roll, Punk, Garage, and God knows what for your dereliction this month. As we move into November and the Christmas shopping there are more than a few stocking fillers on display here for the discernable hipster to shave off the beard put some socks on and get into some real rock and roll before it’s too late and your old and wondering what you’ve done with your life. So read – watch and listen the 45 RPM roundup is in session…
Scumbag Millionaire -Under The Spell (Suburban Records)
Gothenburg scumbags release the third single of the most excellent album ‘Speed’ (Reviewed Here) As it thunders along this is as good as fucked up rock and fucking roll gets. It sounds huge! and the seven inch also has non-album track ‘Get Out’ on the flip side of this slab of orange wax. Get involved folks these boys are blowing up and offering a thrilling mix of garage rock n roll and punk attitude and making some of the best music this year.
So Beluga in Sweden knows a thing or two about putting out fine Garage Rock n Roll singles and The Hijackers just joined the family with a high energy slab of sleazy garage rock and roll. Having been a part of the scene back in the 80’s its only taken the band some thirty-two years between releases that’s either some writers block or Axl Rose style recording process, either way, it’s here and Beluga has it and by the sounds of it, it’s well worth the wait. The lead track ‘I Don’t Like You’ is like the Hives sludging it out with the Mc5’s and the guitar solo is howling feedback that Brian James would be proud of. Cramming four tracks on to this seven inch makes it a record worth owning and real value for money. ‘Day and Night’ is a real toe-tapper with its feet firmly planted in the late 60’s as they really have this down to a fine art. Side two is off like a rocket as ‘My Little Girl’ is barely in tune but that doesn’t matter because this is flying by the seat of its pants hi-energy rock and roll and we totally endorse that. Let’s hope its not another thirty years for the next release
The Briefs – Kids Laugh At You (Taken By Surprise Records)
It’s the Briefs and after their show-stopping performance at this year’s Rebellion festival, This was always going to get a rave review from RPM because we love the likes of The Briefs. The lead track is off like a hurricane as it devastates with its pace and melody. sure you know what to expect and you aren’t about to be disappointed either because Nix and the gang deliver again and again and its a most welcome entrant into the singles club love the Damned-esk breakdown and then the chanting gang vocals that take this home. the Briefs are back kids and their laughing as well. the B Side of ‘She’s The Rat’ is another top-notch belter go on fill yer boots and click the link Buy Here
Demons – Was Here…(Ghost Highway Records)
Demons have sure been busy these past few months what with their new mini album with punk rock legend Jeff Dahl (RPM review shortly) and this here single on Ghost Highway Records. This chunk of good old Rock and Roll is just about hitting the bullseye of our heart as ‘Street Corner Of No Return’ is the lead track that just oozes class, it’s no frills yob rock with a bruising tempo and sing along chorus that you and your gang can join in on as the organ lends the harmony a helping hand. The B Side is a more laid back rocker in the shape of ‘Satellite Town’ by the end you’ll be singing along and dropping the needle back at the start to go back for some more and the solo just burns! Great single.
He’s got a Fezzbox and he’s not afraid to use it. Like the bastard sibling of Jon Spenser, These four tracks deliver a sonic fuzzed out slab of Garage rock and roll. You know what you’re going to get the second the music kicks in its a needle in the red and plenty of swing on those drum licks. The heat gets turned up as the EP plays out. I love ‘Ladyland Batswingers’ whatever that means or wherever it is I want in. It’s getting hot in here and as the solo wails on ‘You Do Not Belong’ its like a trip on the tongue of someone else as the melody and sha-la-las shouldn’t fit but they bloody well do. after you’ve shaken off the tinnitus the police sirens howl as the tempo raises through the roof ‘Rhesus Christ’ kicks over the speakers and sets fire to the console as they leave the room. quality!
Can they ever make a bad song? Nah didn’t think so either. After releasing a brand new album they left these two songs off the LP to release as a single quite why they’d leave these two off God only knows. With ‘Dog Collar’ coming on like the bastard child of a Clash song its a slab of coll as fuck punk rock and what every office party should have on at the Christmas do whilst you’re spiking the punch. But they saved the best til last as the B side ‘Talk To Us’ is a stone cold could only be The Parkinsons classic. From the laid-back gang vocals on the chorus and the funky rhythm that jars your head while the organ tickles your fancy if you don’t like this then as Alfonso says “You ain’t got no soul” and the best bongo playing since T Rex! Buy it Now!
Brad Marino – Four Track Attack (Beluga Records)
FOUR TRACK ATTACK is the debut solo release from veteran rocker Brad Marino, best known as the singer/songwriter/guitarist for The CONNECTION. Brad has to be credited for been named as “Coolest Song in the World” on Sirius XM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage on more than the once. On its own, that merits a huge amount of Kudos in my book Well taking time away from The Connection Brad had decided to really show off by playing everything on his new EP and singing. the first couple are solid power pop then Brad turns up the tempo and starts cooking some cool licks on the six string. ‘On The Brink’ rips and just oozes rock n roll. the final track ‘Special Friend’ was written especially for this project by New Trocaderos’ songwriter, Michael Chaney. Check out Brad and then check out his band you won’t be dissapointed.
St.Jimi Sebastian Cricket Club –I Still Get The Calls (Beluga Records)
The first single out of three from St. Jimi Sebastian Cricket Club and Beluga Records. I Still Get the Calls and the b-side A Smile Within is recorded and mixed at Vibe Studios Manchester (the Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Badly Drawn boy etc) and mastered by Pete Maher, London (U2, Jack White, The Rolling Stones etc ).
A bit of a slow burner especially the B Side but ‘I Still Get The Calls’ has something of a nod to 80’s Britpop With a good old sing-a-long on the chorus this is good stuff. Good old storytelling rock n roll.
Tommy And The Rockets / Bikini Wipeouts (Kotj Records & Rocktopus Tea Party Records)
“Split The Waves” sees Tommy And The Rockets and Bikini Wipeouts knock out Two songs each, one original and one cover. Tommy And The Rockets did a cover of “Summer Means Fun” by The Fantastic Baggies, and Bikini Wipeouts did a cover of “Hawaii” by Brian Wilson and as winter comes rushing in why not pour one last cocktail and get the grass skirts out for one last party hey why not hold a party and play some tunes and why not play this slice of pop n roll .
How these Northern Europeans aren’t really from more tropical shores God only knows and Los Bikini Wipeouts aren’t too shabby either. Give it blast if you want to know what summer sounds like.
Quite simply Watts kick ass that should be all I really need to say on this one. I tip the hat once again to Rum Bar for flying the flag of good honest rock and roll music and its bands like Watts that are like moths to a flame as they converge on the label and then they feed off each other ‘Queens’ is a no-nonsense rocker with a solid beat and great full production to drive the song on. this single is backed by the balsy ‘The Night The Lights Went Down’ which is from the same gene pool as Bon era DC and that’s always going to be a good thing Right? Right! The good news doesn’t end there because there’s a long player coming early next year again on Rum Bar records these guys just keep giving.
V8 Wankers – the Last Rock ‘N’ Rollah (Ghost Highway Records)
It got one big biker boot firmly stuck in the Four Horsemen camp and the other on the monitor wedge. This bad boy has some bottleneck and is fairly generic in style and the flip side sees the band turn in a fairly honest take on the classic ‘Travellin’ Band’ they speed it up (of course they do) and thus loses some of the spark and lacking in some muscle which would have made this more of a bruising cover.
Puppy & The Handjob – I Eat Abortions (Slovenly Records)
of course, they do. They also play catchy punk rock that’s recorded in the blink of an eye and on a budget. It’s fair to say these cats aren’t from the Bob Rock school of big sound and they’ve never taken a leaf out of Def Leppard’s book (thankfully). So they do have a melody and a guitar solo but you should look away now if you don’t appreciate a wicked solo played from the heart (yeah right) good tune though to be fair. Spread out over five songs it gets a bit tired after a while must be that Arizona heat.
I love The Ramones and so does The Dirtiest and why wouldn’t they – why wouldn’t anybody. The Dirtiest play buzzsaw punk rock and roll just like Johnny and Joey used to and I love it. The first tune is like the second and funnily enough the third is much like the second and the first but the fourth is like the first second and third. 1-2-3-4 hey ho, let’s go.
Jake Starr & The Delicious Fullness (Ghost Highway Records)
Former Adam West frontman releases this spooky three-track single through Ghost Highway in Spain with its wicked cover artwork and blood red wax how could we not cover this bad boy. With three stomping rock and roll tracks ‘A Ghoul Like You’ is outstanding with that spoooooky keyboard rattling round behind the curtains and some great scooby doo effects we give this a howling thumbs up. The horns on ‘Torso Song’ are fantastic and playing these would go down a storm with the likes of the Urban Voodoo Machine and their blues bop n stroll – honkingly good single.
Following on from their last EP, More To Life, which got attention from the likes of Kerrang! Radio, Pure Grain Audio, and Alt Corner. after eighteen months in the long grass, EIGHT DAYS are back with new members. The newly invigorated quartet have released their new single, Stray, in October; they plan to tour as well so keep an eye on their pages to find out when and where.
19 bands paying tribute to Fred, Toody and Andrew
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