EP Club Round Up feat Motherfuckin’ Motherfucker, The Suicide Notes and more

EP Club Round Up feat Motherfuckin’ Motherfucker, The Suicide Notes and more

 

Well when one EP arrives you can bet your bottom dollar that another is close behind. the thing this month is when one os followed by another then another and another how could we ignore them?  We couldn’t and when they are as varied as this bunch we tell you were blessed to have such talent sent our way. But above all this bunch of EPs and splits were of such a high standard it would be a crime had we brushed over them or not given them all a fair hearing.  If another month dishes up a collection stronger than these then I’ll eat my favourite hat.

 

Motherfuckin’ Motherfuckers – ‘Dance Motherfucker’ EP (Lux Noise) What an exhilarating rush this is. Easily the best songs the band has penned so far. Sure its a breakneck blood rush but fuck me sideways it’s good.  Like the kick off a defribulated donkey with size 13 hoofs, the title track lasts the length of a blink of an eye.  It’s a beauty alright. So its sweary, Hard, Fast, Loose n loud but the tunes are absolute Boss.  ‘Cat In Hell’ also comes with a beautiful guitar solo that sounds like a fuckin’ Jedi lightsabre being wielded around the studio pure bliss.

‘It’s All Shit’ is a bruiser with a great slasher intro as it builds into the frenzy you want it to. Where are the scandi bands who used to do this so well?  A pair of nerdowells from middle England and a couple of reprobates from Switzerland are leading the charge and doing it so well.  Now when are the tour dates to do this shit live.  We don’t want it we demand it! oh and the cover is a banger too but we all kinda knew it would be.  Essential purchase? Of course it is.

Bandcamp

 

The Suicide Notes – ‘Pleasures Of Despair’ (Self Release) When Billy and Alex first had the idea of doing some fairly lo-fi recording of ‘a couple of acoustic numbers’, I bet they weren’t expecting it to seel out its initial 100 copies quite so quickly and before it even had the chance to be birthed properly.

So the idea was to record some tracks in Alex’s studio, maybe record a live version or a cover or something, somewhere, unique to the EP, and then package it up with some exclusive artwork from Billy and put it out there. The fact that they are now discussing artwork and packaging for a second, non-limited ‘general’ run over and above the limited first 100 will come as a relief to everyone who didn’t get in there. Let’s run through the damn thing then.  ‘Mama Sang The Blues’ sees the whiskey and cigarette vocals of Billy croon over the acoustic shanty of the first track.  It’s called Mama Sang The Blues what do you think it sounds like?  It’s late, we’re all drunk and the band has got the tunes nicked from the devil and if you howl loud enough they’ll sing em. ‘Ragdoll’ is a haunting acoustic rendition and with less of a party going on its a wonderful melancholy number. Sure there’s an elephant in the room but hell if it sounds like the Dogs D’Amour did back in the 90s then so what if it’s good then that’s all that matters its a big world out there and there’s more than enough room for a few singers with velvet tones wrapped in too many cigarettes.  Its a simple song but the delivery is spot on. Talking of cigarettes next up is ‘Smoke It Like A Cigarette’ this initially came out with an accompanying video if I remember correctly and dark and brooding its a wonderful slice of the darker side of the city and again the delivery is superb.

To wrap up this one you have the slide guitar and harmonica honking of ‘Take A Bullet’. Sounds to me like the electric versions and studio album can’t come quick enough.  the Suicide Notes are happening and I’d love to see them blow right up because the devil hasn’t got all the best tunes The Suicide Notes have nicked some of ’em the cheeky scamps. I expect big things this year and hope that this is just the very beginning.

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Craggy Collyde – ‘Wrapped Up In Ribbons’ (Self Release) After a cracking 7″ single last year this duo are back for more except this time they are armed with a 10″ record that contains a nicely varied six tracks. Totally self-financed and independent Craggy Collyde are killing it and as the opening track says “worth investing in” RPM says Hell yeah! Built around a nice 12 bar riff and cool backbeat ‘Dead Refrain’ is a great opener. We stay on it for ‘Roll Me’ as the good times keep playing. sure its a well-trodden path but when it’s done well who cares,  The backing vocals and melodies are great.

‘Don’t Put Me Down’ has a nice mellow intro before breaking out with a melody straight from Alternative American radio that gave us the likes of Buffalo Tom. ‘Better Than A Lie’ is a chilled out laid back vibe and Craggy tells a decent story like lying on your back on a deserted beach staring at the sky as the clouds roll by its another side to the band and another really strong song. ‘Wrapped Up In Ribbons’ is an acoustic ensemble with a rolling piano and shuffle snare beat and possibly my favourite on the EP for sure. An excellent song well written and well played out.  To wrap up this record there is the excellent ‘In The Shade Of The Wide Oak Tree’ with its sparse intro you keep waiting for it to break out but it doesn’t which helps keep you engaged.  All in all, another super-strong offering that covers all of Craggys loves from the Rockers to the acoustic laid back minstrel a most worthy addition to anyone’s collection.

Website / Bandcamp

Glitter Piss / The Damn Shebang – Split EP (Guru Disques) I jumped on this the minute it became available this week and boy what a glorious decision that was. The Damn Shebang kick off with the shimmering seedy Rock and Roll of ‘Molly’ gets things off to a top start.  Part Sleazy Gallon Drunk Part punk rock part Urban Voodoo Machine part Cramps is just where you want a band to sit. ‘Molly’ deserves to be played loud, no not loud,  LOUD! you fuckers. If that doesn’t stir your Rock and Roll pants then surely song title of the year ‘Goths On A Beach’ will. Love it Love It Love It! love the guitar tone, love the solo, love the vocals love the backbeat love the lyrics. ‘ave it! If you thought the first two were good then get up and lace up those creepers because ‘Richochet’ is a dance floor filler with attitude. Don’t put away your flick knife comb yet ‘Be Your Baby’ is a howling good time. and this is only the first four on this must-own Cassette EP split!

Glitter Piss.  Hell yeah, what a great name. ‘Nothing To Lose’ is the sound of a band being fired out of a canon with their asses on fire.  fuckin’ champion tune. If youre not convinced yet then shove ‘Suck My Soul’ up your backside. Garage rock with attitude and a whole bunch of Riff-a-rama to boot – awesome stuff. when they say ‘Party Town’ sit up and listen for fucks sake.  Shaking like Iggy shitting on a hot tin roof this is a blast. With a final blast of VFM the eighth track crammed onto this split is the groovy ‘Not Like You’.  If I don’t hear another split all year it doesn’t matter because it can’t and won’t be better than this bad boy.  Now if you haven’t already rushed over to the link to buy a copy then what’s the matter with you?  Do it before they’re all gone.  You need this bad boy RPM Online Fact of the day #1.

Bandcamp

 

Mansion Harlots – ‘Happier Alone’ / ‘Until We Work It Out Tomorrow’ & ‘KUNM Sessions’(Magic Cat Records) Whilst doing the rounds to promote the Mansion HArlots record back in 2018 Baz and Rachel ended up in Luxembourg City at a radio station and laid down A quite exquisite rendition of ‘Happier Alone’ and ‘Until We Work It Out’ as Baz lets loose as part of his radio sessions found here.  Also last year Baz ended up in New Mexico where he recorded six tracks that make up the KUNM Sessions anyway Baz lets the music do the talking with a heartfelt and thunderous take on songs from across his solo album and Mansion Harlots.

‘Live, Raw as it is’ Baz is a unique talent with a fantastic sense of melody and a keen ear for a great delivery raw and live without a safety net it’s engaging and at times quite beautiful. ‘Until We Work It Out’ is a beautiful number and laid bare here sounds majestic and proves that the art of balladeering is alive and kicking as Baz is in fine form. As for the KUNM Sessions again yet more proof of the exquisite talent that is Baz Francis Duarte. ‘Eyes Of A Fool’ is chilling whilst ‘Panda Eyes’ stripped back works really well. A great melody is a great melody be it electric or acoustic and Baz knows how to write both. Lay back chill out and get an ear full of Mansion Harlots and Baz Francis Duarte you won’t regret it and if you’re here reading this you deserve it. Quality counts in a world that moves so fast sometimes music can be overlooked and we wouldn’t want you to miss out.  Hit em up folks.

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The Hip Priests/Rotten Foxes/Flash House/Glitter Piss – Brighton, The Pipeline – 20th August 2019

The Hip Priests/Rotten Foxes/Flash House/Glitter Piss – Brighton, The Pipeline – 20th August 2019

Ah Brighton! I’ve not been here for a gig in almost a decade and to be honest walking the streets in the run-up to tonight’s show, not a lot has really changed in the intervening time. The city’s lively side streets still very much remind me of the London I once loved, long before money swept it’s streets clean of anything remotely interesting and its down one of these side streets that you will also find the new home for The Pipeline, one such victim of London’s transformation from cultural capital to capitalist culture.

Situated just a pebble’s throw from the beach on Little E Street, and right next to the alley where Steph and Jimmy had their “moment” in Quadrophenia, The Pipeline is a rock bar with a twist, because whilst it has a great jukebox and an upstairs pinball/live music room it also doubles as a vegan restaurant serving some mighty fine food indeed, and tonight it’s packed out well before 7 pm.

That’s because with an entry fee of just £5 this superb four-band bill has to be one of the bargains of the year for the more discerning music fan, and it appears Brighton has quite a few of those. Thing is with the upstairs room having only a 50 capacity (it makes the Chameleon in Nottingham look like Madison Square Garden) and there being no pre-sale tickets available, I do have to wonder if I will actually get in?

The cooling effect of the ink cross on the back of my hand certainly does my OCD the world of good and I can finally relax and enjoy myself but not before the pint of Estrella is quickly knocked out of my hand and  I’m thrust straight into the live-action via a frenzied pit ready for some Glitter Piss. This Brighton based five specialise in fast and furious urine-soaked punk rock with songs based around subjects like; losing it in work, dealing with STDs, losing it on vodka and of course partying and that’s what Brighton’s most clued-in music fans are here to do tonight.

With Rotten Foxes’ MacDaddy on guitar Glitter Piss are always going to have a small nod towards them sound-wise, but at times tonight the other band they really remind me of are The Ghost Of A Thousand, particularly around the time of their ‘New Hopes, New Demonstrations’ album and that’s not just because there’s a tall ginger bloke called Tom in both of the bands either.  Trust me when I say that if Glitter Piss can bottle this live energy and keep it together long enough to actually take their songs into a studio, we could very well be looking at the next “ones to watch” on the UK underground.

London’s Flash House are of course not only Slugfest veterans but long-time favourites here at RPM Towers so it’s no surprise to me that the stifling heat of The Pipeline only acts like fuel to Crusty, Mike, Matt and Harry as they take opener ‘Raising Cane’ and proceed to ram it down the throats of everyone in here tonight. ‘Yeti 69’ from the band’s recent split single with The Hip Priests sounds absolutely glorious alongside tracks from their now out of print ‘Brown Sauce’ album like ‘Three Wise Monkeys’ and ‘Domestic Hiss’, and finishing with a frenzied ‘Flash House’ I cannot help but imagine that the Lemmy picture the guys are playing in front of gives them a little knowing wink. Outstanding stuff once again, now give us the second album ya flash (house) fuckers.

Having been aware of their music (and high taste in fashion) for a good few years it’s taken me ages to actually see Rotten Foxes live. Now, just as they are about to split up, I get to see them twice in the space of two weeks, talk about perfect timing eh? Bassist Jimi Dymond and singer Rusty Nails are visibly moved when I mention Dom Daley’s review of their recent Rebellion performance to them just prior to them going on stage tonight, such is the passion these four guys still have for their music with just a few gigs left before they split up. They promise me there’s still some new music left to come (more of this in a moment) and of course there’s still a handful of shows at which you can experience their whack ‘em and smack ‘em brand of death punk live for yourself.

Tonight though is made all the more special as it’s Rotten Foxes personal thank you to The Pipeline’s owner Thomas Evrenos, someone who has supported the band ever since The Pipeline moved to their city, and just as you would expect for such a special event the ceiling is dripping with sweat as the punk pop is ordered to be cut from the PA and the upstairs room goes totally fucking nuts to the likes of ‘Ship It In’ and ‘Make Me Pretty’ (both taken from the band’s recently released and totally essential ‘Arrive, Raise Hell, Leave’ EP). There’s a moment during the latter when I feel I might end up in the downstairs bar like some long-lost outtake from Carry On Abroad, such is the power of the mullet in the pit tonight.

‘Dehumanise’ is the double denim teaser new track aired and it’s a brutal beast too, one that we’ll hopefully get to hear properly once the one PC the band owns finally gets fixed and they can get the fourth EP up on Bandcamp. Like Dom said in his Rebellion review that a band as exciting as Rotten Foxes are calling it a day whilst the rock world is still overflowing with beige shite is truly a sad day indeed. Just make sure you get to see the band’s jail rat tattooed asses before they do finally call it a day in just a few weeks’ time.  Rotten Foxes I fucking salute you!

Fresh from touring across Europe and the UK with Electric Frankenstein and The Dwarves, The Hip Priests are the perfect headliners for tonight’s shenanigans as they are both very tight and very exciting right now (if you will excuse the Godawful pun). With just a simple line check between bands (I’m sensing a tight curfew is in place) “those fuckin’ boys” head straight into an opening trio of ‘Motherfucker Superior’, ‘Instant Delinquent’ and ‘Stand For Nothing’ sounding positively imperious.

Just prior to ‘Zero Fucks Given’ Austin and Nathan hang from an open upstairs window long enough to berate the locals, not man enough to finish the four-band bill, the singer taking a well-aimed gob at the plastic punks sitting below. Who said punk rock was dead eh?

Punk rock politics aside it’s the addition of Gentle Ben on second guitar that has proven to be something of an inspired move by the band as now they all lock into tracks like ‘Social Hand Grenade’ and ‘Deja FU’ from the excellent ‘Stand For Nothing’ album and simply don’t let up. It’s that added fifth dimension the band have always been looking for finally brought to life right in front of your naked steaming eyes, oh, and double denim nut huggers aside (worn as a tribute to Rotten Foxes), tonight really is The Hip Priests at their very best.

Returning for a two-song encore that sees various other band members join The Priests on stage for a mass pile on that ends with a run through the Foxes ‘Pints’ before the suitably titled ‘Wired Amped & Skulled’ brings things to a sweaty and bloody conclusion I stagger downstairs and out into the night feeling like I’ve just been sucker punched by Shawn Michaels, totally shocked and dazed by what has gone before. So much so in fact that I head straight back to my digs just to try to get my shit together. How very un-rock ‘n’ roll of me eh?

At £5 entry for a night of full contact rock ‘n’ roll this one has to be marked in time alongside my encounters with The Dogs D’Amour in Cardiff Square Club, Nirvana In Bristol Bierkeller and Gilbert The Alien in Cardiff Ice Rink (Yup I really did see him live) as one of those had to be there nights. Let’s hope it won’t be another 10 years before I get to go back to Brighton as I’ve a feeling The Pipeline will have a lot more nights like these in store for us very soon.

Author: Johnny Hayward

45 RPM – you spin me right round baby, right round, like a record…

45 RPM – you spin me right round baby, right round, like a record…

Another year begins and so we embark on other singles roundup.  With January barely alive and the songs begin to trickle into RPM HQ not so much an avalanche but a gentle stroll through the door. But that’s not to say the quality drops because we can assure you that’s not the case at all and we start as we mean to go on with the first banger out of the traps in 2019 we give you…

Watts – Breaking Glass (RumBar Records) Never let us down before so no reason to doubt their impeccable taste in Rock n Roll and from previous reviews, Watts is a band not to be ignored or passed over and ‘Breaking Glass’ is a wonderful way to begin the year.  IT got big loud guitars and is the sound of a band with its head held high and chest puffed out because it knows how fuckin’ good it is.  From the intro of breaking glass and the throbbing bass guitar you know this is happening as we riff towards the chorus this is a breath of fresh air not because it’s original or groundbreaking but because its bloody good.  They know it – Rum Bar knows it – Boston knows it and RPM knows it and now you know it. Amps turned up Riff – n – Roll and Rock solid. Watts are winning every day of the week with songs as cool as this watts not to like and for $1 how can you refuse? Bandcamp

Tad Overbaugh & The Late Arrivals – Demons In The Dust (Rum Bar Records) Well Rum Bar are setting the bar high in 2019 as the label gets off to a blazing start with some quality releases and the second this month is Tad Overbaugh’s whose songs fall somewhere between the twang of Steve Earle and Ryan Hamilton with a little dash of the countrified Supersuckers and the songwriting of Tom Petty. No question this collectives five songs veer from the big open roads of the southern states and barroom saloons and smokey bars and late nights. the excellent ‘Lethal Charm’ is a soft song for tough guys taken from ‘Beauty And Barbed Wire’ but its opener ‘Hey Lonely’ that sets off this EP.  Sounding like Mellencamp when he rocked it up its a beautiful thing and superbly played and arranged.  For a change of pace check this out via Bandcamp

The Lurkers – Electrical Guitar (Damaged Goods Records) with Pete Stride and guest vocalist Danie Centric sharing lead vocal duties, the first fruits of which being this brand new 7”, limited to 750 copies on split black/clear vinyl Damaged Goods Records release this two-track slab of noise.  In typical Stride fashion its a blunt to the point slab of punk rock.  Like the lyrics say its simply a direct statement of belief in the essence of rock ‘n’ roll – 4 beats to a bar, electrical guitar, sometimes that’s all you need! its as simple as that folks and the B side is a darker riff but a bludgeoning riff all the same with lead vocals going to Danie. This will wake you up of a morning no doubt about that – banging! return to form. Buy Here

The Mistakes – Walk Tall (NBQ Records) Taken from the new LP “Upstarts and Heretics”, Walk Tall is no-nonsense street punk rock – Ave it!

Bad Sons – Kick Rocks (Self Release) Chicago punks Bad Sons are back with their second release and it’s more of the same sleazy punk rock n roll played with a tonne of swashbuckling gusto and just the thing that RPM HQ loves. The second track ‘Hammers’ pounds away and lives up to the band’s mantra of only having two rules – Loud and Fast and we say a big fat Amen to that brothers and sisters and you know what? They don’t let you down either as they kick the shit out of my speakers.  The only downside I can see is there are only two tracks on this single whereas ‘Cry Tough’ had four tracks. My only hope is there’s an album on the way because I’ll have some of that if there is What an excellent debut on RPM this is go check em out – you won’t be disappointed we guarantee it! Facebook 

 

Glitter Piss – Demo (Self Release) Garage punk rock n rollers Glitter Piss hail from Brighton and peddle a noisy trashy garage punk that Iggy and the Stooges used to do many many moons ago ‘Life Is Deadly’ is fast and fucked up just like Those Hip Priests but more fucked up and..well…Glittery and trashy but the DNA is in there. Not afraid t work with the feedback or the odd out of tune string it matters not a fuckin’ jot. what does matter is the fact they can kick up a shit storm with their instruments and we like that and will always have time for a band who have passion and as they succinctly put it a stench of piss. There is no big budget studio finery on display here just guts and great ideas and tunes aplenty and we’ll take that any day of the week. Oh, and Iggy would love ‘Party Town’ I’m sure of it. Bandcamp

Weird Omen – A Place I Want To Know ( Dirty Water Records) Primitive garage trash brass, reverb, and fuzzzzz”, Mixing ‘60s pop and psychedelic garage This French three-piece are carving a genre of their own and whilst there are aspects of bands like The Cramps and early Stones  along with some of the more trippy psychedelic bands there is a shade of riotous punk beating away in there along with a big bold saxophone. VU has an influence on the lead track for sure and the second song is a trip as well ‘Girls Are Dancing On The Highway’ wins this month’s oddest title and I’m sure these cats will take that. It’ll draw you in and put your brain in a blender but one thing you’ll know is you like it and you will be back for more. Warning highly addictive!

Happy to squeeze in a quick video.  This offering is from Ditchbanger and it sounds like they’re in league with the big red feller down there as they release a video from ‘Pure Hell’. click the link in satan red and let em know RPM sent you they might have mercy on our souls then.

 

So there you have it.  Welcome to 2019 and a bunch of singles that require your attention in our humble opinion. Half a dozen good reasons to be in love with music and discovering something old and new.  Until next month enjoy and if you hear anythign you think we would like or should like then give us a shout at rpmonlinetcb@yahoo.com you know it makes sense.