Grade 2 – ‘Talk About It’ (Hellcat Records)

Grade 2 – ‘Talk About It’ (Hellcat Records)

Well, we’re a few months into a new year, and there’s already been plenty of quality new music, but I think there’s a big contender for album of the year already, up step Isle Of Wight finest the brilliant Grade 2 with the excellent ‘Talk About It’

This 3 piece are going from strength to strength and just keep getting better with every album. Being well into over a decade of making music from the earlier Oi!  And Street Punk influence Grade 2 are now fully cementing themselves as one of the UK’s finest melodic high-energy punk rockers. 

Sid (Vocals/Bass), Jack (Guitar/Vocals) and Jacob (Drums) are certainly honing their craft, and since singing to legendary Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong label Hellcat Records a few albums ago, they just keep stepping it up a notch. I could give lots more superlatives, but let’s get down to it, the new album. 

First up we get one of the singles ahead of the release and it’s a banger ‘Cut Throat’ starts with guitar feedback and you immediately sense this is going to be aggressive and in your face and that it is, a opening guitar lick that will be stuck in your head and a brilliant and prominent bass line throughout that Matt Freeman would be proud of. This sounds huge and brilliantly produced, these boys aren’t messing about here with the message being even in this Cut Throat world, Grade 2 are here to stay. 

Next up, we have the insanely catchy ‘Hanging On To You’ which showcases both Jack and Sid exchanging vocals on the verses, and with a chorus, I dare you to try not to sing along to. 

‘Standing In The Downpour’ will surely have audiences bouncing up and down on the band’s current UK and European tour. I’ve had a smile on my face every time I’ve heard it, it took a few listens to notice, but when the chorus kicks in, I’m sure fans of The Clash will also have that same grin as well. 

‘Better Today’ is up next and has a great message for anyone who’s struggling in this world, be it with mental health or loneliness. Speak to people, you are not alone, this is euphoric stuff. 

Title track ‘Talk About It’ comes in close to the halfway mark and is my personal highlight, with a brilliant opening riff that bursts into a “Nah Nah Nah” right out of the Lars Frederiksen playbook, with the surprise of piano playing throughout, this 2:37 song will have everyone pogoing around the room, no doubt about it. 

‘Don’t Worry About Me’ lyrically is brilliant and is a middle finger to the naysayers and people who try to push in certain directions. “I mean everything I say, I’m doing it my way, I never need anyone to validate me, so don’t worry about me”.

We’re getting deep into the album now and the next three songs “Crash And Burn”, “Smugglers Haven” and “Rotten” show off how tight this band have become, Jacob the man with the sticks keeps the pace up throughout and Sid’s bass-lines are right up front in the mix and of course there’s some monster riffs in here from Jack and some great vocal exchanges, this is like going back to the Rancid classic 2000 album and that’s a big compliment. 

And to finish this superb album, we get a double salvo of the dark, brooding atmosphere of ‘Wasteland’, which tackles the dying towns and cities of the UK, whether it’s the Isle of Wight or the country in general, it’s very apt. The writing is on the wall indeed. This is followed by the light at the end of the tunnel, the excellent ‘Otherside’, which is a song full of hope and looking forward, not backwards, overcoming difficulties. Grade 2 have made it through to the other side and is exactly where they should be!!!! 

There we have it, ladies and Gentlemen, 11 songs, 25 minutes, and we have one of the albums of the year with Grade2 and ‘Talk About It’. Once this album is in your head, it will be on repeat. Catch them on their current tour and buy yourself a copy, it’s an absolute banger. 

Buy Here

Author: Christian Davies 

The Casualties Announce New Album ‘Detonate’

The Casualties Announce New Album ‘Detonate’

First Album In 8 Years Out March 27th via Hellcat Records

European Festival Tour This Summer

punk stalwarts The Casualties announce ‘Detonate’, their first new album in eight years, out digitally on March 27th via Hellcat Records and on vinyl/CD on July 17th. On the new record, David Rodriguez (vocals), Marc “Meggers” Eggers (drums), Jake Kolatis (guitar) and Doug Wellmon (bass), reignite their rage and cement their status as one of punk’s most enduring and uncompromising acts.

The Casualties also share the lyric video to the blistering title track, a scathing hardcore-punk blast of fury and frustration, suggesting we should blow it all up and start anew. “It stems from being overloaded,” Meggerssays. “You feel like your head is about to explode, which I think is what everybody is feeling these days. You’re pounced on day by day with terrible news and social media, and you just feel like you’re going to snap.”

Pre-Order & Pre-Save The ‘Detonate’ Album Here

Politics. Hatred. Endless war. These are just a few of the reasons why the title of The Casualties’ new album is Detonate. Instead of tearing each other apart, The Casualties punch back at authorities and systems that seek to divide, taking the chance to promote unity and camaraderie to all who feel alienated by the cruel state of the world.

Kolatis adds, “There are continuous wars and internal political battles. Everybody’s tearing each other apart. Detonate is saying we’re tired of all this division. With this record, we have a chance to say something and promote some type of unity.”

Detonate is the second chapter in a new epoch for The Casualties. As their second album with Rodriguez at the mic, it solidifies the vocalist’s partnership with Meggers and Kolatis. “It’s like a new era for the band,” Meggers says. “It solidifies that Dave is here to stay.”

As the follow-up to 2018’s Written in Blood and their first record for Hellcat Records — the Epitaph subsidiary curated by Tim Armstrong of Rancid — Detonate sees this new version of The Casualties locking into place. “We were in the studio for Written in Blood about eight months after I joined,” Rodriguez says. “With this new record, we really grew together. For me, it’s the proud moment where we clicked the three Legos together.”

Amplifying the punk ethos that The Casualties have embodied since 1990, Detonate is a powerful installment in the band’s rich history as a voice for the voiceless. “I want people to feel empowered when they hear this record,” Rodriguez says. “I want them to feel like they have a voice. I want them to feel like they’re with like-minded people when they come to a Casualties show. They can be themselves and not watch the show but be part of the show—scream with us, jump off the stage. We want them to feel like they’re part of something.

The Casualties Tour Dates – Tickets On Sale HERE

Mar 29 – Scarborough, UK – Scarborough Punk Festival
Jun 6 – Wels, Austria – Sbäm Fest
Jun 12 – Hagen, Germany – Torgau Ain’t Like You Festival
Jun 20 – Doneztebe, Spain – Ehuneko Bat
Jun 26 – Rennes, FR – Superbowl of Hardcore
Jun 27 – Münster, Germany – Vainstream Rockfest
Jun 28 – Tábor, Czechia – Mighty Sounds Festival
July 10- Prölsdorf, Germany – Krach Am Bach
Jul 18 – Rowy, Poland – Festiwal Urwanych Filmów
Jul 25 – Hohenems, Austria – Speedfest
Jul 27 – Brasov, Romania – Rockstadt Extreme
Jul 30 – Argenta, Italy – DLB Festival
Jul 31 – Sant-maurice-de-gaurdans, FR – Sylak Open Air
Aug 6 – Jaroměř, Czech Republic – Brutal Assault
Aug 7 – Ancora, Portugal – Praia Sonic Blast
Aug 8 – Duffel, Belgium – Brakrock
Aug 11 – Tolmin, Slovenia – Punk Rock Holiday
Aug 15 – Carhaix-plouguer, FR – Motocultor Festival
Aug 20 – Loburg, DE – Spirit Festival
Aug 22 – Oostkamp, Belgium – Parkpop

The Casualties Online
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Rancid – ‘Devil In Disguise’ Video

Rancid – ‘Devil In Disguise’ Video

Rancid deliver a warning to us all with new single and accompanying music video, “Devil In

Disguise.” Ahead of their new album ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’ out on June 2nd, they pair melodic riffs and a galloping rhythm with gruff sing-along vocals that carry a message of self-preservation.

At a whopping 850 million catalog streams to date, fans and critics alike seem to agree that Rancid’s brand of high-impact, no-frills punk still flows abundantly in their blood, while easily translating to a modern audience. Now embarking on their tenth full-length effort, this is evident throughout ‘Tomorrow Never Comes’. Produced by longtime collaborator, Brett Gurewitz, its sixteen blistering tracks barely make the two-and-a-half-minute mark, boasting the same gritty, straightforward punk-with-a-purpose that the world just can’t get enough of.

Rancid Tour Dates

6/2 – Rimini, Italy – Slam Dunk

6/3 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Media Center Cvetlicarna *

6/4 – Linz, Austria – SBAM Festival

6/6 – Warsaw, Poland – Letnia Scena Progresji *

6/8 – Hyvinkaa, Finland – Rockfest

6/9 – Solvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival

6/10 – Stockholm, Sweden – Annexet *

6/12 – Berlin, Germany- Columbiahalle *

6/13 – Wiesbaden, Germany – Schlachthof *

6/15 – Vitoria, Spain – Azkena Rock

6/16 – Clisson, France – Hellfest

6/17 – Dessel, Belgium – Graspop

6/20 – London, UK – OVO Arena Wembley**

6/21 – Manchester, UK – O2 Victoria Warehouse *

6/23 – Ysselsteyn, Netherlands – Jera On Air Festival

6/24 – Munster, Germany – Vainstream Rockfest

6/25 – Tabor, Czech Republic – Mighty Sounds Festival

* w/ The Bronx, Grade 2
** w/The Bronx, Grade 2 & The Skints

FOR MORE INFO ON RANCID VISIT:

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

The Gadjits ‘At Ease’ (Hellcat Records, 1997)

The Gadjits ‘At Ease’ (Hellcat Records, 1997)

 

I think all of us have heard the old adage that you have your whole life to write your debut album, and it is the second one where it gets rough because now you have to write a whole bunch of new songs in a short amount of time. Now, imagine being a group of teenagers comprised of 3 brothers (Brandon Phillips (guitar/ vocals), Adam Phillips (drums/ percussion/ vocals), and Zach Phillips (bass/ vocals)) along with Heidi Blobaum (keys/ backing vocals) who have self-released a debut album and find themselves a year later signed to Tim Armstrong’s Hellcat Records at the label’s launch alongside other great bands like the Slackers, Dropkick Murphys, the Pietasters, Hepcat, and others. That second album becomes an even bigger challenge because Armstrong wants all new material for the album. That was the task the Gadjits were presented with when this album was released in 1997. Hellcat Records launched with Volume 1 of the ‘Give ‘Em the Boot’ compilation series which is outstanding from top to bottom, and ‘Beautiful Girl’ by the Gadjits was a song that I constantly had on repeat. By the time ‘At Ease’ was released, my anticipation was at a fever pitch.

 

This CD became one of my favorites of 1997 and rests comfortably in my favorite albums of all time with its combination of influences and originality striking a unique chord. ‘Bullet in the Mattress’ walks a delicate balance between a playful musical beat and some vocal skat with the story of someone getting killed. This has been one of the songs I will use to turn people onto the Gadjits. There is a ska influence in the beat but also combines with some traditional rock influences to create something unique. The guitar work stands out with some subtle touches. The band go from one strength to another with ‘Sh’Bop’ sounding a bit like Elvis Costello falling into some ska with some old 60’s soul influence through the band’s own musical lens. The quiet start to ‘Seat 6’ gives way to an addictive rhythm that will pulsate through your body. The way the song builds is magical, and I have always loved the line ‘subtlety is the best lesson I ever learned in school.’ Zach’s bass also stands out in the mix here.

 

‘Tell Yourself’ springs to life quickly with the rhythm again inducing movement in the listener. Adam’s work on the drums is stellar across the entire album with this just being one of fifteen brilliant moments. There is a slight breakdown in the song that really gives it an extra dynamic before the addictive chorus ends the song. One of the songs that gives away the band’s youth is ‘Traffic Tickets’ with the lyrics addressing the annoyance of being pulled over by the police. I love the ska influence in the music here as the band is extremely tight. I can overlook the lyrics and focus on the music. The slower beat of ‘California’ finds the band further expanding their sound with some excellent sax added to the mix.

 

One song was revisited from the band’s debut with the instrumental ‘Corpse I Fell in Love With’ coming in the middle half of the album. I always thought the bass and beat in the intro could have came from a spy movie before the band brings a heavy ska influence into it while working back in that spy movie motif a few times. The guitar work from Brandon is excellent. ‘Trusted’ has a slightly darker feel musically which corresponds perfectly with the lyrics. When it comes to relationship issues in music, the lyrics here may have been written by a teenager but still resonate with experiences most of us have experienced. Heidi’s work on the keys here also shines in the mix. The up tempo ‘Party Girl’ is again the band refusing to be pigeon-holed with the ska again meeting an Elvis Costello feeling with the lyrics here again perhaps lacking nuance but full of intent.

‘Back Up’ resonates on every musical level for me with the excellent groove combined with the cocky lyrics being one of the songs that would help me when I was feeling down after this album was released. Singing along to it can be like a shot of self-confidence with the vocal hook in the song being extremely catchy. Again, there is a subtlety to the guitar here where it gives the song perfectly what it needs without overdoing it. The band continue to channel musical excellence with ‘Holes in my Shoes’ by continuing to expertly blend ska, a punk attitude, and classic rock. One of two covers, ‘Skinhead Girl’ works perfectly with the sound on this album. For a 23 year-old like me at the time, it was definitely not an obvious song as I was unaware of the original way back then.

 

As we reach the final trio of songs, we start with the rock n roll infused ‘Need Yo’ Luv’ which is another song I used to introduce people to the Gadjits. Vocally, everything is stellar across the album, but I definitely want to highlight it here. This song feels a bit like going back in time to a room where the condensation is dripping down the walls while the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis tear the roof off the place. The other cover on the album is a bit unfortunate in retrospect, but I don’t think any of us could have imagined the connotations that come with ‘Mustang Sally’ all these years later. I will add though that the band is on fire here both musically and vocally so shove all those karaoke versions and such out of your head to try and hear the song in a fresh manner. The band close out the record with the superb ‘Beautiful Girl’ almost serving as an afterthought on the album. It definitely reflects how awesome the record is and is one of my lyrical favorites.

 

The Gadjits continued to flesh out their sound in the years to come. Their Hellcat Records follow up ‘Wish We Never Met’ has never connected with me in the same way ‘At Ease’ has. The band would then move over to Thick Records for ‘Today is My Day’ which is an album that constantly grows on me with the band having more of its rock and soul influence coming through. If you have not spent time with ‘At Ease,’ I highly recommend you change that immediately. I would suggest following it up with ‘Today is My Day’ and then checking out what else Brandon Phillips has done over the years in the Architects, Brandon Phillips & the Condition, and Mensa Deathsquad.

 

Pick up ‘At Ease’ Here

Author: Gerald Stansbury 

*Interview coming next week*

 

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