Varoius Artists – ‘Rock These Ancient Ruins’ – Mamma Roma’s Kids (Area Pirata Records, Surfin’ Ki Records)

Varoius Artists – ‘Rock These Ancient Ruins’ – Mamma Roma’s Kids (Area Pirata Records, Surfin’ Ki Records)

I love a good compilation especially when I’ve never heard of any of the bands (ok almost all of em) and all of a sudden there are a dozen or more bands I’m checking out.  It might be good for my soul but it’s not good for the old bank balance I know that much.

Now the label has turned out bands I’ve got a record or two from and I’ve not been disappointed yet so I’m going in tell my wife and kids I love them I might be a while.

First up are the Italian language Alieni with ‘più giù’ which I’m reliably informed is translated into ‘Further Down’ thank god for that. A convincing and sprightly Giuda style yob rock anthem and pretty good it is too.

 

Alex Dissuader – ‘I’m Gonna Loose My Job’ is a wonderful Boys power poppin’ slice of punk rock call it what you like its got a real early ’80s feel and some Geldof snot in those lead vocals.  Maybe I shouldn’t be so lazy and dig deeper into whats going on in other countries because this comp is excellent and I should make it my job to investigate. Plutonium Baby would have fitted into the Max’s scene for sure with those cool vocals and swirling Iggy keyboards hailing from Rome this is a really catchy tune and I like it a lot. In contrast Blood ’77 are darker more street punk and sound like a blunt instrument attack rather than anything more sophisticated which is fine we need variety. 

If you want to hear what Italy has to offer the world of uncompromising hardcore in the vein of say Fugazi or No means No then in contrast Taxi knock out a convincing return to the Giuda style boot boy rock and roll with a track entitled ‘Gloves’.

Hooray, at last, a band I know and like a lot it’s the snotty ’77 punks Idol Lips and they bring ‘Don’t Need Your Love’ and of course its got that Thunders lick of quality and thunders along like a long lost Dead Boys track with a tonne of energy and a chorus you can easily sing along to, top tune. Well now we’re on a roll a rock and roll and the full-bloodied Tigers In Furs are up next with a real energetic bit of punk n roll entitled ”Tigers In Furs’. To complete a hattrick of really good tunes Mad Rollers turn up and shake their collective shit with the excellent ‘Rock Lovers’.

Well I tip my hat to the cool bands from Italy who have proven that they can rock and roll with the best of them and have their own scene happening and its thanks to cool labels like these for letting the rest of us know what’s on offer out there.  Do yourselves a favour and check out ‘Rock These Ancient Ruins’ its well worth it, trust me.

Buy Here or Here

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – July

Twelve days of Christmas – A look back at 2018 with RPM – July

“Summer l-u-v-i-n happened so fast”.

JULY

With the sun turning Shit Island a lighter shade of brown due to a lack of rainfall on Englands not so Green and pleasant land it was only Rock and Roll that could save us and in marched Hey Honcho & The Aftermaths with their absolute banger ‘Chico Purito!’ In a nutshell it’s everything that is great about wild and reckless garage punk others Might call it Action Rock. Hey Honcho are the newly crowned kings of Spain and boy can they wield those guitars. They make a real pretty noise let me guarantee you that and we love that off the hook shit here at RPM. Click on the links and let some sunshine into your lives and say hello to the boys and tell em RPM sent you. Now July just got a little bit hotter!

On the live front, Leigh took a trip no not like that he went to Birmingham to catch Lenny Kravitz raise vibrations at the NEC and rated Lenny as a guy who still has the chops and on his way back he caught Richie Kotzen rock the Thekla in Bristol for another highlight on the live front.

Other notable releases were those belonging to dragSTER who released a new long player via Louder Than war label entitled ‘Anti Everything’ which saw fi and the boys unleash their most brutal offering yet.  they seemed focussed and really up for it on this release and certainly one of July’s better albums.

Twin Flame Radio is perhaps better known as Bam (he of the Dogs D’Amour and Wildhearts) and Share Ross (Vixen) released their debut album and what a little bobby dazzler this one was and took us by surprise especially Bams voice which wouldn’t look out of place alongside a youthful Ian Hunter or perhaps Robin Zander as Bam belted out a bevy of beauties taking half the vocal duties a real 70’s glam rock vibe happening here.

There was one massive release as far as a lot of the team RPM were banking on that was released (just in time for Rebellion) for Bar Stool Preachers and that was the follow up to ‘Blatant Propaganda’ debut the much anticipated follow up ‘Grazie Governo‘. Not that there was any doubt but it lived up to all expectations and Nev Brooks commented that it was the high point of the year let alone Month which is some accolade. To be fair Nev had this to say about BSP,”So where do I start, how about next year the  Bar Stool Preachers exploding to the next level, playing to ever-growing crowds these guys are the real deal and destined for ever bigger things, they have the potential to worm their way into every household” (in the nicest possible way that is)

July being a pretty lean month compared to some others – this album really impressed with the quality and passion put into the songs it’s there for all to hear.

Other impressive releases go to the Italian punk rock n rollers Idol Lips who put out ‘Street Value’ on the ever impressive Wanda Records label. There was however an impressive bag of singles that landed on the RPM turntable notably More Kicks with their impressive power pop melodies and seven-inch debut ‘Its A Drag’ and of course it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t mention The Hip Priests and their split with Scandinavians Scumbag Millionaire. There was also noticeable singles from across the pond by some of our favourites in Wyldlife who put out ‘C’mon Christine’ and their pals in Ravagers who released the awesome ‘Drowning In Blood’. To be fair that’s not a bad month, is it?

Sadly July also said goodbye to Alan Longmuir who was the bass player in the Bay City Rollers Alan died after a short illness but his legacy lives on as girls and boys of a certain age won’t ever forget the tartan and the awesome haircuts. Rest In Peace Alan.