The Dirty Strangers – ‘Country ‘N’ West Ten’ (Dirty Stranger Records)

The Dirty Strangers – ‘Country ‘N’ West Ten’ (Dirty Stranger Records)

The latest slab of pure good time rock n roll from the mind n soul of Alan Clayton is with us, and this timeless sound of honest-to-goodness is a burst of sunshine on a rainy day, a kind gesture from an old friend, and, believe it or not, album number seven. Let’s be honest, we know what we’re in for, and that’s exactly why we’re here: it’s honest rock n roll from the heart, no pretence, no bullshit, no new sounds because that’s progress; it’s just the roots of rock n roll poured out of the instruments and into your ears through your speakers. Alan knows the power of rock n roll, and he’s not afraid to use it. In the right hands, it’s the best thing in the whole fuckin’ world, and right from the first song, the class is there to hear, and the good times rinse through the speakers. ‘Learning To Be Legal’ has Alan leading the band through the mid-tempo rocker with a ton of beautiful keys wheezing into the trading of licks before Alan’s slur caresses our ears with the charm of the best bar band in ole London town, dishing up the best night out you could hope for. The production is loose and loud, but the balance is spot on (I don’t know why it’s taken mr Stranger so long to get control of the desk and pull those faders.

‘Turn Of The Tide’ is a rocker borrowed from the best and just oozes class as Guy Griffin duels with John Rollason, ably supported by some wonderful honky tonk courtesy of Micky Gallagher, but hold onto your horses ‘If You Won’t Leave Me I’ll Find Someone Who Will’ is an acoustic tale of love and life with some electric guitar twisted through those big cowboy chords, with Marnie Rollason assisting Alan with some finely placed haunting vocals.

‘Pirates Don’t Get Pensions’ is the cheeky chappie adding some fiddle to his rock n roll elbow. Sure there are obvious Stones n Faces comparisons to be found round plenty of corners throughout the Dirty Strangers’ decades of service, but if you are going to lean on any band you might as well look to the top table and go main line some of the good stuff.

If it’s some dirty slide n roll you’re after, then turn the speakers up for ‘Shtum ‘, where the band is stripped back and cut loose. The ebb and flow of this album is prominent, and after the storm of ‘Shtum’, ‘Diamonds’ is something of a tough guy’s ballad or a gentler-paced cut. I didn’t see Ronnie Lane featured on the album, but ‘Weekend Treat’ is exactly that, with Lane’s scratch guitar leading the way. ‘Get Wild’ has Griffin back for some more riff-a-rama before the band really does cut loose on ‘Nothing Doing’, sounding like the bastard child of ‘Last Time’, and I love the sound of that rhythm guitar hacking away through an overdriven amp, wonderful stuff.

As we head into the final third, it’s that ebb and flow that really works, breaking up the album and changing gears is a beautiful thing. Remember early doors, I mentioned the acoustic ‘If You Won’t Leave Me’ Well, it’s back for the full band treatment, sounding like chucking out time in the best bar on the planet, and I have to mention the lyrics and how bloody charming they are. It’s time to pull up a bar stool, pour yourself another and let Alan tell you a story.

‘Turkey Bone’ is the penultimate offering, setting the tone for Crimbo before the album says adios with the wonderful tone of Brian James, Alan’s great friend, who we sadly lost not that long ago, as they romp through ‘Sheperds Bush City Limits’, adding texture and a fair amount of rock n roll dirt to proceedings and signing off another awesome record from The Dirty Strangers up the R’s n all that, and God bless The Dirty Strangers and all who’ve sailed on board delivering the noise, the beautiful noise over the last 45 years but who cares time is nothing but a number and Brian and Scott Mulvey playing on the closing number is fitting as delving back through those years picking out tunes to strip back and rework has been an absolute triumph and as they say the proof is in the pudding and here is your serving.

Of course, I’m going to tell you to buy this record it’ll make your collecting 100% cooler and better sounding, and this self-produced rework is a banger. Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

Warrior Soul/Gypsy Pistoleros – The Fulford Arms, York – 29th September 2026

Warrior Soul/Gypsy Pistoleros – The Fulford Arms, York – 29th September 2026

Here at RPM, there are many underground artists we admire and regard as legends, Warrior Soul mouthpiece Kory Clarke is one such dude. Kory has been keeping the Warrior Soul name alive for well over 3 decades. The politically charged band burst onto the scene back in 1990 with their debut album ‘Last Decade, Dead Century’, and their unique brand of outspoken, anarchic art rock saw a collection of great albums in the early 90s.

While the line-up has changed, the stiff middle finger of Kory Clarke is still raised in defiance as his band continue to release quality albums and tour extensively.

They celebrate the 35th anniversary of sophomore album ‘Drugs, God & The New Republic’ with a European tour playing the album in full. With a handful of UK dates booked, it would be crazy for me to miss the night when New York meets Olde York.

First up we have Gypsy Pistoleros who’ve undergone quite a transformation in recent years. The self-proclaimed ‘greatest flamenco glam punk band ever’ have now rebranded themselves as ‘the world’s only glam punk goth n’ roll outlaws’. Fair play, whatever the branding, Wolverhampton wonderer Gypsy Lee Pistolero is still at it, delivering sleazy rock n’ roll like all the (mostly) forgotten cool cats did back in the day. It’s clear he grew up on the same music as you and I.

They may look like a Temu Kiss (the bassist sports actual fairy wings), but the sound and delivery are dark, sleazy and the most fun you can have with leather clothes on. The onstage humour is as tongue-in-cheek as the stage costumes. “We don’t dress like this every day”, states Lee in one of many between-song monologues, before ripping the piss out of Adam Ant with his moves.

‘Dark Faerie Tales’ sounds like Faster Pussycat when Taime first went all goth and industrial on us, ‘The Ballad Of Thomas Shelby’ is a glitter-drenched stomper with more “woah-whoa’s” than an 80’s Bon Jovi single, and their cover of Dexy’s ‘Come On Eileen’ is the glam punk/pop crossover you didn’t realise you needed.

A full-on, high-energy rock n’ roll show with crowd participation, riffs and hooks aplenty- what’s not to like?

Warrior Soul take to the stage and jam out a killer intro piece. Kory Clarke swaggers through the crowd to the front of the stage, a bottle of red wine in his hand, and just watches his band rock out for a moment or two with his back to the audience.

He then grabs a mic, takes stage centre, a defiant fist in the air and shouts in that unmistakable raspy voice, “We are the government, and we rock n’ roll!”. They kick into ‘Interzone ’, and it’s clear from the off that this band mean business.

The diminutive frontman is a flash of blonde hair, gold shades and leather bellbottoms. He weaves rock n’ roll shapes and delivers that enigmatic, frontman thing like all good rock stars should. Next up ‘Drugs, God & The New Republic’ takes things down a notch before ‘The Answer’ takes it back up again. It seems we are getting the album in sequential order, nice!

Joining Kory are fellow New Yorker Adam Dubin, Italian guitarist Parker Barrow and Lowdrive guitarist John Hodgson. Longtime bassist Christian and drummer Ivan Tambac make up the ranks. The band are tight, and the staying power of these songs shines, reminding me what a great fucking album it is, all killer, no filler. Lyrically ahead of its time, musically powerful and still as relevant as it was in the last century.

Highlights are plenty: ‘Real Thing’ sounds great, those dynamics work well live, ‘Hero’ is as emotive as you like, and ‘The Wasteland’ is a surefire blast of 90’s punk metal.

All eyes are trained on the main man, making the most of the claustrophobic stage space he has. He eyes the audience as he spits and snarls his way through a killer set, gesticulating and articulating wildly and with as much passion as when he wrote those words.

Once the full album is done, we get more. ‘The Drug’ is a high-energy blast of acid punk, jammed out and extended, giving Kory time to drop to his knees, swig some wine and pass it to his bassist. ‘Punk & Belligerent’ is exactly what it says on the tin, and probably the best song of the night. ‘Losers’ is the all-encompassing anthem we all raise our hands and sing to, and set closer ‘Love Destruction’ is a sublime way to end a 1-hour 40-minute set, no encores needed.

Both bands had to work for it tonight. And at times both frontmen seemed a bit bemused about it. I’m sometimes left wondering if this is just a Northern thing or a national issue at gigs. Have we forgotten how to loosen up and have fun these days?

But in an age when people think nothing of paying £200 to see a nostalgia act on a big screen in an enormodome, I’m happy to say I saw a rock n’ roll legend give his all in a sweaty pub in my town for less than £20, and personally it was one of the gigs of the year.  

Author: Ben Hughes

Wolfbrigade – ‘Howl From Underground’ (Metal Blade Records)

Wolfbrigade – ‘Howl From Underground’ (Metal Blade Records)

I have to admit that I’m not a big fan of the whole “Oi/Crust” punk movement. The music doesn’t move me at all. When I sat down to review the latest album from Swedish punk/metallers Wolfbrigade, I was pleasantly surprised to hear more of a hardcore sound. The band has elements of Sick Of It All, Nailbomb, ‘ 90s-era Exploited, Biohazard, and even early Motorhead vibes in their music. This made it much more comfortable, and I felt able to write a balanced review.

Wolfbrigade has been around for a long time. They were formed back in 1995 under the name Wolfpack, and Howl From Underground is their 12th LP. We get 12 short/sharp songs that all have immediate impact. Opener Caveman Motherfuck (catchy title!) soon gets underway with full pelt riffing and some fantastic up-tempo drumming from Dadde Starck. The band decided to use a producer on the album for the first time in a long time. As Wolfbrigade themselves explain: “As the songs started to fall into place, we decided to do something we hadn’t done in many years,” explains the band. “For the last decade we’ve recorded, produced and mixed our albums ourselves. This time we wanted to work with someone from outside the band whose work we respect and who we felt would understand what Wolfbrigade is about.”

The producer they used is Lawrence Mackrory (Meshugga/Paradise Lost), and he’s done a fantastic job. The band sounds huge. There are some real standout tracks, including the superb Doomrunner, Born To Rot, Headhunting, and the wonderfully titled Fat Man Hellscape. The title track is my favourite though, absolute carnage. Vocalist Micke Dahl is like a man possessed, barking and spitting out every word. Awesome.

The band explained the process of writing the songs for Howl From Underground: “Rather than building the songs layer by layer, we wanted to capture the band as a single unit, the push and pull that happens when five people are locked into the same moment. There’s a tension in those kinds of performances that’s difficult to recreate any other way. Without a safety net, the focus sharpens and something else takes over. Sometimes the songs begin to take on a life of their own. More than anything, it leaves room for the unexpected. We still work within the same narrow framework that has always defined Wolfbrigade, but we keep pushing against its edges,” asserts the band. “New melodies, new angles, new ways of getting where we’re going.” Among these new angles we may find the almost gothic melancholic melody underpinning When Dogs Cry; the crafty, atmospheric note patterns of Cold War Bootlicker; the long chords and rock-steady surge of Seeking Scapegoats. But each track is so steeped in the workings of the Wolfbrigade grinder, nothing sticks out as wildly diverse or out of place. “For us it’s never about sounding different for the sake of sounding different,” says the band. “If a song feels hungry, if there’s a primitive energy there, then it deserves to exist. That was the feeling we followed throughout the work on Howl From Underground.”

Howl From Underground is a superb record. If you’re a little weary of the punk tag, don’t be. Wolfbrigade easily navigate themselves into the metal/hardcore category. If you love some crusty punk, you’ll already know all about Wolfbrigade. Maybe don’t listen when there’s a full moon, though! AAAAWWWOOOOOO!!!

Howl From Underground is released on Oct 9th via Metal Blade Records.

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Author: Kenny Kendrick

C.O.F.F.I.N – ‘Out In Oslo’ (p(doom))

C.O.F.F.I.N – ‘Out In Oslo’ (p(doom))

C.O.F.F.I.N are a hard rockin’ punk band from Sydney, Australia. The acronym stands for ‘Children Of Finland Fighting In Norway’. ‘Out In Oslo’ was produced by Declan Mehrtens of Amyl & the Sniffers, who they’ve toured with many times, so it’s no small jump to offer comparisons there but C.O.F.F.I.N are an altogether different proposition for a start the drummer is also the singer, and there’s no Amy prowling the stage heading this band they leave it to the music to do their talking and boy, have they got something to shout about. I wouldn’t like to call who’d win in a bar brawl either, but it would be close.

This is C.O.F.F.I.N’s fourth studio album and whilst they’ve barely moved the dial in sound or style, the songwriting might have had some subtle gear shifts and they’ve introduced different flavours to the delivery for sure.

I’d hazard a guess that what you see is what you get, and there is zero bullshit in C.O.F.F.I.N, and they certainly walk the walk and give zero fucks along the way – you either dig it or you move along; there are no half measures. This record kicks off in style after the sleazy intro it’s counted in, and boom, we’re off like a bottle rocket. If you want to let someone know exactly what this band is about, it’s captured in the opening salvo of sonic assault – three minutes and one second; there it is! Leaving the listener in no doubt what is occurring. Taking no prisoners right from the curtain drop, C.O.F.F.I.N are in the motherfuckin house.

‘Sleep In It’ is off like a boogie Woogie runaway train as Ben Portnoy hits those drums like he’s got a ten-pound lump hammer in his grip, and the drums are a red-hot anvil, but don’t be fooled, as the song charges on and the solos rage hard, the backing vocals are shaking things up like prime-time Hanoi Rocks, and I’m loving it.

Coming on a little more restrained, ‘Bad Thoughts’ is shifting on a rockin groove towards a gang vocal chorus that’s all muscle through the throbbing Bass rumble. Damn, what a record this is shaping up to be, and we’re barely a quarter in.

‘A Place To Stay’ rages on a thumping solid beat set on a wild, barely in control bass line. Hang on, an acoustic guitar and soulful harmonica? Yup, everybody needs to calm down a little and catch their collective breath, so ’13 Days’ is the perfect palate cleanser before we build up a sweat again. ‘Won’t Let You Down’ has the harmonica honkin’, and with a second wind blowing through its heads down and lets kick up a shitstorm for a few. ‘Fair Enough’ is steaming down the track before we’re thrown a curveball in the shape of the foot-stompin ‘, chest-beating ‘Gettin’ Down’ like prime-time Slade, with a guitar solo that just soars.

The penultimate track is the sound of a band confident in the knowledge that they’ve hit paydirt with this new record. From start to finish, this is an absolute banger, and I’ve already played it over and over and louder and louder; it just sounds better and better. To close the record off, Ben sounds like a rabid dog who’s been gargling razors and washing them down with petrol as the song builds and meanders to its conclusion, putting a full stop on proceedings with a middle finger to anyone who’s listening, leaving the stage in ruins.

C.O.F.F.I.N have delivered a beast, with no weak spots anywhere. It’s one of the finest albums you’ll hear from any continent on this spinning rock this year for sure. Get on board and strap yourself in: ‘Out In Oslo’ is here, and it’s fuckin special – Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

Split Dogs- ‘Nice n Rough’ (Venn Records)

Split Dogs- ‘Nice n Rough’ (Venn Records)

At last! One of the most anticipated albums this year, chez moi and at RPM headquarters, no doubt. This was an immediate preorder, and, as ever, Split Dogs don’t disappoint. You already know the opening number ‘Be Somebody’, which is followed by the “Rick Parfitt on bad speed” rhythm of ‘Born Too Loose’. Very tasty, though I suspect some diehards aren’t sure about the band embracing some Quo/DC riffs. Too bad for them, because the Dogs haven’t lost anything. They know who they are, and that’s why it works. 

‘Breaker’ is 1 minute 30 seconds of pure rock, undiluted joy. If it doesn’t get you moving, you’re already dead, baby. ‘Get The Look’ should please the hardcore crew, and the band are obviously having a ball throughout. ‘Speed Demon’ sounds like a classic riff by now. Most traditional ‘rock’ bands could learn something here, few of them have this many addictive riffs. In fact, it’s so good, you could imagine they were Australian. 

And ‘Leave It Alone’ would make Bon Scott smile. The rhythm section is tighter than ever, and Harry’s vocals are fabulous. ‘Shake Sum Action’ (not that one) blasts by in just under 2 minutes, and ‘Rock N Roll Business’ still sounds magic, complete with piano rolls. One of the best songs of the year, for me. ‘Mama Said’ is dangerously close to 4 minutes long, but you won’t notice. 

You should also be aware of ‘Suffer’ by now, so let’s move on to ‘I Wanna’, which comes on like a punkier Hives. The energy levels don’t drop. There’s some ‘Dirty Denim’, which reminds this listener of The Sick Livers. Yes, I know that Ginge’s denims are immaculate. Not ones to end on a ballad, ‘Power Out’ clouts you one last time. I’ve nothing against shorter albums when they’re this good. An absolute belter from start to finish.

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Author: Martin Chamarette

The Mary Tyler Whores – ‘As Filthy As We Wanna Be’ (Cadiz Music)

The Mary Tyler Whores – ‘As Filthy As We Wanna Be’ (Cadiz Music)

Not since Gay For Johnny Dep or Jodie Fasters were kicking up a stink on my stereo has a band had such a great name as The Mary Tyler Whores – Somewhere between sleazy early pre-appetite Guns n Roses and The Dictators. TMTW are kicking up a shitstorm, and boy, do they know it.

Hailing from the swamps of Florida, this five-piece, ten-legged groove machine are on it from the opening riff of ‘American Sex Fiend’ to the closing chords and cymbal fizz of ‘World Against Me’. That opener has a filthy Zodiac mindwarp riffola opening. It’s all Billy big balls and struttin like they’re something special it screams of a punk rock party, and we’re having the best of times doing this, and if you don’t like it, go F yourself; we have a party to attend, and besides, we’re here for a good time, not a long time, so hurry the fuck up.

Hells Bells, the third track, is a sleazy, hard-rockin ‘ take on the Lords Of The New Church classic, less dark and gothic and certainly stripped back and loud ‘Dance With Me’ wasn’t a song I had down as being covered anywhere or by anyone, well done, gents, top tune. It’s certainly not as good as the original, but I’ll take it, when any band takes on such a magnificent track, I’ll get behind it for sure.

‘Savage World’ is a party on its own, and why wouldn’t I approve of that? That’s sort of the MO for a while on the record. Make a band and come on part Guns, part Duane Peters, and part Handsome Dick is sure a recipe for an interesting record. There’s a lot of music to plough through with fifteen songs on offer it’s certainly value for money ‘Edge Of Insanity’ is almost a Rancid-sized skank, but it never goes there instead, it heads off into a punk rock gang vocal charge off by the chorus. I love the horns honkin’ out ‘Clamjacked’ it’s a real blast, and that’s not just the horns it’s a rowdy step to the left, and I love it.

To be fair, there’s a lot going on all over this record that sounds fantastic, courtesy of Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks/Bad Religion. It’s a bright-sounding record, and the bigger riffs are elevated and put right in your face, ‘Isolation’ being a great example that also has a filthy Bassline clunking away throughout.

I guess with fifteen songs mostly going full tilt you’re wondering which one is the power ballad. Well, worry not, folks, but there is some acoustic guitar work on ‘Phantom Love’ as the opening sort of crashes in before taking you down a twisting lane that is loose and meandering. Before we end the record, there is time for another cover, and this time they fuck with your head as ‘Whip It ‘- yeah, the Devo tune has the Mary Tyler Whores treatment to add another string to the bow.

The album closes on the collaboration with Riff Raff and Mike G as ‘World Against Me’ is the final offering from a very entertaining record. When it’s on it’s right on it, and that’s a great place to be. Get on the Mary Tyler Whores; they aren’t just a fantastic name they have the chops.

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The Molotovs – Leeds Beckett SU, Leeds – 17th September 2026

The Molotovs – Leeds Beckett SU, Leeds – 17th September 2026

What a difference 9 months makes. Back in January, I caught these young upstarts, The Molotovs, up the road at The Lending Room, it has a capacity of 200. They hadn’t even released an album yet. Now, the London-based trio are in the midst of a (mostly sold-out) UK tour promoting their debut album ‘Wasted On Youth’. This venue is an upgrade from The Wardrobe due to demand; it holds around 1000. The Molotovs are blowing up, and for good reason.

Siblings Mathew & Issey Cartlidge have been gigging hard for a few years now and deliver a ferocious Mod-tinged racket that’s part Weller, part Gallagher. The debut album is choc-a-bloc with tunes and the follow-up ‘Welcome To Urbia’ is already in the bag.

The room is packed by the time they walk on and blast into ‘Johnny Don’t Be Scared’. It’s an older song, and not even on the debut, that’s how confident they are. Dressed sharp, with a bleached buzz cut, singer/guitarist Mathew may still be a teenager, but his vitriolic vocals and ringing power chords are those of a seasoned punk rock pro. The years of constant gigging have paid off in spades. Stage left, his older sister Issey is a haze of blonde hair and flailing limbs as she pulls perfect rock n’ roll chic poses, the sort only years of bedroom mirror action can create. Behind them, drummer Noah Riley bashes like the bastard son of Keith Moon. It’s all going exceedingly well, The Molotovs are mesmerising to watch, and a photographer’s dream to shoot.

Anthemic single ‘Rhythm Of Yourself’ follows, proving these upstarts have the teenage kicks needed to thrill the youth of today. If only the Leeds crowd could return the energy the band put out. I know a Leeds audience is notoriously hard to win over, but it seems somewhere along the way, we have lost the ability to lose ourselves at a gig and actually have fun.

The Molotovs have made the transition from small stage to large with ease. The trio look comfortable up there, they play tight and have buckets of energy. They look like they’ve been doing it for years. The hour-long set covers most of the debut and a selection of future hits from the upcoming album. Brit Pop-tinged rockers like ‘Daydreaming’ and ‘More More More’ thrill, and the more emotive ‘Geraldine’ with its quirky backing vocals is a set highlight. Recent single ‘Urbia’ might not have the instant feel of past singles, but it bodes well for what is to come. Its B-side ‘Down At The Café’ also gets a live airing, it may be a better song, sounds like early Antmusic to me.

Modern radio-friendly anthem ‘Today’s Gonna Be Our Day’ and the punked-up energy of ‘Get A Life’ wake the Leeds massive, and ‘Wasted On Youth’ builds to become a massive beast.

The main set closes with the obligatory raw and punky take on ‘Suffragette City’ before they return with newbie No Time To Talk’ and closer ‘Come On Now’.

The Molotovs are an exciting proposition. A band who have the songs, the energy and the aura of a real rock n’ roll band. Mathew’s ability as a writer to blend vintage Mod sounds with Britpop and deliver it with a punk energy makes most of his contemporaries look beige as fuck. If The Molotovs’ upcoming second album lives up to expectations, then they are destined to be one of the bands of 2027 and beyond. Remember where you heard the name first.

Author: Ben Hughes

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Brijitte West and the Greenowskis are doing alright

Brijitte West and the Greenowskis are doing alright

Release date: 13th November 2026 / Rum Bar Records

Pre-order HERE – Single – Doin’ Alright

Former NY Loose frontwoman Brijitte West returns with a brand-new album, Brijitte West and the Greenowskis.

Recorded in Italy with an all-Italian band, notably Wilko Zanni, guitarist and singer with Italian rock institution Rats, and Lester Greenowski, Italian singer, songwriter and bassist, the album features 14 tracks, including 12 new songs, a cover of the Dead Boys, All This and More, and an acoustic version of an NY Loose deep cut, The Luckiest Girl.

Brijitte West says, “A lot of people think of me as an omniscient character – I’m sort of there, but I’m not there. This new album, and particularly the single Doin’ Alright, is me saying: I’m still here, I’m still rocking. I’m still turning up the mains and breaking free from the chains that held me down.”

West first made her mark in New York’s Lower East Side, drawing on the explosive musical aesthetics of the Ramones, the Stooges and the wider New York punk scene. NY Loose developed a sound and persona that fused garage rock and punk with a glamorous edge, finding a loyal following among punk, glam and rock ’n’ roll fans that remains strong today.

Highlights of the new record include a track inspired by those early years: My Lower East Side is a vivid recollection of the gritty NY club scene, the excitement and the relentless competition between bands. Brijitte says, “There were poster wars. We would have to hit the streets at 3 a.m. because you had to be the last one to put your poster up, otherwise it would be covered over by other bands. We spent what money we had on rehearsal spaces and instruments, so I remember our shoes being held together with duct tape.”

West turns inward with Sorry I’ve Been a Stranger, a song about reconnecting with someone who once meant a great deal to her after years apart. On Don’t Hurt Yourself, she tackles the difficult subject of self-harm: “It’s a terrible illness that doesn’t get talked about enough – and one that affected someone very close to me, so it was a topic I really wanted to write a song about.”

The album closes with Nobody Won and The Luckiest Girl. Nobody Won looks back at the difficult final years of NY Loose, the tensions within the band and the brutal reality of the music business. West says, “It’s about how things were not working for us. It resulted in no one doing anything for a very long time because we were battle-scarred from everything. There was no prize.”

But for Brijitte, rock ’n’ roll will always be in her blood. Her lyrics remain a form of self-therapy and a defining strength, balancing sass and swagger with vulnerability.

Brijitte says, “In a lot of ways, I feel this is the best album I have ever made. It feels like the NY Loose album that never was, yet a seamless collaboration with the best band I have ever worked with.”

Brijitte West and the Greenowskis are:

Brijitte West - Lead Vocals
Wilko Zanni – Guitars, Vocals, Percussions
Lorenzo Vacondio – Guitars, Vocals
Lester Greenowski – Bass, Vocals, Piano, Lead Vocals On Brutta Bimba Bella
Davide Furlani – Drums
Nino –  Pedals and Noise

Brijitte West:     FACEBOOK  / INSTAGRAM / WEBSITE / www.rumbarrecords.com

Dave Delinquent &The IOUs – ‘Scandal’ (Self Release)

Dave Delinquent &The IOUs – ‘Scandal’ (Self Release)

Imagine a band who plays their instruments drenched in sweat through overdriven amps, influenced by a whole heap of goodness from The Wildhearts through the Ramones via some prime time Dirtbox Disco and a having a real blast whilst doing so. Horns a honkin’, pianos tonkin’, whilst the band are whipping up a storm, using melodies to sing your hearts out to that’s about where I hear Dave Delinquent and his iou’s.

The album is the emobiment of all kiiler and no filler as they go through the handbook of genres and influences and toss it away and just go with their gut and what comes out of their hearts and heads.

Ten tracks on offer from the opening razor sharp ‘Rocksteady Girl’ through the melodic ‘Alleycats In Love’ complete with its horn honkin gold. The hooks are aplenty and they use every bit of catchiness they can muster. Sure its not original but so what they are knockin out killer tunes at every turn it sounds like a party on wax ‘Everybody Loves You’ is excellent and the first half closer is ‘Shame Of My Youth’ with its Big Country influenced melody which I didn’t see coming but is a most welcome shift of gears.

Side two just keeps on rockin throwing up catchy melody and riffs all over the place its like a sensless things meets The Wildhearts overload and I do love the saxophone taking it into different directions when you wern’t expecting it. ‘Not A Fan’ leaves just the uptempo rocker ‘Todays A Drag’ to close the album off and what a great way to sign off. If you want an album packed with hooks and catchy melodies then look no further Dave Delinquent and his IOU’s is here to prove that rock n roll isn’t dead its alive and kickin out the jams. Buy it!

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Author: Dom Daley

Echo & The Bunnymen – ‘Apples For Isaac’ (BMG Music)

Echo & The Bunnymen – ‘Apples For Isaac’ (BMG Music)

The Bunnymen seem to have been around forever and continue to trudge the circuits, plying their brand of post-punk goodness, and McCulloch doesn’t seem to age. With this the band bazillionth release they’ve continued to evolve and turn out great guitar pop, with Apples containing eleven intriguing and enthralling tunes weaving their way into your noggin and leaving their mark, beginning with the vibrant ‘Take Me By The Hand’ that has the superb, inventive guitar work of Will Sergeant at the forefront of this record, the band’s first in over a decade. It also features much-missed Blondie sticksman Clem Burke adding his considerable talent to proceedings, driving this record on with his flair and style.

This seems to be grittier than previous offerings. Sure, there are some subtle strings dotted around the record, but it seems more guitar- and bass-driven, with the first single ‘Brussels Is Haunted’ lighting the way with its sprightly tempo, throbbing bass line and riff-based guitar breaks whilst Ian peels away the years with his distinctive tone and delivery. It’s nestled next to the gentler ‘I’ll Be Your Sunshine’ with those aforementioned lush strings layering the tune.

‘Hijacked’ has a thumping Bassline driving the song with the minimal chorus whilst Will meanders and weaves his guitar chops in the available quiet, filling every space with a rush of energy. Great Stuff. There seems to be an uplifting, upbeat feel to the album, with a few shaded areas where classic echo-drenched vocals fill the void, ‘An Unstoppable Force’ being a great example of a classic Bunnymen slower song. It’s a very hopeful-sounding record, ‘The Light That Surrounds You’ sounds youthful and like something that could have been written around the ‘Porcupine’ days. There’s an innocence about it that is both charming and engaging.

Bring on the dancing horns for ‘Lab Rat Ran’ which has the sound of a top live song in a packed uni hall. The other thing I should mention is that this album has the feel that it’s stacked with potential singles all over the place so many songs that would, in days gone by, have ruled the singles charts. Great songwriters never lose it, and the Bunnymen have a pair of em. Great song and great saxophone blasting out. ‘Asimov’ has a grunt about the Bassline driving it on, and it’s only then I notice this is track number ten on the album it’s flown by. Leaving only the kiss-off of ‘We Prayed In The Dark’, a more leisurely song that’s doing its own victory lap to close off a rather splendid album. I always hope for a great record from bands who have grown older with me, but like The Mary Chain, The Bunnymen seem to have delivered a real diamond when not many would have given them the accolade they probably deserve.

If you’ve ever thrown yourself around to ‘The Cutter’ or marvelled at ‘Dancing Horses’, then you’d be foolish to pass this latest offering by. Echo And The Bunnymen have delivered one of 2026’s finest alternative records, no question about it. Buy it!

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Author: Dom Daley