Steve Conte – ‘The Concrete Jangle’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Steve Conte – ‘The Concrete Jangle’ (Wicked Cool Records)

Now Steve Conte really caught my attention when he was drafted in to play guitar alongside Sylvain Sylvain in the Dolls and following that the solo career he was forging was all killer and no filler and even when he played in Michael Monroe band and wrote songs for someone as talented as Monroe to sing he couldn’t put a foot wrong it would seem. ‘Bronx Cheer’ was his last offering and to be fair I loved it I thought he had written some of his best material on that album and his vocals seemed to have been elevated to the next level as well. Fast forward a couple of years and after much social media jibber jabber about writing new material for another solo album I thought Conte can’t possibly top the last album but after running through this album for a couple of months I truly believe he’s mixed up his Rock album formula with a new found new wave pop seam and mined it to the maximum and taking a side step into some new territory works well and drafting in someone he really admires and holds in high regards a certain Andy Partridge from XTC is both interesting and unexpected but ultimately a fine move from the evidence of the co written tunes that make up the opening side of this album.

Clever clogs album title aside this might well prove to be Conte’s finest work to date which is no small feat for someone who has quite an impressive output over the last decade or so. Ian Hunter, Danko Jones, Steve Lillywhite, Nasty Suicide and Glen Matlock raise an eyebrow alongside several other impressive talents on show. The Melodies are constant and at every turn and the pop songs wear many outfits from bluesy rockers or more punky-edged songs Conte has covered all bases yet made a cohesive and truly wonderful album.

Ultimately Conte has evolved his repertoire and moved in another direction and quite possibly turned in his finest album thus far in an ever-impressive collection of mightily fine albums. Don’t just take my word for it check it out for yourself and immerse yourself in a fantastic album brimming with glorious songs where he goes from here, who knows, at this point, the world is his oyster and I’m happy to spend the next couple of years marvelling at ‘The Concrete Jangle’ my only complaint is it could have gone on and on, no should have gone on and on. Buy IT!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Haust – ‘Negative Music’ (Fysisk Format)

Haust – ‘Negative Music’ (Fysisk Format)

Norway’s finest have concocted another pure sonic assault, getting back to their roots musically while also looking forward and developing new aspects to their sound. 

New album Negative Music has the ear splitting extreme metal tones you would expect but with a raw underlying punk rock energy and ethos. Thudding bass lines akin to west coast hardcore but with shrieking and tortured vocals reminiscent of 80s Deathrock while also sharing the band’s issues and social concerns relating to their upbringing and the musical scenes they have navigated. 

Unrelenting and with absolutely no compromise, the black metal meets punk sound helps lend to a fresher more analogue sound to the record, getting away from the synthetic heavy metal pitfalls and tropes that can plague the genre but still remaining brutal. 

Particular stand out tracks are ‘dead ringer’ and ‘the burning’, a throbbing assault to the senses with the potential to upset any next door neighbours. 

In an industry and subculture that trades on shock value and over the top rorschach logo typography, Haust are refreshing due to their stripped down approach with their image, artwork and their level headed approach to interviews and promotion and as a result they’re a hell of a lot more approachable in their “scene”.

Author: Dan Kasm

HAUST:
Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/haustmusic
Instagram: https://www. instagram.com/haustmusic
Bandcamp: https://haustno.bandcamp.com

Fysisk Format:
Web: http://www.fysiskformat. no
Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/fysiskformat

The Meteors – ’40 Days A Rotting’ (Mutant Rock Records)

The Meteors – ’40 Days A Rotting’ (Mutant Rock Records)

THE METEORS were formed way back in 1980 post punk explosion and pre UK 82 to be more precise. They’ve released about a million albums both studio, live and compilation albums since then and its quite an achievement that in 2024 they are still enthusiastic and motivated to keep writing and recording original music and to be fair making music as good if not better than they were doing back in the 80s. To be fair doing this Rock N Roll lark for that many years they should be half decent by now.

Preferring their songs to contain topics about vampires, graveyards and radioactive kids, P. Paul Fenech, still the bands leader and six-string slinger and songwriter has vocals that are distinctively gravel chewing, whisky and cigarette-induced rasp and perfect for this style of Rock n stomp.

With fourteen tracks being wedged onto this latest offering it’s uncompromising and sounds like The MEteors doing it their own way as you’d expect. The surf Rock guitar and minimal tub thumping drumming and subdued salamander stick slapping of that stand-up Bass. They might have paved the way and inspired a whole scene along with a couple of other stalwarts of the scene but they do carve their own path through the scene. ‘The Swampy ‘Blood Moon’ has some sweet guitar licks and very rhythmic drumming taking centre stage.

The title track has a wandering almost folk rhythm going on through its heart with a great arrangement and use of instruments, excellent stuff. Fourteen songs is a lot to get through but there is quite a bit of variety on the theme and whilst its not variety for the sake of it songs like ‘Murder Party’, dare I say it there is a more mature feel to these songs or it might be the more restrained production but you wouldn’t say that on the lyrics which constantly made me chuckle. If you’re looking for a high point then look no further than ‘The Rage’, and ‘The Devil Take Me Highway’ truly majestic slices of the genre, no question about it.

There are the obvious rockabilly, country, surf and rock’n’roll aesthetics. A sound woven by Paul Fenech’s rockin’ guitar and bile-spitting Beelzebub-rousing lyrics. ‘40 Days a Rotting’ proves once again that form is temporary and class is permanent and The Meteors are indeed class. Buy It!

Pre-Order here 

Author: Dom Daley

The Hives / Bad Nerves – The Great Hall, Cardiff Uni. Cardiff – 05.04.24

The Hives / Bad Nerves – The Great Hall, Cardiff Uni. Cardiff – 05.04.24

A night when the old school garage rock grandmasters that are The Hives take young jedis in training out on tour to show them how it’s done by the best in the business and give them the leg up they deserve as they continue their upward trajectory to what can and should be a deserved seat at the top table.

Bad Nerves have been constantly touring and recording their second album then touring some more across the states they’re certainly not afraid of hard work and know that you have to go out and get every single sale and work for it. Tonight they strode onto the well-trodden boards of the great hall in Cardiff to a very healthy audience. They purposefully took up their stage positions and with an effortless cool, they exploded into ‘Don’t Stop’ and don’t look back for the next half hour.

With ‘Still Nervous’ getting its timely release at the end of this tour Bad Nerves have global domination in the pal of their hands. They’ve got the chops, tunes and attitude to one day go toe to toe with The Hives but at this point, they are the perfect Garage punks to open up this Rock n Roll show.

Bobby Bird leads the troops through a blistering set of well-worn in tunes and a couple of new ones. They look the part on the big stage and seem super comfortable pumping out their power pop punk anthems. It’s like all the vital ingredients for success and the right place at the right time but all that is immaterial if they don’t have the tunes but on tonight’s evidence they don’t have to worry on that front because the new songs are so strong. ‘USA’ is a vicious romp through the best power pop punk rock and with ‘You’ve Got The Nerve’ they have the punk rock authentic attitude to pull this off. As was pointed out by Mr H they have the songs like the mighty Cyanide Pills (who would be fantastic touring partners when they finish their stint with The Hives)

There was no fuckin about, no bullshit just Rock n Roll from top to bottom and Cardiff Uni had just been served up a lesson in how to open a show good and proper. Belting performance, catch em while you can Bad Nerves are going places.

After an impressive opener we readied ourselves for The Mighty Hives a band I’ve had the pleasure of seeing many times in many venues and this being their second time here after playing the smaller Yr Plas across the corridor two decades ago! Wow, Those twenty two years have flown by I’ve been lucky to see these Swedes play in front of 100,000 in Hyde Park and less than 1000 in Cardiff but the one thing I had on each occasion was a rock and roll show of the highest calibre. There aren’t many who can match the energy and drive of The Hives and that’s before we get to the arsenal of songs they have at their disposal. they treat each performance the same be it in the tiny Fleece in Bristol or a football stadium or a students union The hives put on a show and every night is nothing short of 100% they leave nothing on the stage when they leave except a puddle of sweat and an audience of beaming smiles on sweaty faces leaving knowing they’ve seen one of the best garage rock bands anywhere on the planet.

From the opening of ‘Bogus Operandi’ through the hits like ‘Main Offender’ or ‘Walk Idiot Walk’ the energy is incredible only matched by the quality of the music. In Howlin Pelle they have an exceptional frontman who has every audience eating from the palm of his hand from the moment he steps on the stage but he is enabled by an incredible band none more so than his brother Nicholaus who doesn’t stop making eye contact and moving like a cat on a hot tin roof.

Its a magnificent performance and the levels they reach are second to none be it old classics like ‘Hate To Say I Told You So’ to new songs of the Death Of album that peaked with ‘Trapdoor Solution’ or who cares they’re all spectacular and there can’t be single person wedged into this room who left disappointed with the garage rock majesty that is the Hives.

After seventy five minutes its a brief encore before a devastating one two three of ‘Come On’, ‘Smoke And Mirrors’ and ‘Tick Tick Boom’ and we’re done. Another magnificent evening with the Hives. Lets do it again same time same place next year. Simply magnificent!

Author: Dom Daley

The Unknowns – ‘East Coast Low’ (Drunken Sailor Records)

The Unknowns – ‘East Coast Low’ (Drunken Sailor Records)

The European release of The Unknowns second album, released on Bargain Bin Records in Australia is now out on Drunken Sailor Records in the UK.

The recently expanded four-piece has been bolstered by the addition of The Chats’ Eamon Sandwith on guitar, sees this Brisbane no-nonsense punk release their no frills just business album ‘East Coast Low’. It is not rocket science, it’s punk rock and it’s top-notch punk rock. It manages to draw from some pretty catchy pop tunes and collide it with ragged punk rock Aussie style it has the spirit of The Saints mashed up with The Ramones. It’s energetic, melodic, catchy and bang on the fucking money.

It all kicks off with the infectious big riff-a-rama of ‘Shot Down’. Its snotty, raw and bouncing with attitude. It’s the new school rockin the old school and has a ripping guitar break that’s not flash but spot on. You wont have to play it over and over to join in with the chorus but you’ll be on the bed with the tennis racket ripping out the solo before getting all sweaty with the feedback as the song crashes and burns. However, ‘Dianne’ is like the Dead Boys tipping up with a Ramones Chord book and a bunch of 77 choruses. Perfect!

Its not reinventing the wheel but its cruising along with the tool our forefathers left behind its thunder meets Dee Dee meets the Boys and of Course The Saints and threw them all in the back seat and went cruising round for a killer house party to crash. Garage punk, power pop, and straight-up rock n’ roll its all sewn into the rich tapestry that The Unknowns deliver.

‘East Coast Low’ is ten tracks of anthemic sing-along punk rock n roll and don’t worry about it dragging on it clocks in well under half an hour and is a no brainer if you are looking for a fix of snotty punk n roll done with a carefree attitude ‘Thinking About You’, and ‘I Don’t Know’ and ‘Beat Me’ are full of dumb fun and who doesn’t like that? Its like The Ramones never happened.

We’ve written about Australian Punk Rock and we’ll write about it again right here right now. Punk Rock is in safe hands with them folk down under they sure can rock n roll they do it just about better than most folks do you can now say that The Unknowns are going to come steaming to the front and centre of the cool kids looking for their next fix of sunshine, beer-swilling punk rockers The album crashes and burns with the blinding ‘Supersonic Love’ if AC/DC had grown up on the Ramones and Stooges and had short hair they could have sounded this good. Remember the name kids ‘East Coast Low’ is the Unknowns aiming high and on this evidence they’ve got every chance of success because they certainly got the chops, Buy It!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

The Libertines – ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ (EMI)

The Libertines – ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ (EMI)

The Fourth Libertines album has been on some journey. After being put back for one reason or another the release is finally upon us. All the anticipation and build-up has been an age but that wait is over and ‘All Is Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ is with us, and if it could be summed up in one sentence (Which it can’t) it is fair to say its the most Libertines album you could wish for in 2024 – predictable yet unpredictable it weaves a rich tapestry as the band deliver what might well turn out to be a career highlight.

After a short run of tiny club dates to wet the appetite of the salivating masses the album kicks off in true swaggering ragged glory with the albums lead single ‘Run Run Run’ but that is only the start of it. Buckle up kids this is one hell of an album and as the band open up the ragged ‘Mustang’ as they go through the gears they enter cruise control for the Carl-led song that is masterfully captured on wax, this truly sounds like the band has managed to bottle that spirit and jour de vivre and give it a sound as they weave their merry melodies.

‘Have A Friend’ is Docherty rattling off the vocals, but it’s the energy they’ve captured here from the tight rhythm to the heartfelt lyrics that fall from his mouth – it’s pure audio joy before the relaxed and trippy ‘Merry Old England’ enters the ether. With a slightly dreamy tempo and piano leading the way it’s like a mature (should I call it that?) trip with the solid beat as Pete tackles how people coming to this island might view this land and a song of hope that the real beating heart of a country is still welcoming and hospitable and a place where people can come and make it their own adding to its rich tapestry wherever they come from and its all wrapped up in a very busy arrangement from the backing vocals to the lush string in its undertow. great song.

‘Man With A Melody’ is the record’s first ballad-like track. With its pace slowed right down and the vocals intertwined perfectly as the song unfolds having all voices heard on the twisting vision of a busker (Carls Words) but possibly the most un Libertines track on offer here showing you can indeed teach an old dog new tricks.

Back on brand ‘Oh Shit’ is a blast, shaking off any cobwebs and sure to be a live favourite. On offer with this new album is essentially eleven songs that weave their merry way via uptempo rockers and the slower more thoughtful songs as well as the more jazzy ragged numbers such as the gentle ‘Barons Claw’ as its loose barroom number complete with jazzy trumpet and piano tinkling and hushed late-night vocals.

The second side of the record is certainly a more varied ensemble of tunes than the opening side as the Libertines spread their wings. ‘Shiver’ sounds like Pete opening another chapter of his soul then ‘Be Young’ picks up the pace as Carl spits out the lyrics the energy of the verses then a handbreak turn on the chorus before the bridge of a reggaefied verse before tearing up the solo. An excellent song which only leaves the final thoughtful ‘Songs They Never Play On The Radio’ as the band gently signs off a rather splendid album that twists and turns and draws out the best this band can offer which is so identifiable and original without being original and delivering an album that will be tough to ignore. Exactly the album you want from these four reliable, adventurous, unpredictable but thoroughly excellent – A massive big up The Libertines and ‘Alls Quiet’ their perfect album for this moment in time. A band that it would seem to have found peace with who they are and how and where they fit in, and a sort of maturity (Libertines and maturity? Never) to change it up yet still be those lads full of piss and vinegar who know how to deliver their craft better than pretty much everyone else out of their genre. ‘All Quiet On The Easter Esplanade’ will prove to be a bit of a masterpiece, mark my words – Buy It!


Buy Here

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Author: Dom Daley

Pat Todd & The Rank Outsiders – ‘Keepin’ Chaos At Bay’ (Hound Gawd! Records)

Pat Todd & The Rank Outsiders – ‘Keepin’ Chaos At Bay’ (Hound Gawd! Records)

Fourteen new tracks from Pat Todd who seems to be immune from the dreaded writer’s block and just seems to be able to knock out album after album of the highest quality. This Cowpunk rock n roll has mastered the sound and energy to make great records – it’s not difficult to see how Eddy Spaghetty holds him in such high regard.

This Americana or Cowpunk rock n roll is poured into every album and with that formula, they seem to get better and better. As his career progresses Todd’s moulded his craft to suit his strengths, Mixing ’70s punk rock, country, blues, roots rock it’s all in here folks. But the magic formula is heart and soul you just can’t fake it if you want it to be authentic and Todd & his Rank Outsiders couldn’t be accused of that.

The lyrics of the 14-track album are heartfelt and honest. New Originals like ‘Why I Sing’, ‘The Company You Keep’ or ‘Victim Of Dedication’ are warm and comfortable – you know what you’re in for and Todd delivers in spades. Be it the Rankoutsiders or The Lazy Cowgirls this brand of Rock n Roll is heartwarming and full of energy, life-affirming energy

The cover version of “Tower of Song” by Leonard Cohen shows how you can own a tune and energise a song that the listener might not have seen coming, but when it does you know it’s done so well and a fine way to close off the album.

Todd is joined again by guitarist and founding Rankoutsider, Nick Alexander; long-time guitarist and vocalist Kevin Keller, who also takes over the mic on ‘You’re Gonna Loose It All’ (I know makes you sick – so much talent); Steven Vigh on bass and Walter Phelan on drums, the rhythm section, who are driving these songs with boundless energy and belief in the power of Rock and Roll. Amen and halleluiah, Rock and Roll is in safe hands and it sounds bloody great! Buy It!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

‘Oh Shit!’ The Libertines – release another new single

‘Oh Shit!’ The Libertines – release another new single

‘Oh Shit’ is the latest single from their forthcoming new album due in April listen here: TheLibertines.lnk.to/OhShit

pic Ed Cooke

Oh shit ,oh shit

Lets make some money

Just enough to get us by

The Libertines release a fabulous new single (quite possibly the most Libertines single ever!) on Wednesday 6th March. Entitled Oh Shit it is an earworm anthem for these economically challenging times and is taken from their eagerly awaited new album All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade which hits the streets on April 5th.

Written by Carl Barat and Peter Doherty, Oh Shit is the fourthsingle to be lifted from All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade, following the release of Run, Run, Run VIDEO, Night Of The Hunter VIDEO and Shiver VIDEO  You can preorder the new album here: TheLibertines.lnk.to/AQOTEEPR 

The Libertines’ UK/IRELAND tour all but sold out within hours of being announced – faster than any previous tours in their history – which nails the lie that no-one wants to see bands live anymore. To cater for the unprecedented demand, a third and final night has been added at Manchester’s Albert Hall on Saturday 9th November.

The full dates for the All Quiet On The Esplanade Tour are:

SEPTEMBER 

23rd MON Dublin  3Olympia Theatre SOLD OUT

24th TUE Belfast The Telegraph Building SOLD OUT

OCTOBER

3rd THU Birmingham O2 Academy SOLD OUT

4th FRI Norwich UEA SOLD OUT

5th SAT Cambridge  The Corn Exchange SOLD OUT

7th MON Cardiff Great Hall FEW TICKETS

8th TUE Bristol O2 Academy SOLD OUT

17th THU Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom SOLD OUT

18th FRI Glasgow  Barrowland Ballroom SOLD OUT

19th Sat Liverpool Mountford Hall SOLD OUT

21st Mon Nottingham Rock City SOLD OUT

22nd  TUE Leeds O2 Academy SOLD OUT

30th WED London Roundhouse FEW TICKETS

31st THU London Roundhouse SOLD OUT

NOVEMBER

1st FRI London Roundhouse FEW TICKETS

4th MON Sheffield The Octagon FEW TICKETS

5th TUE Newcastle NX SOLD OUT

7th THU Manchester Albert Hall SOLD OUT

8th FRI Manchester Albert Hall SOLD OUT

9th SAT Manchester Albert Hall TICKETS ON SALE 9AM 8TH MARCH

The Libertines will be playing the following in/out-store shows on the week of release of the new album with a special Q&A happening at Rough Trade East.

APRIL IN/OUT-STORES:

5th  FRI  Coventry HMV Empire

6th  SAT Birmingham Acoustic

Manchester Academy w/ Crash Records

8th MON Rough Trade East Q&A w/ Rough Trade

9th TUE Pryzm Kingston w/ Banquet Records

As previously announced The Libertines will headline ‘On The Beach Festival’ in Brighton on Sunday, July 28th.

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Gypsy Roller & The Strand – ‘Live At Dantes’ (Self-Release)

Gypsy Roller & The Strand – ‘Live At Dantes’ (Self-Release)

A ‘Live’ album from Gypsy Roller but also has bonus Demos / Outtakes. It’s not a band name I’ve heard from in quite a while way before the pandemic but it has to be said a proper throwback to when Glam meant Bolan Boogie and twin guitar attack. Gypsy Roller is essentially Gil Soliz and his vehicle for kicking out the jams.

What you effectively get is a couple of dozen songs with the first ten being a live performance from a proper Rock and Roll band who have it coursing through their veins. Just think the boogie and swagger of early Aerosmith and the street cred of Bon-era DC and you’re on the right path. Mix it up with the unmistakable street smarts of The Dolls and you might be in the right ballpark. The bad boy boogie of ‘City Of Angels’ messes about with the Noo Yawk sass of Lou Reed on ‘Waiting In Line’. These boys can obviously play and they’re quite happy to throw in some tightly woven jazzy breaks to compliment the groovy harder rock but it is clearly all about the music here and when you hit the demos you enter a world that indulges on 60s Kinks and some sleazy Stones on ‘She’s Got The Structure’.

Some of the demos double up which is cool to hear the difference in the recordings from some quite early on generic “live” demos to a much fuller production. ‘Whatcha gonna Do’ is Stonesy meets Primal Scream when they wanted to be Keith n Mick. The no-nonsense straight-up street vibe of ‘I Like It Like That’ is fantastic. There is even time to get a little laid back and sleazy on ‘Some Girls’ of course getting an LUV in somewhere is perfect something David Johannsen would be proud of. Don’t take my word for it Let the music do the talking and get onto Bandcamp for some previous recordings from Gypsy Roller you won’t regret it.

Get on it Here kids it’s a wonderful collection of songs from a very talented group of musicians.

Gil is ably supported by Ron Wesley on Lead guitar, Jonas Greene on Rhythm, Doug Reichard on Drums and Adam Bartell on bass Guitar and produced by Allan Davis. Check it out at the links.

Author: Dom Daley

One The Juggler- ‘Memoir Days’ (Real Vision Records)

One The Juggler- ‘Memoir Days’ (Real Vision Records)

Life’s full of surprises. My teenage self wouldn’t have believed that in 2024 I would be reviewing a new album by One The Juggler. Granted, 2020’s ‘The Ocean Man’ was a welcome return after the ‘Destination Planet Blue’ compilation. There were new, joyous tunes, but while ‘Memoir Days’ might occasionally be reminiscing of the pomp and ambition of youth, it holds together better as an album.

‘We Love It All’ is really an intro, full of optimism and positivity, leading into ‘Talking To Ourselves’. This song, along with lead track ‘Jennifer Heaven’, are the natural successors to ‘Nearly A Sin’; the mix of acoustic guitar and Ronno styled electric, with a touch of Bolan melodies. Yes, the Bowie influences are still here, but it’s the quality of songwriting that was always the band’s strength. Their debut was full of songs they’d already honed live, like many bands. ‘Memoir Days’ sounds like the true follow up album, with the title track urging “be sure to write it all down now, while it’s still fresh in your mind”.

Rokko/Sham’s vocals are as distinctive as ever, and a joy to hear. And with Jerry, he has crafted a fine set of songs here, worthy of the name One The Juggler. I regularly bore people with my enthusiasm for ‘Nearly A Sin’, but everyone I’ve recommended it to has loved it.

‘The Revolution’s On Your Phone’ is like a long-lost Mott classic, majestic stuff indeed.

‘Sylvia Strange’ is as catchy as the title deserves to be, a swoonsome slice of pop,  while ‘When We Get Home’ ups the pomp, an instant hook, like Suede’s dubious uncles who still know a trick or two. This one’s on replay.

‘Andy’s Bar’ has a similar melancholy to ‘(O No) You’re Not The Same’, lyrically I think Brel would approve, and the acoustic touches are beautiful. ‘Into The Blue Eternity’ is a bittersweet end. “Between the dishes and the laundry, her mind is planning an escape…”

Influences aside, this sounds like a One The Juggler album, and it’s all the better for it. Welcome to their world. It will improve yours.

Author: Martin Chamarette