The Courettes – ‘Back In Mono’ (Damaged Goods Records)

The Courettes – ‘Back In Mono’ (Damaged Goods Records)

The Courettes are hot hot hot! at the moment and rightly so. Heading over to the UK in June for an extensive tour this 10″ record brings together a whole bunch of B sides and outtakes. Striking whilst the iron is hot is a good thing and this duo are knocking out quality records and drawing these together in one convenient place is a bargain. They ask that you play this record loudly and through shite speakers but that’s not an exclusive request because it’s also available on CD as well.

You know the drill with this pair, they’re retro in a wall of sound way and bang up to date current as well. It’s not just a cobbled-together compilation because there are non-album B sides, and three tracks that have added instrumentation on them it also has the Japanese-only split ‘So What’ available right here, right now.

Their brand of pop smart melodies wrapped up in a Rock and Roll sound was perfectly described as not playing Rock and Roll because they are Rock and Roll, if you know – you know! At times you have to concentrate hard on the record because you think it is a four-piece and some making that wall of sound and not just two musicians, it’s got that warm Fuzz on the guitar and a shimmering smokey mix over the top of the whole sound. Surely it’s only a matter of time before everyone gets down with The Courettes and their music maybe one DJ who knows their music will get smart or a Jools Holland to champion this pair and whoosh! away they’ll fly. ‘Tough Like That’ is a bruiser with it’s punchy riff and then the cool smoldering ‘Talking About My Baby’ before it just takes off for the chorus before switching vocals and dropping back into that cool smolder.

Try them – buy this 10″ you won’t regret it they write and perform wonderful music that let you leave all your real-world woes at the door because for the next half an hour your gonna dream and pretend you’re onto the best-kept secret in music – The Fabulous Courettes Schh! or everyone will cotton on. Bop shawaddy bop baby! Eight tracks to tide us over. Perfecto!

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Author: Dom Daley

Bob Vylan – ‘We Live Here’ (Self-Released)

Bob Vylan – ‘We Live Here’ (Self-Released)

Racism and homophobia, homelessness and job loss, fear-mongery, anxiety, and suicide. These are not new words, but along with ‘Pandemic’, are these the keywords that we will look back on to describe the year 2020? One thing’s for sure, there’s been a lot of relevant music released so far this year that seems to fit the lockdown vibe, but you need look no further than Bob Vylan for the ultimate reaction and the perfect soundtrack to the new normal.

‘We Live Here’ was actually recorded in 2019 and is self-released because the music industry won’t touch them with a barge pole. Even radio and magazines cite them too extreme, and fair play, this 8 track EP from the London duo Bobby Vylan and Bobb13 Vylan is 18 minutes of uneasy listening, but it is also essential listening.

 

A mash up of grime and punk rock, ‘We Live Here’ pulls no punches from the very first pulsating beats until a cheerful girl signs off at the end of the last track, telling us not to forget that “the Queen killed Diana”!

My first introduction to Bob Vylan was the single ‘We Live Here’. It is one of the most brutal, hard-hitting tunes I have heard in a long time. A sloppy Slaves-esque guitar riff, frantic rhythms and a diatribe of childhood racial abuse, delivered with the rage of a lion and power of a ten-ton hammer coming down on a balsa wood Houses of Parliament. It’s no coincidence that Bobby is sporting a Crass t-shirt in the video, this is politically-charged punk rock 2020, and utterly essential listening.

Police brutality is covered in the hardcore ‘Pulled Pork’. A song that channels Rage Against The Machine and Body Count to great effect. You want edgy? Well, this is teetering on the edge of the fuckin precipice, bruthas and sistas! And the skulking beast that is ‘Lynch Your Leaders’ could very well incite you to do just that with its hypnotic beats and deep, thought-provoking lyricism.

You just can’t ignore Bob Vylan. This is life through the eyes of black working-class youth, an angry mouthpiece for generations of black minorities that have suffered prejudice in the same country they were born in.

“I can’t breathe, just leave me alone” screams Bobby on the fear and anxiety induced trip through the London underground that is ‘Northern Line’. Scarily, it mirrors recent events more than the writer could have ever imagined.  Then ‘Save Yourself’ offers retribution before blasting into a 2 minute brutal assault on the senses. It’s the last song proper before ‘Moment Of Silence’ literally gives you breathing space to digest the Bob Vylan experience.

 

This is an album that needs to be heard, a wakeup call that is loud and clear. It crosses genres and it crosses classes. Like the musical equivalent of LiveLeak, it’s what the ‘powers that be’ don’t want you to hear, what they don’t want you to feel or act on. This is the sound of the streets, the true punk rock and the most relevant collection of songs you will hear all year.

You won’t hear it on the radio, you won’t be able to stream it on Spotify, but you can buy it directly from the band on their own Bandcamp page. I strongly suggest you get clicking right away!

Buy ‘We Live Here’ Here

Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

 

Introducing…The Suicide Notes – ‘Pleasures Of Despair’ Electric (Self Released)

Introducing…The Suicide Notes – ‘Pleasures Of Despair’ Electric (Self Released)
Hailing from Oxfordshire and Berkshire, the Suicide Notes ooze gutter-trash rock n’ roll. With low-slung buzzsaw guitars and raw nicotine-soaked vocals, they play rock ‘n’ roll with a swagger.  The illegitimate sons of punk and sleaze, conceived on a bed of red wine, cigarettes, and back-alley attitude, in their ranks they featuring ex-Black Bullets vocalist Billy Tee and signed up with a management company in 2019 like most things it sort of ground to a halt with the Covid-19 Virus but they did manage to sneak out the very popular Acoustic EP before everything was locked down. But they’d already banked the Electric EP and with the UK currently unlocking humans from the pandemic its time for The Suicide Notes to get back to business and let the world know what they have to offer.  
On the evidence of the response after their acoustic EP came out the future looks very bright for The Suicide Notes. that debut acoustic EP sold out its initial limited art digipak edition in under 36 hours through pre-sale orders alone, and demand was such that a second edition had to be produced hence why we’re here now as they follow up February Acoustic with its more fierce alter ego ‘Pleasures Of Despair (Electric)’ but before that let me introduce the Suicide Notes or rather let Billy Tee Introduce The Suicide Notes…
Who are The Suicide Notes? 
The Suicide Notes are Billy T on lead vocals and harmonica, Holmes on lead and rhythm guitar and vocals, Dame on the four-string and sometimes guitar and vocals and Gav is on drums, pizza, and garlic bread. We play tragic rock n roll in a raw carefree and drink idled haphazard style.
How did the band come together?
I ( Billy ) wanted to form a band that reflected my music roots, the red wine stained shuffle of bands like The Faces, The Stones, The Quireboys and The Dogs D’Amour mixed the raw edge of the Izzy Stradlin GnR and the romantic tragi undertones of people like Nikki Sudden, Neil Leyton, The  Decedents and The Suicide Twins. I new Alex played guitar and Alex had played with Dame for years so they were a tuned to each other’s way of playing already. Getting the restless dynamo that is Gavin Hobbs to drum was the perfect final piece in our dirty little ramshackle outfit.
Where are the band from? 
The boys hail from Witney in Oxfordshire and I’m the posh tart from Berkshire
Whats in the name?
Gore Vidal once said, “Write something, even if it’s just a suicide note”.

So we did, we wrote a bunch of Suicide notes disguised as songs. It’s the only way I tend to write. I’ve spent a long time-fighting depressions and mental health issues, all of the band do, mine was brought on by long term substance abuse. I’ve been clean two years but I’m still one step from falling off the wagon, I can bloody taste it still, but things are looking good I’m keeping my head down and concentrating on the music and my art anyway …

 Recordings so far?

We released our first single ‘Smoke It Like A Cigarette’ for our acoustic four-track EP, ‘Pleasures Of Despair’ (Acoustic Demo’s Vol One) then we released the full EP as our debut (like you mentioned already) We then went into the studio and recorded a full almost live electric set.

Post-Pandemic Plans?

We’ve written a bunch of new tracks while in lockdown, Alex and I throwing stuff at each other via the wondernet. The plan is to pretty much start from scratch again, literally, we’d only managed four gigs before the whole ‘shithouse went up in flames’ but we had a solid year of festival appearances booked, so hopefully we can get back on the horse in 2021, record an acoustic E.P vol 2 from the new songs and try and find our feet and hopefully we ( all the bands and promoters and venues ) all find some kind of normal again.

As the bells chime on the dark ‘Black Dog Howlin’ it sleazy alright. it’s right in that pocket of early LA Guns sleaze but without the American polish this is genuine Sleaze with attitude from the rolling dirty riff to the chorus where the gang joins Billy Tee for the call back its good stuff.  A well-timed guitar solo fits right in the pocket as the three minutes fly by which is exactly as it should be.  Not for a second does it outstay it’s welcome and like a donkey punch you know its happened.
No doubt there will always be comparisons with Billy’s vocals and a certain Bard from the Black Country so it would come as no surprise to hear The Suicide Notes taking on ‘On The Rocks’ by The Dogs D’Amours. To be fair there’s no point messing with classic Dogs tunes so whilst it’s pretty much kept intact they do add their own twist on it and to be fair it holds up very well. I like the tone of Alex’s guitar licks its got bite but it isn’t dumb and has a swagger that doesn’t come over like he’s forcing his tone.
Having praised the band for their short sharp attack I did balk a little when I saw ‘Ragdoll’ was in excess of six minutes but once we got past the intro tape I was able to sit back and let the rock and roll flow over me.  sure its got the obvious comparisons but I like the chorus and the breakdown works really well and I’m always a fan of using a saxophone in my sleazy Rock and Roll. great stuff!
To wrap it up the Electric treatment of ‘Smoke It Like A Cigarette’ is really good and works better than the acoustic which was excellent to be fair. So all in all a four-track EP that gets better as the songs unfold.  The band has energy and style and can and will carve out their own niche as people get to hear them and appreciate what real proper sleaze should and could sound like.  Oh, and we need more cowbell – obviously.
Pick it up pronto if you want to get in on the ground floor before these guys climb that greasy totem pole of Rock and Roll and you miss out on the collectible early stuff. Now put on yer silken scarf slide into them boots n skinny jeans and get yerself involved.
Buy the EP Here

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Author: Dom Daley

The Heat Inc. Release ‘Raptors’ for a debut single

The Heat Inc. Release ‘Raptors’ for a debut single
Armed with a venomous swagger The Heat Inc. release their debut single ‘Raptors’, a caustic slice of vitriolic rock’n’roll through Melted Dino Records.
 
On this scorching debut, The Heat Inc. have delivered a visceral thrill, with Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age) hailing ‘Raptors’ as “a perfect rock song.”.
 
Describing themselves as a “Rock and Roll band”, The Heat Inc. recorded ‘Raptors’ in the RYP Recordings Studio in North West London, with Michael Smith (Elvis Costello) producing.

 

“So when I say I know rock ’n’ roll when I hear it, you best believe I know rock ’n’ roll when I hear it—and The Heat Inc. are good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll, just like mother used to hate. You might have a good idea of how great The Heat Inc. sound—but don’t bother because The Heat Inc. are so cool they defy definition. There’s all kinds of heat. There’s the summer hot heat that’ll drive you crazy. There’s the in-ring heel heat that’ll get a wrestler over. And there’s the relentless hard heat that’ll track you down until you’re trapped. But ain’t none of them can compare to The Heat Inc you’re about to hear—and that’s not hyperbole, that’s a fact. Who you gonna believe, me or your own ears?”  exclaims Jeffrey Morgan – Creem journalist and biographer of Alice Cooper and Iggy & The Stooges.
 
The Heat Inc. is the suavest new band around and enough to make most God-fearing rockin’ rollers believe in miracles.
 
To purchase Raptors go to Bandcamp or Stream ‘Raptors’  Here
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Power-Pop Trio Autogramm Releases RUSH Cover Via Chicago and Vancouver

Power-Pop Trio Autogramm Releases RUSH Cover Via Chicago and Vancouver

Now you know we don’t normally approve of Rush making it onto the pages of RPM but we do approve of Autogramm being here and when they covered Rush how could we say no.  Check out this cheeky cover and admit Rush never sounded so good.

Autogramm recorded this RUSH cover just for fun, when they were bored and stuck at home (in Chicago and Vancouver) because of COVID social distancing and quarantining. All proceeds from sales going to local non-profit RAVEN Trust (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs) a legal fund that defends Indigenous rights in Canaduh. Find it on all of your favorite digital platforms now!

When Vancouver’s infectious power-pop-trio Autogramm found themselves separated (with drummer the Silo moving to Chicago) and locked down during the global pandemic, they decided to keep their spirits up by recording a Canadian classic; by RUSH no less. The song “Working Man” keeps with Autogramm’s tradition of crafting singalong pop anthems, and adds a twist of DEVO to help personalize the tune in classic Autogramm style. The song is the first single by the band in advance of their sophomore album, to be released in early 2021 on Los Angeles’ Nevado Records.

Autogramm is a synth-driven, power-pop trio from Vancouver drawing influences from the likes of The Cars, The Go Go’s, Gary Numan, 20/20 and Devo. The band members are Jiffy Marx of Brooklyn’s Hard Drugs and Vancouver’s Blood Meridian, CC Voltage of Berlin’s Dysnea Boys, London’s Loyalties, and Vancouver’s Black Halos and Spitfires, and The Silo of Vancouver’s Black Mountain, Lightning Dust and Destroyer.

Hit ’em up on Bandcamp to buy the single and check em out

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Richard Davies & The Dissidents – ‘Human Traffic’ – (Bucketfull Of Brains Records)

Richard Davies & The Dissidents – ‘Human Traffic’ – (Bucketfull Of Brains Records)

Former Tiny Monroe and The Snakes guitar slinger Richard Davies takes centre stage for the first time as principal songwriter and singer with the Dissidents, a band who include Mega City Four/The Snakes drummer Chris Cannon and Last Great Dreamers bassist Tim Emery.

As well as playing guitar for indie band Tiny Monroe in the 90’s, and recording 3 albums with alt country collective The Snakes, Richard Davies has also worked with the likes of Glen Matlock and Peter Perritt as a hired gun, which sure ain’t a bad place to be.

An album that has been a long time coming, ‘Human Traffic’ was recorded last year and deals in retrospective songs of life, love and human nature.

 

If you like your rock ‘n’ roll from the shady side of town, where the nights are so long and starry-eyed girls have that certain shake appeal, then ‘Human Traffic’ will be right up your ally.

The title track gets things off to a power pop start. This is high energy rock ‘n’ roll, with guitars slung low and lyrics from the heart. A stripped-back, ramshackle sound can’t hide Davies’ knack for a catchy melody and ‘Human Traffic’ is first of several tunes to channel Ian Hunter in his prime.

The material is mostly originals from the heart and soul of the main man, with a few choice covers thrown in for good measure. ‘Lay Me Low’ is a traditional Shaker hymn re-worked with ‘Dissident’ style to sound like an outtake from Michael Monroe’s first solo offering. ‘Heartbeat Smile’ is a cover of an Alejandro Escovedo tune, and in the hands of The Dissidents, it’s a rollicking, Stonesy ride with solid beats, Keef style riffs and Mick-like hollerin’. Richard Davies also recalls his past with a new take on the Tiny Monroe song ‘Under The Skin’.

Of the originals on offer, it is hard to pick a favourite, as they are all pretty strong to be fair. Latest single ‘21st Century Man’ is power pop perfection to the max. With hooks you’ll swear you’ve heard before, the chorus is as catchy as the verses are cool. Think Elvis Costello meets The Replacements here, tinny guitars and cowbell give that added retro 80’s alternative feel. It’s a theme that reappears throughout the album. A tinkling of the ivories and spaghetti western guitar twang give ‘Way Of The Wild’ a certain anthemic feel, like The Alarm meets The Psychedelic Furs. A memorable, driving chorus only adds to the appeal for me. And is that Rick Richards jamming with Tom Petty on the ‘(Long Road) To Your Heart’? No, it’s only Richard Davies & The Dissidents jamming it out and putting their heart and soul into their rock ‘n’ roll music. What a tune! It has classic stamped all over it, as guitars riff loosely over a ramshackle beat that builds to a killer chorus.

 

In cool hat, dark shades and brandishing a guitar, Richard Davies emerges from the shadows with an accomplished debut album, choc-a-bloc with rootsy rock ‘n’ roll to soothe the soul.

Why it’s taken him so long to get an album out is anyone’s guess. But hopefully, this is the start of something long and productive, as Richard Davies & The Dissidents have released an album that harks back to simpler times, but still has the tunes and the staying power to match any of the other great rock records released so far this year.

 

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Author: Ben Hughes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HANK VON HELL releases new single ‘Disco’, from the forthcoming album

HANK VON HELL releases new single ‘Disco’, from the forthcoming album

Larger than life. Totally outta control forever and ever. Once again here to shake your ass, the true master of raucous rock and sexual shock. The infamous Norwegian who partied not to have fun, but in order to create destruction and havoc.

Two years ago, the legendary and former frontman of the denim demons Turbonegro was back for real with his solo debut Egomania, a record that immediately satisfied the needs of his rabid fanbase who had waited eight long and lonesome years for this punk icon to return from the world of films, musicals, cookbooks and the rest.

And, guess what, now the reinvented Hank von Hell has an ever stronger follow-up and it’s stocked with all the action, danger, debauchery, hooks and riffs you’d craved for, a large and swaggering sound designed to penetrate us all.

The title is ‘Dead’, and as the title indicates the album represents an even darker side of Hank von Hell than the one that we have learned to love. “I actually wrote this album and the concept of it, probably ten or fifteen years ago”, he says. “My life hasn’t really been the “sunny side up” all the time, so this is my way of expressing that. The idea of the album came about when I was a in a really creative and hectic mood last year, and I basically turned every single dark period of my life into music”.

 

LISTEN TO ‘DISCO’ HERE:
https://smarturl.it/HvHDead

To celebrate this newfound inspiration and lust, Hank brings a party of favorites and friends onboard. Tom Dalgety, whose CV includes “Prequelle” by Ghost, “Rammstein” by Rammstein, “Sorceress” by Opeth, and many more, produced and co-wrote three tracks (“Blackened Eyes”, “Forever Animal”, “Disco”). “An absolutely amazing experience. Tom knew exactly what I wanted, and he even pushed my limits to way beyond what I’m used to.”

ALBUM PRE-ORDER:
Among the guests we also find his good friends Cone McCaslin and Dave. Baksh. These two Sum 41 members not only co-wrote “Radio Shadow”, they also perform on the track. “It turned out fantastic,” says Hank. Last but not least, the powerful singer is very proud of another contribution. Actor Frankie Loyal, from HBO crime drama “Mayans M.C”, is narrating the whole album. “I’ve always wanted to have a narrator on previous albums I’ve made, but it never really fitted until now. It really makes the entire album into one big epic saga.”

And, of course, heard all over “Dead” are invaluable band members Jean Genus, Jones Kelly II, Mr.O as well as trusted co-writer A.W. Nine.

Hank Von Hell has done an extensive touring following his comeback in 2018, each night showcasing his charismatic stage presence, explicit banter and eagerness to make out with pretty much everyone.

Motherfuckin’ Motherfuckers – ‘Dance Motherfucker EP’ pre orders are out

Motherfuckin’ Motherfuckers – ‘Dance Motherfucker EP’ pre orders are out

 

Released on April 4th those Motherfuckin’ Motherfuckers are at it again this time with a coloured 7″ EP containing four blasts of punked-up Garage Rock and Fuckin’ Roll.

Its three originals and another cover this time it’s ‘Crash Landing’ from the Violent Femmes.  There are only 170 of these bad boys available on coloured vinyl so be quick or be left out in the cold paying silly money on some record auction site in the months to come. Don’t say we didn’t warn ya.

Who are they you say? Four members of two of your favourite bands The Hip Priests and Bitch Queens from Shit Island and Basle Switzerland respectively. after their initial EP that was Fuelled by hangovers, More Lager, Nicotine, Bread and Cheese they tossed out six glorious sonic slices of Primetime, Pedal to the motherfuckin’ metal Overdriven, OD1 Scandi garage noise – smashing strings, skins and yellin’ as if their bullshit lives depended upon it. It was so good they reconvened and did it again first releasing the follow-up single ‘Trillion $ EP’ and now this ‘Dance Motherfucker EP’  so what are you waiting for get on it.

Pre Order Here

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The Good The Bad And The Zugly is back with a new album ‘ Algorithm & Blues’

The Good The Bad And The Zugly is back with a new album ‘ Algorithm & Blues’

Pre-sales are up for one of our favourite Norweigan bands.  The Good The Bad And The Zugly will release their new album ‘Algorithm & Blues’ in January and pre-sales are already up for grabs. Available in Transparent blue vinyl (limited to 250 copies) Transparent yellow vinyl (limited to 250 copies) Standard black vinyl (limited to 800 copies)
and Digipack CD.

Artwork is done by Flu Hartberg as always and it’ll come out on Fysisk Format and as a taster, the single ‘Staying With The Trouble’ is released.

 

Jeff Dahl – ‘Mr Antlers I Presume?’ (Iwannabeahoople Records)

Jeff Dahl – ‘Mr Antlers I Presume?’ (Iwannabeahoople Records)

Ok, Heres the deal.  Limited to 100 copies then they’re gone as an appetizer to the new LP that’s on the way.  This CD only features Deniz Tek on a couple of tracks and is seven songs deep – Three Exclusive to this EP.  Two from the last Studio album (still available on vinyl from those good looking lifers at Ghost HighwayRecords) the to round it all off there are a pair of tracks from the forthcoming new long player ‘Electric Junk’. If thats not enough to get your Rock and Roll heart skipping a beat then I’d check for a pulse and thats before the virtual needle has dropped on this little lot.

Right then settle down as Deniz Tek joins our man Jeff on the first exclusive and rather intriguing ‘Mr. Antlers I Presume?’ imagine this a smokey barroom with some honky-tonk piano and a raw guitar riffing away before riding in on a sinister dark lick and the band crash in.  Well, that the opener with a spoken narration from Dahl before your mind get fucked with some Jazzy middle eight.  Don’t get too worried you punk rock kids because ‘Burned Out’ is like being punched in the face and enjoying it – More, please.  An Acoustic ‘The Wooo Girls’ which has the loose feel of capturing the vibe of some repeated listening to Bowie’s ‘Hunky Dory’ album. Laidback and cool Like a mid ’70s bit of NYC rock and roll Lou Reed would approve I’m sure of it.

A couple of beauties from the ‘Made In Hawaii’ album are up next the first is the catchy ‘Kailua 5 a.m.’ followed by the slide guitar rock and rolla of ‘Bang On’ with its Glam undertones inspired by The Faces and some excellent 70s BV’s that make you want to hand clap and stamp your feet. Oh shit, I’m getting ahead of myself here because the first glimpse into the new album is ‘Violence Squad’ and man they’re stomping their feet and handclapping alright.  Again Tek adds his six-string expertise to this stonking rocka that whets the appetite for what’s to come. Another taken from ‘Electric Junk’ is ‘Until We Bleed’ and Dahl once again shows his roar with a no-nonsense slab of punk rock.  That’ll do nicely sir until we can all get down and get with the new long-player and if this pair of tracks are anything to go by we’re in for a treat pop pickers.

Now, what are you waiting for get over on the link and secure a copy before they’re gone and cost you a fortune on some website in six months. Essential purchase!

 

Buy it from direct from Jeff Here

Author: Dom Daley