New York, NY – The Slackers, NYC’s premier ska, rocksteady, & soul band will keep their 17 year old holiday tradition alive in 2020 with a livestream broadcast of a holiday concert on December 19th (www.livefrom.events/slackersholiday).
The Slackers started doing holiday shows back in 2003 at the Knitting Factory back when it was still located in Tribeca. It grew into a multi night stand and then they started taking the show on the road to other towns. By 2019, it had grown into a 21 date tour with 3 night stands in Chicago and Austin. The Slackers’ last public concerts pre-Covid were as part of the 2019 holiday tour with a weekend in New York City at Webster Hall and Boston at the Middle East.
Suffice to say a lot has happened since then. Unable to play live in-person concerts in 2020, the Slackers have turned online with a series of live streams sponsored by their booking agency, The Sound Talent Group, and broadcasting through the streaming platform of Live from events.
The Slackers have also kept up a busy release schedule in 2020. They released two timely politically-themed singles with Pirates Press Records, “Nobody’s Listening/Sleep Outside” and “Blue.” They also released digitally, the anti-Trump anthem, “They Are Losing.”
This December, the Slackers are releasing a series of 45s that are tributes to the Slackers holiday tours of years past. They have almost sold out a presale of a pair of 45s that were recorded last year at Reggie’s Rock Club in Chicago and Flamingo Cantina in Austin. These limited edition 45s are lathe cut by Revolution Vintage. Part of the profits goes to the employee funds of the above venues. You can order the last few copies while they last on the Slackers eBay.
Supporting local venues is very important to the Slackers who usually play around 100 shows a year. In addition to the support from the 45s, part of the funds collected for the Livestream will go to support Reggie’s, the Flamingo Cantina, and the National Independent Venue Relief Fund (NIVA).
In addition, the Slackers are offering a chance to take a momento home from this holiday show. They are going to press up a lathe cut limited edition vinyl 45 of 2 songs from this holiday broadcast! You hear the show and the Slackers will literally send you a record of it. You can order these from the livefrom.events/Slackersholiday ticket page.
Often, the Slackers have DJs as openers for their holiday tours and this year will be no different. This year, the Slackers are going to announce their DJ support on December 8th.
“After all we have been through in 2020, it was important for us as a band to celebrate with a holiday show. We are celebrating survival and endurance and trying to bring some hope and joy through music to our fans, friends, and family. We have really been lucky to have such a great community of people around us in 2020 and we want to play for them .” – David Hillyard, manager and saxophonist of the Slackers.
“We are in the midst of some very tough times, and everyone could use some great music to soothe and to revitalize. We are proud to work in concert with Live From by creating a space where many international artists can play online and profit from their work. We’re happy that we can make a difference,” Sound Talent Group agent John Pantle.
The Slackers with DJ Support to be announced on December 8th.
As the world plays hokey kokey with COVID-19 we thought it was best to try and put a grin on the nation so first up today is this new track from The Slackers. ‘Sleep Outside’
If a dash of Ska isn’t your thang then strap yourself in because Thundermother is an altogether different beast. This four-piece Swedish Action Rock combo have the tunes and the swagger to Rock da house.
Finally something different again this time from Plague Vendor as they release ‘Night Sweats’ ahead of the album ‘By Night’. Southern California’s Plague Vendor release the sophomore Album that captures the feeling of ruin and regeneration, of charisma and catastrophe and of slashing at-the-night with nothing but pure electricity.
Mala Vista – Mala Vista EP (Self Released / Dead Beat Records / No Front Teeth Records) When is a single and EP and when is an EP a mini album or a full album? Mala Vista knows how to confuse those who like categories and lists and like to departmentalise their music with this seven-track (digital) five-track seven-inch release and my pick of the month’s best EPs. Kicking off with an ‘Intro’ and then the rapid ‘Mouth Breeder’ reminding me of our very own Hip Priests in many ways. The ‘Nuclear Missile Crisis’ is another belter from this New York quartet sounding like the bastard offspring of Buzzcocks and SLF.
Originally released early last year but repressed and re-released and thank God for that otherwise we’d have missed out on ‘NY Groove’ and its rapid rock and roll breathing new life into the spirit of The Ramones. I love the feel of the record songs like ‘Criminal’ get better and better the more you spin it and the fact it certainly doesn’t have any Bob Rock big production values only adds to the record. great tunes played well and with a tonne of energy and love poured into every one of them. Keep an eye on these boys I love what I’ve heard thus far. Facebook / Bandcamp
Slash City Daggers – ‘Lose Myself On You (I’m Gonna) It’s certainly been a while but I love me some Slash City Daggers and with this tune I find I’m jonesing for some good time junk rock n roll and this has just given me my fix but what next? I want more, more, more! A wonderful late-night slice of quality from the Daggers who clearly get what it takes to absorb all the New York Dolls and trashy Rock and Roll possible but has it been almost twenty years since we last had a Daggers tune? Wow please don’t make us wait another twenty before the next one, get on with it we need some more of this right here right now. Whoo ho! baby rock and fuckin’ roll! Bandcamp
No Fix – ‘Apocalyptic Rock’ (Self Release) well kids Canada is killing again as Ontario’s No Fix wipes their nose on the sleeve of Rock and Roll with this here EP. First out the gate is the snarling ‘Get Outta Punk’ and in a similar vein, there’s no let-up on the hypnotic ‘Arm The Boys’ which sounds like they’ve found Doc Brown’s time machine and headed back to the early 80s and shown up at a Partisans show and nicked their chord book. The pick of the tunes on offer for me would be the latter offerings. ‘Vicious Cycle’ has guitar playing a simple strum n lick and the rhythm is solid, it might not be breaking new ground but who cares just enjoy the moment and pogo! ‘Big Bopper’ is more like it and they’ve saved the best til last for sure.
The Hawkins – ‘Roomer’ (The Sign Records) The first track taken from their new album sees Swedens rockers The Hawkins with a huge sounding song with a big dramatic chorus and full-on rolling guitar lick that mixes classic rock with something you might have on latter Hellacopters records. ‘Silence is a Bomb’ is due in September and looks like being as solid as their previous album. Infectious tune and it’s got handclaps as well. What’s not to like Rockers. Get those sweatbands on your wrists and turn it up let’s go!
Mononegatives – ‘Half Hour Tour Tape’ Uncompromising lo-fi punk rock. This EP is pushing the needle into the red as the tunes come thick and fast ‘5 Second Future’ is first up and a no-holds attack is their MO. Canada has a rich history of churning out fantastic underground bands and on this EP it seems that conveyor belt is still in production as ‘Lower Animals’ continues with the wall of noise but with added synth into the mix. There is more clarity on ‘Exit’ using a tonne of reverb on the guitar whilst the drums remind me of early Joy Division and if your waiting for the lyrics then forget it there aren’t any. Hit em up over at Bandcamp
The Dirty Truckers – ‘Little Mine’ (Rum Bar Records) The Boston Wrangler’s are back with a brand new penned Tom Baker single and a ‘Second Dose’ from The Dirty Truckers. The brand new single ‘LITTLE MINE’ leads off ‘Second Dose’ celebrating the recklessness & abandonment of Barroom-Heartland Rock n’ Roll delivering the spirit of the moment and kicking its arse’ into high gear. My advice would simply be TURN It UP! It’s never too early to Rock and Roll and this good time tune is outta the Georgia Satellites family songbook its got that overdriven six-string going on and a little ray of sunshine when we need it. Get on it folks have Rum BAr ever let you down? Of Course not. Bandcamp
The Dukes Of Bordello – ‘Deaf Or Gory’ (Self Release) The EP begins with the chugging riff-a-rama of ‘Think I’m Turning Psyco’ but you can follow that with an honest take on The Sonics classic ‘Strychnine’. It might be missing the sax and piano of the original but this is an altogether more stripped back and rocked out take and that’s cool, it has a great guitar solo thrown into the mix adding something new to a top tune.
‘Won’t You Make Up Your Mind’ sees the band rock out with the uptempo boogie-woogie with a cheeky tip of the hat to the mighty Quo for the solo. To round up the EP you get a live run through ‘All In The Name’ with its Motorhead like riff tearing it up without overdubs and sounding like a good quality desk bootleg keeping it real.
Territories / The Vicious Cycles – Split 7″ (Pirates Press Records) ‘Prairie Twister’ from Territories on one side is a great slice of boogie street punk. It’s a punchy tight sound with vocals not unlike those Dropkick Murphys whereas The vicious Cycles is more in line with mid-period Misfits with lots of gang vocals as ‘Problem Officer’ is rowdy like the bar band in a bike clubhouse who give it a twist with some keys before the solo and sounding like a right good time party on record. Both bands are of course from Canada and met at the Pirates Press boat shindig recently so decided to cement the friendship with this here split.
How Tragic – ‘Past Lives’ EP (Self Release) Four tracks of vibrant rock and roll with a super sharp production from the lead track ‘Deathwish’ through the punky ‘Spare ME’ comparisons to the likes of the Distillers are going to be made may be slightly more glossy in production and vocals but its got the same attitude shining through.
‘Let Me Down’ is another twist with a steady rhythm and a great song but the riot Grrrl theme comes to the fore on the final track ‘Done’ which is totally out of the L7 vibe of grinding rhythm and tempo but the guitars are loud and proud. An altogether impressive EP for sure and maybe its time for a riot grrrl resurgence and How Tragic will be at the forefront of that movement. Check em out at their Website
Obnoxious Youth – ‘Mouth Sewn Shut’ (Svart Records) Punk meet metal, metal meet punk now go and come up with something loud obnoxious but good. Ok pop pickers say hello to Obnoxious Youth from Finland and check out their unholy racket of rapid metallic punk rock. Described as six tracks of mayhem, havoc, chaos, death, destruction and savagery which pretty much nails their sound in a nutshell.
What’s not to like? Discharge, Ramones, The Misfits, Danzig, Septic Death, Celtic Frost, Black Flag, Zeke, Adrenalin OD, Slayer, Negative Approach, Venom, Motörhead and Agnostic Front are some of the influences on this beast and if that doesn’t perk your interest then maybe we should give up. If you love a bit of Midnight (We do) then you simply have to jump on board with this lot. It’s fast as fuck – loud as fuck – tight as fuck and a whole lot of pulse-raising uncompromising noise. Get on this before they all vanish. Buy Here / Facebook
You want noise we’ve got plenty of that. Heres the new video from France’s leading HArdcore noise bringers Stinky. “Distance” is the third preview track from “Of Lost Things”
Finally taken from his excellent new release we covered yesterday here’s Matty James Cassidy with ‘The Race Is On’.
Difficult times call for direct action, and never having been a band to shirk their responsibilities Brighton ska/punks The Bar Stool Preachers have decided to use the current lockdown situation we find ourselves in here in the UK to not only lift the spirits of their fans via a couple of completely new (and FREE) songs but also seize the opportunity to help raise some money for healthcare workers here in the UK.
To be honest, I’d actually have been a little disappointed if the Preachers hadn’t jumped at the opportunity to try and help out during this ever-developing crisis, and it certainly never hurt anyone to have a social conscience. So, whilst they maybe can’t help the frontline directly if releasing some new music can help in any way then I salute the guys for having the minerals to stand up and be counted.
Of course, the Preachers will always look to do something a little differently and that’s why along with making these new songs FREE to download from their website from April 24th over the past couple of weeks they’ve also been busily piecing together a video for the lead track (the prophetically entitled) ‘When This World Ends’ that is set to feature their fans and friends from all over the world delivering their own particular take on the song’s rather poignant lyrics, something that will be sure put a much-needed smile on all our faces too.
The song itself (which has been slightly tweaked lyrically since I first heard it as ‘At The World’s End’) is a mid-tempo anthem with a huge commercial hook-driven but gang backing vocals that should have us all screaming along when we are finally able to go back to attending gigs once again. Speaking of which ‘State Of Emergency’ – the other FREE track available – is something of a live favourite with Bar Stool Preachers fans already. A blaring siren providing the perfect introduction to a tune that is easily one of the best songs that Tom and the lads have written to date.
Perhaps the single most exciting thing I can take away from hearing these tracks is that whilst the rough demos I got to briefly hear a few months back had all the early indicators that album number three would be the band’s best yet, these Jake Rousham engineered versions have taken those songs to an all new level completely, and I seriously cannot wait to hear what they will do with the likes of ‘Love The Love’ and ‘Late Night Transmission’ which were both played on the band’s recent UK tour and which rather ominously might also have been my last gig of 2020.
Look, if you are feeling a little stir crazy at the moment and are looking to get some positivity back in your life then you won’t go far wrong checking out the action Here because that’s where you’ll find the real ‘Soundtrack To Your Apocalypse’.
Everyone reacts differently to a crisis – some take flight, some freeze, and some say “What can we do to help?” hey take a look at the current situation, you know, like a global pandemic, and look at their skill sets and assess. Bar Stool Preachers aren’t nurses or doctors, but they are one of the newest bright lights in music, with drive and a social conscience to boot.
So, they did what they know how to do best, they took two of their songs that were being held for the much-anticipated new album and rewrote them to reflect their thoughts and feelings for what we are all experiencing right now. They called in favours, managed to get in the studio just a few days before the lockdown went into effect in the UK, and banged out these amazing tracks. Engineered by folk-punk wonder Jake Rousham (The Levellers) and the lads themselves, they have managed to produce some of the most real and best sounding punk/rock’n’roll of the last decade, whilst being fun, current, and politically scathing.
Knowing times are shit, but people are always going to need positive, strong music, they made the songs free to download Here. (And streaming from all your normal providers.) There’s a donate button for anyone with the resources to spare, for donations to the band, from which they will donate to healthcare workers and their families in the U.K (and possibly others when funds arrive, as this is an everchanging crisis). The band are doing what they can, raising money for the far underfunded NHS staff, providing their fans with anthems to see them through this incredibly difficult time, and doing what they do best – unifying our community with two amazing
songs!
Keeping with their normal ways of inclusivity, BSP then set out to make the most topical video possible and nearly a thousand fans submitted videos for the first of the two singles. Editing has been done at lightning speed and we’re so proud to be releasing a video for ‘When The World Ends’ along with the track. Showing the band, friends, and fans, in their quarantined environments, singing along to TJ’s topical and uplifting lyrics.
‘State Of Emergency’ is the riot track for the potential time to come. Heard on megaphones and sound systems across lands, from locked down gardens… BSP are proving to everyone that they’re here to stay, and they can help carry the weight of the world.
VISIT Here FOR MORE INFORMATION, MUSIC VIDEOS, TOUR DATES, & MORE!
Ok, so the title is a lyric from a U2 song about October but thats the closest Dublins favourite son is gonna get to RPM singles club and to be fair he wouldn’t stand a chance with some of this months singles. from multi-platinum recording artists to some of our favourites paying homage to the gods of Metal none the less its another mixed bag of genres but the standard is the usual high bar we like to set. So without further waffle lets plug the jukebox in and do us all a favour…
Down N Outz – This Is How We Roll (UMC) An uptempo rock and rolla from Joe and the boys sees some neat riffola on the verses courtesy of The Quireboys’ Paul Guerin and Guy Griffin. The band are nicely rounded off by Keith Weir (keyboards), Share Ross (Bass, ex Vixen) and Phil Martini (drums, Wayward Sons) Its the first track taken from the album of the same title and it doesn’t really sound too similar to any of the associated bands and is more in tune with Elliott’s love of ’70s glam rock and Mott The Hoople which is never going to be a bad thing. Buy Here
The Drowns – Hold Fast (Pirates Press) Heres the technical piece – this 12“ one-sided record will leave just about any vinyl collector speechless. On first inspection, this may seem like it’s a picture disc, but it’s not! As the leaves in the wreath are actually transparent! This one-sided record is actually digitally printed on the non-groove side, with two separate passes through the machine, creating one very cool (and very limited!) brand new style of 12“ – pressed on real vinyl, sounding great, unlike actual picture discs.
The possibilities are endless for creating eye-catching and powerful releases using this new method of digitally printing on records… pairing this brand new format with a band garnering so much praise and generating so much excitement right now is the perfect fit; and best way to spread the word about both things, fast! Right, got that? Wow it looks cool I’m sure you’ll agree but its no good if its joust going to be a wall hanger but The Drowns Hold Fast is a fuckin’ blinding slice of uplifting punk rock. The video for Hold Fast is below so you can check it out for yourself bu t’Demons’ is gang vocals and air pumping fist raised anthems and if this is a sample of what’s to come then the album is going to be something special.
Prohibition Dead – ‘Let Me Live Or Die’ (Why A Bassist Production) Clearly influenced by Queens Of The Stone Age this French two-piece make enough noise for a whole traditional four-piece band – its catchy has a solid foundation and will appeal to a lot of Jack White fans as well as the more grungy types. Its the second track off their soon to be released EP set for November. Its a decent loud slice of Fuzzy alt-rock so if that’s yer bag and you are partial to some Black Keys and QOTSA then fill yer boots this will please ya. Buy ‘Let Me Live Or Die’ Here
The Hip Priests / Spaceforce – Split (Speedowax) With shit island heading for implosion and the last 45 round-up not having a Hip Priests single included I was beginning to give up hope and was thinking whats the chuffin point then this bad boy turns up. With the finest sleeve to date, it was down to the boyz makin all the noiz to offer up a reason for continuing and they not only give us one track but two and drag along Spaceforce with one for good measure. ‘My Damnation’ and ‘Play It Loud’ are not so much passable little ditties but the latter is a fuckin’ order Play it loud is like Iggy and Ron joining Biff and the boys and kicking out the jams. ‘Play It Loud’ In your neighborhood! too damn right. as for ‘My Damnation’ its total potty mouth and like a heavyweight boxer punching you on the sly right below the belt love the bridge BVs and the solo rips (of course it does). It never gets boring saying it but they simply have no peers in the 45s stakes and there isn’t anyone making records as consistently good as these reprobates.
As for Spaceforce it’s a thankless task really but they hammer away like Maiden when DiAnno was da man (and when they had something to say) on ‘Ignition’ and their take on the Venom classic ‘Black Metal’ has my respect, you gentlemen, are all Hellbound. Black metal and little green men? I fuckin love this shit? Stonker of a single and the artwork is pure fuckin genius. Single of the month and might well be single of the year! How’s that!
BATS – The Call Of Cthulhu (Self Release) With the forthcoming release of their third studio album ‘ALTER NATURE’, this is the first video off the record. A dark as fuck take to be fair noisy, yup we like noisy. Messed up – yup again we like messed up. Twisted, ok you get the picture. It’s their first piece of new music in seven years. I’m still trying to work it out = nutters’.
The Empty Page – ‘You’re Tame'(Punk Fox records) Cats! but wait before we get carried away with the fluffy creatures we do need to tell you this single is available digitally everywhere and also on limited edition splatter 7″ vinyl from Rough Trade and other select indie record stores. The band stated it was an unashamed slice of 90s alt rock in the vein of Veruca Salt or Hole and we say theres nothing to be ashamed of there guys it might indeed have that retro outsider feel to it and the video is rather Terry Christian The Word about it but thats cool. Don’t smother your wild side you Empty Pages just keep being you doing what you do and when it’s as good as this and the previous singles then we’ll keep listening and telling others to follow suit. Do it and aren’t they cuddly? and those cats! (*No musicians were harmed in the making of this video) it’ll be on limited splatter vinyl and have the previous single on the flip side. Cool as.
oso oso “Basking In The Glow” (Counter-Intuitive Records) About to embark on his first UK tour here’s our introduction to Oso Oso with a great piece of guitar pop – power pop if you like it’s catchy and full of that raw guitar-driven pop not a million miles from some of the stuff Butch Walker puts out hows that for a none too shabby name check? . Check it out via the medium of video and just in case you’re curious here are the tour dates for this week coming around England – Oct 16 MARGATE, Elsewhere, Oct 17 BRIGHTON, Green Door Store, Oct 18 MANCHESTER, Deaf Institute, Oct 19 LEEDS, The Key Club, Oct 20 GLASGOW, The Hug & Pint, Oct 22 BIRMINGHAM, Sunflower Lounge, Oct 23 NOTTINGHAM, The Bodega,
Oct 24 LONDON, Boston Music Room, and Oct 25 BRISTOL, Louisiana All tickets are on sale now HERE
Mono In Stereo – ‘Different Kind Of Man’ (Rum Bar Records) Taken from their second album ‘Can’t Stop The Bleeding’ this uplifting honest slice of Heartland rock n roll with attitude it’s infectious like a bit of Springsteen if he recorded after a night on the dark fruits and a fistfight. Great rock n roll is always a good place to be and these cats nail it.
45 Rally – Tweets For My Sweet (Rum Bar Records) Tank tops and ties. Ok, its a first but we’re a broad church. 45 Rally are swinging their pants for sure it’s like some hip house party house band from the swinging ’60s with authentic tambourine backbeat sloppy backing vocals and awesome keyboards. ‘Bigly’ is up first and don’t take too long settling down or you’ll miss it. Like the Fuzztones chirpy brother theres nothing dark here it’s bubblegum garage done very well indeed and all the song titles come from Trump tweets! could have covered an album full from that bulb but an EP will do for starters Garage Rock from Switzerland who’d have thought it?
The Urban Voodoo Machine – Johnny Foreigner (Gypsy Hotel Records) Taken from the compilation album, ‘The Urban Voodoo Machine’s Friends And Family Album Vol 1’ it’s the band’s riposte to the xenophobia and rise in the UK of all things English nationalism and a rise by right-wing extremists that’s indeed been stinking up the place since Brexshit. We love ya Paul-Ronney Angel and of course you can stay, our home is your home, we don’t own this shit island. The Urban Voodoo Machine are as magnificent as ever with their sleazy booze-soaked bop n stroll and yet another must-have track gets added to their repertoire. Facebook
Dirty Sound Magnet – Skull Drawing Rose (Hummus Records) Swiss Psychedelic Rockers Dirty Sound Magnet the latest single from the Album due this week ‘Transgenic’ it isn’t even the longest single we’ve ever had on the 45rpm round-up that title goes to those pesky Hip Priests but this is the first psychedelic progressive Hard Rock song we’ve had entered our charts. Go fill yer boots ya pixie loving flute wielding prog rats.
The Crookeds – Sucker For Pain (Golden Robot Records) Some classic rock leanings add yet more textures to this month’s 45 RPM round up. Australian rockers The Crookeds bring their riff laden rock to the club where they mix up some alt rock with a more classic rock sound. With loud guitars and a Buckley esk soaring vocal. check it out rockers!
Lazybones – Trash Talk (Say Something Records) Inspired by the likes of Black Sabbath, Sex Pistols and Chas & Dave, using a fuzzy bass guitar, an amplified organ and drums, Lazybones create a trashy, unapologetic, to-the-point British sound. and ‘Trash Talk’ is a loud and unapologetic romp. All the way to the chorus its a bumpy ride but when you get there it’s like screaming on top of a mountain like PJ Harvey riding a rocket. You can stream this along with other Lazybones songs on Spotify the band head out around the UK later this month and early next to bosh gig goers over the head with their fuzzed up alt pop – check em out. Here – WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram
A Bunch OF Jerks – Dirt Nap (Rum Bar Records) The first track off their second album has the neat lead single ‘Dirt Nap’ – A snotty spikey slice of Garage punk. Where the gang vocals are young, loud and snotty and they mix up some B52s with a raw punk rock old school. It’s in yer face and will follow you around all night as you find your self shouting “Dirt Nap” at random intervals. This Boston awesome foursome come armed with a full-length (ooh er Mrs.) album where ‘Dirt Nap’ is lifted from and if this is anything to go by we’ll be all over some more of that. Check it out ya punks! Besides they had a song called ’70s Euro Minge’ for fuck’s sake what’s not to like. They obviously have all the right credentials Facebook
The Good The Bad And The Zugly – Staying With the Trouble ( Fysisk Format) What nice guys GBZ are. Offering to hold ones hand whilst we navigate these troubled times. Always great to hear what these loons are up to and they’ve not made a bad record yet. With this being the first peek at what’s to come on the new album ‘Algorithm & Blues’ it sounds a little restrained if I’m honest (in a good way obviously) Its anthemic and will make for a wonderful experience live I’m sure of that. Norway is delivering some fantastic bands and music at the minute and These bad boys are at the top of the pile now get your ears around this and pre-order the album because they’re touring early next year. I’m staying with the trouble and they can hold my hand any day. Facebook
Territories – Quit This City/Defender (Pirates Press Records) Wow, what a stunner this is to wrap up this singles Club. Hailing from Calgary and following on from their debut long-player last summer these two songs just blew me away. Its heartfelt chest-beating punk rock these longtime friends have been cutting their teeth for quite a while around Western Canada and since that debut album they’ve been building up a head of steam to this point and from the quiet intro of electric guitar and voice we then break out and deliver a stunning rousing single in ‘Quit This City’.
As the band gear up for their first jaunt to play Rock The Boat this will more than confirm their qualities and worthy place for being on that ship and kicking ass. I hope it won’t be a case of man overboard as the audience won’t be able to stay still when this erupts. The B side might be more solid paced with its thumping, driving bass line its so good I couldn’t resist digging into the bands back catalogue. Exciting times ahead. Go check em out and tell em RPM sent ya! Facebook
AHOY PIRATE FAMILY NEAR AND FAR!!! Pirates Press need your help!
THIS AUCTION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR A LOT OF KIDS – GETTING THEM MORE ACCESS TO ART AND MUSIC IN LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS!
ALL AUCTIONS ARE OPEN TO ANYONE, ACROSS THE GLOBE.
Auctions take place online and end at 6 PM PST on Saturday, Oct. 19th!
All of the auction items will be available for people to check out at ROCK THE SHIP, both at Starline Ballroom (Thurs/Fri) and at the USS Hornet (Sat).
Without further delay, listed below the AMAZING packages you can bid on.
With 2019 quickly rolling downhill towards 2020 and with Halloween just around the corner and Shit Island still under Tory rule heres a playlist to take you away from the humdrum of real-life and to take a peek at whats on the RPM turntables and MP3 players this month.
Alice Cooper is in the house with Go Man Go taken from his excellent EP ‘The Breadcrumbs EP’ and how could we not include Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind so get down and get with it as ‘Shazam’ is in the house on the virtual player.
Also on the live front we’ve caught up with the awesome Cyanide Pills who are ‘Still Bored’. this month we’ve got an exclusive interview we recently did with Spunk Volcano so it seems right we should include ‘Shit Excuse’ from ‘Double Bastard’. It seems that every man and his dog is attending one of The Cult winter tour dates so why not play ‘New York City’ from the 30th Anniversary ‘Sonic Temple’.
Hands up if you’re heading to one of the Black Flag dates around the UK this month? We are so ‘My War’ is on the list. Pulled Apart By Horses rode into Newport and left a mark so ‘The Big What If’ is on the list.
As for new albums we’ve reviewed how about a few new ones starting off with Pardon Us with the opening track on their debut album ‘Wait’ ‘check out ‘Beyond The Valley Of The Wolves’. The Hangmen are back with ‘Cactusville’ as are Starcrawler who we’ve included with the excellent rock and rolla ‘No More Pennies’, Bitch Queens bring ‘Superboy’ and their brothers from different mother are back with a new single. The Hip Priests ‘I Hate The City’ from their recent split but fear not pop pickers they have another single on the way this month we’ve heard it and its a no brainer kids all killer and no filler was written for them.
As we say goodbye to Barrie Masters we’ve included Eddie And The Hot Rods cover of ‘Once Bitten Twice Shy’. Since they’re having a movie made about them we think it’s apt that we include the awesome Redd Kross with ‘Motorboat’ on this months playlist. turn it up baby because Charger make the paylist with ‘Victim’ from their self titled record. Cockroach Clan released their new/old record so why not sample some Norweigan punk rock whilst youre here.
It wouldn’t seem right not to have a Wildhearts tune in our playlist seeing as they have a new mini-album out this month and are playing the UK again so heres ‘A Song About Drinking’. Supporting them on this round of dates are Janus Stark who also have a headliner at the hope & Anchor so with news of their new album released last week heres one from them for good measure – We can’t play you anything new but trust us when we say it’s going to be worth the wait so to keep you going heres ‘Every Little Thing Counts’. It only seems fair we offer up some Shitbaby Mammals with the opener from their record ‘Heart On My Sleeve’. To wrap up this months playlist heres some Black Star Riders with the second track from their new album and title track ‘Another State Of Grace’. So until next month…
The first new record from Lucas and his Subhumans in a while (Twelve Years?) and with the current global situation its not like Lucas has had writers block or lacking the inspiration. Everywhere you look there’s a meltdown – climate change, government leaders lying, despots taking over, smiling, lying and cheating yet it seems OK to the public. Nobody loses their jobs its all fair game. Summed up nicely on ‘Fear & Confusion’. A more polished sounding record that their last outing ‘Internal Riot’ but it every bit as sharp and relevant.
To be fair Subhumans have always released intelligent records their Anarcho leanings have always been dressed really well in big riffs, tight time changes and some sharp as fuck punk rock. ‘Crisis Point’ seems apt as Lucas starts the war cry with the flurry of opening punches on ‘Terrorist In Waiting’ great lyrics (as usual) thunderous drumming and riffs raining down on the listener with an energy and excitement that sets the album up really well.
throughout the albums eleven tracks the ebb and flow is excellent. I love the attitude on ‘Atom Screen War’ emanating from the riff as it pounds away but it’s nicely pinned by the bass thats rumbling away underneath. To be fair the sound is reminiscent of the last few UK Subs albums. ‘Follow The Leader’ takes that edginess up a notch as the album has warmed up and is really taking flight. Strange land has the feel and sound the band had back in the ’80s with that flange riff and repetitive beat its a really good tune and one that shows how bloody good a band Subhumans are.
Its no good looking for a weakness because there isn’t one. Its a really consistent album its focused and as you’d imagine thought provoking with excellent lyrics and a great production. ‘Crisis Point’ is ticking all the boxes whats not to like? If you want fast no nonsense heads down punk rock then Subhumans do that ‘Poison’ if you want intricate musicianship Subhumans can do that for you, if you want lyrics that are well constructed and thought provoking to prick your conscience subhumans can do that. They were a big part of that early ’80s punk explosion and are still going strong along with the Subs, they always turned in better records than Crass and Conflict in my humble opinion and this record is proof that they are as relevant now as they always were. ‘Crisis Point’ can cover all your modern punk rock needs as well as you old school punks wondering if Dick has still got it. Of course he has. My advice is get hold of ‘Crisis Point’ now and get on board its never too late. Buy it!
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