The Hellacopters – ‘Overdriver’ (Nuclear Blast)

The Hellacopters – ‘Overdriver’ (Nuclear Blast)

Sweden’s finest exponents of action rock The Imperial State Electrocopters are back and they are firing on all cylinders. Nicke Andersson’s 70’s drenched tribute to The Stooges/Kiss/Thin Lizzy/Motorhead (delete as applicable) follows up their 2022 comeback album ‘Eyes Of Oblivion’ with a new 11-track banger of an album in ‘Overdriver’, and there is not a Dregen to be seen or heard on this, the 9th long player from The Hellacopters. Which sort of makes it an Imperial State Electric sort of thing, doesn’t it?

Confused? Well don’t be. The livewire Backyard Babies guitarist may well have been instrumental in the sound of The Hellacopters classic ‘Supershitty To The Max!’ garage rock era, but that was a different band in a different century ladies and gents. Nicke and his gang progressed over the years, and while the gang members have come and gone, the song remains the same in 2025.

Seems as they are a four piece in the videos, we are to assume out illustrious leader handles guitar duties as well as vocals here. All is well and good and opener ‘Token Apologies’ delivers the Kiss/UFO influences to the max, and if you have, like me been rediscovering the ‘Head Off’ covers re-issue recently, then that is a good reference for where we are heading sound-wise.

‘Don’t Let Me Bring You Down’ is classic Nicke, and could’ve been a single from any of the early Imperial State Electric long players, or any 70’s Quo album come to think of it. A great memorable hook, and an early highlight for sure.

But then things get really tasty with the magnificent power pop single ‘I Don’t Wanna Be Just A Memory’. Methinks Ginger Wildheart would give his left bollock to have a hook that good for The Wildhearts in 2025. With its urgent beats and rousing chorus, it sounds like Benny & Bjorn penned it back in ‘78, Iggy stole the beat from the Lord and traded it to Nicke’s old man for a bag of blow and a bottle of Jack. Yes, it’s that good!

3 songs in and were flying in the right direction. The groovy punk n’ roll of ‘Wrong Face’ follows, the rousing and uplifting ‘Soldier On’, and the overly familiar ‘Doomsday Daydreams’ wrap up a very strong side 1.

Flipping the virtual disc and the high energy ‘Faraway Looks’ has riffs and a chorus to die for, latest single ‘Do You Feel Normal’ is classic 70’s rock at its finest and closer ‘Leave A Mark’, does exactly that with its throbbing bass line, driving rhythms and Starchild vocal delivery. It rocks you like a hurricane until the final note rings out.

For me, ‘Overdriver’ is a stronger album than its predecessor. It’s an album of two halves, side 1 pisses all over side 2, but it’s worth flipping the disc for the opener and closer alone. There’s a lot of familiarity of ‘Overdriver’, riffs you will have heard before…somewhere, and you’ll be wracking your brain to recall where the hell you have heard certain melodies before, but that’s half the fun of the listening experience. Who was it that said, “There’s nothing original in rock n’ roll these days”? That may well be true, but if it’s good and it makes you feel something, then who the fuck gives a fuck?!

The Hellacopters may not sounds as raw and exciting as they did in 1996, but they’ve mellowed like a fine red wine over the years and ‘Overdriver’ is a great return to form and one of the essential listens for 2025.

Buy Here

Author: Ben Hughes

THE HARD-ONS – NEW VIDEO FOR  “RIDE TO THE STATION” AND US TOUR – WITH POISON IDEA’S JERRY A ON LEAD VOCALS! 

THE HARD-ONS – NEW VIDEO FOR  “RIDE TO THE STATION” AND US TOUR – WITH POISON IDEA’S JERRY A ON LEAD VOCALS! 

THE HARD-ONS RELEASE NEW VIDEO FOR SINGLE “RIDE TO THE STATION” AND ANNOUNCE US TOUR – WITH POISON IDEA’S JERRY A ON LEAD VOCALS! 

NEWS FOLLOWS MASSIVE 40TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR AND ‘BEST DOCUMENTARY’ PRIZE FOR
THE MOST AUSTRALIAN BAND EVER AT THE LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL PUNK FILM FESTIVAL

The Hard-Ons have followed a massive 2024 with the release of the new video for “Ride To The Station” – the single take from their new album I Like You A Lot Getting Older – and the announcement a May/June US tour with old friend Jerry A of legendary Portland punks Poison Idea!

The “Ride To The Station” video was produced by Sydney based studio Kapow Pictures. Director Mark Gravas has said, “I have been a fan of the band for almost 40 years. We have produced several videos in the past for The Hard-Ons and were very happy to produce this one for their 40th anniversary. I was inspired by my favourite zombie film ‘Train to Busan’ and my own experiences on public transport. We animated the video using Quill a software primarily used in VR.”

Kapow has also produced a poster of the video which is available to purchase on their website.

The US tour with Jerry A from Poison Idea on guest lead vocals will see The Hard-Ons joining the heavy weight double bill of Napalm Death and the Melvins for shows across the Mid-West and Western states in the USA. The complete run of dates is listed below.

The Hard-Ons first toured with Poison Idea back in the late ’80s, and first recorded with Jerry A as guest vocalist back in 1993 – Jerry wrote and sung the track “The Blade” on their Too Far Gone album. The track recently resurfaced on Jerry’s solo album From The Fire Into The Water. The Hard-Ons are set to release an album with Jerry on vocals later in 2025.   

In addition to the new album, 2024 saw The Hard-Ons celebrating their 40th anniversary with extensive European and Australian tours and enjoying numerous screenings of (and international acclaim – including the ‘Best Documentary’ prize at the International LA Punk Film Festival 2024 – for) their feature length documentary, The Most Australian Band Ever, directed by Jonathan J. Sequeira for production companies Living Eyes and Play Vintage.

I Like You A Lot Getting Older was the third album by the band’s current line-up of Blackie, Murray, Ray and Tim, and follows 2021’s ARIA top 5 debuting I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken and 2023’s the Top 30 debuting Ripper ’23. 



The Hard-Ons’ first two shows for 2025 are February 8 at Selinas in Sydney with the Hoodoo Gurus and February 14 at Mary’s Underground in Sydney with NZ’s rocking The D4.

Buy I Like You A Lot Getting Older via Cheersquad Bandcamp 
https://cheersquadrecordstapes.bandcamp.com/album/i-like-you-a-lot-getting-older

Buy/stream via digital providers
https://bfan.link/i-like-you-a-lot-getting-older

For more info on the feature documentary, The Most Australian Band Ever, go to
www.livingeyes.com.au

The Hard-Ons (with Jerry A) appear as guests of Napalm Death and the Melvins as part of their Savage Imperial Death March Part II tour at the following shows:
May 22 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 
May 23 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
May 24 – Kansas City, MO @ Madrid Theatre
May 25 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
May 27 – Denver, CO @ Summit
May 29 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
May 31 – Bozeman, MT @ The ELM
June 1 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Spokane
June 2 Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
June 3 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
June 4 – Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre
June 6 – Reno, NV @ Virginia Street Brewhouse
June 7 – Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone Berkeley

Pup announce tour dates with a brand new video

Pup announce tour dates with a brand new video

PUP SHARE FIRST SINGLE IN TWO YEARS

“PARANOID” OUT NOW

ANNOUNCE UK & EU HEADLINE TOUR FOR MAY

Toronto punk heroes PUP – comprised of Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumak, Zack Mykula, and Steve Sladkowski – released their fourth album, THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND, in 2022.


The album earned PUP universal acclaim, countless Top 10 Billboard chart positions including #1 Heatseekers, Top New Artists Albums and Alternative New Artist Albums, and a slew of sold-out shows across the globe. They’re keeping it going with an arena tour on home turf in support of Sum 41 that kicks off tomorrow night, so to celebrate they return today with a new single. The explosive, John Congleton-produced track “Paranoid” is out now, and marks PUP’s first new release in two years. 

Stefan Babcock says of the new single: “My favourite part of this song is the breakdown 1:45 in. Whenever we try and do a heavy breakdown with catchy vocals we end up sounding like the world’s worst melodic hardcore band. But somehow it worked on this song. I think because it’s so intense in that moment that it’s actually kind of funny and a bit hard to take seriously. There’s some humour in that and how it plays against what I’m yelling about in a way I really like. Plus Nestor plays the melody from ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ on the bass at the heaviest moment in the song which really cracks me up every time I hear it.”

“Paranoid” is accompanied by an ingenious, whipsmart music video by long-time PUP collaborator Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux, who said: “What started out as a way to keep the bruising and heartbreaking lyrics to ‘Paranoid’ front and centre turned into a little love letter for rock band merchandise and the unsung heroes who run the merch table. Special thanks to co-director Clem Hoeney and all the real PUP fans who came out and went so hard for a hundred takes!”


The band are also launching their MORE BAD STUFF – A PUPTHEBAND Substack. A reincarnation of the band’s zine series PUPTHEZINE, this Substack will be an ongoing digital version or, as they like to call it, “PUPTHEBAND’S brand new digital hellscape.” They will use it to post unreleased songs, discuss the writing process, play-through tracks, and to share comics, old photos, live recordings, tour stories and more. The first two posts, featuring the original 4-song EP of pre-PUP band Topanga and some Built To Spill covers by Stefan, are out now.

SIGN UP FOR “MORE BAD STUFF – APUPTHEBAND SUBSTACK” HERE 



And to follow on from their sold-out dates with Jimmy Eat World here at the tail-end of last year, PUP also announce their return to UK and EU shores for a headline tour in May with full dates listed below.

For the EU/UK dates, the band will take Illuminati Hotties along as their main support (all shows excluding Spain) and Goo will additionally join for the UK run.

Go to www.puptheband.com for all on sale and ticketing information.

Canada:

10/01/2025 – Victoria, BC @ Save On Foods Memorial Centre
11/01/2025 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
13/01/2025 – Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
16/01/2025 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
17/01/2025 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
18/01/2025 – Saskatoon, SK @ Sasktel Centre
20/01/2025 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Place
23/01/2025 – St. Catharines, ON @ Meridian Centre
24/01/2025 – Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre
25/01/2025 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
27/01/2025 – London, ON @ Budweiser Gardens
28/01/2025 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
30/01/2025 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena

UK and EU:

07/05/2025 – Birmingham, UK @ XOYO Birmingham
08/05/2025 – Leeds, UK @ Project House
10/05/2025 – Manchester, UK @ O2 Ritz
11/05/2025 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 (TV Studio)
12/05/2025 – Newcastle, UK @ Newcastle University
13/05/2025 – Bristol, UK @ Marble Factory
15/05/2025 – Southampton, UK @ Engine Rooms
16/05/2025 – London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
18/05/2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
20/05/2025 – Cologne, Germany @ Club Volta
21/05/2025 – Hamburg, Germany @ Logo
22/05/2025 – Berlin, Germany @ Hole44
23/05/2025 – Munich, Germany @ Strom
25/05/2025 – Paris, France @ Bellevilloise
27/05/2025 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Mon
28/05/2025 – Barcelona, Spain @ Upload
29/05/2025 – València, Spain @ Loco Club
30/05/2025 – San Sebastian, Spain @ Dabadaba​​​​​​

Midlife Crisis – ’45 to 33′ (Wild Kingdom Records)

Midlife Crisis – ’45 to 33′ (Wild Kingdom Records)

You might well be sitting there wondering why is he getting his knickers in a twist over this Midlife Crisis album well, let me take you back to the previous website I wrote for where I did the singles club round-ups, when a certain 45 landed featuring members from iconic bands such as The Hellacopters, Maryslim, Backyard Babies, Crimson Shadows, and Mike Monroe Band, offering a unique blend of punk rock n roll outta Sweden I got very interested. When the needle dropped I got a little bit more excited at what I heard. The bands complete output was a smattering of limited edition 7″ vinyl EPs, making this a highly anticipated album indeed fo anyone who indulges in some dark underground punk rock n roll like Moir.

It also Includes guest backing vocals by Danny Furious from the legendary punk band The Avengers and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, adding further punk credibility. Theres even time for a UK Subs classic ‘Same Thing’, titled ‘Samma Sak’. Oh now you’re interested. The album kicks off in style with the anthemic ‘Sick Of You’ which had me thinking was it really twenty years ago they recorded this? My God how time flies.

The band went on to release three more EPs (the latest one in 2018). Now, everything is being released on a most welcome long-playing 12″ via Wild Kingdom Records. ‘The American In Me’ lashes its flag to the mast of Turbonegro and MC5 and thunders along but then so does ‘Cranked Up Really High’ What a fuckin barn burner.

The album flows really well and considering its twenty twenty-plus years old you’d never tell, it sounds like it could have been written and recorded yesterday, simply the energy they capture is awesome. I’d love to think we’d get the chance to see a live show over here on shit island UK but I won’t hold my breath. Covering the Subs in their native tongue is cool and fits right in. It’s all pretty uptempo and sleazy none more so than the groovy ‘Here I Go And Here I Am’ complete with handclaps. The band absolutely nails the sound on the guitars it’s the perfect Steve Jones crunch with the Keith swagger while the production leans towards the classic MC5 production, especially in the vocals, which is never a bad thing.

‘Shitty Shitty Bang Bang’ is the penultimate whig out with that warm fuzz on the guitar waiting for the chorus to throw some beers around and sing along with more than a hint toward Ron Ashton and his TV Eye on you. Leaving only ‘Bye Bye Hey Hey Hey’ to kick this mother home in style. Every ones a banger with the energy of the national grid Midlife Crisis has finally delivered the album they always promised. Don’t hesitate, don’t sleep on this one get out there and pre-order with your nans Christmas record tokens if you buy one album in 2025 already then make it ’45 to 33′ you simply have to. Buy It!

PRE-ORDER links (feel free to spread):
 https://orcd.co/midlife-crisis-album

Author: Dom Daley

Its A Revolution – Podcast Episode 53

Its A Revolution – Podcast Episode 53

Well, it’s 2025 and after a hiatus through December due to health issues of one kind or another and the festive season which took its toll we kick off a new year with an epic extended episode. With a whole bunch of new songs from new albums as well as a few welcome classics there’s much to be getting on with.

We kick off in style with a track from the mighty Lucifer Star Machine and their recent single ‘Baby Outlaw’ lifted from their last album ‘Satanic Age’. We did record an episode in December but sadly it got eaten by my dog or that’s my excuse. The track list will forever be a secret and the exclusive songs we had will forever be locked in the RPM vault, a secret never to be revealed. We did however offer a track for the sadly departed frontman Bjørn Muller who passed away recently and it felt right to play a track on this episode to remember the fallen Rocker so ‘Too Cool For You’ from Backstreet Girls is track number two on this episode.

Next up we play a single lifted from the excellent Frankie And The Studs album that was reviewed last week by Gerald, and follow that up with one from Carol Hodge and her new album ‘ Effortless Insecurity’. Another album from 2024 that really impressed me was from the band Rowdy so it seems fair to drop ‘Just The Tip’ from that debut album into the playlist for this episode. another day another fine record released by the always impressive indie label Drunken Sailor Records who also released some of the best albums of 2024 and I’m sure will uncover some of the best in 2025 (long may it continue).

Now we always say on the show how there aren’t enough bands that reach us from countries that always have healthy live shows like Spain, Italy and Germany so it’s always great when bands like Idol Lips, or Smalltown Tigers break through onto our radar and joining these are Weirdolls also from Italy with a great song ‘Reputations’ from their ‘Almost Unbreakable Toys’ album that has one of the finest album artwork of the year no question great power pop from Italy.

Former Trash Brat Tony Romeo & The Creampies are up next with a track from their I-94 Records single ‘Autumn Song’ quickly followed by an excellent track from the brand new CJ Wildheart album ‘Slots’, ‘Another Big Mistake’. The guy is on fire on the new album and the good news is he’s already done the follow up so if it’s half as good as Slots then 2025 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for fans of CJs.

Some new music for 2025 next in the shape of MC-16 and the opening track ‘Shoot Em Up’ lifted off their debut album ‘Machine Code’ which is released on Feb 14th.

A band I’ve long admired outta Milwaukee – Indonesian Junk and the lead vocalist is a guy called Daniel James not to be confused with the Leeds forward it’s not a side hustle honest, anyway, Daniel has an EP about to come out this month called ‘Darkness Over This Town’ so it’s only right we air that title track from The Daniel James Gang for your listening pleasure.

Another album that came out in 2024 on Ghost Highway Records was The Volcanics. These Australian rockers delivered an excellent album in the shape of ‘Volatile World’ in 2024, The band are heading to Spain in Feb for some live shows and it’s a shame they aren’t heading further afield for some live action but until they do you can head over to Ghost Highway and pick up the record, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Next up on the show we head to Frankfurt then Denmark for some punk rock in the capable hands of The Pill and their track ‘Hollywood Smile’ quickly followed by Big Mess and this week’s cover being Lou Reed’s ‘Hangin Round’ from their excellent album ‘Cleaning Up With…’ delivering some superb power pop.

Another German band this time in the shape of Nazi Dogs who have just or about to release a new single so still out there doing what they do on Wanda Records and Deadbeat Records. Another recent release from Drunken Sailor Records is the 7″ from Patrol who do a fine line in NWOBHM mixed with some power pop and punk rock a combo that we heartily back here at RPM Online and as our good friend Johnny noted they remind him (quite rightly) of Norways Razorbats who also do this style very well. The track is ‘Cold Blood’ and is a chance for you do put on your studded wristbands and high tops and bang that mullet like there’s nobody watching you solo in your mam’s bedroom mirror.

LA still delivers some fine music and this next record is from the excellent Teenage Frames and a track of their last October release ‘Everything Leads To This’ entitled ‘Fighting The World’, it’s always good to hear Teenage Frames and this is top-notch as you’d expect.

Hands down one of the best-named bands currently kicking up a fuss is The Mary TylerWhores and the new album ‘Savage World’ is apt in 2025 so it seemed like a good time to play the title track ‘Savage World’.

Newport South Wales has a rich history of underground music and always delivering the goods, from TJs to Le Pub its a town that has a rich history from Nirvana to Joe Strummer a place that’s had the Misfits and recently hosted sick of it all and Split Dogs so with locals garage punks Deathtraps dropping their latest EP it’s the perfect time to air a track from ‘The Lust For Likes’ and keep the ferocious level of quality going.

It can’t always be crash, bang, wallop there has to come a point where you give your ears and heart a chance to recalibrate and calm down so it seemed like a great opportunity to play a track from Richard Davies & The Dissidents who as it happens have a new album out next month entitled ‘High Times And Misdemeanours’ and the album opens with the excellent slice of Rock n Roll named ‘Keep Your Fire Burning’. An album that is heading for release is the brand new one from The Hellacopters which is always going to be a much-anticipated record so before the release and the RPM review why not whet the appetite with ‘Wrong Face On’ the first song we’ve aired from ‘Overdriver’ due for release this month.

Keeping it ScandiRock, A recent album that was reviewed on RPM was that of Spiders who released the album ‘Sharp Objects’ which was the first album I reviewed in 2025 so it seems right to offer up the opening trace off it called ‘Rock n Roll Band’ I’m sure you’ll agree it’s soaked in classic 70s Glam rock with a modern twist.

I recently had a conversation about the band The Disconnects from New Jersey and whatever happened to frontman Ryan and it tied in with a conversation about how our phones are listening to our conversations which led me to believe this theory because the same day I was sent to a youtube channel from a guy calling himself Ryan Kidd the human B Side and low and behold My old pal from Jersey was on my TV screen airing classic punk n power pop b sides so I reached out and reconnected with him to find that he has since released an album on his own label and a couple of demos as well as a brand new album that will hopefully see the light of day in 2025 and we can get him on the podcast with his knowledge of a genre we love. so it has to be a track from his 2023 demo tape ‘Degenerate from Ryan Kidd.

The penultimate song on this Episode is from Switzerland I believe and a long overdue return from The Peacocks who released a brand new long player in November of 2024 and this is the lead track entitled ‘Nowhere’.

Closing this mammoth episode is a new song from the forthcoming album on Spaghetty Town Records from Mala Vista entitled ‘Don’t Owe You’. the band hails from the NYC and does punk rock n roll 77-style and do it very well. Being on Spaghetty Town is like a seal of quality assurance so it should need no introduction but closing this first episode of 2025 on a high is a must so Mala Vista has that HONOUR. So lets keep it a ‘Fun Time’ and let these NYC punks rock us outta here, so until next time keep it RPM Online.

Spiders – ‘Sharp Objects’ (Wild Kingdom Records)

Spiders – ‘Sharp Objects’ (Wild Kingdom Records)

Founded in 2012, Spiders quickly made their mark with their debut album Flash Point and continued to build their reputation with follow-ups Shake Electric (2014) and Killer Machine (2018). So not an overnight success by any means these glam rockers hark back to the classic 70s sound with everything being larger than life, bombastic, big time and grande Glam. the solos are retro and full-on. Having Chips Kiesbye
(The Hellacopters, Sator, The Nomads) on board to produce is inspired and it adds another level of kudos to proceedings.

Vocalist Ann-Sofie Hoyles lays down the line in the sand on opener ‘Rock n Roll Band’ and they don’t look back from there. ‘Sweet Boy’ is a dirty riff that is a down n dirty slowed down Ramones groove with the velvet touch of Debbie Harry. The melody is addictive and the groove is classic. In contrast they turn up the dial for an all out rocker on ‘Whats Your Game (Miss Insane)’. The album meanders from street tough classic Alice Cooper (‘Fun In The Sun’) with huge chorus’ and cool groove to the Stonesy ‘Schizoid’ where they dabble with some darker rock n roll with a hint of ‘Gimme Shelter’.

There’s a familiarity with the songs like a well worn pair of stack boots they are stomping all over the turntable and throwing the best party in town. they can kick back as well like on the wall of sound. Soft song for tough guys in ‘Valentines’ before heading off into a galaxy far far away with ‘Life Mission’ baby it’s totally groovy baby and I like it, I like it a lot.

Having enjoyed this album so much its time to dive in to their back catalogue to see how we got here. what a fantastic way to start 2025 with an album packed with tunes, top tunes arranged magnificently kissing the past and kicking it into the 21st century. Get into ‘Sharp Objects’ but be careful not to cut yourself these tunes are razor sharp. Check em out.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley


SOCIAL PROFILES:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearespiders/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spidersgbg/

Bad Nerves / Ultra Q – Thekla, Bristol – 21.12.24

Bad Nerves / Ultra Q – Thekla, Bristol – 21.12.24

It warms the cockles of my heart to hear the songs played between bands Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers, Dead Boys, Clash, Damned, and New York Dolls hopefully this is like subliminal indoctrinating of the kids and they’ll kickstart a new youf culture movement, or not and it’s just a band with impeccable taste. Just about all the good and the greats and whilst Santa is only a couple of days away the good ship Thekla fills up to capacity and beyond I would wager. It’s an excellent reception for Bad Nerves European tour pals Ultra Q who open tentatively before relaxing and cutting loose with a pretty impressive set of bristling modern Californian noise/modern punk rock.

But Tonight was all about Bad Nerves wrapping up a monumental year for these Essex Boys who released an excellent album, toured the USA also toured decent venues with The Hives, before zig-zagging around the globe honing their craft and spreading the word that indie punk rock n roll isn’t dead but in bloody good health and it’s bands like Bad Nerves who are up for the task and not afraid to put in the hard yards schlepping it around the toilet circuit of the UK and beyond knocking out a catchy tuneful buzz saw brand of rock and roll with equal measures of Buzzcocks and Ramones melodies and speed with a chirpy early Supergrass for the indie kids to jump on board with.

The Thekla is heaving, and the hull of this riverboat is full to bursting with anticipation for what we’re about to receive. Without further ado, the five-piece gets down to business with a verve and excitement that’s eaten up by a passionate audience welcoming every song like the Beatles have reformed and we’ve been invited to the first knocking of the comeback.

The band feeds off the energy and proceeds to spend the next sixty minutes rattling through their repertoire, showing the fans exactly why they’re currently at the top of their game. They have a hunger for more and a tightness that comes from a band that’s pushed out almost every other night of the last twelve months—impressive stuff indeed.

It’s awesome to see punk rock n roll in such capable hands. ‘Baby Drummer’ sets the pace and it’s a race through their catalogue of Songs like The Ramones fucking with the uptempo Supergrass material of their beginnings Bad Nerves have tunes, plenty of memorable tunes. ‘Don’t Stop’, ‘Radio Pink’ ‘Bad Kid’ and the excellent ‘USA’ are all dispatched with much aplomb. ‘Antidote’ and ‘The Kids Will Always Have Their Say’ close off a frantic set before the inevitable and much-deserved encore. The band are constantly on the move giving it everything they have and this is the final night of a seven-week Euro haul but you’d think it was the first.

‘You Got The Nerce’  ‘Can’t Be Mine’ and ‘Dreaming’ are the sound of a band who are bristling with confidence for an audience rabid for more Bad Nerves. 2025 will be a year where this band take the next step up the ladder and move on to bigger venues with more satisfied fans coming on board this crazy train isn’t slowing down any day soon and these boys are determined and capable of bigger and better things.

Punk as fuck, Bad Nerves are on the march and a more impressive live rock n roll band currently bursting out of the UK you will not find. Gimme, gimme more, more, more. Roll on 2025 and bigger and better things for Bad Nerves.

Author: Dom Daley

Eureka Machines/The Virginmarys/The Empty Page – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds. 14th December 2024

Eureka Machines/The Virginmarys/The Empty Page – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds. 14th December 2024

It must be Christmas time, The Eureka Machines are having a shindig at The Brudenell, and you’re all invited!

Yes, Chris Catalyst may well be everyone’s go-to sidekick these days, whether he’s playing with The Sisters Of Mercy, Ugly Kid Joe or even a Nameless Ghoul in Ghost, you may well have seen him play without even realising it. But the Leeds based singer/songwriter has his own “funny little band” called The Eureka Machines, and every now and then they come back to remind everyone how good they are. This is one of those times. 

Late additions to the bill are Manchester alt punks The Empty Page and they have the grand job of opening proceedings tonight. Ex Obsessive Compulsive duo Kel and Giz are back with an impressive new album entitled ‘Imploding’ and it’s nice to catch them live for the first time in many years. 

With hypnotic, effect-ridden guitars, throbbing goth bass and Siouxsie Sioux/PJ Harvey vocals the 3-piece band deliver an energetic set that veers from Sonic Youth/The Smiths style indie floor fillers such as ‘You’re Tame’ to energetic, punky blasts of noise like ‘Dry Ice’. 

There’s a punk poetry element to Kel’s lyrics and delivery, matched with Giz’s clever guitar lines it makes for an exciting live experience. 

This is the first time I’ve seen The Virginmarys perform as a two piece and I was wondering how the dynamic shift would work in a live setting.

With the duo stage front, drummer Danny Dolan grips his sticks tight and haunches over his kit, like a boxer waiting to throw the first punch, his eyes focused on his partner in crime Ally Dickaty, waiting for the signal to count in the opening barrage of beats and riffs that make up ‘You’re A Killer’. The pair are mesmerising to watch and the sound that emanates from a single guitar, a voice and a drum kit is as full and intense as any rock show I have seen. 

‘Lies, Lies, Lies’ follows. Rawer, yet just as powerful as the album version. Danny pounds seven shades of shit from his kit while Ally spits diatribes with the guttural rage usually reserved for the likes of Slipknot (who incidentally are playing a short walk from the venue tonight). Two songs in and The Virginmarys are sounding freaking intense. 

Tonight, they play pretty much the whole of their new album ‘The House Beyond The Fires’ which is a pretty brave move. There’s no between-song banter, Ally preferring to let the music do the talking, and the highlights are plentiful. Singles ‘Northwest Coast’ and ‘When The Lights Go Down’ shine brightly, but it’s the newer album tracks which really show an intensity to their live performance.

The sound in The Brudenell is usually spot on and it plays in The Virginmarys favour. Ally’s guitar sounds amazing, crystal clear in the opening strains of the likes of ‘White Knuckle Riding’ and when the distortion and effects kick in on the likes of ‘Dance To The City’, it sounds massive.

There are just two older tracks played tonight, the emotive ‘Look Out For My Brother’ and a killer ‘Just A Ride’ which close the set. The song choice just shows the belief Ally and Danny have in the new material.

Fresh off a European tour and with the new songs bedded in, the Virginmarys are a tight live unit with a fistful of killer tunes that pack a punch and they are a force to be reckoned with. 

“Anyone want….a biscuit?” asks Chris Catalyst mid-way through the Eureka Machines triumphant headline set, before happily handing over a box of Family Circle to a more than obliging front row. It’s a bit of a northern ‘in joke’, but Eureka Machines and a certain amount of their fanbase like a good cup of tea and a biscuit. Maybe Eureka Machines are the Rich Tea of the rock n’ roll world? It’s safe, it’s familiar, you know what you’re going to get with a Rich Tea, and when you have one for the first time in a while you forget how bloody good they are…that’s a Eureka Machines show right there! 

Enough of the analogies, Chris Catalyst and his band don’t play shows very often these days, which is a shame because his self-proclaimed “silly little band”are actually very bloody good, and they have some top tunes in their arsenal.

They’ve not played a show for 12 months, but it may as well be 12 hours. Tight, comfortable and energetic, it’s like they’ve never been away. Obligatory black suits and white ties, obligatory between-song banter from Chris Catalyst and obligatory power pop filled set list. 

Kicking off with ‘Champion The Underdog’ we have a set filled with ridiculously catchy tunes that could give any stadium-filling band a run for their money. ‘Pop Star’ is played early, ‘Being Good Is Ok, But Being Better’s Better’ and ‘Affluenza’ are proper earworms and ‘Wish You Were Her’ is an emotional highlight. Even a cover of The Bangles ‘Walk Like An Egyptian’ is perfection in their hands.

The good news is they have a new album recorded and a new single in the (virtual) shops, and they play that single tonight. ‘Back In The Back Of Beyond’ is typical EM fodder and bodes well for the new album in the new year.

They don’t do encores, but ‘Zero Hero’ rounds up a killer set from one of the country’s best kept secrets. Funny little band? Let’s give the Eureka Machines the credit they deserve. 

Author: Ben Hughes

Christmas – Fear Of Romance’ (TNS Records)

Christmas – Fear Of Romance’ (TNS Records)

On ‘FEAR OF ROMANCE’ might just see Christmas climb the greasy ladder of success and MAx might just have found himself the lineup to do the name justice because on ‘Fear Of Romance’ they’ve broken free of the pure hardcore sound and branched out and created a melting pot of punk rock n roll with influences from pure hardcore to Turbonegro and beyond. the songwriting has taken a step up as well and the production is really sympathetic to the music giving the instruments a bright and clear path to your ears. This isn’t a muddy lo-fi DIY project it’s one that’s been painstakingly poured over and a lot of hard work has been given to the songwriting and all-round mix making this head and shoulders the best record in the Christmas arsenal.

The album kicks off no it literally kicks off sounding like a serious contender to the likes of Zugly on ‘Always Keep Giving Up’ as they really do slam the hammer down, magnificent opener driven by the phenomenal rhythm section.

Power and a great arrangement make ‘Thirsty and Disgusting’ a brooding pounding co-pilot for the opening track. They’ve lost none of their hunger and passion that much is obvious. The metallic ‘Maggot’ is a real earworm (or should that be ear maggot) but the title track is up next with a blood curdling riff and groove.

‘This Means War’ is a speaker busting grunt of gargantuan proportions as the Bass and Drums ramp the album up a notch or two. The middle of the album does relent in its pace and bark and ‘Smart Jokes’ is melodic and twisting and turning on the intro with a champion intro leading to the albums finest moment thus far and that’s saying something when its been this good so far.

‘Big Fish’ mixes it up with the choppy guitars and piano intro before kicking right off. Theres a happiness in the guitar melody of ‘Trainwreck’ with its big chorus and party gang vocals another really good song. ‘Burn Piggy Burn’ is a masterclass in modern hardcore before ‘Over You’ cruises through the gears with another anthemic chorus for you to throw yourself around the pit to.

Leaving ‘I’m Not Alright’ to grind us home on a wave of Bass and Drums before the riff joins in swinging. Max has upped his lead vocals as well and conducted a real banger for the end of 2024. One of the last releases in the year and it’s fair to say one of the best hardcore punk rock albums you’ll hear all year no question, It’s short and oh so sweet with a slick and complimentary production that lifts these songs up high and I would be doing an injustice to the underground if I didn’t highly recommend ‘Fear Of Romance’ its a pit busting banger from one to twelve, there I zero chaff here just top tunes. Buy It! Merry Christmas ya filthy animals.

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Author: Dom Daley

Carol Hodge – ‘Effortless Insecurity’ (Self Release)

Carol Hodge – ‘Effortless Insecurity’ (Self Release)

‘Manoeuvres’ is a signal of intent with an explosion of styles from the strong melodies you expect from Hodge mixed with a heavy pounding groove. That’s an opener with intent.

Seconds out round two is a jarring piano riff mixed with a clashing guitar as Carol has a lush melody mixed with something you’d hear from someone like Sparks. With a fantastic production, this sounds huge. this album weaves and bobs like a peak fitness boxer but with a cheeky wink there’s a horseshoe in the glove adding a bit of oomph! to proceedings sure the keys and wailing guitar breaks lean into um, the dreaded p-word territory (prog) arch I’ve said it. However, it’s not standing on a shroom with one leg cocked tooting on a clarinet prog but progressive all the same. However ‘I’ll Do The Begging’ is a reprieve with a lush melody and a swooning multi-layered vocal that draws you in in a good way.

‘Small Crumbs’ is a throbbing bass line and heavy guitar lick. With a big chorus. We’re four songs deep and four very different offerings but there is a really nice flow to these songs. Carol loves a strong melody but is as comfortable taking it down n dirty or swooning with the angels.

Queen of fitting in is Hodge at her best in storytelling and balladeering mode. There is no stone unturned here Carol’s strength lies in her personal confessions and relatable worldly lyrics that touch many of us, covering topics such as Neurodiversity, Insecure Attachment, Self-doubt/Self-worth, and the Autistic Spectrum. This is her heaviest and strongest album to date no doubt about that and the strength is in the lyrics and being comfortable in her skin and head and that’s like a superpower here.

‘Temporary Interlude’ is a heaving beast as it is the sound of someone on a charger leading the fight and flying the flag for being different and embracing that difference such a captivating array of sounds a real headfuck but it works so well.

The bravery of this album is immense and Carol should draw strength from the fact that she’s pretty bloody good at this songwriting and delivering lark making it look like a piece of piss. The album then grinds to a juddering halt with the beautiful ‘Ever Reliable Pain’ to put a softer full stop on proceedings creating a superb atmosphere on a rollercoaster of a record. Be proud of this Ms Hodge its chuffin excellent, you are one talented songwriter. Buy It!

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Autor: Dom Daley