The Hard Ons – I Like You A Lot Getting Older’ (Cheersquad Records & Tapes)

The Hard Ons – I Like You A Lot Getting Older’ (Cheersquad Records & Tapes)

Hot On The heels of ‘Ripper ’23’ Hard Ons are mining a rich seam of songs for sure. Sure it’s a mixed bag of punk rock from the super melodic title track through the twelve tracks on offer of this latest album. The single ‘Buzz Buzz Buzz’ is a guitar noodling masterclass and once it’s in your head it’s tough to shake it off. The melody and harmonies are like crack and then they leave you only to kick on with some hardcore fast as fuck rock to fuck with you a little more. These Days are Gone is like a sixty-second interlude of punk prog. The band entered their 40th year and this is this lineup’s third offering and they show no sign of wear and tear, nor of slowing down due to writer’s block or anything like that.

its not all fast punk rock mind they slow things right down and rock out on ‘Finders Fee’ and duel those guitar licks on ‘Getting Older’ with its gentler melody and those Cosby Stills Nash and Young harmonies work well.

They always sound like they’re having the best time playing and making records ‘Operation Lightening’ is solid and ‘Ride To The Station’ with its backing vocals from the off and weird train effects only magnifies the thought that Hard Ons have a ball when recording and don’t take themselves too seriously and why should they. Before they’re done there’s time to put the foot on the monitor and bang the old noggin and thrash out on ‘Doesn’t Look Like Me At All’ leaving the loose ‘Pushover’ to wind down this latest offering. I guess we’ll meet again in twelve months with another Hard Ons record which will be bulging with more top tunes in whatever style they choose and we’ll like it as much as this one and the ones before it. Another day another quality album that ebbs and flows really well on the many turns and shifts in pace but always overflowing with melodies and headfucks. Who doesn’t love a hard on?

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D-A-D – ‘Speed Of Darkness’ (Afm Records)

D-A-D – ‘Speed Of Darkness’ (Afm Records)

Those crazy Danes D-A-D celebrated 40 years in the business with a greatest hits album earlier this year, and not ones to rest on their laurels, they return with their 13th studio album, and it’s a double album entitled ‘Speed Of Darkness’.

While the glory days of ‘No Fuel Left For The Pilgrims’ and ‘Riskin It All’ are long gone, the band are still big hitters in their home country and are a phenomenal live band (which I can confirm, after witnessing them blow all the competition away at Hair Metal Heaven at Hull City Hall back in 2017. They have released consistently strong albums with pretty much the original line up (drummer Laust Sonne joined the band 25 years ago), and with 40 songs amassed prior to recording this album, D-A-D show no signs of slowing down just yet.

Opener ‘God Prays To Man’ has an AC/DC riff-heavy groove, vocalist Jesper Binzer’s unmistakable growl to the fore and a great production that separates the instruments to perfection. It’s a slow burner of an opener, but we appear to be back in business. Up next, lead single ‘1st,2nd & 3rd‘ raises the bar and the energy levels and leads to an early highlight in ‘The Ghost’. This is classic D-A-D to my ears. More laid back, with haunting effect-drenched guitars courtesy of Jacob Binzer. The immediate melody takes us back in time to ‘No Fuel’ era D-A-D. It builds nicely to a rousing, passionate chorus that hits in the feels.

I must say the crystal-clear production job from Nick Foss shines in the likes of the slower, melancholy songs. The likes of ‘Head Over Heels’ and the stunning album closer ‘I’m Still Here’ sound massive and overall there is a stadium rock feel to this album, like The Cult somewhere between ‘Electric’ and ‘Sonic Temple’.

There’s great dynamics and loud/quiet moments to the title track. A powerful riff reminiscent of King’s X at their finest, and a cool hook that buries deep in the brain.

Elsewhere on this 14-track affair, the radio friendly ‘Live By Fire’ shines brightly, a pumping fist in the air rocker with killer guitars and an anthemic chorus that instantly hits the spot. ‘Crazy Wings’ is both upbeat and balladic, here that trademark Tarantino-esque guitar tone from ‘Sleeping My Day Away’ rears its beautiful head for the solo, and the angelic backing vocals and acoustic guitars help elevate the song to another plane.

The more I listen, the more momenst jump out. ‘Keep That MF Down’ is a solid classic rocker, that sounds a bit generic at first but grows with repeated listens. ‘Everything Gone’ sounds like Velvet Revolver, which ain’t a bad thing, and ‘Automatic Survival’ is a stand out with solid riffage and a cool swaggering vocal that is slowly becoming a favourite album track for me.

For a rock band celebrating 40 years in the business, D-A-D sound remarkably fresh and invigorated, putting bands half their age to shame. If you thought they were done back in the early 90’s like the majority of their contemporaries, then you were wrong. D-A-D are a musical tour-de-force and ‘Speed Of Darkness’ is a trip from beginning to end.

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Author: Ben Hughes

SWISS GARAGE-PUNKS THE JACKETS RETURN WITH BRAND NEW ALBUM AND DATES!

SWISS GARAGE-PUNKS THE JACKETS RETURN WITH BRAND NEW ALBUM AND DATES!

The Jackets unleash Intuition—a bold fusion of raw power, artistic depth, charisma and authenticity that strikes beyond the garage rock mold! 

Swiss garage-punk powerhouses The Jackets are back with their explosive new album Intuition. Formed in Bern in 2007, The Jackets have become a fierce force in the global garage rock scene, electrifying stages at top festivals and clubs across Europe, America and beyond.

Known for their high-octane performances and raw, infectious sound, this female-fronted trio—Jack Torera on vocals and guitar, Chris Rosales on drums and Sam Schmidiger on bass—delivers a fresh, bold mix of ‘60s garage rock, punk and psychedelic vibes, all wrapped up in their unmistakably unique style.

With Intuition, the band’s fifth full-length, The Jackets push their signature sound to new heights: the 10-track LP is packed with raw power, infectious hooks and a playful versatility. Each song is its own universe, weaving poetic, profound lyrics through a vibrant mesh of Jackie’s snarling vocals and fuzzed-out guitar riffs, Samuel’s driving basslines, and Chris’s groovy drum-beats.

Intuition was recorded by none other than garage-rock legend Jim Diamond (known for his work with The Dirtbombs, The Sonics and The White Stripes) at Strawberry Studios in Bern, mixed by Diamond himself, and mastered by Adi Flück at Centraldubs.

The album’s eye-catching cover art—painted by Olaf Jens (USA/NL)—mirrors the band’s vibrant and artistic soul, a reflection of The Jackets’ immersive world of music, art, theatre, and film. As the band explains, “‘Intuition’ isn’t just a track on the album, it’s a core theme that pulses through our lyrics, our music, and how we live. It’s the tension between rationality and gut instinct that drives us creatively.”

Beyond music, The Jackets are multi-talented creators. Torera is an award-winning filmmaker, a performer and visual artist, Rosales is a writer and radio host, and Schmidiger is a theatre producer and musician. This artistic versatility bleeds into everything they do—from their captivating live shows to their striking music videos and album artwork – propelling them forward over the years, in the company of such respected labels as Subversiv, Soundflat, Voodoo Rhythm, their own Wild Noise imprint, and now Portugal’s celebrated Chaputa! Records.

 Set for release on 18 October on black or milky clear vinyl, Intuition is available to pre-order here.


Tour Dates!

Oct 17 – Firebird – Shinmatsudo, Chiba, JAP 

Oct 18 – Disk Union Instore Live, Tokyo, JAP 

Oct 19 – Halloween Ball, Shinjuku Loft – Tokyo, JAP 

Oct 22 – Top Beat Club – Tokyo, JAP 

Oct 23 – Pop Pizza – Kyoto, JAP 

Oct 24 – TBA – Kobe, JAP 

Oct 25 – Namba Mele – Osaka, JAP 

Oct 26 – Halloween Ball, Huck Finn – Nagoya, JAP 

Oct 30 – Casbah – San Diego, USA 

Oct 31 – The Dive Bar – Las Vegas, USA 

Nov 01 – Gold Diggers – Los Angeles, USA 

Nov 02 – Ivy Room – San Francisco, USA 

Nov 03 – Torch Club – Sacramento, USA 

Nov 05 – The Twilight – Portland, Oregon, USA 

Nov 06 – Freakout Fest, Belltown Yacht Club – Seattle, USA 

Nov 07 – Freakout Fest, The Sunset – Seattle, USA 

Nov 08 – Freakout Fest, Tractor Tavern – Seattle, USA 

Nov 28 – Blau, Mannheim, D 

Nov 29 – Le Botanique, Brüssel, BE 

Dec 06 – Ecurie, Geneva, CH 

Dec 18 – Rössli, Reitschule, Bern, CH

https://linktr.ee/thejackets

THE JACKETS: Intuition LP

Johny And The Dead Girls – ‘The Need For Speed’ (Self Release)

Johny And The Dead Girls – ‘The Need For Speed’ (Self Release)

Kicking off in the 70s I’m already smirking and then ‘Sex And Drugs’ kicks in and my gums hurt from knawing at them in time with the kick drum and the lick on Johnys guitar. The opening headfuck of ‘Sex And Drugs’ is part Hanoi part Buzzcocks and part Motorhead and if that isn’t a good place to be then you’ve opened the wrong page. This is an adrenaline rush high octane trip and I always look forward to what Johny is releasing be it Kopek Millionaires or whatever guise it’s always right up my Strasse but this one hits the bullseye.

the songs hit hard n fast and are always wrapped in a great big hook n melody wrapped in some suitably sandpaper n whisky vocals but there are handclaps and a swagger that punk n roll needs to pull it off and Johny gets that and it pours out of the speakers like a pint of red Thunderbird with a Watneys chaser.

With a cheeky wink ‘Suck It And See’ is in your face whereas ‘Animal Attraction’ could have been the best track on the Yo Yos album. The production is crisp and in your face which suits the music it sounds vital and exciting but the one thing that stands out is it’s all about the art of songwriting and delivering an authentic slice of punk n roll and on that subject, its mission accomplished no doubt about it. There’s even a fitting run through the Subs classic ‘Limo Life’ that Johny takes ownership of giving it a twist and showing the guy bleeds rock n roll. if that’s not enough punk rock for you then get in the pit for ‘Masturbation Sensation’ in all its premature sub-40 seconds wham bang thank you mam. The album gets his head down and revs its engine for the closing songs as we get a cheeky run through ‘Talk Dirty To Me’ no we do and why the fuck not? Subs and Poison on the same record it all makes perfect sense in 2024.

I am not sure of the need for speed but I am adamant about the need for Johny And The Dead Girls in your life. It’s loud, it’s fast, it’s rock n roll baby and I fuckin like it! so will you. Long live the Dead Girls they rock like fuck! Buy IT!

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Author: Dom Daley

Chubby & The Gang – ‘And Then There Was…’ (Flatspot Records)

Chubby & The Gang – ‘And Then There Was…’ (Flatspot Records)

Chubby is back with album number three and easily the bands most diverse and rewarding offering yet. Sure there’s a fair sprinkling of what got the band on the radar in the first place and that’s the buzz saw UK Hardcore punk rock but they’ve morphed slowly but confidently into something all together more than wham bang thank you mam. ‘And Then There Was…’ is a fourteen song strong album with twists and turns throughout with an emphasis on melody and the song rather than satisfying an image or a scene which is both brave and rewarding for them no doubt and us the listener. If you just want heads down in your face hardcore then I suggest The Chisel who will certainly satisfy that need if you are looking for something altogether more adventurous then stick with me because Chubby has a record full of rewards.

The most noticeably thing about album number three is its not so much Chubby anymore both physically and personnel wise because Charlie Manning takes on the role of “The Gang” as well as being Chubby. yup he plays and sings everything making it a proper solo effort.

You get a bit of country geetar picking on the single ‘Devil In The Jukebox’ and a couple of soppy love songs and a closing ‘Cocaine Sunday’ that’s a simple piano ballad (didn’t expect me to say that did you? but there you go its all here. Don’t worry Charlie hasn’t gone soft he’s not about to tour with Taylor Swift or anything and there is plenty of crash-bang wallop for all you punk rockers. The album kicks off with some radio static and some broadcast messaging before the music kicks in and when it does it absolutely does. Get the circle pit going we’re off. Chubbs familiar slurred style of vocals is evident throughout the record and even when we’re in familiar territory like ‘To Be Young’ the melody is strong and the gang vocals are juxtaposed to the thrashing guitars which works really well. ‘The Bonnie Banks’ is a roaring jig of a song with a much gentler tempo and something of an anthemic melody. The next few songs are comfortable Hardcore fair and solid before ‘To Fade Away’ and its haunting echo on the guitar and vocals building throughout but never breaking out, nice.

Love the keys on ‘Company I Don’t Want To Keep’ and the solid melody and tempo reminds me of Tim Armstrong and there’s nothing wrong with that. A really good song then to follow it with the sharp riffs of ‘Love Song’ with its solid beat and arrangement. Then the curveball of ‘Since You Said Goodbye’ which will make this record a more sustainable and longer listen than the previous offerings. Obviously that’s on early impressions but there’s so much going on here and I like it a lot. When these songs have bedded in and the variety no longer raises an eyebrow Chubby and the gang’s stock will rise to the top and that seems like a fair trade off to me. songs like ‘Trepanning’ are what we know then you get hit by the rock of ‘A Lust For More’ followed by ‘Two Hearts’ and before you can unlace your docs you’re blubbing to ‘Cocaine Sunday’ and you head back in to play it all again. A fine album that will get better and better as the months roll by. Chubby and the Gang of One hit the spot and this train keeps a rollin’. Excellent stuff – Buy it!

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Author: Dom Daley

PROPHETS OF ADDICTION ‘Superhero’

PROPHETS OF ADDICTION ‘Superhero’

West Coast-based glam rockers, Prophets Of Addiction, have released a new video and single, “Superhero”, via BraveWords Records. stream/buy “Superhero” here.

Superhero” is the first single and video from the forthcoming Prophets Of Addiction album, ‘Face The Music’, which the band tracked with longtime producer Phil Soussan (bassist for Ozzy Osbourne, Beggars and Thieves, Billy Idol, Vince Neil, Rod Stewart and others) at Blue Cat Studios in Las Vegas, NV.

Prophets Of Addiction’s fourth album sees Sanders and company (guitarists G.G Sleaze, Tchad Drats, Terry Bratsch and drummer Wayne “The Stoke” Stokley going back towards the glam, punk and roots the band is most closely associated with. “I’ve always wanted to do a dark powerful acoustic record with a message and I think we achieved that with our last record. And now with a very strong lineup that is ready to move forward, it’s time to get back to rocking,” remarks Sanders.

Prophets Of Addiction frontman Lesli Sanders as a lifelong rocker, dating back to the mid-80s and his underground success with bands such as Talks Cheap and Queeny Blast Pop, he’s had a passion for BMX racing even longer than that.

Sanders reflects on that passion for BMX bikes: “My passion for BMX began in the 1980s, where I quickly found success as a young racer, earning a #2 district plate before shifting my focus to a successful music career. After stepping away from music to care for my ailing stepfather and mother, I turned back to BMX racing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite initial injuries, my determination led me to collect numerous accolades, including Gold Cup Plates, State Plates, and a district #1 plate. Now, I rank in the National Age Group top 10 for both the 56-60 cruiser class and 56+ expert category, thriving once again in the sport I loved as a teenager.”

Soul Asylum – Slowly But Shirley’ (Blue Elan Records)

Soul Asylum – Slowly But Shirley’ (Blue Elan Records)

Album number 13 for the Minneapolis rockers who were a household name in the 80s and 90s and went from raucous punks kicking out the jams alongside The Replacements they emerged from the indie scene with the likes of Goo Goo Dolls to have some absolute Iconic smash hits. Frontman Dave Pirner continued the band’s impressive legacy way beyond the formative years and the stylistic change through the hit parade years and into the 21st century to the present day and continued to carry the band’s name making some really impressive records along the way to where we are now in 2024 and the eve of this latest impressive record. Joining Pirner are Michael Bland on drums, Ryan Smith on lead guitar, and Jeremy Tappero on bass and together they turn in a really consistent and impressive record. The album was preceded by the single ‘Freak Accident’ that had all the hallmarks of the classic more commercial writings of the band and on repeated playing it became something of an earworm that you couldn’t shake and I admit to keeping going back to play it over and over and found myself singing the chorus and then the full album dropped and I was sold, all in right from the get-go.

This album runs the full repertoire of what you’d want to hear from Soul Asylum in 2024. From the uptempo Rock n Rolla of an opener, ‘The Only Thing I’m Missing’ the band leans on a swaggering rock n roll sound aided by the production skills of Steve Jordan who gives a little spit and polish to the punkier attitude and some of that Stones sheen for sure which only enhances these songs.

The ebb and flow of the record is as good as the heyday albums ‘Grave Dancers Union’ and ‘Dim Light Shine’ era but this also has the attitude from those earlier records like ‘Horse They Rode In On’ and ‘Hang Time’. ‘High Road’ kicks up some dust and brushes away any cobwebs. Then they ease back into the collage radio’s slower song, ‘You Don’t Know Me. ‘ It’s got that black-and-white video sound that builds for the chorus and Pirner sounds great like he hasn’t aged a day.

They get their funk on for ‘Tryin Man’ but with some hard knocks lyrics and vocals mixing it up fo sure but it works alongside this album. To be fair The more I play this record the more I like it. Songs from the middle of the record jump out as real highlight contenders with strong melodies and really well-constructed songs ‘Trial By Fire’, and the timeless ‘Making Plans’ sounds like its been here before and is laid back with well placed keys adding to the mix of songs. ‘Sucker Maker’ is more of that funky shit before finally finishing off with the excellent ‘High And Dry’ with some excellent lyrics as Pirner tells his story he hooks you and reels you in before delivering a really cool full stop on album number thirteen for Soul Asylum. I’m always happy to hear the band making new music and fingers crossed they head over the pond for some live shows again. The world is always a better place with Soul Asylum active and delivering new music of this quality. If you were ever a fan then I can only urge you to check this out. It’s all killer and no filler and to champion that for the thirteenth time is some achievement. Buy It!

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Author: Dom Daley

Jesse Malin – Second London Show Added 02.05.25

Jesse Malin – Second London Show Added 02.05.25

LIVE IN LONDON
02.05.25
THE GARAGE
BENEFIT CONCERT

tickets
tickets go on sale 04.10.24 @ 11am GMT

The release of the star-studded tribute album ‘Silver Patron Saints : The Songs Of Jesse Malin’ on 20th September was accompanied by tickets going on sale for a special benefit concert in London at Islington Assembly Hall on 1st May 2025. With that show selling out almost immediately, an additional date has been announced for the following evening at The Garage venue close by, with tickets available from 11am on 4th October HERE. Both shows will feature a variety of guests.

“I have a really special connection to London, as it was the first place that truly embraced me when my first album came out and it is always very meaningful to play there,” says Malin. “I am blown away by the response to the first show, so we decided to add a second night. It will be a bit difficult to get there and get around this time, but I miss London so am excited to play two shows in May. I am also very grateful for all the support through the years.”

The New York City-based rock singer-songwriter suffered a rare spinal stroke in May 2023 that left him paralysed from the waist down. Both a tribute and benefit album, ‘Silver Patron Saints: The Songs Of Jesse Malin’ contains 27 choice cover versions of songs written by Malin from across his career, with all proceeds from it going to his Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and helping pay for his ongoing rehabilitation.

Quireboys New Video Ahead of Album Release

Quireboys New Video Ahead of Album Release

QUIREBOYS RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM ‘WARDOUR STREET’

RELEASED OCTOBER 11TH VIA CADIZ MUSIC

Pic Rita D’Albert

ORDER HERE:

UK TOUR CONFIRMED FOR NOVEMBER

PRE-ORDER ‘WARDOUR STREET’ HERE:

Formed in the mid ‘80s in London, the Quireboys quickly established themselves on the thriving rock’n’roll scene of Soho, Camden and beyond. Always a great live band, they perfected their style and sold out the legendary Marquee Club and many other venues around the country, long before they made their first record.

When Parlophone/EMI Records released their debut album ‘A Bit Of What You Fancy’ on January 29th 1990 it went on to climb to the dizzy heights of number 2 on the UK National chart. The album featured many of the songs they had been performing live for some time. ‘A Bit Of What You Fancy’ is revered to this day. The second album ‘Bitter, Sweet And Twisted’ followed in 1993, after which the band entered a hiatus. 

Now in 2024, the Quireboys the band have come full circle with their highly anticipated new album ‘Wardour Street’ and original members Spike, Nigel, Chris and Rudy (augmented by old friend and multi-instrumentalist Willie Dowling) have kept true to their promise of making new Quireboys music after the sad passing of their best mate Guy Bailey. 

Stepping in on guitar is another of their oldest friends, the legendary Luke Morley from Thunder. Luke also produced the album.

The album consists of 11 new original songs that hark back to that famous Quireboys rock’n’roll sound. The album features the singles ‘Jeeze Louise’, ‘Raining Whiskey’ featuring Frankie Miller and the brand new single ‘I Think I Got It Wrong Again’, which is set for release on September 27th.

“The new single ‘I Think I Got It Wrong Again’ is Quireboys at their very best with our classic backing vocals, rock ‘n roll guitar and honky tonk piano. Just wait for it to kick in!” says singer Spike.

This is indeed timeless Quireboys getting back to their sing-along, rock ‘n roll best.

A message from Spike; “To our friends and fans, old and new, thanks for your amazing support. See you on tour and at the bar in a town near you!”

‘Wardour Street’ will be released October 11th via Cadiz Music. Pre-order HERE: 

Asian Dub Foundation – ’94 To Now – Collabourations’ (X Ray Productions)

Asian Dub Foundation – ’94 To Now – Collabourations’ (X Ray Productions)

A band I first became aware of when I worked in London in the ’90s I heard a single that mixed up some abrasive flavours full of easter rhythms and much heavier Western rock, these East London upstarts were making music on their own terms and were forging a brave and interesting path all of their own and with lyrics that made you take notice of what they had to say. The last I heard was via their ‘Tank’ album and they were still kicking up a Shit storm being unpredictable and powerful.

Fast forward a couple of decades and once again they appear on my radar and to be fair they’ve lost none of the youthful energy perhaps stinging it with a more mature and measured accents. They’ve most notably roped in some big hitters here to help achieve a wide-ranging melting pot of alternative music most notably Iggy for a full-on take of ‘No Fun’, this isn’t the only helping hand but for me, it’s the most enjoyable but not the most diverse. That goes to Stewart Lee whose spoken words get chopped for yet more heavy content, Sinéad O’Connor singing on ‘1000 Mirrors’ its a heavy dub tinged with a sense of sadness but played with volume its a powerful tune. 

You also get Radiohead, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Primal Scream playing with your senses, and Chuck D and his public enemy chop shop of ‘Black Steel’, a tune I’ve not played for a while. Although it might not hit as hard as the original, it’s still an awesome version.

It all fits perfectly well in true ADF style not playing by anyone else’s rules besides their own, decades on they’re still going strong and mixing it up into the 21st century. Sure there are artists outside my comfort zone and who I’ve never heard of contributing but that’s the beauty of records like this from one track to the next you won’t have a clue and if a song doesn’t float your boat the next will.

Expand your mind and dive into some alternative, subversive mash-ups musically, but remember to always play ADF loud. You have been warned.

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