“Last House” is the third album from Sacramento’s Th’ Losin Streaks. Recorded in their backyard at Louder Studios in Grass Valley, California, with Tim Green (Nation of Ulysses, Fucking Champs) in the control room. Green also leant a hand on some finely placed keys as did Anton Barbeau – a friend of the band since their inception.
A proper band, with members – Tim Foster, Stan Tindall, Mike Farrell, and Brian Machado – co-contributing to the songwriting, as well as The Weeds classic ‘It’s Your Time’ making its way onto the record. they even got Bay Area legend Al Sobrente to shoot the cover picture. It’s groovy garage rock baby from the opening hoot of ‘I Mean You’ through the reverb hack and slash of the cover It is authentic and really well presented. It might be 2024 but sometimes you need the authentic analogue reverb and warmth to pull this Garage Rock n Roll off.
When asked the band said ‘Last House’ was about shaking it til you make it. It’s about EKO, Silvertone and Supro, Vox (Super Continental), and the Hohner Marine Band. It’s about 2” tape. It’s about the plague, and politics, and war or the hands of time. It’s about the ice cream man after the apocalypse. It’s a trans-world punk rave-up. It’s about Link Wray, The Sonics, and the Downliners Sect. It’s about The Rolling Stones covering Sam Cooke. That pretty much sums up exactly what they deliver, they absolutely nail it. For some Chelsea boot winkle pickin’ Rickenbacker riffin, they just get it and pull it off.
‘Last House On The Block’ is a super cool laid-back tambourine shakin slice of groovy time and it makes me smile when I hear it done so well. These cats are totally invested and you can feel it as much as you can hear it on tracks like ‘The Slink’ Man, this is oozing authenticity, and it’s an instrumental and do I need to remind you what I think of songs with no vocals? (what’s happening to me?)
you certainly get a lot of bang for your buck on this one with a full fifteen tracks squeezed into the grooves on this record. ‘Cake And Ice Cream Too’ is my pick of the pops with its cool lyrics and rhythm jerking back and forth before its sugar-sweet chorus and wild guitar lick. ‘Rue de Montrail’ is one winkle picker in the Cavern of the 60s whilst the other is Stradlin the early 76 snot of punk in the 100 club or roxy but it pulls you all over the place with that dirty honkin’ harmonica stealing the show from the guitar riff – excellent stuff.
There is time to chill with some good time acoustic strumming on ‘For A While’ easing you out of this time-warping record. With just ‘Mangalore’ to pull off into the sunset with the soft top down and head for the beach it is time to crack open another beer as the sun goes down – adios baby its rock n roll and I like it – a lot!
Full steam ahead they said as the good ship RPM Online Podcast sails into treasure-filled waters. This Episode is positively overflowing with new tracks as well as an exclusive Live cover from Ravagers that will never be on streaming services or CD and is limited to 100 copies of White Vinyl. Spaghetty Town Records have kindly let us play the Ravager’s cover of ‘Goin Downtown’ by the Lords Of The New Church. That’s only one of the reasons why you should check the Podcast out.
Sweden’s First Boy On The Moon Kick off this Episode with the opening track of their new album ‘Dreamer’. Hot on the heels comes a new track off the Final Cock Sparrer Album ‘Hand On Heart’ out on April 5th. ‘I Belong To You’ is classic Sparrer and an album that sees the band get better and better.
Now co-host Hotshot likes nothing more than fantasising about Sex Pistol and Radio broadcasting inspiration and role model Steve Jones so we’ve dug deep for a sparkling live rendition of his classic ‘Silly Thing’.
Gareth ‘Hotshot’ Hooper
Hotshot wanted to change the mood by introducing a track from Garbage who penciled in a re-release of the album ‘Bleed Like Me’ with his favourite track off the album. How about Japan’s finest glam punks Angel Face with a brand new track off their Slovenly Records self-titled album. A new track from Bullets And Octane, and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard before Hotshot plays Suede with a track off their latest album ‘Autofiction’.
Ravagers are a glam punk n roll band outta The USA and they have a brand new LP released through Spaghetty Town Records as pointed out in the intro above. 100 copies pressed no streaming and no downloading. This will be a must-own record and rare as rocking horse shit. We’ve got an exclusive don’t miss it.
Desperate Measures have been playing support to Cheetah Chromes Dead Boys around the UK and currently in Europe and getting great reviews so having heard the new Desperate Measures album it’s only fair we play ‘Sublime Destruction’ the title track of their soon-to-be-released Cadiz records album. Staying with Cheetahs how about a new track off The Streetwalkin Cheetahs and a wonderful track ‘Call The Dogs’ being released on Poland’s awesome Heavy Medication Records. While we’re playing the label’s newest releases we also have one from Jonesy the potty-mouthed Canadians 10″ release on HMR but not before Californians Crymwav pop by with ‘Mars Fever’ and Mala Vista get aired with a single off their soon to be released album coming out on Spaghetty Town and Beluga Records in Europe.
Marc Valentine is set to release his second album on Wicked Cool Records in the next few months, so, no time like the present to play a track off it, and having had the privilege to hear the album I can tell you it was tough which one to play seeing as the whole record is fantastic power popping Rock n Roll. Gareth drops in one of his favourite songs from Powerkeg before a fine track from The Mysterines who we reviewed recently when they played support on the Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes tour of the UK.
If you’re still with us then stick around for a banger from The Empty Page who announced this week that they have a new album coming out on their own label if this is anything to go by it promises to be excellent and the first Empty Page track we’ll be playing. With just a couple of tracks to play Sweet Tooth blast away any fatigue with their banger ‘So Gone’ from their epic Lövely Records release ‘Split Image’. This leaves River City Rebels to wipe the floor with us as they blow the fuckin doors off the show with ‘Unless Your White’ out on Screaming Crow Records.
That boys and girls is one hell of a playlist from top to bottom we doubt you’ll hear a running order with as much quality as that. Keep it RPM Online Podcast – It’s A Revolution!
The undisputed kings of swampy wild n wreckless garage rock n roll from New Zealand are in da house motherfuckers and they’ve brought a brand spanking new long player with them. ‘Ca$h 4 Scrap’ is everything you want it to be and some. It’s not all crash bang wallop (well, Almost) but I wouldn’t suggest for one minute that these four reprobates have lost any of that spark nor would I suggest old age is slowing them down. Songs like ‘Leather Boys’ is more a groovin slice of junk rock done in the best sleaziest way.
Start your record as you mean to go on. ‘Children Of The Dead’ rattles off with the band’s usual vim and vigour with plenty of Thrashing around. A sharp intake of breath and ‘Without You’ is climbing over broken glass to get heard. With a party kicks off in the speakers as Paul Caveman takes a drag from the 40 a day no filter smokes and gurgles neat whisky and broken glass as the boogie rages in support.
Hold onto your strides mates because these cats are grooving hard on the growling ‘Night Of The Demon’ where you can all join in on the chorus. It’s ‘Night Of The Demon’ x3 but clear your throat first this one needs some oomph.
‘Booze Ciggies n Drugs’ might be the thrasher up next but it might just be the band’s shopping list whilst they remember the essentials. Rapid, punk n roll at its dirtiest but finest. Get in the pit and start barking
y’ bastards.
I love the sleazy glam punk of ‘Isn’t Remember Your Name’ It’s trashy and beautiful with a melody knocked off from Los Pepes. Side One takes a kicking on ‘Personal WWIII’. Closing off with ‘Drug Man’ is a case of singing what you know being the mantra. So why not, with the sleazy solo and Iggy piano tonk it’s a beauty. That’s seven tracks in, about ten minutes of crash, bang, wallop! And closing off with a song almost three minutes long is decadent as fuck almost mature proto-prog.
If this was played out in a live setting you’d just have witnessed one of the best shows for ages so get a refill and flip this bad boy over. ‘Hanging Up’ has just done a bump in the toilet and the band comes out swinging complete with Groovy handicaps. Now that’s what I call music. ‘One Leg and a Waterbed’ has some trippy organ squealing throughout behind its fantastic lyrics. And as you head towards the end you realise the Cavemen have bashed you over the head with their club called rock n roll it feels great.
If only all albums sounded this good. Fuck the sound levels, the production, the tightness this is rock n fuckin roll baby and it sounds fantastic. Rough n raw, wild n reckless, and I fucking love it. Go get some Caveman Rock n Fuckin Roll its the way to start off 2024. Buy it!
RICKY RAT- “She Feels Like a Good Thing” b/w “Born in Detroit (I-94 Recordings) Ricky has teamed up with his Rat Pack members Laura Mendoza (bass) and Joe Leone (drums) for 2 new studio tracks. The “A” side is a brand new original and the “B” side is a cover of the classic “Born in Detroit” (The Rockets). The amazing Jimmie Bones guests on piano on this barnstormer. A good time slice of Rock and Roll sees Ricky do what he does best just cruising down this Rock and Roll freeway kicking up the dust with some punk rock n roll with a catchy chorus and gang vocals that sound like one of those memorable nights out.
The B side is worth the money for this 45 alone. Ripping it up with some cool as fuck piano licks to give the feel good kick this bit o boogie woogie needs. Class!
Preorders are available at I-94Recordings.com (they will ship out August 20th).
Delusions Of Grandeur – EP (Savage Magic Records) is the result of a bunch of mates from two different countries, recording songs remotely, to help kill the boredom of Lockdown 1.0.
It is not a band, there will be no gigs. It is a one off, 4 track 7” of songs that would have otherwise been left to rot on Austin’s hard drive if Mel hadn’t suggested that they should try recording them and see what happened.
Blah blah Hip Priests, blah blah Bitch Queens. It doesn’t sound particularly like either but it’s fast, bangin’ and has loads of guitar solos! That’s a pretty succinct press release and right on the money to be fair. Obviously, Mel’s vocals would point to the Bitch Queens comparison but the solos are pure hear n aid bliss wig out for guitarists especially on ‘Drinking My Life Away’. One for the collectors of these bands involved but that would be doing these tunes a disservice because they are proper bangers and that’s why you should buy this record. Respect the Rock!
Chuck Norris Experiment – ‘This Will Leave A Mark’ (Transubstans Records / Ghost Highway Recordings) is taken from the upcoming album with the same name, which will be released on September 17. The single is released on all streaming services and download platforms! Spotify / YouTube
A clean sharp stab of high octane Action Rock from Sweden’s finest most uncompromising rockers giving fans and newcomers a nice little taster of what’s to come from Chuck and the gang.
Confused – ‘I Want A Beer’ (Confused Records) Get the WD 40 ready for those double bass pedals and heads down wait for the starting gun and Go! Hardcore as fuck Confused go for it. M.O.D., Agnostic Front, D.R.I.paved the way for this to come crashing the party. Brutal. RIOT PRE-SAVE URL:www.tinyurl.com/getriot Website / Facebook
Brian McCarty & the Jen-U-Wine Faux Diamond Band “Hamtramck Jukebox” b/w “A Place in the Sun” (I-94 Recordings) Brand new single from Brian McCarty. The “A’ side pays tribute to Lili Karwowksi and her bar Lili’s 21 which was the hangout/hometown bar for the gang back in the day.
He was the vocalist and founding member of Detroit’s glam punk Trash Brats (1987-2002) and has been consistently putting out solo releases for the last 20+ years. A wonderfully sunny rocker with a tip of the hat to Detroit rockers whilst the flip side is a bright and breezy tip of the hat to Stevie Wonder with a rocking version of the song “A Place in the Sun”. A blast from start to finish and a real ray of sunshine and hope in difficult times. check it out! Here
FRVITS ‘Stupid Era’ (Slovenly Recordings) A banging six tracks spread over a 7″ EP is VFM if ever I saw it. This debut EP from Montreal’s first and only Dot Matrix Rock’n’Roll Band FRVITS. It’s thunderous hardcore space punk (or so they say). It is ferocious to be fair, Fronted by Shit Vicious on a radioactive vox, and featuring Wind of Change (associate of PRIORS & DUCHESS SAYS), Krispy Karl, Alexander Ortiz, and Blag Dahlia/Jesus (DWARVES) with a vocal appearance on the penultimate track “Abortion Hoops.” This one is tough, fun, and as abstract as a frvit salad served in a urinal. Head fucked!
Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems – Take Me To The Pilot’ (Wicked Cool Records) Kris Rodgers & The Dirty Gems’ upcoming album, Still Dirty, which was released in July on Wicked Cool Records.
THE Q-TIPS – ‘There Are Those Who Drill Violently!’ EP (Slovenly Records) Prepare your ears and numb your minds, puny humans. The Kids of the Drill Hole, known officially as Munich’s THE Q-TIPS, are here to scrub your auditory canals, getting rid of the grime and re-contaminating ‘em with their 2nd EP “There Are Those Who Drill Violently.” For their Slovenly debut, sequencer Ms. Juliette and programmer Mr. Brotzeit kick four cuts of crunchy and negative synth-punk screamers hysterically down your hear-holes. The sincerity of tracks llike “Full of Hate” and “Shut Your Face” is as real as you are stupid, but the humor never gets lost in translation.
Indonesian Junk – ‘She Stands There’ (Rum Bar Records) Inspired choice of cover for a single. Didn’t see this one coming as the kings of sloppy loud dead boys glam-punk crowd Indonesian Junk do justice to the mighty Degeneration legacy by knocking out a blisteringly good take on this banger.
If you have to ask who Dgen were then their work here is done. Killer band does killer cover who’d have thunk it? Hooray to the Junkos you’ve done good here and we tip our hat to you guys tipping the hat to those guys. Good times!
Ryan Hamilton – ‘Permanent Holiday’ (Wicked Cool Records) ‘Permanent Holiday’ is the 8th track from Ryan’s 1221 project, where every 12th of the month, a new track is released, culminating in a full-length album at the end of the year. This one is like a huge ray of sunshine the feel-good hit of the summer. A song about escapism and this never-ending pandemic or a hopeful future where the new normal rocks. This might just be the tonic for that time.
KOMBI KILLERS – ‘ScuMo’ (Riot Records) oi oi heads down and lace up those docs. Brisbane’s old-school punk rockers KOMBI KILLERS have released their new single ‘ScuMo’ through Riot Records, and it is available on all digital platforms! blink and it’s done. no compromise and boot boy punk. Not for the faint-hearted.
Dead Dirty Dinosaurs – ‘Too Many Questions: The Abbey Road Masters’ (Riot Records) ‘Holding Back is a brooding beast of a track with the slow purposeful twelve-bar riff building into a cacophony of noise’. To be fair its bettered by track two which is another brooding number with a menacing verse followed by raising the volume for the chorus before falling back. A nice idea that works on ‘Revenge’.
A love of 90’s alt-rock, punk, post-punk and post-rock serves them well as ‘bad Timing’ rocks like a good un. Signing off this four-track EP with the excellent ‘Monica’ mixing up the likes of Therapy? with the Pixies is a fine way to introduce yourselves for this Brisbane trio. They’ve certainly got the chops on what is an excellent balanced EP.
Stream/buy ‘Too Many Questions: The Abbey Road Masters (Remastered)’HERE
The Dogs featuring Frank Meyer – ‘Under The Coast’ ( Chicanery Chick Records/Die Laughing Records) Underground punk legends THE DOGS have unleashed a new digital single ‘Under The Coast’ that was co-written with and features fellow rock ‘n’ roller Frank Meyer (The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, James Williamson & The Pink Hearts) on guest vocals and guitar. The socially conscious, topical song is available now on all digital formats and deals with the chaos and dissonance of modern times. None more Rock and Roll than Frank when he’s in full fight so it’s great to have him here belting out a really good song.
Now if they were to record a whole album as good as this then the pandemic would have had a good final outcome from a year of lockdowns and turmoil. Please make it happen.
Die Laughing Records will also issue ‘Under The Coast’ on vinyl later this year as the B-side to The Dogs’ previous digi-single ‘Welcome to the Revolution.’
Chuck Norris Experiment – ‘Dirtshot’ (Self Release) The Scandinavian Rockers channel their innermost DC with a huge riff that sees them continue with their pursuit of all things loud. It also confirms them as Swedens premier Action Rock and Rollers a position they’ve had hold of for as long as I can remember.
It’s as good as anything they’ve done for ages and the solo is an absolute blast. In fact I go so far as to say it could become one of their highlights live such is the energy of the song – great effort! Always a pleasure and never a chore to put on some CNE you should join me. Facebook / Bandcamp
Cheap Trick – ‘Boys And Girls And Rock and Roll’ (BMG) With a new album coming in April Cheap Trick release another new tune and what a ball of energy it is. Still Relevant – Still go tit and still going (Thank God) Hall of Famers are still cooking with this new record sounding lean and mean they certainly rock it up with this one. Its anthemic and pure unadulterated Cheap Trick – Awesome! CONNECT WITH CHEAP TRICK: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
The Erratix – ‘You Don’t Care’ (Beluga Records) Another new band releasing excellent music on Beluga Records. this time it’s a slice of power pop ear candy hailing from Minneapolis, USA, and what a stonking introduction it is too. Mixing old school Costello with some Exploding Hearts and a whole lot more besides. It’s only two songs but if this is an indication of what’s to come then bring it on this is a wonderful debut single. Be it the A-side of ‘We Don’t Care’ and its boundless energy or the other side ‘When Will It End’ which is infectious and boundless energy poured onto a side of a 7″ record. It’s outta the same handbook as bands like The Cry but with some added keyboard swirl or The Briefs, yeah you know and on this evidence so do The Erratix. Buy it Here The Erratix Facebook
Slander Tongue – ‘Ride’ (Slovenly Records) what I’d like to pigeonhole as a right toe-tapper. Slander Tongue are riffin’ it up on this one like early AC/DC but with more attitude! Yeah, thats right more attitude than Bon and the boys it’s got a house party of chorus going on here and the solo is on fire. Hell, flip it over and ‘Lockdown’ is platform shoed glam slammin’. IF there is a better single coming out then I’ve not heard it and it hasn’t found its way onto the RPM Jukebox but this bad boy has. Berlin is a lucky place to have these cats call it home and If you have a few coins going spare and want a band to chuck em at then this is all killer and no filler, Buy it! Bandcamp
Cousin Betty – ‘Left’ (Golden Robot Records) “Distorted and psychedelic influenced indie desert rock with some grungy garage infused overtones”. Quite a mouthful to introduce yourself but I think it does them a disservice as ‘Tape Hiss’ cracks open this EP in fine style and once it gets going it’s an infectious slab of loud rock! albeit with an abrupt end. ‘Drone’ is another slab of hard, loud, rawk!
Born out of the pandemic and boredom main architect Damien Stofka whos an old hand at this music business spent his lockdown collaborating with artists he liked from around the world and ‘Left’ Was Born. Instrumental ‘Lazy Bones’ wasn’t for me but the pop undertones of ‘Loan Sharks Of Love’ mashed up with noise and chaos my interest perked up. but they saved the best till last as ‘AWOL’ is a runaway train reminding me of something Josh Homme might put together.
DeeCRACKS – ‘Get out of My Head’ (Pirates Press) Austrian punks DeeCRACKS have released their video for “Get Out Of My Head,” the third single from the band’s new record ‘Serious Issues’. It is available now for purchase from the Pirates Press Records webstore and all you punks looking for a fix of gabba gabba Hey! can fill yer boots here because DeeCRACKS do it so well. It’s catchy and timeless. Now bop til you drop. Find DeeCRACKS online:
Diner Drugs – ‘Need Time’ ( ) A real blast of energy from Diner Drugs as the only band I know outta New Brunswick so must be the best the area has to offer releases ‘Need Time’ as it thunders around my speakers. Walking the path trodden by the likes of Bronx, Cancer Bats, and heart attack kids is always going to get a listen around these parts and it is with great pleasure that they did. Top tune! get on it kids it’s a banger! Bandcamp
Featuring members of Bong Jovi, The Human Comedy and Savage Young, collectively they’ve been playing music in Moncton since 2009 and ready to take on the next trip and my advice is jump on it you won’t be disappointed -noisy bastards! Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
Tommy’s RockTrip – ‘Got To Play Some Rock ‘N Roll’ (Frontiers) OH baby it’s like a steam train rolling down the tracks. Retro Rockers Tommy’s Rocket Trip is on Fire! Flying V’s double bass drums its happening kids and Got To Play Some rock and Roll is running on down the track. Formed by drummer Tommy Clufetos and featuring lead vocalist Eric Dover (singer and/or guitarist with Jellyfish, Slash’s Snakepit and Alice Cooper), Eliot Lorengo (bass), Hank Schneekluth (lead guitar) and Nao Nakashima (rhythm guitar) so it’s obvious these cats can play and play they most certainly do they might not be reinventing the wheel but they are setting it ablaze!
Every year I like to draw up a list of who I’d like to interview and who I’d like to see live and obviously who I want to release a new album. A band that ticked all of those boxes was The Cavemen. They make great records and they’d be awesome live and I think they’d have some quality tales to tell and have well lived in faces that make for interesting people. So with this pandemic still kicking the backside of the globe, I thought I’d hit them up and see what’s happening before we all get the green light and they are chomping at the bit to get back out there and play some live shows and when they do I’ll be front and centre that’s a promise. So here is what I and Jack the guitar player chatted about. Enjoy…
Firstly let’s go back to the beginning you were formed in 2012 right? You relocated to the UK in 2015 was that all of you or just one or two of you?
Yeah, we’ve been destroying eardrums and brain cells together since we met in high school way back in maybe 2009? Memories are hazy. It’s actually the 10 year anniversary of our first ever show in April this year. We’re approaching dinosaur rock status! The move we did all together, much to the dismay of various London landlords over the past few years…
You took three years to release the first album but since then you’ve been full-on with four albums and a heap of excellent singles. The artwork is a thing of beauty, Do you have a favourite?
Yeah, Paul Caveman does all our artwork himself by hand, so it fits the warped worldview of our music. The first single and album covers are certainly up there, maybe because we hand-printed them so they’re forever seared into our brains or maybe it’s just because you always remember your first time… Special mention also has to go to the back cover of our Nuke Earth LP, which so offended the company that handles Slovenly Records album covers that they refused to print it!
What about song titles. Do they come before the music describe your process of writing and recording?
The lyrics and titles all come from our deeply warped personalities and dark senses of humour and the music from our troglodytic musical skills. Sometimes the riff comes first and the words later, sometimes a concept just hits us and we’ll work music around it. ‘Why Won’t You Take Drugs With Me?’ was one of those, I wrote it on a bus. Sometimes it just comes outta nowhere … like ‘Rides With The Reich’ I woke up from a nightmare with that one fully formed.
Why London and the UK? weather-wise, climate-wise and generally what with the UK being Shit Island couldn’t you guys get into Australia or The US?
We were never afraid of a bit of rain and cold, but the move came mostly because we heard that the rock ‘n’ roll scene in Europe was really wild, especially countries like Spain, where we’d already had some interest in booking us. Funtastic Dracula Carnival, Cosmic Trip, Hipsville … we wanted to be close to those kinda parties. It also helped that most of us have British or European passports…
Straight from the off you guys meant business with song titles like…well, take your pick the titles were what drew me in many moons ago. ‘Mentally I’ll’ for a start ‘Fucked In The Head’, ‘Fuck For Hate’ to name a few you laid your cards on the table. What made you guys so angry?
I guess growing up in a tiny country at the bottom of the world. Most people in NZ channel their boredom and frustration into drug abuse and problem drinking … which we also took to with glee but we craved some wild rock ‘n’ roll too. Very few bands that made the kinda racket we dug ever made it down our way, either cause they were dead or it was too far to travel, and with a few notable exceptions the local scene was limp indie or godawful BBQ reggae so we just decided we better do it ourselves.
Who were your influences then and did it drive the music?
All the usual suspects: Ramones, Cramps, Stooges, Dead Moon, Little Richard, Elvis well as a healthy dose of early New Zealand punk bands like The Scavengers, Proud Scum, Toy Love, The Spelling Mistakes and Suburban Reptiles. One lightbulb moment for us was when we snuck into a Guitar Wolf show as teenagers, it was in a tiny packed out concrete venue and we were deafened for three days. That certainly gave us some ideas.
When you picked up the instruments how did you guys meet?
We formed in high school, where we immediately recognised in each other (un)common tastes for wild rock ‘n’ roll, substance abuse and a depraved sense of humour. Not long after, while skating and blasting Blue Cheer, Paul Cavemen met our bass player Nick on the street. He was dressed like a drug casualty from the 60s. He joined not long after.
Describe a caveman show for our readers?
Loud, fast, sweaty, booze-fuelled mayhem. Jake will usually be passed out on the kit by the end.
How hard did you work on getting that sound its a real throwback in the best possible way to The Stooges and other garage rockers?
Not all that hard really, it was just the sound we dug and wanted to make. We started out by plugging our shitty guitars into our broken amps and attempting covers of things like Strychnine, Loose and Mysterex and went from there. That’s not to say we were immediately any good… there’s probably a demo CD in a basement in Auckland somewhere of our outta tune-outta time teenage years…
Was it easy picking up a deal because you seem to have found your spiritual home with the excellent Slovenly records that’s the perfect fit.
We ran into Pete Slovenly at our first show in Amsterdam supporting the Dirty Fences back in 2016, I think he was DJing… and then crossed paths a few more times at other rock ‘n’ roll festivals around Europe. I guess we made an impression cause he’s been putting out our filth ever since. Pete also shares our weakness for playing shows in strange countries around the world, having put us on at his We’re Loud Fest several times in places like Istanbul and Ho Chi Minh City. He even joined us for a large part of our monster 4 month world tour in 2019 which ended with Nick having his passport stolen in Cuba. He must surely be sick of us now…
You recently released a new single on pig bag this time how come?
We like releasing limited-run singles on different, smaller labels just for a bit of variety. This one came about because our buddy (and original bass player) Takumi played a US tour with The Schizophonics who are signed to Pig Baby. He introduced us to Jeff who runs the label and the rest is history…
Can we expect a new album any day soon? You guys don’t seem to suffer from writer’s block at all. four steady albums since 2015 is the recent single an indication that album number 5 is imminent?
Since the plague scattered us to the four corners of the Earth last year we’ve been unable to lay down any new material. We record everything live so any kind of technical wizardry, ZOOM chat bullshit is out of the question. Same goes for these abhorrent ‘live stream shows.’ We Luddites as well as troglodytes! But you can bet as soon as we all have our microchips and can travel we’ll be tearing up stages and tape machines once again!
I think it’s awesome bands like yourselves and The Hip Priests still see single releases as important and always release such great songs on 7″ has this always been the plan?
We’ve always thought of 7″ singles as the perfect punk medium. Short and to the point with no room for self-indulgence. That’s why we also try to keep our albums under 30 minutes. Albums seem to sell better but the 7″ is still king in our book.
What can you tell me about the Sin City project how did that come about? I could think of worse places to get stuck than Spain. Are the sin city sessions going to get get a vinyl press?
So Nick and I had been talking about doing a kind of country/soul side-project for a while and then we ended up stuck together in a flat in Alicante, Spain for the 2020 lockdowns. There happened to be a piano and acoustic guitar there and with nothing to do but drink cheap Spanish beer and play music we just decided to start writing and recording songs. We’re actually about to do some sessions in a proper studio down here in New Zealand with a full band, hopefully, we’ll have that released physically soon enough…
If I was going to impress a friend with my Caveman collection what would you suggest I play them first?
If you want to impress anyone I would strongly advise against playing any of our music! But if you want to scare your granny or piss off ya neighbours you can’t really go wrong, it’s all trash!
When this lockdown ends and live shows are a thing what are the chances people around Shit Island can see the band live?
We’ll definitely be hitting the northern hemisphere for some shows when possible, fingers crossed the post-plague parties are completely out of control! Till then it seems that for the first time in history New Zealand is the most lively and happening place on Earth… so once we can get Paul Caveman away from the mantis men of Warwick and down here for some shows that’ll probably be our first destination for live shows.
I watched cooking with The Cavemen. Who would you have round for dinner if it was possible to bus anyone in? and what would you cook them?
We often discuss these types of scenarios during long drives on tour and this ones always been a divisive one in the band, I always say Elvis, Jeffrey Dahmer and Ghandi and we’d be eating burgers. Paul goes for the 1972 Uruguayan Rugby team over for a reunion and some ‘Traditional kiwi BBQ.’ Nick (who’s the chef of the band) inevitably picks Owen Wilson, Chris Holmes and Scarlett Johansen and serves em some of his famous fried chicken, and by the time we get around to these types of conversations Jakes always asleep.
Where is the best place people in the UK can pick up Cavemen merch from without having to pay the crazy shipping fees?
We have a small stock of the new 7″ in the UK, you can get that direct from our Bandcamp. Otherwise, the cats at Dirty Water have our first two albums and a handful of other items available. They also have a new distro company called 14th Floor that handles the slovenly releases, you can get that stuff through their discogs page…
Before January is finished we have another session of the Singles Club to round off the first knockings of 2021and as usual the quality is impressive. Hit em up and share the love of the trusty old 45RPM…
Muck & The Mires – ‘I’m your Man’ (Dirty Water Records) We’re starting this weeks singles club with this garage rock hip shakin bundle of energy from Muck & The Mires. As you’ll hear from the guitars this is right on the money sounding like it was recorded live in the moment and with some great melody and BV’s its a right Banger! Don’t doubt it that you need to hear these cats so head over to Bandcamp Here
45 Adapters – ‘Now Or Never’ (Pirates Press Records) Emerging out of the clusterfuck for bands that was 2020, this long-anticipated EP really packs the punch everyone has been hoping for.
It Comes out swinging, and is hit after hit on a pretty cool 12” picture disc that looks like it was printed on glass. The title track, a rip-roaring addition to the Pirates’ sampler “For Family And Flag“ that we reviewed a few weeks ago. It whet the whistle of fans across the globe… and the remaining tracks stacked up on this EP
Summarizing the sentiment felt by many, it really is “Now or Never“! Time to take a stand.
Guerrilla Teens – ‘End of the Leash’ (Self Release) Two downloadable tracks from the epic Guerrilla Teens Hell Yeah! I’ll take that sir. Scott ‘Deluxe’ Drake leads another slice of hellish Rock and Roll from the garage with a bluesy guitar break that leads you down a dark alley where the band is waiting to pound you without mercy they won’t rest and who can blame them as the song tail off into the distance with howls and wah! leaving you satisfied once again with the tracks teased out of Bandcamp. But wait there’s more as ‘Running Away’ is a petulant slice of Rock and Roll that’s got some loose gang vocals snarling away on the chorus. It’s snot captain but not as we know it. I love Guerrilla Teens they’re one of the triumphs of Lockdown and Pandemic. Now get this motherload of songs onto a slab of vinyl and we can put this past twelve months behind us. Bop Showaddy indeed – Buy It! Here
Captain Future – ‘Holy Waters’ (Gypsy Hotel Records) Alex McGowan is the man behind Captain Future and the new album ‘Ghostman’ and the first single taken from the album is ‘Holy Waters’ a bluesy slice of Dub or a dubby slice of Blues, either way, it’s a trip and a trip you should take. Love and hate collide and with the backdrop of what’s going on with certain leaders, it’s a slice of up-to-date right on-the-money music. It’ll creepy crawl into your head and shifting it is hard. Subtle and flavoursome the verses are dark whilst the chorus is raised and lets in the light. clever stuff.
Automatics – ‘Irish Blessing’ (Blank Generation Records ) Taken from the recent Automatics, white vinyl, promotional 4 track ‘Octonary’ EP, and also on the album ‘A Grand Swandive Into The Void’. You might think so what? However, if I were to say Steve Jones and Johnny Thunders contribute then I might just grab your attention and you might prick those ears back and give this some deserved attention. Also featuring SLF guitarist Ian McCallum.
what you have on this EP is quality ’77 punk Rock and Roll. Considering the calibre of the players, of course, these songs have that wonderful crunch on the guitar and when recorded right it lifts a recording. As you’ll hear ‘Irish Blessing’ has a Galic slant and some typical Irish folk leanings from the acoustic guitar to the lyrics. A bit of everything on the EP means – for me, a good proper investigation into the bands back catalogue and great discovering a whole bunch of tunes that passed me by first time and when, as I say. they are as good as this its a joy to discover. Website
Brad Marino – ‘What Do You Know’ (RumBar Records) The Connection, New Trocaderos, Rydells, Jimmy Rydell, and upfront and center; Portsmouth New Hampshire’s Brad Marino has founded, co-founded, written, co-written, performed, and recorded in & on multiple garage rock, punk, and power-pop bands and releases over the last 10 years. 2021, Brad Marino returns with his sophomore Full-Length release, jam-packed with power poppin’ rock and roll extraordinaire… ‘Looking For Trouble’. But to whet the appetite ‘What Do You Know’ is sent around the ether like a cannonball. Sure it’s got melody and a solid rockin’ backbeat and a whole heap of hooks and of course a raw guitar making it a must-hear track. Forging the way forward in powerpop circles. Don’t delay and be sure to hit Marino up and check this out you won’t regret it. Bandcamp
UNDER THE INFLUENCE ‘Moon Flavoured Magnets’ (Riot Records) ‘Moon Flavoured Magnets’ is the follow up to recent singles ‘Body Parts’ and the acoustic version of fan favourite ‘Propaganda Leaks’. Whilst the title comes across as being psychedelic, this track is far from it. It is another storming hardcore flavoured punk track. A vicious and intense punk / Metal hybrid. Its the sound of the roof caving in on you but it’s ok because the band are kicking up a shitstorm and I like that. Noisy Aussie bastards
“Welcome to Kins brain. It’s infused with mushrooms, madness and wisdom but we’ll let you decide… This is a mystical magical poem I wrote to Mother Nature. Touching on human greed, space, time, pollution and disrespect. Sadly, most humans are on a self-driven vendetta. Without a care for what really matters or anything that’s connected to the natural world. The only hope I see for mankind is to reconnect to the moon and oceanic currents by the only way I know, magic of course. That’s what this song is about…. Magic.’’ Facebook
Wildstreet – ‘Set It Off’ (Golden Robot Records) new single ‘Set It Off’ is like stepping back in time onboard bill and teds cock – rock – o’clock time machine. Not quite as dangerous as I was expecting and sounding more like a homage to Def Leps.
“Be yourself and stand up for what you believe. There will be set-backs, scars & bruises but you have to pick yourself up because you will make it to the top.” oh ok righto guys but cmon. I have been transported back in time this covid lockdown has sent me down a wormhole where Warrant and Ratt are strutting up and down the Sunset Strip for sure this would be featured in Bill & Teds next movie for sure all they have to do is wait…and wait…and wait
Midnite Snaxxx – ‘Contact Contamination’ (Slovenly Records) Rough blast of sugar-sweet punk rock with a video to test your brain its Midnite Snaxxx baby and their rapid adjit punk rock is addictive like hidden E numbers in kids confectionery its fast its fun and its addictive like a rapid Siouxie & the Banshees if I might be so bold. Songs outta Oakland never sounded so good did they?
The Shang Hi Los – ‘Kick It Like A Bad Habit’ (Rum Bar Records) A new one on me but it came via Rum Bar so of course I was going to check them out. Coming on like a Jags meets Blondie with healthy dollops of Cars thrown in along with a whole heap of other power pop luminaries this is a great easy listen for a debut single. There’s enough edge to remind me of Johnny Thunders last incarnation with the magnificent Oddballs – now I’m not comparing them quite yet but there are traces of the same DNA going on and that’s always going to drag me in. Love the guitar break on ‘Funeral Home Mint’ These cats love Rock and Roll and pop from days gone by as ‘Stay’ would testify then follow it up with the luscious ‘Skipping Records’ with big chords and big harmonies. It wouldn’t be fair if there wasn’t a Smokie sounding acoustic big finale with those duel vocals working really well together. In such trying times it’s nice to be nice and The Shang Hi Los sound like a really nice band and they’ve got tunes baby that’s for sure.
Hookers & Blow – ‘Time Of The Season’ (Golden Robot Records) Hookers & Blow, the now legendary project formed by longtime Guns N’ Roses keyboardist Dizzy Reed and Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi, recently hit the studios last year to record a covers album that will be released this year via Golden Robot Records. This is the fifth single off the album, a cover of The Zombie’s ‘Time Of The Season’. It follows the release of the singles Shakin’ (Eddie Money), Rocks Off (Rolling Stones) and Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie) and Trampled Underfoot (Led Zeppelin) and a jolly good cover it is too. Polished as fuck but has a load of energy, Decent.
The Cavemen – ‘Am I A Monster’ (Pig Baby Records) I’ll be honest if The Hip Priests aren’t releasing a record the singles club can be a bit quieter but those crazy fuckers from New Zealand releases anything it sure perks this place up and again these Garage Ghouls have released an absolute pair of snotty stonkers in the shape of ‘Am I A Monster’ and ‘Schizophrenia’. The lead track is a stuttering head-shaking noisefest. It’s uncompromising yet totally uplifting and I love it. Imagine a time when these could have toured with The Parkinsons and The Hip Priests now that’s a tour I’d risk.
If the A-side was a rush then the B side is a Rock and Rolla for sure from start to finish and before the second line of the chorus I’m shouting along. One simple instruction from here is Buy It Here
Real People – ‘Life Without A Head’ (Slovenly Records) Rapid shots across the bow Real People aren’t fucking about available on tape (hip fuckers) or digital it’s shouty hardcore folks and tight as a gnats chuff. Lead track is a sprint to the finish and blink and you might miss it slice of Hardcore and it’s good. It’s pretty much the same MO for all the tracks with only one breaking the two-minute barrier but where it might be brief flashes of noise its quality and that counts. As they say on their promo blurb “seven solid minutes of no-frills and cheap thrills” just about hits the nail on the head and that’s what it should be, I like the riffs and the final offering is sharp and the riff is nailed. Check em out Here and thank us later
Cornered – ‘Failure EP’ (Blindsided Records) Dutch Harcore band Cornered are a new one on me but on first play they have that NYHC sound off to a tee, and with that clicky bass they thump their way into the singles round-up. ‘Burn’ is the opener with the Metal edged Hardcore being delivered in fine fashion. ‘Jungle Law’ reminds me of Downset and with a classic seg from Planet Of The Apes introducing the track what’s not to like? It’s short sharp and to the point exactly what no-nonsense Hardcore is supposed to be. ‘Realms Of Misery’ is a measured intro then off into a huge groove. I’m sure live in a tight pit these would be perfect and go down a storm.
There’s a lot going on here and at times it’s claustrophobic but at the same time, it’s good to just lash out and Cornered does it very well this isn’t a ‘Failure’ at all it’s European Hardcore mixing it with the best of em and holding their own. Check em out Here or pick this EP up Here
Yur Mum – ‘Black Rainbow’ (Self Release) The band, consisting of Anelise Kunz (Vocals/Bass) & Fabio Couto (Drums), have decided to unleash the first track from their forthcoming album, ‘Tropical Fuzz’ considering its just the rhythm section they manage to make a hell of a din I’m sure you’ll agree? claiming to not play by the rules would be about right to be fair and the Black & White video makes perfect sense as the track is bleak and cold and wintery. For fans of Therapy? and Placebo would be just about right on this evidence. Interesting stuff indeed. check em out Here / Bandcamp – https://yurmum.bandcamp
The Last International – ‘Modern Man’ (SME, The Orchard Music) Taken From New Live Record ‘Live At Arda. Vocalist Delia Paz, comments: “We live in a time where “Girl Power” has been reduced to a hashtag, used by countless celebrities and companies to sell products. The #metoo movement continues to welcome leaders that directly carry out heinous violence against women and children throughout the world, via drone strikes and crippling economic policies. These victims have been completely ignored by mainstream feminists. Anyone, including myself, who tries to expose this hypocrisy is immediately silenced and shamed. “Modern Man” is a song that gives a voice to the overlooked and disenfranchised women all over the world. I hope it encourages everyone, not just women, to think critically and speak up against all injustices and oppression. We will not be silenced!”
Slovenly Recordings welcomes Germany’s suave rock’n’roll true-believers SLANDER TONGUE to our stable of international beat group sensations! On their debut, self-titled LP (that’s this one you’re holding here, Mac), we have a heady brew of solid gold Real Kids vibes, with guitar solos that don’t allow for the passing of urine during between-song pauses. Think of Johnny Thunders sharing a ride with Fred “Sonic” Smith, while Ian Hunter and Chris Bailey are drunk in the backseat howling along to a beat-up tape of “Goat’s Head Soup.” Right, let me stop you right there. Are you kiddin’ me? We’re having some of that with that description from the PR company. We drop the needle and hey presto ‘Soozie Stooge’ rocks into the ether with a stripped-bare rock n roll par excellence backbeat and whilst the eyebrow is still raised we’re diggin this.
Berlin is a cool place anyone whos been there can find Rock and Roll in every nook and cranny and when these cats turn the amps up the floor is filled with kids jumping around ‘Status Quo’ has the retro feel of a band just playing rock n roll with no frills and no airs and graces just good tunes and that cocky confidence that they damn well know they can carry their tunes.
Man on ‘Goin’ Down’ they sound like their channeling the early Beatles from the Reeperpabahn with some boogie courtesy of Rockpile slung in for good measure. They’ve kept it simple with plenty of handclaps and bottleneck and those Thunders like solos – Great stuff! That folks is pretty much the modus operandi for the record to be fair. Honest, loud rock and roll.
Sometimes they dip their toes into the 60s styling with more reverb on the vocals like ‘Wild Child’ which to be fair people would be going gaga over if it were Backstreet Girls knocking this out the guitar interplay is most appealing indeed. Love that bass run on the devilishly good ‘Lucifer’ and then its the home straight as the band just get on with playing some straight-up tunes with melody – great arrangments and attitude. Don’t know if I want to play it again or go down to the pub and have a good time. they seem happy to wear their influences on their sleeves and that’s cool with me. How great would it be if there were ten bands like this in every City playing live and making record the world would be a better place that’s for sure.
There is nothing to dislike here at all its a winner or a record. Bursting with top tunes that’ll boogie and rock n roll you every time you feel down and want a pick me up. It’s going out tunes and when your out you will have the tunes rolling around your head wanting to put ’em on again. Slander Tongue = Top band!, Top album.
Considering we’re in the early knockings of a new decade it’s impressive that bands take the time to put out singles at this time of year anyway. We welcome some fresh meat onto our pages and welcome back some brothers we always have time for on RPM for their sheer excellentness and an amazing repertoire of top tuneage. Oh, and good effort on bands like Smash Fashion who are embracing the format with two new bangers which is everything we love about Rock and Roll. So here’s an impressive starting eleven me lovers, check these treats out…
The City Kids – ‘Best Of You’ (self-released) Not to be confused with Welsh glam legends City Kidds, this is the new project from former Main Gains axe-slinger JJ Watt. ‘Best Of You’ is the first single from their upcoming debut album ‘Things That Never Were’ and all proceeds from this release go to Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Mikey Lawless from Falling Red.
JJ handles vocals and guitar on this project and he is joined by Dennis Post (Warrior Soul/Flush The Fashion), Berty Burton (Tigertailz) on bass and Falling Red drummer Dave Sanders.
‘Best Of You’ is a low slung, gritty rock ‘n’ roll number that stays true to JJ’s roots. Think Circus Of Power meets The Yo-Yos for reference. Vocals that can’t hide a 40 a day habit and a penchant for a rum or two, mix with greasy biker rock and tons of melody, what more could you desire?
Billy Tee and Alex Holmes from The Suicide Notes add vocals, guitar and a certain swagger to the ramshackle ‘Round And A Round’, which was co-written by JJ and a certain Mr Kory Clarke. This four-track release adds demos of the single and an old Main Grains track that they never recorded called ‘You Get Nothing’ that is worth the asking price alone.
All tracks feature on the album, albeit different versions, making this release more than just a curio for lovers of The Main Grains, The Wildhearts, Warrior Soul or anyone with a love of no-frills rock ‘n’ roll. Bandcamp / Facebook
Smash Fashion – ‘Got Da Hee Bee GeeBee’s’/ ‘Benny And The Jets’ (Yeah Right! Records) Smash Fashion tip the hat to the early punk rockers and they manage to spit their gum out long enough to knock this one right out the park. exactly what a 7″ single should sound like, “cool as” kids trust me, Snotty and with a bit of street muscle Smash Fashion turn their efforts to the classic 7″ single and do it justice – nice. Then flip it over for some retro-tinged Hoople hand-clapping, shithouse shaking Rock and Rolla. Damn Smash Fashion just gets better and better. Check it out right now! Its an order. Facebook Pick it up Here
The Hip Priests – ‘Drink To My Demons’ (Speedowax Records) Well as I wipe my brow those Hip Priests are in the house making good on the reason why a singles club is an essential staple of any website. Yeah, so they’ve done plenty of singles so what? This ones a sexy picture disc! They’ve not done that before so new ground there for those purveyors of awesome Garage Rock. With more power than a front row of F1, this is a tasty twosome. ‘Drink To My Demons’ is a banger (of course it is bla bla bla) No it really is. Nobody does it better as Von Cruz spits out the lyrics and no doubt fueled by the world they live in, The Hip Priest lead the charge in 2020, For me, all the intrigue was about the B side and how The Priests were going to tackle the Adam And The Ants B-side from the ‘Kings Of The Wild Frontier’ single – ‘Press Darlings’. Oh wow! truly spectacular this needs to be heard Adam should hand over ownership pronto The Hip Priests absolutely kill it. magic stuff. Don’t pass this one by folks, just buy it or be left with custard pie(ella) on your face. Spasm Gang members can pick it up with some rather tasty beer mats thrown in as well. Facebook
Rotten Mind – Not One Of You (Lövely Records) Today marks the release of “Not One of You”, Rotten Minds third and last single taken from the band’s fourth album “Rat City Dog Boy”, set for release this week February 7 to be precise on Lövely Records. “Not One of You” is the most darkwave- inspired track of the LP. The reverby guitar sounds, fat and pumping bass à la Joy Division and lyrics about alienation contribute to a gloomy atmosphere.Facebook
Hells Ditch – ‘Vacant Hearts’ (Disconnect Disconnect (UK), Rose Coloured Records (UK) & Bypolar Records)
Featuring ex/current members of Bad Ideas, River Jumpers & Dearist Hells Ditch release their debut single next month on 7″ but is available now to stream. With a modern punk rock sound its no surprise to see the band get Mass Giorgini who has previously worked with the likes of Rise Against, Anti Flag and Alcaline Trio. Whilst hailing from the UK they have a sprightly American sound which will have wide appeal. Be interesting to hear some more of these guys they could do really well.
ÅSKVÄDER – ‘NOTHING TO LOSE’ (The Sign Records) Unadulterated pure ’70s Rock that’s where ÅSKVÄDER are coming from with this the first single taken from their upcoming S/T debut album, to be released on The Sign Records this coming March. Yes, they’re from Sweden (where else?) is it Action enough for the Action Rock crowd? (I’d say it certainly is) with some of that southern Rock boogie and a raw on the prowl guitar sound, this is sharp and whilst its roots are back in the mists of time they are not. Check it out on streaming sites everywhere.
The Venomous Pinks – ‘I Want You’ (Die Laughing Records) Tempe, AZ all-female punk rock trio The Venomous Pinks has released a new single and music video, a cover of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ “I Want You,” which will appear on the band’s upcoming album of the same name.
The Venomous Pinks hit this particular nail squarely on the head with a ten-pound sledge. No subtlety, no compromise just a damn good interpretation of a Jett classic. Not a band to be trifled with. Top tune! Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
The Monsters – ‘I’m A Stranger To Me’ (Slovenly Records) Wild, reckless, outta control. Just the way we like it here at RPM. The lead track rattles along in spectacular fashion. With a guitar that’s like a twitching, buzz saw hacks and cuts through the moon the loon style drumming – its a rocket ride of a tune and that’s good enough for us. Check em out. flip it over to see if they are more than a one-trick pony and ‘Carpool Lane’ begins with some white noise before the slow Sabbath with no bottom end enters the fray …oh hang on we’re off on some hypnotic march. Nuts I tell thee but what’s wrong with that? Nothing that’s what. Check out Monsters they rock!
Soraia – ‘Dangerous’ (Wicked Cool Records) Philadelphia rock quartet Soraia will release their new album ‘Dig Your Roots’ on March 13 via Steven Van Zandt’s label Wicked Cool Records. American radio is blowing up over these cats and having been influenced by the likes of Joan Jett and the vines so it’s a no brainer they were going to feature on the pages of RPM. Being part of the Wicked Cool roster isn’t too shabby either. this track released off the album ‘Dig Your Roots’ is punchy and has a decent riff on that chorus as you can see Joan Jett has indeed been an influence and its good to hear that again this month! Facebook
The Ghost Wolves – Lets Go To Mars (Dirty Water Records) Austin Texas has thrown up plenty of noteworthy bands and Ghost Wolves are certainly one of the busiest. Blending rock n’ roll, punk rock, garage and blues with electronic elements, the duo has earned a reputation as one of the hardest working bands in the modern rock n’ roll underground, touring internationally for almost 8 years straight, with nearly 1000 shows between them in 23+ countries including most of Western Europe, USA, U.K., and Japan. ‘Let’s Go To Mars’ is their latest offering on wax
Märvel – ‘Märvellous’ (The Sign Records) The EP contains four tracks of hard hitting Rock n Roll; ‘Amaze-O’, ‘Marvellous’, ‘Public School 75’ and ‘A Taste of Platinum’. Digital and 7″ vinyl.
Märvels debut EP “Märvellous” claimed to be recorded in 2002 for the American label New York Powerhitters during the bands exchange semester in Colorado. Märvel returned to Sweden before the songs were released, and the EP never got to reach the ears of Märvels dedicated fans. Well, Worry no more Märvel fans because the band has re-recorded the EP and it’s here. What does it sound like? Well, its got a flavour of classic Märvel of course but its got classic rock running through it from the Kiss like riffage on ‘Amaze-O’ and the pick of the four would go to ‘Märvellous’ again, more than a nod to what they learnt in Kisstory lessons at Rock school. So you know where this ones going kids its quality Rock! Marvel style. Now go get one before they’re all gone gone gone.
Probably the sleaziest band on the planet right now taking on all comers and turning up the fuzz and writing essential Rock and Roll at every turn. These cats are the alpha males of dirty garage rock and roll and I’m saying right here from the off that had this bad boy not been released so late in the year it would have steamed into the top ten with ease.
They’ve been causing trouble since 2015 and now reside in the seedy underbelly of London Town after escaping their native New Zealand to reach a wider audience. If you’re asking me what do they sound like well, they play dirty filthy punk rock ‘n’ garage real old school fuzzed-up garage Rock n roll like Iggy ‘n’ Ron used to play with some Brain James licks thrown into the mix They’re wild and reckless like Ron ‘n’ Wayne played in the MC5. They stole from Lux and Ivy and they took it all and consumed the lot and became The Cavemen. When ‘Snakeskin’ bursts through the speaker I can sit back and take it all in as the fearless foursome just kick the living shit out of their Rock and Roll and sling in some well-timed cliched guitar licks for good measure. But wait, ‘Boyfriend’ even with its fuzzed guitar-slinging and bad boy lyrics its got rhythm and handclaps it’s like the Ramones badly-behaved cousins who just drink beer and fight have turned up and this time they’re getting serious.
Man, I thought it was impossible for these cats to get any better then they turn up with an acoustic guitar and throw out ‘I Don’t Know Why’. Its a bit soppy maybe it’s their age or they’ve run out of spite and bile and its time to settle down. what a tune but wait, agh! normal service is resumed as ‘Can’t Resist’ is spat out like only a bunch of angry young men can do.
The title track is like a dirty filthy power-pop ditty with great backing vocals it would seem the Cavemen have stolen Los Pepes crown for penning rapid chunks of garage power pop. ‘Night After Night’ is a banger from its Jam like chord changes and bass thump to the melodic chorus and Bv’s and uptempo pace these guys are on fire!
They take it back down and dial back into the acoustic-electric Ramones theft of ‘Belgian Holiday’ because this could have fallen off the back of ‘End Of The Century’ easily. (Minus the Spector wall of sound obviously) “oooh, I wanna Be Your Boyfriend” who cares anyway The Ramones stole it anyway.
‘Slave’ sounds like Jim Jones having a blast on some 70s glitter but the trashy glitter that the Dolls peddled. But there’s so much going on within this record, the variety of tunes and the change of gears is a masterstroke. Of course, the songs pretty much hover around the two-minute mark so they’re never going to get boring that’s a given.
the two singles that they’ve made videos for show how varied they get and how strong the melodies are. ‘Knife fight’ is rapid and a lot of fun whilst ‘Are You Lonely?’ delves further back into the 60s for their inspiration before blasting off toward the album’s conclusion and the penultimate track sounds exactly how you’d imagine someone like The Dead Boys would sound if they were just starting out in 2019 – exciting – energetic – confident and essential. Which leaves their stab at slide filled cowboy rock and roll ‘Death Will Never Change’ which just about wraps up a stunning record. A headfuck of an album that will leave you reeling – one that kicks you then gives you a hug and shares its beer with you but only if you’re 100% in. Me I’m there. Someone get me a beer I’m going back in, ‘Night After Night’ is a crazy roller coaster ride of Rock and Roll unoriginal as shit but fuck me it sounds so damn good!
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