Debut full-length album from Italian punk rockers Smalltown Tigers who’ve been working hard as hell and putting in the miles on the road since 2020’s debut mini-album ‘Five Things’. I first caught them live supporting the original Damned when they played Hammersmith Odeon a couple of years ago and since then they’ve been honing their skills for this album and that hard work has indeed paid off because they have in their hands a mightily handsome record.
Firstly its noticeable how catchy these songs are, they’ve honed in on the fine art of shaving the best bits of The Ramones and clearly they were paying attention to the tone Brian James employs on those early Damned songs which in turn naturally puts the dial firmly in the Stooges territory which all wrapped up by these three talented ladies makes for some pretty damn good songs. Sure Runaways comparisons will drift across many reviewers’ notes when playing this record but there’s much more to it than that. The girls have clearly got that Garage Rock edge in their delivery and songwriting and that’s what elevates them to the next level. Not content with just playing on the fact it’s three ladies but going toe to toe with anyone in this genre and staying the course.
From the punchy opener ‘Meet Me In The City’ they nail the tone and feel of the record. The overdriven guitars are pitch and tone perfect as is the rhythm section to be fair but the breakdown and songwriting is on the money and with enough sass and catchyness to draw you right in. The first few tracks on any album are vitally important to keep the ears on you, especially for a new(ish) band the title track is sleazy rock n roll, and it’s struttin’ right out of those speakers.
‘In A Dream’ has that Ramones rolling riff and dreamy melody over the rough frayed riff. ‘Teddy Bear’ is pure early Brian James Riff-a-rama and that’ll do for me. Halfway through the album and that Ramones spirit is loud and proud on ‘I Want You’.
‘Maybe’ reminded me of ‘Pillbox’ by the Joneses on the opening salvo but with added knuckleduster delivery. The songs keep coming and the quality is maintained throughout which is no mean feat and the pounding relentless ‘Monster’ is a thrashing beast.
As we head into the home straight we get the fuzzed-up garage loveliness of ‘Dressed Right And Skinny’ before the gonzo punk rock of ‘Joey’ knocks you about with its punk as fuck relentlessness. The end is in sight and if you’re waiting for a slow number to take this one home then you’re going to be disappointed. ‘Killed Myself When I Was Young’ is a hypnotic savage from that riff through the hammering keys being hit with a sledgehammer before the saxophone hypnotizes us all. This is the sound of a band at the top of their game knowing they have just delivered a mightily impressive record and to be fair I think I’ve developed a ‘Crush On You’ three, you spoil me with these tunes. An excellent way to kick off 2024.
Italian punks SMALLTOWN TIGERS prowl into the UK next month for a handful of dates.
This will be the Rimini lasses first trip over here since they were invited to open The Damned’s ’76 reunion shows last Autumn. Since then they’ve supported the current Damned line-up on a European tour as well as recording their first full-length debut album due for release in February through Area Pirata. It follows on from their 8-track mini-album Five Things, which came out in 2020.
As we gathered slowly in the cavernous Hammersmith Odeon at the ungodly hour of half six the Italian trio Smalltown Tigers strode onto the vast stage and proceeded to deliver an energetic set of power pop punk rock with some great hooks and plenty of tunes The Smalltown Tigers seemed to be loving life. It’s a shame there wasn’t a capacity crowd in already as I think that would have helped with the energy of going on so early but it would have been a tick off the bucket list to tell anyone they’d played the famous place and with The original Damned. I think had it been in a small tight club these three ladies would have enhanced their reputation tenfold so until next time…
Next up was the ever-enthusiastic TV Smith & The Bored Teenagers who proceeded to waste no time in taking out two mics, getting tangled with a third in the bass player guitar lead but still managing to race around like a teenager. TV delivered a really good set with an impressive catalogue of songs always opening with ‘No Time To Be Twenty One’ which set the tone. Playing with boundless energy and class and ending with a rather splendid hattrick of songs in ‘Bored Teenager’, ‘Gary Gilmores Eyes’ and ‘One Chord Wonder’ leaving the stage to rapturous applause to a now swelling audience.
TV was followed by The Skids who again rose to the occasion with an impressive ten-song set that included (the U2 song) (I know I’m only yanking your chain) ‘The Saints Are Coming’ an excellent ‘Circus Games’ some memorable as did the Hits of ‘Yankee Dollar’, ‘Masquerade’ and the most excellent ‘Into the Valley’ Jobson dancing and some very amusing banter from the frontman as well. By now the venue was packed and everyone seemed in a great mood up for it and joining in which was fed back from the stage before playing tribute to brothers’ fallen as a worthy rendition of ‘Complete Control’ was covered and they thoroughly deserved their ovation as they left the stage.
Finally, the moment had arrived and a show they said could never happen was upon us and the excitement was building. Well, It was just about to bloomingwell happen. when these four walked off stage back in the turn of the 90s I thoguht like many (the band included) that was that, never to be repeated but sometimes if you dream hard enough those dreams can come true.
Now I know Damned fans can be a funny old bunch and famously hard to please but not this bunny, nope me I thoroughly enjoyed turning back the clock. It was exactly what I’d hoped it would be, the incendiary debut album with a healthy splash of ‘Music For Pleasure’ teetering on the right side of under-rehearsed and as garage as fucking possible. Fuckin’ beautiful! So they’re a lot older and Brian was physically a bit shaky but fuck me the man has magic in those fingers and a tone to die for. Rat was never a drum tickler; more a smash-and-dash player who played with his heart on the inside of that snare he always felt his way through songs knowing when to give it some (al a Moon) and when to lay back and shuffle and you never lose that if you’re one of the great. Rat Scabies is one of the greats and tonight he played like he was actually enjoying it and the realisation that fuck me – The Damned could play and more importantly, they had the tunes to go with the chops.
sure right from the off Captain and Dave looked like they were on top of the brief and were enjoying being part of history and for this to work there wasn’t time to fuck about or scratch old wounds this was a celebration that they have endured and triumphed in the face of adversity and competing with a pandemic this day had finally arrived and it was spectacular.
Now I’ve never subscribed to the misconception that ‘Music For Pleasure’ was a dud and on the back of the spectacular debut they’d run out of ideas and tonight I was overdosing on the record getting my fill of tunes from the horn-honking ‘Alone’ to the MO of ‘You Take My Money’ via the non-album tracks like ‘Stretcher Case Baby’ and the splendid ‘Problem Child’ they should champion that bloody record and tonight it got a fair airing.
Brian delivered the abrasive garage chops with tone and panache and plenty of volume whilst the much-underrated rhythm section of Captain and Rat held it together in fine fashion. So it was hanging on by a thread at times but that was always part of the appeal, wasn’t it? This was punk rock with a huge dash of Garage just like Their heroes The Stooges this band could go toe to toe and in my humble opinion give Iggy and the gang a TKO on the song front as a friend once said to me The Damned were his Beatles and I have to agree having seen them dozen and dozens of times over many decades this one seemed special, after the pandemic and shall we say disagreements this seemed special, Cathartic, emotional and just about perfect.
The band was smiling and actually looked like they knew this was the right decision and playing these songs again together was absolutely the right thing to do and that shone through in their delivery. Vanian must have struck a deal with Beelzebub as he looked as lean as he’s always done, stalking the stage, sometimes in the wrong key sometimes not, but who actually cared it was never meant to be anything other than four men hammering out some of the finest songs ever written, their place and time in music should never be a footnote to the Pistols and Clash but the other way around they were the first to kick this off and trailblazers they have always been and paying tribute to their achievements as those trailblazers the set was perfect with a fine balance of debut album songs – hell, they even smashed out a brutal ‘Stab Your Back’ which might have been the tightest song of the night. From opening with ‘I Feel Alright’ this was more than alright this was beautiful right through to ‘New Rose’ but not before they delivered ‘Pills’ and as they’ve done before it was a poignant ‘the LAst Time’ and into the night the four heroes went. That was emotional just like Rock and Roll was intended to sound. Raw, electric, and dangerous. Fuck I love The Damned, can we do this again sometime, please?
Fast-rising Italian punks SMALLTOWN TIGERS return to the UK next month for the first time since their debut shows of October 2019. The girls from Rimini turned a lot of heads on that tour and plans were quickly made for a return. Covid put paid to that, however, and the dates had to be abandoned.
They refused to delay the release of their debut mini-album Five Things, though and were rewarded with fantastic reviews across the board. The icing on the cake was an invitation from The Damned to open for them on their original line-up reunion tour. Postponed twice, those dates are finally set to go ahead in October and November.
In the meantime, the girls are booked to play the Pump It Up Powerpop Weekender at London’s Lexington on Sunday 3 July. The two-day event will also feature sets by NYC’s Baby Shakes, Norway’s Yum Yums, Duncan Reid and the Big Heads, The Speedways and more.
Speaking about the show, singer/bassist Valli says…
“It’s a wonderful time of the year over here at the Smalltown Tigers camp. First, Summer is here so we can surf. Second, after an almost three years hiatus, we’re about to come back to London. And, more important, to play at one of the most significant events we ever played in our career, the Pump It Up Powerpop Weekender at the Lexington.
“It will be great to share the stage with so many great bands, some of them for the first time and some others like The Speedways and The Baby Shakes we already shared the stage with. Moreover, the fabulous NYC girls (and boy!) The Baby Shakes were the band we opened for in Italy on our first tour ever… ah, sweet memories. Can’t wait to be in London again. It’s gonna be a blast! Be sure to buy your ticket in advance, it’s gonna be a busy Saturday and Sunday night on the 2nd/3rd of July!
“Other than that, we can’t wait to play some songs from the brand new album we’re currently preparing and which will be out next year. We think it’s the best material we ever wrote and we can’t wait to hear what you think of it. See you at the Powerpop Weekender people! Stop by and say hi!”
Italian garage-punk tearaways SMALLTOWN TIGERS are back for the Chinese Year of the Tiger.
To celebrate, they’ve just released a video of their cover of Columbus OH action-rockers New Bomb Turks’ ‘Girl Can Help It’.
The track was originally recorded for the album ‘Defiled! A Heavy Medication Tribute To New Bomb Turks‘, released last year.
The band dropped their debut mini-album Five Things to worldwide acclaim in the Spring of 2020, deep in the first lockdown, meaning their accompanying UK tour was first postponed and then cancelled. The girls from Rimini are now determined to make up for it.
As previously announced, they’ll be opening for The Damned on their reunion dates in the Autumn. They’ll also be playing Some Weird Sin’s Pump It Up! Powerpop Weekender in July, alongside Baby Shakes, Duncan Reid & The Big Heads and more…
Dates so far are…
3 July – The Lexington, London (Pump It Up! Powerpop Weekender)
28 Oct – Hammersmith Eventim Apollo, London (w/ The Damned etc)
29 Oct – Hammersmith Eventim Apollo, London (w/ The Damned etc)
3 Nov – O2 Apollo, Manchester (w/ The Damned etc)
4 Nov – O2 Academy, Glasgow (w/ The Damned etc)
5 Nov – O2 Academy, Birmingham (w/ the Damned etc)
In a week when I hadn’t thought about New Bomb Turks in quite a while not one but two tribute albums drop and all of a sudden I’m transported back in time when a trip to TJ’s in Newport was an exciting time because one of the best-kept secrets in underground punk rock n roll was happening and along with bands like D4 and the Datsuns something was happening it seems like yesterday but it wasn’t and the old adage of time flies is certainly true and when I popped the CD in the player and I turned up the volume and peeled open the booklet and instantly recognised many of the bands taking part and was looking forward to some of the bands I’d never heard before taking on some great tunes and adding maybe a twist here and there.
First up is Berlins Hell Nation Army a band we’ve featured on RPM before so no surprise to hear them on this tribute with an impressive opener ‘Point A To Point Blank’. There are eighteen tracks on offer here and as the booklet points out four are from Poland, not somewhere you instantly associate with dirty punk rock n roll but don’t let that put you off investigating because Poison Heart are right on the money here with a blistering take on ‘Snap Decision’.
This is an exceptionally well researched tribute and a great platform for many bands as the booklet tells the story of each tune with detail and a passion that shines through. One of the best bands I’ve heard knocking out some sleazy punk n roll over the last few years has to be Doojiman & The Exploders who are at it again as they own ‘Automatic Teller’ which is a superb song anyway and done with much gusto here.
Warsaws Red Crap blast out the bass rumble as they annihilate ‘If I Only Could’ with no compromising on the attitude and quality another really great version from a band I’m off to investigate further. Randy Savages have a track on both the Turks tributes and why not I say because this version of ‘Leaving Town’ is exceptional it’s sleazy and greasy but with a melody to die for and they nail the harmonies making it one of the albums real highlights.
One of the best things about getting two tribute albums to the same band in the same week is there isn’t much overlapping at all (like magic that) and the fact they’ve recruited a couple of Australia’s finest in is another tip of the hat because no stane has been left unturned and no bar has been left untrawled as Howlin’ threads turn up the noise with a Rockin ‘Professional Againster’.
London dirty rockers Flash house are present and correct on the CD only track ‘I’m Weak’ which is set to rumble anything that’s not nailed down in yer house if the volumes right. Sleazy and dark its another highlight to be fair.
Anyone for some Dog Toffee? ‘I’d Slip In’ is a belter full of attitude and slipping it next to those Satanic Overlords Of Rock And Roll is nice as they blast away ‘Tattooed Apathetic Boys’ like it was some long lost Ramones romp then to unleash the wah on the breakdown before setting the burners to blast off for the finish line. Top tunes. This album is bursting with great bands contributing some fantastic interpretations of someone else’s songs.
With bands from Texas to Italy there a world of talent out there as Smalltown Tigers throw their hat in the ring with a really impressive take on ‘Girl Can Help It’. I’m sure they’ll be more widely known especially in the UK when they play support to The Original Damned when they do those shows next year. you also get Puffball turning up the distortion on ‘Never Will’ even though these Swedes don’t strictly exist anymore they like to keep their hand in so to speak and this compilation is all the better for it.
Punk rockers Moron’s Morons turn up with a barroom blitzing ‘wine And Depression’ whilst Jack Saint twists the melon with a delta bluesy take on ‘Grounded Ex Patriot’ it’s like the Gun Club never happened with this tip of the hat take. As we head into the final furlong the tasty Tongue Action have a sleazy Rockin’ take on ‘Telephone Numbrrrr’ but when you’ve paid your dues playing with Electric Frankenstein, Texas Terri Bomb and Killer Hearts was it ever in doubt that this was going to rule? Course not.
It only leaves two more entries with the band who opened proceedings Hell Nation Army to knock out a brutal ‘I Want My Baby…Dead!’ so its a rough and ready trip to the land of the rising sun and Jet Boys sleazy ‘Killer’s Kiss’ which seems like a fitting full stop to proceedings and another exception tribute to New Bomb Turks who had plenty to say and said it so well and passed on the baton to so many who carry the torch into the unknown and hopefully back into the filthy corners of the world where Rock and Roll still matters. Rock on kids and check out this tribute and the bands who’ve given their time and considerable talent for the good and the great. Get it!
*Includes a CD copy of the record, as well as a two-sided color, insert with information about the contributing bands. Tracks 9, 17 and 18 are CD-only tracks.So nobody misses out!*
Can you imagine Suzi Quatro writing a real punk rock record? Or Joan Jett not being sucked in by glam rock limelight? SMALLTOWN TIGERS hail from Romagna, North/East of Italy. Deborah, Giulia and Serena (who replaced Antonio later this spring) cut their teeth on The Rockaway Bitches, playing Ramones’ songs and spreading their love for surfboards and punk rock antics. The trio earned their stripes playing squat clubs and beach parties, before scooping the support slot for NYC powerpop aces BABY SHAKES on their jaunt around Italy this spring. Already being talked up on the Euro garage-punk scene, SMALLTOWN TIGERS have dropped their debut album ‘Five Things’ early this year and will be playing a bunch of UK dates to support it.
Who the hell are Smalltown Tigers?
Smalltown Tigers are a young female trio from North Italy who play raucous rock and roll with a 70’s punk vibe. We were due to come back to England in May but that has been cancelled because of the world crisis. The tour dates have been postponed, for the moment it seems that November it could happen and we are really looking forward to it. We are still optimistic that when this crisis ends we can go on tour and bring “Five Things” to the live stage in London and Italy.
The group, which consists of Valli (bass, vocals), Monty (guitar, vocals) and latest recruit Castel (drums), was formed out of the remnants of a Ramones cover band and played their first UK shows last year.
So Where do you guys come from?
We come from different cities of the same region (Romagna). We – Valli and Monty – live in the same small village on the outskirts of Rimini; Castel comes from the biggest (but still small though) city in the area, Forli.
How did the band come together?
Smalltown Tigers were born in 2018, when after years spent playing the Ramones, we decided to create our own songs. It all started from the desire to try to play something of our own, to experience our creativity, and somehow we succeeded, still remaining glued to the sound of the Ramones.
Any previous recordings available?
We don’t have previous recordings, “Five Things” was our first recording experience. It was amazing. We recorded the whole album at L’Amor Mio Non-Muore studio in Forli, Italy. It’s an all analogue studio, where they use old reel-to-reel recorders and a 70s mixing desk. No computer tricks, just a bunch of tube amplifiers. It has been recorded live, loud, fast and powerful. That’s the Smalltown Tigers.
Post pandemic what’s the plan?
We were due to come back to England in May but that has been cancelled because of the world crisis. The tour dates have been postponed, for the moment it seems that November could happen and we really looking forward to it. We are still optimistic that when this crisis ends we can go on tour and bring “Five Things” to the live stage in London and Italy.
Italian upstarts SMALLTOWN TIGERS have just unveiled the video for their debut single ‘Just Friends’.
The release comes just in time for their first ever UK dates which kick off on Thursday 10 October in Southend and include an appearance at Loud Women’s 4th Birthday Party at London’s iconic Hope & Anchor venue.
Hailing from the Adriatic resort of Rimini, the Tigers hit the road last Spring for a tour with NYC powerpoppers Baby Shakes, and have been preparing their debut album for release in the New Year. The album was produced by blues-punk guru Stiv Cantarelli (Silent Strangers, J.D. Hangover) with the tracks mastered for release by legendary Detroit producer Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Dirtbombs, Sonics).
Smalltown Tigers play the following dates…
Thurs 10 Oct – The Railway Hotel, Southend-on-Sea
Fri 11 Oct – The Shacklewell Arms, Dalston, London (w/ The Speedways)
Sat 12 Oct – The Hope & Anchor, Islington, London (Loud Women 4th Birthday – onstage 5pm)
Sat 12 Oct – Biddle Bros, Clapton, London (w/ The Dublo)
Out now, ‘Just Friends’ is available from Bandcamp and all the usual digital platforms.
Fast-rising garage-punks SMALLTOWN TIGERS announce the release of their debut single, along with their first ever UK dates.
The band, from the east coast Italian city of Rimini, came together last year, cutting their teeth on the local squat scene before clinching the support slot on a tour with visiting New Yorkers Baby Shakes.
Working with noted blues-punk musician Stiv Cantarelli (Silent Strangers, J.D. Hangover, The A.C.C.) in the production chair, the girls laid down eight original songs, later having the tracks mastered for release by legendary Detroit producer Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Dirtbombs, Sonics).
Signing to one of Europe’s leading garage-punk labels Area Pirata, the trio – Valli (bass/vocals), Monty (guitar) and Serena (drums) – are set to release their debut mini-album in the New Year. It will be preceded, on Friday 27 September, by the digital single ‘Just Friends’.
Smalltown Tigers hit the UK in October for their first ever overseas dates, playing four gigs in three days, including an appearance at female punk collective Loud Women’s 4th Birthday Party at the Hope & Anchor in Islington. Full dates are…
Thurs 10 Oct – The Railway Hotel, Southend-on-Sea
Fri 11 Oct – The Shacklewell Arms, Dalston, London (Garageland Club)
Sat 12 Oct – The Hope & Anchor, Islington, London (Loud Women 4th Birthday – onstage 5pm)
Sat 12 Oct – Biddle Bros, Clapton, London (onstage 10pm)
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