Zeke have Snake Eyes

Zeke have Snake Eyes

Following their highly acclaimed single ‘Ride Hard Ride Free’, the undisputed kings of balls-out rock’n’roll ZEKE have a new 7′ entitled ‘Snake Eyes’ slated for October 4th.

ZEKE is a punk rock and hardcore institution, forming in 1992 in Seattle and still going strong. They are still doing what they do best, loud fast and heavy punk rock with a hint of blues. You can say that they were punked up Motörhead but they brought a certain punk rock and hardcore element to the genre that many bands after them picked up on.

RPM Online wrote, “Zeke really are like no other band in the world right now” and that “It’s not fast, its fucking hypersonic hardcore”, while Maximum Volume highly recommends “… they are the kings of the underground.”Vive le Rock in UK is pleased “the quartet will be giving Brexit the finger.” and also Ox Fanzine from Germany confirmed, “they are in top form, just as we celebrated them back in 1996 for Super Sound Racing.”

With original members Blind Marky Felchtone (vocals and guitar) and Donny Paycheck (drums) along with Jason Freeman (bass) and Jeff Hiatt (guitar), ‘Snake Eyes’ is as uncompromising as ever, with a furious whirlwind rhythm the foundation for a tidal wave of fast guitars. Feltchtone’s serrated knife vocal might be even more toxic than two decades ago.

‘Snake Eyes’ slows down the punk speed a bit in favor of a high-octane rock affair that, like Hellacopters, comes across as played at the wrong speed.

On the flipside you will find pure intensity with ‘The Knife’ and you can imagine ZEKE driving one through the night doing whatever they are doing in the back and once its finished you feel dazed and confused. Like one of those masochists who likes pain you want to put it on again too.

‘Snake Eyes’ was produced by Jack Endino (Mudhoney, Nirvana, High on Fire, The Accüsed) at Soundhouse in Seattle, WA, and mastered by Joe Bozzi at Bernie Grundmann in Los Angeles, CA.

The tracks are not available on streaming platforms.

LIVE DATES:

16.10.2024 – DE – Dresden – Chemiefabrik

17.10.2024 – CZ – Praha – 007 Club

18.10.2024 – PL – Moglino – Magazyn Zbozowy GS

19.10.2024 – DE – Berlin – Roadrunners Rock & Motor Club

22.10.2024 – AT – Wien – Arena

23.10.2024 – DE – München – Backstage

24.10.2024 – IT – Milano – Legend Club

25.10.2024 – IT – Verona – Colorificio Kroen

26.10.2024 – IT – Roma – RCCB Init

27.10.2024 – IT – Bologna – Improved Sequence Festival

29.10.2024 – ES – Barcelona – Upload

30.10.2024 – ES – Valencia – 16 Toneladas

31.10.2024 – ES – Mardird – Gruta 77

01.11.2024 – ES – Oviedo – Gong Galaxy Club

02.11.2024 – ES – Vitoria-Gasteiz – Jimmy Jazz

05.11.2024 – GB – Bristol – Exchange

06.11.2024 – GB – Manchester – Rebellion

07.11.2024 – GB – Birmingham – Castle & Falcon

08.11.2024 – GB – London – New Cross Inn

09.11.2024 – GB – Brighton – Green Door Store

10.11.2024 – BE – Gierle – JK’t Hoelske

11.11.2024 – DE – Wiesbaden – Schlachthof

13.11.2024 – DE – Düsseldorf – Pitcher

14.11.2024 – NL – Den Haag – Paard Small Hall

15.11.2024 – NL – Arnhem – WillemEen

16.11.2024 – NL – Eindhoven – Helldorado Festival

17.11.2024 – NL – Amsterdam – Melkweg

ZEKE is: Blind Marky Felchtone – Vocals, Guitar / Donny Paycheck – Drums / Jason Freeman – Bass / Jeff Hiatt – Guitar

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts – ‘Rogue To Redemption’ (Gypsy Rose Records)

Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts – ‘Rogue To Redemption’ (Gypsy Rose Records)

“I’ve been trapped in the maze of the errors of my ways…now I am making up for the mistakes I have made”. So sings Tuk Smith on the title track of his sophomore long player ‘Rogue To Redemption’. Here at RPM we love the underdog, the outcasts and the artists who fight to keep the dream alive. Former Biters frontman Tuk Smith is one such dude who has travelled the rocky road to rock n’ roll damnation and he’s been through the ringer with the music business. But lost deals, empty promises, broken dreams and even a global pandemic can’t stop the Georgia native from keepin’ on, keepin’ on.

Following the killer 2022 release ‘Ballad Of A Misspent Youth’, Tuk and his band The Restless Hearts return with ‘Rogue To Redemption’, a 9-track affair (10 if you are a streamer, possibly more if you live in Japan). It’s a defiant “fuck you!” to the naysayers, and a glorious and triumphant trip through the annals of rock n’ roll.

The album opens with a killer one-two designed to fill stadiums. ‘Take The Long Way’ is an instant earworm with a rousing chorus that just makes you wanna reach for that volume button and blast it. ‘The following ‘Glorybound’, as with the opener, just sounds like it has always been in my ears. As soon as that chorus hits, it’s like an old forgotten friend has returned and all is well in the world. It’s a song of hope and dreams, a middle finger to the non-believers and a euphoric ride from the first beat to the last ringing chord.

Ok, so those two are previously released singles and I have already given them plenty or airplay, so there is familiarity. But third track ‘End Of An Era’ is brand new to my ears, yet those Thin Lizzy inspired twin leads, the sneering vocals and the instantly satisfying chorus just make me wanna punch my fist in the air and sing-a-long, that is proof enough that Tuk Smith is on a roll right now with his songwriting.

For me there is a lyrical suss that hits in the feels, that tells a story and transports you into the song in a way few modern day songwriters can. Up there with the likes of Butch Walker, Ginger Wildheart and Frank Turner for me.

The 70’s rock influences continue on ‘Still A Dreamer’. Not so much a nod to The Biters classic glam stomper ‘Ain’t No Dreamer’, but more to Thin Lizzy with its pumping bass line, cool vocalisin’ and use of space. One of those songs that gets better with every listen. There’s a lot of soul searching going on with this album and Side One closer ‘Little Renegade’ is autobiographical and from the heart.

For me, ‘Blood On The Stage’ is the centerpiece of a very strong record. It builds on a simple, strummed acoustic progression, and an emotive lyric. There’s an Oasis swagger and a stadium-sized chorus that begs to be familiar to millions. The title track follows, another highlight that comes on like Butch Walker doing Thin Lizzy, it builds and builds to a powerful climax. It seems every song is a winner.

In the second listen through of this album, closing song ‘When The Party’s Over’ sent shivers up my spine on the buildup to the first chorus. That doesn’t happen very often, and is a good sign that we’re onto something special.

Who was it that said “Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations”? Well, difficult roads have certainly shaped the songs on ‘Rogue To Redemption’. For the first time, I feel the Nashville resident has not only matched, but surpassed the promise that his old band The Biters showed on their early EPs.

There’s classic 70’s rock influences, a fistful of power pop and a smattering of Brit Pop going on. With killer songwriting, great song dynamics and a top-notch production Tuk Smith has delivered the album of his career and I’m pretty sure none of us saw that coming.

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Author: Ben Hughes

PROPHETS OF ADDICTION TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

PROPHETS OF ADDICTION TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM

PROPHETS OF ADDICTION TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM, ‘FACE THE MUSIC,,’ – THROUGH BRAVEWORDS RECORDS

At some point in your life you just have to take account for your actions and face the music. PROPHETS OF ADDICTION mainman Lesli Sanders has taken that to heart. PROPHETS OF ADDICTION’s fourth album, Face the Music is set for a release on 25 October via BraveWords Records. The first single, Superhero, from the upcoming album will be released 27 September.
 
Kicking things off with the downright dirty “Flavor of the Danger,” the listener is immediately clued in to what they’re getting with Face the Music, an album loaded with catchy late 70s inspired glam punk n roll riffs, powerful and emotionally resonant vocals and a clever lyrical output. “Let’s Get High” sees the band slide slightly into a melodic goth route ala Sisters of Mercy. The song isn’t a drug reference, but a “recollection of the excitement that a new record would bring as a teenager and after the long wait finally able to hear it for the first time,” says Sanders. The band’s take on the Rod Stewart classic “Maggie May” is nothing short of punk magnificence, The band had the opportunity to play the track for drum legend Carmine Appice, who played with Stewart from 1976 – 1982. Appice was so impressed that he asked, “would you mind if I send this to Rod?” The album’s lead single “Superhero” comes complete with a hook that won’t leave your head for days. “Superhero is a song I have been sitting on for a few years and wasn’t going to record until the right musicians were put in place, realizing the potential. I finally found that group of musicians,” the frontman states.
 
Face the Music, PROPHETS OF ADDICTION’s debut for Bravewords Records was recorded between 2022 and 2023 in Seattle, WA and Las Vegas, NV and produced, mixed and mastered by Phil Soussan (bass player for Ozzy Osbourne, Billy idol and more). Drummer Wayne Stokely says of the album, “We wanted to make a classic 70’s style rock n’ roll album without losing our raw and punky vibe, but with a modern 2024 production. There’s not a lot of records out there like this one, so I think we achieved our goal. The songs speak for themselves,” while Sanders adds “this is the record I have been wanting to record for years. The feel is right, the musicianship is right, the songs are right and now the time is right for you all to give us your thoughts.”
 
Of the band’s signing with hotshot upstart label Bravewords, Sanders declares “We were looking for the right label and the search was extensive, the most important aspect to me was getting it out there for people to hear – otherwise, what’s the point, right?” while Stokely adds, “I’ve known Tim and Giles for years now. Plus, I’m already signed to the label with another act so it seemed like a natural fit.”

Website: https://www.prophetsofaddiction.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheProphetsofAddiction
 

Jerry T Jones And The Chosen Few – ‘Back From Tomorrow’ (Self-Release)

Jerry T Jones And The Chosen Few – ‘Back From Tomorrow’ (Self-Release)

2024 has certainly been full of surprises so far. What with One The Juggler releasing a fabulous new album in ‘Memoir Days’, now it’s the turn of their bassist, Jerry T Jones, to spoil us with twelve new songs. And it’s no surprise that they are of equal quality, given that he wrote ‘Talking To Ourselves’ and ‘Andy’s Bar’ on ‘Memoir Days’.

The opening song, ‘Only Time Will Tell’ crafts a beautiful tune that tries to remain optimistic in the face of climate disaster. While reminiscing about Bowie’s ‘Five Years’, the sound is more in line with The Kinks, perhaps not surprising given Jerry’s Kinks tribute band, The Konks. But, this is far from being a rip off; his canny use of influences is tempered by his own talent as a songwriter.

‘Demons Fly Away’ has echoes of classic Mott, and Colin Minchin’s solo has touches of Ronno, which is no mean feat. ’20 Years’ describes how songs can touch us and form part of our lives, with a keyboard sound that evokes John Grant. ‘Diamonds In The Rain’ namechecks Major Tom, and again there is a Ronno moment, this time on acoustic guitar, fleeting but classy.

‘Mood Swing/Time Bomb’ is in quirky, Cockney Rebel territory, while ‘Back From Tomorrow’ with its  slick pop stylings and barbed lyrics reminds me of The Dowling Poole. ‘Communal Sun’ starts off like Al Stewart’s ‘Year Of The Cat’, but with a more melancholy storyline. ‘She’s On A Trip’ is a slice of mature, summer pop, so dig out your espadrilles and enjoy. ‘Toy Town’ is a reworking of the One The Juggler song, with added sax, and ‘Sleep Over’ is a nicely woozy slice of gentle psychedelia, from sleep to new beginnings.

‘Second Skin’ almost sounds like it was written for Bowie, the vocal phrasing is such that you can imagine Dame David singing it. It’s a lovely tune. And, suddenly, ‘Just One More Song (Until We Meet Again)’ brings our journey to an end. Much more than the sum of it’s influences, ‘Back From Tomorrow’ is the culmination of a life devoted to music and songwriting that deserves your attention.

Author: Martin Chamarette

Millie Manders & The Shutup – ‘Wake Up Shut Up Work’

Millie Manders & The Shutup – ‘Wake Up Shut Up Work’

Millie Manders & The Shut Up have been around for a while in one guise or another and my first encounter of her was when she jumped on stage with The Barstool Preachers to sing a duet with Tom as a stand-in for Amiee Interupter and I admired the young ladies powerful performance and equally powerful vocal. Well as the months and years unfold Millie Manders & The Shut Up are on album number two and have truly found their niche and position that they are comfortable in. They deliver a life-affirming alternative mash-up of Ska, punk, rock and a pop sensibility that bands often miss when pressing their message by trying to be something their not but no sir Millie Manders do things on their own terms and do it very fucking well.

From the opening salvo of ‘Angry Side’ the horns toot and the feet can’t stand still. That momentum continues with ‘Shut Your Mouth’ as the weeks and fills tick away over a funky bass line whilst Millie does her thing with ao confidence through a strong melody. The song meanders and twists n contours to its conclusion and already I’m sold. This promises to be a real contender come the end of the year with strong song after strong song. ‘Me Too’ opens with a crisp riff before it bubbles under the vocals and lyrics before breaking out on the chorus. Stirring stuff. The band cuts lose those punk n ska chains on ‘Fun Sponge’ Millie Manders & The Shut Up on the surface are having it large but there is a serious side but they deliver it without coming across as sanctimonious or preachy, these are subjects they hold close to their identity and I guess so will the listener or anyone with a moral fibre running through their soul. Me Too” tackles sexism and body autonomy, while “Threadbare” tackles poverty. “Can I Get Off?” has a conversation on the dividing topics of the minute such as the war in Palestine and the rise of the far-right, MM&TSU confront these difficult subjects and I admire them for that.

‘R.I.P.’ is an excellent vocal from Millie. The other thing I take from this album is that it is not all smash, crash and burn or fist-pounding there are as many quieter moments where the band’s musicianship comes into play such as ‘Halloween’ The run-in is as strong as the opening introduction and a triumph it is closing with the punchy ‘Pressure’.

Pressure?, What pressure Millie Manders & The Shutup have delivered a proper album that ebbs and flows and is bursting with tunes of substance and humility. Buy It – you won’t regret it.

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Author: Dom Daley

Its A Revolution – Podcast – Episode 40

Its A Revolution – Podcast – Episode 40

Join us for this week’s instalment of the RPM Online Podcast Episode 40 no less. This week’s show opens on a sad note with the awful news that 60ft Dolls drummer passed away recently so it seemed fitting that we kick off with the awesome ‘Happy Shopper’ from ‘The Big 3’ album. I witnessed the band at the peak of their powers when they played to a packed-out house in the next village on the same road effectively that we broadcast from. A band that should have been as big as the Manics no question about it but alas they burned brightest rather than fading away, this one is for Carl may he rest in peace.

After such a sad note to begin with the show starts with the original kick-off and the most excellent Turbonegro cover of The classic ‘The Party Starts Now’ released in 2005, this is how to do a cover version deathpunk style. After Martin reviewed the Love Fiends album recently we had to include this Banger ‘Jimmy (Is An Agent)’. Power Pop done superbly.

Great to have UK Hardcore legends Chubby & The Gang ready to drop their new LP ‘And Then There Was One’, to loosen the juices they’ve dropped this new single ‘Theres A Devil In The Jukebox’ which is going down a treat at the pumphouse HQ. October seems so long away.

Cherry Red are continuing their tradition of releasing double album CDs of classic releases and this time its GBH so ‘Sick Boy the single version is our pick of the pack. Out in months time the band still play to this day with the same power and aggression.

A classic reissue with a superb mix was The Replacements ‘Tim: Let It Bleed Edition’ which came out a few years ago. ‘Kiss Me On The Bus’ (Ed Stasium mix) is our pick from this stunning box set that is well worth the price. Packed with goodies for the fair ear The Replacements always do quality reissues and this might well be the pick of the pack. Now if only they were to do some more reunion shows that would be most excellent. As far as remixes or remasters go this is night and day with the original release probably only outdone by the recent Senseless Things remix /remaster.

Another band we love at HQ is The Hillbilly Moon Explosion and with their most recent album getting a repress and launch in a few weeks it seemed right to play one of the best songs off the album ‘1979’ check em out. ‘Back In Time’ is a fantastic addition to the band’s catalogue and an underground band who have bazillion of plays on YouTube if you want to get a flavour of what to expect.

Now a band we’ve played before The Cavemen have a new album out and thankfully it’s more of the same from our favourite New Zealand reprobates. ‘Cash 4 Scrap’ is all killer and no filler (possibly because they don’t hang around long enough) They do a great line in zero fucks lo-fi garage punk even if this is the slowest song in their repertoire.

The first half of this week’s offerings is the brand-new single from the one and only Marilyn Manson who by the sounds of it is right back on form. With a new album hopefully in the pipeline being released on nuclear blast records it’s one to look out for.

With all the unrest around at the moment, it seems appropriate to drop this last live recording of the late great Joe Strummer when he did the firemen benefit and got Mick Jones up to blast off the cobwebs of ‘White Riot’.

Janes Addiction have been getting some great reviews from their live shows and having the four original members back in the fold ‘Imminent Redemption’ sound right back on form for the Californian rockers. Lets hope this new album is of the same strong output. It would be great to have them back making a noise and upsetting people.

Swansea upstarts Monet are busy recording their second album and after a quality live performance recently celebrating 30 years of Repeat Magazine/Records it would be foolish not to add them to the roster of excellent bands to look out for. We’ve also asked Richard to pop down to HQ and host the podcast with us so fingers crossed that comes off soon. Repeat are the kind of people we want to align ourselves with as we all sing off the same hymn sheet. Love Music Hate Racism.

Another band who played the Repeat party was West Wales noise makers Lacross Club and it might be the first song we’ve played twice but ‘Welsh Weather Heather’ is so good we could play it most weeks, get an album done gents those songs might go off if you leave them.

Chris informed me that Sepultura covered the New Model Army and I had to check it out as I didn’t know that one but they bloody well did. Good solid effort but not a patch on the original and hopefully they’ll play this when I go to see them in a few months, next up is ‘The Hunt’.

The Bellrays have a new album coming and its a banger so we’re playing ‘One More Night’ before they head off on a US tour with Social Distortion. One of the finest voices in garage rock no doubt about it. Another band to write a song influenced by a riot is The Damned who deliver ‘Thanks For The Night’ with Vanian on vocals as opposed to the Captain but regardless of who is singing this was and is a classic.

Tubthumper Dunstan Bruce has signed a contract with Heavy Medication Records to release his ‘Fucking Expensive’ single so it would be rude not to give it an airing. The penultimate track is an unreleased single from the late 70s by The Vibrators who have captain Oi reissuing ‘V2/pure mania’ and ‘Bad Time’ is the tune showcases just how bloody good The Vibrators were another very underrated band from the late 70s.

We end this weeks show with with another new song this time from the awesome Peter Perrett who dropped the news of his pending album and then released the first video off the record and what a banger to sign off with. ‘I Wanna Go With Dignity’ is a swashbuckling slice of classic Perrett. Adios amigos til next time.

Gene Loves Jezebel – Pizza Express Live 06.08.24- Holborn, London

Gene Loves Jezebel – Pizza Express Live 06.08.24- Holborn, London

Well I’ve been to thousands of live shows in some strange off-the-beaten paths and some most untraditional venues as well but tonight I find myself in Old London Town at the basement of Pizza Express for a full band Gene Loves Jezebel acoustic show. I like pizza I’m happy to sit at the table (I think) and take in an evening like no other.

Waiter two beers please and a pizza with pineapple (only joking about the pineapple obviously I’m not an animal) as we find our table and order some food and drinks in a very laid-back environment we await to band of Jay Aston, James Stevenson, Chris Bell and Peter Rizzo to take to the stage for what promises to be a very interesting and intimate experience. As the band take the stage it still feels a bit weird watching a rock n roll band in a jazz club/restaurant but hey I guess we’re all of a certain age these days and it’ll be rattle your jewellery rather than pogo and press against the stage these days.

A beaming Jay introduces the band to what might be a wonderful triumph or a brilliant catastrophe who knows either way we’ll all have been fed before bed looking around I don’t think it being a School night really matters to this audience never the less Chris counts in the band as we get underway for the first half. Promising some songs from the deep vaults and never before played to reimagined classics so I make myself comfortable sit back relax and float downstream let the music begin.

After a false start due to the (cough cough) over-rehearsed and always ready Jay forgets or needing the lyrics for ‘Lone Rider’ and goes to play ‘Love Keeps Dragging Me Down’ before deciding to hell with it its live and going back to the set list to open with ‘Lone Rider’ before the awesome ‘Love Keeps Dragging’ it was a wonderful pin drop moment as ‘How Do You say Goodbye’. As the evening settles in we are treated to a cover of ‘Inbetween Days’ that has James showcasing his wonderful touch and a fantastic interpretation of an already great song.

Jay is in a playful mood shuffling through half a dozen lyric sheets about fifty times seemingly unable to find the song he wants anyway it is familiar fan favourites of ‘Kick’ and ‘Georgious’ that go down really well. The first set is edging to a close but before halftime oranges and rub down its ‘Dancing Underwater’ off the album of the same name but not before James took lead vocals on the emotional ‘The Other Side Of The World’ which was one of those live show moments. the emotion of the lyrics and what it clearly meant to James was laid bare for all to see and the fragilities of the melody and delivery was genuinely a cwtch moment and one that wasn’t lost on everyone in attendance. Spectacular heartfelt stuff.

The second half gets underway with a rousing ‘Jealous’. ‘Who Wants To Go To Heaven’ and that tune ‘The Motion Of Love’ has them dancing at their tables as ‘Liquor Man’ continues to keep people smiling and the night has magic in the air along with Jays quips and tomfoolery ‘Every Door’ is played before ‘Break The Chains’ and Jay introduces the band before they prepare to leave the stage after a wonderful evening of song in the most unexpected of places but if the music is good enough it can happen anywhere any time any place and tonight Pizza Express could only have been topped had Prince Andrew walked round the tables handing out the bills. ‘Desire’ is the final curtain call and we’re done. It’s back to West Wales but not until we wander through the quieter streets of Soho and have a cheeky pint in the Ship Inn for old time’s sake. Until next time Gene Loves Jezebel delivered a Michelin star performance with a gentler acoustic hand. Full electric next time please gents.

Author: Dom Daley

Sister Morphine offer a limited 7″ of pure Rock n Roll pleasure

Sister Morphine offer a limited 7″ of pure Rock n Roll pleasure

Reanimated South Wales lowslung rock ‘n’ rollers SISTER MORPHINE follow up last year’s fifteen-track debut album, ‘Ghosts of Heartbreak City’, with an all-new double B-side single, ‘Werewolves of Suburbia’/’I’m Up For Letting You Down’, released on streaming platforms and limited edition white vinyl seven-inch via Big Egg Records on September 6th, 2024.

Written in 2024 and recorded over the Summer at RedRock Studios with Lyndon Price once again at the controls, these two new songs up the ante of the band’s signature sound: punk ‘n’ roll with killer hooks. ‘Werewolves of Suburbia’ is a dark, metaphorical calling-out of pathetic men who still treat women as pieces of meat, while ‘I’m Up For Letting You Down’, which has one creeper in the Seventies and the other in a Scandinavian rehearsal space, is an ode to those people who stick by you when you’re at your worst. Sure to be live favourites, both songs will make their debuts on a Sister Morphine setlist when the band play at the HRH Sleaze VII festival at Leicester’s O2 Academy on Sunday, September 8th.

The single will be available as a limited edition white vinyl seven-inch – one of the first releases from the Big Egg Vinyl Club – with cover artwork exclusive to this physical format. This will be Sister Morphine’s first-ever vinyl release.

Catch Sister Morphine live at: HRH Sleaze VII – Leicester O2 Academy – September 8th

The Pit – Newport – October 11th (with Deathtraps & Arizona Law)

Big Egg Records

Swami And The Bed Of Nails- ‘All Of This Awaits You’ (Rise)

Swami And The Bed Of Nails- ‘All Of This Awaits You’ (Rise)

Two years after the classic ‘Ride The Wild Night’, John Reis is back with nine, spanking new tunes. The man we used to call Speedo in the mighty RFTC changes his moniker with every release, but the quality of the songs never drops. His pedigree is beyond question, and lead single ‘Ketchup, Mustard And Relish’ is an instant ear worm which would be right at home next to ‘When In Rome’.

Album opener ‘How Are You Peeling?’ owes more to early RFTC, with its off-kilter rhythm, and it has that magic that draws you in. ‘Harbor Freight’ is a straight ahead rocker that you will want to play on repeat, while ‘Teen Hate’ is like the very best Ramones songs, with a bittersweet edge and a Fab Four ending. ‘Privacy’ rattles along before ‘Lost In Bermondsey’ claims its place as one of John’s best tunes.

‘Shock And Awe’ is a groover that Jim Jones would surely approve of, that begs to be played live. Righteous stuff, indeed. ‘Don’t Wait’ is a lesson in how to craft a canny pop song, complete with “woah, woah” refrain, and ‘Beware The Halo’ brings the album to an end in style, if all too soon.

Short and sweet, with no filler. The only downside being that, with no CD available, it’s an expensive purchase from the USA, what with postage fees being increasingly hefty now. That said, this is a fitting follow up to ‘Ride The Wild Night’ that you can listen to online now before deciding whether to increase your vinyl collection.

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Author: Martin Chamarette

SWAMI & THE BED OF NAILS LINKS
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Love Fiend – ‘Handle With Care’ (In The Red Records)

Love Fiend – ‘Handle With Care’ (In The Red Records)

Another band that are new to me, Love Fiend’s previous singles compilation is good, but this new, studio album takes things up a couple of notches. Hailing from California, ‘Just For Eddie’ reminds me of the late, great Roy Loney, which is a fine way to start. ‘Hard Feelings’, with keyboards upfront, is reminiscent of both Devo and The Cars, which is the overall sound across ten songs, but with much more as well.

‘Secret Cabals’ is the kind of song that Gary Numan used to excel at, addictive, pumping synths. You’ll be breaking out your Numanoid moves in no time. ‘Jimmy (Is An Agent)’ is equally catchy, more upbeat, while ‘Got Bad’ breaks out the sax and a riff that gives a nod to Slade. Which is a great idea, as it goes. Every song here works, they’ve obviously spent some time honing their sound, and it’s paying off. It sounds fresh, yet classic, like a lost album from your big brother’s record collection.

It has pretty much every great hook from the best American pop rock of the late 70s/early 80s, all the above plus Cheap Trick and The Knack. You can hear all this in ‘Neu Testament’, and yet they pull off synth pop with ‘One Forever’ that would please Soft Cell. It shouldn’t work, but it does.

‘C.K.I.L’ throws in a Ramones riff, and ‘Tied Up’ is just the right side of ripping off ‘Footloose’. These all sound like singles, which is a rarity these days. ‘Vacant Love’ evokes the melodies of The Paul Collins Beat. If, like me, you’re a fan of these influences, head straight over to Bandcamp and treat yourself to, potentially, one of the best albums of the year.

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Author: Martin Chamarette