Supersuckers, The Hip Priests, Deathtraps – Le Pub Newport – Sat 26 March 2022

Supersuckers, The Hip Priests, Deathtraps – Le Pub Newport – Sat 26 March 2022

oh, what a night. This one had been on the to-do list for quite some time some months. Fingers and toes were crossed that this would actually happen as the country opened up.

Tonight Le Pub was bouncing with anticipation for what was promising to be an explosion of energy and rock and roll that had been pent up for oh so long. Deathtraps are south Wales finest exponents of noisy Rock and fucking Roll, Nottinghams finest The Motherfucking Hip Priests and Supersuckers the self professed Greatest Rock and Roll band in the world. This motherfucker is trippin’ on what’s to come.

Deathtraps were first up and we saw Fraser sporting a rather fetching piece of headgear to rival Eddie’s cowboy hat and the band was on a mission to cram in as much music as possible in their tight thirty-minute set. The band went for it from the off delivering a thuggish set with some new tunes that showed they weren’t sitting idle during the past few years’ hibernation and got to write some more decent songs. ‘She Said’ was particularly striking and the set was wound up with a tribute to the departed Hank Von Hell with a frantic cover of ‘Denim Demon’ which went down very well to finish off a most pleasing set.

The Hip Priests have been on the whole tour around plague island with Supersuckers and hit that sweet spot where everything sounded tight and they were in their groove right from the off. Opening with ‘Black Denim Blitz’ ‘Survival OF The Shittest’ a fitting tune that signaled the avalanche of venom from the twin guitar attack of Austin and Ben as they bookend the sonic explosions that is Von Cruz, a man who can’t stand still for a split second whilst Brother Lee Love holds the bottom end that holds these tunes together along with Des the rhythmic pair sound like a carpet bombing of hard rockin punk attitude.

Supporting in a venue they often headline at saw the slimmed-down set bolstered with the sound of no less than four new songs that sounded exciting and if they’re anything to go by the new album is gonna burn. They’re about to finish off what will be a career-high and see this ten-legged groove machine burn a path to glory. By the time they hit ‘Zero Fucks Given’ they were on fire and exploding a stick of dynamite that Eddie and the boys have to try and follow.

Taking the Newport stage to the strains of EVH mr spaghetti is Looking well in his trademark cowboy hat and shades. Eddie Spaghetti was about to get down to business and shake the shit out of one of the best music venues around and show the good people present that Rock and fucking Roll was alive and kicking and in rude health. Taking in songs from all quarters of the band’s catalogue and shaking up the set from previous nights and therefore keeping it fresh my only complaint to the management would be this, With so many great songs of their own why three covers in a tight – compact set? Sure I love me some Michael Monroe and Thin Lizzys ‘Cowboy Song’ is a banger as is their tribute to ZZ Top but I think I’d have loved to hear a bunch of other classic Supersuckers tunes, just saying.

Whinge aside tonight the band was loud and proud and didn’t substitute any subtleties from the melodies with volume and Eddie was in great spirits with his banter. The Supersuckers love a cliche and why not? Rock and Roll is a celebration and not something everyone can do and do this well. They have songs with Rock and Roll in the title (and more besides) they love to let people know they are in the company of the Best band in the world and Metal Marty Chandler has the tone ringing through his les paul that would surely meet the approval of Jonesy whilst Christopher Von Streicher holds a tight ship in the engine room making it sound so effortless sure does make for a great band who sounded in fine form road worn and battle-ready. Tonight the Supersuckers have the Evil Powers of Rock and Roll well and truly harnessed and delivered the good.

It has been probably ten years since the last time I saw them live bar Eddie acoustic and whilst I regret not seeing the Evil Powers album in the full set this was a pretty damn perfect cross-section. Whilst there can and will be debating what is the perfect set there can be no debatin that when Supersuckers are on it they burn a hellbound trail and I’m always on board with that. Until next time hombres it was indeed a pleasure and not a second of a chore – three bands for less than £20 is an absolute bargain especially when they’ve been this damn good.

Author: Dom Daley

These Arms Are Snakes – ‘Duct Tape & Shivering Crows’ (Suicide Squeeze Records)

These Arms Are Snakes – ‘Duct Tape & Shivering Crows’ (Suicide Squeeze Records)

When you get an album to review that describes the band behind it as being; “a combination of synth-infused noise rock, bad-trip psychedelia, flamboyant proto-metal boogie, and unhinged basement-show hardcore.” I will challenge anyone not to have their interest immediately piqued.

I mean, what the hell did These Arms Are Snakes actually sound like when their spark burned brightly, albeit briefly, back in the noughties?

Well, ‘Duct Tape & Shivering Crows’, a thirteen track retrospective of the Seattle band’s seven year career, is certainly as good a place as any to find out.

With a tracklisting that runs in reverse order and kicks off with one of the last tracks the band recorded in the shape of the spikey ‘Meet Your Mayor’, These Arms Are Snakes immediately have me thinking of bands like Drive Like Jehu, Burning Airlines and Wales’s very own Midasuno.  This is music that is never going to get played on mainstream radio, but then again what music worth writing about actually does?

For me, it’s when the keyboards kick in during the Snakes’ take on Lost Sounds’ ‘Energy Drink And The Long Walk Home’ and the shadows of the grossly overlooked The (International) Noise Conspiracy are cast long over proceedings that the band fully ignite adding their own unique stamp to the song, something they then proceed to do with their almost Fall-esque take on Nirvana’s ‘Heart Shaped Box’. Interesting stuff indeed.

For the slightly more adventurous of you out there, it’s the likes of ‘Old Paradise’ with it’s almost Voivod like time changes and the mosh pit adrenaline rush of ‘Payday Loans’ that literally explodes from the speakers after an initial semi-ambient intro, that should get you grinning from ear to ear.

Finishing the set off with four songs from the band’s very first demo, ‘Duct Tape & Shivering Crows’ is only missing an overpriced can of beer, a perma-sticky dancefloor and the stench from the toilets to make it feel like the perfect night out at Newport’s Legendary TJ’s back in the early noughties, and as ‘The Blue Rose’ delivers the album’s watermelon Bubblicious influenced final notes, I can close my eyes and almost feel like I’m right back there.

You can sample the magic for yourselves (and maybe even recreate your very own favourite long lost music venue too) when ‘Duct Tape & Shivering Crows’ is released via Suicide Squeeze Records on CD, cassette, digital formats, and 2xLP on April 15th 2022.

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Author: Johnny Hayward

FRANK BLACK AND THE CATHOLICS – THE COMPLETE STUDIO ALBUMS vinyl boxset for July release

FRANK BLACK AND THE CATHOLICS – THE COMPLETE STUDIO ALBUMS vinyl boxset for July release

FRANK BLACK AND THE CATHOLICS

THE COMPLETE STUDIO ALBUMS

vinyl box set  

released 8th July 2022 

On 8th July Demon release Frank Black and The Catholics – The Complete Studio Albums box set. This superb box set includes 3 albums never before available on vinyl. Between 1998 and 2003, Frank Black and co. released six albums under the ‘Frank Black And The Catholics’ moniker. All recorded live and direct to two-track tape, the albums are some of the most energised, raw, and essential of Frank Black’s career.

 
For almost two decades, the Catholics’ studio albums have been out of print or unavailable on vinyl. Now, Demon Records is proud to present ‘The Complete Studio Albums’ boxset featuring all six original releases expertly remastered from the original studio tapes and pressed on heavyweight 180g clear vinyl. 

Includes all six studio albums –

‘Frank Black And The Catholics’ (1998), ‘Pistolero’ (1999), ‘Dog In The Sand’ (2001) [first time on vinyl], ‘Black Letter Days’ (2002) [2LP, first time on vinyl] ‘Devil’s Workshop’ (2002) [first time on vinyl], and ‘Show Me Your Tears’ (2003). 

Each album is pressed on 180g clear vinyl and housed in printed inner sleeves along with outer sleeves featuring spot gloss detailing. All 80 tracks have been newly remastered from the original studio tapes by Phil Kinrade at Alchemy Mastering at AIR.

 
The albums are housed together in a rigid outer sleeve and accompanied by a 32-page booklet featuring new liner notes by Catholics producer/engineer Ben Mumphrey plus unseen and rare photographs by Steve Gullick. 

Pre Order Here

THE LOVELY EGGS HEAD OFF ON THEIR EASTER HOLIDAYS!

THE LOVELY EGGS HEAD OFF ON THEIR EASTER HOLIDAYS!

UK DATES CONFIRMED FOR APRIL, MAY AND JUNE

WITH SUPPORT FROM ROB AUTON, BUG CLUB, AND GWENIFER RAYMOND

TICKETS HERE

‘FRIED EGG’ 10” EP OUT APRIL 8TH FEATURING RARE SONGS AND LIVE RECORDINGS

NUMBER ONE SELLING NEW ALBUM ‘I AM MORON’ OUT NOW!

April 2022

Thurs 7th Castle and Falcon, Birmingham SOLD OUT

Fri 8th, Heaven, London

Sat 9th, Bedford Squires, Bedford NEW DATE

Sun 10th, Forum, Tunbridge Wells NEW DATE

Mon 11th Junction 2, Cambridge SOLD OUT

Tues 12th, The Waterfront, Norwich NEW DATE

Thurs 14th, The Black Prince, Northampton NEW DATE

Fri 15th, Pop Recs, Sunderland NEW DATE

Sat 16th, The Brudenell, Leeds SOLD OUT

Thurs 28th, Ulster Sports Club, Belfast

Fri 29th, The Workman’s Club, Dublin

Sat 30th, Dolan’s Pub, Limerick

May 2022

Thur 26th The Cluny, Newcastle SOLD OUT

Fri 27th Stereo, Glasgow SOLD OUT

Sat 28th The Mash House, Edinburgh SOLD OUT

Sun 29th The Crescent, York

Mon 30th Sub Rooms, Stroud

Tues 31st Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

June 2022

Wed 1st, The Facebar, Reading

Thurs 2nd, The Fleece, Bristol NEW DATE

Fri 3rd, 02 Ritz, Manchester

The Lovely Eggs do not give up. Ever. The proudly independent Northern psychedelic punk rock duo have now, since the beginning of the pandemic, rescheduled the tour originally intended to promote the release in April 2020 of their ‘I Am Moron’ album, a staggering seven times. Now, they can finally return to the stage in full force, with a string of live shows to start this coming Easter.

The Lovely Eggs have a long tradition of touring in the school holiday period because, as parents of a young son, they are not prepared to leave him at home!

“Every time the school holidays hit, we head off on tour,” explains Holly. “Our lad is 9 now and we’ve been touring with him since he was 4 months old. It’s just something we have to do. When we decided to have a kid, we knew we didn’t want it to change our lifestyle. Everyone goes on about settling down and getting proper jobs when you have kids but that’s just nonsense. We knew we could do things differently. 

“Making music and touring and being in a band is fundamental to who we are. There was no way we could stop doing it. So, we bought a mini fridge for the van, and I expressed milk for when I was on stage and stored it in there. I sterilised bottles every night after the gig. We took a mate with us to babysit. Nine years on and we’re still at it. And our little lad loves it. He’s been round the world with us through the band and visited some amazing places. We’ll ask promoters to get stuff for him on our rider and he loves a kick about during soundcheck. The late nights and early mornings used to be a killer but no worse than some of the hangovers we used to have!

“As a woman I’m not having anyone tell me what I can and can’t do, or what stereotype I need to fit in with. This is our dysfunctional family and we bloody love it!”

Fiercely DIY, and yes, fiercely fierce, The Lovely Eggs have outlived most bands and continue to strive forward, with a dedicated audience that moves with them. Almost all of their tours always sell out and these dates will be no exception.

Joining them will be a three support acts that exist in the same world as the band’s eclectic, out-there sound: Rob Auton, Bug Club, and Gwenifer Raymond. Labelled ‘a genuine original’, Rob Auton Rob has written eight hit Edinburgh Fringe shows, which have led to nationwide tours and television/radio appearances. Bug Club are a trio currently turning heads, hearts, eyes and ears following the release of their debut EP ‘Launching Moondream One’ in early 2021 through Bingo Records. Finally, Gwenifer Raymond is a master songwriter, taking from the sounds of the Welsh Valleys and Appalachian Folk for an adventurous embrace of compositional tradition.

The Lovely Eggs are also due to release ‘Fried Egg’, a 10” EP that will be available from April 8th and features a selection of rare songs and live recordings that were originally available as a CDR release back in 2007. The release is limited to 1500 copies.

“This Egg EP was the very first collection of songs we released in 2007,” explains Holly. “We couldn’t afford to press vinyl back then so we put together our own CD-Rs at home which we would then sell at gigs. It included new songs at the time and live recordings, and we put it together to look like a fried egg in old joke shop packaging. Over lockdown our mate Phil, who runs a vinyl cutting business in Brighton called 3.45RPM, surprised us with a copy of it on vinyl which emulated the CD-R original. We loved it so much we decided to get it pressed so our fans could have a copy too. And here it is. “

The ‘Fried Egg’ 10” will be available here: thelovelyeggs.co.uk

Swami John Reis – ‘Ride The Wild Night’ (Swami Records)

Swami John Reis – ‘Ride The Wild Night’ (Swami Records)

It was only the other day that I was listening to Rocket From The Crypt in the car. Shortly after, who should recommend the new solo album by Speedo/John Reis but our very own Mr Hayward. After listening on Spotify, I duly ordered the vinyl (no CD yet). It’s a no-brainer to any RFTC fans that this is a worthy purchase. From the first song, I was hooked. There’s a Liamesque delivery to the title track, but Mr Gallagher can’t hold a candle to these tunes. And, believe me, this album is packed with tunes.

‘I Ain’t Your Pawn’ struts like Jim Jones with guitar and piano hammering out the riff. It would be a shame if Reis didn’t play some gigs to support this release. ‘Do You Still Wanna Make Out?’, with its “shoo-wop” backing vocals and insistent rhythm would give Giuda a run for their money.

‘When I Kicked Him In The Face’ starts with a picked riff reminiscent of Elliott Smith, before launching into more familiar territory. ‘Days Of Auld Lang Syne’ ends side one with a breezy piano led tune with a reflective lyric.

‘I Hate My Neighbours In The Yellow House’ starts with a synth before the guitars kick in. While there’s a variety of songs here, it always sounds reassuringly like John Reis. ‘Vape In The Dark Alone’ is more akin to ‘Group Sounds’ with its sinister melody.

‘Rip From The Bone’ is killer, it makes you want to pick up the guitar and play along, head nodding. Simple and devastatingly effective. “We don’t see eye to eye, said the spider to the fly”. ‘We Broke The News’ is equally addictive, and ‘Keeper Of The Plains’ is a classy note to end on. As you’d expect. And it’s on transparent, mouthwash green vinyl. What are you waiting for?

Buy Here

Author: Martin Chamarette

CHEMICIDE – ‘Common Sense’ (PRC Music)

CHEMICIDE – ‘Common Sense’ (PRC Music)

Costa Rica based thrashers Chemicide have been around since 2011 and have released three albums and an EP. Their latest release ‘Common Sense’ has the sound and feel of an old-school thrash album. Echoes of early Sepultura, Kreator, Death Angel, Exodus, Forbidden, Nuclear Assault, with a bit of Morbid Angel thrown in. Not bad eh?

If, like me, you’re a fan of the bands I’ve mentioned above, then you could much worse than check out Chemicide. This really is like stepping back to 1989. All I need is my Cosmic drainpipe (black, of course) jeans, Hi-Tec basketball boots, and a baseball cap worn backward to complete the picture! Big riffs, fast parts, mosh parts, breakneck double bass drumming, shouty vocals and song titles like; ‘Self Destruct’, ‘Barred Existence’, and ‘Strike as One’ just add to the nostalgic charm of the album.

The production from Juan Pablo Calvo has that classic Scott Burns feel to it, very raw and punchy. It really is a thrasher’s delight and it’s very comforting to know that thrash metal is alive and well thanks to bands like Chemicide. Great job guys! Mosh it up!!

Buy Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

FM – ‘Thirteen’ (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

FM – ‘Thirteen’ (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)

While most bands of their ilk are resting on their laurels FM hit the road running with the release of Thirteen, coming hot on the heels of their double Tough It Out Live set from 2021. This album has no right in being as good as it is. Considering they are now only a few years away from hitting 40 years as a band. And the current line-up has been in place since 2008! With this album being produced by the band themselves, they having never sounded better or more on fire than they do over the 11 slabs of melodic rock gold.


Wasting no time, the album kicks into gear with a none more politically apt ‘Shaking The Tree’. When people mentioned singer Steve Overland’s voice it is normally in awe and this song proves that he can sing anything, no matter what the subject and make you want to fight, love and smile all at the same time. Single ‘Waiting for Love’ is more like what we have become accustomed too from the band, but even that sounds fresh and vibrant, especially in today’s musical climate. The flame is still burning for the page 7 stunner that is Steve Overland and I honestly do not think he has ever sounded this good.


As the band themselves continue to lay down some of the most awe-inspiring grooves, from Merv Goldsworthy’s tantalising bass lines, to Pete Jupp’s backbone drumming and Jim Kirkpatrick’s sizzling solos and last but least Jem Davis glorious keys of parp, the band can do no wrong.


Just like the big hitters of the AOR scene any of these songs could be singles as they are all, that good.
Clearly the band are enjoying and relishing their moment in the sun again. And so they should, as this album is up there with their best.

Buy Here

Author: Dave Prince

Slyder Smith & The Oblivion Kids – Kickstarter Campaign

Slyder Smith & The Oblivion Kids – Kickstarter Campaign

Slyder Smith first swaggered onto the stage in the 90s as lead guitarist with glam-tinged power popsters, Last Great Dreamers. After releasing four studio albums and one live album on their own label, Ray Records, & having toured extensively throughout the UK & Europe with LGD, Slyder now takes centre stage leading The Oblivion Kids (Tim Emery, Bass and Rik Pratt, Drums) in an honest outpouring of grit, glamour and emotion.

With over an album’s worth of material written, the band have worked tirelessly in the rehearsal studio, whipping into shape a carefully curated, explosive mix of rock anthems, with a few surprises thrown into the mix. With lyrics that speak from the heart, Slyder has delved deep into his own psyche over lockdown and explored numerous new guitar styles, resulting in what can only be described as his best musical output to date.

The Oblivion Kids are chomping at the bit to head in the studio at the end of March with legendary Producer, Pete Brown (who has worked with George Harrison, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Marc Almond, The Smiths & Diamond Head as well as being musical director, vocal arranger & guitarist, in his father’s (Joe Brown) & sister’s (Sam Brown) touring bands & producing Sam’s platinum selling album Stop). 

Having raised the capital required for recording themselves, the band are reaching out to their fans on Kickstarter to help match fund the remaining 50% required to manufacture CDs, Vinyl and other promotional merchandise. In exchange for their support, pledgers can choose from a range of rewards and exclusive experiences.

Support the project on Kickstarter: Here

Various Artists – ‘Post Punk Birmingham 1978-1982’ (Easy Action)

Various Artists – ‘Post Punk Birmingham 1978-1982’ (Easy Action)

First things first I’m looking at the artwork wondering what on earth it is and then after about a week I see the eggbox. It’s been like one of those early 90’s deep-sea pictures you have to stare at, or at least that’s what I felt like. Right onto ‘Un Scene’ and it’s important to document of 78-82 timeframe in England’s second city and how it was developing following the youf explosion of 76-77.

I guess considering Birmingham or the wider area of the middle part of England has generally been ignored or rather overlooked compared to the contribution to youth/pop culture of the 20th Century. the North West gave the world Merseybeat and Beatlemania then post-punk we had that jangly guitar of Icicle Works, Teardrop explodes, Pete Burns, The Bunnymen, and a whole load of other post-punk bands. Madchester (Still in the northwest) followed that with the whole Hacienda scene and Stone Roses. The East Midlands gave the world Two-Tone but what about Birmingham? Sure Slade was west midlands and the Duranies hailed from Brum in the wake of punk but once you scratch the surface there was a whole underground world of creative forces and this wonderful little time capsule offers up a small dark corner of Birmingham and shines a light on in with a very nice booklet documenting the featured bands with some fantastic pictures, live shots, band images, posters and magazine covers of the main protagonists of this featured record/CD.

Laid out over nineteen tracks this snapshot doesn’t always reach the dizzy quality of your modern recordings but often that’s the charm. No doubt these bands worked and played hard to scrape together the dosh to record these songs and it’s important that records like this exist. Maybe there’s a good reason why none of these bands achieved the same adoration some of the other midlands genres achieved but bands like Swell Maps, the Nightingales, Nikki Sudden and TV Eye had a modicum of success and remained firmly placed as underground heroes and icons.

Some of the live recordings are sort of tape deck quality and proper old school whereas other more notable inclusions such as Stephen Tin Tin Duffy’s The Hawkes have ‘Big Store’ included and Comedian Stewart Lees wonderful doc about The Nightingales sees them included with their new wave-like ‘Idiot Strength’. I guess it wouldn’t be complete without Swell Maps who see ‘Vertical Slum’ included. My personal favourite is obviously the inclusion of Nikki Sudden with ‘Channel Steamer’. But what really is the crowning glory is the booklet giving all the meat on the bone from Dave Twists’ own collection, with all the cuttings it’s a fascinating insight into a whole world that is captured in this wonderful time capsule (Besides Twist plays drums on a lot so as long as his memory is half decent his stories must be amazing). Stewart Lee says it perfectly as Birmingham in the UKs motor City and seeing as the likes of Dave Kusworth and John Taylors inclusion also here (Duranies take note), sudden and his brother are no longer with us and the recent passing of Dave Kusworth this is a wonderful artifact that serious fans need to absorb and marvel at what the cold concrete of England’s second city had going on beneath the city lights I implore you to hear and read this most excellent offering. buy it!

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Author: Dom Daley