Manic Street Preachers have released a short film to accompany their recently released single ‘Orwellian’. The track gets a new visual accompaniment from the archive as well as improvised footage, beautifully constructed and directed by frequent band collaborator Kieran Evans. The band will be touring in the autumn/winter following the release of their 14th studio album, ‘The Ultra Vivid Lament’, on 3rd September 2021 and have recently announced new rescheduled dates for 2 shows they are playing for the NHS this year
Pre-order;’The Ultra Vivid Lament’ from the official store (https://manicstreetpreachers.lnk.to/store) to get early access to tickets for the tour, with a pre-sale starting on Weds 19th May at 10am. Tickets go on general sale on Friday 21st May at 10am –
‘Pentirch Rising’ isthe first single from the forthcoming new album ‘The Hope’, which is released on 15th October, on Graphite Records. On the anniversary of the last English revolution; 1817’s Pentirch Rising, Ferocious Dog proudly release the single of the same name. The new album “The Hope” can be ordered Here
From The Blips self titled album. Out on Cornelius Chapel Records
Every now and then you get touched by a Rock and Roll record that’s unexplainable in as much as it makes you feel on top of the world but you have no idea how or why the songs touched you in such a way that you wanted to do nothing else other than listen to the record and play it, again and again, and again. Well, the Blips did that to me from the first time the opening song ‘Inside Out’ came hurtling out of my speakers.
Quite why they had this effect on me I don’t know. they’ve not even recorded anything groundbreakingly original or anything of the sort. What they have done is pen ten stonkingly good power-pop tunes that just ooze class from the melodies to the arrangments to the production it’s just such a great album. The verses are spot on as are the melodies and the solos are just right never over noodling and always to the betterment of the song. Take the break on ‘Throw Me Around’ it goes into a duel solo that just grinds out until it falls back into the most excellent chorus. I mean it’s not about anything in particular but it sounds like the most important song ever for three and a half minutes.
Maybe its the fact that five frontmen have formed a band? Probably should be a disaster where egos get in the way – but, no not at all – maybe the stars have aligned for this one album? The group formed after Will Stewart – an accomplished songwriter and guitar player who has released several acclaimed records under his own name and with the Birmingham-based group Timber – sent a few curious text messages inviting a group of friends and collaborators to convene and write some tunes together. That group included: Taylor Hollingsworth, Wes McDonald, Eric Wallace, and Chris McCauley.
For over 20 years, Hollingsworth has built a dedicated following by composing incomparable rock, blues, punk, and pop music under subtle variations of his name. He also writes and performs with Dead Fingers and Conor Oberst’s Mystic Valley Band (among many other projects and groups). He’s considered by many to be one of the nation’s most innovative and adventurous guitar players.
McDonald, who plays drums in The Blips, has been making records under one moniker or another — including Terry Ohms and Vulture Whale — since 2000. His studio, Ole’ Elegante, in Birmingham served as ground zero for The Blips as they wrote, practiced, and recorded their first 10 songs with Les Nuby engineering.
McCauley, the leader of seminal Birmingham band Holy Youth, and Wallace, a well-respected guitar ripper who’s toured the globe, were already collaborating on a one-and-done punk project called Bad Hops when The Blips formed.
McCauley’s sensibilities are informed by bratty punk music and simple, yet melodic, lead guitar riffs. Critics and friends have described his singing voice as “squirrely” – a criticism he cherishes. The Blips between late-2019, and, February 2020, had written and recorded ten tracks – two weeks prior to the COVID-19 pandemic shut down. Through persistent text messaging and emails, they found a way to mix and master the songs from a distance, resulting in their first full-length record. the very record I’m gushing over right here!
The Blips sharing lead vocals, guitar, and bass duties, this surprisingly cohesive and high-energy album ranges from straight-forward garage rock to hit-and-run rockers to pop ballads with massive lead parts and gang vocals. Imagine reinventing ‘Wild Thing’ and calling it ‘Wild Thing II’. yeah, they have and what are you going to do about it? All the genres within power pop are present from the punky ‘Yes, Yes No Yes Yes No’ to the more Costello meets Stranglers like strains of ‘Out To Sea’. ‘Gold Rush’ is more laid back like Neil Young meets Teenage Fanclub if you like with a smart chorus. Man, ‘Patty’s Patio’ is snotty 80s’ new wave-inspired goodness and the perfect aperitif for the closing song ‘One And Done’. Right, I can’t sit here typing all night I’ve got to listen to the Blips album again and again for good measure. I suggest you check it out – you might get bitten like I did or you just might not get it at all, that would be sad but hey music isn’t for everyone but if you don’t like this album then I feel sorry for you because it really is a belter.
Welcome one and all as we crack open the March batch of 7″ singles and as you’ll see we have a variety of bands and some superb singles for your delectation. We welcome some old favourites and of course a format we always welcome the good old split with this months split coming from a pair of bands we love Bitch Queens and The Drippers. We also welcome plenty of debutants to our exclusive club and hope you find something you can enjoy and support… hit it…
Johnny Thunders – ‘Chinese Rocks’ (Golden Robot Records/Die Laughing Records) All Johnny ever wanted to do was make the kids dance and he sure as hell did that. Now a lot of his live shows were during the classic age of the bootleg and this bad boy is no exception the sound quality is not the best as you can imagine but it does capture the energy of his shows. Taken from the upcoming live album; ‘Cosa Nostra: Live At The Mudd Club 1983 Gothenburg’. which will be available as limited edition vinyl and on all streaming platforms. We can argue over the merits of another release of a bootleg but hell, I miss this guy like no other performer I ever bought a record of, so, as one of those sad completist types I’ll be clicking the link. They just don’t make em like Johnny anymore untouchable! Pre-Order/SaveHERE
Bitch Queens / The Drippers – Split (Lux Noise Records) Kicking off this month’s Singles Club is a right pair of bangers. Our favourite Basel boys are back with fellow European rockers the Drippers. ‘Ignorance is bliss’ they say but if you ignore this then you’re ignoring the opportunity to get involved with the latest release from 7″ from one of the best loud Rock and Roll bands who just love to knock out singles as often as possible.
This is another riot ride of adrenalin with a solid melody and some lovely wah! and duelling guitars Get on it here kids you won’t regret it! If that wasn’t enough to convince you then flip it over and get an earful of The Drippers who are the ‘Beach Kings’ and channelling their best Motorhead they hurtle off on a rapid drumbeat and more Wah! than you deserve. Its a corker of a tune to be fair and a worthy companion for the mighty Bitch Queens split repertoire.
Rich Ragany & The Digressions – ‘Marionette’ (Self Release) Like a rush of adrenaline the first song from the brand new Rich Ragany album is birthed into the ether and ‘Marionette’ is uplifting and boundless with heartfelt energy as the band head into the difficult second album but on this evidence, it’s not difficult at all. Subtle melodies clash with some fantastic duelling guitars throughout. The sound is big and makes you wanna get up and move as you search for the tennis racket and hairbrush when you’re alone in the house to join the Digressions for the solo and chorus. Get on it kids its a grower. Bandcamp
Marc Ribler – ‘Shattered’ (Wicked Cool Records) Like a lazy Sunday morning bit of Rock and Roll with a gentle chorus and melody, some nice slide guitar playing. ITs got that swirling organ laying down underneath the beat as the song jogs on like a shot of Tom Petty. The B side is even more laid back with eastern flavours from the New Jersey man as he kicks back. Bandcamp
Wheelz – ‘Twenty Twenty’ (No Front Teeth) “No Coast” punk rock outta the Midwest. Four new sloppy ’n’ snotty anthems in the vein of UK ’77 meets American Punk like a blend of The Briefs, Spent Idols, Toy Dolls and Partisans. Sure take a look at the picture, drink it in because they sound exactly like you want them to sound. Its a perfect snotty sound capsule from the late 70s’ with modern production. ‘Politicians’ is a mash-up of ‘The Last Time’ (Stiv would approve) and mid-period Rancid. Buy UK Here / Facebook US: Boulevardtrashpunk.com Hipsters can get it on Cassette: EU: Tapeordie.bigcartel.com
Dead Meat – (No Front Teeth) The second single from London’s snotty KBD punks Dead Meat. Another four killer cuts Featuring members of Kool and the Gangbangers, The Cavemen and the Speedways. The regular edition is spray paint on genuine leather… yes it smells like a new sofa, genuine dead meat… loads of different colours of leather chosen at random with each order (mine was a lovely pink). Anyway, don’t let the waffle distract you Dead Meat are four noisy fuckers who could wake the dead (Meat) with their raw punk rock. Buy Here from the excellent NFT label direct or the bands Bandcamp page Here. ‘Through The Heart’ starts off like the bastard son of Motorhead but descends into a sloppy tasty slab of punk rock. It’s like the partisans never happened but with added gob and glitter. Hold onto your knickers boys because ‘Hanging On The Weekend’ is a belter. Snotty rapid punk rock with the sloppiest solo ever before falling into a gluey mess with ‘Son Of Sam’ about the NYC killer from the 70s. ‘Don’t blink or you’ll miss em as this four-track EP is brought to a stunning halt with ‘Nuffin New (For Trash Like You)’ – Punk as fuck and you should be on top of this before they’re all gone!
Black River Delta – ‘Burning And Burning’ (Sofaburn Records) FacebookHailing from Sweden Black River Delta delivers a gritty bluesy rock and roll sound but avoid many of the cliches and pitfalls and deliver a pretty fresh take. ‘Burning And Burning’ is an impressive introduction if you don’t believe us check out the video.
Local Drags – ‘Think Straight’ (Self Release) Sure we’ve raved about previous offerings from Local Drags why wouldn’t we the guy writes great songs. This new track from Springfield’s favourite rocker does what he does best and that’s writing feel-good rocked up power pop and boy does he does it well. ‘Think Straight’ is an indication of what we can expect from the new album. as we look forward to the full-length LP ‘Keep Me Glued’ this will do. Bandcamp
The Stools – ‘Feelin Fine’ (Drunken Sailor) Crash bang wallop! we’re off lo-fi garage punk rock that would get a pit going in a morgue as ‘Can’t Feel Good’ is an attack on your senses and as rapid and fucked up as possible. What a fantastic way to introduce yourselves. Hang on ‘Half-Track Mind’ has the brown noise inducing bass rumble before soaring into the stratosphere. You’ll be fist-pumping and chanting along before you know it “Half Track Mind” indeed.
If you’re waiting for the love ballad then you’re listening to the wrong record but if you want raw in your face blues-infused punk rock then welcome. ‘Rockpile’ is a slower more groove-based song with some cool maracas for mixing it up I’m sure. Taking this sucker home ‘Eyeball Crush’ is like a punk rock fuck up garage blues hand jive – about as subtle as a flying mallet but all together thoroughly enjoyable. pick it up here
Continental Lovers – ‘Doesn’t Matter At All’ (Self Release) Another new song from the mind of former Breakdowns main man sees the catchy punch of ‘Doesn’t Matter At All’ as Joe unleashes a subtle melody that burrows into your ear and works its way into your head and as all good pop songs do start scratching its name into your memory. Joe mixes up his love of bands like Cheap Trick and T Rex and uses the influences to great effect and ‘DMAA’ even after a few plays sounds like a song you’ve heard a thousand times but still remains fresh as the first time you heard it. Backed by a nice acoustic run through ‘Sister Saint Joan’ is a nice one-two from Continental Lovers. Hopefully, when this pandemic pisses off we can get a full album recorded in a studio with a full band and we can all hold in our hands another great slab of Rock and Roll – power pop. Bandcamp
Johnny Casino – ‘Twenty Twenty’ (Golden Robot Records) What a barnstormer from Casino. Letting out all his lockdown frustrations in a three-minute record which kicks serious backside. Then flip it over and you have a more dreamy acoustic cover of the Bored track ‘People Say’. Best of both worlds and a worthwhile investment. With an impressive history in Australian Rock and Roll Casino doesn’t do bad records and this is a fierce shot in the arm that I’m sure we can all get down with. Instagram / Bandcamp / Facebook
Harker – ‘The Beast Must Die’ (Wiretap Records) Get a load of this Brighton based band taken from their soon to be released album that drops at the end of April. With its fuzzed up guitar its a fine introduction to the band and an indication of what we can expect from the album. check out the video below.
The Mercury Riots – ‘Save Me A Drink’ ( ) Hailing from the USA ‘Save Me A Drink’ is the first single from the band and is a combination of loud, fast, jet-fuel powered rock n roll its classic rock kids but with a modern twist. A classic power trio but keen followers of Bullets and Octane and The Brave Ones will recognise the band. With a swaggering riff and big groove, its got it going on and will have the classic rock writers salivating at a new band on the scene to breath new life into it.
The Blips – ‘Throw Me Around’ ( Cornelius Chapel Records) what an earworm this was. From the first play, it started to burrow in my ear and I began to crave it more and more. Birmingham, Alabama’s The Blips are set to release their debut long-player and this is just a sample of what they have to offer and on this evidence alone it’s got the potential to be a corker if this bright and breezy number is anything to go by. Pick it up Here or visit their Bandcamp page Here
The Lurkers – The Boys in the Corner (Damaged Goods Records) The original Lurkers none the less turn up with a pair of bangers that steal the crown of the singles club with a classic slice of pub rock punk rock Lurkers style. This, the second single from last years impressive album ‘Sex Crazy’ (still makes me giggle when I look at the cover) anyway one exclusive track ‘We Close The Door’ is a wonderful slice of Lurkers noise that’ll have you singing along before you’ve finished the first playthrough. with a wonderful guitar break that perfectly compliments a really vibrant song. Pick one up whilst they’re still available from Damaged Goods Here
Recent Comments