Welcome to Episode 16 of our little Podcast where DD And Hotshot bring you some top tunes from the archives. We have some brand new tunes from current records that have either just been released or are about to be released as well as tunes from the archives such as Joe Strummers demo outtake of ‘Coma girl’ that is taken from his boxset 002.

First up in this Episode is a Steve Lillywhite recording of Johnny Thunders recording ‘Leave Me Alone’ recorded with current Damned bass player Paul Gray alongside drummer Steve Nicol. It was eventually released on a 10″ EP on Remarquable Records alongside three other tracks. It was a remarkable time for Thunders who went on to release ‘So Alone’ with a veritable host of bonafide Superstars, spawning his best work (arguably) that included the epic ‘You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory’.

Next up Hotshot picked a Hanny J track ‘Days Felt Like Years’ From her 2019 EP ‘Possession’. HAnny is known for her bass playing in Melbourne punks Clowns but this change of pace offers an insight into her talents as a songwriter and singer.

Ming City Rockers have just completed a new album and whilst we wait for them to start dropping details of when we can expect to hear songs of fit you’ll have to make do with ‘Desperate’ from their last album ‘Lime’ which was released early in 2023. We’ve already had the one-track drop so hopefully, it’s soon when we’ll get news.

Guitar pop indie kids Ash released a great new album late last year and have just released it as an extended option ‘Race The Night’ comes out with an extra raft of tracks. If it’s classic tracks you’re after then look no further than Misfits classic ‘Hybrid Moments’ lifted from the Box set version ‘Static Age’. Digitally remastered from the band’s classic debut – You can’t argue that Early Misfits didn’t deliver and anyone whos seen them play recently can testify that they still have it.

Scandinavian punks The Good The Bad And The Zugly are about to release something of a compilation album based on B sides of singles and a new cut that we play spanning the band’s 15 years of doing this. ‘Decade Of Regression’ hits the shops on the 5th of April. Catch them on tour now!

Next up The Drowns knock out their single ‘Ketamine And Cola’ from the album ‘Blacked Out’ get it off Pirates Press and I can promise you – you won’t be disappointed.

Jumping back to Scandinavia the pair offer up The Backstreet Girls and ‘Boogie Woman’ lifted from their latest album of loud infectious rock n roll ‘In Lust We Trust’. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it which is the mantra the band adhere to and continues to turn out top tunes and top albums.

Joe Strummer gets aired and a demo of ‘Coma Girl’ lifted from his second box set ‘002’ The Mescaleros years. It’s hard to believe that Strummer passed in 2002 and those studio albums still sound fresh and relevant all these years later. This is one of the early outtakes of the track and still, I champion it as his most outstanding solo post Clash record. The box set is well worth investigating full of artefacts and really well designed.

Who doesn’t love Slade? I guess if you’re still reading and you hit the link to play the podcast then you’re going to love this live recording which was recently released on splatter vinyl. ‘Them Kinda Monkeys Can’t Swing’ is a barnstorming opener and this version is particularly good. After a quick check, I can correct myself and say this recording was made from a few nights at the theatre in 1975 so right smack in the middle of the band’s pomp. Captured for a BBC performance Slade are remembered by a slew of fine albums that have just had the rerelease treatment and this is one not to miss alongside the Reading performance that the pair chat about. If you’ve never delved into the Slade archive then what better place to start than a live album stacked with absolute bangers. there aren’t many frontmen with a set of pipes like Holders and on this song he gives his vocals a damn good workout.

Maverick Ryan Adams recently dropped five albums on the same day (now that doesn’t happen every day) one of those albums particularly piqued my attention and ‘Skulls’ is lifted from the album ‘1985’. A daunting and huge back catalogue maybe if you start from this recent album drop you have pretty much the whole sound of the guy in one day – five albums mind and all crammed with tunes. Try him.

Gene Loves Jezebel recently released an album on Cleopatra Records ‘x – Love Death Sorrow’ and it contained a very mixed bag in as much as there were Four covers with the originals and one that caught our ears in the classic post-punk/ New Wave ‘Another Girl Another Planet’ but put their Gothic twist and owned The Only Ones classic taking it somewhere we weren’t expecting but thoroughly enjoyed.

NWOBHM aficionados might baulk at our ignorance when we encounter the recent Cherry Red Records compilation ‘All Systems Go’ and the Crucifixion track ‘Jailbait’. The beauty of these retro boxsets is that you discover bands like this that you might have missed first time around. Don’t take my word for it hit the podcast and get on it.

I think it’s the first Replacements track we’ve dived into on the podcast certainly the first one lifted from the superb ‘Tim’ album box set that came out last year with a superb remix that elevates the album from what we were used to. Possibly hearing the one track in isolation doesn’t do it justice but ‘Kiss Me On The Bus’ is a belter and if you’re new to the Replacements then this is a quality album/box set to dive into it also includes some fantastic live recordings. one of Americas best gifts to music ever – you can take that to the bank.

Finally, on this episode, Laura Jane Grace closes off the show with the title track off her new solo album ‘Hole In My Head’ an album that offers the listener her usual variety of electric and acoustic songs as she rages against the machine. Its her fourth album and this is just a taste of what to expect from another fantastic album. Punk, Folk Rock, Acoustic, Rebel Rousing Grace is compulsive listening and this album maintains the super high standard of songwriting be it as a solo artist or fronting Against Me! or Laura Jane Grace & the Devouring Mothers.

I’m sure you’ll agree if you can understand our poetical Welsh voices we do have the gift of the best music available whatever variety it might be. Join in – let us know what you think. If you have a request or a topic you’d like us to play/discuss then get in touch.

Listen-Folow-Like-Share. Thanks from the pair of us.

Seattle rockers The Drowns are gearing up to unleash their latest salvo of blue-collar punk rock ’n roll: Blacked Out. Returning to the studio for this LP with longtime producer Ted Hutt (Dropkick MurphysFlogging MollyThe Gaslight Anthem), Opening your new record with a track entitled ‘Banger’ and loosely modelling it around The Glitter Band it better bloody well be a ‘Banger’. It certainly sets the tone for what’s to come with a collection of songs that fuse their varied influences really well.

From the boogie-woogie shuffle roots of original 50s rock ’n roll, to the strutting swagger of 70s glam & “bovver rock,” to the gritty anthemic street punk its a pretty decent gene pool to dip those toes in. Single ‘Ketamine & Cola’ is up next and the sunshine Rock n Roll glam stomp rushes through the speakers. It’s catchy, Bright and one to sing along to for sure. The melodies and backing vocals are screaming out lifting the first few tracks as ‘Dynamite’ is like Mud never went away even if it is a brave move having a cover so early in the record but hell why not throw you a curve ball.

With working-class street punk lyrics aplenty it touches on plenty of genres and unifies the lot of em. Chest-beating working-class rock n roll is right where this record is at. The title track is upbeat and made for playing live. really good song. Lucky for the punters they love touring so the chances of seeing these songs in their natural habitat is decent.

I particularly enjoyed ‘Yob On The Rampage’ its where you imagine it to be going by the progression of this record so far. It’s like Slade Griffin on some harder rock but with a good hook and a party in mind. It’s not rocket science and they’re not reinventing the wheel just rolling with it and having a blast and that transfers into a well-rounded rock solid record.

‘1979 Trans Am’ is the embodiment of their approach to making this record and they’ve nailed a good time in three minutes. If I’m being honest this record gets stronger and stronger with the second half of songs are warmed up and cruising and the sound of a band enjoying where they’re at and killing it.

To finish off the record they do kick back and roll out the ole barroom joanna for one last late night sing-a-long on ‘Born To Die In NYC’ and keeping it simple with no breakout or big guitar solo it’s a fine mellow moment to put a full stop on a strong record. Don’t take my word for it. Hit it up and get the beers in, you can thank me later.

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Author: Dom Daley

 

Check out our Spotify Playlist and check out the bands.  Of course they’re great we’ve reviewed them or will be reviewing them this month.  First up Doojiman & The Exploders with ‘Buzzkill’.  More Kicks are a band we can’t get enough of so check out their latest single.

 

The Drowns have a new album this month so why not check out their in your face punk rock with the album opener ‘Black Lung’. ‘Tommy In The 80s’ from the ever magnificent Beach Slang is in this month’s playlist because it and they re so good.

 

We thought we’d add New Bomb Turks – no they haven’t got a new album out (wish they did) but because we can.  Enjoy it.  Supersuckers have a new album out so only fair they get included.

 

One of the best albums released this year is without doubt Humanist so here’s a track featuring Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan. On the live front this month The Interrupters have been tearing it up across the UK so check out their cover of ‘Bad Guy’.  Staying on the live front, Backyard Babies have been entertaining many of the RPM team so let’s go back to when they ruled and some ‘UFO Romeo’. On the same tour, The Wildhearts were busy schooling their Swedish travel companions and showed you can teach old dogs new tricks because ‘Dislocated’ sounded brutal.  Its the Wildhearts of course.

It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t include some Black MEtal at its finest courtesy of the new top dogs Midnight with ‘Fucking Speed And Darkness’.

The Alarm are up with ‘My Town’ which got aired at the Gathering 2020. Stateside our man Gerald raved about Soraia who are ‘Dangerous’.

 

So there you have it another right old mixed bag of Rock and Roll for February.  That lot should keep you entertained for the rest of the month so we’ll see you back in March so until then keep it RPM

 

Ok, so the title is a lyric from a U2 song about October but thats the closest Dublins favourite son is gonna get to RPM singles club and to be fair he wouldn’t stand a chance with some of this months singles. from multi-platinum recording artists to some of our favourites paying homage to the gods of Metal none the less  its another mixed bag of genres but the standard is the usual high bar we like to set.  So without further waffle lets plug the jukebox in and do us all a favour…

Down N Outz – This Is How We Roll (UMC)  An uptempo rock and rolla from Joe and the boys sees some neat riffola on the verses courtesy of The Quireboys’ Paul Guerin and Guy Griffin. The band are nicely rounded off by Keith Weir (keyboards), Share Ross (Bass, ex Vixen) and Phil Martini (drums, Wayward Sons) Its the first track taken from the album of the same title and it doesn’t really sound too similar to any of the associated bands and is more in tune with Elliott’s love of ’70s glam rock and Mott The Hoople which is never going to be a bad thing. Buy Here

 

 

The Drowns – Hold Fast (Pirates Press) Heres the technical piece –  this 12“ one-sided record will leave just about any vinyl collector speechless. On first inspection, this may seem like it’s a picture disc, but it’s not! As the leaves in the wreath are actually transparent! This one-sided record is actually digitally printed on the non-groove side, with two separate passes through the machine, creating one very cool (and very limited!) brand new style of 12“ – pressed on real vinyl, sounding great, unlike actual picture discs.

The possibilities are endless for creating eye-catching and powerful releases using this new method of digitally printing on records… pairing this brand new format with a band garnering so much praise and generating so much excitement right now is the perfect fit; and best way to spread the word about both things, fast! Right, got that?  Wow it looks cool I’m sure you’ll agree but its no good if its joust going to be a wall hanger but The Drowns Hold Fast is a fuckin’ blinding slice of uplifting punk rock. The video for Hold Fast is below so you can check it out for yourself bu t’Demons’ is gang vocals and air pumping fist raised anthems and if this is a sample of what’s to come then the album is going to be something special.

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Prohibition Dead – ‘Let Me Live Or Die’ (Why A Bassist Production) Clearly influenced by Queens Of The Stone Age this French two-piece make enough noise for a whole traditional four-piece band – its catchy has a solid foundation and will appeal to a lot of Jack White fans as well as the more grungy types.  Its the second track off their soon to be released EP set for November. Its a decent loud slice of Fuzzy alt-rock so if that’s yer bag and you are partial to some Black Keys and QOTSA then fill yer boots this will please ya.   Buy ‘Let Me Live Or Die’ Here

 

 

 

The Hip Priests / Spaceforce – Split (Speedowax) With shit island heading for implosion and the last 45 round-up not having a Hip Priests single included I was beginning to give up hope and was thinking whats the chuffin point then this bad boy turns up.  With the finest sleeve to date, it was down to the boyz makin all the noiz to offer up a reason for continuing and they not only give us one track but two and drag along Spaceforce with one for good measure. ‘My Damnation’ and ‘Play It Loud’ are not so much passable little ditties but the latter is a fuckin’ order Play it loud is like Iggy and Ron joining Biff and the boys and kicking out the jams. ‘Play It Loud’ In your neighborhood! too damn right. as for ‘My Damnation’ its total potty mouth and like a heavyweight boxer punching you on the sly right below the belt love the bridge BVs and the solo rips (of course it does).  It never gets boring saying it but they simply have no peers in the 45s stakes and there isn’t anyone making records as consistently good as these reprobates.

As for Spaceforce it’s a thankless task really but they hammer away like Maiden when DiAnno was da man (and when they had something to say) on ‘Ignition’ and their take on the Venom classic ‘Black Metal’ has my respect, you gentlemen, are all Hellbound. Black metal and little green men?  I fuckin love this shit? Stonker of a single and the artwork is pure fuckin genius. Single of the month and might well be single of the year! How’s that!

 

BATS –  The Call Of Cthulhu (Self Release)   With the forthcoming release of their third studio album ‘ALTER NATURE’, this is the first video off the record.  A dark as fuck take to be fair noisy, yup we like noisy. Messed up – yup again we like messed up.  Twisted, ok you get the picture.  It’s their first piece of new music in seven years.  I’m still trying to work it out = nutters’.

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 The Empty Page –  ‘You’re Tame'(Punk Fox records) Cats! but wait before we get carried away with the fluffy creatures we do need to tell you this single is available digitally everywhere and also on limited edition splatter 7″ vinyl from Rough Trade and other select indie record stores. The band stated it was an unashamed slice of 90s alt rock in the vein of Veruca Salt or Hole and we say theres nothing to be ashamed of there guys it might indeed have that retro outsider feel to it and the video is rather Terry Christian The Word about it but thats cool.  Don’t smother your wild side you Empty Pages just keep being you doing what you do and when it’s as good as this and the previous singles then we’ll keep listening and telling others to follow suit. Do it and aren’t they cuddly?  and those cats! (*No musicians were harmed in the making of this video) it’ll be on limited splatter vinyl and have the previous single on the flip side.  Cool as.

oso oso “Basking In The Glow” (Counter-Intuitive Records) About to embark on his first UK tour here’s our introduction to Oso Oso with a great piece of guitar pop – power pop if you like it’s catchy and full of that raw guitar-driven pop not a million miles from some of the stuff Butch Walker puts out hows that for a none too shabby name check? . Check it out via the medium of video and just in case you’re curious here are the tour dates for this week coming around England –  Oct 16 MARGATE, Elsewhere, Oct 17 BRIGHTON, Green Door Store, Oct 18 MANCHESTER, Deaf Institute, Oct 19 LEEDS, The Key Club, Oct 20 GLASGOW, The Hug & Pint, Oct 22 BIRMINGHAM, Sunflower Lounge, Oct 23 NOTTINGHAM, The Bodega,
Oct 24 LONDON, Boston Music Room, and Oct 25 BRISTOL, Louisiana 
All tickets are on sale now HERE

Oso Oso: Facebook | Twitter Spotify

Mono In Stereo – ‘Different Kind Of Man’ (Rum Bar Records) Taken from their second album ‘Can’t Stop The Bleeding’ this uplifting honest slice of Heartland rock n roll with attitude it’s infectious like a bit of Springsteen if he recorded after a night on the dark fruits and a fistfight.  Great rock n roll is always a good place to be and these cats nail it.

45 Rally – Tweets For My Sweet (Rum Bar Records) Tank tops and ties.  Ok, its a first but we’re a broad church.  45 Rally are swinging their pants for sure it’s like some hip house party house band from the swinging ’60s with authentic tambourine backbeat sloppy backing vocals and awesome keyboards. ‘Bigly’ is up first and don’t take too long settling down or you’ll miss it.  Like the Fuzztones chirpy brother theres nothing dark here it’s bubblegum garage done very well indeed and all the song titles come from Trump tweets! could have covered an album full from that bulb but an EP will do for starters Garage Rock from Switzerland who’d have thought it?

 

The Urban Voodoo Machine – Johnny Foreigner (Gypsy Hotel Records) Taken from the compilation album, ‘The Urban Voodoo Machine’s Friends And Family Album Vol 1’ it’s  the band’s riposte to the xenophobia and rise in the UK of all things English nationalism and a rise by right-wing extremists that’s indeed been stinking up the place since Brexshit.  We love ya Paul-Ronney Angel and of course you can stay, our home is your home, we don’t own this shit island. The Urban Voodoo Machine are as magnificent as ever with their sleazy booze-soaked bop n stroll and yet another must-have track gets added to their repertoire. Facebook 

Dirty Sound Magnet – Skull Drawing Rose (Hummus Records) Swiss Psychedelic Rockers Dirty Sound Magnet the latest single from the Album due this week ‘Transgenic’ it isn’t even the longest single we’ve ever had on the 45rpm round-up that title goes to those pesky Hip Priests but this is the first psychedelic progressive Hard Rock song we’ve had entered our charts.  Go fill yer boots ya pixie loving flute wielding prog rats.

The Crookeds – Sucker For Pain (Golden Robot Records) Some classic rock leanings add yet more textures to this month’s 45 RPM round up.  Australian rockers The Crookeds bring their riff laden rock to the club where they mix up some alt rock with a more classic rock sound.  With loud guitars and a Buckley esk soaring vocal.  check it out rockers! 

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Lazybones – Trash Talk  (Say Something Records) Inspired by the likes of Black Sabbath, Sex Pistols and Chas & Dave, using a fuzzy bass guitar, an amplified organ and drums, Lazybones create a trashy, unapologetic, to-the-point British sound. and ‘Trash Talk’ is a loud and unapologetic romp. All the way to the chorus its a bumpy ride but when you get there it’s like screaming on top of a mountain like PJ Harvey riding a rocket.  You can stream this along with other Lazybones songs on Spotify  the band head out around the UK later this month and early next to bosh gig goers over the head with their fuzzed up alt pop – check em out. Here – Website Facebook Twitter Instagram

 

 

A Bunch OF Jerks – Dirt Nap (Rum Bar Records) The first track off their second album has the neat lead single ‘Dirt Nap’ – A snotty spikey slice of Garage punk.  Where the gang vocals are young, loud and snotty and they mix up some B52s with a raw punk rock old school.  It’s in yer face and will follow you around all night as you find your self shouting “Dirt Nap” at random intervals.  This Boston awesome foursome come armed with a full-length (ooh er Mrs.)  album where ‘Dirt Nap’ is lifted from and if this is anything to go by we’ll be all over some more of that. Check it out ya punks! Besides they had a song called ’70s Euro Minge’ for fuck’s sake what’s not to like.  They obviously have all the right credentials  Facebook

 

The Good The Bad And The Zugly – Staying With the Trouble ( Fysisk Format) What nice guys GBZ are. Offering to hold ones hand whilst we navigate these troubled times.  Always great to hear what these loons are up to and they’ve not made a bad record yet. With this being the first peek at what’s to come on the new album ‘Algorithm & Blues’ it sounds a little restrained if I’m honest (in a good way obviously) Its anthemic and will make for a wonderful experience live I’m sure of that. Norway is delivering some fantastic bands and music at the minute and These bad boys are at the top of the pile now get your ears around this and pre-order the album because they’re touring early next year.  I’m staying with the trouble and they can hold my hand any day. Facebook

 

Territories – Quit This City/Defender (Pirates Press Records) Wow, what a stunner this is to wrap up this singles Club.  Hailing from Calgary and following on from their debut long-player last summer these two songs just blew me away.  Its heartfelt chest-beating punk rock these longtime friends have been cutting their teeth for quite a while around Western Canada and since that debut album they’ve been building up a head of steam to this point and from the quiet intro of electric guitar and voice we then break out and deliver a stunning rousing single in ‘Quit This City’.

As the band gear up for their first jaunt to play Rock The Boat this will more than confirm their qualities and worthy place for being on that ship and kicking ass.  I hope it won’t be a case of man overboard as the audience won’t be able to stay still when this erupts. The B side might be more solid paced with its thumping, driving bass line its so good I couldn’t resist digging into the bands back catalogue. Exciting times ahead.  Go check em out and tell em RPM sent ya! Facebook