Considering we’ve been a band for around 5 years, and we’re based between the Czech Republic’s second city of Brno and the Slovak capital of Bratislava, it’s somewhat surprising we haven’t played a show under the big lights of Prague. We had the chance earlier this year at Modrá Vopice – a gig we’d organised with our friends from Berlin, Top Down – but it was frustratingly cancelled at the last minute, and the opportunity was gone.
Tonight though we’re very lucky to be the support for Los Angeles rock ‘n’ rollers The Hangmen as they make a stop at Vagon Music Club in central Prague during their European tour. Bomber Booking have kindly allowed us onto the bill of a band I’ve liked for many years but have never had the chance to see live. So I’m doubly excited about tonight. I remember first encountering The Hangmen through a DVD I owned years ago called Badsville – a bizarre but brilliant collection of features and interviews from the LA underground rock scene, featuring bands such as Texas Terri, Throwrag, Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, Bubble and many more.
So tonight we will finally catch them live. Although, things rarely go smoothly in a rock band, and a day before the show we discover we’ve lost Tom. He’s not dead, but there’s a virus running riot in his house and therefore me and Veronika are back to the duo that started this whole rock ‘n’ roll circus in the first place. But can we still do it without the bass? We’ll have to, I guess.
I always love coming to Prague. The atmosphere, the darkened narrow streets stumbling over each other as they meander through the city, along the river Vltava that divides the imposing castle and its old town from the deep well of activity down here. It’s my first visit to the famous old basement of Vagon Club, and as we’re setting up our merch table, The Hangmen arrive after a 12-hour journey from Belgrade (whose idea was that?!). They’re understandably tired, but still great sports and it’s a relief to meet people you admire who turn out to be sound. The most exciting thing for me is meeting their driver (his name sadly escapes me now), and discovering his mom is also from Birmingham and his uncle produced UB40’s incredible debut album Signing Off.
We have 5 minutes to soundcheck and we manage it in about 4. The Hangmen are visibly happy that we’re a simple two piece with few complications. For a fairly big club there are relatively few people here tonight, which is a disappointment for us, sure, but mainly for The Hangmen, who have been playing to much bigger crowds all tour. Half the crowd had travelled down from Germany. Regardless, we rocked through a half hour set bassless but with few problems, before the Hangmen lit the place up. They were fantastic, full of a swagger and attitude. And despite apparent illness and a long drive they showed no signs of weariness. They were class. Me and Veronika bought up half their merch table and moved to another pub with our friend Boris from Slovak punk band Dafy and the Rafters, who had unexpectedly turned up for the show. A good night all in all. Thanks Prague, and see you again soon.
Bad Actors released their album on Sioux Records who have previously released the excellent albums last year from Richard Bacchus and The Yowl who both made my best of albums for 2021. Bad Actors was supposed to come out a while back and what with covid etc the can got kicked down the line and delays with one thing or another means it’s only now getting a vinyl release but it’s limited so don’t snooze.
So what do they sound like? well, it’s a Rock and Roll record in the time-honored traditions of The Heartbreakers and Joneses but the vocals have much in common with The Humpers.
Hell, it’s a loud sloppy old-school punk Rock n Roll record. It’s buzzing with energy from the first note of ‘Steal Your Heart’ to the final refrain of ‘Cold Mercy’. Ten tracks of really good noise. When you hear influences like The Candy Snatchers and Humpers then you know it’s got to walk the walk as well as talk the talk.
‘Eyes On Top’ is a scuzzy slow rumbling rocker with low-fi vocals delivered with a bit of menace that meanders to the chorus where you get hushed piano tinkling the time-honored stooges one finger fuck you honky tonk whilst the guitars just kick out the jams like the Nomads. There’s tub-thumping into a Heartbreakers slog on ‘Anthem’ of course it’s called Anthem why wouldn’t it be? Imagine you’re in a beer stained club, it’s late you’ve had one beer too many and someone hands you a large glass of Jager shots and then the dry ice hits you and the speakers crank out some ear-shattering bad boy boogie and ‘Backfire’ creeps out of the speakers and you can’t help but get involved well ‘Black Static’ does that and some.
‘Pale Rider Dark Horse’ sounds live in the studio with a cool lick on the intro before the whole band kicks up a shitstorm much like Chelsea Smiles. These cats can Roll with their Rock and its powerful stuff. It’s got attitude aplenty and they have a fantastic sleazy sound its like a muscle car with plenty of grunt and a middle digit in your face but once you familiarise yourself with it then you will be the best of friends.
Man there’s even time to wind up some psychedelic riff-a-rama on ‘Who Knows Why’ but once it gets going it’s top drawer stuff. ‘Off My Head’ is sleazy power pop at its finest mashing up old school 50-60s pop with Punk attitude and rounded off with handclaps and boogie piano. What’s not to like? Man as we head into the final fling of this record we get some Detroit-like riffs on ‘Sister Slowdown’ that will rival anything out of Sweden – honestly. The pace is taken down for the final fling as ‘Cold Mercy’ is sinister menacing Rock n Roll.
So when I say these are limited to 300 pieces on white vinyl don’t waste time – if the postage from further afield than the USA is your problem I suggest you check out their other releases and pick them up and discover a new label that supplies the most excellent punk rock and roll records.
The Bloodshots – ‘No Way Out’ (Golden Robot Records). What time is it? It’s cock Rock O’Clock kids. Big chorus’s big guitars Big drums and big attitude. Who said cock rock was dead? Well, it ain’t, The Bloodshots are proving that. Gang Vocals big enough for Two Dokken albums and guitar soloing like there’s no tomorrow. Check it out, kids. I’m only disappointed they haven’t all got cowboy boots on and big hair I feel somewhat let down. Never mind turn it up and lets rock. Sharing the stage with the likes of Danko Jones can only be a good thing as the band evolves.
The Cavemen – ‘Euthanise Me’ (Slovenly Recordings) Oh baby it’s always a good day when an email drops from Slovenly and it contains the words The Cavemen and you can see it contains new music. Damn, I love this band of reprobates. They play perfect trash and bash rock and Roll and ‘Euthanise Me’ is a four-track EP that just nails it. From the sonic explosion of the title track and all its trashy sing along beauty. If that wasn’t trashy enough then get a load of the raw delights that is ‘Eat Your Heart & Wear Your Face’. As close as you can get to ‘Raw Power’ without melting in the heat generated. They’ve also got time to give you a ‘Nightmare’ as they OD on the 50s Rock and Roll. Hang on a minute, ‘Over You’ is a slower groove and an absolute peach of a track with a banging melody. and those guitars are like you’ve just wiped your ears with an angle grinder. Brilliant! Single of the week? Fuckin’ right it is. Facebook
Bitch Queens / Delilahs ’77 – Split (Lux Noise Records) Boom! Bitch Queens have been a band I’ve loved since I very first heard them and over those years they’ve managed to get better and better with each new record and live they are one of the best hard rockin bands out there. This split is yet more proof that they just kick ass and take no prisoners. A classic attack and takedown of a classic tune. Bitch Queens absolutely own it – brilliant!
For all you collectors out there its available in several highly collectable colours. As for Delilahs, it’s a Misfits mashup and to be quite honest the ‘fits haven’t sounded this good for – oh God I don’t know how long – fantastic version. The classic ‘Some Kinda Hate’ is totally owned. These two have form for sharing splits and this is a worthy addition to anyone’s punk rock 7′ collection. Of course I’m saying Buy It! Here
The Hangmen – ‘Thunderhead / She Walks’ (Acetate Records) It’s not every day you get a treat like this. The Hangmen covering Gun Club – wow! What a storming take on the Jefferey Lee Pierce Gun Club number. Blood and thunder with the slippy slide guitar and crash bang wallop its a really good take on a great song. Small talks about his love of Gun Club and pours his heart out in this cover.
As for she walks its got swagger and some awesome ivory tinkling going on, Hell it’s The Hangmen just go get it!
IT might only be a digital release through Acetate and Bandcamp but I’d love to hear more make it happen Brian. Get it Here
Jesse Malin – ‘Ameri’Ka’ (Wicked Cool Records) Laid back Malin knocks out the best single he’s penned in a while. Troubadour or bard of NYC its got great lyrics and in the darkness there seems a hope and a look to the future going on. Tough times call for tough songs and this is a beauty. But then I’m always going to say that sure I’d love to hear the guy rock out but I also love the guys more roots American vibe and this is the latter – and very good it is too.
Vacuum – ‘Fixated’ (Wanda Records) Some usual suspects from the London Punk Scene drop a two-track slice of toxic punk rock with a heap of melody and a chorus you can jump around to and sing along at the same time. Uh, Ha Fixated alright.
The B side is like the sound of some punk keying your car door then kicking your speaker cone in. It’s snotty it’s brash its an open wound you just want to scratch and I love the breakdown and solo.
The Dirts – ‘#2’ (Self Release) Five songs in under ten minutes, what’s not to like? No-fi, Tick. The spirit of The Stooges and the Damned coursing through this is just about perfect. Where do I pay my money? opener ‘Zero Boys’ is trashy as fuck but ‘Inside My Head’ takes it to the next level. The vocals are barely audible but the guitar is throwing out the licks life his life depends on it.
Recorded at home (if your home is a cell with no windows then cool! and Helvete which is just about right. Satans doorbell would be the ideal place to hang this one. This EP absolutely rips and only gets better. ‘Nowhere To Go’ is bursting with energy but ‘Homicide Eyes’ is plain Evil. Get some at the link pop pickers its a Garage punk fire fest and I love it.
Drive-By Truckers – ‘The New OK’ ( ATO Records) Patterson Hood pens the hard-hitting title track from the new Truckers album and shoots a video during the recent Portland unrest. Hood is residing in the Portland area and asks the question is the New OK OK? and hits the spot. Always astute lyrics but these strike a chord with so many right-minded people around the world and we stand side by side. Everyone should have the right to peacefully protest and everyone should respect that and Hood shoots a hard-hitting video to accompany the track. Top tune from a top band check it out.
The False Positives – ‘Favourite Things’ (self Release) When the sleeve has albums strewn over a floor and I spy such classics as The Damneds debut, Motorhead, DMZ, Nick Lowe and The Flamin Groovies I just knew this was going to be a winner and low and behold it is. A vibrant Rockin’ slab of Power poppin goodness. Two and a half minutes of Swirling Garage organs and tasty distorted licks with a solid chorus and do wap harmonies to complete the job and a lead vocal that reminds me of the late great Nikki Sudden. Very nice work indeed.
Continental Lovers – ‘Out Of My Head’ (Self Release) Glam bang Thank you, man. Trashy Rock ‘n’ Roll with a delightful smudge of glitter and attitude.
The shuffle on the verse leading to the chorus is great and the arrangement is quality. It’s a rapid burst of energy and quite possibly the best thing Joe has penned to date be it as a Breakdown or any other project he’s been involved in. It’s a top tune and if this is just a taste of what’s to come then bring it on as Continental Lovers have a bright future. Buy ‘Out Of My Head’ Here
Baby Shakes – ‘Singles’ (Dimple Discs) Glam stomping Rock ‘n’ Retro Roll. Two Undertones-related records get the Noo Yawk makeover and to be fair they turn in a pretty faultless pair of beauties. ‘Sweet N Sour’ is a stomper that was originally released by Damian O’Neill on his solo record a few years back but my pick of the pair is ‘Really Really’ a song written by drummer Billy Doherty that could be found on the B side of the 1979 hit ‘Get Over You’ which they absolutely nail.
Bipolar – ‘Bipolar EP’ (Slovenly Recordings) Thinking about how to describe Bipolar whilst the EP is playing then gancing down at the press release and seeing them described as SCREAMERS finger-banging THE DICKIES while THE SPITS egg them on I knew I couldn’t beat that so I’m using it. Bipolar is the twisted creation of Pouya and Obash, two Iranians living in Brooklyn.
Think SCREAMERS finger-banging THE DICKIES while THE SPITS egg them on – Pouya has already done time on keys with The Spits.
Of course its crude, Lo-Fi noisy and hell of a lot of fun. ‘Virus’ sounds like a twisted punk rock Motorhead on the wrong meds. As for ‘Fist Fight’ it sounds like what went on before during and after they pressed record. Its uncomplicated, dark punk rock blasts from people who truly get it. Go find em if you dare. Top EP.
Jakob Mind – ‘Watch The City Burn’ (Lövely Records) Rotten Mind singer/vocalist Jakob Arvidsson’s newly established solo project unveils the first track and its the sprightly ‘Watch The City Burn’ and bloody good it is too. It’s the first glimpse of what will be a new album early 2021 and Jakob promises songs from straight-up punk rock to a more Roky Erickson vibe so what’s not to like there? ‘Watch The City Burn’ sounds like he plays everything and a bit DIY but in the best possible way. Great song, great vibe and one to look out for. Pencil it in your diaries folks April 2021. Facebook / Instagram
I See Vultures – ‘Neversafe’ (Self Release) Something of a Gallows tip or post-punk hardcore – a little less in your face maybe but coming from the same place are these Brit hooligans I see Vultures. drawing from the At The Drive-In, Rage Against The Machine pool. Its Big vocals full of harmony that’s quite proggy sounding against the rough lead vocal but swirling guitars is the name of the game before they build up into that Rage groove. It’s glossy and rough in equal measures. Check them out for yourself in the youtube video below.
Atomic Eater – ‘Broken Earth’ (Self Release) Another off the Lo-Fi conveyor belt. Swedens Atomic Eater goes for the electronic garage punk with a Bontempi keyboard to lead you into the dense verse /chorus thump. Imagine if the early Buzzcocks used synths and riffed on Tubeway Army vibes then you’d be in the right ballpark. ‘Nightshift’ is another uptempo punch to the throat and one you’ll be toe-tapping along to but pick it up quickly because it’s over with in the blink of an eye. Crazy scandi punks.
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard – 30,000 Megabucks (Self Release) Riff it up boyos Its like a prime time slab of boogie-woogie on the intro like Angus was born in Brecon. It’s a double denim stomp off. When times are tough and you’re looking for a little ray of sunshine in strut four lads with electric guitars and a pocket full of top tunes. Get on it now my 70s inspired rock and rollas turn the amps up and play your rock and roll. This tune is majestic like the band riding over the rainbow throwing out fistfuls of magic stardust that cheer up the people via the medium of rock, I didn’t know it was possible to smile like a Cheshire cat for three and a half minutes but I do now – Buy It!
Rain rain go away come back another day. Shit island has had enough wet stuff falling from the sky but whilst we wait for Spring how about the brand new video from The Hangmen. Yup that’s right LA delivers from time to time and this is exceptional stuff from Smalls and the rest of the band.
How about a brand new video from Rich Ragany & The Digressions. The title track from the debut album gets the video treatment as the band announced as support on the Status Quo winter tour 2020.
With a brand new album hitting the streets this month what else can we do than play the brand new lead track from ‘Deathtraps ‘Stole Your Rock and Roll’. Ladies and germs I give you ‘Let’s Fall Out Of Love’
With 2019 quickly rolling downhill towards 2020 and with Halloween just around the corner and Shit Island still under Tory rule heres a playlist to take you away from the humdrum of real-life and to take a peek at whats on the RPM turntables and MP3 players this month.
Alice Cooper is in the house with Go Man Go taken from his excellent EP ‘The Breadcrumbs EP’ and how could we not include Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind so get down and get with it as ‘Shazam’ is in the house on the virtual player.
Also on the live front we’ve caught up with the awesome Cyanide Pills who are ‘Still Bored’. this month we’ve got an exclusive interview we recently did with Spunk Volcano so it seems right we should include ‘Shit Excuse’ from ‘Double Bastard’. It seems that every man and his dog is attending one of The Cult winter tour dates so why not play ‘New York City’ from the 30th Anniversary ‘Sonic Temple’.
Hands up if you’re heading to one of the Black Flag dates around the UK this month? We are so ‘My War’ is on the list. Pulled Apart By Horses rode into Newport and left a mark so ‘The Big What If’ is on the list.
As for new albums we’ve reviewed how about a few new ones starting off with Pardon Us with the opening track on their debut album ‘Wait’ ‘check out ‘Beyond The Valley Of The Wolves’. The Hangmen are back with ‘Cactusville’ as are Starcrawler who we’ve included with the excellent rock and rolla ‘No More Pennies’, Bitch Queens bring ‘Superboy’ and their brothers from different mother are back with a new single. The Hip Priests ‘I Hate The City’ from their recent split but fear not pop pickers they have another single on the way this month we’ve heard it and its a no brainer kids all killer and no filler was written for them.
As we say goodbye to Barrie Masters we’ve included Eddie And The Hot Rods cover of ‘Once Bitten Twice Shy’. Since they’re having a movie made about them we think it’s apt that we include the awesome Redd Kross with ‘Motorboat’ on this months playlist. turn it up baby because Charger make the paylist with ‘Victim’ from their self titled record. Cockroach Clan released their new/old record so why not sample some Norweigan punk rock whilst youre here.
It wouldn’t seem right not to have a Wildhearts tune in our playlist seeing as they have a new mini-album out this month and are playing the UK again so heres ‘A Song About Drinking’. Supporting them on this round of dates are Janus Stark who also have a headliner at the hope & Anchor so with news of their new album released last week heres one from them for good measure – We can’t play you anything new but trust us when we say it’s going to be worth the wait so to keep you going heres ‘Every Little Thing Counts’. It only seems fair we offer up some Shitbaby Mammals with the opener from their record ‘Heart On My Sleeve’. To wrap up this months playlist heres some Black Star Riders with the second track from their new album and title track ‘Another State Of Grace’. So until next month…
The Hangmen release records when they want to release records. The Hangmen don’t seem to have a mapped out plan to their rock and Roll and it would seem have a more organic approach, a natural approach to what they do. The one thing that shines like a beacon is when they do decide its time to put out a record its always quality and well worth the wait.
‘Cactusville’ is the group’s new record their first since 2012 and builds on ‘East Of Western’ with subtle string and harmonies in their arrangements. It still has their hallmark country-infused punk style and attitude, The Hangmen have penned a record that singer and guitarist Bryan Small describes as “A fully realized effort.”
It’s dark at times but, its also glorious technicolour, Small’s songwriting stands in contrast from his Los Angeles peers, choosing to chronicle outlaw folklore and broken romances, The Hangmen are in the house and whilst keeping their identity and the style that fans love they have finally returned with newly found urgency.
Being unhappy with aspects of the last studio album Smalls was determined to wright what he saw as the previous records wrongs and then The Hangmen went on what Small called a ‘forced hiatus’, prompting longtime bassist Angelique Congleton to ask if the band existed or would even resume.
Small felt sufficient time had passed and began writing but with no plan in mind, who knows how long it might take him to follow it up. Thankfully Smalls must have been inspired and the music began to flow. Congleton kept active with her chef position while Small continued spending time with his family.
‘Cactusville’ might be slightly darker and the songs more measured than ‘East Of Western’ it might be partly due to the revolving door of band members this time new drummer Jorge E. Disguster takes the stool along with Smalls and longtime six string companion Jimmy James.
“I know we’ve had a lot of lineups since that first record back in ’86 but I believe in the songs, still play some of those tracks. Looking back to when I first saw Jimmy James play, I loved how simple yet powerful he was. I knew he was the right guitarist for me. Angelique has been with me since ‘Metallic I.O.U.’ came out and I’m grateful because playing in a band is never really easy, and I wouldn’t say The Hangmen are what people would consider a full-time thing. We don’t really have the infrastructure that other groups do. Social media is dominating and of course every band uses it but for me, it’s like pulling teeth to use. Jorge is interested in doing that and Acetate has done more for us than Capitol Records ever did back in the day, that experience ended up being such a joke,”.
Here and now the record starts with the title track and with a laid back groove it’s a sonic masterclass sounding like Smalls has indeed put previous production foibles to bed and moved on with a bright and roomy opener. With a lead guitar that sits on top of the mix giving it a real air of quality and you’ll stop what you’re doing to check out who and what your hearing. ‘Looking For Blood’ is more upbeat with a swagger in the rhythm and its got handclaps so I’m all in.
Some of the guitar work on this record is exceptional. Not in the fact they’re doing anything groundbreaking but they sound like a pair of guitarists who just click and feed off each other. ‘Man In Blacks Hand’ has got a cool as guitar lick and its the sound of a writer who knows what he’s after and what he’s steeped in and should rightfully be proud of these songs marrying a great lick to a recognisable sound isn’t an easy thing in 2019 but this is 100% Hangmen but it does sound fresh at the same time. Those country-tinged phrasings come to the fore on ‘Nobody’s Girl’ and the subtle strings fill the sound making it sound huge but Smalls snarl trading off the guitar lick is great and by the time you hit the chorus you should be nodding like a dog.
Never wanting to overstay their welcome The Hangmen keep it to a super solid nine tracks on ‘Cactusville’ with ‘Cold Memory Blues’ is the lap steel countrified inner city blues that Smalls writes so well. It’s widescreen Rock and Roll alright and is the cover artwork in music. ‘Don’t Count Me Out’ is a beautiful song with some fantastic harmonies and exceptional arrangments. A record that just keeps on giving play after play it goes through the gears but remains totally The Hangmen old fans will be delighted with the songwriting quality and new fans will be wondering how they’ve been so late to the party. Take a trip on the dark side of the Hollywood tracks where the Hangmen dwell just out of sight from the glitz and fake glamour this is where the real beauty lies. The album closer is the acoustic-driven ‘Don’t Look Back’ thats heartbreaking in delivery as Smalls croons with his trusty acoustic before being joined by the rest of the band. Who then weave and meander through over six minutes of what it’s fair to describe as an epic journey with some stunning guitar breaks.
‘Cactusville’ is pretty much exactly what I wanted to hear on a new Hangmen record and they bloody well nailed it. Hopefully, this will light a fire under Smalls songwriting timeline and we won’t have to wait so long between records and it would be awesome if the band would come to the UK. I’d be there, would you? Stunning new album buy it!
The L.A. underground Rock legend’s 7th studio album
“It’s The Hangmen he wanted to kill… we got run out of Cactusville,” laments Bryan Small on the album’s title track of The Hangmen’s seventh album. Flanked by longtime members Jimmy James (guitar), Angelique Congleton (bass) and newcomer Jorge Disguster (drums), Small recollects the harrowing tale of a gig in Tuscon promoting their major label debut. “It was such a formative trip for us as a young band. There was death, drugs, booze, guns, girls and rock n’ roll… and we met some new friends along the way.”
2019 marks the release of Cactusville and another chapter of The Hangmen legend continues. Small has taken his brand of songwriting to another level, putting him in an artistic class with the likes of Tom Petty and Neil Young as purveyors of honest and simple songwriting.
Side 2 of the LP features the Best Western Players, Bryan Small’s countrified side project. In the same vein as Neil Young’s “American Stars and Bars,” the songs take on a different feel, with vocal harmonies and haunting pedal steel echoing throughout. It’s familiar territory for Small, who grew up in rural Montana before making his way to Los Angeles. “The ‘country’ side of The Hangmen has been there from the start, it stems from the love of Gun Club, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, etc.,” explains Small, “the Best Western Players were brought in to realize the songs as they were conceived.”
The Hangmen will join Acetate Records label mates the Supersuckers on a rare East Coast US tour in September. Additional dates TBA.
THE HANGMEN w/ Supersuckers (unless otherwise denoted *)
08/23 Los Angeles, CA @ Redwood Bar Record Release Party *
I wear my Junkyard t-shirt with pride. I saw them back in the day and I saw them last year at Hull Hair Metal Heaven, albeit with a 26-year gap. Now I get to see them do an actual headline set at my local venue, just a short walk from my house, 27 years since first seeing them open for The Almighty.
Over here as support to Blackberry Smoke by personal request of singer Charlie Starr shows the respect these Hollywood veterans have in certain circles and rightly so. Lumped in with the late 80’s glam scene, they were always more Steve Earl than Motley Crue. Times may have changed, styles may have changed but Junkyard will always be Junkyard. Bowing to no trends or fads, they play rock ‘n’ roll like they always have, honest songs with dirty riffs and sleazy vocals that get under the fingernails and refuse to budge.
First up we have The Jokers. I’ve not seen or heard The Jokers before tonight and to be fair the Northern band were highly impressive. I guess you could put them right in the Classic Rock category, think Bad Company meets Shortino-era Quiet Riot. You can’t knock their energy and enthusiasm for starters and I think they turned it up to 11, maybe a bit too loud for the sparse turnout at Fibbers tonight.
Singer Wane Parry looks like a young Dave King in his Fastway days with Bolans’ corkscrew hair and what a damn fine set of pipes he has. Diminutive guitarist Paul Hurst is a poundshop Warner E Hodges and an excellent player who gives his all, pulling off massive riffs and licks aplenty. Several times he downs his Les Paul and comes out into the audience to beckon people to come to the front. He partly succeeded by pulling forward some birds who were probably wives and girlfriends of the band to be honest.
They played like the room was packed and they deserve bigger audiences. If they play in your town I strongly urge you to go see them.
Vintage Trouble’s ‘Run Like The River’ blats from the PA as an introduction for Junkyard’s set tonight. With the cover of last year’s excellent ‘High Water’ album emblazoned on the screens behind them, they launch straight into ‘Life Sentence’. It’s been the opener every time I have seen them, no wonder, it’s a killer introduction. “That’s my life, that’s my way…that’s my life sentence” shouts Roach as he swings his mic stand around the stage, no truer words have been sung with such conviction.
Dressed in their obligatory matching denim cut-offs, Junkyard are a gang who wear their colours proudly on their backs and their brand of biker blues is for real. The raw, punk rock delivery of David Roach is the perfect match for the bluesy twin guitars of Jimmy James and Tim Mosher. Uber cool Quireboys bassist Gary Ivin, standing in for the absent Todd Muscat, is a fine replacement and keeps a perfect rhythm with original drummer Pat Muzingo.
New songs such as ‘Faded’ and the punky ‘W.F.L.W.F.’ fit perfectly with the old standards and it’s as great to hear these new songs live as it is the classics. The ever cool ‘Back On The Streets’ and the bluesy ‘Long Way Home’ are played early and sound sublime.
Jimmy James breaks a string midway through ‘Blooze’, so as the pair of guitarists dart off stage together to re-string (they didn’t even bring a spare?), the rhythm section keeps the song going, bassist Gaz keeps the rumbling bassline jamming stage front as David returns with an extended vocal rap. A fine rock ‘n’ roll moment to savor.
‘Hands Off’ remains one of my favourite Junkyard songs and tonight, as Tim picks those classic chords and Jimmy rips out that bluesy lead, it sends shivers up the back of my spine.
Of course, they close with the obligatory ‘Hollywood’ their biggest hit, but not their greatest song by far.
No encore’s, no surprises and a no-frills approach that delivered just what you expect from a Junkyard show. There is talk of them returning to these shores in the not so distant future, and while I’m sure the packed out shows with Blackberry Smoke have been rewarding for the band, I do hope the not so packed club shows don’t put them off coming back for more. Until they return, I still wear my Junkyard t-shirt with pride.
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