Unlucky for some this compilation has thirteen unreleased tracks from Swiss underground punk and garage rock bands. If you’re hip and on it, most of these bands will be familiar to you or if you’re an avid reader of RPM Online there will be some familiar names but in the time-honoured tradition of compilations, there are always unpacked gems lurking that will (hopefully) set off a wormhole of discovery into a band or labels catalogue of releases some of which are quite expensive.
Right, that’s that but what about the tunes? A lot of these bands will be known internationally which is often the case that they do well outside of their own country and might have a cult underground following back home so to speak but the beauty of a compilation is the voyage of discovery or the bonus of that exclusive unreleased gem from a band you love this album offers all that and more. up first are Nasty Rumours a band we’ve reviewed before offering up a rapid Ramones inspired sound that will indeed drive you insane. It’s pogo punk rock – something they do rather well it has to be said. Fans of The Briefs, The Boys and obviously The Ramones need to hear these chaps and a great way to kick off this album its sharp, quick, melodic and a lot of fun!
A band that should need no introductions on RPM is Bitch Queens who’ve long been championed around here a band who just seem to get better with every record are up next with ‘The Apocalypse’. An anthemic slice of hard Rockin, rifftastic Rock n Roll that benefits from being played loud with the big gang vocals on the chorus its a welcome addition to the bands superb catalogue of records worth it for the opening two tracks alone.
Hang on make that opening three tracks as Bad Mojos come steaming in with ‘Weekend Warrior’ which sounds like a fuckin’ runaway train steaming towards a bunch of fluffy kittens and if you blink it’s over you missed it. Top top tune!
With some genres I’ve never even heard of these Punks and Garagerockers turn in a very impressive collection. The Delilahs ‘Wheels’ is polished and anthemic as you hit the chorus and another really impressive song is unfolding. I’d only previously heard them when they did a split with Bitch Queens and I loved their contribution to that as well.
Its fair to say that when you scratch the surface there are a whole bunch of excellent bands all over this spinning ball and this compilation shines a light on what Switzerland has to offer. Tight Finks remind me of a punky Levellers whereas my first introduction to Uberyou sees them as a competent mob of punk rockers as they knock out ‘How Lonely’.
The Monsters go hell for leather on ‘Gimme Germs’ creating their own circle pit and helping spread the disease at great volume – get fit and jump in as they blast their way through one and a half minutes of sweet noise. Lombego Surfers have a crisp overdriven guitar sound that’s swirling around and around towards their homage to Jimmy Page for the solo and it’s a two-fingered salute and off they go.
Here Hare Here go for the early 70s garage thump of ‘Chez Liam’ and deliver it really well a band who’ve so far alluded my ears but not anymore. Great stuff. It seems fitting that Monofones are up next with their hypnotic ‘Rich Bitch’ that thunders along at a frantic pace – kicking and screaming into the quirky Wolf Wolf who get groovy with ‘Black Hole’.
With only a couple of bangers left we receive The Lovers and their ‘Punjab Punk Rock’ which is a more reckless punk n roll building up to an exquisite solo before falling off the edge of a cliff with its abrupt ending which is a shame as I was really enjoying it. With the whole shebang being wound up by Uristier and ‘Influencer’ being sung in their native tongue its another variant on the rock and roll disease spreading across borders with compilations as good as this one.
Getting jabbed can wait stay in and get your rocks off to this sweet record with something for everyone it’s well worth locking yourself down for.
Considering we’re in the early knockings of a new decade it’s impressive that bands take the time to put out singles at this time of year anyway. We welcome some fresh meat onto our pages and welcome back some brothers we always have time for on RPM for their sheer excellentness and an amazing repertoire of top tuneage. Oh, and good effort on bands like Smash Fashion who are embracing the format with two new bangers which is everything we love about Rock and Roll. So here’s an impressive starting eleven me lovers, check these treats out…
The City Kids – ‘Best Of You’ (self-released) Not to be confused with Welsh glam legends City Kidds, this is the new project from former Main Gains axe-slinger JJ Watt. ‘Best Of You’ is the first single from their upcoming debut album ‘Things That Never Were’ and all proceeds from this release go to Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Mikey Lawless from Falling Red.
JJ handles vocals and guitar on this project and he is joined by Dennis Post (Warrior Soul/Flush The Fashion), Berty Burton (Tigertailz) on bass and Falling Red drummer Dave Sanders.
‘Best Of You’ is a low slung, gritty rock ‘n’ roll number that stays true to JJ’s roots. Think Circus Of Power meets The Yo-Yos for reference. Vocals that can’t hide a 40 a day habit and a penchant for a rum or two, mix with greasy biker rock and tons of melody, what more could you desire?
Billy Tee and Alex Holmes from The Suicide Notes add vocals, guitar and a certain swagger to the ramshackle ‘Round And A Round’, which was co-written by JJ and a certain Mr Kory Clarke. This four-track release adds demos of the single and an old Main Grains track that they never recorded called ‘You Get Nothing’ that is worth the asking price alone.
All tracks feature on the album, albeit different versions, making this release more than just a curio for lovers of The Main Grains, The Wildhearts, Warrior Soul or anyone with a love of no-frills rock ‘n’ roll. Bandcamp / Facebook
Smash Fashion – ‘Got Da Hee Bee GeeBee’s’/ ‘Benny And The Jets’ (Yeah Right! Records) Smash Fashion tip the hat to the early punk rockers and they manage to spit their gum out long enough to knock this one right out the park. exactly what a 7″ single should sound like, “cool as” kids trust me, Snotty and with a bit of street muscle Smash Fashion turn their efforts to the classic 7″ single and do it justice – nice. Then flip it over for some retro-tinged Hoople hand-clapping, shithouse shaking Rock and Rolla. Damn Smash Fashion just gets better and better. Check it out right now! Its an order. Facebook Pick it up Here
The Hip Priests – ‘Drink To My Demons’ (Speedowax Records) Well as I wipe my brow those Hip Priests are in the house making good on the reason why a singles club is an essential staple of any website. Yeah, so they’ve done plenty of singles so what? This ones a sexy picture disc! They’ve not done that before so new ground there for those purveyors of awesome Garage Rock. With more power than a front row of F1, this is a tasty twosome. ‘Drink To My Demons’ is a banger (of course it is bla bla bla) No it really is. Nobody does it better as Von Cruz spits out the lyrics and no doubt fueled by the world they live in, The Hip Priest lead the charge in 2020, For me, all the intrigue was about the B side and how The Priests were going to tackle the Adam And The Ants B-side from the ‘Kings Of The Wild Frontier’ single – ‘Press Darlings’. Oh wow! truly spectacular this needs to be heard Adam should hand over ownership pronto The Hip Priests absolutely kill it. magic stuff. Don’t pass this one by folks, just buy it or be left with custard pie(ella) on your face. Spasm Gang members can pick it up with some rather tasty beer mats thrown in as well. Facebook
Rotten Mind – Not One Of You (Lövely Records) Today marks the release of “Not One of You”, Rotten Minds third and last single taken from the band’s fourth album “Rat City Dog Boy”, set for release this week February 7 to be precise on Lövely Records. “Not One of You” is the most darkwave- inspired track of the LP. The reverby guitar sounds, fat and pumping bass à la Joy Division and lyrics about alienation contribute to a gloomy atmosphere.Facebook
Hells Ditch – ‘Vacant Hearts’ (Disconnect Disconnect (UK), Rose Coloured Records (UK) & Bypolar Records)
Featuring ex/current members of Bad Ideas, River Jumpers & Dearist Hells Ditch release their debut single next month on 7″ but is available now to stream. With a modern punk rock sound its no surprise to see the band get Mass Giorgini who has previously worked with the likes of Rise Against, Anti Flag and Alcaline Trio. Whilst hailing from the UK they have a sprightly American sound which will have wide appeal. Be interesting to hear some more of these guys they could do really well.
ÅSKVÄDER – ‘NOTHING TO LOSE’ (The Sign Records) Unadulterated pure ’70s Rock that’s where ÅSKVÄDER are coming from with this the first single taken from their upcoming S/T debut album, to be released on The Sign Records this coming March. Yes, they’re from Sweden (where else?) is it Action enough for the Action Rock crowd? (I’d say it certainly is) with some of that southern Rock boogie and a raw on the prowl guitar sound, this is sharp and whilst its roots are back in the mists of time they are not. Check it out on streaming sites everywhere.
The Venomous Pinks – ‘I Want You’ (Die Laughing Records) Tempe, AZ all-female punk rock trio The Venomous Pinks has released a new single and music video, a cover of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts’ “I Want You,” which will appear on the band’s upcoming album of the same name.
The Venomous Pinks hit this particular nail squarely on the head with a ten-pound sledge. No subtlety, no compromise just a damn good interpretation of a Jett classic. Not a band to be trifled with. Top tune! Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
The Monsters – ‘I’m A Stranger To Me’ (Slovenly Records) Wild, reckless, outta control. Just the way we like it here at RPM. The lead track rattles along in spectacular fashion. With a guitar that’s like a twitching, buzz saw hacks and cuts through the moon the loon style drumming – its a rocket ride of a tune and that’s good enough for us. Check em out. flip it over to see if they are more than a one-trick pony and ‘Carpool Lane’ begins with some white noise before the slow Sabbath with no bottom end enters the fray …oh hang on we’re off on some hypnotic march. Nuts I tell thee but what’s wrong with that? Nothing that’s what. Check out Monsters they rock!
Soraia – ‘Dangerous’ (Wicked Cool Records) Philadelphia rock quartet Soraia will release their new album ‘Dig Your Roots’ on March 13 via Steven Van Zandt’s label Wicked Cool Records. American radio is blowing up over these cats and having been influenced by the likes of Joan Jett and the vines so it’s a no brainer they were going to feature on the pages of RPM. Being part of the Wicked Cool roster isn’t too shabby either. this track released off the album ‘Dig Your Roots’ is punchy and has a decent riff on that chorus as you can see Joan Jett has indeed been an influence and its good to hear that again this month! Facebook
The Ghost Wolves – Lets Go To Mars (Dirty Water Records) Austin Texas has thrown up plenty of noteworthy bands and Ghost Wolves are certainly one of the busiest. Blending rock n’ roll, punk rock, garage and blues with electronic elements, the duo has earned a reputation as one of the hardest working bands in the modern rock n’ roll underground, touring internationally for almost 8 years straight, with nearly 1000 shows between them in 23+ countries including most of Western Europe, USA, U.K., and Japan. ‘Let’s Go To Mars’ is their latest offering on wax
Märvel – ‘Märvellous’ (The Sign Records) The EP contains four tracks of hard hitting Rock n Roll; ‘Amaze-O’, ‘Marvellous’, ‘Public School 75’ and ‘A Taste of Platinum’. Digital and 7″ vinyl.
Märvels debut EP “Märvellous” claimed to be recorded in 2002 for the American label New York Powerhitters during the bands exchange semester in Colorado. Märvel returned to Sweden before the songs were released, and the EP never got to reach the ears of Märvels dedicated fans. Well, Worry no more Märvel fans because the band has re-recorded the EP and it’s here. What does it sound like? Well, its got a flavour of classic Märvel of course but its got classic rock running through it from the Kiss like riffage on ‘Amaze-O’ and the pick of the four would go to ‘Märvellous’ again, more than a nod to what they learnt in Kisstory lessons at Rock school. So you know where this ones going kids its quality Rock! Marvel style. Now go get one before they’re all gone gone gone.
Unlucky for some this compilation has thirteen unreleased tracks from Swiss underground punk and garage rock bands. If you’re hip and on it, most of these bands will be familiar to you or if you’re an avid reader of RPM Online there will be some familiar names but in the time-honoured tradition of compilations, there are always unpacked gems lurking that will (hopefully) set off a wormhole of discovery into a band or labels catalogue of releases some of which are quite expensive.
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