Fond of all things yuletide at Damaged Goods HQ, having released a fabulous collection of Christmas records over the years, even if they do say so themselves! This one is up there with the best of them and is sure to sell out quickly!
The Sensible Gray Cells are Captain Sensible (The Damned) on guitar/vocals, Paul Gray (The Damned) on bass/vocals, with Marty Love (Johnny Moped) on drums.
Join with them in celebrating all things that are daft and frustrating about the festive season. The band’s Xmas ditty ‘A Stupid Xmas’ captures everything you love to hate about this special time of year. It also has the catchiest chorus since Slade and Wizzard ruled the charts! AND wait till you see the video!
So, if you’re bored with watching endless repeats of Morecombe & Wise, or on the other channel Nigel Farage scoffing bugs on ‘I’m A Celebrity..’ and maybe fancy a crack at trying to solve a real, modern day ‘whodunnit’ then flip the record over for the somewhat darker flavoured ‘B’ side ‘Keep it to Yourself’ which sees the band in full on ‘armchair detective’ mode, taking a look at the as yet still unresolved Madeleine McCann mystery.
***VINYL FANS TAKE NOTE*** A certain number of records will have a deliberate mistake hidden.. well, somewhere or other – a jolly wheeze inspired by some of those old Stiff Records ‘instant collector’s item’ mispressings. We won’t say anymore!
What a time to be alive I hear you cry well, we agree and to label the point here is the first glimpse into the new record from The Sensible Gray Cells.
In other news how about the new video from Swedens Acid Blood a band we love here at RPM HQ so here’s the new video they sent us for ‘To The Grave’ Gooooooooooooo Facebook / Instagram Order their album from Here
Cheeky Blues Bop N Strollers The Urban Voodoo Machine step forward with a video shot in Lockdown for the fantastic ‘Shattered Dreams’ Filmed in May during coronavirus lockdown in the UK, Holland, Cyprus, France, USA and Iceland…Take it away chaps
Hot on the heels of Junes summer sizzlers we had a bunch of other contenders for inclusion. So, it only seemed fair to reconvene the Singles Club this weekend and hit the 45 RPM switch and drop the needle for some new singles from the superb to the very good through the downright weird or catchy but none dull or not worth inclusion. Welcome one and all round two of the June singles Club…
The Sensible Gray Cells – ‘So Long’ (Damaged Goods) This bad boy dropped out of nowhere. I knew they were recording a follow up to the magnificent debut album and then a scuppered tour then this. Fuckin’ champion it is too. A rollicking Who like anthem (handclaps as well) ‘So Long’ is a belter Welcome back gents, I can’t wait to hear the album now. In direct contrast, the humour of the characters involved asks a very pertinent question on the B Side and they’re right. What is the fuckin point of any of em? Never mind just Andrew. Damned fans should be all over this and if its a good representation of the long-player then bring it on I can’t fuckin’ wait. Facebook / Pre Orders Here
Chuck Norris Experiment / Sator – ‘Split’ (Ghost Highway Records) Not heard from CNE in a while and I love a bit of Sator and what they offer so was pleased to see they did a split on the most excellent Ghost Highway Records. Opening up is a right sharp shooting ‘Turning Me Inside Out’ from CNE. Its tight, loud, and fast! everything you want from one of the finest Swedish exports currently making noise. Then a second more laid back groove as ‘One Hand On The Hip’ is a sleazy example of the versatility of the band who can easily excel in the full-tilt rockers as well as chilling with the acoustics and now it seems keeping it short and sweet as well. As for the Sator offering ‘Feathered Remedy’ is up first and the band give it some wellie and it sounds like a runaway steam train rattling down a hill with a great chorus. Wrapping up this bad boy is ‘A Song For You’ which is a glamorous romp in all its sub one minute glory. Buy it before they’re all gone its a banger. CNE Facebook
Spaghetti & Mayer- ‘Shits Fucked’ (Acetate Records) Eddie Spaghetti & Frank Meyer from the awesome Supersuckers and Street Walkin’ Cheetahs respectively put on their shit kickers and kick some shit. Its got a stolen Stooges riff, some rollicking’ barroom piano and a bunch of profanities what’s not to like? It’s a veritable top rock n roll tune by numbers and hits the spot. Only available from Acetate Records direct download it’s the best buck-fifty you’ll spend this pandemic that’s for sure. Get on it kids and turn it up! Now, how about a whole long-player from the two imagine if that were a goer and it sounded as good as this track? Fuck me sideways I’ll take some of that
Jerry Lehane – ‘Kiss My Tattoo’ (Rumbar Records) Taken from his EP Dogmatics man Jerry Lehane releases this mighty fine slice of energetic rock and roll with the emphasis on Rock! from the gutsy solo to the punchy tempo this is like listening to a gang of brothers cruising towards a rumble knowing they will get the job done. Excellent single and well worth checking out. Get on it Here
Dirty Streets – ‘On The Way’ (Alive Records) Like a throwback to a time when long hair and bellbottoms were the thang and three-piece bands were where it’s at. Dirty Streets jam their thang and lean heavily on the dirty blues from Cream to Led Zep and the likes of Free especially on ‘Can’t Go Back’ from its classic guitar break its like Humble Pie and paul Kosoff never roamed the earth. they hit their groove and stay on it. from the hushed laid back summer tune ‘On The Way’ through the hedonistic rock out of ‘Can’t Go Back’ to the jig is up White boy blues of ‘Walk A Mile In My Shoes’ which for me is the pick of the three and quite reminiscent of a certain Georgia Brotherhood band who shook their money maker. The album is eagerly anticipated and is available next month. Website / Facebook
Brian Ray – ‘I Ain’t Superstitious’ / ‘Spell Breaker’ (Wicked Cool Records) Gia Ciambotti take a bow lady. Why did you ask? well take a listen to that voice she can sing the living hell out of that song. whilst its a cover of a classic the vocals take it to another level. that and the neon green and black splatter on that wax. The flip side features the Wicked Cool recording artist Michael Des Barres. Spell Breaker is a cool smouldering track again a great vocal performance from Des Barres on a slab of dark pop-rock with added sparkle on that production of the co written song between Barres and Ray.
The Owen Guns – ‘Fuck Cyclists’ (Riot Records) Australian Hardcore Punk act THE OWEN GUNS have released their first single & video ‘F**k Cyclists’for Riot Records (Part of the Golden Robot Global Entertainment Group). ‘F**k Cyclists’ is a short blast of punk rock born out of the frustration of frequently being stuck behind cyclists on narrow country roads. Straight to the point, it pulls no punches.
THE OWEN GUNS would like to point out that they don’t condone acts of violence towards those Lycra clad irritants, no matter how tempting.
The Rellies – ‘Isabella Is Annoying’ (Damaged Goods Records) The Rellies are brothers and songwriters Ryan (13yo) guitar and vocals and Riley (11yo) Bass and Vocals as well as Jarlath (11) on drums and Aiden (12) on guitar. All met in Sydney’s infamous suburb of Kings Cross. What were these young ones doing in such an area? Learning music of course – ha ha. The band has been playing together for around three years. Songwriters Ryan and Riley like to argue a lot at rehearsal but actually love nothing more than to grab their vintage guitars and play songs by their favourite band, The Beatles. Aiden & Jarlath seem happy to do whatever. The Rellies play a mix of indie, garage-punk and rock.
Their greatest achievement is becoming part of the Damaged Goods family and playing live at Sydney venues like The Oxford Arts Factory and El Rocco. Don’t question Damaged Goods Records for they’ve released Cyanide Pills and Thee Spivs previously so they know what they’re doing besides when this enters your head you’ll be annoying everyone you know with the sound of The Rellies.
Fur – ‘Grow Up’ Like a mash-up of Weezer, Green Day and the anti folk club ruled by the likes of Crazy & The Brains this is twisted pop at its finest.
Fontaines D.C. – ‘I Don’t Belong’ (Partisan Records)“I Don’t Belong” taken from the forthcoming album out 31st July on Partisan Records. Pre-order / Pre-save the album: Here
Jailbirds – Watery Grave’ (Golden Robot Records) Drawing their influences from the obvious (Sabbath) and the not so obvious Jailbirds are loud and they play ROCK! They come from Canada and its big riffs, big vocals and big production on this new single. Check out the video below.
Tom Wardle – ‘Secrets’ Power-Pop tastic. Big hook, Big solos & bigger production but sadly no big hair. Tom had praise from high places Namely Rolling Stone Magazine for his last single ‘Jacqueline’ and on this evidence that’s not going to stop any time soon. This power-pop rocker just gets bigger as the song motors along. The recipe isn’t a secret it’s just born out of hard work and talent (obviously) The only downside is the inspiration behind the song. The least said about the tricky trees the better but at least Tom supports his local team which we can get behind. check out the video and
If you thought fans of Guns ‘n’ Roses had a hard time waiting for a follow up to the “Lose Your Illusions” albums, 17 years, spare a thought for disciples of Croydon’s (2nd) finest band Johnny Moped; 13 years between their 1978 debut “Cycledelic” and it’s follow up “The Search For Xerxes” and then a further 25 years until the band’s next album,“It’s A Real Cool Baby”, hit the real and virtual Record Shops in 2016. Splitting the difference Johnny Moped weren’t expected to be releasing anything new until at least 2038. That was until the band unleashed a new single in the shape and form of “Catatonic” in 2017. Part of the band’s renewed activity was the passing of Johnny’s legendary wife Brenda, who back in the day ruled his Social and Band Calendar with a Rolling Pin of iron and then in later years, due to her failing health, Johnny became her full-time, main carer, pretty much sidelining his quest to regain his poster boy crown for the disenfranchised “80% disabled” (his words not mine) Rock Star. Until now!
Earlier this the band decamped to Panther Studio in Reigate to hone their craft that would see Marty Love, formally of Case and currently of the Weird Things and The Sensible Gray Cells, making his full-length studio debut, taking over drum duties from the down stepping Dave Berk, joining Slimy Toad, Rock ‘n’ Roll Robot and JackoPistorious and of course the man himself Johnny Moped.The result of which is the 14 track “Lurrigate Your Mind” album. Unlike it’s predecessor all the songs on offer are new, none are from “back in the day” demos that have re-recorded, apart from the b-sides to “Catatonic” and “Livin’ In A Dream World” which were “Hard Lovin’ Man” and “Save The Baby Seals” respectively. Although the final track, that features the guitaring skills of original member Captain Sensible,lists all the pre-Moped band names “Black Witch Climax Blues Band Generic Breakdown” (what no ‘Assault & Buggery’?!) is an obvious nod to the past with its autobiographical lyrics and with the subject matter of “Where’s Shergar?” rather on the old side maybe the seeds to some of the songs had actually been sown earlier in Johnny’s career. With a cry of “Okay Tomcats, let’s do this” on the alternate album version of “Catatonic”at the start of the recordwe know that Johnny means business and business is going to be good. It’s been known from past Bootleg tapes that Johnny’s colleagues will on the sly record him in conversation and then put his missive to music. This is what seems to have happened with “The Little Shop”. Johnny is either reading a shopping or a price list from his local convenience store. “Beers, two for five quid” all accompanied by a piano. The ultimate music for a ride in a lift that’s never going to stop at your floor. As well as Captain Sensible, former member Xerxes makes an appearance adding Saxonette on “I Feel Like I’m Falling Away” and on “Oh Baby” it suspiciously sounds like Johnny has phoned in his vocals, which is fortunate as he sings about wanting to swim naked with some unsuspecting Boiler in a Swimming Pool. Hardcore Moped fans will lap this up, casual Punk Rock fans might need to see Fred Burns’ “Basically…Johnny Moped” documentary before fully appreciating why grown men will get all teary-eyed over the Moped mega-dross sound.
“Lurrigate Your Mind” is available on either Blue or Red vinyl, a limited mega bundle that includes split coloured vinyl, a scarf, a slipmat, and a Badge.
Recent Comments