Singles Club – April

Singles Club – April

Jesse Malin – ‘Wendy (Tail Lights Fade)’ (One Little Indian Records) A re-recorded version of the original album song ‘Wendy’ and the first of three to be issued in the coming months that have not already been included on a bonus LP of new versions with the reissue. Reimagined and re-recorded with his longtime band, the material was produced by Derek Cruz and engineered by Geoff Sanoff, who worked on Malin’s recent ‘Sunset Kids’ and ‘Sad And Beautiful World albums. Whatever Malin does is fine by me the guy has never put a foot wrong from his D Gen days through Bellvue, The Finger and beyond, his solo records are a breath of fresh air and this reimagined version of a classic is another day for Malin but a lifetime of memories for us fans. Brilliant! Bring on those live uk tour dates.

Baby Schillaci – ‘So Bad’ (Lavender Sweep Records) Dark, brooding, restrained, punchy ‘So Bad’ is a monster of a tune lying in the darkened corners of your mind before kicking off as the throb gets more and more intense. A really impressive single and video to perfectly accompany it. Baby Schillaci are building momentum before they release their EP this summer. Get in on the ground floor as these boys climb and climb. Great stuff.

Jim Jones Allstars – ‘Gimme The Grease’ (Ako-Lite Records) It’s been a long time coming but having new music from Jim Jones is always a welcome blessed place to be. ‘Gimme the Grease’ is a horn honking, snare shuffling, hip shaking howling good time. when the horns honk in over that shuffle and phat bassline it’s musical manna from the Rock and Roll Gods. Single of the month? Fuckin right it is, Hallalulia Sweet baby Jesus. This is the sound of the summer coming and I can’t wait for the live shows that are about to hit us. Greased hair, Memphis hip shaking and Dirty Horns all topped off with the unmistakable bark of Jim Jones. These All-Stars have absolutely nailed it like you ever doubted them. Get on these live dates Here

The Shunkos – ‘EP’ (Lavender Sweep Records) Being the little hipsters that they are this cassette-only release of their first five tracks has been long overdue. Of course, it’s fast, loud, a little bit dirty and a lot of fun The Shunkos have been skating around the South Wales scene now for a while and grabbing plenty of admirers with their hectic live shows in some unique venues (how about an off license?) Sure these songs were written and recorded before they’d even played a single show so it’s fair to say they’ve evolved already and whilst the core of their repertoire is inspired from down under these boyos have shread some of that skin and developed their own punk rock noise and they’re reeling in more and more admirers with ever show.

The EP kicks off with the Chubby & The Gang style ‘Uni Mate’ it’s not big or clever but the Uni Mate is real and your introduction is short sharp and to the point. Now finish your beer and get on the dance floor. ‘Meal Deal’ is inspired by the Tesco special and rides in on a surf lick and rollicking chorus that will have you bopping along. there are five tunes involved on this tape and to be fair there are some belters on offer like ‘Bepop Dan’ who sounds like a right cu next Tuesday but his tribute from these Shunkos is fitting and punching. Picking a favourite tune is a tough one but ’83’ is a tasty number with plenty of bites. Get these boys on tour with the Chats or Cosmic Psychos, it would be messy but a whole heap of fun and ‘Beer & Gear’ would sound great alongside ‘Nice Day To Go To The Pub’ so much so they should be twinned (if that’s such a thing anymore) Port Talbot has never had it so good. Get one of these powder blue tapes sharpish if you want to be hip.

Killer Kin – ‘Mr Dynamite’ (Dead Beat Records) Killer cut from their debut album is just enough of a peek under the curtain of the awesome Killer Kin. Part Stooges (ok big part) some Alice Cooper and a generous heap of Dictators and a sprinkling of The Cavemen should see you in the right ballpark. Unhinged reckless Rock n Fuckin Roll! pounding rhythm with that fuzzed-up garage lead being fired around the speakers indiscriminately hitting anything and everything and if you’re asking if this single is an indication of how damn good the album is gonna sound, then I can confirm you better hold on to your pants, this one a motherfuckin ripper! Only a couple of weeks to go and you can own the record.

Steve Adamyk Band – ‘Do You Wanna Know’ (Drunk Dial Records) These songs were never meant to be on an official release. Rather, they are the spontaneous recordings of longtime bandmates after splitting a case of Costco Coronas. Recorded in the summer of 2021 in Mayo, Quebec. Power Poppers Steve Adamyk Band do a sterling job of hammering out top-notch power pop punk rock and these covers are part of their DNA and how they sound like they do. Fantastic cover, hang on, two fantastic covers. I’m not sure which I prefer but the whiney keys on the Sedatives ‘Slip Away’ might just grab it for me. either way a cool 45 and I’m glad it has seen the light of day. check them out. Also, I love Drunk Dials’ premise for their Single releases it’s such a cool thing to do from getting bands you love inebriated to releasing 45s of what comes as a result of the drinking and rockin’.

Nosebleed – ‘All I Know’ (TNS Records) Lifted from the bands album that was reviewed on these here pages to much applause ‘All I Know’ is a cool cut drifting from dreamy garage rock to a solo that lifts the hairs on the back of your neck. Nosebleed nail it.

Midtempo homage to surf rock is just about right and with an easy singalong even the most inebriated gig goer could manage to sing along to. Hit the link and check ’em out, Top stuff.

The Hip Priests – ‘Pissed On Power’ (The Sign Records) Short sharp and to the point our favourite UK reprobates of all things noisy Garage/punk/rock have a new album about to drop in the coming weeks and have been releasing videos to accompany some of the tunes from the album and ‘Pissed On Power’ is the latest. Ferocious and fucked up the band have stepped up the energy and this earworm will testify that. From the pounding rhythm to the flashing blades vying for your ears through the relentles solos. This one has everything you want from the East Midlands based misfits. Let there be Rock and some more loud guitars for good measure. Filmed at various venues and a van that smells like the inside of Colin Grigsons jockstrap stuck to Vim Fuegos leather strides – We Love it!

Jim Bob – ‘Thanks For Reaching Out’ (Cherry Red Records) known for being the frontman of Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine this first offering from his new album of the same name. It’s a ray of sunshine in dark times from the acoustic guitar and its beautiful big chords to the semi-deadpan vocal delivery it’s a smartly constructed slice of alternative post-punk. It is the sound of a bottle being uncorked and all the fizz goes everywhere spilling out pop, punk rock Buzzcocks style, and some smart kinks melody it really is a fantastic song and if the rest of his twelfth solo studio album is half as good as this then I can’t wait it’ll be a belter.

Stevie R. Pearce and the Hooligans – ‘Out Go The Lights’ (Self Release) Stevie and his merry band of new Hooligans are back swinging their hard n heavy sounds and this time they’re getting punchy. Inspired by a near altercation Stevie R Pearce is raring to go. Taking his new hooligans out on the road for some selective dates. ‘Out Go The Lights’ is hard, heavy and in your face. Pearce & his Hooligans are locked and loaded and pounding away along their heavy path with mega riffage and screaming solos its got the fuckin’ lot and my moneys on them winning this fight. Punchy fuckers.

OFF! – ‘Keep Your Mouth Shut’ (Fat Possum Records) As if Hardcore suergroup OFF! needed to fuck with our heads anymore than they already do they go and add extra headfuckery for RSD 2023. ‘Keep YOur Mouth Shut’ is the unmistakable yelp of Morris and co kicking ass and rockin out. If thats not enough the footage for the video is cut from the OFF! movie Here Off! havent put a single foot out of place since their first four and this is just more of that magical Hardcore, get on itkids its what RSD was made for.

Loose Sutures – ‘Highway Shooter’ (Electric Valley Records) Heavy on the ride and turn that fuckin fuzz up and when you think you have enough fuzz turn it up some more. Heavy psych fuzzed garage rock from Italy are back swinging with their heavy as-hell fuzzed-up rock n roll howling good tune to showcase their new long player. Features  Nick Oliveri and Alain Johannes so what finer endorsement of what’s coming do you need? Get on this record kids it’ll give you a thousand cool credits. Absolute Banger!

The Mistakes – Heathens (Time And Mater Records) Punk rock from the streets of Poole sees The Mistakes embrace the spirit of punk rock on ‘Heathens’, the second single to be taken from the forthcoming LP ‘A GOOD HILL TO DIE ON’, scheduled for release late summer (TBC) 2023 on Time & Matter Records.

‘Heathens’ is a punchy affair from The Mistakes, It’s fist-pumping Street punk singing about the very essence of what we write about and what they play and perform for. It’s either in yer blood or it isn’t. Don’t fake it, embrace it and get the job done properly with heart and soul. The Mistakes take no nonsense and deliver the goods of street punk at its finest. Hit them up on Facebook and tell them RPM Onlinne sent you.

THE HIP PRIESTS NEW SINGLE ‘JUST TO GET BY’

THE HIP PRIESTS NEW SINGLE ‘JUST TO GET BY’

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM HERE:

The Hip Priests. Zero fucks n’ less success since 2006. The most prolific band you haven’t heard of. High energy sweaty sermons of misanthropy, disillusion (self) loathing and despair. Get ready to have your ears torn clean off.

After 16 years some bands would be taking it easy but in spite of a global pandemic, there was no let-up in The Hip Priests determination and activity. Their fifth, and by far their best full-length album – ‘Roden House Blues’ – was written, rehearsed, and recorded during this period and will be released May 5th, 2023, via The Sign Records.

Rehearsed, recorded and mixed between the numerous U.K lockdowns in Roden House, one of Nottingham’s former lace factories where the Priests have their own space, and which spawned the album title. This is no Mississippi Blues but perhaps it makes more sense than you think: Howling laments, loss, self-reflection and revelation – alongside some recurring Priests lyrical themes: negativity, nihilism, rage and revolution. After 2019’s ‘Stand for Nothing’ the band were unsure whether they’d do another album – However, global lockdown inadvertently led to a renewed passion and realisation that, like Jagger said, ‘’what can a poor boy do’ – especially when feeling more lost in a world that increasingly resembles a dumpster fire. A few dozen demos were scrutinised of which, through a stricter than ever group consensus, 14 were recorded but then honed down, razor sharp, into the tightest collection of 11 low-fat, lean and mean banging tunes that could fit into 30 minutes.

This week we get to feel another white-hot blast straight from the album’s furnace in new single ‘Just To Get By’, which finds the band in rare reflective form.

“Every day can be a struggle and happiness really is an inside job. None of us are perfect. Every day we’re pitted against each other and ourselves by a world that increasingly looks like a dumpster fire that wants to incinerate us. What can we do to just get by?

Perhaps just trying to improve, rise above and be a better person is an act of revenge nowadays. A number one single in an alternate universe with a guitar riff of such hook and beauty it was surely dropped from the Rock heavens.  

We don’t JUST do Nihilism, Negativity, Rage and Revolution you know…”

This month also sees The Hip Priests team up with Northern Ireland’s The Dangerfields for an Irish tour. Having known each other for years and toured together back in 2010, when the bands paths crossed again last year, the idea of finally sorting that long talked about Irish tour was set in stone. And so The Hip Priests first time in Ireland kicks off in Derry on Weds 22nd March followed by four other shows all across the country.


Come along for an evening (or in Dublin’s case, afternoon) of face-ripping, ball-crushing, ass-immolating rock ‘n’ roll played by a bunch of doozies far too old to know any better!
There will be loud guitars and rock poses, bad words and everything!

‘Roden House Blues’ is released May 5th via The Sign Records and available to pre-order HERE:

FIND THE HIP PRIESTS ONLINE AT:

WEBSITE /FACEBOOK / BANDCAMP / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM

CATCH THE HIP PRIESTS LIVE AT THE FOLLOWING DATES:

March

Ireland (With The Dangerfields)

Wednesday 22nd Bennigans, Derry

Thursday 23rd Cellar Bar, Galway

Friday 24th Fred Zeppelin’s, Cork

Saturday 25th Hop House, Bangor

Sunday 26th Wild Duck, Dublin

April

Germany (With Lucifer Star Machine)

Thursday 27th Sonic Ballroom, Cologne

Friday 28th Freakshow, Essen

Saturday 29th Zollkantine, Bremen

Sunday 30th Indra Musikclub, Hamburg

May

UK (With Bitch Queens)

Thursday 25th The Pipeline, Brighton

Friday 26th Hope And Anchor, London

Saturday 27th Nice And Sleazy, Morecambe

Sunday 28th Old Angel, Notts

June

UK (With Zeke)

Tuesday 20th Exchange, Bristol

Wednesday 21st Parish, Huddersfield

Thursday 22nd New Cross Inn, London

September

UK

Thursday 28th Trillians, Newcastle

Friday 29th Bannermans, Edinburgh

Saturday 30th Waterloo, Blackpool

THE HIP PRIESTS Reveal Details Of  ‘Roden House Blues’

THE HIP PRIESTS Reveal Details Of  ‘Roden House Blues’

The details of their new album Roden House Blues, due out May 5th, via The Sign Records. Stream their most recent single “Chasing Death” HERE. 

“The finest Rock N’ Roll band in the UK” – Eddie Spaghetti, Supersuckers

Since their inception in 2006, THE HIP PRIESTS have released a mighty thirty 7” singles, four albums, two compilations and three EPs by various independent labels from all over Europe & the USA. Fiercely independent and tirelessly driven, the ‘Priests have preached their high energy sermon of misanthropy, hate and contempt across numerous tours of the UK, Europe and USA and made countless rapturously received festival appearances.

Gaining a richly deserved reputation as a white-hot live band, the last few years have seen the band’s popularity increasing further with them regularly playing alongside kindred spirits such as THE HELLACOPTERS, GLUECIFER, THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE ZUGLY, NEW BOMB TURKS, DWARVES and ZEKE at both festivals and in clubs. Rave reviews pour in for every release, ranging from ‘a band on top of their game & steps ahead of any of their UK contemporaries’ to ‘if you’re in any doubt about how good these bad boys are then you need locking up’. After 16 years some bands would be taking it easy but in spite of a global pandemic, there was no let-up in their determination and activity. Their fifth, and by far their best full-length album – Roden House Blues – was written, rehearsed, and recorded during this period and will be released May 5th, 2023, via The Sign Records.

Rehearsed, recorded and mixed between the numerous U.K lockdowns in Roden House, one of Nottingham’s former lace factories where the Priests have their own space, and which spawned the album title. This is no Mississippi Blues but perhaps it makes more sense than you think: Howling laments, loss, self-reflection and revelation – alongside some recurring Priests lyrical themes: negativity, nihilism, rage and revolution. After 2019’s Stand for Nothing the band were unsure whether they’d do another album – However, global lockdown inadvertently led to a renewed passion and realization that, like Jagger said, ’what can a poor boy do’ – especially when feeling more lost in a world that increasingly resembles a dumpster fire. A few dozen demos were scrutinized of which, through a stricter than ever group consensus, 14 were recorded but then honed down, razor sharp, into the tightest collection of 11 low-fat, lean and mean banging tunes that could fit into 30 minutes.

11 glorious tracks of High Energy R’n’R, anthemic, adrenalised, sweaty, singalong, life-affirming Rock and Roll. Huge Choruses, colossal dual guitar riffarama, more hooks than a fishing shop, and one hell of an attitude. Punk? Garage Rock? Scandi Rock? Just know this…. They ARE THE HIP PRIESTS and YOU are NOT.

Play Loud or just don’t fuckin’ bother.

Roden House Blues is released on May the 5th and will be available on all streaming platforms, CD, and in three color variants on vinyl; (1) black vinyl, (2) solid turquoise vinyl with solid white splatter, solid black splatter, and solid blue splatter, and (3) transparent/clear vinyl with transparent yellow splatter and transparent pink splatter.

Connect with THE HIP PRIESTS

https://thehippriests.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thehippriests/
https://thehippriests1.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/thehippriests
https://www.instagram.com/thehippriests/

Two For Tuesday

Two For Tuesday

“Psychic Vampires” is the third single leading up to LUCIFER STAR MACHINE’s fifth studio album Satanic Age. Featuring guest vocals by Mark “Sparky” Phillips of DEMENTED ARE GO, “Psychic Vampires” is released together with a music video.

Lucifer Star Machine comments: “Toxic relationships and narcissistic behavior are poison for our well being. Watch out for people gaining your trust so they can wear you down and suck out all your energy. Keep psychic vampires out of your life.”

”Psychic Vampires” is out now on all streaming platforms. The album, ‘Satanic Age’, will be released on The Sign Records on the 14th of April, 2023, and will be available on vinyl, CD, and all streaming platforms. 

Next up we have the new tune from MÄRVEL –

MÄRVEL’s new track “Catch 22” delivers the band’s distinctive high-octane and super catchy rock’n’roll style. Gearing up for their 20th anniversary Double Decade vinyl offering, “Catch 22” is a previously unreleased track from the Swedish power trio. Stream “Catch 22” here! Double Decade will be unleashed on February 24th via The Sign Records. 

“Sometimes, no matter how hard you try you end up with your beard in the mailbox or pants down to your ankles with a school-bus full of idiots laughing at you. You just can’t win. And even more sometimes, you’re in a relationship where you can’t stand each other but still can’t exist without each other.

‘Catch 22’ was recorded during the studio sessions for the album Graces Came With Malice. We felt it didn’t quite fit the theme of the album but it was still a strong song that we wanted to highlight in a special way. By including it in Double Decade we’re looking backwards and forwards at the same time. Like a rear-view mirror facing forwards.”

The double vinyl contains MÄRVEL’s greatest hits, previously impossible to get B-sides, and rare tracks, all newly mastered by Magnus Lindberg (THE HELLACOPTERS, IMPERIAL STATE ELECTRIC, CULT OF LUNA, THE DATSUNS, TRIBULATION, LUCIFER). The compilation also includes two brand new, previously unreleased songs, mixed by Robert Pehrsson (Dundertåget, Death Breath, Robert Pehrsson’s Humbucker).

The double vinyl Double Decade will be available in two different set of colors, one containing 2x transparent clear vinyl, and the other containing one transparent orange and one transparent purple vinyl. Both versions come in a luxurious gatefold with an exclusive booklet.

Pre-order Double Decade: 
https://freighttrain.se/?s=double+decade
https://marveltheband.bandcamp.com/album/double-decade

Connect with MÄRVEL:
http://marvel.nu/
https://www.facebook.com/marveltheband
https://www.instagram.com/marveltheband/
https://marveltheband.bandcamp.com/music
https://twitter.com/fivesmellcity

Rokets – ‘Break Free’ (The Sign Records)

Rokets – ‘Break Free’ (The Sign Records)

Think Hellacopters, think Märvel, think hard rockin’ scandi style with loads of dueling guitars set for maximum lean back and diddle. one-finger piano tonking and shout-it-out-loud vocals. Hell, it’s on The Sign Records what were you expecting? oh and turn those Orange amps up to 11.

‘”Break Free’ is the sophomore studio album by Finland’s Rokets. Following the release of their 2020 debut full-length ‘Fast Time’, the Helsinki-based 5 piece returns with 9 new tunes of high octane rockin’ and rollin. Distorted twelve bar with wailing vocals from the off its got melody and that Street hard rock that’s well worn from this neck of the woods. ‘Burn Down The Wall’ is the Rokets showing their hand right from the off and a decent stab it is too. The solo is mighty fine and I am a sucker for that over-the-top piano bashing but it doesn’t get enough limelight here – it does threaten but I think it’s too restrained and should be unleashed, but that’s only a personal impression.

‘Break Free’ is melodic, catchy rock, and the cliches and hallmarks are authentic and the closeness to the Hellacopters on the second track ‘Destroyer’ is like two rizlas in a pack of papers. It’s rapid and thumping and boundlessly energetic and the solo is on point and exactly what the song needed but it could have gone on longer and more in your face but maybe H&S wouldn’t legally permit it.

These cats have been at this for over five years so aren’t newcomers and I’m sure live this would be a cool night out and your ears would be ringing for days which is probably exactly what they want to achieve. If they rule the Finnish underground then now is the time to spread their wings and get out there post-pandemic and rise above that underground – they’ve got the attitude and the chops to pull it off, I’m sure of it.

With nine songs on offer, they don’t stray from their MO and the album Rocks hard from the title track to the bass-thumping ‘Best Kept Secret’ through the old-school riff-a-rama of ‘Straight From The Source’ right to the blast off of ‘Cherry Kiss’. The record might lack some variety and they only really pause for the semi-ballad to close the record, ‘Roots’ is a good un to sign off on and the louder you play this the bigger the rewards. Good effort gentlemen and if you make it to the UK I will be down the front windmilling. Until then Break Free brother break free.

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Author: Dom Daley

Lucifer Star Machine – ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Martyrs’ Vinyl Release

Lucifer Star Machine – ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Martyrs’ Vinyl Release

Lucifer Star Machine released Rock ‘n’ Roll Martyrs in 2013. The record was released as a CD but never on vinyl. Now it’s time for some vinyl justice. The 25th of February they are reissuing the album on vinyl.

500 Copies on white vinyl with black splatter
100 Copies on Silver vinyl 

The silver vinyl edition is available through Bandcamp and the Band. The splatter edition of the album is available through stores, mail orders and the label. 

Lucifer Star Machine released their latest album ‘The Devils Breath’ in 2020 on the Sign Records. The album received a lot of praises and the band was just about to start playing a lot live all over Europe as the pandemic arrived. They’re reported to be in the studio currently recording the follow up which we’ll try to keep you up to date with.

Pre-order from website:https://t1p.de/iejya

You may want to order directly from Bandcamp

Iron Lizards – Hungry For Action’ (The Sign Records)

Iron Lizards – Hungry For Action’ (The Sign Records)

There is a lot to be angry with in the world today, particularly the last 14 months, 2 weeks, and 6 days…… But hey! Who’s counting? Although, saying that, sometimes the things that you really want might actually be there if you just reach out and grab them (no this isn’t pyramided selling). Do you want Raw Power? You got it! Do you want something Young, Loud & Snotty? You got it! Do you need something raging with the strength of a bag of amphetimin to keep you up with Lemmy on a weekend binge? You got that too! If Iron Lizards are ‘Hungry For Action’, all I can say is that it must be a pandemic in itself as I too have picked the metallic reptile’s insatiable appetite.

The record kicks off with lead single ‘It’s About Time’; I don’t know what the speed limit is in France but the pace of the tracklisting is relentless and I am here for every breakneck second of it! The seamless, relentless, and hi-octane from song to song with powerful garage punk laced riffs, the pneumatic rhythm section, all combined with the vocal delivery of James William Oesterburg giving a sermon on the mount. This rock’n’roll Jim, but not as we know it.
Four songs in we’re finally given the chance to catch our collective breath in the form of the incendiary breakdown towards the end of the ironically titled ‘no escape’. Effortlessly guiding us into the next track ‘obey/annihilate’; the band really displays its chops here in the form of their songwriting sensibilities, showing the fire and intensity of previous material but with an overall more grandiose setting and effects. From this, we’re lead even further down the genre rabbit hole with ‘death ride’, Cramped to the rafters with Lux Interior swagger.
‘Confusion blues’ takes us back on the straight and narrow of speed laced Punk’n’Roll, barely giving the punters a chance to recoup their cognitive thoughts of a world that doesn’t beat to the drum of Iron Lizard’s brutal yet beautiful onslaught.
You may have gathered whilst reading that I’m quite fond of this record, do yourselves, your friends, and your family a favour; buy this record, keep your eye on potential tour dates, and basically spend your time and money on this band. They definitely deserve it.
Buy Here
Connect with Iron Lizards: Facebook / Instagram
Author: Dan Kasm

Heavy Feather – ‘Mountain of Sugar’ (The Sign Records)

Heavy Feather – ‘Mountain of Sugar’ (The Sign Records)

I’ve been away for a while; does being a part of the “Classic Rock Revival” still consist of thinking you’ve made it because you’ve waxed your newly-grown moustache, purchased everything from the Joe Browns catalogue, and bought yourself onto a magazine’s cover-mounted disc? No? Maybe? To be honest, I don’t think the argument is really relevant in regards to this album review because, thankfully, authenticity, like natural talent, has a tendency to rise up and out of the quality control quagmire.

 

‘Mountain of Sugar’ is the second studio album from Swedish throwbacks, Heavy Feather, and it is a bit of a stormer. Recorded in Stockholm with producer Erik “Errka” Petersson at the controls (as was the case with the band’s debut album, 2019’s ‘Debris & Rubble’), with help from master masterer, Magnus Lindberg (Imperial State Electric, Lucifer), and Pink Floyd’s former mixer table, this eleven-track long player is a relatively faultless exercise in retro rock that throws out audio love letters to the roots rock scene of the Sixties and Seventies, hitting pretty much every mark.

 

Free, Cream, and Lynyrd Skynyrd are major influences that feature on the band’s press information and, yes, you’ll find that not just the sounds but also the spirit of those legendary outfits haunt proceedings here, but ‘Mountains of Sugar’ never falls into soundalike territory: there is a warm familiarity to every track on this great album more akin to meeting up with an old friend – something I’m sure we’re all desperate to do in these strange days.

 

Yes, this is record listening of a certain vintage; the dragging on of headphones, the pouring of a favourite beverage, and the losing of oneself in the grooves. Pulling the listener into the songs is, without question, the voice of Lisa Lystam. Hers is one of the most effortlessly wonderful rock voices that I have been lucky enough to hear in some time. Raw at times, siren song at others, this bluesy gift from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Gods is more than an impressive set of pipes – this is an art instillation.

 

Songs like opener, ’30 Days’, ‘Too Many Times’, and ‘Come We Can Go’ will make any earthy rock playlist with ease, while ‘Love Will Come Easy’, given half a chance, could be a breakout hit that catapults Heavy Feather up a division or two. Think about the cult status and love afforded prime Vintage Trouble and you’ll have an idea as to where this Swedish gem should find itself when this second album’s cycle has come to its natural conclusion.

 

A dark horse for many a Best Albums list come the end of the year, for sure.  Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp

Author: Gaz Tidey

The Hawkins –  ‘Live in the Woods’ (Sign Records)

The Hawkins –  ‘Live in the Woods’ (Sign Records)

Do all the decent bands come from Sweden? It certainly seems like it at the moment and The Hawkins are no exception to the rule. ”Live in the Woods” is an eclectic collection of tunes with a sound ranging between Tom Petty’s cool and the frantic pop of The Killers.

”Live in the Woods” was partly recorded in a deep Swedish forest, partly recorded in an abandoned barn, and partly recorded at Brasstacks Brewing.

In the download digital world, you get 7 cuts, but if you’re feeling saucy you can get an extra track on a cheeky slab of green vinyl. Well, it would be rude not to…

Disclaimer – Obviously being Swedish there is an undercurrent of Hellacopters throughout so I won’t mention them again today.

Kicking off with 4 tracks recorded live somewhere in the trees. ‘ Hilow’ is a cool slice of post-grunge Americana with a kind of Tom Petty meets Goo Goo Dolls vibe though it really doesn’t set the direction of the rest of the album. Next up ‘Stranger in the Next Room’ swings the listener off into a falsetto and funky world with only the slightest hint of the sound that came before it.

Still in the same forest “Black Gold’ flings us into a country super speed country barn dance with a little hint of The Darkness to it.

Finally, before we move indoors and the woodland field trip ends, ‘Libertine’ bringing a further shift towards Justin Hawkins (oooh fancy that) and Brandon Flowers vocally but with much more meat than their respective bands. Much heavier than the previous 3 tracks,  ‘Libertine’ takes the band to the borders of Muse territory….. but in a good way!

Side 2 takes us indoors to Brasstacks Brewing with ‘Roomer ‘. Certainly, as the album progresses I’m hearing more of a Killer’s feel, and coupled with ‘ Cut Moon Bleeds’, the full-on and massive sound is stepping further away from the Scandi-rock of the clubs and well into arena territory.

Finally ‘ Fisherman Blues’ takes us into the aforementioned barn. However, this barn must be located in Progsville as we’ve shifted musical style again. Sure it’s a heady mix of the Darkness and Muse though this may be 1 swerve too far for me.

All in all, a really good album mixing styles in and around a classic rock vibe.

 

Order the LP on green vinyl (with an extra track) from – Here

 

Find out more about The Hawkins here – Facebook / Website

 

Author: Fraser Munro

The Hawkins – ‘Silence Is A Bomb’ (The Sign Records)

The Hawkins – ‘Silence Is A Bomb’ (The Sign Records)

The Hawkins strike me as a band of brothers who like loud guitars and goofin’ around in equal measures.  After the quiet intro we get straight down to business with the vibrant ‘Roomer’.  It sounds like they have a love of classic Rock and scandi attitude Action Rock again in equal measures and the whole of that is encapsulated in the single ‘Roomer’

There is a love of the duel guitar licks a la Thin Lizzy as perfectly performed on ‘Hilow’ but played out in the verses and chorus to some very sharp power pop.

It’s retro but in a thoroughly modern way.  They’ve been together forever it would seem doing what they do and perfecting their art since 2013 which would explain their tightness.

During the first four years, The Hawkins kept the ball rolling by releasing EPs and singles while constantly being on the road, playing everything from small venue gigs to some of the biggest festivals in Scandinavia, including Sweden Rock Festival, Metallsvenskan and Peace & Love. They ended the year of 2016 with a huge bang by flying over to Russia to support pop/punk act ”4 Aprils” on a 10 day tour.

The Hawkins debut album “Ain’t Rock N Roll” (released via GAIN/Sony Music) entered the world with a superb bang in October 2017. The album included the single ”Fuck You All I’m Outta Here”, a powerful song with a strong anti-fascist message which quickly gained momentum in the Swedish rock scene, securing the band’s role as one the most promising bands of the country.

But three years have flown by and now in 2020 the time has come to step up and when they rock out as they do on ‘Stones’ they are easily a match for the likes of Imperial State Electric its fast-paced and tight and its catchy.  Often I feel like we’ve met before.  Whilst I’m not a big fan of the layered vocals ‘Mynah’ I certainly do get songs like ‘Minuette’ and its rough edges and the fire in their guts it reminds me a little of The Dahmers and they are always fantastic.  I’m sure in a tight club with volume on their side these songs would take on another dimension especially cuts like ‘Libertine’.

On the final tune, I get a vibe of My Chemical Romance maybe in the vocals and the drama of the song which shows they draw from a large pool and whilst there are bits I’m not keen on there are some belters on here and I’m sure once one of the hooks lodges itself in my head that’s it  -they’ll reel me in.

 

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Author: Dom Daley