BRATAKUS RELEASE NEW ALBUM ‘HAGRIDDEN’ FEBRUARY 13th, VIA VENN RECORDS

BRATAKUS RELEASE NEW ALBUM ‘HAGRIDDEN’ FEBRUARY 13th, VIA VENN RECORDS

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM HERE:

Formed in 2015 by two Scottish sisters Brèagha Cuinn (Guitar and vocals) and Onnagh Cuinn (Bass and vocals) outside a small whiskey village called Tomintoul in the Highlands, Bratakus have been fiercely DIY since their inception.

Following the release of their incendiary ‘Final Girls’, ‘Tokened’ and ‘Turnstile’ singles earlier this year, which marked their first recordings for Venn Records, (the label ran by Laurent ‘Lags’ Barnard of UK punk band Gallows, and previously the home of artists like High Vis, Bob Vylan and Witch Fever), Bratakus are ready to release their new album ‘Hagridden’, which is set for release February 13th.

Despite Bratakus’ staunch resistance to mainstream music industry practices, the young band quickly built up a following. Their unique approach to creating their art drew the attention of BBC Scotland who featured the band in two documentary shorts, Hidden Lives’ and ‘TUNE’. Author and musician, Ian Glasper wrote about the sisters in his book The Scene That Would Not Die, a deep dive into post-millennial punk in the UK. Meanwhile in the USA, legendary punk zine Maximum Rock’n’Roll wrote about the band and even BBC radio DJ Vic Galloway added the duo to his “Ones to Watch” list.

Word was spreading, and before they knew it, Bratakus were being booked for live performances in countries as far as Japan. Support slots for bands like Propagandhi, Bis, and Discharge helped the sisters turn into a ferocious live combo. If there was ever any doubt that a punk band could pull off not having a live drummer, these two sisters are here to prove you wrong.

Once described by the BBC as “the most remote band in the UK”, the isolation of their surroundings made it impossible for the duo to find a drummer in their small hamlet, let alone the neighbouring villages mostly inhabited by Highland cattle, as Brèagha explains.

“We programmed some drum tracks, plugged in for our first practice and instantly it just felt like we already had a band, so we’ve been playing like that ever since! What started out as a logistical issue now feels like a big part of our identity and we just love playing as a two piece.”

Heavily influenced by the garage rock scene and bands like The Distillers, The Donnas and X-Ray Spex, Bratakus went on to perform their first ever gig at a fundraiser for the Glasgow Rock ‘n’ Roll School for Girls in the Glasgow School of Art. 

“As this was a kid friendly show there were lots of young girls in attendance, which meant the front half of the venue was filled with little girls spinning around in dresses during our set. It was unusual for a punk gig but made for a really fun atmosphere.”

From that moment, Bratakus were a real band, and with that, Screaming Babies Records was born. Unlike other record companies, Screaming Babies Records would be a family run DIY label, not only a platform for Bratakus to launch new music but also a place to revisit their father’s catalog, Angus Quinn of the influential Scottish Anarcho punk band Sedition. No publicists, no streaming services, no photo shoots, just straight up word of mouth, limited edition vinyl releases, and anti-establishment anthems for generations old and new as Brèagh explains the label’s origin.

“Our Dad was always in punk bands when we were growing up, so we were raised in the DIY scene. When we started the band, it just seemed like the most natural step to start the label with him and put our own releases out. He thought of the idea of calling it Screaming Babies Records after the Crass lyric because our logo is a screaming baby.”

Fast forward to the start of 2026 and the band are thrilled to be finally getting ‘Hagridden’ out into the world. They originally recorded the album themselves some three years ago, then lost everything they’d worked on when their laptop broke. From there they just decided to make a fresh start and go back into the studio again to finally get it finished, emerging with ten songs of essential and beautifully cathartic punk rock.  

“We decided to call the album ‘Hagridden’ before we even recorded it, but it’s been a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy because so many barriers came up when we were trying to get it recorded and released that it turned into a bit of a nightmare, so the next album might be called  ‘Smooth Sailing’ to avoid cursing ourselves again,” laughs Brèagh. “It definitely sounds way better than the first version, so in a way I’m glad it worked out this way, but we were so gutted when it happened,” exclaims Brèagh.

Lyrically, the album’s ten sharp songs cover a wealth of subjects close to their hearts; feminism, animal rights, media brainwashing and how normalised sweatshops have become in our society are all tackled on ‘Hagridden’ with raw, raging vocals, barbed-wire guitars and pounding rhythms.  

Whilst the band still play live with programmed drums, ‘Hagridden’ features live drums for the first time. 

“Our first record is all programmed drums, and that’s what we were planning for this album too,” explains Brèagh. “We actually recorded every song with a drum machine, but our producer Tommy Duffin (renowned Scottish drummer and recording engineer) played with us and drummed on the album. He recorded our first album, so it was great to work with him again.” 

‘Hagridden’ is released February 13th via Venn Records and the band tour the UK this February. 

You can pre-order ‘Hagridden’ HERE

See Bratakus live at the following dates:

18/02/2026 – Supersonic, Paris (FRANCE)

19/02/2026 – The Grace, London

20/02/2026 – The Exchange, Bristol
21/02/2026 – Star & Garter, Manchester
29/02/2026 – McChuills, Glasgow

Find Bratakus online at:

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

Lithium Kicks – let rip with debut single

Lithium Kicks – let rip with debut single

Lithium Kicks present their debut digital double A-side single, “I Want Something I Don’t Care About” and “Catch Me When I Fall.” Recorded at Newport’s Le Pub and on location in Cardiff, the tracks lap up punk-rock anger with catchy power-pop sensibilities, delivering a ferocious and impassioned assault on the senses.

The band hail from South Wales and feature Ginge (vocals), Michael (lead guitar), Darren (rhythm guitar), Jonny (bass) and Dave (drums). Single available from 1st February on Bandcamp and all major streaming services. Gigs to follow in spring 2026

Something has been brewing on the windswept streets of South Wales. Something that some of us had been hoping might happen, should the right circumstances coincide. That time is now. This cat couldn’t stay in the bag for long, especially at RPM headquarters. It is the return of Ginge Knievil. 

From The Sick Livers to Nicotine Pretty, Ginge has left his mark on the South Wales scene, and further afield. At The Pipeline all-dayer some years ago, The Sick Livers were the most entertaining band on the bill, with the tunes to back it up.

He’ll hate me saying this, but people respect his music and his attitude. In 2026, the name to remember is Lithium Kicks. Fear not,  the tunes are BACK, butty! 

What a kick-off it is. From the opening riff, ‘I Want Something I Don’t Care About’ evokes early Manics pogoing recklessly with Tenpole Tudor, thanks to the gang vocals and a chorus that will have you “WHOOAH”ing in no time. And it could easily be Bradfield yelling out from ’92 at the beginning of ‘Catch Me When I Fall’. As for that final scream, I am a happy bunny. With ex-Liver Darren back on guitar duties with Michael, Jonny on bass and Dave on drums, they should be proud of what they’ve created here.

An album of songs this catchy would be much appreciated. And with live dates coming this spring, the future’s so bright, he’s gotta wear shades. Welcome back, we’ve missed you x 

Author:Martin Chamarette

https://linktr.ee/lithiumkicks

The Damned – ‘Not Like Everybody Else’ (Ear Music)

The Damned – ‘Not Like Everybody Else’ (Ear Music)

Like ’em or loath them, one thing is for sure: the title is spot on. The Damned have been a constant pretty much throughout my music listening life, and as they reach the twilight of a glittering career, they’ve lost another of their own, and this one hurt big time. Brian James shaped my youth from The Damned through The Lords and his solo output right through the first reunion dates that ended in tears to the triumphant second coming and a much more harmonious band that seemed to have reached some semblance of maturity and adulthood (god forbid) and returned to the stage as the original four piece whilst they still had time and nailed a series of shows that had the fire and fury of the early years as well as a much older and wiser beast they did it and came out far better and bigger than they went into it. Sadly, that was the last time they would play as a four-piece as Brian passed away last year, which motivated the remaining three, plus the long-time Paul Gray to turn in a set of covers that Brian was inspired by to put together The Damned as we knew it.

With Rat back in the seat for the last couple of years its wonderful to see and hear the Damned from The Black Album and Strawberries knock it out of the park time after time and show the youth exactly how it’s done. Forward we move to the here and now, and this here tribute to the tunes of their youth that inspired Mr Brian James and a mixed bag it is. Sure, you’ll have your stalwarts and gatekeepers protesting and professing to not touching this with a barge pole, but The Damned have form for this with the awesome ‘Give Daddy The Knife Cindy,’ which was a pretty awesome covers album, albeit without the name The Damned. Fast forward a few decades, and we’re here paying respects to Brian in a way he’d appreciate. Ten tracks from various continents, there are the ones we would all have guessed, which are done to perfection for one reason or another, like ‘Gimme Danger’, but it’s tracks like the title track that suit Vanian’s vocals, and he manages to hit the notes to perfection, serving up a rousing rendition.

Rats drumming is so recognisable, and his long hiatuses from the fold missed his swagger and formidable rolls, even Monty’s keyboard wheeze on songs like ‘Heart Full Of Soul’ nails it. The big takeaway I got from this record is how bloody good Paul Grey is and how he plays the songs for what they are, driving the tunes like a finely tuned Rolls-Royce. Of course, I love Captain’s off-the-cuff style where he sounds like he’s winging it (which he’s not, of course, but it’s always added excitement), just take ‘You Must Be A Witch’ which had me raising an eyebrow to mr Vanians high notes (well done, sir).

Of course, there are a few lulls here and there, but let’s not get carried away here. This is The Damned paying their respects to Brian James and playing the guts out of some left of centre (at times) songs, of course it’s not ‘Neat Neat Neat’ or ‘New Rose’, but for some unearthly inexplicable reason this is what got us those songs. The inclusion of ‘last Time’ gives me goose bumps, and like Captain says Without Brian, etc., etc..

The message on the inner sleeve is heartfelt and touching – long live Brian James and long live The Damned, the greatest band to ever walk the planet bar none. Another case of hit and miss, but I’ll take it because they’re not like anyone else and the likes of which we’ll never see again.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

The Godfathers – Double A Side and tour dates

The Godfathers – Double A Side and tour dates

The Godfathers kickstart 2026 with a brand new double A-side single. The release – featuring the band’s first new music since 2022’s acclaimed Alpha Beta Gamma Delta album – comes ahead of a previously announced trio of UK dates

Set for release on 6th February, vinyl and digital versions of the new single will comprise the tracks ‘Going Wrong’ and ‘Lesbian Café’, the latter number featuring guest contributions from Devo’s Josh Hager on guitar and synthesiser.

There will also be a 4-track CD EP release, which includes the single tracks plus a special remix of ‘Lesbian Café’ by Hager and an alternate acoustic version of ‘Going Wrong’.

The single is the first taste from a highly anticipated brand new album from the band, expected in early 2027. Godfathers’ front man and founder member Peter Coyne has described both new songs as “truly exciting rock & roll social commentary and another sonic leap forward for the group.”

Coyne has cited ‘Lesbian Café’ as a genuine tribute to his LGBTQ heroes, influenced in part by his visits to the legendary Club Louise in London in early ’77, which he’s said provided “a non-judgmental home from home for many people on the punk scene in the ‘70’s.”

The vinyl single and CD EP are both available to pre-order now exclusively from Here.

All four tracks will also be available to download from all the usual online digital platforms.

As previously announced, The Godfathers play three UK gigs in February – Edinburgh, Leeds and their traditional Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre concert at the iconic 100 Club in London…

11 Feb -EDINBURGH – Voodoo Rooms Tickets

12 Feb -LEEDS – Brudenell Social Club Tickets

13 Feb -LONDON – 100 Club Tickets

Tickets for all three concerts are available NOW!!

Megadeth – ‘Megadeth’ (BLKIIBLK)

Megadeth – ‘Megadeth’ (BLKIIBLK)

We all know the Metallica story… I’m not going to talk about that, well, maybe later. Megadeth has been a constant in the heavy metal story since back in 1983, when Dave Mustaine swore that he would put together a band faster and heavier than that other band that I said I wasn’t going to talk about.

Since then, there have been many lineup changes and some history-making music. The one constant is, of course, “MegaDave” himself. The controversial guitarist/vocalist/lead songwriter has made sure that every single heavy metal fan in the world owns at least one Megadeth album in their collection. This has been achieved by hard work, phenomenal talent and of course, Dave’s unwillingness to fail.

My first run-in with Megadeth was courtesy of a Kerrang! Compilation VHS with the video to the song Peace Sells. I loved it and got a friend to copy the album onto a C90 cassette for me. The power, the musicianship, and the snarl all made sure this teenage thrasher was hooked (in mouth?) Of course, the “classic” lineup of Megadeth came a few years later with the 1990 Rust In Peace album. This is when the world really saw Mustaine’s vision in full. I saw the band live for the first time on this tour with a little-known band called Alice in Chains opening. The fury of their live shows became legendary; they never disappoint in a live setting.

Megadeth became global superstars after the success of the 1992 release ‘Countdown to Extinction’, but this was the start of the band’s decline. Some ill-fated direction changes on the 1999 album Risk and the collapse of the “classic” line-up before that saw Megadeth’s popularity dip. This isn’t to say that the band weren’t out there making new records or playing live, they just never got another Countdown moment.

This latest LP, simply titled ‘Megadeth’, is set to be their last ever album. Mustaine has had health struggles over the last few years and has decided to hang up his guitar for good. 2022’s ‘The Sick, the Dying…and the Dead’ was a great album, and this follows on in a similar vein. Latest guitar wizard Teemu Mantysaari has a strong presence with songwriting credits on nine of the ten tracks. Drummer Dirk Verbeuren feels like he’s been around forever, and his contribution is a noticeable one. Bass player James LoMenzo still feels like a hired gu,n though, he plays a blinder here, as you’d expect.

The album opens strongly with the lead single ‘Tipping Point’. Virtuoso guitar work, machine gun double kick drums and Mustaine’s trademark love it or hate vocal style are all over the song. A brilliant opener. The production is great, too, from Mustaine and Chris Rakestraw. ‘I Don’t Care’ is a bit more throwaway, although some fun lyrics rescue the track. ‘Hey God?!’ Is a mid-paced chugger, which is a real grower. ‘Let There Be Shred’ does what it says on the tin, a real showcase of Mustaine and Mantysaari’s incredible prowess. Puppet Parade reminds me of the Youthanasia era. Another strong track. Another Bad Day chugs along nicely with lyrics that all of us can relate to. ‘Made to Kill’ kicks off with a superb drum intro before we are off into very familiar Megadeth territory, stabbing riffs, answering kick drums, and guitar solos aplenty make this one of the strongest tracks on the album. ‘Obey the Call’ has a great crunching riff. Mustaine’s vocals are more melodic here, another solid tune. ‘I Am War’ has a nice sing-along chorus which sticks in your head almost instantly.

The Last Note gives us Megadeth fans the final nod from our illustrious leader. The lyrics are actually quite moving: “I can’t outrun the spinning hands of time” and “the guitar got heavy, time to lay it down” gave me a lump in my throat. Is this really the end of the road for Megadeth? It seems to be true. We can never be sure, though, how many comebacks have Kiss, Motley Crue and even fellow Big 4 thrashers Slayer have had? I get the feeling that Mustaine is genuine in his sentiment. Rest easy, Megadeth, we salute you. Megadeth is no game-changer but it’s a good way to bow out.

I wasn’t going to mention the cover of Metallica’s ‘Ride the Lightning’. I get that Mustaine says that it’s “full circle” for him, and he wanted to put a Metallica track (that he co-wrote) on the album. It seems like a pointless exercise to me. Mustaine has nothing to prove, he’s a metal legend, and there really was no need to add this. I mean, it’s ok, Mustaine’s vocals don’t sound great, musically it’s obviously played well, but I just can’t help but feel that it blights the album rather than adding anything. My advice is, don’t bother listening to it, just end the album with ‘The Last Note’.

Buy Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

Gluecifer – ‘Same Drug New High’ (Steamhammer)

Gluecifer – ‘Same Drug New High’ (Steamhammer)

Praise the fuckin Lord and any other higher powers for making this happen, and I’m sure I speak for many when I say the end of year album of the year might just be over already because Gluecifer are in da Mother funkin’ House! ‘Same Drug New High’ with its tasteful wholesome artwork is amongst us and whilst the world turns to shit and we’re all hellbound in a handcart the soundtrack to the journey into oblivion is fuckin pure fire!

As ‘The Idiot’ doesn’t so much bleed into your ether but rather kicks your eardrum all over the floor with its Subteranian Homesick rock out attack, Gluecifer confirm they have lost none of their fire, coolness or earworm goodness, and in three minutes they kick your backside so hard you would find sitting down impossible.

Hold on to your sanity because the title track is rapid through the door with a great hook. Gluecifer are the undisputed “Kings Of Rock”, and the world was a darker place back in 2005. After a farewell tourr it was a relatively short time to be fair, but in November 2017, the band announced their reunion for 2018. After 7 years, it was time to record the new album, stop the hype train and put their reputation on the line. It’s the first one since 2004, and boy, what a return it is.

keeping it to eleven tracks, they’ve not so much eased themselves back into the scen they’ve blown the doors off and with a sound and attitude that seems totally appropriate and oozing super cool attitude. I enjoyed Poons post Gluecifer projects, but I’ve missed the dynamic attack of Malibu spitting out the words backed by some tremendous riffage. It’s great to feel excited over some music, even at my advancing years its great to be alive and smashing out some high tempo rock n fuckin roll.

They’ve not reinvented the wheel or unlocked a new genre or gone drastic techno, but they’ve taken what they know and do and turned it up to 11 whilst using their experiences as the kings of Rock to puff their chests out and rock out even when the record takes a sharp breath its better than most other bands’ best song like the galloping riff of ‘The Score’ but they follow it up with ‘Pharmacity’ and its bright intro before burrowing into your brain with a great earworm.

What they do best is loud rock n roll like ‘1996’, simple but precise riffage and cool lyrics who else sings about their socks? One of the album’s deeper cuts is ‘Made In The Morning’ with its Malcolm Young tone; they sure do channel their inner classic DC and accelerate the song with a great chorus.

After playing nothing else since I had the album (not a great place to be for someone who has a stack of records to review) its hard not to compare loud rock n roll to this at the moment, so I’m just going to roll with it and keep this same drug giving me these new highs. ‘Another Night Another City’ is a time-honoured road story touching on elements of Cock Sparrer’s brand of Bootboy rock n roll with a fine hook and melody before they sign the comeback record off with ‘On The Wire’. If you were expecting a ballad to close off a rockin’ record, you might be disappointed if you want another full tilt boogie Gluecifer style, then get up for one last slam dance, but is that a keyboard /I hear noodling behind that filthy Bass line? Not a million miles from Colin Towns vibes as The Boys twist my mellon before singing off a magnificent return to form Now please come to the UK and no more hiatuses lifes too short, and the world needs Gluecifer right here, right now! Buy this record.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

The Boys – ‘The Singles Collection 77-25’ (Cherry Red Records)

The Boys – ‘The Singles Collection 77-25’ (Cherry Red Records)

In the time-honoured old lady at the thought of an election, “Not Another One?” yup, it’s another one, but this is the definitive Boys Singles Collection just in case you’d forgotten how bloody good the band is.

The 2CD Digipak features the ‘A’ & ‘B’ sides of every physical (7″ vinyl /CD) Single release from both The Boys & The Yobs from 1977 to 2025. The release includes a 20-page booklet with detailed linear notes and pictures of all the relevant sleeves. Just in case you fancied trawling Discogs looking to track down the elusive original 7″ before the brand new 2026 album drops from The Boys.

What’s not to love about such classics as ‘I Don’t Care’, ‘Sick On You’ ‘, First Time’, and the legendary ‘Brickfield Nights’, which are all very much part of the current Boys live set. But it’s also a chance to wrap up the latter Boys singles like ‘I’m A Believer’ and ‘Punk Rock Girl’, which, to be fair, are distant enough to be joining the first wave classics because time has fallen favourably on songs like those off ‘Punk Rock Menapause’. The liner notes are suitably detailed and offer fantastic value with their twenty pages. Every festive period you can offer up ‘Run Rudolph Run’ or ‘The Worm Song’ just to offend your nan.

Drawing in their footy anthem ‘Svengerland’ and demos as well as unplugged B Sides, this is a comprehensive set and trawling through the good old days in the late 70s to the here and now, it’s a wonderful two-disc showcase to the endurance and downright class of the Boys and all who sailed with them. Forty songs over two discs is one hell of a legacy to Rock n Roll. Buy It!

You can pre-order the collection from Cherry Red – click here

Author: Dom Daley

The Molotovs/Garage Flower – Lending Room, Leeds – 7th January 2026 

The Molotovs/Garage Flower – Lending Room, Leeds – 7th January 2026 

What happens when you take two teenage siblings from the heart of London town with a rock n’ roll dream and something to say, force feed them a diet of Sex Pistols sneer, The Jam’s sharp suss and a heady dose of The Libertines? The Molotovs are what happens. Singer/guitarist Mathew and bassist Issey are just 17 and 19, respectively and have been making a name for themselves the past 2 years, gigging hard. 

With more than 500 shows under their belts, The Molotovs have put in the hard work, and it seems to be paying off. Following support slots with The Sex Pistols and Blondie, a slew of high-energy anthemic singles that nod to the glory days of ‘77 and a debut album due at the end of the month, their time is now….right now. 

First up tonight, though, are local lads Garage Flower, who have the task of warming up the growing crowd. Presumably named after The Stone Roses album of the same name, the four-piece band deliver a high-energy set of guitar-driven, garage rock. Don’t let the baggy jeans, the floppy fringes and their youthful looks deceive you, these boys are no shoegazing indie pretenders.  

With gravelly lead vocals, effect-ridden guitars and a tight rhythm section that gives a funky feel, Garage Flower have more in common sound-wise with the likes of Senseless Things and Mega City 4 than their Manchester heroes. The angst and rawness of ‘Jammy and’ Garage Flower’ also remind me of Aussie rockers The Vines, so they have that grungy, guitar rock thing going on, which is always a good thing.  

With a high-energy, animated set and plenty of crowd interaction from the singer, these hometown boys are worth checking out. Always make it in time for the support band. 

It’s sold out tonight at this, the second date of a UK tour promoting the yet-to-be-released debut album ‘Wasted On Youth’, and The Molotovs are firing on all cylinders from the moment they hit the stage. Singer Mathew spits, snarls and bashes his Rickenbacker like the bastard offspring of Rotten and Weller. Stage left, his sister Issey is a fervent ball of energy as she pulls off moves most couldn’t match, let alone whilst playing an instrument. Behind them, their latest drummer is a blur of flailing arms and urgent beats. 

With a fistful of songs some will know and a set of largely unfamiliar material, the band must rely on raw energy and their ability to entertain to win over a notoriously hard-to-please Leeds crowd, and they pull it off with ease. Opener ‘Urbia’ and the following ‘Newsflash’ are unfamiliar, yet sound mighty. The killer boy/girl “woah-woah’s” add a touch of class to the latter. Bowie’s ‘Suffragette City is up next, it sounds great, but they don’t really need it, their own material stands up. 

‘Johnny Don’t Be Scared’ and ‘More More More’ are modern, mod-tinged anthems that carry some clout and staying power. ‘Rhythm Of Yourself’ was one of the best tunes of last year, it pogos on a bouncy bass line and a very catchy chorus, it was bound to be a live highlight. Of the unfamiliar songs, ‘Wasting My Time’ is gloriously post-punk and ‘No Time To Talk’ sounds like early Manics, which is no bad thing. 

Chat is kept minimal, although we do get the odd quip from a seemingly nonchalant singer who does try to get a reaction from the crowd. Maybe tonight’s demographic was a bit higher than the band are used to, and while the audience may have lacked some energy, the band certainly didn’t. 

Between Mat’s raw, acerbic delivery, Issey’s relentless energy and the drummer’s Keith Moon-esque power, the trio deliver a faultless set of a seasoned touring band. After an incendiary hour set, they wrap things up with a two-song encore, including new single ‘Get A Life’, which was probably my highlight of the night. 

What a way to start off the gigging this year. For me, the Molotovs are the real deal and the full package. They look good, they sound great and are an exciting and entertaining live band. It’s hard to believe they are not even in their 20s yet.  

‘Wasted On Youth’ is a highly anticipated debut album, and I believe you will not get the chance to see them in small venues like this for much longer. The Molotovs are the sound of youth and the world is theirs for the taking. This is just the beginning. 

Author: Ben Hughes

Ultrabomb reach for the ‘Artificial Stars’

Ultrabomb reach for the ‘Artificial Stars’
Punk Rock Power Trio ULTRABOMB Release New Single “Artificial Stars”Out January 2, 2026 — First Single from Upcoming AlbumThe Bridges That We Burn — Out April 3, 2026

Band Consists of Greg Norton (Hüsker Dü), Derek O’Brien (Social Distortion, Agent Orange, Adolescents) and Ryan Smith (Soul Asylum)

“After a pair of LPs over the past four years, Utrabomb is back with “Artificial Stars,” a swift blow to the sternum that harnesses both the speedy energy of Norton’s early Minneapolis days and the ragged hard-rock sensibility of Twin Tone-era Soul Asylum.” – Magnet

Stream “Artificial Stars”– Here

Minneapolis, MN — Punk rock power trio Ultrabomb have released their new single “Artificial Stars.” The track marks the first release from their forthcoming full-length album The Bridges That We Burn, arriving April 3, 2026 via DC-Jam Records/Virgin Music Group.

“Artificial Stars” delivers Ultrabomb’s signature blend of urgency, melody, and grit — drawing on decades of lived punk experience while confronting themes of isolation, endurance, and the drive to keep reaching forward even in uncertain times.

Greg Norton explains: “Sitting in our bunkers, we only have artificial stars to look at. We are all scarred, but we keep reaching for those stars.”

Release Dates • The Bridges That We Burn (album): April 3, 2026

Label – DC-Jam Records – Here

Follow Ultrabomb – Here

The Wonder Stuff / Vent 414 – Shepherds Bush Empire, London. 19.12.25

The Wonder Stuff / Vent 414 – Shepherds Bush Empire, London. 19.12.25

What a fantastic end to another fantastic year of music for RPM Online, and I can’t think of a better place to be to send off the year than in a packed Empire watching the return of Vent 414and The Wonderstuff celebrating doing this malarky for 39 years!

With Milo and Peter putting in a double shift tonight, it seemed only fair that we make the effort to be in the venue early for this, and after making the 400-mile round trip, we wanted to get our money’s worth and boy did we achieve that. Vent 414 made an admission earlier this year that they were indeed in rehearsals and recording a follow-up album to their debut a mere 29 years ago, so it was a delight when Morgan, Milo and Pete wandered onto the stage and then proceeded to fill every conceivable space in the venue with their huge wall of noise beginning with ‘Laying Down With’. The band cranked out the tunes with a couple of brand new ones they’ve been recording, and Milo did inform us that the album was coming in 2026 and possibly more shows.

The first new song was built around a mega groove baby (aren’t they all) before ‘Fixer’ touched on familiar ground. By the time we locked into the volume control, it was Milo offering up the final song of the seven-song set, another new song entitled ‘Lucinda Comes In Many Colours’, I’m excited to hear the new album and what can only be described as something of a creative purple patch for the man from the midlands and this sounds bang on the money.

After warming his voice up with Vent 414, Milo marched on to the Stage, beaming from ear to ear and proceeded to kick the shit out of the finest tunes the Wonder Stuff has to offer in a manner that defies the years because not only did the band sound leaner and meaner they were on fire, and Milo’s vocals were absolutely outstanding. Little time for chit chat other than to introduce a few tunes and announce this was being recorded for a live album in 2026, it was ‘Red Berry Joy Town’ to kick off, and for the next 90 minutes plus, this ‘Eight-Legged’ heavy set list was nothing short of stunning. Malc and Mark weaved the riffs, and the rhythm was maybe tighter than ever, whilst Erica and Milo let proceedings with nicely timed riffs and licks.

The classics came thick and fast from ‘On The Ropes’ and ‘Cartoon Boyfriend’ to ‘Piece Of Sky’ and an epic ‘Mission Drive’. The Wonder Stuff 2025 were absolutely killing it and bringing the curtain down on one hell of a year for shows. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the revisiting of albums over the past few years and the set lists have been pretty awesome, but for some reason, this one seemed extra special, not because it was being recorded for a live album but the energy from the stage was infectious, and to see post-covid era Milo smiling all the time is as infectious as a dose of flu. So much so that there were cheers for the couple of tracks of the last studio album ‘Don’t Anyone Dare Give A Damn’ and ‘The Guy With The Gift’.

Have I said already how incredible Milo sounded? The guy is singing better than ever, belting out the songs with passion and conviction, and as we headed to ‘Give, Give, Give Me More, More, More’, the clock was ticking, and the end wasn’t far off, even if I didn’t want this to end quite yet, bloody curfews.

The encore was a triple header of ‘Can’t Shape Up’ followed by the finest rendition of ‘Poison’ before a brilliant ‘Ten Trenches Deep’ brought the curtain down on a magnificent night of music that defied the years and absolutely nailed my belief that The Wonder Stuff on form like this are an unstoppable force and are getting better and never going through the motions not for a second. Can we do this again next year for the 40th Birthday, please? Simply stunning! Oh, and if you’re taking requests, chuck ‘Good Night Though’ back into the set, it would have capped off my night perfectly.

Next year marks 40 fucking years of The Wonder Stuff, and that in itself sounds ridiculous, but on this evidence, it would be insane to stop now. This band are on fire, and I say let the music flow and keep on flowing

Author: Dom Daley