| SNOTTYNESS... Punk Rock Classic - World Contender - Worth A Listen - Average - Plastic - No Future |
| DAMN DIRTY APES 'CDEP' 2004 This colony of apes come from Birmingham's death and grind scene, which if you've had any exprience of it ain't really the most exemplary credential. The Apes come lurching at us with first track 'The Wonder Of Woe', which has a rabid, jerky, kinda feel. It stops 'n' starts in quick time with pummelling drumming, chunky guitars and Gravelly Hill coated vocals, that has one of those god awful fake American rock styles nailed to it! I somehow don't think these smelly chimps are out to be treated that seriously. They seem to be in it for fun, which is no bad thing. Coz with a name like that who could really take em keep a straight face? By the second track 'Green Man' they change style and go for a skitzo quirky exhibition, that reminds me of that old 80's UK band called Bogshed, remember them? Bogshed were pretty good in a post punk eccentric way, and this CD is definitely running along those themes. The bassdriven final track of 'Egg Eating Rats' was way more like it and far less abrasive than the previous two tracks. Comes with a more natural flow that saw em finally breaking out there discordant cage and producing something good. The 4th and final track wasn't a song at all. It was the bands chance to sell themselves albeit in a humorous way. You get an edited advertising pastiche with the band using an overactive imagination to full use. It's done in quite a novel way that publicises the bands website and earn themselves bookings...they hope! I can sniff media students in the building? AVERAGE www.damndirtyapes.co.uk |
| ASSERT/SWELLBELLYS Split 45 (XLNT-6) August 2004 Can't say I was shocked at this split 45, coz both these shop soiled outfits involved here have been known to guest on each others live sets over the last few years. So it was just a matter of time before an alliance of Indian ink and anglo/Scottish vindictiveness got captured on record by these tattooed sideshows. I was interested to hear the Swellbellys after spotting their 'in your face' performance at HITS a few years ago. Scotlands Swellbellys in case you didn't know, seem to have their rabid sound tight and on the mark these days. But comparisons with near neighbours the Exploited will never be far away. The similarities are pretty distinct. They dish out pretty full on hardcore in that fast and no compromising manner, but alas with no big surprises in store. You know exactly what your gonna get as their best track 'Stone Cold Killa' accelerates out the speakers. It's it's hard, it's brutal but it's also pretty repetitive! They slow things down a gear for the second track which is the drum powered and tribalistic 'Sort Em Out'. A song which is again uncannily like 'War' off the 'Troops of Tomorrow' album. Bet the Swellbellys are extremely pissed off with that comparison by now, but if they want to change our viewpoint they gotta try and create a more original sound to match their gruesome live show. AVERAGE I was never a big fan of Assert from nearby overspill of Telford. And ever since hearing their disappointing 'Left Opposition' CD and seeing em live in Derby back in '99. They just didn't live up to the hype. They played just another over the top stop/start hardcore for my liking. And their identi-kit delivery made the bar a far more tempting proposition. But I take all that back on hearing this record! Coz on these couple of tracks they seem to have discovered a whole new improved sound, and their song structures are way more interesting. Even vocalist Britt's Rob Halford (Judas Priest) styled warbling in the middle of 'Poisoned Minds' has a certain appeal. He sounds actually good on this offering with less rants and more presence. And with that neat guitar sound too, which is gritty and crunchy in all the right places. I still can't get my head around their biscuit tin drum sound, but we can't have everything can we? The second song 'Watch The Clock' shows more assertive guitarwork as it beams a haunting lead over the rhythm track. While Britt gives us his take on suicidal depression in the factory units of the UK. Two tales of depressing frustration sounds pretty glum in print, but upon hearing em, they actually achieve the opposite effect! WORTH A LISTEN Comes in a neat gatefold sleeve with lyrics and on Deep Purple vinyl too!!! For more information from Stranded Records and other releases go here www.strandedrecords-scotland.co.uk |
| HOTWIRED 'Make It Count' (Hotwired) CD September 2004 Sado the long-standing bassplayer in North Wolshams Hotwired, seems to never give in, in his quest to promote possibly the worst PUNK band in the Norfolk broads. However the progression Hotwired make, maybe slow and painstakingly slight compared to some, but it's definitely happening since the abysmal 'Friday Night' demo. They've got a newish line-up now and it shows big time on this set. Complete with a decent sound, although lacking a killer punch. For fucks sake they even give us songs these days!!! And I must admit you can sit through this album without an overwhelming urge to spin it through the nearest window. Something I never thought I'd say about an Hotwired record. This latest album ain't by any means ground breaking or unique, but they've learned from past sloppy mistakes and have turned the corner. This is a band who don't seem to give in in the face of defeat, so full credit for that. They open with 'It's Only Punk Rock' possibly the best track of the 12 on offer. It comes with a pertinent punky riff and the obligatory chorus of "its only punk rock, were out to shock". What is shocking about these Norfolk oiks is they are actually starting to develop ideas! So maybe in about 5 years time they could well be knocking out street punk anthems of their own! In the meantime they've been pretty busy touring the UK toilets and even some exotic European sewers like Romania and Bulgaria, where the blighters even got on National TV. So for a bunch of Norfuck pissheads this ain't no mean achievement. Granddad of the band Alan and yob vocals, comes over a load better this time round. He's actually benefitted by a decent mix, even though his cheeky delivery is as flat as a pint of Carlsberg. The duel guitars of Paul and Dale gives the band more style, with even some decent lead breaks like on 'Yob'. That sometimes reminds me of Sham's Dave Parson licks in style, but without the Pete Wilson production job. Mind you, their overall sound is still on the dainty side for a punk outfit. 'Sick And Tired' has a country punk blues kinda feel which works well. But what I still find a bone of contention is Hotwired's lazy pace that some of the tracks trot in at. I'm all for a diverse way to approach punk and some good slow burning songs have hit home over the years, but these fuckers still sound like they've chucked down a vial of Ketamine before plugging in!!!! But it's not all spaced out gloom. Coz with songs like 'Police Informer' and it's chunky riff and psychedelic lead break along side the domestic drudgery of ''Domestos and Drugs' and finally the banal 'Big Issue' observation. Hotwired despite the odds have scraped together a half decent set! You can't help but giggle at some of the lyrics too! They end the set with another comic version of 'Thassa Rummun'. The bonus tracks are faithful covers of 'Smash The Discos' (The Business) and 'Warhead' (UK Subs). AVERAGE For more fun 'n' games go to HOTWIRED |
| APOCALYPSE BABYS 'Alcoholacaust' (vera002) CD October 2004 This latest offering from the sons of Alfreton...Apocalypse Babys was very much anticipated here in the Wolf's Lair. The nuclear tots have been busy taking their spunky Ramones fixations to such far flung exotic locations as Italy and Glasgow most recently. And shock horror the US could be their next port of call...so watch out Yanks!? The Babys gawd bless em really don't know the meaning of defeat in the face of record company apathy. They have released this their 5th album on their own gorgeous Vinyl Vera label. And you know what, it's a very pro package indeed! Comes with full colour foldout lyric sleeve, plus various blindo band shots, that gives this record a certain bed wetting ambience. So who really needs record companies if you can put out first class product such as this? Answers on a postcard to the Alfreton's DHSS please. This new liquored up set however, don't exactly get us up on the tables quite as much as previous releases. The commanding production is spot on, their dry wit is still on show, but they don't give us anything really new from what we already know of the band. Fun punk springs to mind if your a new listener, but shows these gurgling babys can still write a decent record or two despite not being half as essential as their recent classy '7" Plus' CD collection. And those worthy tracks on here to keep your interest while ordering a pint are the rampaging axe attack of 'Guantanamo Bay' or the sinister delivery of 'Dirty Bomb'. Apocalypse Babys may not be pious enough for some hard-line punks, but they still ain't walking round the bar with their heads stuck in a pint glass, although you can be forgiven for thinking so. Even that smelly old punk rock institution called Charlie Harper gets a slap on the back with their 'UK Subs' tribute track. Which I'm sure is really touching in Tooting, but I find it a bit dubious when punk icons suddenly become senior citizens... or present dodgy wildlife documentaries!!! Asterix's vocals are more gnarly on this session, he seems to have given the smooth ballads neck, in favour of a moody skank called 'Reggae Maan', which incorporates a 'Nice N Sleazy' riff and even has some Carl Douglas ('Kung Fu Fighting') influenced backing vocalisations. But with 3 covers in this 13 song set, it does beg the question of filler? And when you get some really dodgy material like 'Lets Jump The Broomstick'...it's no thanks! They do finish on a boozy crashcourse of the title track that'll probably be another bawdy set closer on the bands up and coming live dates. WORTH A LISTEN APOCALYPSE BABYS |
| DISCONVENIENCE 'Bombs Away' CDR Summer 2004 Fer fucks sake Discovennience from Sweden are now a 3 piece, with a real drummer! And don't it make all the difference. Their first demo released last year with a drum machine beat, had a very eclectic feel in sound, which was definitely a hindrance to their obvious learning curve. Since then, they've gone from an experimental sub Stooges/Joy Division duo, into a gigging scrawny Avengers blueprint. Lead singer and bass player Emma, seems to have gone it alone vocally. She adopts a bratty riot grrl scrawl that's caked heavily on top of an almost muddy sounding guitar blast. Rickard (guitar) is obviously the massive Avengers fan in the band, as he dominates the tracks by ripping out those oh so familiar chord runs throughout all 4 tracks on this EP. And while he's busy keeping Greg Ingrahams memory alive in the grooves, he's also keeping the rhythm section alive by dragging his sister Nina in on drums/backing vocals to complete the line-up. They sing about revenge on the sadistically impressive 'Make No Sound'. But now they're a live entity on the streets of Umea (with live recordings available) it looks like there's just no stopping em! Disconvenience still have a remarkable knack of combining some clever Joy Division touches, amidst those avenging riffs. And as stupid as that sounds in print, it actually works. Check out 'Human Being Me' all about an identity crisis, where they also blatantly plunder some Clash lyrics along the way. It was getting a bit too close for comfort on 'Decisions' but as I'm a big Avengers fan anyway, I quite liked it and I bet Penelope Houston would be amused too. They end this 4 tracker on the young and misunderstood 'The World's Still Young'. Which reminds us they still need a load more polish and rehearsal in the almost robotic rhythm section. But 'Bombs Away' is a big improvement on their last effort. Comes once more in a hastily thrown together photostatted foldout sleeve, with the added bonus of a lyric sheet, band pix and contact info this time round. AVERAGE DISCONVENIENCE |
| THE BIPS 'If Life Was Like...A Gig Of John Plain' (pvr001) CD 2004 This disc was my most anticipated punk release since I first heard their blistering debut 45 'This Time For Real' 2 years ago. The Bips from Nijmegen, Holland, had on that record all the hallmarks of an exciting, energised punk rock sound, that was gonna save us all from the rehashed thrash, bloated apathy and popcore in our punk scene today. And I remember thinking their album's gonna be a fuckin killer when it hits the fan! Since that 45 the Bips lost half the band and are now cut down to a lean 'n' mean 3-piece. Featuring Holland's premier zydeco kids - Jozzy (lead guitar/singer and founder) and long-time pardner in crime, Barbie (bass/vocals). They've added yet another new drummer called rock'n' roel to the mix, who seems to fit in really well. So fast forward two years and the time has arrived for that debut album just released on their own Pretty Vacant records. When 'If Life Was Like...' arrived I was relishing it's sounds, even though the dissapointing tan album sleeve looked positively shoddy in comparison to the Bips usual eye for attention to detail. They warn us on the cover "This Punk Rock record only sounds good with your speakers on 10". So are they trying to tell us something? Well they were right, is does sound better full blast! But the anti climax of the sleeve has spread to the overall sound too. The energy's still in abundance, their jagged enthusiasm is still biting at our heels, but the BIG impact and final mix is wanting! I thought maybe it would grow on me with more plays, but I've had this on all over Christmas and it still ain't giving me tingles. Maybe I give the band the kiss of death by proclaiming em as saviours of our Euro punk scene, last time out? They can still provide some good songs like the opening crunch of 'Pain' with it's inventive finale. And the Pistoleon guitar licks on 'Did You Hear About The Rumours' that were rumbling under it's slanderous fuselage. Their skill ain't in question. It's just this album is too skimpy in dynamics and missing the raging atmosphere. Their most commercial sounding track was 'I Don't Wanna Live Tomorrow' which has a great chorus and classy guitar break, was let down badly by some lifeless singing. Jozzy's vocals badly needed some production work here. Paul Hendriksen (the producer...booo hissss!) should've been coming in with ideas at this stage. But I'm afraid he's left em sounding really flat on quite a few tracks. Another thing what puzzles me, is how this album was recorded in the same studio, by the same engineer as their brilliant debut 45. Where's that killer punch gone now? All fingers point to the production. They should sue their producer for services rendered! Maybe they run outta studio time and money too, coz this band does have class. Although the Bips themselves can't escape from criticism totally, coz singing the praises of Portland junky/ippie outfit Dead Moon is tantamount to treason! Although it's exasperated intro was pretty funny! Things pick up again with the chugging, chiming guitar of 'Wake Up', that had a mesmerising Micky Geggus touch, circa 'Bad Man' on it's soundscape. They finish the 12 tracks on a high as Jozzy and Barbie interact brilliantly (vocally) on the lovesick 'Lonely Boy'. While drummer rock'n'roul held his own throughout. The Bips desperately need a second guitar in the mix to beef this up to past glories. Maybe I'm missing something here, but this sounds like a very good demo of the forthcoming album they're threatening to deliver! Just a pity it never made it's presence felt on the final mix. Still WORTH A LISTEN. www.thebips.nl |
| 1000 DRUNKEN NIGHTS/ BILLY RIOT AND THE FUCKWITS 'Drunken Fuckwit Diplomacy' CD X-Mas 2004 Two of Belfast's most recent punk combo's go head to head on this low-fi, rush released, Christmas 4 track CD. 1000 Drunken Nights (formerly Mr Nipples) kick off the proceedings, with 2 shouty volleys of abuse in mantras like 'Pissed Up Tonight' - "an everyday tale of drunken revelry", and their best tune, the political rant of 'Maimed'. I like the rowdy attitude they obviously display by the bucket full, but the end result don't exactly keep us amused for too long. This feels like a bunch of Mohicans in a bar deciding to knock up a few tunes in the studio, to play to their mates on a Saturday night. And that's probably the point? But maybe they should've kept that intro to 'Maimed' going on longer and built upon it, coz it actually sounded quite ominous with it's glimpse of brooding power, on top of the otherwise thinly coated guitar. However they were soon charging off into the bawling sunset once more. I'm sure these chaotic street punks are entertaining on the live circuit down the Front Page after copious amounts of Buckfast, but they're gonna have to give us way more ALC. VOL content, musically to keep us going till next Christmas! AVERAGE Billy Riot And The Violent Fuckwits have one of the most amusing band names to come outta punk since maybe Billy Karloff And The Goats. And you know what, these blaggards seem to be heading in totally the same direction. But third on the bill down Giro's ain't no mean feat, considering they are a band formed on the singers (and editor of Belfast's most hilarious fanzine Riot On Your Own) comical whim. Billy Riot and The Fuckwits are a novelty on the streets of Belfast, and that dry humour wins this brawl, no contest. 'You Say You Used To Be A Punk'(Fuck-Off)' is as Bill explains it.."an observation on how boring old fuckers who were punks for a week in '79, think it gives them the right to bore the tits off punk kids with their tedious stories of when it all started." I ain't got a copy of the lyrics, but I'll take his word for it. They dish out mid-paced fun punk, complete with sarcy vocals on top of a definitive '77 sounding backbeat, for the added effect. Strange considering the guitarist and drummer out the Fuckwits are also in 1000 Drunken Nights, but that's incest for ya in the Belfast punk scene. You never know what's gonna be thrown up next? There's a Cockney sound bite before the final track 'All Out Offensive', which is as Bill puts it "a piss take extolling the virtues of violence" tee hee! Musically they remind us of those obscure punk bands that appeared on old Raw Records/Beggars Banquet compilations. WORTH A LISTEN for a fix of punk train spotting at least. VIOLENT FUCKWITS |
| LAST UNDER THE SUN 'Windfall' (im6010) CD May 2004 I like the cover to this one. Very earthy, warm and symbolic with the Stonehenge ruins and Pagan imagery. So I didn't really know what to expect from this new band (to my knowledge) on the Iron Man Records stable. When I put this in the slot I was soon confronted by melodic INDIE rock which always conjures up dissatisfaction in my punk rock soundscape. A style that seems to leave me fucking cold! But I gotta admit it has a very nasty habit of getting right under your skin. They have a powerful jagged guitar sound that kicks in quite often and creates a bit of tension on this atmospheric album. Most notable on the first track 'Threads', which straddles the dulcet punk rock borders but also seems to opt for too many acoustic interruptions strumming away below. And when they slow down it seems too pretentious for their own good more often than not. Imagine a latter day Mob without the raw intensity of their protest, or Mark Mob's hypnotic tones. 'Windfall' is ultimately accompanied by some oh so meaningful vocals that are asking for the piss to be taken outta them. Although they are clear and precise, they're missing some vital edge to really power the songs along. They remind me of bored middle class kids trying out a bit of rebellion. The sorta bands NME will be getting off on. This ain't punk as we know it, this is geared towards the more indie market which may not be how the band sees it, but that's how it feels. However they're not totally inapt either. I found it improving with more plays and this 8 track album is great for background music while you slave away at the PC. Highlights had to be the midpaced 'Ride Your Ride' with it's chunky riff or the stomping chords in 'Footprints'. I also rated the slow build-up of 'Brother'. I'm sure this band will go down a storm in Aston University chill out zone, but I doubt it'll be on the playlists of studded guttersnipes across the globe so fast. Loads of tree hugging kinda lyrics about the Universe and how mans destroying the landscape, which we all know is an important issue, but this bands sound and message don't really leave a lasting impression on uncaring cunts like meself, despite the occasional good rockout. The execution of 'Last Under The Sun' is very well done indeed and the production spot on. And why not, considering the core of this band is made up of the flotsam from around the Birmingham independent musical scenes. Certainly a well delivered debut for the more thoughtful amongst us, and one worth sticking with to get the full impact. WORTH A LISTEN www.iromanrecords.co.uk |
| EXTERNAL MENACE 4 Track CD Demo February 2004 Sneak preview here of the latest compositions from this still important Scottish (now Manchester based) punk outfit. Having missed their recent live set in Birmingham I was itching (sic) to hear what the current External Menace sound was like. So cheers to Welshy for passing this impressive demo on. Well I can safely report External Menace still possess the skill to create classy punk rock. They have carried on with the quality sound and vibe from their epic album 'The Process Of Elimination' album reviewed also on this page. External Menace are definitely one of the best punk outfits going today who can still deliver that natural feel for dub and guitar influenced reggae within a punk confine. The skanking 'Playing God' has those by now infamous atmospheric Sneddy vocals that really manifests itself in your brain. A class band who can cross skanky rhythms and punk suss with ingenuous authority. They have slowed down a touch since '97 but can still spit out some gutsy tunes like the midpaced 'No Uniform' to confirm their punk rock status. There's more dub in their sound these days but they do it so well and with enough urgency it never feels like a weak cloned style that so many punks ape these days. 3rd track 'Rights Now' makes great use of extra rhythm tracks to create that big sound. This is a band who know exactly what they want and how to get it from a recording studio even in demo mode. They end on the powerful skank attack of 'Citizen Cained' with Sneddys anguished appeal and that great Arabic kinda guitar lick in the middle. Like I said this maybe a demo, but it just goes to show if there's real talent in a band it will show. I'm sure the finished versions of these tracks will stand along side some of the other classy External Menace back catalogue. The new line-up seem to be up for it big time, so lets hail a new era of External Menace on the streets of punk. Dunno if there's gonna be more official releases on Dr Strange? But I'm sure the Doc will wanna release it if its all of this calibre. So watch this space! UK CONTENDER External Menace |
| DIE HUNNS 'Long Legs' (prison085-2) CD April 2004 Die Hunns AKA The Hunns continue in their bid to release worthy punk material (although a lotta these tracks are reworkings and out elsewhere in one shape or form). Despite more mutinies in their busy ranks, this line-up looks set to remain a bona fide force in our punk rock universe. This time around the alliance of Duane Peters on phlegm coated vocals and Rob Milucky (the Pushers) on riffy guitar is still intact. Only now have they have shanghaied some leggy wench called Cory Parks (bass), formerly of (Nashville Pussy's) infamy and a couple of kids. Corey no doubt puts a 25% increase in door money for em in the live circuit and gives this exclusive boys club band some refreshed impetus. She not only has the longest pair of legs in punk, but she can play a mean little bass and gives this outfit some lewd vocal power and sex appeal for all you midgets out there. Well lets face it, Die Hunns need it with the saggy, toothless bag man spitting all over the recording booth. This comes at us still with a snarly sub-Pistols sound plus some rockabiilly and garage licks thrown in where needed. I've certainly got no complaints about that all, but Duane bless his hooped cotton socks, has an irritating knack of spewing out Pistolian verbiage (cheers Mish) along the way. Wish he'd desist coz it just don't sound so good 27 years later, and delivered by someone with his front teeth missing, only adds insult to injury. Die Hunns obvious thievery from the annals of punk is legendary, but they do it so well you simply can't knock em! I can listen to this album happily without feeling the need to eject it before it's 40 minute duration. They slyly add 3 covers into this 15 track set to bulk up their own songs, and the covers couldn't have been more eclectic. The Wipers - 'Tragedy', hits you between the eyes as the best song, with it's great riff and those duel bouts from the Peter/Parks vocal talents. In fact Corey Parks gives Duane a run for his drug money big time on this album, he oughta be scared, very scared! The Undertones - 'I Got Your Number', was a pretty straight forward rendition but Die Hunns then deliver an interesting take on the Pistols - 'Did You Know Wrong' which gets the full blown lisping dosser vocal treatment. Of the bands original output 'Animals' stands out as a fave, with it's semi-accoustic intro and those mesmerising "oohh aahh" chants. More good guitar work signals the arrival of 'Love & Hate'. The trouble with Die Hunns is although Duane's a great lyricist his vocals can sometimes smother a track and that sawdust style dates pretty quick. However we can forgive him on songs like 'The Wrench' which is excellent due to the glowing vocal interaction and the predominant Rob Milucky guitar licks. The skulduggery of 'Ameri Nightmare' and the cackling finality of 'War Of The Worlds' with it's infectious guitar riff are other notable punk rock gems. As Duane explains to us over a beer how the apocalypse is about to unfold. They end with a fitting "fuck-off" to his home town of Huntington Beach in the bitter 'Nuke HB',. Which compels us to think where would Duane really feel at home?... Salvation Hostels are on orange alert and keeping his bed warm as we speak. WORTH A LISTEN Check out the 'Hate & Love' video clip on the bands site for Corey in action. DIE HUNNS www.peoplelikeyou.de |
| SICK56/HIGGINS++ Black Pool EP (jsntgm016) 45 August 2004 A really slick packaged Split release here from the bright lights of Blackpool UK. Sick 56 get the momentum rolling with two tracks 'Violence' and 'Crash And Burn' from their impending new album. They are a band who have been causing a big storm in the North West of England for the past few years, and seem to take venues by storm by all accounts! So when I finally got to hear em for myself, I wasn't exactly blown away with what I heard. In fact I was a bit disappointed, considering all the favourable reviews I'd read previously. Can they all be wrong? Or are the critics just easily pleased? Sick 56 are really tight and can play their instruments very well indeed, but somethings lacking? And they do sound way too much like fellow neighbours One Way System in approach and delivery. They play hard, fast, aggressive hardcore with big gang chorus's and angry lyrics about violence on our streets and government bitching. Tired topics that still need saying, but can get pretty uniform without some real panache. Maybe my expectations were too high but I was hoping to hear something that really did make me sit up and listen, instead of blueprint 21st century punk rock executed by so many, yet made novel by so few. If they wanna compete with the Yanks they need to give us something really special! By far the most interesting track was JSNTGM's label boss's alter ego Higgins ++ , with a regenerated 'Cool Britannia Uber Alles' cover of the Dead Kennedy's classic. It's funny, scary and sadly true as he spits out the New World order lyrics accompanied by some clever sound effects adding to the impact. Mr Higgins is backed by Sick 56 who give the track some oomph as it kicks in fully. I'm sure Biafra would agree totally. Only 500 in existence and comes in a full colour gatefold lyric sleeve on a thick slab of pink vinyl. So get it while yer can. WORTH A LISTEN www.jsntgm.com |
