| SNOTTYNESS... Punk Rock Classic - World Contender - Worth A Listen - Average - Plastic - No Future |
| THE HYPOCRITES 'Shitty Demo' CD 2006 All I know about the Hypocrites from Belfast is they feature ex Mr Nipples Joed on bass and Kev on guitar. Along with a geezer called Barney on vocals and members from other local outfits Bombshell Bastards and Half Cut to be precise. From this first 6 song demo they look set to be the more adventurous (music wise) of the Mr Nipples offshoot bands. This exotic mix of "skankin' spikey spide punk" ain't usually my bag at all. But I was enjoyed a fan of how the Subhumans and later Culture Shock cultivated that Ska punk mix. The Hypocrites take all the best elements and contaminate it with enough hardcore edge to make it work. And its that element that's missing in most of the numerous other Ska punk bands out there in the stratosphere. They also have a resilient song structure that gives em a head start amongst their skanking peers. And one other major point is they sing about important issues like 'Never Drink Again' which is a well crafted raucous salute to the amber nectar! It features jerky guitars, pummelling bass and yob vocals that are well worth investigating. Although I gotta say from track 1 Barney the vocalist seems to be the weakest link in this band by a mile! Anne Robinson would have him strung up by his balls and crucified at dawn on this display of mumbled out of sync rat arsed gripes. But at least he did make an effort on the chorus. Another thing you notice is the Hypocrites have a vast amount of spiked energy on tap which seems to be their most redeeming factor, even when they're chilling they seem primed. 'Coffins Flags And Body Bags' is a less frantic skank attack that includes out of tune back up vocals on top of enough slashing punk chords to entertain even the most anti Ska philistine. 'Gammon' which I suspect ain't celebrating the culinary delights of the rich mans bacon, is an out and out energetic hardcore stomper wrapped up in a natty thin guitar lick. But once again it's severely damaged by those shitty lead vocals. 'Own Two Feet' is another lively track which has some good musical touches along side a clever guitar solo that lasts just long enough to keep you amused before the lead vocal drags it back to the stone age instead of the front page. They really come back from the brink during their most impressive track called 'Poptastic'. Which is another song that combines all the best rudiments of Ska together with a rowdy hardcore roar of "I don't give a fuck" mood swing. Its rips out intricate trebly guitars, a pounding bass line and of course Barney, but even he can't sabotage the catchy chorus which will have guttersnipes bawling out at gigs, no doubt. You want crunchy powerful punk then look no further than the last blitzing track called 'Scrote' which is a momentous shot in the dark and seals this bands fate as the one to watch if your young, punk and on the streets of Belfast at this current moment in time. However with all the best intentions in the world and clever compositions, If this band really wants to progress im afraid a new lead singer is paramount to their development, not a brass section! WORTH A LISTEN despite Barney . HYPOCRITES |
| 1000 DRUNKEN NIGHTS 'Rowdy Kings' CDEP February 2006 Latest release from 1000 Drunken Nights who are probably Belfast's spikiest reprobates since Mr Nipples left the building. With Mohicans at the ready they continue in the same chaotic vein as their 2004 split release with the Violent Fuckwits. Only this time they're a lot more together both musically and in mind- set. They still have that ultra DIY transistorized production that's just begging for a decent mix. But the actual songs here are starting to get progressively more appealing even with those rabid Rottweiler vocals. 'Rowdy Kings' kicks off with 'Beyond Zero' that makes full use of a side- splitting Bush speech nailed firmly to the bass and drum intro of this anti- war vent. Loved those Crassy menacing guitars, which build up into a grand finale of "blood for oil'"and "guns recoil'" While ˜High Street Punk' is a bit more predictable and far less engaging. From the lyrics printed inside the cover it's all about that never ending punk stance through all its shitty commercial hijackings over the past 20 years. Its noble sentiments are to be applauded, but I've often found it's the punks who scream the loudest on this kinda defiance that tend to be the ones who sneak away when no-ones looking, hope I'm wrong. On the other side of the coin it was left to the defiant standout track of 'Downtown Depravity' to really make their mark. A solid drum beat, nifty guitar work, mid paced rhythm and anger that screams a defiant roar to the masked men who won't own these punks. From the title alone you just knew this track was gonna be good. Marty vocals don't actually growl at us this time, which gives this band a whole new direction and one they should really exploit more often. They skulk along to a pulse that reminds me of oh I dunno maybe the Restarts if they'd lived in Belfast instead of Hackney. Great lyrics, neat arrangements (especially the guitars) and at long last a song that should get em noticed outside the confines of their Belfast sanctum. They finish off with the mid-paced 'Kerbstones' which has some good back up vocals to give it an extra dimension as the band report on community breakdown, desolate landscapes and those painted kerbstones you only get in Belfast. Lets hope 1000 Drunken Nights can stay together long enough to produce even better tracks of the '˜Downtown Depravity's' calibre. We wait with baited breath! WORTH A LISTEN. drunkennightspunx@hotmail.com |
| INGLORIOUS BASTARDS 6 Track Demo 2006 Inglorious Bastards formed out the Ashes of hardcore outfit Bad Habit about 3 years ago. They have since been dogged by drummer problems. The band have however managed to keep hold of a drummer long enough to record these 6 tracks at the arse end of 2005. This Swedish 3 piece who can all play, create a no messing heads down, full on, mid-paced, punk rock resonance. With hints of the early 80's, mixed in with a more traditional '77 setting. They've been compared to everyone from the Business, right through to the US Bombs. But on this 6 track session they remind me more of a 21st century Lurkers. From the opening number 'Fake', you soon realise that Thompa's vocals ain't really strong enough to project these songs onto another plain. He seems to be struggling to stamp his mark on them. Maybe if he concentrated on his more than adequate bass playing and backing vocals, and drafted in a stronger singer they'd register a lot more impact on your senses? The bass driven 'Jaded Glory' has some ANL qualities, especially with that addictive rhythm section. 'Sick Of Yer Bullshit' has a neat guitar riding on top of a pounding rhythm track. But quite possibly the best track after a lotta plays, was the more urgent 'UnSung Anti-Hero' which had some atmospheric dropouts and one of those distant guitar solos wailing away in the background. The last track was called 'Untitled' and was more of a prowling beast, till it upped the ante and gave us another '77 stylised guitar solo resonating away as a decent backdrop. Inglorious Bastards are due to release a split single with fellow countrymen The Confession very soon. So look out for that which will feature their rowdy anthem 'I Wanna Destroy' and 'Jaded Glory'. AVERAGE You can find out more about the band here www.myspace.com/ingloriousbastards |
| KILLING JOKE 'Hosanna Beads From The Gates Of Hell' CD 2006 Killing Joke return with the follow up to their sinister classic 'Killing Joke'. An album which was their most deadly to date. So the profane 'Hosanna Beads From The Gates Of Hell' had a lot riding on it, and although it ain't quite as powerful or as spellbinding as its 2003 predecessor, it's a bloody good stab in the dark! This album pierces your heart with a chugging frenzy and enough strings attached to make even the vilest of puppet masters grin with glee. From the opening slab of '˜Tribal Antidote', which is a rejoicing call to all the Killing Joke legions out there, and total rampage! This album indicates the power ain't left em one bit! And in the words of the prophet Jaz Coleman he roars "Gatherers, Celebrants, In a state of merriment, This sickness Cleanse us with fire and music!" I dunno about purification, but Killing Joke have always had the means to rip out crunching anthems of almost cinematic magnitude and nail them firmly to your senses. The beast is definitely stirring. By track two the wrath hasn't receded as the black wizard debates whether or not to kill us. And as an after thought, he'll pour petrol on us and himself as he declares the "Killing Joke waits for me there". Is he trying to tell us something? This 9 tracker rarely changes tempo from its steady roar. We don't get as much variation as the previous release, but as the drums boom and bass pulsates in the sonic death knell beneath the battering rams of guitars, it makes for compulsive audio. It was the 3rd track what really stood out for me. 'Invocation' has the best instrumental passage that your gonna hear from Killing Joke, for a very long time. This brooding sprawl crawls across your aural landscape conjuring up imminent doom. It's as though something colossal is approaching and it ain't benign! This could be the soundtrack to battalions of blood curdling Orks as they march to war over middle earth poisoning everything in their wake. An imaginative use of strings adds tension as it advances relentless while the "whore bitch goddess of Babylon" lays waste to humanity. Powerful stuff indeed as 8 minutes worth of depravity unwraps itself around our speakers and pounds our eardrums into submission. If you ainâ't beaten into capitulation by now, 'Majestic' was waiting in the wings to do just that, with its pounding war shields of rhythm making an impressive entrance. This song hints at Alien contact amongst the super powers as Jaz spews out "we feel majestic amongst the critters from the stars" while Geordies multi tracks of power chord mayhem rips out in the background mopping up remnants of your resistance. Killing Joke are not a happy bunch and this album ain't gonna be suitable listening to the lightweight pop punk scenesters. But I suggest they at least give it a listen just to see how claustrophobic muscle can be harnessed on tape in a basement in Prague. Killing Joke these days, are very dark even by their murky standards. But they'll never get depressing when you have a soundtrack like this to accompany us down to damnation. On ˜We Walk With Gods' you imagine divisions of Panzers rolling by as we come to terms with the Killing Joke ideology "we fight by day, and fuck by night and prepare to die at dawn" it's as simple as that. This is Killing Jokes battle cry; they demand you sacrifice something even if it's only your lugholes as the chugging monsters of doom send out their bawl! Death is big in Killing Joke circles, whether it's in the form of apocalyptic doom, man made plundering of the planets resources or religious wars. I get the distinct impression Jaz Coleman has his own Jihad going on here. You won't get any answers on this album but lots of questions; check out 'Light bringer'. They end with the laborious grind of 'Gratitude', a gesture which don't come often listening to Killing Joke. They thank no-one for the privilege of still being around after all these years. But you do realise especially in a live situation, that behind all the mysticism of the killing Joke regime they are grateful for their diehard fans and eternally grateful for still being able to make this kinda music. UK CONTENDER! www.killingjoke.com |
| PAIN 'Oh My God! We're Doing It!' (imb6009) CD May 2006 The re-released debut album by P.A.I.N. the scrawny South London outfit on Birmingham's Iron Man Records. Some punk circles hailed it to be a mid 90's punk classic when it was originally put out in '95! Well I dunno about classic, but it surely deserves to be heard in a wider punk circle and totally overshadows their last effort 'O.U.C.H'. P.A.I.N. if you ain't already familiar with them, combine and successfully deliver atmospheric, laidback dubby licks, with a rowdy punk attack. They shift with ease between upbeat Ska numbers daubed across a recurring protest backdrop. 'Oh My God' is a crusty collection of styles and you can almost sniff the campfire smoke of the midsummer festivals, dope and stinky London squats as they spit out their radical politics. 'Beltane' the opening track is a rustic recall to mid summer nights madness and road confrontation, as clean cut guitars ring out among a moody bass driven rhythm, while our folksy narrator gives us an impassioned delivery. They pick up speed on 'Everything Must Go' which is a shoplifters rallying call, as they pilfer Sainsbury's and the local offy for their beloved Special Brew. I like its reckless sentiments, but I somehow get the feeling the middle class militants in this band only nick because it suits their nomadic lifestyle, not for necessity. I mean when your hungry and desperate do you really nick Special Brew? 'Pork Dub' is a good example of P.A.I.N.'s flair for dropout and authentic spacious dub arrangements. It comes with some excellent fading guitars, clever piano work and selected sound bites that give this instrumental the respect it deserves. 'British Justice' combines fuzz box punk grit with more razor sharp guitars as they lampoon their favourite figure of hate...cops, along with magistrates and all the bent lawyers that skulk under the scales of our legal system. 'No Leaders For The Free' showed signs of dare I say it commerciality! This well worked out pop tune with some inspiring lyrics and an excellent vocal, could with the right backing reach a far wider audience than the convoy factions and poll tax vets that this group usually attract. 'Money' is a catchy reggae tune sung with conviction about the vice of the damn dirty green wads. But it was left to the albums standout track and P.A.I.N.'s most popular punk anthem 'Oh No It's The Pigs' to steal the real thunder. They really make good use of Phil Pains authentic guttersnipe vocal as he spits out the plight of being banged up. They sign off with possibly the bands most alluring track the epic 'Punks With Guns' which is reminiscent of the Clash's 'Guns Of Brixton' but with some modern day observations and a neat guitar interlude that will give this brooding anthem a place in punks folklore, the landing party has truly landed on this release! Comes with original artwork and a lyric poster pullout all produced with the ever present attention to detail from Iron Man Records. UK CONTENDER www.myspace.com/propandinf www.ironmanrecords.co.uk |
| NEW YORK DOLLS 'One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This' Promo CD 2006 I received a promo copy of the upcoming New York Dolls album in the post from a mate and I set down to listen to it with some trepidation, as I feared the worst! Happily I can report that it's definitely not the massive let down it could have been. It's a very mature polished sounding album, which only occasionally recaptures the excitement and feeling of those two legendary groundbreaking reckless albums. In saying that, it is over 30 years later. Times have changed and it's virtually a new band albeit with a giant legacy to live up to. On a personal level and against the odds, the Dolls have come up with the goods in 2006, which I'm sure must be a great relief to them. How the fans will receive it is another matter? Sometimes rocking out ('We're All In Love', 'Dance Like A Monkey' which is my fave track and 'Punishing World'. Sometimes MOR country sounding ('Ain't Got Nothing', '˜Maimed Happiness'), though with a sleazy whiskey soaked edge. This album is a mixed bag of influences and the Shangri La's still stand proud ('Plenty Of Music', 'Rainbow Store'), and I believe this album could be the New York Dolls first bona fide chart hit, especially in their home territory. I have listened to it constantly for a week now and it's a real grower. Although very little resembling the proto punk rock attitude they once had in spades lurks within the tracks. The album does dip here and there because of the amount of mid paced tunes. I'm not sure if this is the finished running order as I don't have the completed CD Booklet, but I do have a scan of the cover pic and its fantastic, the wonders of modern airbrushing. Give the album a listen without prejudice and I think you might just like it. We're All In Love Runnin Around Plenty Of Music Dance Like A Monkey Punishing World Maimed Happiness Fishnets And Cigarettes Gotta Get Away Dancing on the lip of a volcano Ain't Got Nothing Rainbow Store Turn On The Light Good Look 17 (Guest reviewer Joe Donnelly Belfast 23/5/06) |
| SOLDIER DOLLS "81 2 85" LP (PPR011) 2006 Early 80's Cardiff Punks Soldiers Dolls, seem to be the Welsh Capitals best kept secret. And 20 years on you can understand why. Coz lets face it on this collection they're easily a notch below in the talent stakes of their better known contemporaries such as Bridgend's Partisans or even Picture Frame Seduction for that matter. This album optimistically presented by Pure Punk Records from Italy includes all the tracks from both of their ultra-rare 'What Do They Know?' and 'Taste Of Blood' 7"s, plus 9 previously unreleased demo and live recordings. It all dates back from that much championed and well overrated period of British punk circa 1981-85 hence the title '81 2 85'. You don't have to be a brain surgeon, to suss out what your gonna get. They have influences ranging from GBH to Blitz and even some Rejects guitar work creeping into the later tracks. Not really a varied ballpark to play in, and with a punk by numbers scrawny vocalist in the suitably named Fester to lead us over the top. It was pretty hard to nail down the outstanding numbers. But despite all this mediocrity there are actually a handful of tunes on here which would've sat quite impressively on a CDEP rather than a full length platter. From the opening ditty of this 16 tracker you can see why the Soldier Dolls ain't ever gonna be painted across a thousand leathers coz we don't get hit with anything substantial until 'Your Not Wanted' which shows the band developing in leaps and bounds towards their later stage of their career. Its followed by their best track 'Gotham City Is Dead' with has some good guitar licks and a unique style all of its own, as it builds up into a dark little anthem with piercing guitars and a distinct riff. It's spoilt only by a rough live version of the song following immediately afterwards, which really deflates its initial impact! Also worth mentioning is the less frantic 'Rat Training' that has an ominous vibe and shows the Dolls wasn't afraid to go for impact rather than haste on the rare occasion. However this album suffers from way too many low fi inferior tracks and becomes something of a chore to sit through till the good stuff arrives. Side one closes with a live version of 'Fun Time' that reflects a more adventurous side to the band as they greet us with a neat riff. Pity we didn't get a studio version of this one. Side two kicks off with a full out thrasher called 'Iron Curtain' before they dispatch the Blitz inspired 'Victims'. Although this was really coarse round the edges, it shows the Soldier Dolls giving it a bit more thought with neat backing vocals, productive bass runs and a rare distinctive lead vocal. Soldier Dolls sound better when they ain't bouncing off the walls. However the sound quality on this album really does push the barriers. Even Alex the label boss apologised for its rough quality. But even with a bad mix songs like 'Scheme' shows they had some good ideas bubbling under the frantic paced bravado. Soldiers Dolls seem to have a fetish for Russia and 'KGB' was another example that stuck out from the crowd as it speeds up and slows down to good effect. 'Be Like You' shows the band gaining in confidence and it was that good they repeated it again for a live track. Soldier Dolls have now reformed with the obvious hope they can expand and deliver a better and more updated version of their ideas. But I feel this album despite superb packaging and a glossy insert is wasted on these inferior recordings, and could've been better spent promoting something totally now and hungry like the Welsh version of PAIN who fucking rock! Only 500 in existence, so aimed at the early 80's punk vinyl collectors! AVERAGE! Pure Punk Records |
| ANTIBODIES ANTITHOLOGY VOLUME 1 1993-2001 CD Summer 2006 It's been a long old slog for the Antibodies from Essex, and this the first Antithology from their back catalogue covers their recordings from the first 8 years of their career 1993-2001. Its a good time capsule for Harlows best kept secret and anyone who likes their punk with a diverse soundtrack and don't mind the hiss of DIY demos, will enjoy this very much. The band although having to endure a long line of bass players are now with a stable line-up and getting their name about the UK as we speak. Having witnessed them twice in the last 18 months I can recommend them thoroughly both live and on record. But if you ainâ €™t had the curse or the pleasure of their live soirees already, here's a good place to start with 23 tracks of snotty innuendo, rabid punk rock assaults and quirky snot driven attacks which are influenced by a wide array of bands from the last 30 years of punk. They're the most individual punk band in the country that still ain't been signed up by some record label, which is a complete travesty! But I suspect the wait won't be for very long. Antibodies are original and compelled to drive out their jerky quick fire insults to a growing fanbase. From the prototype demos that featured 'Pro Lies' and that 'heavy metal solo' or the foreboding claustrophobic Tokyo subway beat of 'Nerve Gas Disco', complete with spluttering coughs. You can tell they have a novel take on punk. And it gives you some early inclinations of the ideas this hugely neglected 3-piece are threatening to unleash. The Harlow hoods incorporate some evil little twists to their dose of punk rock, with the occasional PIL bass line, synthesiser bleats and that 'No Future' riff incorporated into 'Shut Up' to good effect. Add all this to the jagged guitar and the multi-faceted drum workouts and you have plagiarism on a grand scale, you might think. But no, this is punk right off the beaten track and adds a new dimension to today's often piss stained alleyway. Singer/guitarist Pete Doff, who is the mouthpiece on this perverse dose of anger and author of those wicked but very witty lyrics, is a man on a mission. He'll make you think but also giggle as he adds an extra large dose of sarc into the mix and is hell- bent on ramming his rants down anyone's throat who's listening. Check out the 'See You Empty' AKA 'CUNT' for graphic evidence. Even the 4 covers on here are diverse and done with refreshing arrangements. KRIS's 'Sound Of Da Police' given an Antibodie vocal excercise or and John Cooper Clarke's 'Innocents' even gets drummer Iain 'Warlock' in on the act. This is a genuine snapshot from the excess of London's overspill and the sound of 90's England, and all without rehashing old ideas. Look out for Volume 2 which brings us up to date and has also just been released featuring the studio recordings which will be reviewed next. WORTH A LISTEN Take a listen for yourself here... www.myspace.com/antibodiesuk |
| TOWERS OF LONDON 'Blood Sweat And Towers' (TVT) CD June 20th 2006 The much anticipated debut album from the Towers Of London. A band who bring us their snotty New York Dolls stance, crossed dressed with almost prime time Sham 69 rowdiness. And what's more important, make it work! The unimaginative title however didn't bode well for me. It seemed rushed and almost like an afterthought. I was hoping for a bit more impact for their first full length appearance. However this album is very well produced, tight and in your face. And with no expense spared it was recorded both in LA and the UK. Nevertheless it definitely has it highs and quite a few lows. As the air raid sirens over London roar, 'Im A Rat' kicks things off in fine rifferama fashion. Lead singer Donny Tourette sounds almost like a resurrected Sean Purcell of Raped infamy, as he spits out his snotty philosophy on life, on top of this midpaced induction. 'Air Guitar' continues the high kicks and high standard in this rowdy rocker with some huge power chords and that gang chorus, which mirrors this bands rock star affiliation. It was left to the battle cry of 'Kill The Pop Scene' to usher in their bad boy guttersnipe tag, they've been making the most of since the British music press latched onto it. These wideboy belligerents attack the synthetic charts and the wanky acts which populate them. But we secretly know the Towers Of London wanna be part of it and I hope they are. Imagine these on TOTP's. But let's not forget this is a good time rock n roll album, nothing more nothing less. It doesn't have the edge of something truly explosive, but for here and now it certainly looms large for me. They even have elements of Turbo Negro with Dirk Tourettes growing guitar prowess cranking out during 'Beaujolais'. Then they go and spoil it all by including an acoustic version of 'Fuck It Up' which signals a filler alert! Especially if we get the superior electric version later on. They also incorporate Andrew Oldham's Orchestra on 'King' which has elements of ELO for the opening brief moments and did sound quite promising, before turning into some kinda Bowie escapade vocally. But they shake off the glitter and strings sufficiently enough to bang out the best track on the album. A fucking addictive grinder called 'Good Time', which comes with a first-class seedy riff straight out the Steve Jones hand book. The single 'On A Noose' which bought them to my attention underlines the 'yob' in this bands makeup. A trait they should exploit more often, coz they are at their best when they're kicking over monitors and knocking out fans. 'Start Believing' was a totally naff and bland track, but they pull themselves back out of obscurity with the rocky 'Northern Lights'. This rocker is a great especially covered in snot! They finally lurch into their rowdy stage favourite 'Fuck It Up' and all is forgiven. I was impressed with 'How Rude She Was'. Which was a midpaced 4.25 anthem on the delights groupies and red lights. It featured a lingering lone guitar signal running throughout giving us the come on "lucky for me it was light entertainment" indeed. The Towers wave good bye with the impressive 'Seen It All', which could've come straight off the 'Great Rock N Roll Swindle'. Check out the dirty solo and power chord raunchiness for proof. Abd catch em live coz these are solid entertainment too. WORTH A LISTEN Cheers to Joe Donnelly for passing this onto me. TOWERS OF LONDON |
| 3CR 'Fuckin' Do It!' CD 2006 Manc gobshites 3CR threw 'Fuckin Do It' their latest 14 tracker in my direction after Dave their manager and promoter bumped into me on my space. We traded Torcha Shed/Stench vinyl copies for this, so I dunno who come off worst? I was shocked to hear the band have been around in one shape or form for 14 years! However when I caught em live in Wolves a few years back I was disappointed and expecting a bit more considering what id been told by their growing Midlands fan base. Maybe if id have known the songs better the karaoke version I endured might've registered more positively, but I doubt it. Now I dunno about you but 3CR who are currently challenging Charlie Harper for the UK road rat crown have played over 200 gigs with this line-up. From UK toilets, to European squats, they've even managed to secure a gig in the States. So you have to admire their dedication for getting it about. Either they've got powerful friends in high places or you just can't forget their ugly mugs in a hurry. And with that much exposure they're gonna be picking up a lotta attention. Although I suspect it's through their vigorous gigging regime, more so than their sound on this album. This is "music for vile perverts" (their words not mine) and despite bragging about enhanced studio mixes on this here record. It still sounds very rushed and in demo stage to these ears. Maybe they run outta cash whilst buying another wrap of Charlie and some extra Kebabs, coz Fish the geezer responsible for mixing this needs to severely dampen those drums down. But hey I hear em scream "this IS punk rock!" were talking about here. We shouldn't care about sounding good, should we?" Well ill leave that one to 3CR to answer. They do play tight and can knock up a tune, but never manage to leave a lasting impression. It's sorta hardcore by numbers with a feigned obnoxiousness that's a division or 2 below the brilliant Macc Lads. Check out 'She Bummed Me' for conclusive evidence. I was hoping we'd get more songs of the calibre of 'Oldham's Burning' definitely their best claim to fame, but sadly that ain't included on this album. Oh well, the title track come pretty close with a good heads down rocker publicising all the dastardly deeds you were tempted to carry out, except maybe plate a minger! Which was naturally left to the bands dedicated, almost poetic tribute song 'I Fell In Love With A Minger'. As they show the Yorkshire PC punks the end of their finger! This song should see em headlining the 1 in 12 club and earn countless middle page spreads in Headwound fanzine for the next decade at least. They aim to shock but you gotta be really over the top or do it really good in this day n age. I think you'd have to be a Christian punk or maybe Andy Cactus to get shocked by this lot. They can create a racket there's no denying that, but I just think Boggy's vocals ain't half as repellent as he and the songs would really like. Which can leave tracks like 'Porno Star' a bit flat in comparison? I prefer the numbers where they try and go for a bit of variation to the routine sound. 'Split Roasted Groupies' has touches of heavy metal thrown in, which actually works and ends with the funniest moment on this album as they parody the "to you, to me!" routine from BBC's Chuckle brothers. They close with 'Fish Face' a live in the studio appraisal of this records producer which has elements of GBH and that improvised 'Alcohol' track, but wasnt half as memorable. They finally fuck-off with one of those infuriating hidden tracks that comes slinking out the speakers ten minutes later exploring the virtues of 'Old Ladies'. For shock value and punk rock presence this was pretty AVERAGE and even the sleeves which they are usually good at was bland. www.myspace.com/3cruk |
| ANTIBODIES 'Antithology Volume 2 1995-2004' CD 2006 Volume two from Harlow's Antibodies featuring their most recent era of recorded debauchery. And this disc exposes another 24 tracks with a more enhanced recording experience. Early demos like the inspired 'England's Atrocities' sealed my first encounter with the band on tape back in the Suffragette days. And from here on in I've always found their book of urban hymns highly entertaining. Did someone say "im fucked if I know?" Coz the Antibodies are certain they're "fucked in Harlow!" They sing about experiences from where they actually come from and live in, instead of going down that dank punk subway of glamorising nowhere landscapes whilst living in some plush suburban plot. 'A Town Called Drab' is a perfect example which highlights all the worst features of a concrete rockers life in the satellite towns of London. Clean guitars, pumping bass and a ripping drumbeat represent the soundtrack for the Antibodies bitter view on life. With the majority of these improved recordings you get to sample the Antibodies crazy little twists 'n' turns in full focus. Which has unfortunately in the past been lost on inferior mixes? Clever wordplay and attention-grabbing song structures make this selection begging to be released on a real label. 'Wot Happen To' shows us a dark humour that's never too far away from their spiky punch line. 'CUNT AKA Seem You Empty' has a sorta jagged Velvet Underground guitar intro before going off into the mantra "C.U.N.T!" This song despite the title is a first-rate rejection song and boasts inventive lines like..."Im the neighbourhood Sadam Hussein". 'All the Aces' is muddy as fuck but gives us a raw insight into one of singer Pete's old songs from a past that been pebble dashed with Antibodie and could prove in time to be another strong contender. There's easily an albums worth of exceptional punk rock here to corrupt new listeners and rock the old, especially as they move towards the higher quality recordings. And the standout tracks are the deadliest of this bunch which is always a good sign for a band with this much history. 'Kamikaze Karaoke' has that mocking intro, and is an attribute the Antibodies seem to thrive on. They rip the piss in their most English and cynical way. The Saturday night lager lout drinker gets annihilated as Pete spits out "Drink another, you stupid fucker, reach for the stars and die!".which should make louts everywhere (if they had the brain cells) to flee with embaressment. 'Easymeat' incorporates a sax which sends the insolent chorus into a more raunchier outburst! And has the cutting edge line of "Bring back National Service, it makes a man outta you, and while were at it why don't we bring back hanging too!" Antibodies are still the masters of the Essex dropout which does give their sound some real edge! But as the ominous 'Game Of Soldiers' looms into view, this for me is still their best number yet. War drums roll and menacing bass runs feed the apprehension, alongside those guitar slashings its sent home with one of Pete's most unnerving vocals to date. An anti war rant which has a Dead Kennedy's vibe features the classic line of "bits of kids blown to bits in a ghetto" nuff said. Antibodies have some of the most compelling lyrics this side of Jello Biafra and you can just predict a load more ideas will come creeping out from the concrete of Harlow real soon. WORTH A LISTEN www.myspace.com/antibodiesuk |
| LOST CHEREES 'Free To Speak... But Not To Question' (MORT A4) CD 2006 Sutton punks the Lost Cherrees, are one of the rare gigging productive protest bands from the early British Anarcho set. They seem to have merged into the 21st century punk scene with ease and without sounding old hat or lame, as some of their other contemporaries seem to be. This 16 tracker was recorded in 2005 but has been surrounded by delays and the controversy of their record label Mortarhate, who've been under official scrutiny by the British taxman. However the wait is over. I should imagine the band are very pleased with the outcome and high quality packaging coz it looks fucking fantastic. And it don't sound bad either! From the opening siren call of "Free To Speak, But Not To Question" we are shaken from our slumber. 'Wake Up Call' kicks things off in a jerky mode with elements of a dubby almost transient middle eight before ripping into the final verse of this anti-apathy number. One thing you quickly learn about Lost Cherrees and that's they most certainly ain't your stereotypical Anarcho band. No transistor discord or screaming rants on here. They combine punk rock riffs with melodic outbursts, atmospheric compositions with almost folksy lullabies. Resulting in a very individual release. I think some of these numbers will be vying with favourites from their past such as the infectious 'Rat Catcher Messiah' for positions in their live set. I was impressed with the creepy 'Dear George' track that sports no vocals but experiments with harnessed feedback and some impressive well cut sound bites from DW making for a lethal combination. Its followed by the more conventional drums, bass and guitar approach for the 'Dear Tony' track, which belittles the scheming puppy on Bush's dog chain. Lost Cherrees gripes are made all the more effective by tunes, melody and imaginative compositions. They have grown up and used their awareness to full advantage on this release. I've noticed just how much primary punk rock is displayed especially in the guitars. You'd be mistaken for thinking the Cherrees were just another Crass band as their statements are from a dissenting angle, but sung onto conductive pop backbeats, adding a new dimension. I have to say Bev's lead vocal can make you feel like she's about to burst into tears at any given moment. She has that quiver in her voice and on some of the tracks could maybe use more impact . Although guitarist Andy gives us the main male foil to the songs, maybe they could use another girl to fill things out a touch? They adopt a skanky attack during 'Same Old View'. And I liked 'Killing Time' coz it sums up a lot of the audience attitudes at multi band punk gigs these days."Your killing time till the next band comes along". Something we've all been guilty of no doubt. 'Youth Training Scheme' im reliably informed is an oldie from their past resurrected with glee and given an almost happy go lucky feel, which I bet it didn't have at the time it was penned. 'Good Time' comes armed with a solid riff and passionate vocals from Bev but was slightly soiled by the souped up ending which spoilt the climax. Subject matter on this album ranges from consumerism, blood lust, war and tyrannical governments. The usual targets for a protest band you may think, but the Lost Cherrees add a thoughtful approach which is hard to pick holes in. 'Blood Trophy' begins with the chilling horns of a hunt and is greeted with menacing guitars. This song calls to hunt down the hunted, ending optimistically with a determined "tally ho gonna hunt ya down!" They end with the epic 9.32 minutes of 'Piece Of My Mind, Piece Of My Heart' which features some cunning arrangement's and impressive vocal harmonics. This is the track where Bev really comes into her own as she sings her heart out on this almost folky call for liberty. I enjoyed the clever build up of the vocals which are gradually joined by a strumming guitar and eventually the rhythm section as they raise the bar on this album to new heights. You know what, it almost sounds like that Cola advert from the 70's? If they'd been singing of autonomy instead of Pepsi you wouldn't be far off. To make sure we don't take them too seriously, they chuck in an anonymous upbeat track to finish off. Comes with a neat lyric booklet in a stylish foldout case. WORTH A LISTEN Cheers to Ged Babey for firing this my way. www.myspace.com/lostcherrees |