| 2014: PAGE 1 |
| THE T-55's 'Power Up' (JanMl Records) 12" EP 2nd June 2014 All the way from Umea in Sweden comes the rolling or should I say rampant T*55's, who are if the sleeve is anything to go by, a vivid blue tank brigade of fast, frantic punk with an arsenal of energy and an absolutely rip roaring punk guitar skuzz. They unleash a power with more fuzz and buzz than any Russian shell detonation on the eastern front could muster. You'd be hard pressed to find a flaw sound wise, as they're all firing in all the right places and remind me of early Black Flag but with a more rigid control. However singer Lisa Linda's cool casual vocal it leaves us expecting a lot more? She certainly gives this band a visual impact to accompany those salvos, but without some emotion or real danger, it leaves us feeling underwealmed. They sing songs about the poor and anti religion, but you don't really notice or care about the actual message, as the vocal delivery is pretty half hearted and one dimensional. I'd hate to see Lisa in a relaxed environment. But its the music which really powers up this 5 tracker on explicit blue vinyl. Urgent and skuzzy springs to mind when you describe the music. 'Fire In The Hole' has a machine gun drum before even more buzz saw guitar is unleashed which I personally never tire of hearing. The title track 'Power Up' is by far the best track and commits with velocity and pace. I recommend you check out the video for proof. I just wish they'd drop a gear once in a while to add a new dimension to their sound as some of the tracks can sound pretty samey. But I bet all the sweat and carbine they unleash on stage must leave them and the audience dripping with sweat. The last track 'Government Get Outta Here' actually does move down a gear which made a neat alternative to the 4 previous tracks and was the next best number. But again Lisa didn't take advantage and show us she had a different range or even a spoken word tirade, especially when the band drops out, but were still waiting? The packaging looks neat, shame the whole package dont live up to it. I read they have now split up due to time restraints which doesn't really surprise me. So this is one for the vinyl trainspotters, in about a decade me thinks. WORTH A LISTEN for the music alone. The T 55's |
| NEON HEARTS 'Dangerous Planet' CDEP 2014 First new tunes (apart from 'Synchronisation') out of Wolverhampton's Neon Hearts in nearly 35 years. And i gotta say Tone Dials vocals are still as unique, Bowiesque and sarcy as they have always been, but with a more mature tone. You'd never guess he was from Wulfrunia. Estate agent Martin Radcliffe guitars still sound good too (shame about his ego). They have lost that punk edge, but in its wake they can now boast a big powerful sound expanse which gives the songs a distinct atmosphere. I still think Steve Hearts missing sax would really sell this to us as the full on package, instead of the poxy synths. However this is Neon Hearts as a fully merged new entity in a new century, instead of a reformed band playing new versions of 'Regulations', which is a pity coz thats what the crowd wants and you can still hear the missing sax parts in your head lol. They now have the power, and maybe not the glory, but certainly the technology and experience. And add intensity in favour of the frantic ferocity of their early numbers. The vibe is definitely more laid back and stark these days, but adds way more suspense and tension to the proceedings. A quality that could quite easily evolve into movie sound tracks its that strong. I could even see these doing a James bond theme if the producers heard them or their profile was so much bigger. They have that quality in songs like 'Retrograde' and their delivery especially with Tone Dials crooning vocal quality's add the final element. This 4 tracker comes with a great production, but doesn't hit you right away, its a definite creepy creeper with more plays and in more ways than one. I picked this up in the summer of 2014 at a Neon Hearts gig in Chasetown, where you can still here the older classic songs live on stage, but I can see them slowly being replaced with new material if the quality is this good. A new album is due for imminent release so watch this space or as I did visit their facebook page. WORTH A LISTEN Neon Hearts |
| DRAGSTER 'Dead Punk' (STP Records) CD September 1st 2014 I'm ashamed to admit this is the first album I brought by Dragster after stumbling across a few of their tunes on band camp. After a random pick from this their latest album 'Dead Punk', it was 'Death By A Thousand Cuts' which came on and immediately detonated in my skull and made me buy the whole album within seconds. I caught them live in Birmingham a few years ago at a punks picnic and were very impressed, but lost track of their current output. This is a band who have toured like hell over the last 14 years, playing toilets and auditoriums with an equally rampaging presence. Their ain't many punk bands with that special kind of aura these days, but thankfully Dragster have it in spades. They are by now one of the tightest units on the scene. Their calling card is fast, brutal, dirty, punk, but what they add to that often monotonous style that other less worthy mortals bring, is a wealth of addictive, dark tuneage which is always welcome at Punk Rocker. And maybe they quite possibly made a pact with the devil, as they are fronted by possibly the most transfixing front woman to come out the 21st century UK punk scene. Fi Dragster's her name and she can really sing (see 'Fight Fire With Gasoline'). She also has a major grip on punk delivery, as those often sussed and venomous tones are both aurally and visually exciting. Dragster are a very professional dedicated band and make the most out their diy status. Try checking out their inventive video that accompanied the neat title track 'Dead Punk'. It sells this song brilliantly and all with no budget, no doubt. I really wish they could score a hit in the mainstream market, if not to give their artistic flow more range, but just to show Joe public there is still rebellion out there in 2014. However these days talent alone is just not good enough, unless you have money men and agents to back it up. Meanwhile back in Coventry 'Cattle Prod' comes in with a deadly opening riff and Fi rolls off with determined zeal (while us mere carnivores just freeze in our cattle truck) as she wades that prod so "demographically" in our faces. She reminds me of what Beki Bondage would've sounded like had she drank dark sulpher instead of cider. Dragster really do own a dark vibe which makes us the listener hunger for more and more, which i quite like. They still sing about zombies and such, which is tongue in cheek, but on songs like 'Terminal Loser' which is absolutely defiant, you get a more grave view of life's lows. You can hear all the kids singing along with that penultimate punch line "I hear the rest of the world saying no no no!", especially when that second guitar underlines it. However I didn't really rate the short, fast and brutal 'Really Wanna Fuck', which seemed a little ham fisted, like it was just thrown in. Maybe if Fi sung it, it would've registered a more positive outcome? But that was only a minor blip on an album that boasts at least 7 or 8 high octane punk songs including the ultra condemning 'Liar Like That'. However its still 'Death By A Thousand Cuts' which is without doubt the best moment. It comes with a fantastic vocal, brilliant cutting lyrics and a classic tune, which owns the best chorus on the album. And whats even better is its so contemporary aiming its beady eye on government cuts... "Fight go get a grip, whip that bull whip torpedo the rich kids ship /or run, fast as you can, go see a gig coz i heard that crass are hip". 'Fight Fire With Gasoline' boasts one of Fi's best vocal arrangements, which adds one more dimension to the Dragster sound. Finally its only fitting we get a song about the giant skull ring that adorns feisty Fi's middle finger and as she points in the direction of you in the audience who has done wrong, you'd better beware coz she knows y'know and you'll "feel the pain of my skeletainnnnn". Shame it comes in a really shoddy cover which was disappointing considering what it covers, but inside you get a fantastic dark booklet with pics and all the lyrics. 'Dead Punk' is the most exiting punk album I've heard in a long time. Check em out fast coz they'll be touring and a new album is due already, can't wait!!! WORLD CONTENDER Dragster |
| THE BOYS 'Punk Rock Menopause' (Wolverine Records) CD 20th June 2014 It's hard to believe the Boys have been around in one shape or form since 1975! They were there at the very begginning. And despite critical acclaim in the late 70's punk boom, they never did acquire the accolades, the breaks or the exposure the Pistols, Clash or the Damned enjoyed. And they really did deserve so much more. So here we are in 2014 after years in the wilderness just when we thought they were just a distant memory, they reappear once more and unleash 13 brand new cuts on the comeback album 'Punk Rock Menopause'. You'd be forgiven for sniggering at the title, coz I did. But these fuckers are old wrinkly punks just like Charlie harper. Except The Boys for me are a notch above the UK Subs in songwriting prowess. All the compositions are written by the original nucleus of Casino Steel keyboards/ vocals, Matt Dangerfield guitar/vocals and Honest John Plain guitar/vocals, along with new blood Kent Norberg on bass and Martin H-Son on drums. You know something, this set of songs is like they never been away and these are the first new recordings since 1981. Don't be fooled by the tacky cover art, coz when your their age you gotta improvise, gone are the days when they were young stud pinups and groupie magnets, but forget that coz when you hear the album you realise that the Boys still have it musically, if not visually. And that it, is an unmistakable knack for writing great punk tunes. It's an art that is sadly missing in a lot of punk bands today. 'Punk Rock Menopause' really is a terrible album title and i doubt you'll see it sprayed on the back of kids leathers at Rebellion this summer, but those kids with a suss for great punk tunes will be playing this record if they get to hear it. Admittedly some of the song titles are verging on the ridiculous fer gawds sake, but even the Boys who always had a great knack for tongue in cheek humour can take the piss out themselves big style, and get away with it! Its when bands who can't back the tunes up with great songs it becomes a problem. However the Boys never seem to fall into that category. They still seem to do it with ease. It's great to hear Matt Dangerfield singing once more and Honest John plain harmonies bringing great punk rock back to the masses. They sound just like they did back in '77. Can Rotten or Vanian say that? 'Punk Rock Menopause' ain't a wall to wall classic album by any means, but it is definitely a great Boys album and one what we should be grateful for. I defy anyone who can compose any tune to music and sounds like the Boys, they don't have to act, they don't have to try, they are simply the Boys and unless you're unfamiliar with the bands sound of... "classic trademark blistering guitars, hard- edged melodies, killer hooks and layered harmonies." which surprisingly quite a lot of punks are. Then maybe that's why they don't tour around the UK so much, even though they can sell out gigs like the 100 club with ease. They are way more popular in Europe these days and the Europeans seem to understand what the Boys are all about which puts us Brits to shame. At the end of the day this is a good album and it has three or four great tunes on it and the rest are pretty damn good too. Opening track '1976' has a classic Boys riff you just know is their calling card. I love the lyrics in 'I'm A Believer' which sarcastically regales all the institutions that seem to be the cause of all our grief. "yeah yeah. I'm a believer , oh yeah i saw the light coz i know my faith is blind. and i sleep real good at night". 'She's The Reason' has that classic Boys swagger and it will have you humming along within minutes. I love the Boys answer to 'Global Warning' they advise us to..."lets party whoo whoo" lol. And that sums up the Boys attitude perfectly. I dunno about you but I've had enough of bands putting us in a paranoid state 24/7. We get it on the news its constant, but this band are too old to stop what they've always done and fair play to 'em. Some corners of the scene might even accuse them of sexism if they haven't got a sense of humour. But not round here with lyrics like..."Well I’ve been rocking and a rolling and a drinking and a smoking all night long/you’ve been a bitching and a banging in the kitchen since I got home" which kills me every time I hear it. We have to remember the Boys were one of the ultimate liggers in the punk scene. And 'Punk Rock Girls' could've come straight off 'Alernative Chartbusters' with the lyric... She’s tougher than Siouxsie, cuter than Gaye/ Weirder than Polly, takes my breath away/ She’d rather wear safety pins, than diamonds or pearls/ She’s my punk rock girl, punk rock girl". They even parody the Beatles on the last track 'Baby Bye Bye' and you know what it fuckin' works!!! Yeah the Boys are a band who seem to play in one mid range gear very rarely do they speed up or slow down, but they don't really have to when you got the audience in your grasp by just conjuring up classy catchy riffs like some of these. So just check it out yourself and ill wager you won't be disappointed. The Boys are back in town for at least a few more years and while they keep serveing up a fantastic selection of punk rock tunes that most bands would kill for, then why not?. They're also one of the bands from the late 70s who actually sound like they did in their hey day. I would love to catch them live sometime. But if you can't wait for that they're gonna release a live set 'Undercover - live In China' in 2015 with a selection of their best hits..can't wait! WORLD CONTENDER! THE BOYS |
