Era Bleak (https://www.facebook.com/EraBleak/) are Candy (vocals), Justin (bass), Zach (guitar) and Spiz (drums), they're from Portland, Oregon and they include members of Dark/Light and Piss Test. They put out a demo at the end of 2017 (https://erableakpdx.bandcamp.com/releases) which was described as "angular, energetic, and a little bit snotty." It got a cassette release by Dirt Cult Records in 2018 and the 7 tracks will feature on an upcoming lp (again on Dirt Cult) alongside 3 new ones.
They've just posted 3 videos to Youtube, a couple of the new tracks (MRI and Era Bleak) plus one of the earlier ones (Burning Sky). All are great.
This is a warning to watch your step, don't go out, the world's a dangerous place so stay home and lock the door. It's definitely a timely song! It's called Era Bleak...
Crashed Out (https://www.facebook.com/crashedout.uk/) are a melodic street punk quartet from Jarrow in the North East of England who formed in 1995 and who's current line up features Chris Wright (Vocals), Lee Wright (Guitar/backing vocals), Spin Brown (Bass) and Carlos Bennett (Drums). It's Lee Wright's second appearance on here this week as he's also a member of Monkey Mind.
They name amongst their influences the likes of AC/DC, Rancid, Motorhead and The Dickies. It's quite possible you've caught them live as they've shared a stage with a plethora of genre greats including Rancid, The Adicts, The Undertones, The Misfits, The Damned, The Dead Kennedys, Stiff Little Fingers and The Levellers. They've a lengthy back catalogue and they were hoping to release their first new album in 10 years in time for this year's Rebellion Festival but I suppose like everything at the moment those plans lie on shifting sands. There is however a new track...
This is an outsider anthem, a song for all those who struggle to fit in. A big tune with a catchy chorus and energy aplenty. Let's keep our fingers crossed for that album. Against All Odds...
This ones for the un-achievers
The underdogs and unbelievers
The girl who struggles and misunderstood
They said you'd fail and your no good
And the boys the ones who don't fit in
Not giving a chance but fight to win
Them who fight back and
come back for more,
Those at the bottom who
kick down the door,
Chorus
X2 They think they know
They got you wrong
Rise above against all odds
The kids with nothing and nothing to loose
Do it yourself be nobody's fool
Stand your ground I stand with you
I'll fight your corner if you want me too
Make your own rules do your own thing
Get the last laugh and live to win
Hold your head high stand out from the crowd
Viva le punk shout it out loud
Chorus
X2 They think they know
They got you wrong
Rise above against all odds
Middle 8
Punk rock is our religion said my brothers from across the sea.
Bring on the next generation
anger is an energy.
anger is an energy.
Chorus
X2 They think they know
They got you wrong
Rise above against all odds
Featuring members from Brighton and London, Sniffany And The Nits released a debut ep last December which impressed enough to make it into the Just Some Punk Songs end of year chart. It was an extremely promising first release which had me describing it as "gloriously ramshackle, female fronted, shouty hardcore where the singer sounds on the verge of a nervous breakdown" (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/12/sniffany-nits-nit-comb.html). That singer is Nurse Sniffany (Josephine M.K. Edwards) who as well as being a singer and talented artist (https://www.instagram.com/j.m.k.e/) is the girl who checks your hair for nits! She also possesses one of the most distinctive voices around. She's a delight/your worst nightmare (delete as applicable).
Today I'm writing a few words about their brand new ep. It's titled The Greatest Nits and it's brilliantly bonkers. There's a song about a pretty horrific sounding factory where girls are herded like cows and milked like sows. Another describes a life in which you go from sugar cube treats and cracking whips to the glue factory. Then we have something about swimming in wet slurry and thick suet as you throw your salt on the soil and the last track seems to be about a submissive fly treasuring it's time in a spider's web. Imagine David Lynch having nightmares!
This is the opening track, it's called Girl Factory...
Room inspections, forced injections, Girl infection, under lock and key protection! I am safe because I know that he’s there, He checks my vitals with the utmost care. Girls locked in rooms and herded like cows, I’m bred for my meat, I’m milked like a sow. I want to be rescued! Press my ear to the door… I tremble in terror at footsteps in corridors. I didn’t hear anything, I didn’t see anything, I didn’t try to run, I promise I’m not anyone… It was just a holiday from The Girl Factory, A holiday from The Girl Factory!
Monkey Mind (https://www.facebook.com/leemonkeymind/) are the north east of England 3 piece featuring Lee Wright from Crashed Out (there'll be something by them coming up on here soon), Martin Paynton from The Panic Report and Olga from The Toy Dolls. They formed in 2018 and have just released their 3rd single. The first two were character observations, one was extolling the virtues of northern women and the other dealt with aggressive pint sized chaps. They pretty much carry on this trend with their latest release in which they're offering up some sage advice. Ditch that loser, he's no good... Maybe they have an ulterior motive? Are they after filling his shoes?
As we've come to expect from the band, it's an extremely catchy slice of proper pop punk that'll have you singing along. A feel good tune to help us get through tough times. The video was filmed with the guys in lockdown and you can see it below.
He's a moron!! That's obvious, such a fail a pathetic individual, ya gotta bin him or you'll regret, its too bad his brains in his bicep.
Born loser, he's inadequate everybody knows that goon ain't worth it we never see you smile you gotta run a mile.
I see through him he's not invincible but you look at me like I'm the invisible man!
Hey Girl, you're just lying to yourself, over and over again!
We can see through, I can see through him.
So
Get up'n'Get Out
Get up'n'Get Out
GET RID OV HIM
GET RID OV HIM NOW
Well he's an idiot I think you know it, you're such a fool and now your showing it, you gotta listen up, its getting serious, he's round the bend its all ridiculous, I heard a rumour you're now carrying, of course that numbskull's now departed, he's up n left ya, to find another! I hate to say it but I told you so, goons like him you don't wanna know at all
I was waiting in the wings but, you only ever had eyes for him and I don't know why, 'We don't know why'
I was waiting in the wings but, you only ever had eyes for him
and now you're all 'ALONE'
He's no good for you
Get Rid Ov Him
LITIGE are a punk 4 piece from Lyon featuring a line up of Louise (vocals), Morgan (guitar), Camille (drums) and Tifène (bass). They announced themselves in 2015 with a very promising demo and proved they were no flash in the pan with the Fuite En Avant ep. Now they return with an impressive new album titled En Eaux Troubles (In Troubled Waters). It mixes grit and melody to produce something a little bit special. Lead single Regardez Moi (a balanced critique of the selfie generation) promised much and happily the album doesn't disappoint. Other songs deal with macho moshers, fashion punks, global destruction, toxic relationships and friendship...
This track is about dressing normally and being happy to be oneself in a field full of strutting peacocks. It's called Casual Tonight...
Je me sens trop ridicule de... Je me sens trop ridicule de...
Si j’avais osé, je serais venue en pyjama Mais je me suis juste pointée avec mon jean normal
Pourquoi tu m’as pas dit que tout le monde serait looké Au milieu du cuir on dirait que je sors du lycée
So casual tonight / So casual tonight
Il faudrait que je fasse quoi, que je crée un personnage C’est déjà assez dur de comprendre ce qui se passe Alors si il faut en plus, bosser son image En tout cas ce qui est sûr, c’est que ce soir on était casual
So casual tonight / So casual tonight
On portait pas assez de noir pour qu’on puisse nous voir...
Have you noticed there's loads and loads and loads of punk music being released. It's over 4 decades since Johnny Rotten asked if we ever get the feeling we've been cheated, 40 plus years since Crass declared Punk Is Dead. Sid Died in 1979. But still the new punk releases keep on a coming.
And do you know what, despite many, many great releases (just flick back through this blog for a tiny fraction of them), it's not easy to find something that makes you sit up and think "this is a bit different, it's distinctive and immediately grabs your attention". Today's song had me thinking exactly that (well not quite exactly, my initial thought was fuck!). Even though it only lasts for 25 glorious seconds!!!
Born Shit Stirrers formed in 2016 in Fukuoka, Japan and play short and catchy punk tunes that are "laced with sharp, dark, often self-deprecating humour." They're un pc, irreverent and great fun. If you don't like a song, don't worry the next one will be along soon. There's 21 songs on their new album. It's called Lester, it'll be co released on May 14th by Serial Bowl Records and Chaos Control (on vinyl, cd & digital). You can pre order it (and check out 5 of the tracks) here : https://serialbowlrecords.bandcamp.com/album/lester-pre-order
I think this is the first video I've featured that was filmed in a public toilet. If you've never heard this band before, you're in for a treat. This is Bored Of Education...
Damn, Juice at Drunken Sailor Records (https://www.facebook.com/DrunkenSailorRecords/) doesn't half turn up some awesome music. Next month sees the physical release of a debut Self Titled ep by Goldie Dawn. The snappily monikered outfit hail from Glasgow and mix up elements of garage rock with catchy power pop melodies. Vocalist Kate 'Rambo' Thorburn (ex Asian Babes) impresses and she's more than ably backed up by the 3 boys in the band; The Ripper (guitar), F Voight (bass) and Jordy H (drums). Some of you may have been lucky enough to catch their recent live appearances alongside Sheer Mag and Chubby And The Gang. You can pre order the 7" vinyl (ltd to 300 copies) and get it shipped out around the 29th May or if you're the impatient type, you can already get the digital version : https://drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/album/st-7-5
Whilst you're on the Drunken Sailor Bandcamp page check out the other 3 new releases they added yesterday (a couple of them will feature on this week's Just Some Punk Songs show).
This song is probably the catchiest on the ep, maybe due to the infectious handclaps, it's also the one with a video so that's the one I'm highlighting today. It's title What's Inside (Never Dies)...
Fatal Blow (https://www.facebook.com/fatalblow161/) are an anti fascist oi/streetpunk trio from South Wales who line up with Paul Cobley (vocals/guitar), Nidge Downs (bass) and Antal Kizmus (drums). If a couple of those names seem familiar to you, it's because the band started as a side project of The Oppressed. They released a split ep in 2017 with Oi Polloi and have been pretty prolific ever since with the Hope Not Hate and Victimized albums plus the Live In Manchester lp. Last month saw them return with new album, Generals And Soldiers.
The album mixes things up between the personal;
Skinhead Time Bomb deals with false preconceptions ("You hate me, for my boots and braces. won't approach me, because you believe the lies...") whilst Last Skinhead In Town laments the loss of mates (some of them got married, some are up in heaven whilst others are behind bars) whilst vowing to carry on with the skinhead lifestyle (a lifestyle also touched upon in the eponymous Fatal Blow ("For the boots, and the braces and the angry faces"). The title track is a footie hooligan song ("Saturday's heroes, home and away")....
...And the political;
Still Hate Thatcher is pretty self explanatory (Vocalist Paul grew up in a mining community) as is Party Political Bullshit ("See that face on your tv, it's a politician talking to you. He's lying through his false teeth, but it looks as though the message is getting through..."). Proud Boys, Proud Of What displays their Antifa roots ("Mummy's boy is nothing but a racist jerk") and Sink The Ship asks why rock the boat when you can sink the fucker with a hammer blow.
Back in February when I featured a new single by Montreal punk n rollers Dirty Cheetah I predicted their upcoming debut album would be very good. I wish I was as good at predicting lottery numbers as I was spot on. It's very good indeed. It's titled Never Too Late and whilst we still have to wait a little while longer for No Front Teeth Records and Resurrection Records to release it on vinyl, the digital version is available now. You should go snap it up. https://dirtycheetah.bandcamp.com/
With 2 killer singles and a mighty fine ep under their belts we already had a good idea of what to expect from the album. The music is pretty simple and straight forward in the way that The Ramones were simple and straight forward (and very effective!). It's the type of sound that'll make you want to stomp and chant. It's rock n roll with a punk edge. It deserves to be played loud to intoxicated kids in sweaty dives but I guess it'll be a while yet before that happens.
Lyrically it doesn't take itself too seriously. Frontman Pat Panic has a damn fine voice and he regales us with tales of petty criminals, mind confusion, crazy murderers & infatuation....
This track has it all, great riffs, dumb lyrics and a big ending. It's called Got Caught...
The Appalled are a street punk/oi! 3 piece from Cowes on the Isle Of Wight who've recently released an impressive Self Titled debut album. There's a comment on the Bandcamp page that describes it better than I could manage so I'll stick it here : "You know how Fred Flintstone shaves his stubble with a clam-shell containing bees? That's what this is, but the after-burn and rash is harsher." Not much info is available about them though I think they changed their name from The Proles last year.
The album contains 8 gritty old school punk tracks. The vocals are gruff, the music is more aggressive than fellow Isle Of Wighters Grade 2 but as the nice chap from City Miles (https://citymilesoi.bandcamp.com/) who recommended the album to me says of the song you'll see below, "Something about that track grabbed me straight away. Had the chorus in my head for days. Didn't know what the Mrs thought when I was walking around singing it..."
So to sum up. No holds barred rough and ready music from the streets that'll appeal to those who like their singalongs to be warts n all '82 style bangers. Check it out... https://theappalled.bandcamp.com/album/the-appalled
This track is called No Wife No Kids No Mortgage...
If you like your punk music to be akin to a party in which everyone's having a ball as the banjo, mandolin, uke and washboard players kick up a storm then Days N Days (https://www.facebook.com/daysndaze/) are no doubt a band you're already familiar with. I know the Houston folk punkers are very popular as the views on this blog went through the roof when I featured them a few years back (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2017/03/days-n-daze-crustfall.html) and after hearing a couple of tracks from their upcoming album I can imagine they'll be gaining even more fans.
The core line up is Jesse Sendejas (Vocals/Guitar/Mandolin/Banjo), Whitney Flynn (Vocals/Trumpet/Uke), Geoff Bell (Gutbucket) and Meg Gan (Washboard) though others contributions are plentiful. They formed in 2008 and the new album, their 8th, is titled Show Me The Blueprints and it'll be released by Fat Wreck Chords on May 1st. Not much doubt that it's going to be something very special.
This track appears deeply personal and demonstrates that even the liveliest music can be juxtaposed with lyrics from the darkest depths. It's called LibriYUM...
Loaded to brim with LibriumHallucinating in some retro tele novaJust using worse drugs to quit the drugsWhen using to stay comfortable enoughUsed to be I’d drink myself through every twist and turnBut now I’ve grown upA bitAnd seen some shitMade my mistakesI’ve lost and wonWhat did I learn?LALALALALALAOHHHHHHHoly shit I’m not dependent anymoreIt’s fucking weirdI’ve been an addict for a decadeNow I can see the world so clearlyAnd it’s terrifyingMy mind it feels rejuvenatedAll those thoughts I drown outFor so long are bubbling back upAnd their driving me crazyOh, look now I can feel againThe numbness has evadedHow real life it’s fine and dandyNo, it’s not I fucking hate thisIs this really how all these sober people liveLife sober is over stimulatingPiece of shitThis feelings hell and boring normalcyWhy did I even quit?Oh, yeah that’s right I almost diedSo, I suppose I’ll give this sober train a rideAt least until I yank out all my teethDoes this boredom never cease?Reality is a diseaseOh, lord I need another drinkLALALALA OHHH..I sit in slippers on a dog hair coated sofaStaring at the ceiling contemplating godWhy I numb myself and what I’m so afraid ofAll while trying to ignore these racing thoughtsI've a never-ending naggingNeed to figure out the pointOr maybe there just isn’t oneWe’re all just maladroitMoronic Meaningless abominationHurdling towards an empty everlasting blank oblivionThe clarity is killing meBut so were the drugsWhy can I not just exist happilyWithout being numb?Is there something I’m missingWhich others have found?If you’ve answers inform meI’m being drug down by the weight of unknowingIt’s really bummin’ me outI’ve been to hell and backAnd seen so muchBeneath the heavensSo, what did I learnLeft to my own devicesAnd stripped of all my vicesI possess a tendencyTo overthink and analyze thingsBut I don’t think it worthlessTo contemplate our purposeNow that our societyAppears to have become so thoughtlessIt seems especially importantThat we take a sec to gather some perspectiveAnd remember that we’re all just specsA dust within a vast expanseCreated out of happenstanceDiluted from the same initial sparkSo, let’s party downLALALALA OHHH..
I think it's fair to say that the biggest buzz over any of the songs I've featured on this blog or played on the show so far this year was over the mightily impressive We Live Here which is of course by Bob Vylan (https://bobvylan.bandcamp.com/). They "sort of" feature again today as they've been busy remixing a track that appeared on Slaves' recent ep The Velvet Ditch. You'll probably already know that Slaves are the Kent duo Isaac Holman (vocals/drums) and Laurie Vincent (guitar/vocals) so I don't need to give you the usual background info, just go here if you want to know more https://www.facebook.com/slaves/
The track in question is One More Day Won't Hurt. The original version is a bruising cautionary tale about addiction and small town thuggery that pummels you into submission. This new version is no less brutal but it effortlessly bridges the gap between punk and grime. It's the type of release that's going to keep the younger generation interested in the punk scene and it has Bob Vylan's fingerprints all over it. More please....
It's always great when you hitch your wagon to a new band that you think has potential and then go on to feature them over the years as every release improves upon the last. When I featured Reading dystopian post punkers Who Killed Nancy Johnson? (https://www.facebook.com/WhoKilledNancyJohnson/) last year I said that the chatroom folk on the latest Just Some Punk Songs show were commenting that Pretending To Like People was their best song yet. I'm expecting similar comments when I play a brand new track from their upcoming album later today (feel free to come join us and listen to an hour of great new punk music (https://www.facebook.com/events/679743719494244/).
The album is their debut, it's titled I See Six and it'll be released on June 26th. There's 2 tracks already streaming and they sound much better than a diy recording in a village hall in Oxfordshire has any right to. It's going to be a vicious political assault on a myriad of worthy targets backed by a frantically pounding back beat. The opening track is spot on. Our leaders aren't "lizards, not alien super creeps, not that bug-eyed conspiracy theory crap..." They're snake oil salesmen, they'll convince you that you can trust them, they'll promise you the world as they pick your pocket. A revolving fresh face with a handful of shiny baubles but in reality a cancer on society.
Track 2, the one you'll find below, deals with City folk. Not me and you and the majority of city folk who work hard to eek out a living but the ones who've been around since the onset of society, grasping, greedy and always hungry for greater wealth. Other song titles will include Communist, Rothmans and Notre Dame and I'm really looking forward to hearing them.
Born AD43 A Roman legacy Of trade empiracy Always raiding Entire history From Saxon royalty To slaves in Chancery Power and money
Shitty City Shitty
The rich all ran away In time of fire and plague But now they’re back to stay Bet your money Law con and banking cock Wash cash and launder stock In high-rise haven blocks Dirty greedy - shitty
City Shitty City
Dirty, so dirty, so dirty, dirty greedy Shitty City Shitty City
Hailing from Copenhagen, The Movement formed in 2002 and line up with Lukas Sherfey (vocal/guitar), Sebastian Page (bass) and Philip Ingemann (drums). Influenced by The Who, The Jam and The Clash, they're working class a mod/punk three piece who've released 4 very good albums; Move! (2003), Revolutionary Sympathies (2005), Globalize This! (2009) and Fools Like You (2012). I featured them on here back in 2015 when I described them as sounding like Louis Armstrong fronting The Mighty Mighty Bosstones... https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-movement-smashing-up-world.html
Dressed smart in their trademark suits, they're an high energy band with an aim of encouraging young people to resist and question everything. Think northern soul moves with lyrics by Rosa Luxemburg, think The Kinks quoting Marx. They're a good time band that get both your limbs and your brain working.
And they've got a new album.
It's titled Future Freedom Time and it's available now from Concrete Jungle Records (https://ffm.to/themovement). 8 years away hasn't lessened their ability to pen a catchy tune and it certainly hasn't dampened the fire in their bellies. It's a political album in which they gaze disapprovingly on the world around them; "But it's not about Trump, because it doesn't matter whether the Clintons bomb Yugoslavia or kill Obama with drones - I'm against the entire empire, regardless of which president rules it." Most importantly though it's very good so check it out.
This is the teaser single, this shit's been going on too long so here's a call to start kicking down the walls. It's called Sound Of The Youth...
It's the sound of the youth
It's the sound of strength
It's the sound of the truth
It's the sound of the new
It's the sound of the streets
all the people we need
The shits been going on too long
How long time will they steal the profits
How many years should we stand in line
Truth is nothing's really happening
And it's a waste of time
Start putting up the red flag
Start kicking down the walls
Stop trusting those who use us
Cause it's the final call
It's the sound of the youth
It's the sound of strength
It's the sound of the truth
It's the sound of the new
It's the sound of the streets
all the people we need
The shits been going on too long
They will judge you just for being true
They will judge you just for being you (ohh yes they will)
It's the sound of the youth
There's nothing going on right here now
All property is owned by few
The rich are fooling everybody
What can a poor boy do?
Start putting up the red flag
Start kicking down the walls
Stop trusting those who use us
Cause it's the final call
It's the sound of the youth
It's the sound of strength
It's the sound of the truth
It's the sound of the new
It's the SOUND OF THE YOUTH!!
I think it's fair to say that most of us like a good cover version. Well today I'm going to point you in the direction of 19 of them, all packaged together on one tasty album and available on Bandcamp "name your price." The artists covered include the likes of Descendents, Adolescents, Bad Brains, Spermbirds, Dag Nasty, UK Subs, Pennywise, Good Riddance and many more. Best of all, you're not getting sub standard rip offs from a bunch of talentless wannabes, you're getting really good versions from a band at the top of their game.
Burning Heads (https://www.facebook.com/burningheads/) are from Orleans, France and line up with Fra (Vocals), Phil (guitar, vocals), Mikis (guitar, vocals), Tomoi (drums, vocals) and JBe (bass, vocals). They formed in 1987, released their debut album in 1992 and have been pretty damn prolific ever since. They play melodic hardcore and on occasion add a little dub & reggae to the mix. They recently released the covers album Under Their Influence and though the current pandemic has held up the release of the album on vinyl and cd, you can snap it up digitally here : https://burningheads.bandcamp.com/album/under-their-influence
It's a treasure trove of classic tracks, many you may know, a few you possibly won't. The band have drafted in numerous guests (a few who I've heard of, most who I haven't) which adds a little variety to proceedings. The track I'm highlighting today features Jérémy Costantini from The Rebel Assholes. It's a track originally recorded by Guns N' Wankers and it featured on their 1994 album For Dancing And Listening. It's titled Sunstroke...
Julie stands beside the window
Head full of additive Sophie wants an explanation Julie says she's none to give
Julie's got some time But she's not taking much more Just a little bit More than she bargained for
Sophie's in two minds, She's busy making it four Ask a simple question The answers might just follow on
So she asks about her lover Tiny kicks internally Julie talks of aspirations Hiding from reality
You don't get the picture I have to level with you Should have left it as it was
You thought the grass was greener But your imagination lied It was just a dream And your dreams don't count When the real world comes around
The Dahlmanns contribute a classy cover of Party Girl, a track from Rachel Sweet's 1981 album, ...And Then He Kissed Me. Smooth as satin and sure to have you singing along, definitely a track to check out.
The flip side sees Tommy And The Rockets tackling a track written by Joan Jett, Kenny Laguna and Ritchie Cordell which originally appeared on Joan's first album from 1980. A gentle rocker about lost love that's more infectious than this goddamn virus that's keeping us all indoors, it's another winner. It's titled You Don't Know What You've Got...
I was caught so unaware When you made other plans Promises you swore to keep Where more than you could stand
You don't know what you've got You don't know what you've got You don't know what you've got Till it's gone
I can't stand to hear your name 'Cause you were so unkind And though you think you made out well Someday you will find
You don't know what you've got You don't know what you've got You don't know what you've got Till it's gone
Shame on you, I gave you love I gave you love so true But you ran away So you just don't know what you blew Oooh, oooh
You don't know what you've got (Oh baby) You don't know what you've got (I thought I knew you) You don't know what you've got Till it's gone
I was weak when you were there And I felt so protected But I'll make sure that you regret The one that you rejected
You don't know what you've got (Oh baby) You don't know what you've got (You really blew it) You don't know what you've got Till it's gone
You don't know what you've got (Oh baby) You don't know what you've got (I thought I knew you) You don't know what you've got Till it's gone
You don't know what you've got (Oh baby) You don't know what you've got (Oh baby) You don't know what you've got Till it's gone
You don't know what you've got (Oh baby) You don't know what you've got (I thought I knew you) You don't know what you've got Till it's gone
Thus reads the banner on the Facebook page of Durham (North Carolina) punk rappers The Muslims (https://www.facebook.com/TheMuzlimz/). And it's true, they are. Very. Listed amongst their "likes" are Black Punks. Brown Punks. Femme Punks. Ghetto Punks. GNC Punks. Ratchet Punks. Dyke/Trans/Queer/Faggy Punks. Punks who piss on Nazi graves... What they don't like are racists, homophobes, bigots, the intolerant and Donald "fuckface" Trump.
They're an all queer, black & brown trio featuring Qadr (vocals/guitar), FarraH BaHbaH (drums) and Abu Shea (bass). They mix up punk, afropunk, hardcore and rap-rock. They're direct in their verbal attacks but they certainly aren't po-faced whiners. They add plenty of biting satire to their incendiary songs.
They've recently released a new album titled Gentrified Chicken. It let's rip at the usual targets but does it in a style that makes it seem fresh and vital. White power goons who blame everything on Mohammad, trigger happy cops, government surveillance, gentrification, inequality etc... There's even a "sort of" Blink-182 cover!
Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi
Punch that Nazi in the face Knock his teeth back in his brain And if that inbred scum gets up Kick that cracka in his gut
Punch that Nazi in the face Make sure that he’s seeing stars And when that khaki bag comes to Beat him till he’s black and blue
Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out
Punch that Nazi in the face Knock his ass into outerspace When that fucking bitch comes down Drag his ass through sundown town
Punch that Nazi in the gut Beat him till he’s pissing blood Make him say your fuckin name Tear that ass up all the same
Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out
We want peace so we’ll beat your ass to pieces You’d kill us so your death with bring us justice You’re a relic of a dying fucking system Take the proud boys with them And all the KKK Killer Cops
Punch that Nazi in the balls Whoop his ass til he fuckin falls If that mayo bread talks back Jam that marten in his crack
Punch that Nazi in the throat That should keep his no-lips shut Noose that flag around his neck Tell the boys to string him up
Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out Beat him up Best him up, beat him up, beat him up, beat him up Point em out Point em our, point em out, point em out, point em out Beat him up
Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi Punch a Nazi
The album features a dozen gritty political punk bangers. Most are short, sharp bursts of furious energy. A definite plus point is that the vocals are clear enough that it's fairly easy to make them out which is great as this is a band with a message. A negative is that I think I'm too thick to understand most of what they're telling me. Or at least that was the case on first listen. But I'm listening closely, doing a few google searches and most importantly thinking about what I'm hearing. Granted songs like Cunt and Organised Crime seem fairly self explanatory but what's General Ludd about? Google suggests he lent his name to the Luddites, the 19th century textile workers who destroyed machinery as a form of protest. Not sure if he's the same guy they're singing about but lyrics have him sipping cocktails on the verandah whilst the masses are drunk on propaganda and the cannon fodder lie in pain, knee deep in mud miles away. I need to investigate further as it all sounds very interesting. The title track is Veneer. A veneer is of course a thin decorative covering and I notice the song is accompanied by a quote from Friedrich Nietzsche which goes “There are no beautiful surfaces without a terrible depth.” The theme of the album?... And on it goes, hidden meanings coated in a pounding soundtrack that has me scratching my head and tapping my feet in equal measure.
