Fuckin' 'ell mates, potty mouthed purveyors of bad taste Aussie punk rock Flangipanis (https://www.facebook.com/flangipanis) are back with a new song. It's short (clocking in at less than a minute), direct and offers up a bit of sage advice.
I like Flangipanis. In a world that seems to be getting shittier every year, they're a band that make serious points (sometimes) but also incorporate plenty of fun. Hailing from Brisbane they featured on here a couple of years ago with a song about everyone's favourite FBI special agent (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/10/flangipanis-scully.html). It featured on their excellent album Community Backwash. Since then there's just been the one song released, about an asshole aunt. You can find their music here : https://flangipanis.bandcamp.com/
So onto the new song. It's pretty self explanatory, very catchy and hopefully just a teaser for a bunch of new stuff. It's called You Don't Have To Be A Cunt...
Optic Nerve are from Sydney and introduced themselves a couple of years ago with a rough and ragged Self Titled demo cassette. They returned earlier this month with a follow up ep titled In A Fast Car Waving Goodbye.
The band have certainly been influenced by 80's US hardcore and you can't help thinking that the vocalist has been listening to plenty of Hank Wood and the Hammerheads. I can't find much info on them to share so will just recommend that you check out the ep on their Bandcamp (4 songs are streaming, there's also a hidden bonus track which is on the cassette which is on Urge Records)... https://opticnerve.bandcamp.com/album/in-a-fast-car-waving-goodbye-4
This is the opening track and my favourite. The guitars are choppy and frantic, the drums barrel along at pace and the vocals are punchy and expelled with great gusto. The song's called Crash...
Wow, this is short, snappy and very catchy indeed.
It's the opening song on a new 5 track ep by Southport (Australia) band Debt Cult (https://www.facebook.com/debtcult/). Not only is this lead track short, snappy & very catchy the remainder of the ep rattles along in pleasingly similar fashion. Think scrappy garage punk mixed with egg punk (or Devo-core, or chain punk or doll-wave or whatever we're calling it this week!). Think shouty vocals, frenetic playing and a fair amount of budget priced synth and you'll be not far off. Think The Chats meet Billiam and you'll be nearer. The ep is titled $0 and it's available as a name your price download so go snap it up immediately : https://debtcult.bandcamp.com/album/0-ep
I'm guessing this is about some of the more unsavoury (and maybe less intelligent) characters from their home city, it's called Southport Sharpest Weapons...
Based in Deal, Kent, Mr Wu's Pigs (https://www.facebook.com/mrwuspigs) is the solo project of David Tombesi-Walton. The music has been described as garage-punk fuzzpop and influences include the likes of Buzzcocks, Nirvana, Weezer, Billy Childish and Mary Bell. There's a decent sized back catalogue available on Bandcamp.
The 6th August sees the release of his 3rd proper album. This time around it'll be a covers album featuring a varied collection of songs from genres such as rockabilly, proto-punk, electropop etc. The song choices aren't as obvious as on some collections of this kind but they coalesce well. When I gave the album a listen I started with the last song, The End Of The World (originally by Skeeter Davies), as it's a long time favourite and I was interested to see what had been done to it; this version is about half the length of the original and quite a bit faster. It made me optimistic for the rest of the album.
And I was right to be optimistic, it's a very enjoyable whole with the songs working well when played in the Mr Wu's Pigs style. The sound on a few of the tracks is beefed up by the addition of guest guitarists. I don't want to spoil things too much by revealing who all the originals were by but I will admit there were a good few I was unfamiliar with.
This track was one I bought back in my school days and was originally released as a single in 1978 by The Human League. It's called Being Boiled...
Listen to the voice of Buddha Saying stop your sericulture Little people like your offspring Boiled alive for some God's stocking Buddha's watching, Buddha's waiting
Just because the kid's an orphan Is no excuse for thoughtless slaying People don't forget this torture Just because you call her mother Doesn't mean that she's your better
Once more with the voice of Buddha He'll say carry on your slaughter Who cares for the little children You may slice with no conviction Blind revenge on a blameless victim
This time around they've put together another 8 blistering tracks of Poison Idea/Germs/Drunks With Guns influenced noise. Titled Instant Tenders, it's available in cassette format (white or red&black) and as a digital download from Sunderland label Serial Bowl Records : https://serialbowlrecords.bandcamp.com/album/instant-tenders
They've released a video to accompany the track Comply Or Die (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhqHZJrX2L8&t=29s) but my favourite song on Instant Tenders is the one they saved till last. Wearing those 80's influences proudly on their sleeve, this is great. It's titled Nothing...
The band formed in 2019 and have been championed by the likes of the BBC (both Radio 1 & 6), The Guardian and The NME but happily despite attracting mainstream attention they still retain enough energy and edginess to appeal to readers of this blog. Punk attitude, modern sheen. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a great band.
Featuring an impressively passionate performance by vocalist Karla Chubb this is a track you definitely won't be wasting your time on, it's called How Does The Story Go?...
Should I start this with another cliche or how does the story go I’ve worn a mask everyday you peaked behind and now I wanna go The cards are stacked and the house is packed and I wanna go home
And everybody's got time Everybody seems to have so much time Everybody seems to have so much time but I’m wasting mine I swear to god I’m the only fucker in this place who isn’t doing fine And I’m not fine
You’re the extrovert I’m in the introvert and that’s the roles Then I’m the extrovert you’re the introvert and the swapping goes The cards are stacked and the house is packed and I wanna go home But we've spoken every day for 8 years so what do I do when you’re gone
And everybody's got time Everybody seems to have so much time Everybody seems to have so much time but I’m wasting mine I swear to god I’m the only fucker in this place who isn’t doing fine And I’m not fine
The card are stacked and the house is packed and I wanna go home
Crime Line are a band from Norfolk, Virginia who play loud, fast, snotty rock and roll and feature members of Norfolk Nightmares, Great Dismal Swamis, Constrictor, and the Lousy Savages. They line up with Ray Braza (Vocals), Stephen Marsh (Lead Guitar), Charles Glover (Guitar), Andy Harris (Bass) & Jared Fritzinger (Drums).
Earlier this year they introduced themselves with the blistering Locked And Loaded ep and they've just followed it up with the equally ferocious Crime Line II : Violent Urges. 7 more tracks of high octane garage punk that you're gonna love. I was going to say that highlights include the frenetic Bad Luck, and the more mid paced but very catchy Velcro Heart but to be honest, all the tracks are worthy of a mention. Go check the ep out here : https://crimelinenoise.bandcamp.com/album/crime-line-ii-violent-urges
This is the title track, it's called Violent Urges...
Tick Tock, that's the hands of time
It doesn't matter when you're doing crime
Layin' low when I'm out at night
Forbidden thoughts running through my mind
Shadows lurking just beyond the streets
Satisfy my curiosity
All I've ever known was make-believe
Violent urges get the best of me
We're not the same
What should I do
Become a clone
Be more like you
No, I got violent urges
Dark days history repeats
Junkies and creeps glued into their seats
Black and blue because they can't breathe
Cemetery lay the dead to sleep
Lifeless bodies left to decompose
Cause of death, no one knows
All I've ever know was make-believe
Violent urges get the best of me
We're not the same
What should I do
Become a clone
Be more like you
No, I got violent urges
We won't leave a trace
Witnesses erased
I've got violent urges
Another fun one today as The Linda Lindas (https://www.facebook.com/TheLindaLindas) unleash their new single. Currently one of the most talked about new bands around, they're also one of the youngest. Based in Los Angeles they're two sisters, a cousin, and their close friend; 10 year old Mila, Eloise (13), Lucia (14) & Bela (16). Two of them are Asian, two Latinx and they mix up the spirit of punk rock with a healthy dose of both power pop and new wave. They took their name from a 1987 song by Japanese punks The Blue Hearts
I've played a few of their songs on the Just Some Punk Songs show including the excellent Racist, Sexist Boy which they performed a blistering version of at the LA Public Library (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5AhU5Q7vH0) and which seemed to bring them to the attention of a whole new audience. Signing to Epitaph hasn't done them any harm either!
Oh when I say something
I wish I had shut up (oh!)
And when I try to help,
I always screw things up (oh!)
The places that feel right,
They never last too long (oh!)
And when I think of things,
They always turn out wrong
Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh!
Oh when I say something
Nobody backs me up (oh!)
When I try by myself,
I mess it up (oh!)
Oh when they say something
You always suck it up (oh!)
And when I try to help
It never is enough
Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh!
What can I do, what can I do?
What can I say, what can I say?
What can I do, what can I do?
Nothing changes it’s all the same
Why do I say something
Say anything at all (oh!)
It seems that when I try
I always take the fall (oh!)
But when I don’t speak up
There’s nothing but regret (oh!)
I can’t stop thinking of
What could’ve happened next
Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh!
What can I do, what can I do?
What can I say, what can I say?
What can I do, what can I do?
Nothing changes it’s all the same
Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh!
Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!
When you're as talented a songwriter as Mike Patton (that's the good Mike Patton, not the other guy who shares a name), there's always a danger that you'll release another "should be a hit" and the blogs and reviewers that love your music might overlook it in favour of recommending other songs that their readers should know about. This isn't done because the latest release is any worse than previous releases, it's merely because there's only so many times you can say that Nashville pop punk/power pop outfit Vista Blue (https://www.facebook.com/wearevistablue) are the catchiest and most consistent purveyors of that kind of music currently operating.
But even though not all releases are shouted about they are all highly recommended (as are those by offshoot projects such as Ralphie's Red Ryders https://ralphiesredryders.bandcamp.com/). Every so often though, the band will pop up again...
The new 3 track ep by Vista Blue is titled Back To The Summer Olympics and it's perfect listening on a day like today where the sun is beating down and temperatures are as hot as a Californian beach in high season. The band usually write about stuff such as seasons of the year, horror movies (watch out for a bunch of those songs coming later this year) or various sports. Back To The Summer Olympics features Vista Blues second Olympic Games themed song (this 2016 single featured the first https://wearevistablue.bandcamp.com/album/at-the-summer-olympics) and it also includes the timely It's Summertime Again which originally appeared on the Ramonescore Radio Records' summer comp (https://ramonescoreradiorecords.bandcamp.com/album/20-original-summer-hits-rcrr-c005). The other track, Hey Anthony, is about some guy who's mother's got a boombox but I've not as yet been able to work out who Anthony is! You can get the ep here as a name your price download :
Their sound is a mix of C-86 and riot grrrl, think mid paced menace rather than all out aural assault. It's bass led & growly with comparisons being made to the likes of Huggy Bear, Period Pains, Shop Assistants etc.
I played closing track Neo-Lib Dreams on this Week's Just Some Punk Songs show and it went down a storm, one of the listeners mentioned how much the opening track reminded them of Niki Eliot from Huggy Bear and so as I couldn't find that track on Youtube I thought I'd rectify the situation.
Today's song is the flip side of a debut single which was titled Bipolarity and was released in April of last year for Record Store Day in France. It's by Fotomatic, a power pop / post-punk trio with a line up of Laura, Guillaume & Max. As far as I'm aware it's their only release (thus far).
Even catchier is their cover of a song that was originally recorded in 1978 by Les Lous, a Paris band who supported The Clash's on their 1977 Get Out Of Control tour (supposedly it was never actually released and only appeared in a 1979 French punk movie titled La Brune et Moi). You can hear their version here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgmejqJo3-A
Hopefully we'll hear more from Fotomatic soon. A power pop delight, this is Take A Ride...
Quinn Anderson (Vocals), Sean Kelly (Bass), Wiley Willis (Drums) & Bobby Shields (Guitars) make up Chicago quartet What's Your Damage? (https://www.facebook.com/whatsyourdamagechicago). They return to Just Some Punk Songs for the third time today. Unfortunately, as they're calling it their last album, I fear it maybe their swansong?
If that is the case then the album's aptly titled. It's called Concluded, features 8 tracks of their trademark punk/post-punk/new wave influenced sound and it's available now as a name your price download : https://whatsyourdamage.bandcamp.com/album/concluded
I've previously mentioned how I'm a fan of Quinn's distinctive vocals and she's still impressing on this release. The songs deal with subjects such as the pressure to strive for the perfect 10 body, the occupation of Palestine, feeling trapped and alone in one's own mind etc. Weighty topics from a band that will be missed if indeed this is their final release.
This track is probably the highlight for me, it's another scathing political commentary and it's called Democracy...
A quickie today, a fun cover of a Riverdales song that was originally on that band's excellent 2009 album Invasion USA.
It's by Covert Flops (https://www.facebook.com/COVERTFLOPS), the 3 piece from Pendleton, Indiana, who feature Chad (guitar/vocals), Adam (drums) & Billy (bass/vocals). They sing about horror, sci-fi, spies etc and they're one of the best pop punk/power pop acts around. They've featured on here previously with the songs (I Was A) Dick For Tracy and Spy Code 492.
If you're a fan of them, you'll no doubt be eagerly awaiting their upcoming new album Mission Implausible which will be out soon on Mom's Basement Records (https://momsbasementrecords.bigcartel.com/).
I'm sure you need no introduction to punk veterans MDC (aka Millions Of Dead Cops https://www.facebook.com/mdcpunkbandofficial). They formed in 1979 in Austin, Texas, as The Stains and have since then undergone name changes, line up changes and relocated a couple of times. What has always been consistent though is both vocalist Dave Dictor and their hard hitting, politically left wing, hardcore punk music.
They've recently released a new song which takes aim at those hating racists and homophobes who espouse white pride bullshit. As Dave says, it makes him sick to his stomach. He doesn't hold back and neither should he. It's streaming on Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/album/6Xzx25UbpiZPOMfLZlbsEt
It's not just the US that's home to these ignorant bigots though, we have plenty of them on this side of the pond (the abuse directed at a number of black England footballers just being the highly publicised tip of a distressingly large iceberg).
No matter where you're from, if you're a racist or a bigot (I'm hopeful there aren't any who visit this blog), this one's aimed at you. It's called Proud Boy...
DESBORDE are a 5 piece (Renata, Pablo, Augusto, Cristian, Noelia & Pablo Andres) from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who first came to my attention earlier this year with a debut single which paired a couple of very impressive tracks; Sin Caminos and Son Todxs Policias.
If you missed it, worry not because they both resurface, along with another 5 songs on a demo titled ya no kiero ser parte de este mundo. Google translates it to, I don't want to be part of this world anymore, so assuming Google isn't winding me up then I guess that the band are pissed off. This, in a way, is a good thing as it helps them bring passion and energy to what is a damn good demo. The lyrics are in their native tongue so I'm unsure as to what precisely is pissing them off so much but with greed, corruption and a dodgy police force being issues that affect most countries I'm guessing most of us are pissed off by the same things. Musically they play fast hardcore enhanced with synth and I'm sure you'll agree it's well worth checking out.
There's a cassette version on the way, in the USA by Medio Pocillo Records, Open Palm Tapes & Go Records. In France by Urticaria records. In the UK by Noise Merchant Records and in Argentina by Corrosive Discs. Tape Or Die have just released it in Germany.
They return today with one of the two tracks that they've posted which are from an upcoming new album titled All Billionaires Are Bastards. I played the other track, Speak Up For Women, You Don't Speak For Me, on this week's show. You can find them both streaming, name your price, here : https://unsanitarynapkin.bandcamp.com/album/terf-war
For those that don't know, TERF stands for Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist and it's a term that refers to people with trans-exclusionary views who may have no involvement with radical feminism. The song you'll find below is "in solidarity with our trans and gender-diverse whānau and in solidarity with the trailblazing New Zealand weightlifter, Laurel Hubbard." You can find more of the band's views on transphobia and transmisogyny on their Bandcamp page.
All proceeds from this release will be donated to Gender Minorities Aotearoa. GMA are a nationwide transgender organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand, run by and for transgender people; including binary and non-binary, intersex, and irawhiti takatāpui. Find them at genderminorities.com
This is TERF War...
Trans Exclusionary Radical Fuckwit!
Trans-misogynist racist bullshit!
We won’t adopt your euphemisms
We don’t accept your overt bigotry
Your stance is not a weapon against, but a tool of the fucking patriarchy
You will conspire with fascists
When their hate is aligned with yours
Can’t you see you’re a fascist like them
Callous to the fucking core
It’s not a slur,
You’re a TERF, that’s what you are
Trans Exclusionary Radical Fascist!
Lassie (yes, they're named after the dawg!) are a Leipzig based quintet featuring Mari, Shreddy, Kat, Teun & Frizzl. They've been around for about 3 years releasing music that mixes and mashes up elements of punk, garage, synth, power pop, post-punk and no doubt several other styles into something of their own. It's whacked out fun and you can check out their releases here : https://lasssie.bandcamp.com/
There's also a new album titled The Golden Age Of... which is coming out on a very limited cassette (50 copies) on Valencia label Discos Peroquébien. It collects together those early releases into one convenient (and very enjoyable) package. If you're looking for something just that little bit different then you should definitely check it out : https://discosperoquebien.bandcamp.com/album/the-golden-age-of
This track is about a king of the street cop on a glorious day with his pedal to the metal. You won't hear him coming. It's called Zegway Cop...
The Muslims (https://www.facebook.com/TheMuzlimz/) are QADR (vocals/guitar), Abu Shea (bass), and Ba7ba7 (drums). They're from Durham, North Carolina and are a "crunchy, kickass punk band of Black + brown queer muzzies" whose intention is to bring us a healthy serving of "political satire, spandex and radical extremism. Black/Brown queer shit." They've previously featured on here with a couple of raging songs (Fuck The Cistem & Punch A Nazi) and they return today with an equally incendiary new single.
It's a song with an important message.
“I started writing this song during Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial and finished it during the attempted coup,” recalls vocalist QADR. “What a time to be alive. As a person who fits the description of a so-called ‘Black Identity Extremist,’ I find it funny that our music and message, calling out racist violence, makes people more uncomfortable than actual racist violence. At least we’re cute, tender, and funny af. Artists are the truth-tellers throughout history, and we’re just speaking our truth. Fascism was never wiped out, it just got more polite and calls itself a Richard Spencer now, whatever that is. We’re going to speak truth to power and have a damn good time doing it. I hope our fans (aka Munks) get some coded message about destroying capitalism and the patriarchy, but only if they play it backwards. I hope this song inspires the next Munk to be themselves: to mosh in the mirror, cuss out racists, steal plant clippings from government buildings, and support their local Co-ops.”
Chinese Junk (https://www.facebook.com/chinesejunkband) are from Orpington (a town in south-east London) whose line up boasts members from bands such as The Griswalds, The Ulcers, and The Unreleasables : Ben Nuthink (vocals/bass), Steve Legend (backing vocals/guitar) & Daz Reject (backing vocals/drums).
*Just as I finished writing this update I got a message from Ben so I'll stick a bit of added info from him in here : We all played in the Griswalds, I helped form and was the original singer in The Ulcers as a side project, after a year or so I quit then they got a couple of other singers until Steve from Griswalds joined to sing for them until they broke up a couple of years later. Daz also played in a reggae punk band called Jakal. Daz then formed The Unreleasables as another side project and Steve then joined them a couple of years ago to play guitar for their last recordings. In 2016 Griswalds called it a day but by mid 2019 I started writing songs again so decided to form Chinese Junk. And here we are now, the three of us back together again ha ha! *
They released an impressive debut ep last year titled Permanent Reduction, a collection of 4 ramshackle punk rock songs which sound as though the band strolled up to the studio and banged them out first take before strolling straight back out again (although in truth it probably takes a lot of effort to sound that wonderfully scrappy).
Fast forward 9 month and lightning's struck twice. 4 more tracks, this time on an ep titled Raw Deal and they still have no fucks to give. Songs about dead end towns, cheating girlfriends, being skint and the song I'm highlighting today which is, I guess, about knowing someone just a little too well. It'll hopefully be out soon on cassette via Big Neck Records but for now, both eps are available for free download and are must have if you're a fan of budget punk rock.
X-ray ! x3
X-ray eyes! I can tell you're nervous
X-ray eyes! I can see in your head
X-ray eyes! I can tell you want me
X-ray eyes! I can see that you're wet
X-ray eyes! I know what you're thinking
X-ray eyes! I can see your brain
X-ray eyes! I know that it bugs you
X-ray eyes! Again and again
Callin' 999 ain't gonna be alright
You'd better run run better run run for your life
It's so cool I can see through oh yeah!
It cuts you up that I can see your guts oh yeah!
-repeat every damn thing again-
I can see, I can see through you x3
I'm bored, I'm bored of you
X-ray eyes! Like an X-ray! x8
They've a debut album due out on October 15th on Bottom Shelf Records, it'll be titled Fade and they're promising their wildest release yet.
To give us an idea of what to expect, they've released a video for the first single from the album. When I played it on this week's show, I mentioned to the folk in the chatroom that I was going to post it on here once I'd worked out how to describe it and to be honest, I'm still struggling. I should take the easy option of saying "just listen to it and decide for yourselves" but I think I should at least mention some rather distinctive guitar work and vocals from a singer who sounds as though he's teetering on the brink of darkest despair. It's a track that bodes well for what's to come.
I think it's fair to say that one of the most popular songs on last night's Just Some Punk Songs show was one of the more aggressive tracks. Comments in the chatroom included;
that's a choon that would set my tinittusssss ringing, it's good
has this bass player got any fingertips left?
reminds me a bit of Cinderblock
decent row!
It was a song from the debut, Self Titled, album from Vancouver hardcore punk 5 piece (Lewis - Vocals, Athena - Guitar, Josh - Guitar, Mark - Bass, Lucas - Drums) Bootlicker. It boasts 14 tracks and confirms the great promise shown in their 4 eps and 2 demos. It combines the power of D-Beat with the energy of the UK82 scene and you can get it on vinyl from Neon Taste Records (North America - 400/Black 100/Grey Swirl 100/Clear) and Static Shock Records (Europe 400/Black 200/Red).
Anyone in the mood for something very catchy? Then read on...
Kid Gulliver (https://www.facebook.com/kidgulliver/) are a power pop delight from Boston, Massachusetts who line up thus; Simone Berk (vocals/guitar), David Armilotti (guitars/vocals), Andy Excuse (bass) & Sandy Summer (drums). They released a debut Self Titled ep in 2014 and just seem to get better and better. The first time they ventured onto my radar was with last year's sublime Susie Survived Chemotherapy so I'm very happy that despite lockdown, this year has seen them more productive than ever. January saw a song called Beauty School Dropout and this was followed in April by another winner titled Boy In A Bubble. Both songs that smoothly insinuate themselves into your consciousness leaving you demanding more. And happily, more is what we've now got...
Last month saw the release, on Red On Red Records, of a 4 track ep titled Gimme Some Go! For my money, the "hits" from the ep are Stupid Little Girl (a song that asks how can true love grow when he's on death row? and which reminds me of Blondie at their most sugar sweet) and their gorgeous version of a 1968 Bee Gees single which has been covered several times previously (my favourite before this being by Low). You can get the ep here : https://kidgulliver1.bandcamp.com/album/gimme-some-go-2
This is I Started A Joke...
I started a joke
Which started the whole world crying
But I didn't see
That the joke was on me, oh no
I started to cry
Which started the whole world laughing
Oh, if I'd only seen
That the joke was on me
I looked at the skies
Running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed
Hurting my head from things that I'd said
'Til I finally died
Which started the whole world living
Oh, if I'd only seen
That the joke was on me
I looked at the skies
Running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed
Hurting my head from things that I'd said
'Til I finally died
Which started the whole world living
Oh, if I'd only seen
That the joke was on me
'WE DON'T SEE THINGS AS THEY ARE. WE SEE THINGS AS WE ARE’
Yammerer (https://yammerer.online/) are a post punk/alt rock band from Liverpool with a line up of Jay Sunsea (vocals), Gajo Paco (guitar), Steve Dee (guitar), Conchur Macshim (bass) & Perm Doner (drums). I first came across them last year when I posted a song from their Donnay Death Housing Cryssis single
They've just released a new digital single on Restless Bear Records and from what I can make out it's a topical commentary on those amongst us who are experts on everything even if, for example, they may not have studied for years to qualify to be a proper scientist or ace in a particular field. I imagine they're making the point that the likes of balding comic has been Lee Hurst might not know quite as much about the pros and cons of protecting oneself from a deadly virus by wearing a mask as someone like Chris Whitty does. That seems to be the general idea anyway.
If we want to be a Facebook authority on all things, at least read a wide range of opinions and then have a good think before you start tapping away on your keyboard.
It can't be easy being in the music industry during the pandemic. Pretty much impossible to tour, hard even to meet up to practise or record. I know of a few big name bands that have managed to record but are holding off on releasing new material till they can get out on the road. A couple of acts though that have stuck two fingers up to Covid and are more productive than ever are Norfolk duo Das Kapitans (https://www.facebook.com/daskapitans) and gobby, working class Derbyshire bloke Rum Lad. Both have featured on here recently but both keep popping up with great new music.
Das Kapitans are Stephen Potter & Simon Bailey who took advantage of their other band, Fuzz And The Felts, being unable to get together to set themselves the goal of releasing a new album every 5 minutes during 2021. A daunting task but one which left them enough spare time to release even more extra tracks, including the one you'll see below. It's a football song for the Euros and it's bloody good. You can snap it up name your price here : https://daskapitansband.bandcamp.com/album/on-me-head-son
It's called On Me Head Son...
John Barnes dancing in the Maracana
Carlton Palmer a midfield disaster
David Platt’s wonder goal
Extra time sent Belgium home
Stuart Pearce changed my Life
When he showed that three lions pride
Andy Sinton how the hell did he up in the national team
Now i understand the offside rule
I know where Beckham went to school
But what’s a false number 9 when its home
On me head son
Stick it in the back of the onion bag
England til I die
I know I am
I think I am
Maybe I am
They said i am
I must be true
I feel like i am
My tattoo confirms just who i am
Peter Shilton was our super saver
Le Tissier our unsung greatest
Chrissy Waddle grace and style
Gazza’s tears made hearts collide
Peter Crouch had lovely feet for a big man
That’s true at least
There’s one man missing, would’ve been the key,
Number 6 Darren Huckerby
We called Sterling overrated
We said Kane looks so lethargic
Sorry Gareth we trust you
With super Jack Youl get us through
Harry Maguire handsome man
Four clean sheets master plan
Jordan Pickford number one
Keep ya cool boy marching on
Poor old Sancho can’t get on
Youl be ok your only young
Kyle Walker lots of pace
You or des Walker who’s win that race
Rum Lad (https://www.facebook.com/rumladuk) meanwhile has been agonising over whether to carry on or whether to concentrate on other projects, happily sense has prevailed so not only do we get new album Punk AF (out soon on red vinyl https://rumladuk.com/) we can also look forward to more great stuff like the track released earlier this week (Tin Foil Hat : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrsncqunP_A) and the brand new banger you're getting today.
Today's song comes from a very good new ep by a band from Newcastle, Australia called RORT MENACE (https://www.facebook.com/RortMenace/). The ep is titled Turea and I could have chosen any of the 4 tracks to highlight but I was looking at the Urban Dictionary whilst doing a little research and I decided I liked the word fucktitude.
This was the Urban Dictionary entry :
When one is completely janked and knackered with the world, their surroundings and its accompanying bullshit, but despite is still able to free their conscience of life's obstructions and grow as a person, finally see the world clearly and live life stress and carefree with fucktitude. This person is living the Peter Gibbons Dream and is said to have gone through the Peter Gibbons Transformation.
* Peter Gibbons is the character referred to from the movie Office Space. S: "I have been embroiled in a constant battle with myself and for the first time in along time, I've been able to let it all go...just feels like i went through a really good self-renewal session." J: "That's the fucktitude! You went through the Peter Gibbons Transformation and now you're living the Peter Gibbons Dream yo!"
All the tracks on the ep were written on the sovereign lands of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples with the band wanting to pay their respects to Aboriginal elders past, present and emerging in consideration of a rich cultural storytelling and musical tradition that extends beyond 75,000 years through to time immemorial. The word Turea comes from the main street in Blacksmiths, NSW which was named in 1948 after the Awabakal word for Bream (type of fish) as recorded by Reverend Threlkeld, a notorious English missionary.
The band is comprised of Madeleine Mitchell (vocals/bass), Will Mitchell (vocals/guitar) and Zac Graham (drums/vocals) and I think it's fair to say they kick up one hell of a racket. They describe their sound as brutal, coarse and bratty punk rock and it's a pretty accurate summation. Check out the ep here https://rortmenace.bandcamp.com/album/turea
A song with fucktitude, this is Peter Gibbon's Dream...
