Killer Kowalski - Suffocate the Children

  

  Sometimes it pays to keep an eye on what your Facebook friends are up to. A post came up on my feed from Stefan Ball (one time vocalist with Who Killed Nancy Johnson? and now going it alone as Endless Idiot https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2024/07/endless-idiot-someone-elses-song.html). 

  He's commented "Music stuff: off to The Library in Oxford this evening to see Killer Kowalski support Secret Rivals" and then followed up with "Loved them. Highlight of the night." 

  So I had to investigate and discovered that they released an album a couple of months ago titled Gerbils Eat Their Young.

 (Check it out here :  https://open.spotify.com/album/6kF9h4W8xR1l1xP0eocEzZ). 

  A little bit about them... Killer Kowalski (https://www.facebook.com/killerkowalskiband) are a quartet from Oxford (so don't confuse them with a 90's band from New York). They tag themselves on Bandcamp (https://killerkowalski1.bandcamp.com/track/suffocate-the-children) as a punk band and whilst they certainly are that, they don't let the genre confine them. Not only do they turn out tunes that are a bit more ambitious than your typical 3 chord thrash, they write lyrics that demand your attention. And according to Stefan, they're damn good live so check them out.

  This song is as good as any to highlight, it's called Suffocate the Children... 

Itchy and The Nits - Nudie Beach

  

  A third Just Some Punk Songs appearance in 2024 for Itchy and the Nits (https://www.facebook.com/itchyandthenits).

  The fun Sydney trio previously featured here with tracks from their excellent album, Worst Of : 

https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2024/02/itchy-nits-square.html

https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2024/03/itchy-and-nits-tie-me-up.html

  This time around they feature on a new compilation from Paperface Zine titled Action Now! A Paperface Zine Benefit for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund. All the proceeds from the comp go to the Palestine children's relief fund to address the urgent humanitarian needs and support long-term recovery efforts in Gaza. It's packed with exclusive demos, covers, and unreleased tracks and you can find it here :  https://paperfacezine.bandcamp.com/album/action-now-a-paperface-zine-benefit-for-the-palestine-childrens-relief-fund

  The Itchy and the nits song extols the virtues of taking off your pants and letting the sun shine on your cheeks! It's called Nudie Beach... 

Itches - Master Of Time (Guest Review By Dirk Ceustermans)

  

Itches - Master Of Time taken from Two Flies In One Clap 12" (UhmYeahSure Records & Ronny Rex)

  "The band’s sound is infused with cheap canned alcoholic beverages, resulting in a perfect blend of wild garage poppiness, 60s freakbeat, primal punk, and most of all, heavyweight jangle."  

Well, no need for me to say more. This garage punk gem was recorded by Rafael Valles Hilario, mastermind behind the Belly Button label and recording engineer; multi instrumentalist in various ongoing or no longer going bands. (I really recommend to check MOAR and Tuff Guac!).

By the looks of it I failed to discover their first 12" (Kingdom Upstairs, 2022) but this new release came to my attention when the label Ronny Rex used a little more media to announce their products. In fact I try to check most stuff this label brings out, they have a fantastic catalogue of releases. 

Opening track Master Of Time blends garage punk with a fantastic groove that moves into a psyched solo break before returning back into that jangly tune.

Can't wait to get my grubby hands on this vinyl!

https://ronnyrex.bandcamp.com/album/two-flies-in-one-clap

https://itches.bandcamp.com/album/two-flies-in-one-clap

The Putz - Frank Hates Punk!

  

  So what have I been listening to today? 

  The new album by The Putz (https://www.facebook.com/theputzrock). It's called Too Little Too Late and as it's by The Putz you know it's catchy as fuck. 

  They're a trio that are mostly from Indiana; Billy Putz (bass/vocals), Dougie Tangent (drums/backing vocals) & Classic Pat (guitar/backing vocals). They've featured on here a few times over the last 10 years (this was the 1st time : https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-putz-operate.html).

  The new album spoils us with 16 tracks. Everyone is an ear worm. Riffs, melodies and singalong choruses are very definitely the order of the day. It's available via Mom's Basement and you can find it here : https://theputz.bandcamp.com/album/too-little-too-late or here :  https://momsbasementrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-putz-too-little-too-late

  Spoilt for choice for a highlight I'm going for this fun 83 second blast, it's called Frank Hates Punk... 

Bambies - Devolution

  

  Bambies (https://www.facebook.com/lesbambies) are a trio from Montreal who first featured on here in 2019 (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/05/bambies-red-guitar.html) before returning a couple of years later (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2021/06/bambies-dirty-taint.html). 

  That 2nd appearance was heralding the release of their debut album Summer Soon. And now they're back yet again ahead of album number 2, Snotty Angels. It sees the band lining up with Sami (guitar/vocals), Franki (drums/backing vocals) & Feli (bass/backing vocals) and it'll be out on 27th September on vinyl (several colours will be available) and digital download from Wanda Records (EU) and Spaghetty Town Records (US). We're promised "15 songs filled with infectious energy, jubilation and catchy-as-ever hooks." 

  Pre order it here (those vinyls won't hang around) https://thebambies.bandcamp.com/album/snotty-angels

  Delivering on the promise of catchiness, this is the lead single. They say it's about the current times and how it's becoming more difficult to make sense of everything going on. It's called Devolution... 

Lothario - Suckhole

  

  A quickie today. Last year I posted a couple of songs by Melbourne band Lothario (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/search?q=lothario). Headed up by powerhouse vocalist Annaliese Redlich (a Melbourne radio dj), they've just released a debut album on Under The Gun Records titled Hogtied. 

  It's everything we could have hoped for, it's a melting pot of danceable new wave with great vocals and some really interesting guitar parts. Several of the album's 13 songs are familiar from earlier releases and the new stuff is equally as impressive. It's available on vinyl and digital :  https://utgrecords.bandcamp.com/album/hogtied

  This track is a definite highlight, it shows off all the best aspects of the band, it's called Suckhole... 

Gull House - Date Night In The West (Guest Review By Dirk Ceustermans)

Gull House - Date Night In The West

S/T EP (Pang Pang Records / Ronny Rex Records)

  The first single from the GULL HOUSE will soon be unleashed onto the hungry hoards of the OMFUG people. These are guys from Diest, a small town half an hour drive east from where I am (around Leuven, if you don't know this shitty town you don't drink Stella). 

Diest has been on the map with some special and extraordinary acts like ERO GURO and the solo project of ERO's bass player (Frankie Traandruppel) for example. From the ashes of ERO GURO and another band Coma Commander Gull House erected.

 

  Pang Pang announced without shame "The tight riffs from Ero Guro combined with the passionate vocals from Coma Commander will burn holes in your ears and hearts." 

And so it is, I was on the verge of calling in the fire brigades.

 

  I've been listening to the release 5 times in a row. From start I knew which song to pick, but after five times through these 5 wonderful songs it got harder to pick one.... Very hard!

But ok, Mick just wants one, so I go for the opening track: Date Night In The West. 

  This one can go on repeat for an hour or two. It's over too fast so the urge to repeat infinitely is high!

It's song about them wanting to go out west with the in-crowd from Leuven (being west from Diest), where all the Big Boys live :-)

But mainly this track wins the prize in my little brain because I love this kind of simplicity. 

I hear some Uranium Club mixed up with some cranky organ noise from PISSE and some 50/50 singing/parlando vocals too make it quirky as hell. Oh Egg Punk they call it now, right?

  I keep repeating it. Belgium has some very fine products under its belt the last 10 years. 

See ya next week.

https://gullhouse.bandcamp.com/track/date-night-in-the-west-2

Who said that I couldn't go out with the big boys

Big boys big boys

Who said that I couldn't go play with their big toys

Big toys big toys big toys

Who said I looked like a washed up cowboy

DSY your alibi

Who said my wife is a washed up cowgirl

He said your wife is a washed up cowgirl

I've got my eye on you buddy

The Meffs - Life's Life

  

  So it's Friday, the day of the week when the Just Some Punk Songs show starts taking shape. A busy day when I spend far too much time listening to new releases. But it's worth the effort, especially when I come across something as good as the new album by Essex duo The Meffs (https://www.facebook.com/Themeffsuk).

  This is their 5th appearance on here (see the previous features here :  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/search?q=meffs). Looking back, they've put out some cracking releases and this new album, What A Life, is only going to enhance their reputation. It's available on vinyl and cd :  https://themeffs.bigcartel.com/

  So many great new tracks to choose from, I'm spoilt for choice. I'm going to go with the bouncy singalong that's called Life's Life... 

Röt Stewart - Shitty City (Guest Review By Dirk Ceustermans)

  

  Röt Stewart - 3 Tattoos & A Road Tax Bill Single-sided 12"/ Pang Pang Records

https://www.facebook.com/officialrotstewart

  Pang Pang records have been very productive lately. This must be the 5th release this year if I'm not mistaken. And again Tom from this rather recent label brings us a very nice Belgian product.

  The band notes on bandcamp read: "A rötten stew of long forgotten hopes, dreams and love. Straight in your ugly git with some fast hot legs thrashy punk hardcore" 

  4 'dudes' from the Courtrai area that probably hang out at the world famous local venue called the Pits. There where all the greats of the underworld have a stop to play a show, what better learning school does one need?

  The boys had a split 7" out last year together with other Courtrai locals Freddie & the Vangrails, on which Röt managed to pin 9 tracks on their side. And yet again this new 12" has 14 tracks of pure coolness on 1 side. You can find the album here :                                 https://rotstewart.bandcamp.com/album/3-tattoos-a-road-tax-bill

  The sleeve already tells you not to take thing too serious and FUN is the theme to expect. The unused side of the vinyl has a fantastic print that combines Mr Stewart's head with the Motorhead skull. Oooh, what would Rodney and Lemmy think of that?

  Their songs sound like having a double dose of 80 HC injected into them, which definitely appeals to elderly persons such as me. They're short enough to not bore and have some funny atmosphere around them. Thinking of Attitude Adjustment when hearing the intro of Shitty City, 

a song that moves to and fro from fast hc to punk'n'roll. Real enjoyable stuff this one!

The Okmoniks - He Left The Party With Me

  

(Photo by Grace Jane Claiborn-Barbörudóttir)

  Here's a post from 2015 in which I shared one of my favourite songs  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-okmoniks-teenage-timebomb.html

  It was by San Francisco's The Okmoniks (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100047312178417) and I said "It's been a few years now since they released any new music but they're still gigging occasionally."

  But now they have some new music for us! 

  A follow up to their 2008 classic Party Fever (https://theokmoniks.bandcamp.com/album/the-okmoniks-party-fever-lp) this new album is titled After Party Fever and it's officially out on September 27th via Slovenly Recordings on vinyl and digital. 

  Can't wait? Well go and stream it now... https://theokmoniks.bandcamp.com/album/afterparty-fever-lp

  The song I'm highlighting is called He Left The Party With Me... 

Hetze - Homesick (Guest Review By Dirk Ceustermans)

    

  It's been a while but the Just Some Punk Songs' favourite Belgian Dirk Ceustermans returns today with a recommendation for you to check out...

  HETZE - UNTIL I SNAP 12" (Loner Cult, March 2024)

https://www.facebook.com/HETZEHETZE

  This rocking combo has been around for a good few years now, being regulars on the Belgian punk circuit with proper success. Often invited and touring abroad, it is not unlikely you may have come across their name on a bill or even have seen them live. I did so a good few times and the energy that sparks off their shows is mind-blowing. But how can such power violence band transmit that live energy onto vinyl? Well with "Until I snap" they pretty much nailed it.

  They already have a string of releases of which I may baptize as modern day classic (Bedbugs for one, from 2018) so if you are familiar with those releases, I'm sure you'll notice the leap in production, recording and song writing.   

  This new 12", a 45 rpm mean green coloured slab of plastic contains 16 merciless attacks of brutal Power-Core ("power violence" ...I don't like that name for a "genre" actually). Trench Club opens the rollercoaster ride all through to the very last song. And the words... the words you read while being knocked out by the pounding drums & loud guitars make you wonder what is all behind the veil of anger and anxiety. 

  I picked Homesick, a track somewhere in the middle of side one. It grabs me completely by the throat.

A good old friend said to me "forget about solos, a good riff is what is remembered". And by jove, this riff sticks in my head. What is Eva singing here? Does she introduce a new meaning of the word Homesick? As in "sick of being at home" rather than the opposite? Things that happen at homes that aren't spoken about outside the walls of a house? Maybe I got it all wrong, but this is the power of her lyrics in general: They aren't specific, so it challenges the listener to a free interpretation. Until you snap.

https://hetze.bandcamp.com/track/homesick

HOMESICK

Walls go up

For tortured souls

Broken

Fear explodes

What will you do

She could be you

No forever

No forever

In this future

Trap the past

Make it last

She could be you

The noise

The hatred

What will you do

She could be you

She could be you

Walls go up

For tortured souls

No forever

In this future