So I've spent the last couple of hours honing the playlist for this week's Just Some Punk Songs show and it occurred to me that I really need to get one of the songs from the new album by The Circulators on the blog.
That song resurfaces on the new album and it's so good I think I'll play it on this week's show but it's not the only highlight from what is rapidly turning into one of my favourite 2024 releases. Pretty much every one of the 14 tracks is a rock n roll gem. I can't recommend it highly enough.
I'm going to post this catchy as fuck song about falling head over heels, it's called Wired Over You.
from Burning Kross II, 2024, Autoreverse Records (Europe, LP), Seats of Piss Records (Asia, cassette), Culture Desert (US, cassette) & Icepicks At Dawn (UK, cassette).
2 years after their vinyl debut, we're treated with a new release from one of Belgium's hardest bands.
Burning Kross are no rookies, the members have earned their chops in various bands in the past: Cheap Drugs, Permanent Debt, Black Haven and more.
While these new tracks blow the dust out of my speakers, I recognize the powerful aggressive voice of the singer Tom (otherwise a real gentle bloke) and the drums, bass and guitars are so clear, a fantastic production in all. Well now I read more about this release, it's obviously a Studio 195 recording effort.
The best place for punk bands in the low-lands (and beyond) to go record.
8 tracks, loud, sharp like knives and aggressively clocking in around the less than 2 minute barrier, leave me no choice to run through them several times. 1 track gives us some breathing space, a 4 minute slower song about oppression in Algeria during the French colonisation and its independence war. Speaking of Algeria, and as a matter of fact, French/Algerian bloody history are featured in the lyrics in most if not all tracks. Which makes this a conceptual album.
Like the track I've taken: the lyrics deal with Maurice Papon who was a French civil servant and Nazi collaborator who was convicted of crimes against humanity committed during WWII at a very (too) old age. The mind blowing fact that this man could continue crimes (in the name of France) much longer after the world war and got away with it for a long time struck when reading a bit more background info. Find some of it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Papon
Sometimes great punk music has the power to get you to read more for your awareness.
Little Rocket Records, the independent label from Sunderland run by Leatherface bassist Graeme Philliskirk, is one of my go to places when I'm seeking out new releases. They've just come up trumps again.
Roach Squad are a new band that feature Graeme on guitar. Joining him are a very talented bunch indeed; Hugo Mudie (From The Sainte Catherines on vocals), Frankie Stubbs (From Leatherface on guitar), Alex Keane (The Murderburgers on drums ) & Sim Robson (on bass).
They'll be releasing a debut album early next year and to get us excited they've teased us with a single. It's a joint release from Little Rocket Records and Rad Girlfriend :
If you know the history of the various members you'll already have an idea of how it's going to sound, you'll also know it's going to be very good. It's called Wax & Dust...
The track below (you can find it on Bandcamp https://rub-punk.bandcamp.com/track/good-bloke) sees R.U.B "laying waste to the toxic culture that we see in so called Australia around men’s violence." It proves my initial feelings about the band were right, they're bloody good.
It's called Good Bloke...
awwwww YEAH!
how many times must a man tell me that he's a "good bloke" how many times must a man tell me nahh, he's a "good bloke"
TALK IS CHEAP in a world where nothing's free you shouldn't need to be convincing me how many times must a man tell me that he's a "good bloke"
how many times must a man tell me "everyone's too woke" how many times must a man tell me that I should take a joke??
TALK IS CHEAP in a world where nothing's free you shouldn't need to be convincing me how many times must a man tell me that he's a "good bloke"
how many times must I read that he was a footy star how many times must I read that he was a "loving father"
TALK IS CHEAP in a world where nothing's free you shouldn't need to be convincing me
how many times must a man tell me that he's a "good bloke" how many times must a man tell me that he's a "good bloke" how many times must a man tell me that he's a "good bloke" how many times must a man tell me that he's a "good bloke"
What I do know is that they play "angry yetmelodic punk music with socio-political commentary" and that they've a debut 4 track ep on the way. They're also supporting Control at Camden's Dublin Castle on the 29th of this month.
This is the title track of the ep and it's a great introduction. It "takes a look at the futility of destroying physical symbols in the hope of bringing about change and comments on the fragility of the people who put so much faith into inanimate objects. A lesson to consider more carefully about who we raise monuments to in the first place."
If anyone has a good memory (a very good memory!) you may remember that back in 2015 I featured a classic song originally released in 1982 from Worcester band The Samples (https://www.facebook.com/TheSamplesPunkBand). The song was called Dead Hero and in the write up I mentioned the line up of the band was Sean Taylor (Badger) on vocals, Dave Evans on guitar, Pascal Smith (Pecker) on bass and drummer Rick Vividhead. I also mentioned that they broke up in 1986.
The band got back together again in 2019 but sadly a couple of years later vocalist Sean (Badger) Taylor passed away. The band have carried on as a trio with Pascal Smith (Bass/vocals) and Dave Evans (Guitar/vocals) now joined by Jake Powell (drums).
December 6th will see the release of a new album titled Speak Truth To Power which if the 2 teaser tracks are any indication will show the band can still turn out heart on sleeve anthems to rival any of their contemporaries. It'll be available on vinyl, cd & cassette, all limited numbers so don't hang around : https://thesamples3.bandcamp.com/album/speak-truth-to-power
This song sees them paying a heartfelt tribute to their much missed frontman, it's called Badger's Song...
Haywire are on the blog today with a track from their new ep. That's Haywire the Boston hardcore band not Haywire the UK anarcho punk band from back in the day or Haywire the Canadian rock band or anyone else who may have been called Haywire.
Now we've clarified that, let's get on to the ep. It's titled For Better Or For Worse and it features 4 tracks, one of which is an acoustic version of Love Song (the original was a collaboration with Chubby and the Gang https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KqKdpLyrx8). Elsewhere, Feeling Depressed and Ox Must Plow are songs that bruise and pummel their way into your hearts. The other track, my favourite, features below. You can find the ep here : https://dazestyle.bandcamp.com/album/for-better-or-for-worse
Clocktower Place is a love song with bite. It features Fizzy from New York glam punks Loosey and it's the sort of song that you start listening to whilst trying to put together a playlist for the next show and by the time it's finished you want to listen again. So go ahead, listen, then repeat...
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH THAT IT HURTS
ALL THE THINGS I SHOULD HAVE DID
YOUR ABSENCE IS MY REGRET
I THINK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME
EVERY NIGHT AND EVERYDAY
I CANT GET YOU OFF MY MIND
I THINK THAT IM GOING INSANE
IF I I HAD ONE WISH
I WOULD TAKE YOU AWAY FROM THIS
YOU CAN TAKE YOUR TIME
ILL BE YOURS FOR MY WHOLE LIFE
I THINK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME
EVERY NIGHT AND EVERYDAY
I CANT GET YOU OFF MY MIND
I THINK THAT I AM GOING INSANE
I THINK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME
EVERY NIGHT AND EVERYDAY
I CANT GET YOU OF MY MIND
IM SORRY FOR ALL THE PAIN
On yesterday's Just Some Punk Songs show I played a song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czN5tKWu_gs) by Melbourne band Money Boys (https://www.facebook.com/MONEYBOYSS) which went down particularly well with the listeners in the chatroom. The song was called New Skin/New Century and it was taken from the band's album New Modern Architecture.
It's a double A sided single with one song, Sydney Road Ceremony, being a 4 minute mid paced look back at a lifetime of wrong choices leading to a lonely death.
This track is a more sprightly affair about being ready for love. It's called Fully Charged...
Back in January 2023 I posted a very impressive Killed By Death style punk song called American Tower (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2023/01/rotary-club-american-tower.html). It was the debut single by a band from Reno, Nevada called Rotary Club. I admitted at the time that I didn't know anything about the band and I still don't. The song seemed to be about landline telephones but I didn't really pay much attention to the lyrics, I was too busy bouncing off the walls enjoying the high tempo music.
But now the band have an album upcoming and it appears they're really into their telephones. The album's going to be released on Iron Lung Records on December 13th (on vinyl & digital), it'll be titled Sphere Of Service and with titles such as Touch Tone, My Landline, Phonemate etc it's not difficult to spot a theme running through it.
I don't think there's much doubt it's going to be a great album so ring all your friends and tell them to watch out for it. This is the opening track, it's called Safety Line...
In every current lies a danger: interference from a stranger. Keep it close for your protection, keep it close and stay connected to a safety line. In the circuit, there is power. In the system, there is trust. Plenipotentiary invitation shields the line from deviation. Citizen nodes in the network, signal flows -- you are the safety line. Loop is closed, ground to orbit. No need for copper, voltage stored in common people on a common wire. Never let go of that safety line.
By my calculations, I make it that this is the 6th time Bart And The Brats (https://www.facebook.com/bartandthebrats) have featured on this blog. Quite some going but I guess it just shows how consistent they are when it comes to turning out catchy punk tunes.
When I say they, I suppose I mean he as in the studio the band is the solo project of Bart De Vraantijk who's been doing this sort of thing in numerous cool bands for several years now. "The Brats" supplement the line up for live shows.
The new ep will be 4 more upbeat garage punk tunes, it'll be released on November 8th via Dirty Water and Roaring Blood Records Records and as well as the digital download you'll be able to get it on ltd (300 copies) 7" vinyl. Influenced by the likes of The Ramones, Zeros, Kids & Teenage Head you pretty much know what you're going to get before you click play.
Daves (https://www.facebook.com/wearedaves) are from Leeds, they formed in 2016, released a couple of eps in 2018 and then "took some time out for life stuff."
But they decided it was time to once again grace us with their presence and they've returned with a cracking new single. It's a rallying cry against the "patriots" who see themselves as knights in shining armour but in reality are Carling supping sheep in tin foil.
They describe it thus... In "An Act of Terrorism," DAVES confronts the chilling realities of intolerance and division, challenging listeners to the irony in the violence that stems from so-called patriotism and their reactionary ranting of terrorism. With raw, driving soundtrack and aggressive vocals, the band delivers a potent mix of punk energy and socio-political commentary, urging fans to take a stand against the Union Jack clad bigotry.
Burn your city to the ground Blame the people who look brown Rip up the bricks that pave the roads Whilst yelling stop the boats
This is not patriotism This is an act terrorism
Share tommy and line his pocket Help hate make a profit Broadcasted for the Union Jack But a broad cast mind is what you lack
This is not patriotism This is an act of terrorism
You don’t speak for us or protect our children You don’t speak for us you don’t speak for Britain We’ve said it loud We’ve said it clear Refugees are welcome here
The Threats (https://linktr.ee/thethreats) are a young Brit punk band from the east midlands who've just released what I think is their third single (the 1st 2 being Working Man and Electric Machines).
They're new to me but seem to be building up a fair bit of momentum. All 3 singles are impressive and they've a headline gig coming up at The Shed, Leicester on November 2nd where they'll be supported by Hex Poseur & Marvin's Revenge.
I'm getting some impressive post punk vibes from this one, the vocals are great and the musicianship is spot on. On this evidence, they're going to keep on with that upward trajectory. It's called Time Waits For No Man...
They're back today with a standout track from a new 6 track ep on Die Hipster Records titled Black Mass. This time around, Jeffrey is aided and abetted by regular guitarist Scott Fitch and by drummer Elvis Belushi. They aren't reinventing the wheel, it's the usual short bursts of primitive punk tuneage with Jeffrey's distinctive vocals on top. You know what to expect and you're glad when you get it.
You can get it on (very limited) vinyl or digital download :
As for band members, the recent addition of Saskia (from Ambulanz and Pizza 3 Euro) sees them expand to a quintet (the other members being Cornelius, Alice, Anne & Schnitte).
It's not always easy to muster the enthusiasm to keep this blog going. I get lots of submissions, many that are fine but are either featured in plenty of other places or don't really get my juices flowing so I tend to overlook them in favour of the music I stumble upon myself that pricks up my ears.
Hopefully your ears are pricked too. This is Catcalling...
A sad goodbye today to Nottingham rockers The Hip Priests (https://www.facebook.com/thehippriests). Sadly, after a glorious 18 years they're calling it a day.
But they're going out on a high with farewell ep We Become Nothing. 6 final tracks of ferocious garage punk goodness, a fitting finale from a great band.
I guess if you're going to bow out, do it on a high. Leave 'em wanting more.
This track takes no prisoners, featuring a contribution from Meryl Streek, it hits out at our land of hope, glory and casual racists. It's called Home Is Where The Hate Is...
Now they return with a tour (which includes both US & UK gigs).
THE BRIEFS: USA live dates:
Nov 06 Portland OR @ Twilight Cafe
Nov 07 Seattle WA @ Freakout Fest (no Fan Club)
Nov 08 San Francisco CA @ Bottom of the Hill
Nov 09 San Diego CA @ Casbah
Nov 10 Long Beach CA @ Alex's
Nov 11 Los Angeles CA @ The Moroccan
THE BRIEFS: UK live dates:
Dec 04 Bristol @ SWX Dec 05 Norwich @ UEA
Dec 06 Wolverhampton @ KK's Steelmill
Dec 07 Newcastle @ NX
Dec 08 Glasgow @ Garage
Dec 10 Manchester @ New Century Hall
Dec 11 Nottingham @ Rock City
Dec 13 London @ Electric Brixton
They'll also be reissuing their debut single Poor and Weird b/w Rotten Love (with a 1st vinyl pressing since it's original release 25 years ago).
And if that isn't enough, next month will also see them treating us to a new single. Punk rock wrapped in a power pop fist, you know these guys will never disappoint. The High Society ep will be available from TKO Records.
Well, I wanted to share this Antwerp band with the world. Honestly it is not exactly my cup of tea.
I just bumped into this band when I was on lookout for some poppy punk for my friend in Canada.
So I knew exactly where to check: Bearded Punk Records, a label that specializes in melodic hardcore and punk. I found a few options for my mate (I owed him for a trade): some of my preferred bands - Bruce and The Priceduifkes - and this For I Am record that I checked out and just knew he was going to like.
Despite my preference for amateurism and near miss hi-fi recordings, I must say I listened to this bunch a few times. There is some heavy metallic stuff in their material, and honestly, objectively, this record is one hell of a production too. Count in the very strong vocal parts of Luna Terweduwe and you can be assured this won't go unnoticed.
You don’t have a clue about what to do In this sticky sticky sticky sticky sticky sticky sticky situation Well, as you go you make the rules We’re in a state of deprivation Don’t think you know what you’re doing at all In fact you know… Jack shit! Your campaign is one big sales pitch Your p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-p-policy is full of choices That only serve to aid the rich Ignoring all of our voices Don’t think you know what you’re doing at all In fact you know… Don’t think you know what you’re doing at all In fact you know… Jack shit! Promises. Well, cross your heart and hope to die.
I was already quite excited with their 12" release from 2 years ago, however this one has got to hit the jackpot. There's a lot of great stuff been released already this year, but this one will be heavy competition.
As for me, I ain't sick of this band yet
The album is available as a name your price download...
There's a new album, Black Russians III due for release in time for Halloween and there'll be a 12" LP (ltd to 100 copies) available from Memorable But Not Honorable (US) and Punk Rock Vinyl (Europe).
As the band themselves say... "Imagine the melodic bite of Ramones punk colliding headfirst with 80s metal fury, with a shot of Turbonegro attitude for good measure. It’s raw, it’s relentless, and it’s got the kind of energy that’ll tear through your speakers and leave nothing but destruction in its wake."
They've just released the first single from it, it's got a title that'll be familiar to horror movie buffs, it's called Last House On The Left...
He told me "Hi Mick, I hope you're well. I got quite angry this year and I wrote some hardcore songs and formed a hardcore band with a dumb name! These things happen."
So I checked out the band's newly released debut ep, Rise From The Rubble, and I was blown away.
As well as Josh on vocals, the band also feature members of Uneven & Crippled Old Farts; Drums by Ricardo, Bass by Guillaume & Guitar by Jeremie. They make angry songs in angry times. We're all stumbling towards an uncertain and terrifying future but Ultra Lead won't go quietly.
This is the lead track, it's about indoctrination and how easy it is to lead people down dark paths. It's called Put Garbage In Get Garbage Out...
Put garbage in Get Garbage Out
Put garbage in.
Get garbage out
Put garbage in
get garbage out
Put a load of stupid shit in their heads
ya get garbage out
Put a bunch of racist shit on the news
Ya get garbage out
They invite their way in your head
With just one bit of truth and a whole lot of bullshit
FAR RIGHT ON THE RISE!
Propaganda works on the minds of the dogmatic and the conservative
FAR RIGHT ON THE RISE!
Their aim is to divide us in order to keep power in the hands of a small elite.
FAR RIGHT ON THE RISE!
Neoliberal politicians choose fascism
Everytime!
Neoliberal politicians choose fascism
Everytime!
Neoliberal politicians choose fascism
Everytime!
Neoliberal politicians
Motherfuckers!
Hot damn! That's some selfish thinking!
TAKE TAKE TAKE!
Hot Damn! That's some wishful thinking
TAKE TAKE TAKE!
TAKE TAKE TAKE!
Put garbage in
Get garbage out
Put garbage in
get garbage out
Teach them to compete in hatred
Get garbage out
Tell them that their nation’s sacred
Get garbage out
They push people towards extreme doctrines that provide clear ????
FAR RIGHT ON THE RISE!
Making them susceptible to toxic forms of authoritarian ideologies
FAR RIGHT ON THE RISE!
Neoliberal politicians choose fascism
Everytime!
Neoliberal politicians choose fascism
Everytime!
Neoliberal politicians choose fascism
Everytime!
Neoliberal politicians choose fascism
Everytime!
Hot damn! That's some selfish thinking!
TAKE TAKE TAKE!
Hot Damn! That's some wishful thinking
TAKE TAKE TAKE!
Hot damn! That's some selfish thinking!
TAKE TAKE TAKE!
t's some wishful thinking
TAKE TAKE TAKE!
Hot damn! That's some selfish thinking!
TAKE TAKE TAKE!
t's some wishful thinking
TAKE TAKE TAKE!
There were some independent records around, and that's what ours was. It was Patrick's (the drummer's) doing. He actually financed it and did the whole thing. I simply wouldn't have had the money. We all went up to London and there was a cheap recording studios somewhere right out in North London. A really nice guy called Marcus who was a bit of a Hunt Saboteur and general Anarchist guested on saxophone, and the whole recording was done in 2 hours...I think I just had 2 takes. Patrick then got 1000 pressed and set himself up in the Student Coffee Bar selling the singles. And we sold well and got more pressings. Because there just weren't any singles around by punk bands in any number, we were reviewed by all the music papers. In those days the music papers ruled....you just went and bought what the music papers liked...there was no way of previewing what they'd sound like, you just had to go and buy. "Sounds" gave us an amazing review, Melody Maker good I think and the others said we were "amateurish" I expect. But the reviews helped Patrick to organize a tour. We played 6 or 7 dates in a week in some pretty weird places from Bradford to Cornwall but always to "a crowd" and it was never a disaster. But I don't think the single got any airplay at all..... there just wasn't that kind of opportunity.... only Radio One and I'm not even sure if John Peel had got his show going in those days and that was only 2 hours a day. But you would never get played on Radio One during the day....it was all Agadoo.
The song that I'd featured in the earlier update was Amory Building and I'm happy to see it covered on the new album by CLASS. The band are from Tucson, Arizona and they're no strangers to this blog (for example they were on it in July https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2024/07/class-first-to-finish-last.html). The album's titled A Healthy Alternative and I guess it's accurate to say that it's a top class release so go get yourselves acquainted with it
If you are familiar with those releases or you're a fan of catchy lo-fi pop punk tunes you'll be interested to hear there's a new album called Digital Pet coming out on October 18th via Erste Theke Tontraeger. You can get those pre orders in here : https://erstetheketontraeger.bandcamp.com/album/ett-106-1-800-mikey-digital-pet-lp
This is the very infectious opening track, it's called Rental Girlfriend...
Lizard Brain (https://www.facebook.com/LizardBrain666) are a lo-fi garage punk trio from London who's line up is described thus; PEDANTIC PAUL - SIX STRINGS AND HOWLING STIX CHAMPION - SKINS AND DOO WOPS DEE KNUCLES - WHOMPING BASS AND BACK BLEETS.
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.
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...
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 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.
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).
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."
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...
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...
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.
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).
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!
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.
