RATSALAD. - North West Coastal Highway

   

  Often punk songs can be serious and can express frustrations or anger about the world we live in. Sometimes they can be more personal and deal with the writer's state of mind. This song is just fun.

  RATSALAD. (https://www.facebook.com/weareratsalad) are 3 mates from Geraldton, Australia making noise. 

  They recently released an album titled Pest From The West. I played a song from it on a recent show (the fast paced and highly addictive Bike Beach Pub). It's one highlight on a very fine album. 

  https://ratsaladband.bandcamp.com/album/pest-from-the-west

  Another highlight is this song about what might happen when nature calls whilst you're on a road trip. It's called North West Coastal Highway...

Stop for a piss on the side of the road
Had a couple beers time to lighten the load
Out in the desert not a tree in sight
But I don't give a fuck I don't really mind
The gascoyne sun's burning bloody hot
Nobody around I pop a little squat
Got the ute as a shield I start to break the seal
Yeah everything's going my way!
BUT I FORGOT
KEN'S THE FUNNIEST MAN ALIVE HE GOES
OI WATCH THIS ERICA
PUTS THE UTE INTO DRIVE
So I'm squattin and I'm pissin
And I'm watchin and I'm wishin
That the ute didn't just drive away
But I'm laughing cos it's funny
It's just me and my bare bum here out
Whizzin on the shoulder of the highway
Then a horn blasts as a car drives past
Gaping and gawking at my bare arse
Oh fuckin fuck
Faaaaaaaaaark

I mooned an old lady
On the north west coastal highway
Pissed all over my own pants
Tryin to run away
I mooned an old lady
On the north west coastal highway
Pissed all over myself
Fuck yeah

I mooned an old lady
On the north west coastal highway
Pissed all over my own pants
Tryin to run away
I mooned an old lady
On the north west coastal highway
Pissed all over myself
Fuck yeah

Blind Eye - Darts Cards Bingo

   

(photo Dave Gee No Gods/No Masters)

  Blind Eye (https://www.facebook.com/p/Blind-Eye-Band-100064955622264/) are a hardcore punk band from Nottingham who've been around since 2019 and who feature members of acts such as Heresy, Bloody Head, Pitchshifter, Wolves Of Greece, Army Of Flying Robots etc. They line up thus; Steve Charlesworth – Drums, Matt Grundy – Bass, Andrew Morgan – Guitar & Anmarie Spaziano – Vocals and are influenced by the likes of The Comes, Jerrys Kids, Aus-Rotten and Chaos UK.

  They've recently released a second album (their debut being 2022's Decomposed) which is titled Mistrust Your Nation and after listening to it I can't help thinking why aren't these guys getting more attention? It's a raging beast of a release that has the lot... Pounding riffs, great lyrics and a powder keg of a vocalist in Anmarie Spaziano. 

  I highly recommend you check the album out https://blindeye-notts.bandcamp.com/album/mistrust-your-nation

  There's a video for the song Blitz Can which you should watch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1VxblZdgo4) but the track I'm highlighting today is called Darts Cards Bingo... 

  

The Circulators - Pointless Game

     

  San Francisco's The Circulators (https://www.instagram.com/thecirculators/) return to Just Some Punk Songs today with one of the songs on their new ep. 

  They've been on here a couple of times previously with tracks from their Self Titled debut ep and their Insufficient Fun album. 

https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-circulators-it-wont-be-me.html

https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-circulators-wired-over-you.html

 I highly recommend you check out their previous releases as it looks as though the band is no more. The new ep appears to be a farewell from them. 3 tracks (2 originals and a cover of Teengenerate's My GTO) it's titled Pointless Game and is available via Total Punk Records.

https://totalpunkrecords.bandcamp.com/album/pointless-games

https://thecirculators.bandcamp.com/album/pointless-game

  This is the title track, Pointless Game... 

The Clinch - Journeyman

   

  The Clinch (https://www.facebook.com/theclinchofficial) are a street punk/oi band from Melbourne who featured on here back in 2020 with the title track to their Basecamp album (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-clinch-basecamp.html). 

  I wrote at the time "The album contains 11 catchy, anthemic singalongs. Gritty vocals stand out nice and clear over instruments that are played with gusto by a band that have clearly honed their skills supporting the likes of Cockney Rejects, SLF, The Exploited etc..." and going of the evidence of their new single, it's a skill that hasn't deserted them.

  The single is the second one to be taken from their upcoming album, Times Up (the first was called Melbourne (https://open.spotify.com/album/5A0uaLAvV2QJqAnvpMtSiY). 

  The album will be released in July by Sunny Bastards. 

    Accompanied with a rather nice boxing video, this is Journeyman... 

Plastic Meat - Burn With Me

   

  Whilst checking the Just Some Punk Songs database I noticed I'd played Madrid band Plastic Meat on the show back in October 2025 (I must have featured something from their debut self titled ep though it slips my mind what).

  They're back with a new 6 song ep titled Losing It which was released on their Bandcamp page in March as a name your price download https://plasticmeat.bandcamp.com/album/losing-it

  Now it's getting a 7" vinyl release via FOLC Records

 https://folcrecords.bandcamp.com/album/folc308-plastic-meat-losing-it

  Nicking info from the Bandcamp page; they formed in 2024, their songs are short and direct and the influences mentioned include Ron Asheton (Stooges), The Chats, Split System, X-Ray Spex & Amyl and the Sniffers.

  This is the opening track, it's called Burn With Me... 

Fantasy Premier League

 

Another season comes to an end. Thanks to everyone who joined the Just Some Punk Songs league. The league was won by.... Me! I got 7 points more than last season but managed to pip James Coppard's team Red Djed Redemption to the title. 

  Last season's league winner Andy Plant won the cup this time around beating Harrison Flint 64-55 in the final. 

  See you all next season.

 1 Just Some Punk Songs Mick Fletcher 2,352

 2 Red Djed Redemption James Coppard 2,286

 3 Glory Hunter James McIver 2,246

 4 Dingo Ate My Baby Vinny Vincent 2,238

 5 BOVINE BANJO BASHERS Skot McGuffog 2,193

 6 To Win Just Once John Curry 2,188

 7 Wretched Rovers Pete Marler 2,152

 8 Rebel Express AFC Tim Bray 2,139

 9 Plantys Champions ANDREW PLANT 2,129

 10 I'm Amad Head Harrison Rigby 2,113

 11 Big Bangers FC Kandy Ramsey 2,109

 12 Up The Palace Colin Clark 2,104

 13 MacAwoniyi Cheese Harrison Flint 2,079

 14 El Loco Motives Richard Howe 2,075

 15 Southern Delusion Gary Webb 2,072

 16 Hello you Counts paul spice 2,056

 17 ShotFromBothSides Gary Hough 2,054

 18 Inner City Sumo FC Chris Collins 2,043

 19 Sesko McNeil Deal Adam Rigby 2,037

 20 DaYaThinkImZirkzee Mik Mac 2,030

 21 Stärkande Starköl Anders Jacobsson 2,010

 22 yaya blues fc Mark Perrs 1,995

 23 Rays Dreamers RAYMOND PLANT 1,978

 24 Sandra FC Miguel Dale Houghton 1,966

 25 Restored Ian Riley 1,954

 26 Moosey Graham Powell 1,877

 27 East Wonk Utd Matthew Rayner 1,861

 28 Terrorbulls Anthony glynn 1,824

 29 Elland back Rob Wilkinson 1,821

 30 Badly packed kebabs Sean St Leone 1,791

 31 FondleMyRack FC Simon Poxon 1,719

MK Ultras - My Time

   

  Cleveland, Ohio garage punk heroes MK Ultras (https://www.facebook.com/mkultrasofficial) are back with a new ep.

  I featured them on here last year when I highlighted one of the best songs from 2025  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2025/04/mk-ultras-pray-for-us.html 

  The new ep features 4 more great tracks and it's available on limited edition 7" vinyl (250 copies so don't hang around) from Goodbye Boozy Records. 

https://goodbyeboozydigital.bandcamp.com/album/mk-ultras

https://mkultras.bandcamp.com/album/goodbye-boozy-e-p

  This track is a doozy, it's called My Time... 

God's Hand - Police Lorry

   

  A band today that I've just stumbled across and that I've pretty much no information about. God's Hand are from Iowa City and have just released what I'm assuming is their 2nd single. 

  They're a band very much influenced by the late 70's UK punk scene. Their sound will remind you of some of your favourite bands.

  This latest release features a couple of tracks and it's available on Bandcamp as a name your price download : https://godsband.bandcamp.com/album/police-lorry-wind-up-toys

  I hope we hear more from them.

  This is Police Lorry... 

Pjolterguys - New World

  

  Do any of you guys remember Oslo band Danger!man? 

  Top band they were and they featured a couple of times on this blog. 

  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2016/06/dangerman-never-black-never-white.html

  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/08/dangerman-onions.html

  Alas they seem to be no more but from the ashes... here's new band Pjolterguys (https://www.facebook.com/pjolterguys). 

  They've just released a debut album titled Hunting Season and unsurprisingly it's a winner. They promise a "catchy, melodic and dynamic punkrock record that jumps out of the speakers and grabs hold of you" and they aren't lying! You can check it out here : https://pjolterguys.bandcamp.com/album/hunting-season

   It's pretty much impossible to single out a highlight as the whole damn thing is one big highlight so let's just go with the opening track. This is New World...

I’ve seen your every you, in every fucking way I’ve seen the things you do, and it was not for me You burn everything in sight, in search of a new world I see your hatred, your writing on the walls That every sperm is sacred until every building falls You’ll end up in a corner with your back up against the wall I’ve seen your every you, in every fucking way I’ve seen the things you do, and it was not for me You burn everything in sight, in search of a new world Generations searching for a place to call their home Searching for a purpose and a fight to call their own But in the end we're all the same There's no one else to blame But you keep feeding the fire Anything will burn when it’s soaked in gasoline Firebreathers and liars With one hand on the bible and your back against the wall Stupid is what stupid does So get down off your cross I’ve seen your every you, in every fucking way I’ve seen the things you do, and it was not for me You burn everything in sight, in search of a new world Your kind has been around as long as we’ve been here You’re angry and you’re disappointed, no one seem to care The causes you are fighting for are never what they seem So pull your head out of your ass and wake up from your dream But you keep feeding the fire Anything will burn when it’s soaked in gasoline Firebreathers and liars With one hand on the bible and your back against the wall You’ll never take another step, as you might trip and fall Stupid is what stupid does So get down off your cross

 

Collaps - Away From You

   

  I'm still being a bit lazy at the moment, there's been a distinct lack of updates on here but my good friend Ralph J Rivera drew my attention to today's earworm and it got my juices flowing. 

  It's by a German band called Collaps. They're an oi trio from North Rhine-Westphalia and they've just released a very impressive album titled Getting Used To The Dirt. It's available via Primator Crew / Oi The Boat and you can check it out here (it's available name your price) :  https://collapspunk.bandcamp.com/album/getting-used-to-the-dirt

  Ralph was throwing around comparisons with the likes of Abrasive Wheels, The Partisans, Peter & The Test Tube Babies and Infa-Riot and he proclaimed this song to be the anthem track (and who am I to disagree!).

  This is Away From You... 

Private Function - Music Sucks (Fuck You)

   

  Today we bid a fond farewell to Private Function (https://www.facebook.com/privatefunctionmelbourne). Regulars to both the blog and the show, the Melbourne band have called it a day after 10 glorious years. They're going out whilst they're still on top. 

 I believe it's the only song they've released on 45rpm.

  I think it's fair to say they've gone out with a bang. 

  This is Music Sucks (Fuck You)... 

Sick Thoughts - My Heart Is Breaking Over You

   

  Whilst not a new song, today's earworm has just been reissued and it's rattling round in my mind so I thought I'd post it on here. 

  Sick Thoughts, aka Drew Owen (https://www.facebook.com/drew.owen.142) are certainly no strangers to Just Some Punk Songs having featured several times since 2014. On that occasion I posted a song titled Frustrated and said "If, instead of writing a blog, I was a radio dj, and I had a record of the week slot whereby I selected the best of the weeks new releases, Frustrated by Sick Thoughts would now be booming out on the nation's airwaves." 

  Shortly after that I sort of did become a dj and have played numerous Sick Thoughts songs including a couple from his 2023 ep Born To Blitzkrieg. But it seems I didn't feature anything from that release on here. As Slovenly Recordings have reissued both that and last years Another Piece Of Plastic it's a good excuse to rectify things.

  You can find the reissues here on vinyl and digital download : 

https://slovenly.bandcamp.com/album/sick-thoughts-born-to-blitzkrieg

https://slovenly.bandcamp.com/album/sick-thoughts-another-piece-of-plastic

  This song highlight's Drew's tender side. He's tapping into his power pop influences. It's called My Heart Is Breaking Over You... 

Bard Company - Born In The North, Die In The North

 

  Bard Company (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035953076131) are a folk punk band from Wigan. A working class outfit with anthemic, tuneful songs that are often political and always from the heart. 

  I played a couple of songs from their 2022 album Northern Powerhouse on the show a few years ago and I've repeated that by playing a couple of new songs on the last two shows (both went down a storm with the listeners).

  The new album is titled 21st Century Bullshit Detector and it's deserving of your attention. It opens with the title track and it's a song that pretty much sums up the band's anger towards our ruling elite (and those that are in opposition)... "They promise you the earth in their manifesto All you get’s frustration with the end results though." 

   Other tracks encourage the listener unite against the rise in right wing rhetoric and remind us that "we  might not have much but we got each other." There's even a touching song about Ian Curtis "You gave us Unknown Pleasures You made the shadows play Till you took desperate measures And your own life away Destroyed by epilepsy You stared into the void Premature mortality Took away our joy." 

  A quality album throughout, it's available on cd and digital download :  https://thecrowsofalbion.bandcamp.com/album/bard-company-21st-century-bullshit-detector

  This song touches the heartstrings of someone who was born in Lancaster and will probably end his days in Chorley. It's called Born In The North, Die In The North... 

Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from northern towns Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from working class towns We’re anti-racism, we’re anti-Fash We believe in people not power and cash So come and join us, you’ll take no harm We’ll welcome you with open arms Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from northern towns Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from working class towns From the land of cotton, industry and mines Working class struggles in the hardest times Everyone together black, brown and white One working class struggle one working class fight Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from northern towns Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from working class towns We’ll pull no punches – say what we will We don’t really care if we die on this hill A song and chorus to those who inspire Raise your voices in the land of fire BREAK Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from northern towns Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from working class towns Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from northern towns Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from working class towns Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from northern towns Born in the North, die in the north We’re working class folk from working class towns

Down And Outs - Last Orders

   

  April 17th 2026. Both a great day and a sad one. Liverpool trio Down And Outs (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063529751445) have just released their 6th album. Sadly, after 23 years of treating us to some of the best punk tunes you'll hear, it's also their final album. 

  Featuring a line up of Chris Howard (bass/vocals), Morgan Brown (drums/vocals) & Mark Magill (vocals/guitar) the album is titled Disconnect and it's available on vinyl (Brassneck Records & Dead Broke Records), cd (Waterslide Records) and as a name your price digital download. 

https://downandouts.bandcamp.com/album/disconnect

https://brassneckrecords.bandcamp.com/album/disconnect

  You'll already know what to expect by now (if not, go wild and take advantage of all the name your price downloads on their Bandcamp page)... a bunch of finely crafted melodic punk gems. It'll not be the same without these guys (although Mark has mentioned "There's some unreleased songs, demos and bits and bobs in the vault that I'll upload at some point. I'm sure you can manage without it, but why not, eh?" so maybe there's a little more to come one day). 

  This seems an apt song to feature, it's called Last Orders... 

Cowboy Hunters - Shag Slags Not Flags

   

  A nice booming singalong chorus today in a song that deals with one of the hot topics of our times.

  Cowboy Hunters (https://www.facebook.com/CowboyHunters) are a noisy duo from Scotland who've been pretty prolific over the last 3 years. A mix of old school confrontational attitude and modern day soundscapes they should appeal to pretty much everyone (I say should but unfortunately most people wouldn't know good music if it bit them on the arse!). 

  They recently released a 5 track ep titled EPeepee. Duelling vocals, anger and humour, cd and digital download. Give it a listen... https://cowboyhunters.bandcamp.com/album/epeepee

 Song title of the week goes to this one, it's called Shag Slags Not Flags... 

Long day at work she comes home to a mess
Said he'd clean up but he's over at friends
Is she getting some tonight
She's not holding her breath
Gets her laptop
Then it's open to vent
(I'll have what she's having)
43 with a flag in her bio
Says she hates blanks
But that is a typo
The sexual frustration
You could catch with your eyes closed
Lonely at night
So turned to a wino
I know a few guys 6 out of 10's
Could sort your life out
Make a chick of a hen
Get your dickstraction
You'd be listening then
But for now she's finding foreigners
And wishing them death
She goes

Oh no you crossed a line one a map
You better get online
Cause it's time to attack
Maybe get outside
Try and lie on the grass
Mate you should
Everyone

Shag slags not flags
Shag slags not flags
Shag slags not flags
Shag slags not flags

Let me guess
Your wife left didn't she
Took the house, kids, money,
And your dignity
How you cope has got your
Twitter feed in disbelief
Any prick can see
You're on the wrong side of history

Oh no you crossed a line one a map
You better get online
Cause it's time to attack
Maybe get outside
Try and lie on the grass
Mate you should
Everyone

Shag slags not flags
Shag slags not flags
Shag slags not flags
Shag slags not flags

Magic of the Marketplace - The Spectators are Leaving

   

  Today's song is the one I played at the end of last night's Just Some Punk Songs show (a pretty apt choice I thought).

  Magic Of The Marketplace (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571905406046) are a band I featured on here back in 2019 when they had the even longer name of Higgins and The Magic Of The Marketplace   https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/02/higgins-and-magic-of-marketplace-emily.html 

  I mentioned at the time that it was the solo project of Andy Higgins from Blackpool band Litterbug. Hopefully you remember them (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2018/05/litterbug-dont-change.html). 

  There's a new 5 song ep out in which Andy's aided and abetted by Luke Hesketh Drums (Sonic Boom Six), James Routh Difficult bass bits (Sonic Boom Six) & UK Nige Vocals and additional guitars (Sick 56, One Way System, The Diggers). It's titled The Spectators Are Leaving and it's available on cd and as a name your price download https://jsntgmrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-spectators-are-leaving

  There's a video for opening track When The Story Ends (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3AOkKNtPqs) but the song I'm highlighting is the title track, The Spectators Are Leaving... 

Sweat - Smaller Cages, Shorter Chains

   

  Sweat (https://www.instagram.com/sweat_rockers/) have been around since 2019, having fun, making noise and gaining a lot of fans. They play hardcore punk chock full of hard hitting riffs AND catchy melodies. 

  They've just released a new album titled Tear It On Down. Featuring a line up of  Tuna Tardugno  (vocals),  Anthony Rivera (drums), Justin Smith (guitar/vocals) & Kevin Conway (bass), it's an energetic blast that'll appeal to fans of bands such as Amyl And The Sniffers, Slaughterhouse & Scowl. Check it out here : https://sweatrockers666.bandcamp.com/album/tear-it-on-down

  This is just one of many highlights, it's called Smaller Cages, Shorter Chains... 

Opposition a long standing tradition Pitting me against you And us against them But we won’t take the bait Can’t give them the satisfaction Because all we get is smaller cages and shorter chains They didn’t pull the trigger They just made the mold Don’t want any trouble Just do as they’re told Ammunition another tradition Turn their backs applaud misuse Applaud abuse Can’t let them have comfort cause all we get Is smaller cages and shorter chains They didn’t pull the trigger They just made the mold Record profits Before the guns gone cold Don’t want any trouble Just want the gold Your days are numbered Your days are numbered While The cages getting smaller The chains are getting shorter The rage is growing stronger The kids are getting smarter Your days are numbered Where’s the melody in murder Where’s the melody in murder The cages getting smaller The chains are getting shorter The kids are getting smarter Your days are numbered You’re outnumbered And getting number But we’re not

The Dear Boys - I Hope You Know How Fucking Cool You Are

"You’re the greatest you’re the latest you’re that superstar..."

Do you remember back in the day when we had punk pioneers such as The Pistols, The Clash, The Damned etc. 3 chords, attitude and some spiky melody? Do you remember we also had the likes of Wreckless Eric, Ian Dury, TV Personalities etc. DIY acts that weren't quite punk but comfortably fit under that umbrella. Today's song reminds me of them.

The Dear Boys are from Bexhill On Sea in East Sussex. They're a trio made up of Tony Page, Tony Fletcher & Brett Buddy Ascott and last month they released their first single of 2026 (their 5th physical release). It's part of the build up to an album which is planned for later this year. 

Dedicated to the next generation, it's a song that seeks to promote self worth. Get out there kids, the world is yours. Take it. You're great!

It's available as a double A sided cassingle and digital download :   https://thedearboys.bandcamp.com/track/i-hope-you-know-how-fucking-cool-you-are-2

This is I Hope You Know How Fucking Cool You Are... 

 

The Hallingtons - I Met The Mothman

   

  I don't think I've posted much in the way of pop punk recently so let's rectify that today. 

  The Hallingtons (https://www.facebook.com/hallingtons) are a trio from Oslo. They've been on here a few times previously and have been one of my favourite purveyors of this kind of catchy punk tuneage. This was their first appearance https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-hallingtons-running-from-ussr.html

  Last November saw them release an album titles No Plan. It was definitely a case of if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Songs about girls and various Sci-Fi shenanigans, it was crammed with hooks and harmonies. You can check it out here : https://thehallingtons.bandcamp.com/album/no-plan

  They've just posted a video for one of the songs, it's about an encounter with a legendary winged humanoid creature with glowing red eyes. As I recently read a novel by Hunter Shea titled Shadow Of The Mothman it kind of struck a chord. This is I Met The Mothman... 

Cittizins - The Last Resort

 

  Cittizins are a new oi band from New England. And there ends my knowledge of the band!

  This is the catchy title track from their debut album. You can find it on Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/track/76WM3bs6y3c50vI7AqnL6q

It's called The Last Resort...

Boots pound the pavement, storming the streets

No more warnings, no more peace
Shaved heads gleaming under the lights
You wanted war? we’ll do it tonight

Steel-toed vengeance, cold as a corpse
You called us out, now get ready for war
No second chances, no room for regret
You’ll pay the price, you won’t forget

(Chorus)
This is the last resort
You’ve given no choice
This is the last resort
Go get all your boys
The talk is over
The dance is finished
When we catch up with your crew
We won’t leave a witness

Fists like hammers, crackin’ your jaw
No mercy given, we break the law
Brass knuckles shine in the neon glow
This ain’t for show—it’s all we know

Battle scars from a hundred brawls
Backs to the wall, but we never fall
Loyalty’s inked deep in our skin
Blood for blood, let the game begin!

(Chorus)

Iron-clad code, we stand as one
No one runs ‘til the job is done
Streetlights flicker, sirens scream
But the gang rolls on—the sickest team

The battle’s won, the street is ours
Echoes fade through the midnight hours
Remember our names, remember the pain
Cross us once—you won’t do it again!

(Chorus)

Kotskat - Knit (Guest Review By Dirk Ceustermans)

KOTSKAT - FLOWERS (Pang Pang/Zwendel)

Hey does it get any better than this?

It's shaky, 

it's like "Can you dance to it" (cfr Snuky Tate),

It's honest, 

it's childish,

it's fun,

Exactly what punk is about.

Flowers makes me happy

and it ain't too shabby

if you like your lo fi

in full on D.I.Y

Renske worked hard

to stick some eyes

on the middle part

Kotkat never tries

is what their manifesto said

Check it out : https://kotskat.bandcamp.com/album/flowers

This is Knit... 

Lotus - Ouroboros II: One Life, One Weight (Reprise) (Guest Review By Dirk Ceustermans)

   

 

  My favourite Belgian, Dirk Ceustermans, returns with a review...

  LOTUS - FOREVER MARTIAL 12" (Shield Recordings, SLD163)

  https://lotusbelgium.bandcamp.com/track/ouroboros-ii-one-life-one-weight-3

  Coming back into the picture with a 12" are LOTUS (https://www.facebook.com/LotusBelgium/) a band that always ranked high in my Belgian list of great bands. They play hardcore but with a different approach than the majority of other bands here in Belgium. Their style is defined by spartanic power riffing and a pounding rhythm section that alternates tempos. Blended with passionate vocals that scream out the parlando manifestos of each song added to this cocktail of angry short assaults.

  For sure a style that I can devour with delight. Ever since their first release "ISRAEL", they've left an impression on me, and again on this 13 odd minute 10 track release, they managed to do so again.

  Last weekend I went to see their release show, I was looking forward to it as it had become a bit quiet around Lotus (or was it me not paying attention?). So taking the opportunity to get me a copy of this 12" and now listening it for a few times, it is yet again a production so solid that could crush your little ear cells. 

  I picked out the song in which they tried out a bit of different approach through adding reverb on the vocals, it adds value to "Ouroboros II: One Life".

I didn’t walk out on a town that just wouldn’t burn when I was on fire

Into the fever of the city to get a little more nowhere
The days crawl by and for some sick little reason
The nights make me feel even less alive

The routine moon, the aisling sun
The mechanical grind, the perpetual drudge
And all my rage, the rage of stone
It’s weighing me down with savage disgust

And it’s dragging me back under again

The routine is coming in heads over tails
Teeth into scales
And it’s biting down hard again

Whenever I’m light on my wings
The pendulum always swings
And I come down hard again

The moon shines cold on my head full of lead
And I don’t feel like I’ve come out of my twenties alive
Each passing day, I grow unwell in a new way
And time keeps eating away at the good stuff

The worst always turns to worse, I’ve been dealing in hurt
Like a memorial of youth idly biding its time
But “our life is a journey through winter and night
We look for our way in a sky without light”*


*Words humbly borrowed from ‘Song of the Swiss Guards, 1793’ as referenced by Louis-Ferdinand Céline in ‘Voyage au bout de la nuit

  

The Antics - Dogs Bloody Dogs

   

  I've just noticed it's been a week since the last update. Sometimes the enthusiasm waxes, sometimes it wanes. Should I post more often or should I call it a day? Or should I just post as and when something comes along demanding to be shouted about? 

  Like the song I'm sharing today.

  The Antics (https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Antics-61559489248945/) are the Melbourne band that I featured last August (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2025/08/the-antics-takings.html). 

  I mentioned I was looking forward to hearing more. Now I have heard more as they've just released a self titled album. There's loads of great Aussie bands around at the moment. Antics are one of the best. The album's available on limited edition transparent red vinyl and as a digital download and I recommend you check it out https://the-antics.bandcamp.com/album/the-antics-2

  Passionate vocals, blitzkrieg guitars and even a bit of barking! This is Dogs Bloody Dogs... 

Failed Teachers - All Jobs Are Bastards

   

  So what's caught my eye (or ear) today? 

  That would be a new album by Swiss duo Failed Teachers (https://www.facebook.com/failedteachers).

  I'd not come across them before but they've been around since 2001 when "two failed teachers hit Swiss shopping streets with a toy drum kit, battery amp and wild punk “lessons”, earning a reputation as mostly dangerous but always educational." Now "in 2026, the world is completely fucked and satire is dead, but Failed Teachers are back with anthems that make any stadium crowd switch sides, raw rage-soaked hardcore rippers and flute parts played by TV celebrities."

  The album is titled We Hate Everything You Adore and it's packed with catchy, fun ditties. You can check it out here : https://failedteachers.bandcamp.com/album/we-hate-everything-you-adore

  Lots of highlights to choose from so I'll play Antifa-Fa-Fantasy on this week's show and for the blog I'll go with All Jobs Are Bastards...

A - J - A - B I know they rip me off and I’ve got to bow my knee Clocking in at 8 o’clock, let ’em put those chains on me They call it deadline — I know exactly what it means Eight hours, suicidal dreams All jobs are bastards — can’t you see? (Lay down all your tools) All jobs are bastards — can’t you see? (Wage labour is for fools) All jobs are bastards — all jobs are bastards All jobs are bastards — can’t you see? Doesn't matter where you stand — you're up against the wall Woodworker, manager or packer at a mall I walk like a soldier, like a coffee-drinking jerk I am not me when I’m at work A - J - A - B All jobs are bastards — can’t you see? (Let’s go back to bed) All jobs are bastards — can’t you see? (The working class is dead) All jobs are bastards — all jobs are bastards All jobs are bastards — can’t you see? A - J - A - B

Dropkick Murphys - Always By My Side

   

  I don't think we really need any introduction to the Dropkick Murphys (https://www.facebook.com/DropkickMurphys). They've been around since 1996 and have been one of the most successful punk bands of the last 30 years. 

  Hopefully by now you're also all aware of Boston hardcore heroes Haywire. I've featured them a couple of times previously.

 https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2024/11/haywire-clocktower-place.html

 https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2025/06/haywire-summer-nights.html

  I'm always excited when I hear they've new music out. I think their songs are equally as catchy as the Dropkick Murphys' (maybe just in a slightly different way?). So the news that both bands were collaborating on a split album really got my pulse racing. 

  The album's titled New England Forever and features 8 tracks. You can listen here :  https://open.spotify.com/album/1QLd43rPsA1fPd0iDkbiJN

  Every track is a winner but today I'm highlighting Dropkick Murphys covering a Haywire favourite (you can compare and contrast it with the original here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aLz_68d47c). This is Always By My Side... 

Colère - Do You Love The Nazis

  

  Colère (https://www.facebook.com/colerepunk) are a D-beat influenced hardcore punk band out of Belgium who released an album at the start of 2024 titled Unleashed (https://colerepunk.bandcamp.com/album/unleashed). 

  They've contributed a track to a new ep on Belly Button Records and Pang Pang Records titled 50 Years The Kids. It features a couple of tracks by legendary Belgian band The Kids as well as covers by Hetze, Colère and Kotskat. It's available on mega rare vinyl (there's only 87 special red/blue copies) and digital download :  https://bellybuttonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/50-years-the-kids  

  This is a blistering cover by Colère of a song by The Kids that originally featured on the 1978 classic Self Titled album (https://thekids.bandcamp.com/album/the-kids). It's called Do You Love The Nazis...

 I love the way they dressed, they seemed so decadent

 I love to wear their medals, they make some people mad at me

 Do you love the nazi's, do you love the nazi's?

 And do you like the gestapo? and do you like the fascists?

 Oh no, oh no, oh no Oh no, oh no, oh no

 Why should i be a fascist, because i wear my clothes like them

 And why should i be bad, because i raise my hand to heaven

 Do you love the nazi's, do you love the nazi's? 

 And do you like the gestapo? and do you like the fascists?

 Oh no, oh no, oh no Oh no, oh no, oh no

The Film Critics - Laundry Room

   

  A new band to me, they're called The Film Critics, they're a trio from London, Ontario and they feature a line up of Kell (guitar/vox/melodica), Soph (guitar/backing vox) & Isaac (drums). 

  They've just released a debut ep titled 4 Songs From... and it's an endearingly shambolic bit of DIY fun. You can check it out here : https://thefilmcritics.bandcamp.com/album/4-songs-from

  My favourite song from it is about washing clothes. It's called Laundry Room...