Our Souls - Cough Ya Life Up

    

  A song today that originally came out last year on an album titled I'm An Adult In A Punk Rock Band (https://weareoursouls.bandcamp.com/album/im-an-adult-in-a-punk-rock-band) and which has now been included on a rather nice compilation album released by King's Lynn DIY label Socks On Records. The ep features 20 plus bands including the likes of Das Kapitans, Muscle Vest, Al Pacinos Sister, Get The Fuck Outta Dodge, Rites Of Hadda and many more. You can check it out here :  https://socksonrecords.bandcamp.com/album/socks-on-records-friends-vol-2

  Hailing from Leicester, Our Souls (https://www.facebook.com/WeAreOurSouls) admit to being "a motley crew of spare parts from other bands no one heard of, less cared about." They line up like this, Andy (bass), Ben (drums), Ian (vocals),  Jim (guitar/vocals) & Mark (guitar/vocals), and they'll likely remind you of most of your favourite 90's punk bands. 

  This is the track they contributed to the comp, it's called Cough Ya Life Up...

Another day out of the coffin The space in between the morning hadn't Changed a fucking thing Cos I'm still anxiously waiting I'm waiting for the worst Waiting for something to bite Chomping at the bit Getting through by the skin of my teeth Never felt simply whelmed Just got through one day at a time Never faced shit straight on Just got through one day at a time Another week from hell And I can live with these weekends if they Let me control something Until I'm back anxiously waiting

The OhNos - Kiss the Boot

  

  I'm a bit late to the party with this one as it was released last year but I think it's well worth a place on the blog (and it'll get a play on the show later today).

  It's by a band from Malmo called The OhNos  (https://www.facebook.com/QueensOfTheUnderworld) who've been around since 2014 and it's taken from their 2nd album, Waving From Hades. They mix up elements of alt rock with garage and a little punk and they call to mind a number of other Just Some Punk Songs featured artists such as The Mysterines, Jo-Jo & The Teeth and Soap Girls. The album's available via Beluga Records and you can get it on vinyl https://www.belugarecords.com/products/the-ohnos-waving-from-hades or digital download https://theohnos.bandcamp.com/album/waving-from-hades 

  Great song, cool video, this is Kiss The Boot...

I've been down And I’ve been out Burning holes into my couch Holes into my couch Holes into my couch I've been lost And left for dead Waking up in hotel beds Up in hotel beds Up in hotel beds You say that I am scum That I drag you down into the slum As I fall from grace You fall to your face And while you’re down there, why don’t you Kiss the boot I've been betting high and low And losing every game Hun, it's such a shame Hun, it’s such a shame Maybe i should just give up Accept all work, no play But honey, not today Honey, not today! You say my voice is too loud I maintain you’re just too proud Now you’re crawling on all fours Cos sobriety is such a bore And while you’re down there, Why don't you kiss the boot Kiss the boot…

MVLL CRIMES - Just Like Heaven

  

  One of my favourite songs from last year was Arguing With Strvngers (I featured it here :  https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2022/09/mvll-crimes-arguing-with-strvngers.html) by Canadian quartet (Jill Clair (Vocals/Lyrics), Patrick Briggs (Guitar), Laurie McColeman (Bass) & Evan Martin (Drums)) MVLL CRIMES. 

  Noticing they'd a new single out and that it was a cover of a Cure classic (one that had already been covered in some style by Dinosaur Jr) I was intrigued as to what they'd do with it. I wasn't disappointed. It's not a million miles removed from the original though the bass to me sounds very much to be influenced by Public Image whilst Jill's vocals are pleasingly deadpan. What's more it's available as a free download and backed by a very enjoyable Incorrect Thoughts Sessions version of  BOOTLICKER'S DELIGHT REPRISVL. Grab it here :    https://mvllcrimes.bandcamp.com/album/just-like-heaven-2

   This is Just Like Heaven... 

Flower - The Contrarian (Guest Review By Ralph J Rivera)

  

  How do I write a review for an album I've listened to every day since it was released on December 26th, 2022? Well I'm gonna give it my best shot and hope you all give this one a listen.

  "Flower" from Brooklyn, NY have made quite the impact already on the modern "Crust Punk/Anarcho" scene. Since 2017 they have released 3 hard as hell to find cassettes that set the new bar pretty high. Consisting of Danny on vocals, Willow on guitar, Mar on bass and Calder on drums. This powerhouse has already been compared to all the greats of the past (Sacrilege, Amebix, Antisect and Nausea) which all comes through in their blistering attacks on religion, gentrification and prejudice. But I don't think anyone was prepared for this full length album "Hardly A Dream".

  Currently available as a download on their Bandcamp and pre-orders are up over at "Profane Existence"  https://profaneexistence.storenvy.com/products/36347656-flower-hardly-a-dream-lp

  If this masterpiece had been released earlier it would have topped many lists for Album Of The Year, including mine. 12 songs of thoroughly modern Crust Punk classics that range from full on ragers to nearly psychedelic jams that remind me of the legendary "Iowaska". To me the crowning achievement is the 9th song "The Contrarian" in which singer Danny completely vents her spleen in a nearly spoken word explosion of rage. I can't recommend this album enough and if it matters I personally pre-ordered the LP/T-Shirt bundle! When 2023 comes to an end I can't see anything topping this for AOTY.

Name your price download : https://flowernewyorkcity.bandcamp.com/album/hardly-a-dream

  This is The Contrarian... 

ABOVE ALL, GUILT PREVAILS. WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, THERE IS STILL FEAR. WHAT A FORTUITOUS TOOL TO BUILD UP THE WALLS OF OUR OWN PENS. KEPT IN KENNELS, COWERING AWAY FROM THE THREAT OF EXILE. DISINTEGRATE! THE ACTION OF OUR LIFE FORCE. DENY THE INTERNAL, INDULGE THE LEARNED ACTION OF SELF DOUBT. UNWITTINGLY, WE HAVE ABSORBED THE SUPERIOR MENTALITY OF AMERICA. AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE REGARDED AS CONSCIOUS, HERE IS WHERE GUILT STILL PREVAILS. THEY SUBVERT THEIR OWN OPINIONS, TO GRASP AT ABSOLVEMENT. REVEALING- THEORY IS PERFORMANCE. DIVULGING- FEAR AS A SELF CONCERN! FOR THERE IS MUCH TO FEAR, WHEN UNITY’S FOCUS IS ON OUR CONTRASTS. WHEN APOLOGY IS THE MOTIVE FOR ALL GESTURE. A CHANCE SELF SABOTAGE IS A SINISTER LEAD FOR OUR CAPTORS. HALTING PROGRESS, USING REFUSAL AS A FOOTHOLD TO BOLSTER A PERSONAL STEP AT THE EXPENSE OF AN ALREADY NEBULOUS CAUSE. NOT ONE CORRUPTION CHANGES, FOR NO ACTION IS MADE. AN AGREEMENT REMAINS UNDONE, THE IDEA PRIMARILY SEEKING PRAISE. ASHAMED FOR THAT IMPULSE, AND LOATHE TO REFLECT; POINT A FINGER, BLAME! AND HERE IT REMAINS, STILL YET, NO CHANGE IS MADE. NO CONSENSUS, NOT EVEN A TRUE-HEARTED MISTAKE. GUILT. MARRIED TO THE STRUGGLE, AS IF A VICTORY IS A LOSS OF ONE’S OWN NAME. LIKE THE HESITATION TO SOLVE A PUZZLE AND FACE THE LIGHT BURDEN OF BOREDOM. ABHORRENCE OF CHANGE. PRIVILEGE, FEAR. FIND THE PURPOSE NOT IN THE PURITY OF THE EFFORT ITSELF, OR THE FATEDLY IMPERFECT STEPS THERE. BUT RATHER, IN THE PRODUCT, THE MOVEMENT, THE WHEELS THAT TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF PROGRESS. THE GRACIOUS ACCEPTANCE OF FLAW, IN THE NAME OF A NEW POSSIBILITY. SHEDDING THE NOTIONS OF FALSE SCARCITY, AS THE NARROWING IS NOT IN THE ABUNDANCE OF IDEAS BUT IN ITS CREATORS IMPOTENCE. FEAR. GUILT. INACTION. DISINTEGRATE, REGRESS. REGAIN INNOCENT CONSCIOUSNESS AS HUMILITY PREVAILS.

  

Backhand - Are The Chains Really Off?

  

  Sorry it's been a bit quiet on here for the last week or so, I could say there's not been an awful lot of new releases during the first week of 2023 or mention that I've been suffering from this bout of lurgy that's been going round but in all honesty I just couldn't be arsed writing anything. But today here's the 1st update of the year.

  Backhand (https://www.facebook.com/people/Backhand/100083576941984/) are a new hardcore punk band from Sydney who are speaking out about gender violence, mental health and indigenous injustice. They line up thus : KP (vocals), Macca (guitar), Trouble (drums) & Jay (bass). They've just released a debut single of which they say; 

Over the years, governments have made it their mission to be seen to tick as many boxes as possible in regards to issues faced by Aboriginal people. They have funded countless, meaningless programs, given countless, meaningless apologies and set goals and targets that have never been reached. They have wasted millions on reports, without consulting with our communities, they have wasted millions on deciding what's best for us. Corporations have caught on and hijacked our traditions, they feel obligated to hang our art on their walls next to copies of their "Indigenous policies" giving them a false sense that they are contributing to our welfare. For over two hundred years there has been nothing but talk and bullshit. We are sick of talk. Its time to fucking listen!!

  It's a short, sharp blast of pent up rage and you can get it as a name your price download here :  https://backhandshc.bandcamp.com/releases

  There'll be a new ep titled GENTRIFICATION IS GENOCIDE out early this year so watch out for that.

  This is Are The Chains Really Off?

  200 years of displacement

 200 years of rape

 200 years of trauma

 200 years of violence

 200 years of racism

 200 years of sadness

 200 years of neglect

 200 years of genocide

 Are the chains really off?

Just Some Punk Songs Top 100 Songs Of 2022 : Top 50

  So, the Top 50 songs of 2022. Hopefully you'll check out some of the ones you haven't yet come across. Hopefully you'll enjoy them...

50) DARTZ - No Dogs At This Party

https://smokedartz.bandcamp.com/track/no-dogs-at-this-party

49) THE MUDD CLUB - Rock n Roll Boy

https://themuddclub.bandcamp.com/track/rock-n-roll-boy

48) THE CHATS - Struck By Lightning

https://thechatslovebeer.bandcamp.com/track/struck-by-lightning-2

47) MVLL CRIMES - Arguing With Strvngers

https://mvllcrimes.bandcamp.com/track/arguing-with-strvngers

46) THE WEDDING PRESENT - Loneliest Time Of Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmVGO3LZxkg

45) KIDS ON A CRIME SPREE - When Can I See You Again?

https://slumberlandrecs.bandcamp.com/track/when-can-i-see-you-again

44) JUGGLING JUGULARS - Just Another Band

https://jugglingjugulars.bandcamp.com/track/just-another-band-2

43) NOBRO - Better Each Day

https://nobro.bandcamp.com/track/better-each-day-2

42) BOB VYLAN - He Sold Guns

https://bobvylan.bandcamp.com/track/he-sold-guns-2

41) VIXEN77 - Record Store

https://vixen77.bandcamp.com/track/record-store

40) SKIMMER - Playground Bully

https://bloatedkatrecords.bandcamp.com/track/playground-bully

39) PANDEMIX - World War None

https://dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/track/world-war-none

38) BAD BREEDING - Joyride

https://ironlungrecords.bandcamp.com/track/joyride

37) CYANIDE PILLS - The Kids Can't Be Trusted With Rock n Roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YRdqEBAeeY

36) INGRATES - Kickin' Down The Door

https://ingrates.bandcamp.com/track/kickin-down-the-doors

35) STANDARD ISSUE - Can We Be Free

https://standardissuepunk.bandcamp.com/track/can-we-be-free

34) POLS - Instinto

https://pols.bandcamp.com/track/instinto

33) STRAW MAN ARMY - Faces In The Dark

https://lavidaesunmus.bandcamp.com/track/faces-in-the-dark

32) ROMERO - Talk About It

https://romeromelbourne.bandcamp.com/track/talk-about-it

31) TENEMENT RATS - Nerve Gas Love

https://tenementrats.bandcamp.com/track/nerve-gas-love-2

30) THE COURETTES - Daydream

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_QTuSfcExU

29) LONG KNIFE - Scum

https://longknife.bandcamp.com/track/scum

28) THE HEAT INC. - '98

https://theheatinc.bandcamp.com/track/98

27) NEUTRALS - Gary Borthwick Says

https://neutrals.bandcamp.com/track/gary-borthwick-says

26) CONTINENTAL LOVERS - Dale Arden

https://continentallovers.bandcamp.com/track/dale-arden-2

25) SPRINTS - I'm In A Band

https://sprintsmusic.bandcamp.com/track/im-in-a-band

24) MERYL STREEK - Death To The Landlord

https://merylstreek.bandcamp.com/track/death-to-the-landlord

23) HURRY UP - No!

https://hurryuppdx.bandcamp.com/track/no

22) COSMIT - Pins And Needles

https://cosmit.bandcamp.com/track/pins-and-needles

21) MARTHA - Please Don't Take Me Back

https://marthadiy.bandcamp.com/track/please-dont-take-me-back-2

20) BOUDICCA - Ellen

https://boudicca.bandcamp.com/track/ellen-2

19) GAFFER - Factory

https://drunkensailorrecords.bandcamp.com/track/factory

18) SUZI MOON - Dumb & In Luv

https://suzimoon.bandcamp.com/track/dumb-in-luv

17) THE REMOTE CONTROLS - Haymarket Drunks

https://theremotecontrols.bandcamp.com/track/haymarket-drunks

16) ABI OOZE - Cry Alone

https://rottenapplelabel.bandcamp.com/track/cry-alone

15) ARMOURED FLU UNIT - Elsewhere Apartheid

https://armouredfluunit.bandcamp.com/track/elsewhere-apartheid

14) RABBIT - Gone Gone Gone

https://roughskiesrecords.bandcamp.com/track/gone-gone-gone-2

13) THE NILZ - So!

https://thenilz.bandcamp.com/track/so-featuring-aoife-destruction

12) SPLIT SYSTEM - Hit Me

https://splitsystem.bandcamp.com/track/hit-me-2

11) THE OUT-SECT - Go Away

https://theoutsect.bandcamp.com/track/go-away

10) BAMBOO VIPERS - The Runt Of The Litter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pza2za8wu8

9)  PRESS CLUB - Untitled Wildlife

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIHjpFOo_tU

8)  PLAY DEAD - Offy

https://weareplaydead.bandcamp.com/track/offy-2

7)  BEAR AWAY - When The Earth Turns Slow

https://bearaway.bandcamp.com/track/when-the-earth-turns-slow

6)  BLEMISH - Paranoia

https://notfortheweakrecords.bandcamp.com/track/paranoia-2

5)  SLOW FACTION - 1945

https://slowfaction.bandcamp.com/track/1945

4) MAD MOJO JETT - Hard To Be Broken

https://madmojojett.bandcamp.com/track/hard-to-be-broken

3)  BAD//DREEMS - Jack

https://baddreems.bandcamp.com/track/jack

2)  TEARJERKER (Ft. FRANKIE STUBBS) - Love Being Alone

https://tjlrr.bandcamp.com/track/love-being-alone

1)  THE PRIZE - Wrong Side Of Town

https://theprizemelbourne.bandcamp.com/track/wrong-side-of-town

Just Some Punk Songs Top 100 Songs of 2022 : 100-51

  As has become a bit of a tradition, here's the Just Some Punk Songs end of 2022 chart. It's only a bit of fun designed to get people to check out some of the music I enjoyed that they might have missed. Don't take the chart placings too seriously. Number 1 is better (in my opinion) than number 100 though many of the other placings would be different on a different day. Hopefully you find plenty to enjoy but if you think it's a load of old shite feel free to compile your own charts. As always, it's only one song per band allowed. 

100) DOE STREET - The Old Guard

https://doest.bandcamp.com/track/the-old-guard

99) THE SORELS - Love Your Rock n Roll

https://retarecords.bandcamp.com/track/love-your-rock-n-roll

98) INDRE KRIG - Claustrophobia

https://indrekrig.bandcamp.com/track/claustrophobia

97) THE BAD SHAPES - My Body

https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/track/my-body

96) BLONDE REVOLVER - Lipstick And Leather

https://blonderevolver.bandcamp.com/track/lipstick-and-leather-2

95) JON SPENCER AND THE HITMAKERS - Junk Man

https://jonspencerthehitmakers.bandcamp.com/track/junk-man

94) MIDLAND RAILWAY - She Loves Ted Bundy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8J0FkaAq0s

93) I WILL TAKE YOU HUNTING - Stop The Rot

https://iwilltakeyouhunting.bandcamp.com/track/stop-the-rot

92) SLOPTART - I Don't Like You

https://sloptart.bandcamp.com/track/i-dont-like-you-2

91) OUR SOULS - Kick Against The Pricks

https://weareoursouls.bandcamp.com/track/kick-against-the-pricks

90) BREAKUP HAIRCUT - I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend

https://breakuphaircut.bandcamp.com/track/i-dont-wanna-be-your-friend

89) SAVAGEHEADS - Scapegoats

https://socialnapalm.bandcamp.com/track/scapegoats

88) DA GROINS - The General Public

https://serialbowlrecords.bandcamp.com/track/the-general-public

87) HARD WAX - Black And Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDnT94OH37M

86) TWIN PIGS - Ku Klux Kardashians

https://twinpigs.bandcamp.com/track/ku-klux-kardashians-3

85) ISOLATION - Reach Out

https://isolationfal.bandcamp.com/track/reach-out

84) SALLY PEPPER - Clickbait

https://hornhoofrecords.bandcamp.com/track/clickbait

83) THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY - Who's Gonna Catch Me

https://voodoorhythm.bandcamp.com/track/who-s-gonna-catch-me

82) JUDY AND THE JERKS - Candytroll

https://thrillingliving.bandcamp.com/track/candytroll

81) THE GALAXY HAS EYES - Lookin' At Tiddies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmKpWxTrt4s

80) PETROL GIRLS - Baby, I Had An Abortion

https://petrolgirls.bandcamp.com/track/baby-i-had-an-abortion-2

79) CIVIC - End Of The Line

https://civicivic.bandcamp.com/track/end-of-the-line

78) BARRY - No More Boys

https://barrytheband.bandcamp.com/track/no-more-boys-2

77) REACTION - Closer Than Most

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfA-CBFN6gA

76) CRASHED OUT - Warchild

https://demonsrunamok.bandcamp.com/track/warchild

75) JOHNNIE CARWASH - Public Toilet

https://howlinbananarecords.bandcamp.com/track/public-toilet

74) DEATHTRAPS - She Said

https://deathtraps.bandcamp.com/track/she-said

73) MING CITY ROCKERS - Desperate

https://mingcityrockers.bandcamp.com/track/desperate

72) OMEGA TRIBE - Sometimes

https://anthraxuk.bandcamp.com/track/sometimes

71) KID KAPICHI - New England

https://kidkapichiband.bandcamp.com/track/new-england

70) THE BATTERY FARM - I Am A Man

https://thebatteryfarm.bandcamp.com/track/i-am-a-man-2

69) DESPERATE MEASURES - Thinking Of England

https://desperatemeasuresnz1.bandcamp.com/track/thinking-of-england

68) RUM LAD - Tin Foil Hat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHB5-iX1Wow

67) BRUISE CONTROL - Taxman

https://tnsrecords.bandcamp.com/track/taxman

66) THE BOBBY LEES - Be My Enemy

https://thebobbylees.bandcamp.com/track/be-my-enemy-2

65) OSEES - Scum Show

https://ohsees.bandcamp.com/track/scum-show-4

64) LITTER - Hate Will OwnYou

https://littertheband.bandcamp.com/track/hate-will-own-you-3

63) RED - Five Minutes

https://red-religionequalsdecay.bandcamp.com/track/five-minutes

62) SNIFF - Namaste The Fuck Away From Me

https://sniffbanduk.bandcamp.com/track/namaste-the-fuck-away-from-me-2

61) THE OWEN GUNS - Pulling On The Boots (Racist Dickhead)

https://theowenguns.bandcamp.com/track/pulling-on-the-boots-racist-dickhead-2

60) SICK THOUGHTS - Hole In The Wall

https://sick-thoughts.bandcamp.com/track/hole-in-the-wall-2

59) BLACK HALOS - A History Of Violence

https://theblackhalos.bandcamp.com/track/a-history-of-violence

58) FROGGY & THE RINGES - Pond Scum

https://amokrecords1.bandcamp.com/track/pond-scum

57) BILK - Hummus And Pitta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzJwPXRkZOI

56) DINOSAUR SKULL - Alleyway

https://anthraxuk.bandcamp.com/track/alleyway

55) CELEBRATION SUMMER - Fraud

https://celebrationsummer.bandcamp.com/track/fraud

54) PETE BENTHAM AND THE DINNER LADIES - Badges

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6ZbXT11QaA

53) SERIAL KILLER DINER PARTY - Bleed Me Out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu3FUGXTzmg

52) MAD DADDY - Road Racer

https://maddaddy.bandcamp.com/track/road-racer

51) NASTY RUMOURS - Get My Kicks From 76

https://nastyrumours.bandcamp.com/track/get-my-kicks-from-76

Candid Faces - Needle Talk (Guest Review By Gary Hockney)

  

    A new guest reviewer today. Gary Hockney used to be the vocalist/bassist with a band called 3-Action! who were around in the mid to late 80's (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAL8YEcO028). Gary's now active around the Hull area helping local bands (his son is in one of the area's best, Bedsit, who will have a new ep out soon). Over to Gary...

  Still, predominantly, in their teens, Candid Faces (https://www.facebook.com/Candid.Faces.Band) have firmly established themselves amongst Hulls punk glitterati, who make up the city’s diverse and thriving punk scene. In this, their formative year, they have performed numerous gigs and built a reputation for their energetic, post-punk sound.

  Featuring Liz Shaw on vocals, Taro and Joe on guitars, Ben Hakes on bass and Kurt Jackson on drums. Think what the B52’s might have sounded like, if they’d been raised in a neglected UK city this side of the millennium.

  Their 2nd single, Needle Talk, was released some 2 months ago and is a punchy, paranoid tune that’s perfectly portrayed in the video you'll find below. The song was featured on Mick Fletchers, Just Some Punk Sings, Boxing Day Show https://gpr.mixlr.com/recordings/1974332 You can find it on Spotify here : https://open.spotify.com/album/4VIVU3DQ99N2Op1xcBoZe1

  It’s a follow up to their debut track released in summer 2022, Yeowch!!!  https://youtu.be/_81iT224nrI

  Candid Faces have got off to a great start in 2022 performing at the prestigious Humber Street Sesh, drawing good crowds to their gigs at the New Adelphi Club and having supported various, illustrious bands. 2023 promises a lot for this young lot from Hull.

This is Needle Talk...

Zero Cost - Proxy Wars

  

  Zero Cost (https://www.facebook.com/zerocostband) are a young diy punk rock trio from Hull who boast a line up of Jon Grubb (Lead Vocals/Bass),  Ash Johnson (Guitar/Backing Vocals) & Calvin Casey (Drums/Backing Vocals). 

  They've a new ep out titled Exponential Decay which features 4 tracks of lively melodic/skate punk focusing on social and political concerns. I hadn't heard of the band till I was pointed in their direction last week but they're well worth becoming acquainted with so can I pass on the recommendation to check them out. You can do that here : https://zero-cost.bandcamp.com/album/exponential-decay

  On Friday, one of the songs from the ep (the one you'll find below) will be getting a single release. It'll be backed by a couple of b sides, one of which is a previously unreleased track (you can pre save it here :  https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/zerocost/proxy-wars).

  Beginning with a clip from a bungled speech by George W Bush, this song is about how war can be engineered by those in power in a way that people follow blindly. It's called Proxy Wars...

The rolling thunder did not change their made up minds They would not break rank with their peers To benefit the heads above the parapet The innocents who did succumb During that three year bombing run Small details in the narrative And so the madness just went on As seen in any war or feud There are always those who will use Whatever leverage they can grasp and anyone they can abuse So please, before you take up arms Subjecting fellow souls to harm Be sure you truly know the score Who are you really fighting for?

Mark Murphy & The Meds - Indiana Jones And You

 

  Liverpudlian Mark Murphy (who you'll possibly know from his time in the likes of Crocodile God, The No Marks, Hey Maxine etc...) and his band The Meds (https://www.facebook.com/markmurphyandthemeds) will be bringing 2023 in in style with the release of a new album titled Monochrome. It'll be available on January 20th from a number of cool labels; Brassneck, Bloated Kat, Cat's Claw, Kezzy P & Waterslide. 

  It'll be their 2nd full length following on from 2021's On The Brink  https://markmurphyandthemeds.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-brink

  I feel pretty confident in predicting Mark's modus, operandi which has served him well down the years, won't have changed much (he reminds me of an English J Prozac). No doubt the 10 tracks will be infectious pop punk gems of the sort he seemingly turns out in his sleep. You can pre order the ltd edition smokey clear vinyl version here :  https://brassneckrecords.bigcartel.com/product/mark-murphy-the-meds-monochrome-lp

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

  We've been treated to the first single from the album, happily it's exactly what we were expecting. A catchy as hell earworm, this is Indiana Jones And You...

The Dead Beats - Monsters Prefer Blondes

  

  Ok, I want to conjure up a little scenario for you. Imagine Zombie Elvis taking a fast ride with the Shangri Las while listening to a Ramones, Cramps mix tape and drinking Motorhead Beer. That's the vibe The Dead Beats (https://www.facebook.com/deadbeatsrocknroll) are aiming for. They do a pretty good job. 

  The band line up like this : Johny Skullknuckles (vocals/guitar), The Reverend Paul Confused (guitar/vocals), John "as advertised" (bass) & Ben Grim (drums). If any of those names are familiar you may recognise them as being members or ex members of bands such as Goldblade, Anti Nowhere League, Jayne County, The Business, Poison Hearts, The Confused, Motorvators etc. 

  They released an album last year titled Die Screaming, Marienne! A bakers dozen of horror themed punk n roll with many of the songs being named after genre movies (Drag Me To Hell, The Devil Rides Out, The Night Of The Living Dead etc...). It was very decent Misfits inspired fun. 

  Now they return with a new ep titled Monsters Prefer Blondes. It's another darkly delicious collection of catchy tunes about zombies, chainsaws, death etc. Available on cd or digital download you can get it here : https://deadbeatsrocknroll.bandcamp.com/album/monsters-prefer-blondes-ep

  This is the title track, it's a cover of a song by The Bones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6nrihZTjhQ) that was on their Screwed, Blued and Tattooed album and it's called Monsters Prefer Blondes... 

Rivalry - Satellite

  

What was so sweat, now seems so sour...

  

  What do you get if you lock members of Blitz, Down and Outs & Ducking Punches in a recording studio together? 

  Something pretty damn special.

  Featuring the combined talents of Neil Mclennan, Mark Magill and Pete Wright, Rivalry (https://www.facebook.com/rivalrytheband) are an exciting new melodic punk "supergroup" who'll be releasing a debut album next year on Brassneck Records and Fixing A Hole (Japan). 

  To let us know what to expect (to be honest, it's pretty much exactly what I was expecting) they've just released a debut single. You can grab it from Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/album/1C3uXb51zD27BI0i39kSKu

  If you're familiar with the band member's previous work you probably aren't even still reading, you'll have clicked play and be enjoying the music. I don't blame you. This is Satellite...

Houseghost - Violet (Guest Review By Ralph J Rivera)

  

  How does one top my most played album since it came out in 2020? Easy - you don't change a damn thing!

  Dayton, Ohio's "Houseghost" (https://www.facebook.com/houseghostdyt) easily released one of the best debut albums in recent history. With a line-up of brother/sister team Nick and Kayla Hamby on guitar & bass and drummer Tyler they stuck with their well crafted formula. Dual male/female vocals, ridiculously catchy melodies, songs to die for and those spooky lyrics that tie it all together.

  I didn't notice it until Mick mentioned it to me that they remind him of one of Europe's best ever , "The Bat Bites" (https://thebatbites.bandcamp.com/album/the-bat-bites), a band I loved also. So let's get to the new album "Another Realm" released on December 16th on Rad Girlfriend Records. https://radgirlfriendrecords.bandcamp.com/album/another-realm.

 

 All the vinyl versions sold out instantly so it's digital for now. I'm hoping for a CD release in the future. We get a lucky 13 new songs kicking things right off with the opener "Funeral Home" setting the pace and mood for the entire record. Every song is great in my book but I'm also in love with Kayla's vocals so I'm kinda biased. "The Calling", "Born On Halloween" and "Nameless" are stand outs but I'm picking my current favorite "Violet" as the featured tune. BTW - this album screwed up not only this year's best of list but next year's as well. This was supposed to be released in January 2023 so it was a shoe in for my AOTY next year. Damn you Houseghost!

  Violet... 

The Mudd Club - Rock 'n' Roll Boy

  

  The Mudd Club (https://www.facebook.com/themuddclub) are the Bristol city rockers who featured on here a couple of years ago with a track from their Bottle Blonde album (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-mudd-club-bored-to-death.html). Originally from Lawrence, Kansas and now splitting their time between Bristol and the Welsh town of Machynlleth, they're a trio comprising of Sadie Morningstar (vocals/guitar), Joe Trudgeon (bass) & Julian West (drums) who play a vibrant brand of rock n roll that it's hard to believe that anyone of their tender years should be so well versed in. 

  Their star is very much in the ascendant and that surge in popularity will only continue with the release of a new album titled Give Me A Thrill. It's 10 tracks of cool music by cool kids, it's an album that'll get your hips a shaking and your toes a tapping, it's a deliciously fresh take on old fashioned (but timeless) music. It's going to be available on white vinyl late March/early April but the cd and digital download are out now : https://themuddclub.bandcamp.com/album/give-me-a-thrill

  This song is called Rock 'n' Roll Boy... 

The Human Error - News At Ten

  

  I'm sure the more mature visitors to this blog can just about remember back in time to the late 70's when this new thing called punk rock reared it's oh so beautiful head and every town, city and street corner seemed to give birth to a fresh faced bunch of youngsters who maybe lacked the musical talent of the generation they sought to replace but who brought with them an enthusiasm and a passion that endeared them to those of us that were hungering for something just that little more exciting than had previously been on offer. Those bands picked up their newly acquired instruments and learnt to play them as they were going along. Quite a few of them are still with us today. 

  One band who would have been perfectly at home on the streets and in the flea pits of the West Midlands back then are The Human Error (https://www.facebook.com/thehumanerrorband). They're a young trio, Joe Ree (Vocals/Guitar), Joe Brown (Bass) & Adam Welsh (Drums) who I've featured a couple of times recently and who've just released a debut Self Titled album. Both songs I've had on here, Fractured Britain & Ozone Park, are on it. They're accompanied by another 8 tracks (one of which is a very spirited Buzzcocks cover) that suggest this is a band to watch out for, a band that's only going to get better. 

  Like those 3 chord wonders wowing a generation long before these guys were born, this is a band who deal in no frills, old school punk rock but who do it well and who have the potential to be one of the bands at the forefront of the genre as the usual Rebellion Festival staples begin to hand over the torch. You can find the album here : https://thehumanerrorband.bandcamp.com/album/the-human-error

   

  This song is called The News At 10... 

Bruise Control - Taxman

  

  Bruise Control (https://www.facebook.com/Bruise.Control) are a band from Manchester who I featured a couple of years ago (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2020/06/bruise-control-useless.html) when I called them a shouty punk 5 piece playing energetic gnarly garage bangers. I also mentioned how Covid had prevented them from making their live debut. Since then, they've managed to get out on the road (last night they supported Roughneck Riot) and they've slimmed down to a quartet (Jim Taylor (vocals), Tommy Victor Morris (Drums), Niall Griffin (Guitar/Bass) & Devon Cryer (Guitar)) who now play "turbo goth."

  And they've a debut album on the way.

  The album will be titled Useless For Something and it'll be available via TNS Records on vinyl, cd and cassette. You can pre order it here :  

https://www.tnsrecords.co.uk/shop/bruise-control-useless-for-something/

  To give us a taste of what to expect they've just released a single which you can find here :  https://tnsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/taxman

  Both tracks are very good indeed (making the album one of 2023's most anticipated) but as the A side is also accompanied by a video it seems the sensible option to highlight that one. Spewing an outpouring of disgust at our countries overlords and those who enable them, this is Taxman... 

The Meffs - It Doesn't Happen Around Here

    

  I'm sure you're all familiar with Fat Wreck Chords, the label started by NOFX frontman Fat Mike back in 1990. It's a very successful label with a roster of bands who have a roughly similar feel. Well now there's a new offshoot of that label called Bottles To The Ground which will showcase bands that don't quite encompass the traditional Fat sound. You can check it out here :  https://bottlestotheground.com/

  Of the early releases, one that I was particularly looking forward to was a new ep by East Anglian duo The Meffs (https://www.facebook.com/Themeffsuk). Comprising of Lily Hopkins (vocals/guitar) and Lewis Copsey (drums), they've featured on here a couple of times previously when I've been impressed by their "energetic and noisy eruptions of erudite punk rock."

  Happily, the new ep is arguably their best release yet.

  Titled Broken Britain Pt.1 (It says part 1 of 2 so I'm assuming we'll be treated to a 2nd instalment in due course), I've already played Wasted On Women on a recent show whilst Broken Britain, Broken Brains is accompanied by a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5vFZuYlkD8) so as the ep is packed with should be hits I'll highlight one of the other tracks below. 

  It's available here on 10" vinyl here : 

https://fatwreck.com/collections/bottles-to-the-ground/products/broken-britain-pt-1

  You can listen here : https://orcd.co/zbv7l2m

  This song's sadly all too topical, it's called It Doesn't Happen Around Here... 

Pardon Us - A Christmas Wish

      

  So despite being frequently told that I'm a miserable sod for not being much of a fan of Christmas and despite hating pretty much every Christmas song ever, I've agreed to put together a special festive Just Some Christmas Punk Songs show for https://www.voodooradio.online/ 

  Not an easy task as I didn't want to be too obvious and play The Damned's There Ain’t No Sanity Clause (Or other Xmas staples by Stiff Little Fingers, The Ramones, The Dickies, Fear, Descendents etc). Nor did I want to play a load of crappy by the numbers punk cover versions. I'm trying to include a mix of songs people know and ones they might not, hopefully despite it being a Christmas special it won't be too painful.

  One of the songs that will feature is a new one by Liverpool's finest Pardon Us (https://www.facebook.com/wearepardonus). It's their 2nd release this month following their split ep with Spoilers which is out on Brassneck Records https://brassneckrecords.bandcamp.com/album/split-13

  It's a song that asks for a gift that will benefit us all. Hopefully Santa will bring us the one thing we really want...The Tories out for Christmas. You can get it here as a name your price download...  https://pardonus.bandcamp.com/album/a-christmas-wish

  It's called A Christmas Wish...

Bilk - Just Don't Work For Me

   

  Bilk (https://www.facebook.com/bilkbandpage) are a fresh faced indie punk trio from Essex who are on very much of an upward trajectory. Lining up with Sol Abrahams (vocals/guitar), Luke Hare (bass) & Harry Gray (drums), they play a similar sort of music to south London trio Play Dead, maybe Manchester's finest Aerial Salad ae a decent comparison too. I've played them on the show a few times but with the upcoming release of their debut album it's a good time to mention them on here. 

  I was going to feature their recently released Be Someone video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKfguwYVzgo) but as they unveiled another new song yesterday I'll go with that one instead. 

  The album will feature both tracks (plus another song that came out as a single earlier this year and has been chosen by a listener of the show (who said about it "I love the fact they’re a bunch of young lads. I’ve got a 21 year old and it just reminds me of him") to feature in the listener's favourite songs of 2022 show  https://gpr.mixlr.com/events/1784015). Titled Bilk, the album will be out on February 10th and you can pre order it here : https://bilkband.co.uk/collections/frontpage

  A little more restrained than most of their material, this is called Just Don't Work For Me... 

Bottled Violent - Police Violence

    

  Bottled Violent are a new hardcore punk outfit from Bandung in Indonesia comprising a line up of Farid (vocals), Irfan (guitar), Raka (rhytm), Fahmi (bass) & Aldhena (drums). They're influenced by the 80's US hardcore scene (with their name presumably coming from this Minor Threat song  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HFJypp5nVk), their songs are of the "shorter, faster, louder" variety. 

  They recently released a 5 track Demo cassette which barely hangs around for 5 minutes but which displays plenty of promise. On it they reveal some of the frustrations in their lives... Shitty jobs, bullies in blue, people telling them how to think, forced consumerism etc. You can get it here :  https://bottledviolent.bandcamp.com/album/promo-demo-tapes-2022

  This track is a universal problem but one which I guess resonates a little more loudly in Indonesia than in many other places ("Indonesian police are known for their brutality, violence and arrogance toward their citizens. When dealing with civilians, these toxic cultures are deeply rooted in their minds. As a result, there is a probability in the future that civilians will engage in some form of resistance."  https://www.fairplanet.org/editors-pick/the-culture-behind-indonesias-police-brutality/). 

 It's called Police Violence...

They beat us on the street They stepped us on the ground They forced us to confess For something what we didn't do Police violence Fight back with violence We can be arrested cause reading a book Because dress different, act very loud Dragging down somebody Just keep beat up till we confuse They forced us to confess For something what we didn't do