A song today that's pretty much nailed on to feature in my best of 2016 list. Enemies Of Promise featured previously on this blog when i posted a song from their debut album, Heroes And Villains (http://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/enemies-of-promise-democracy.html). They're back with a brand new ep called Hearthland and it's really rather good. Featuring 2 men (Ade Bailey, Rob Shinfield) and a beat-box (Gove), they're an impassioned, intelligent band that aren't afraid to nail their colours to the forehead of the nearest politician.
If you'd like to check out their music, and why wouldn't you, then click here : https://soundcloud.com/enemies-of-promise. If you'd like to check out more great music, Ade Bailey hosts the excellent Revolution Rock internet show which broadcasts on Tuesday night's at 9pm (GMT). You can listen to all the previous shows in the showreel section : http://mixlr.com/ade-b/
The lead track from the new ep is about the hot topic of whistleblowers. Mentioned in the lyrics are the likes of Dr David Kelly, Julian Assange and Bradley/Chelsea Manning. There's also an Arthur Scargill sample. It's music to get you thinking as you sing along.
Following up on the song I posted last week by politically charged Wolverhampton melodic punk band Enemies Of Promise (http://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/enemies-of-promise-democracy.html), today I'm bringing you a top 10 chosen by songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Ade Bailey. It's a mixed bag of great songs which I think you'll enjoy and my thanks go to Ade for taking the time to select them.
1) Elvis Costello – “You’ll Never Be A Man” – to be honest, I could could fill the whole 10 with Costello songs. He has been my inspiration for the past 40 years. Granted, he’s made the odd dodgy album but just a songwrting genius. No-one comes close for me.
2) The Decemberists – “This Is Why We Fight” – probably the most punk-rock non-punk band around. Colin Meloy writes just beautiful melodies and words.
3) The Clash – “Ghetto Defendant” - I’m weird in that Combat Rock is my favorite Clash record. The arrangement, the way the spoken word fits with the band, sublime. If Combat Rock was made in 2016, it would win the Mercury Prize, it was that innovative.
4) The Lawrence Arms – “Your Gravest Words” – If you haven’t check out this band, do so. Another one that proves all the best bands have two songwriters in them. Some of the best lyrics around too.
5) Alkaline Trio – “Only Love” – See above ref the two songwriter thing! Massive fan of all Danny Andriano does (and he’s a mutual Costello addict) Seen these guys well over 20 times.
6) Aztec Camera – “We Could Send Letters” – Both Rob and I share a huge love for this track. Something I’d kill to have written, Roddy Frame was 17 when he did. Bastard!
7) Rancid – “Roots Radicals” – If this song doesn't get you up and dancing then you have no soul. Heard it a 1000 times but it still gets my blood pumping.
8) Jaya The Cat – “Here Come The Drums” – Lovely bunch of fellas and one of my “go-to” tracks for making me smile.
9) Manic Street Preachers – “If You Tolerate This…” – If pushed, I would choose this as maybe my favorite of the whole 10. Simple, relevant and that “..I’ve walked Las Ramblas..” line gives me chills every single time.
10) Tom Waits – “Gun Street Girl” – The whole of “Rain Dogs” is right up there in my opinion. Wonderful record and the images Tom paints in this track are just superb. Kinda like a Dashiell Hammett novel set to music.
Is it my imagination or are there a growing number of great bands springing up to voice their discontent about the current political landscape, both at home and abroad. There's always these types of band around but there seems to be a proliferation at the moment. I suppose a hypocritical and austere Tory government, the threat of an idiot taking over The White House plus concerns over refugees, terrorism and dick waving superpowers provides plenty of grist for socially concious folk to sink their teeth into.
Today's update features 2 men and a beatbox from Wolverhampton, England. Enemies Of Promise are a politically charged melodic punk band influenced by the likes of Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, The Three Johns and The Skids. Those 2 men are Ade Bailey (guitar/vocals) and Rob Shinfield (bass/vocals) and they released their debut album last year. A follow up to the ep/mini album Please Enjoy Your Punk Rock Responsibly, it's called Heroes And Villains and it's been posted for your listening pleasure here : https://soundcloud.com/enemies-of-promise.
It's a great shame that despite the growing number of great bands, there still seems to be no coverage in the mainstream media so if you come across music you like (either here, elsewhere online or even better on a street corner in your hometown), spread the word. Post their music. Share their links. Keep the momentum growing. A fucked up world deserves a suitably scathing soundtrack.
Featuring an intro by the late Tony Benn, this is Democracy....
