I think it's fair to say that the biggest buzz over any of the songs I've featured on this blog or played on the show so far this year was over the mightily impressive We Live Here which is of course by Bob Vylan (https://bobvylan.bandcamp.com/). They "sort of" feature again today as they've been busy remixing a track that appeared on Slaves' recent ep The Velvet Ditch. You'll probably already know that Slaves are the Kent duo Isaac Holman (vocals/drums) and Laurie Vincent (guitar/vocals) so I don't need to give you the usual background info, just go here if you want to know more https://www.facebook.com/slaves/
The track in question is One More Day Won't Hurt. The original version is a bruising cautionary tale about addiction and small town thuggery that pummels you into submission. This new version is no less brutal but it effortlessly bridges the gap between punk and grime. It's the type of release that's going to keep the younger generation interested in the punk scene and it has Bob Vylan's fingerprints all over it. More please....
There's some great punk music coming out of the UK at the moment that doesn't strictly adhere to the confines of what many people consider to be the punk genre. For example I recently posted a song from the excellent new album by Idles and later this week I'll get round to adding something from the new Sauna Youth album. Today however the song featured is by Slaves. All 3 bands very much full of the spirit of punk rock but not afraid to push the boundaries. We need bands like this to keep the genre healthy otherwise it'll remain the domain of aging nostalgists.
It's been over 4 years since Slaves last appeared on here (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2014/06/slaves-wheres-your-car-debbie.html) so a return is long over due. The release of new album Acts Of Fear And Love is as good a reason as any to bring them back and the song you'll find below is as good as any I've posted recently. If there's anyone unfamiliar with them, they're a duo from Kent; Issac Holman (vocals/drums) and Laurie Vincent (guitar/vocals), they're signed to Virgin Emi Records and the album mixes a few considered, slower paced songs with several absolute bangers. All in all a nice combination and a great release. If you need more info check out their Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/slaves/
Normally the kind of band I leave to Radio 1 and to proper reviewers so that I can highlight more obscure fare that those outlets won't bother with, but the song posted below is just too good not to feature. I was listening to the album at work last night and I forced my workmate to stick on my headphones and listen and his succinct comment was better than anything I could think up; "It was alright till that cunt started shouting." For the record (and excuse the vulgarity) I think that cunt's shouting is the icing on a very tasty cake. It comes at the end of this song so hang around. This is The Lives They Wish They Had...
Oi!
What are you doing?
Nobody, I repeat, nobody gets to shit
The lives they wish they had
The lives they wish they had
The lives they wish they had
The lives they wish they had
Poolside-poses, but don't fall in
You'll remove the glow from your otherwise pasty skin
An HD self-portrait, sucking on a cigar
Leaning on the bonnet of your rented motor car
Stamped on your forehead: "approach with caution"
I have grown my muscles to an intimidating proportion
And I'm not done yet, nah watch this space
By the time I'm finished, the whole damn world will know this fucking face
The lives they wish they had
(Taking pictures of)
The lives they wish they had
(Dreaming sweetly of)
The lives they wish they had
(They're never happy with)
The lives they wish they had
Monday morning and your eyes are glazed
The weekend-warrior come weekday-slave
Fabrications about your past
And self-made titles, the kind that just don't last
So what exactly were you trying to say
When you put your latest purchases on public display?
Is it praise you're after? Or is it something more?
Like a desperate need for acceptance that you just can't ignore
The lives they wish they had
(Taking pictures of)
The lives they wish they had
(Dreaming sweetly of)
The lives they wish they had
(They're never happy with)
The lives they wish they had
Popularity
Online currency
Insularity
Everybody follow me
In the iron age of darkness everyone's a fucking artist
Everyone has got something to say
Slaves!
Slaves!
Slaves!
