Takers and Users - Side By Side

    

(photo : Paul McWilliams)

  A welcome return to Just Some Punk Songs today for Belfast working class oi outfit Takers and Users (https://www.facebook.com/takersandusers). As I've mentioned previously (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2017/02/takers-users-glory-days.html), their Backbars and Alleyways lp (https://takersusers.bandcamp.com/album/backbars-and-alleyways) was my favourite album of 2016. So it's no surprise I'm looking forward to the release of a brand new album (it's been a while guys!). 

  The band decided to call it Ten Year Hangover as a nod to the time they've been together but they admit it's taken a while to get things completed so Eleven Year Hangover would be more appropriate. Anyway, watch out for it, there's no release date as of yet but it'll be sometime this year on Randale Records.  

  This is a taste of what to expect. It's called Side By Side... 

  

  

Takers & Users - The Town That Committed Suicide

  Back in 2016 a band from Belfast came out of nowhere and with a debut album that channelled the spirit of local punk legends Runnin' Riot they walked off with the accolade of the Just Some Punk Songs album of the year. A gritty and passionate modern day oi classic it was the sound of a young band that were authentic and a breath of fresh air. If you missed the album then make amends now :   https://takersusers.bandcamp.com/releases

  The band were Takers & Users (https://www.facebook.com/takersandusers/) and they proved they weren't just one hit wonders the following year with the release of the Glory Days single (https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2017/02/takers-users-glory-days.html).

  And now, seemingly out of nowhere, a new song. It's an appetiser for an upcoming sophomore album and if it shows us anything it's that the band haven't lost any of that energy or passion. They also haven't lost the knack of writing a catchy tune. It's about the gentrification of Belfast, it's bursting with energy and plenty of gang vocals. These guys want their city back.

  This is The Town That Committed Suicide...

Takers & Users - Glory Days

 

  My favourite album of 2016 was Backbars And Alleyways by Belfast Oi! Oi! punks Takers & Users. This kind of gritty, passionate working class music doesn't get much better then this (https://takersusers.bandcamp.com/releases) so you can imagine how thrilled I was 3 months ago when I was sent 3 unreleased songs to play on the Just Some Punk Songs show. Now there's a video for one of those songs available ahead of it's release next month on Randale Records (http://www.randaleshop.de/).

  One of my favourite new groups, Takers & Users formed in 2014, took their name from the song by The Business and line up with Darzo Kingston (vocals/bass), Michael Kerr (guitar/back up vocals), Stephen Sprouley (drums) and Ryan Baron (guitar/back up vocals). Gigs lined up in support of the new single include this Friday (24th Feb) in Belfast alongside Steve Ignorant with Paranoid Visions, 11th March alongside Rixe (in Schiltach, Germany) and then they'll be returning to blow away the heaving throngs at the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool.

  A nostalgic look back to their formative years when they grew up running riot with their mates, kicking a ball around in the park, getting drunk, fighting and being chased by the cops, this is the song that confirms the debut album was just a precursor for what will no doubt be a string of classic releases. This is Glory Days.....

Takers & Users - The Neurotics Were Right

"Kick Out The Tories"


  Takers & Users are a great, newish (est. 2014) band from Belfast who play "sing along" streetpunk. In June of this year they released their debut album, Backbars And Alleyways, on Randale Records. It's the type of  record that hasn't had all the edge smoothed out for mass consumption and sounds all the better for it. It's definitely an album that will still fondly be played in years to come and will still sound as exciting and vital as it does today. Their only previous release was last years Bootboys ep which featured 4 songs from the album. Amongst the new material on the full length is a cover of Runnin' Riot's Judge, Jury, Executioner.

  You can check it out here : https://takersusers.bandcamp.com/releases

  A scathing political treatise, this is The Neurotics Were Right......