The Courettes - Daydream

  

  There's not much more to say about The Courettes. They've featured on here several times recently and been pretty much everywhere else. They're certainly one of the hardest working bands around with releases and tours galore.

  And they're back today with a song from a new 10" mini album titled Back In Mono (B-Sides and Outtakes). As the name suggests, it's made up of odds and ends that didn't feature on last year's Back In Mono album. 3 new tracks plus a few "B-sides that have been newly spruced up with extra instrumentation."

  It's a very enjoyable package and you can get it from places such as Damaged Goods, Rough Trade & Sister Ray...  https://damagedgoods.co.uk/discography/the-courettes-back-in-mono-b-sides-outtakes/

  You'll already know what to expect so I'll post the opening track, it's one of the new ones, it's a 60's chart smash (or would have been if it had been released in the 60's) and it's called Daydream... 

The Exbats - I Got the Hots for Charlie Watts

  I wasn't going to post this song on here. Not because I don't like it. I do. I adore it. It's the best song released so far this year. Instead I was going to wait until March 13th when the new album is released as if it's anything like previous releases by The Exbats it'll be fit to burst with great songs to select from. But as I love the band so much, you're going to get both today's featured song and then another one in March.

  The album will be titled Kicks, Hits and Fits and be available via Burger Records. Do not miss it.

  So, The Exbats (https://www.facebook.com/TheExbats/). Why do I love them so much? They aren't your typical Just Some Punk Songs band. From Tucson, dad Kenny McLain plays guitar and sings whilst his daughter Inez drums and sings (and boy, what a voice she's got!). They've been augmented with Bobby Carlson on Bass. They'd be more at home in the 60's than the late 70's, they'd appeal to your nan as much as your mohawked kid brother but damn, they're still punk as fuck. The main reason I love them is those songs are so damn cool. Maybe you saw modern day classic Hercules posted on here   https://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-exbats-hercules.html or maybe you're familiar with their back catalogue https://theexbats.bandcamp.com/ If so, you'll know where I'm coming from. Timeless songs that defy genre tagging and that you can't help but play over and over (and over)...

  And do you know what? It appears as though they're just getting better and better. Sharing a name with their 2018 album, this is the latest single. Stop reading and click play on the video, it's pretty much perfect.

  I Got The Hots For Charlie Watts...

The Exbats - Hercules

 

  The Exbats are one of many bands that featured on the Just Some Punk Songs show last year (Kill Yr Boyfriend was played back in August) but who for whatever reason didn't get a plug on the blog. Last week I came across a video they'd just posted and loved it. So better late than never they feature today.

  They're based in Tucson, Arizona and feature a father/daughter line up of drummer/vocalist Inez McLain and guitarist/vocalist Kenny McLain. Influences are numerous (The Monkeys, Ramones, Blondie, Velvet Underground etc), they liken their sound to "The Partridge Family picking up the Cramps hitchhiking." Their most recent album is titled I Got The Hots For Charlie Watts and it came out last January https://theexbats.bandcamp.com/album/i-got-the-hots-for-charlie-watts

  Making this update timely is the news that Burger Records are releasing a "best of" album, E Is For Exbats. It's the band's debut vinyl lp and you can pre order it here : https://burgerrecords.11spot.com/the-exbats-e-is-for-exbats.html They'll also be recording a new album in the Spring so watch out for details of that here : https://www.facebook.com/TheExbats/

  A tribute to Michael Hurst, the New Zealand actor who played Iolaus in both Hercules : The Legendary Journeys and Xena : Warrior Princess, this is a delight. Hopefully it'll melt the hearts of some of you grizzled old punks, it's called Hercules...

No Ditching - Dickhead

   

  On the day that Britain is facing the prospect of 5 more years under Conservative rule, I think a really good update is called for in order to alleviate the doom and gloom. Today's song is going to be one of 2015's best.

  No Ditching are big favourites around these parts, their demo was a highlight of 2013 and was previously featured here : http://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/no-ditching-meat-in-your-teeth.html

  The band were then kind enough to select a top 10 : http://justsomepunksongs.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/top-10-songs-chosen-by-no-ditching.html

  Now, after what feels like a very long wait, they're about to release a follow up to the wonderful Face Ache ep. From Durham, the all female 5 piece (Laura, Naomi, Elle, Kate and Freya) have a new 7", titled Inseparable, on Art For The Blind Records that can be pre ordered here : https://artforblind.bandcamp.com/album/inseparable.

  If the other two tracks are as good as this one then we've got a classic on our hands. This is Dickhead.....

Slushy - she's going away

I first came across Chicago band Slushy when they released their debut single Candy/Pocket last year. Describing themselves as "sugar-fried bop-pop" the duo certainly have a knack of turning out retro sounding fuzzed up catchy tunes. Formed in 2010 they're now ready to release their debut album, Pastime Gardens, and if you're in need of a blast of summer go check it out. This is She's Going Away, if you like it you can snap it up here : http://slushy.bandcamp.com/track/shes-going-away-now-2

Mark Sultan - Beautiful Girl

Montreal's Mark Sultan has been part of numerous bands, often with co collaborator Blacksnake (aka King Khan), one of which, The Spaceshits have already featured in these pages. Today's song however was recorded under his own name and features on 2007's The Sultanic Verses. Blending early rock n roll, pop, garage and lots of woo woo's, this is the gorgeous Beautiful Girl.....

The CRY! - Smirk

  It's very early days yet but I'd be surprised if anyone releases a catchier album in 2014 than Portland, Oregon's power pop heroes The Cry! Taking their influences as much from early pop artists such as Buddy Holly and The Beatles as from the likes of The Ramones or The Clash, The Cry! plough a similar field to  their hometown forebears The Exploding Hearts. Founded in 2011 and still in their early 20's, their 2nd full length disc, Dangerous Game, is out in March and will hopefully find the audience they deserve.

This is Smirk....