BATTLE OF THE ENGLISH DOGS VINYL RELEASES PART 3

ENGLISH DOGS – TWO DIFFERENT BANDS; two separate vinyl releases in 2014

The UK PUNK Version with - WE DID, WE DO, WE ALWAYS FUCKING WILL! Versus The Metal Dogs version with THE THING WITH TWO HEADS.

Separate reviews are below in full.

Content/Integrity

WE DID, WE DO, WE ALWAYS FUCKING WILL!  Wakey’s lineup stick to their original ethos of sharp punk songs laced with astute lyricism. The integrity of this release stacks up to the English Dogs early material with Wakey, and is a worthy addition to the English Dogs somewhat patchy output post 1985.

THE THING WITH TWO HEADS Adey, Pinch and Gizz stick  to their “metalmorphosis” and largely disclaim their punk origins, to their detriment. Despite Pinch’s claims that it would be the missing link between their landmark crossover punk metal gems To the Ends of the Earth and Forward into Battle, it misses that mark in their mission to be metal. It doesn’t quite stack up to the legacy of those records, and whilst it’s an OK English Dogs release from core members of the “metal” line up, they needed to infuse it with a bit more punk energy.  

Playing/lyrics

WDWDWAFW features a rejuvenated line up that’s having fun. The playing is great, and showcases their punk energy. The lyrics encapsulate Wakey’s warped outlook and  shrewd observations.

TTWTH features a tight band and sound for sure. But they’re almost too spot on and technical, in contrast to the unbridled energy of To the Ends of the Earth and Forward into Battle. The lyrics are a bit too comic book Tolkienish.  One song keeps referring to a retard.

Production

The production on WDWDWAFW captures the band perfectly. The spark’s there, and there’s a full stereo sound that’s solid.

Production on TTWTH is good, that’s about all I have to say, except well, it’s a bit clinical.

Packaging

WDWDWAFW isn’t overstated, but does the job effectively  good old black and white, it’ put together  well,  nicely set out with inner sleeve.

TTWTH tries its best with gatefold sleeve, great cover art, and coloured green vinyl.  It’s nice,  but it doesn’t seem quite right.

CONCLUSION

The UK PUNK Version with - WE DID, WE DO, WE ALWAYS FUCKING WILL!  Emerges victorious and wins the battle.

At the end of the day, it’s a stronger release as a whole, and it’s the one that had me singing along. There’s a bit more integrity to it. If you read the lyrics to Death to the Dogs from WDWDWAFW it kind of says it all really. They laid down a challenge to the Metal Dogs – and they win.

There are loads of positive reviews for TTWTH, and it’s only my opinion. As a fan of the English Dogs I did buy both, and I remain a fan of both versions/line ups. I saw Wakey’s lot when they came out last year, and they were great, it was great to see them play the old stuff alongside stuff from WDWDWAFW. If the Metal Dogs version came out I’d go and see them.

I like TTWTH – it’s still an English Dogs release and it has some good bits on it, I’ve played it a fair bit. There’s some bits that I’m just not too enamoured with.   It’s let down by some songs which just don’t use enough of their original DNA.

Here’s an idea. Perhaps if they hadn’t had their differences, the two bands could have released a split LP. Then it really would have been “The thing with two heads” .

chrismccousin@gmail.com

BATTLE OF THE ENGLISH DOGS 2014 VINYL RELEASES Part 2

ENGLISH DOGS 

(US –Based METAL version)

The Thing With Two Heads

Candlelight Records

Following on from a successful 2012 US Tour performing the classic punk-metal crossover records “To the ends of the Earth” and “Forward Into Battle”, this version of the English Dogs with core members of the lineup that recorded those releases, Vocalist Ade Bailey, guitarist Gizz Butt, and drummer Pinch hatched plans to record and release new material culminating in The Thing With Two Heads.

The Thing with Two Heads commences with the single Turn away from the light.  Crunchy metal that at once incorporates death metal and rap style vocals. It’s clear from the start that they’re fully embracing their metal side. Freak Boy continues the theme, speeding up a tad, and revealing a hint of the punk roots past. Organized and Hate song continue in the same vein.  Ghost note has a bit more energy and pace. Then there is the sea shanty that is Up from the depths, and The thing will arise channelling 80’s metal.

Side two opens with the promising Planet of the living dead which is perhaps the closest they come to channelling their old selves here; with its speedy delivery and the “whoahs”, melodic solo, it’s easily one of the best songs on the record. Royal flying corpse is great, except it sounds like an Iron Maiden song. It’s all downhill from here. Rectify sounds like they have been listening to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers for fucks sake.  Down with the Underdogs starts out like a  ballad, is too long  and too overblown. I found it a challenge to  listen to the whole thing. There are some good moments in this epic, when it picks up about half way, just when I’ve gone to sleep. I thought I was dreaming that they sounded like they should again ... they almost recapture that old energy..... for a minute.

Lyrically there’s many references to “The thing with two heads”.  Some of the lyrics are not only uninspired, but, pretty well, embarrassing. Hate song is an example  “Just for you/here’s a hate song/and it makes me sad to say you’ve made my shitty day/ And I’m sick, sick of dealing with a retard/ 1-2 Fuck You/3-4 What a bore/5-6 Whiny bitch/You ain’t nothing but a retard/Fuck You”. Really. It appears Pinch channels the lyrics of his other band The Damned’s Love Song and recycles them.

The Thing With Two Heads was touted as “the missing link” between To the ends of the Earth and Forward Into Battle by drummer Pinch but this doesn’t appear evident. There’s more in common with the ambitious Tolkienesque  Where legend began  (which I don’t mind) and the crunchy metal of Gizz Butt’s later English Dogs incarnations in the 90’s.  To the ends of the Earth and Forward Into Battle may not have had the best production but there was a distinct energy that was captured there. What also made them was the merge of equal parts punk and metal. Their punk roots were still evident and really shaped those records and sound. There’s a  relentless raw ferocity and punk energy that was present on To the ends of the Earth and Forward Into Battle – inclusive of the metal solos  -that is lacking here, and they have all but abandoned their punk side. 

The Thing With Two Heads was recorded over several sessions, with all the members recording separately, but I’ll give ’em that it sounds cohesive. While you expect the appropriate changes in production in a thirty year gap, The Thing With Two Heads is a bit too tight and slick. The playing is good, the guitars are spot on, as is the rhythm section, and Bailey stays within his vocal range, for the most part

Package wise this is a bit of a funny one. There’s some love and a care gone into it, absolutely. Great artwork and all.  But.  There’s a comic book appeal (see the title lettering) that kinda gives the game away. Nice gatefold sleeve which harks back to their earlier releases. There’s lyrics inside the gatefold, but the print is small and obscured by the Tolkienish cartoony fantasy drawings. Good quality green vinyl and sound though.

Look. I didn’t expect them to rehash  To the ends of the Earth or Forward Into Battle. But I was excited by the prospect of them harnessing some of that energy  again and creating another punk-metal masterpiece. And they have got to move on, get with the times etc etc. And I do like it, and will listen to it. But it just could have been so  much more if they had gone back to being the English Dogs rather than the Metal Dogs.  There may not have been such a high expectation had they not made the claim that it would be the “missing link between “ To the ends of the Earth” and “Forward Into Battle” – because it has little in common with those records.  They are more intent on showcasing that they can play different types of metal here. Had they kept in touch with their former selves, and retained their identity this could have been fuckin’ great, instead of OK. If you didn’t know it was the “English Dogs”, you couldn’t put the old record against this and still say it was the same band. Things could have been better, rather than them just being a by-the numbers metal outfit.

In an interview with Gizz Butt a few years ago he said he regretted “not staying with the formula and going over the top with Where legend began ”. So what the fuck?

I would have loved to have been more positive on this one. And after all it’s only my opinion right? But I did fork out for it.

Maybe I’ll put it on in 6 months and go “Well fuck. Now I get it”

ENGLISH DOGS - Turn Away From The Light [Official Video ...

► 3:46► 3:46

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBGM2GJ6xPQ

BATTLE OF THE ENGLISH DOGS 2014 VINYL RELEASES Part 1

ENGLISH DOGS (UK PUNK VERSION)

We Did, We Do, We Always Fucking Will!

Nunny Dave Records/Massprod/PHR records collaboration

Both  current separate versions of the English Dogs, The UK “punk version”, and the US “metal version” put out releases almost simultaneously, both available on vinyl. In Part 2 we’ll check out the US metal version’s release. In part 3 we’ll stack them up to see who put out the best record.

First up in the battle is the UK Punk English Dogs. Original vocalist Wakey formed this version of the band a few years ago after countless line-ups,  settling on this line up in which he’s the only original member. After loads of shows and a few EP’s we have “We did, We do, We always fucking will”.

Here Wakey retains the punk spirit of the band’s first incarnanation; they maintain the initial template of no fuss punk rock, and  the original flavour of the English Dogs complete  with the Wakey humour, warped world  view, and astute lyricism that permeated the English Dogs earliest stuff, while still moving the sound forward.

It  kicks off with the sharp and  buzzy, Ripper on the Street (I’m a human dustcart cleaning up the waste) which gives you an idea of  where things are going here. Then it’s Death To the Dogs  in which Wakey gives it with bile to the current metal version of the English Dogs “Death to the Dogs/The heavy metal dogs/What legend forgot/The lies in the book/The royalties they took/That racket..what the fuck?/ So I lay down a challenge your album versus ours ” (which we will explore in Parts Two and Three of Battle of the English Dogs vinyl releases 2014).  Society Insults me follows, then  the first of a couple of ones about drugs, Toot, and Chemical General. Side one finishes up with Ross Lomas, City Baby, Ignite books, a hilarious anecdote of Wakey attempting to buy the aforementioned GBH bass player’s autobiography.

Side two commences with the incisive Pater Betrayal.  Brain disease “There’s people out there that think we’re mental/approaching middle age and still wanna pogo”  and Punk and Judy continue the madness. The title track (featuring vocals from The Varukers Rat and Jason from Bastard Squad)  says it all really; “Thirty seven years and still counting/Dad said he’s going through a phase/Well it’s a fuck of a phase/middle aged and grey/United  we don’t care”. The whole album is infused with energy, fun, madness, melody and mayhem. A good indicator of wether a record’s any good is if you wanna give it another spin pretty quickly – which I did.

Package wise,  good stuff. The cover (with a nice new “purpose built to distance ourselves from the Metal Dogs English Dogs” font) is perhaps a nod  back to “Mad Punx and English Dogs” – although they seem a bit more unified here on the front cover pic. It’s all pretty well set out, the layout  pays homage to the band’s punk/madness aesthetic. There’s a well put together inner sleeve with lyrics and nice pics. Good quality vinyl. Production is well charted, everything’s clear in the sound, well set out, not too glossy,  and there’s a good stereo sound.  Wakey’s warped personality is captured  in the vocals and shine through perfectly on this recording.  The band are pretty tight as a unit, and it’s obvious they all work well together. The CD apparently comes with extras  (digipak with extra CD and video) but I’m not complaining -  vinyl only here thanks.

Great stuff, a great punk record. This is a great addition to the English Dogs legacy, and good to see them back to “core business”. “This punk music will never die” – from  Invasion of the Porky Men’s “Never Die” .The UK Punk English Dogs have set the bar high for their US Metal counterparts in the challenge of the English Dogs 2014 vinyl releases.

chrismccousin@gmail.com

TWO New ENGLISH DOGS vinyl releases

English Dogs

The two different versions of the ENGLISH DOGS have new releases out, both are available on vinyl.

The UK-based “punk” versions, led by original vocalist Wakey, have released “We did, We Do, We Always fucking did”.

The US-based “metal/crossover” version with  original core members Gizz Butt, Adey Bailey and Andrew “Pinch” Pinching have released the thing with two heads.

According to a review in Vive Le Rock magazine, The UK version has a stab at the US version with “Death to the Dogs” on their release.

An interview with Pinch has him saying that “The thing with two heads is the missing link between To the Ends of the Earth and  Forward into Battle”.

It’s kinda exciting and disappointing at the same time.  I’ve always liked both versions of the band. Various reformations have come and gone since the intitial breakup of the metal/crossover version.  The reformation in the mid nineties with the promising line up of Wakey, Gizz, and Pinch bore the disappointing “Bow to None” album. It pisses me off a bit when bands tarnish their legacies with schoolyard  argument type behaviour. I thought each version had staked out their “territory” and had a mutual understanding and respect for their differing styles. Maybe, maybe not.

I’ve just forked out for a copy of “We did, We Do, We Always fucking did”. When it gets shipped out I’ll review it, then I’ll order a copy of “The thing with two heads” and review it. Then we’ll stack ‘em up together and see who wins the English Dogs Sonic Reducer Vinyl Only Blog 2014 vinyl release competition.

chrismccousin@gmail.com

BURNING LOVE- SONGS FOR BURNING LOVERS

SONGS FOR BURNING LOVERS

Righto. I know I’m way behind the times with this one, again. As I say, I get ‘em when I get ‘em. Found out about this kinda by accident. Not being as linked in as I used to be, things filter through at different rates on the radar.

Anyway,  me and a mate were having a browse in Resist Records recently and it was playing. Both our ears pricked up independently , after a while my mate asks what was playing. “Burning Love’s first album”. I looked  back through the  racks until I found it.

Haven’t heard anything like this in ages. Got it home and kept playing it for about a week straight. I could slot in superlatives and comparisons but at the end – This is hardcore that kicks arse and ROCKS.  It rocks, it rolls, it punks, it hardcores. Look, maybe I’m just getting carried away and it’s simply great just fuckin’ rock ‘n roll! Throaty vocals, filthy guitars, and It’s all pretty much full tilt until the end of side two. Get to the end of side one and “miserable sound” shows they’re not afraid of turning out a (fuckin’ good) chunky  metal riff either, which it’s kind of built up to by this stage.   It fades out. Turn it over, and it fades back in -  pretty neat. The momentum continues on side two........ Great fun. I challenge you to listen to it and see if you can restrain yourself from  bobbing your head to it.

Great vinyl package to boot. Soundwise there’s plenty of oomph. Love the fade in from side one to side two. Cover – wise simple and effective. There’s a lyric sheet (and some of the lyrics are great) – “Ignore the doctor’s orders and this is what I get”, (Gain). This one’s one Blue vinyl as well. 

NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS - LIVE FROM KCRW

NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS

LIVE FROM KCRW 

Double Vinyl LP

OK, this was released last year, I know.

 I’ve only just got a copy....

Recorded at the end of 2013 at the end of a world tour for Push the Sky away, this captures a performance for California’s KCRW  “No rehearsals, no overdubs. This is the result”.  The result is prett damn good. Not only does it serve as a kind of alternate version of the aforementioned “Push the Sky Away”, it represents a snapshot of NC&TBS extensive back catalogue.  There’s  4 songs from “Push the Sky Away”;  The opener “Higgs Bosun Blues”, “Wide Lovely Eyes”, “Mermaids”, and “Push the Sky Away”. They benefit, as do all the songs here, from the stripped back sound courtesy of a truncated Bad Seeds. There’s plenty of room for the songs to breathe. There’s a lightness to all the songs that gives them a new dimension.

Nick himself is the consummate performer, and humours the audience after the first two songs when he asks ”What else?” someone asks for “Nick the stripper, another asks for “Up jumped the Devil”. Then they’re into “Stranger than Kindness”  from ”Your Funeral My Trial”, For this listener, a highlight. While Warren Ellis is no Blixa Bargeld, his wonderfully airy guitar captures the essence of the song marvellously, and is perfect in this context.

“The Mercy Seat” is lightened up a little here (if that’s possible). “Wide lively eyes” and “Mermaids” retain their beauty and mystery as captured on “Push the Sky Away”. “God is in the house” is lent some extra humour in this instance courtesy of Nick. “Jack The Ripper” is rambunctious as ever, the band all clamouring for attention in their own way. The whole band is tight and cohesive; there’s a real bond evident with the band. Good to see Barry Adamson back in the fold, he fits in seamlessly with the others,  (Ellis, Percussionist Jim Sclavunos, and Bass player Martyn Casey), and joins in with their enthusiasm. Along with Nick, they’re all having a great time.

Live from KCRW was released on CD and double LP, as well as a digital download. The album will be rereleased in a forthcoming digital deluxe bundle of Push the Sky Away. The double LP features two exclusive tracks, "Into My Arms" and "God is in the House", which were excluded from previous radio broadcasts of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' KCRW session.

Package wise, this is a winner. Obviously the extra tracks are a bonus. Nick’s obviously sensed he may be on to something with his vinyl releases; although he’s always treated vinyl lovers well, he’s canny and astute enough with his business sense to take advantage of the niche market. The cover itself is suitably suave, quality cardboard on the gatefold, the artwork of which isn’t overstated . The vinyl itself is good quality heavy stuff. The sound itself is fabulous. There’s a real depth and warmth to  the songs and the recording. Minor gripe if any is the absence of an inner sleeve such, but the vinyl is housed in nice gold-tinged matt sleeves .  Download code included.

        A1

1.	"Higgs Boson Blues"
2.	"Far from Me"
3.	"Stranger Than Kindness"   A2
4.	"The Mercy Seat"
5.	"And No More Shall We Part"
6.	"Wide Lovely Eyes"
7.	"Mermaids"   B1
8.	"People Ain't No Good"
9.	"Into My Arms"
10.	"God is in the House"
11.	"Push the Sky Away"   B2
12.	"Jack the Ripper"

VINYL OBSCURITY - EPISODE #2

XTRAVERTS

SO MUCH HATE

Bin Liner Records (1997)

Reissue of late 70’s UK punk by Xtraverts from Wycombe UK.

Not as obscure  as I’d  thought. I’d never heard of these guys before I got this record though. I got this for a tenner “on spec” at a record fair. This is Pistols/’77 (inspired) stuff that goes some way to bridging the gap between the ‘70’s stuff and the UK82 stuff perhaps.  Their facebook page says  “Xtraverts were noted as one of the very first Punk Rock bands, established in 1976 in England”.  These songs were  recorded in 1978 -79  , but never released until 1997 – I think. Apparently  “So much hate” was released in 1978 by Detour records, but I can’t qualify that, and I don’t know if it’s true.

This comprises all the XTRAVERTS recorded output, sound quality varies throughout. Some of the strongest and best recorded songs commence this record – Police State (single version) and I hate you   (“pick on skinheads punks and teds”)

Other highlights include “Who sent the boys”  (didn’t they hate the cops!) “Speed”, which kicks off side two (which The Damned  circa ’79 would have been proud to call their own) “Blank generation” (it appears on side two in it’s “single format”, along with Police State),  and “Dehydration Pill”. All in all great stuff, and it retains anger, energy and melody throughout.

Apparently they were very influential, and left a legacy of Xtaverts graffiti in their home town of Wycombe , as illustrated by the back cover.

Package wise, OK, I guess. front cover is a  B&W collage of the band. Back cover features graffiti pic and song/band info. No insert. Sound quality varies, which is reasonable for its era and multiple recording sessions. A great record, and a great document of a band that perhaps didn’t get the exposure they deserved. They have reformed though, and are planning gigs.

SLAPSHOT 7" AND LIVE REVIEW

SLAPSHOT

EVERYTHING WANTS TO KILL YOU

Australian Tour 7”

Old School Cartel

This was supposed to be handed out at the gig on the night, but the pressing was delayed, and so it’s only just arrived in the post. Recorded specifically to accompany their Australian tour, it comprises a new song Everything wants to kill you, and a Poison Idea Cover, Pure Hate. 

Everything wants to kill you starts in a no-fuss manner and displays the classic hardcore which Slapshot are renowned for.  The lyrics describe how enrything in Australia wants to kill you (Dingoes take away your children). The Crocodile Dundee samples are a bit funny - “That’s not a knife”. Pure Hate sees them put their own stamp on the PI song, and it works well for them, they change the pace a tad without sacrificing any of the song’s energy. The production is  very clean on both songs, almost bordering on slick, but it does give a lean and strong sound.

Package wise, a nice little 7”. Songs are on one side, the Slapshot logo is etched on the other. There’s an insert, and a download code. Nice pic of a shark on the front!

SLAPSHOT,TOE TO TOE, HOSTILE OBJECTS, CROWNED KINGS, STRAIGHT TO A TOMB, STREET WAR

28.3.14 Hermanns Bar

STREET WAR kick off the gig with a set of metal-inspired hardcore. In the ten or so minutes it took me to take a 7” back to the car, a reformed  STRAIGHT TO A TOMB’s  set is all but over. I catch their last song, a cover of Agnostic Front’s Your Mistake. Melbourne’s CROWNED KINGS are up next with their full tilt old school inspired hardcore. HOSTILE OBJECTS  continue proceedings a no fuss manner, putting in a sharp set of thrashcore featuring songs from their Young God 7”. TOE TO TOE keep up the pace with a set of old and new classics. Highlights include the older favourites Slave, Slap of Reality and Judas Kiss.

So then to headliners, Boston’s SLAPSHOT for their first ever Australian tour. Fronted since their early  80’S inception by Choke -  who looked pretty happy up on stage to be in Australia, with an ever changing line up, they play pretty much everything you could want to hear from Slapshot –some twice. Chip on my shoulder, Step on it, Hang up your Boots, Olde Tyme hardcore were all in there, even their cover of the Smiths Bigmouth strikes again. Also included was their tour 7” song, Everything wants to kill you, inspired by Australia's wild animals, spiders etc. Their set was rounded out by the inclusion of guitarist Craig Silverman’s other band Star and Stripes infamous Skinheads on the rampage. All in all, a pretty energetic set.

Oi! THIS IS STREETPUNK VOLUME 4

Oi! THIS IS STREETPUNK VOLUME 4

PIRATES PRESS///LONGSHOT MUSIC

Overall, one of the most solid instalments in this series of current and longstanding oi! and streetpunk bands from around the world.

Veterans THE LAST RESORT led by Roi Pearce lead the charge with Fuck ‘em all. Indeed. No mess, no fuss, just pure impact. Canadians BISHOP’S GREEN are next with their punchy melodic oi! with a catchy singalong chorus to boot. HARD EVIDENCE follow suit with their lean streetpunk. RAZORS IN THE NIGHT speed things up with the pacy “My boots are red” that also gets you singing along with the chorus. GESTALTS more melodic flavoured cut is next, their chorus also a singalonger. GEOFFREY OiCOTT takes a more traditional approach not dissimilar to say, the Business with “Bail Jumpers”. DUFFY’S CUT close side one fittingly with a bit more of a  slowed down sound,  the organ driven “Persecution complex”

Side two commences with two more Oi! institutions. The ever reliable EVIL CONDUCT are first up with “Yesterday’s Rebellion – (the mainstream of today). Next is INFA-RIOT with “I’m more punk than you” (Yes), and bugger me if they don’t retain their signature guitar sound -  they sound like they always did, great stuff. LION’S LAW  are next with the irrepressible “It’s a shame” . BOMBSHELL ROCKS  also retain their signature energetic melodic singalong streetpunk, and made me want to dig out my copy of “Street Art Gallery”.  LAST SEEN LAUGHING also deliver punch with “Your’e fucking dumb” which everyone can relate to and sing along with. SUEDE RAZORS ease up things a bit with the rocky “Longshot Kid”. LENNY LASHLEY’S GANG OF ONE closes with  “Hooligans” which is a bit too introspective for me, but points for including something different, and, well,  just let it play through as it's the last song .    

  

Overall, this is the most consistent instalment in this series. Where Volume 3’s excursion was a bit more  oriented on the pop/melodic side of things, Vol 4 stays more with the overall oi! and streetpunk theme of things, the songs  are on the whole stronger and more cohesive together. Unfortunately there’s no Australian representation this time. (Now that Sydney’s raucous STANLEY KNIFE have reformed perhaps they could shake things up next time with a cut).

This issue comes in grey vinyl. In keeping with the continuing theme, there’s 14 songs on this volume (Up from 11 on Vol 1, 12 on Vol 2, and 13 on Vol 3). Generally the sound is pretty good on all the songs.  There’s a badge (which you may want to remove – it’s pretty fricken’ heavy). Cover is the same as the previous Volumes – basic black and white (which works well), and minimal back cover. Download code included.

RIP TOMMY RAMONE - It's the end of an era

RIP TOMMY RAMONE

So. Now all the original Ramones are no longer with us.

Tommy may not have had the larger personas of Joey, Johnny or Dee Dee but he sure as shit with them, defined their sound.  He wasn’t  just the drummer – his style simplistic, yet difficult to replicate. He also of course played on and produced the first three Ramones records (and who doesn’t love the first three Ramones records?) and  gave them what I think is a great sound on them.

A particular favourite for me, especially from a vinyl perspective (even though mine is now getting a little crackly) is “Leave Home”.  Great songs. Great cover. Nice inner sleeve. Great sound – I really like the production -  good stereo sound, nothing’s flat, it’s a bit fuller than the first one , yet it’s simple and minimal.

Dee Dee disliked him cos he had his shit together. Shit eh?

After the deaths of Joey, Dee Dee, and finally Johnny, Tommy said: "The way I deal with it is to think of them still being around, otherwise it's just too baffling."

I'll probably always want to listen to the Ramones.

Rest in peace, Brudda Tommy. 

THE BELTONES REISSUE

THE BELTONES

ON DEAF EARS

TKO Records

Record Store Day 2014 release.

This was originally released in the early 1990’s on CD only. So now TKO have remastered it, and it was reissued to coincide with record store day 2014.

The Beltones first full length, this is catchy, fast, melody-infused punk with scratchy guitars, a nod to 50’s harmonies, and gruff vocals that compliment the songs throughout.There’s 10 songs and it’s all over before you’ve got time to be bored of anything, but don’t be surprised if you wanna give it another spin.  

Pick of Side One is the opener “My Old man”, and track 4, “Fuck you anyway”. Pick of Side Two is again the opening song “Juvenile Delinquent” and the closer "Let the Bombs fall", but really, it’s all good, and well worthy of a re-release. Hailing from Florida, The Beltones were a band that I'd heard about, but never chased down originally, and are widely referenced as being influential. There's appeal for here for skins, punks, herberts, and even those that like the poppy stuff.  

Package wise, not  bad. There’s an inner sleeve with lyrics and a humorous liner note from singer/guitarist Bill McFadden;  “This thing never came out on vinyl so now you can finally shut up”. The  best thing about this record is the sound, which is great. Everything shines. It’s a 45, and the sound gets a little more drive by virtue of being a 45rpm, the cuing is louder, giving the vinyl an extra lift.  This one's plain black vinyl, but “splatter” vinyl is available.  

chrismccousin@gmail.com

eBay Wars #1

THE EXPLOITED

DEATH BEFORE DISHONOUR

(1987)

You  may well wonder or laugh. “An eBay war for that”? Well it wasn’t an intense bidding war as such by any stretch. But where eBay is concerned, it’s always a war unless you’re the only bidder.  And I’m far from being an eBay Field Marshall, bidding expert, champion, or someone who spends lots of dosh on eBay. Cos I ain’t. I’ll have a bit of a look. I’ll seek out stuff I want, naturally. But I’ll keep very much on the lower scale of things. 

I friend burnt this for me on CD quite a long time ago.  Wasn’t that interested at first, but then it grew on me, as albums sometimes do. I played it not so long ago, and I thought, “wouldn’t mind getting that on vinyl if I see a copy”. Then, trawling eBay just having a look recently,  I happened to see a copy that had a low start price. I kept an eye on it for a few days, it had a couple of bids that went up in  very small increments. On the last day I set myself a (low) limit and bid. “Outbid”. I went up by very small increments. Outbid. The price I needed to win didn’t show up. Then I went “aaaah, fuck it”. I worked out what the “hidden” limit on the bid was and outbid it by 5 cents.  Winning bid. So I waited until the next day. (The bids closed at  10pm Saturday night and I wasn’t gonna just sit around the computer waiting). So for a reasonable price (which was THE ceiling I’d set for this) including postage, it was mine.  I have to say I was pleased that I’d trumped someone by 5 cents. Cos if they had of really wanted it they would have kept bidding (well that’s my line of thinking anyway). 

   

Obviously I wouldn’t have bid for this if I didn’t like it. This is actually one of the Exploited’s better albums I reckon, and quite underrated. For some though perhaps too “metal, and is perhaps the album that was the turning point of their (slightly more metal based) future direction. Can’t say it’s overly metal myself though – it’s an Exploited punk record through and through. It’s not short on the great hallmark of any Exploited album, the requisite Wattie bile and anger, and of course this was largely fuelled by and directed at Maggie Thatcher. This record chugs along like a giant unstoppable mohawked Mack fucking truck. Perhaps not overtly “punk” in the same way “Punk’s not Dead” or “Troops of Tomorrow” were, it’s a great fifth album which sees them change the formula a bit.

They cover a bit of ground here – from the opening bludgeon of “Anti UK” and “Power Struggle”, there’s melody and plenty of singalong choruses within the chugging rifferama which is present throughout, and there’s enough guitar solos to make things interesting but not too over the top. “Police Informer” contains a sample from the 80’s classic Terminator (Schwarzenegger’s “Fuck You asshole”).  I guess in its  own way “Death Before Dishonour” is like The Terminator – it just keeps going – and of course there is a bit of an 80’s theme lyrically and thematically; “Barry Prossit” (80’s cop bashing victim) and “Don’t really care” (about the dole in Thatcher’s Britain).   “Driving me insane” lends a bit more melody, and the closing track “Sexual favours” featuring female backup vocal” adds a different flavour.

Package wise  I like this one a lot. The cover pic of a decaying Maggie Thatcher embracing the grim reaper is great, and is a bit of a period piece statement on the time. Its part of the reason I was after this on vinyl, I think it’s a fantastic cover. The inner sleeve is also great, and classic for the time – pics of the band on one side, typewriter font lyrics on the other.

Production wise they have a bit of a reverbish sludgy sound here – which isn’t actually a bad thing, and I reckon it works well.  There’s more of a “heavy” sound as opposed to the more flat out speed of some of the earlier offerings. There’s plenty of energy on the vinyl (particularly for a record that’s 25 years old. And not scratched, but in reasonable condition for its age, as a lot of punk records are).

I’ve listened to this again quite a bit now since I got it, so it was worth it. One ticked off the list. As I say, I’m not one to fork out massive amounts of money on eBay, can’t afford to unfortunately, so these kindsa eBay “victories” as some people term them, are a bit sweeter because for me they’re affordable as well as desirable.  I mean, we all know that there’s lots of vinyl that go for ridiculous prices but who can afford them? Like a first press of the Negative Approach EP – in the hundreds and hundreds. And then do you play it or look at it or put it away after you’ve forked out hundreds? Shit, I’ve been collecting vinyl for a long time, and in many respects I’m not a true “collector” (My collection, although not by any means insubstantial, is far skinnier than I would like).  As I say though, at least it’s functional – they get played.          

POISON IDEA LIVE AND IAN MACKAYE 12"

POISON IDEA, A.V.O., HOSTILE OBJECTS, DARK HORSE

16.5.2014, Bald Faced Stag Hotel Sydney, Australia

There’s a big turnout tonight for Portland Oregon’s Poison Idea who are making their first trip to Australia in their 30+ year history.

All the support bands put in solid sets. Dark Horse with their crusty doom laden hardcore. Hostile Objects with their sonic hardcore thrash assault.  A.V.O (who have reformed to support idols Poison Idea) with their Oi! infused old school hardcore.

By the time Poison Idea come on the room is heaving. They start with “Hangover Heart Attack” – which was a great way to kick off the set, (and which I hoped they’d start with). Then they’re straight into “The Temple” from War All the time. Then it’s the classic cop hating anthem “The Badge”. They crank through a great cross section of their best known stuff; there’s a reasonable amount from Feel the Darkness which everyone wants to hear – the rock and roll punk powerhouse that is “Just to get away”, “Taken by surprise” of course “Plastic Bomb”, all of which were a highlight of the set. All the while a bandanna’d Jerry A’s (in)famous largesse is commanding, yet relaxed. It’s his band, and they power on with him, all with a work-like  ethic and little fuss. Eric “The Vegetable” Olsen, (from the mid/late 80’s line up), recently returned to the band,  also cuts a  commanding figure by virtue of his height (and punk uniform – Discharge T-shirt and docs), standing rooted to the spot hammering out power chords and solos. The other guitarist is head down,  complementing  Vegetable’s melodies and leads. Likewise the rhythm section – the female bass player keeps precision time banging her head like a metronome with the drummer’s solid beats. The whole band is spot on with all the songs, along with Jerry’s throaty roar.

In the middle of the set they threw in an unexpected cover of Roky Erikson’s   “You’re gonna miss me” which I didn’t recognise at first – didn’t know they covered it, and it seemed a little out of place, and slowed things up just a tad.  Not that it was bad, just a little..... unanticipated. Things are back on track with “Getting the Fear”, and “Say Goodbye”, the opening cut from Blank Blackout Vacant. (PI always have great opening songs on all of their albums, quite a few of which were in tonight’s set). There were a couple of cuts from Kings of Punk, and they closed with “Marked for Life” and “Alan’s on Fire”.

The crowd  loved it and was singing along. Great set -  you couldn’t have really asked for more from PI. The only real bit of a complaint from me, I guess was there was no encore.  The band themselves seem to be having a great time – their initial date in Melbourne was extended to two dates, after which they were back here in  Sydney for a second and final show, and then back to Melbourne again.   

 

POISON IDEA

Ian Mackaye 12” EP

1989

This is the one of the only Poison Idea record not to  see a CD reissue (All you pretentious record collector scum, correct me if I’m wrong. And I’m only calling you that ‘coz I’m jealous you’ve got more records than me).

Even though it exists in various formats – it has been reissued on vinyl a few times, mainly as the “Filthkick” EP, (minus two songs), it has yet to see an official re release as the “Ian Mackaye” EP in the current Poison Idea reissue series. It was a Compilation of the Filthkick 7" EP, Getting the Fear/4 A.M. 12" and a new track. Originally released on the UK label In Your Face records, which was run by one of the guys in Heresy.  Some came with a limited edition sticker on the front.

This 6 track 12” 33rpm is a solid blast of  scorching Posion Idea punk rifferama from start to finish. Opens with the killer “Hangover Heartattack”, onto Drug Revival thend “Ballad of a Pre-Op”.  Side two has the riffy “Getting the Fear” which features a trippy type middle bit, “4am", and Jerry A’s “ Nota love song”, “Burned for the last time”. This is great tough mid- period  Poison Idea with a different feel  - post (I think) War all the Time and pre- Feel the Darkness. Most of the songs feature Eric “The Vegetable” Olsen’s solos which add a different flavour here and compliment Pig’s own lead and rhythym guitar.  Also captures a unique line up of the band.

Glad I got this one (a few years ago now).  Can’t say I own loads of Poison Idea vinyl, unfortunately – there’s plenty of it to collect. Interestingly, I haven’t seen this go for silly prices on ebay, so try and get yourself one.

PUNK ROCK 'N' FRICKEN ROLL VINYL ONLY 

chrismccousin@gmail.com