Oi! THIS IS STREETPUNK VOLUME 5 VINYL out now

Oi! This is Streetpunk Volume 5

PIRATES PRESS///LONGSHOT MUSIC

2015

Latest instalment of this long –running  compilation series returns with another strong line-up of bands.

Good to see the Aussies leading the charge here with a one-two punch on the first two cuts; Razorcut kick off with the flat-out take no prisoners attitude of “Never Die”, followed by Black Ball’s 70’s pub-rock flavoured “Running from You”. 

English Lads Grade 2 keep the pace up with ”Nothing to Lose”. Late 90’s/early 00’s San Francisco streetpunk heroes Reducers SF return with one of their melodic singalong anthems in “For all the times”. Bats Out channel something akin to the Adicts with the fun punk of ”Flying Blind”. Another late 90’s streetpunk San Francisco mob,  Workin’Stiffs also make a welcome return with the punchy “Painting my nails” (It’s like they’ve never been away, and it reminds me to give their “Liquid Courage” LP a spin). Brick Assassin  take a bludgeoning hardcore approach with “Ruled by You”, and another Aussie band Plan of Attack close side 2 with the tough as nails oi! of “Take the Pain”.

Darkbuster’s more melodic/pop tone commences Side 2, followed by the more aggressive straight up punk of Roadside Bombs with “Angry People”. Longstanding  US punkers Generators are often at their best with their melodic anthems, as here with “Castaways”. Rile 9 Collective keep things amped up with the singalong chorus and guitar hook of “Delusional”,  and Victory  keep  it up again with the upbeat, razor-throated “Enemy of the State”.  Antagonizers ATL are next up with the back to basics punk of with “Dead to Us”, and The Struggle close with the rocky, hard hitting “Once Bitten”.

This is simply just a great  comp of oi! and streetpunk  bands with a great collection of bands and songs. All have pretty good production, the vinyl gives a great sound to everything here.  This one’s splatter vinyl.  Patch and download code included. I’m already lookin’ out for the next one!

REDUCERS SF BOX SET RE-RELEASE

REDUCERS SF

"ESSENTIALS" 4 LP BOX SET

PIRATES PRESS 2015

First up, I have to admit to being pretty much a “freshcut” when it comes to the Reducers SF. I didn’t have any of their stuff before getting this. I’d heard one or two of their songs way back one way or another somewhere somehow, and was aware of them courtesy of their association/relationship with perhaps better known San Francisco bands such as the Swingin’ Utters and Workin’ Stiffs in the late 90’s. The songs I did hear kind of stuck in my head. I spotted this box set in a record shop and had my eye on it, and when my wife asked me  what to get me for my birthday I asked her to get it for me. I’ve been dining out on it for a good few weeks now. It’ll be a while before I get bored of this lot. Let’s be clear straight off the bat; this is all great stuff. All the original albums here warrant a reissue.  

What I like most is that Reducers SF tap the source so to speak –drawing inspiration directly from the likes of the original UK  Oi! - Cock Sparrer, Chelsea, The Adicts, and The Business, filtering and digesting them to produce their own sound which has a distinct US slant. The result over the 4 LP collection is a unique brand of good time, singalong, melodic oi!/streetpunk.

The debut LP Backing the Longshot has some great  (Reducers classics) songs in “Never hear a word” (although it’s not entirely representative of the band’s sound) and the second song “Let it go”, as well as “A few rounds” , “Die like Me”, and “SF United”.  It’s probably the most melodic of all the collection, and consolidated  the band as a 4 piece with mainstays Glen McHenry (vocals/guitar), Kevin Doherty  (guitar), Mike Crowell (bass), and  Scott Nicol (drums).

Crappy  Clubs and Smelly Pubs is more of the same. Except it’s  not. They’ve eased back on the production a tad, and It’s a bit leaner, zippier and faster overall than its predecessor . The signature  melodic singalongs and guitar melodies are all there. Highlights here are “We are the enemy” and  Another day older”.

2001’s Raise Your hackles sees the lineup expand to a five piece with the addition of Ryan Allen on guitar to give Glen McHenry free rein on vocals, resulting in a  tougher  and  more direct sound.  Again, The signature  melodic singalongs are all there still. They’ve upped the ante with production, and everything has a smidge more clarity. Raise Your hackles  mixes their UK 80’s  Oi! influences with a bit of a US hardcore  flavour.  “Fading Away” sets the tone,  we’re  off again, and there’s plenty more to hook you in once more.  Likewise side two, which closes with the classic “We are the same” with its prickly guitar loop solo.

1995 – 2001 Demos/B-Sides/Live/Outtakes rounds up non LP extras.  It’s good enough as a standalone LP in itself . The only (minor) gripe I have here is that 8? of the 12 songs are represented elsewhere, or here  on this LP.  Little consequence though, as classics such as “Let it go” and “We are the Same”  have  a different sound when presented here in their original versions of the band  with a more stripped down, rougher sound. Side two documents the pre “Backing the Longshot” era of the band with original singer Jim Martinez’s tenure, and you can see how the band developed their sound from more basic streetpunk roots. They also wear their influences on their sleeves proudly  with three top-notch covers (2  by Cock Sparrer and one  by Slaughter and The Dogs).  (And where is their cover of The Pogues “The Broad Majestic Shannon”? With the downloads somewhere? And that other single that coulda been chucked on here?)

For me throughout this 4 LP collection the  guitars shine and complement each other fantastically. Glen Mc Henry’s raspy drawl suits the songs,  he sings with conviction, and doesn’t stretch it. The rhythm section holds it all down solidly throughout.

Package wise this is an absolute winner. The box slipcase that contains the LP’s  is well done with a great cover. The albums themselves have all the artwork and inner sleeves with good quality cardboard and stuff with nice quality printing. Each album has a different colour  heavy vinyl. Some? Of the collection has been remastered, and  all the vinyls have  good stereo sound with plenty of dynamic.  Download codes included.  

NEW VINYL FROM AGNOSTIC FRONT, POISON IDEA, STRANGELHOLD, AND CONDEMNED 84

AGNOSTIC FRONT

THE AMERICAN DREAM DIED

Nuclear Blast

AF are well and truly back again!

AF’s last release “My Life my Way” was  heads down, business as usual, but it had an upbeat feel to it. With this one their anger has bubbled back up to the surface with a vengeance.

“Intro” is a great intro. Love the bit that goes “The cops are supposed to protect us, but who is going to protect us from the cops?” It segues into The American Dream Died slap bang and we’re away, and then into Police Violence. It’s all good, and side one finishes up  with one of my favourites here, I can’t relate.

Side two opens with their ode to the sorry state of how they see their home city of NYC,  Old New York, and  fittingly commences with a sample from Taxi Driver. Other favourites for these ears on Side two are Attack, and the closer, Just like yesterday.

It’s all over in just a tad more than half an hour.  

As Stigma himself says about the album “It has a great pace to it. You got short, hardcore songs. You have a regular-length song. A melodic song. It takes you really on a ride. Love this album. This one will stand the test of time”.

Joining Stigma and Roger in AF’s ever evolving ranks this time around  is guitarist Craig Silverman (Stars and Stripes, Blood for Blood, Slapshot) and his presence  brings  a sharper edge and new focus.  Long standing bassplayer Mike Gallo with drummer Pokey Mo provide a solid rythym section for Stigma and Craig to riff off. It’s a throwback to multiple eras, and there’s elements of stuff off the best AF records from  over the years.   Lyrically there’s all the  elements of the stuff AF love to hate; The cops, the fucked system, idiots, society. There’s also of course songs about unity and the HC scene. 

Good package. Vinyl is limited edition. Good production, everything’s got a good clarity without being too slick. Inner sleeve with lyrics. There’s a free download for Roger’s other band, The Alligators available with the record. 

POISON IDEA

Confuse and Conquer

Southern Lord

Let’s be clear right from the start. “Confuse and Conquer”  kicks arse.

Poison Idea have well and truly risen from the ashes with this one.  Before I’d listened to it, a mate asked someone who’d heard it what Poison Idea record they thought it was closest to and they replied “Feel the Darkness”. In a sense. No, it’s not “Feel the Darkness #2”. But it’s absolutely got a relentless and powerful energy to it, and retains and remains honest to the hardcore element of their earlier releases.

Bog and Me + JD commence things in flat out style. The piano intro to Psychic Wedlock recalls the intro to Plastic Bomb off  ”Feel the Darkness”, but then it has its own heavy quality. Hypnotic has a garage –rock feel to it that works well, and adds a different flavour. Trip Wire brings it back to basics.

Side Two peaks with third song The Rythyms of Insanity, a highlight. Then, the album is conquering and confusing. Conquering in that the album does just that, confusing (almost) with the inclusion of Dead Cowboy where Jerry channels something like a spaghetti western Chris Isaak or some shit, but y’know, he gets away with it. It’s back to basics again with Beautiful Disaster. Reprise brings things to a close.

It helps that the sound is huge; the production affords the band a fat and heavy sound. The solos play off the rythym . The whole band are as tight as the proverbial. Jerry A is grooving out on the fact that this line-up is going off. Good to see some  Eric “the Vegetable” Olson  guitar solos like he ripped out on “War all the Time”  LP and the “Ian Mackaye” 12”.

This is a nice package from Southern Lord; cover  art is simple but effective with heavy cardboard as is the inner sleeve. There are no lyrics. There’s a youtube link on their facebook page where  you see Jerry burning the lyrics; he didn’t want ‘em included.  Good art and pics though  on the innersleeve. Likewise, the vinyl is nice ’n heavy, and the sound is great.

As the cover sticker says “Complete Filth and Mayhem for a new era”. Indeed. This is what classic Poison Idea sounds like in 2015.   

STRANGLEHOLD

Self Titled  10” EP

Contra/Longshot Records

Female fronted razor-throated buzzsaw oi!/punk. Pretty bloody good eh!

Melbourne, Australia’s Stranglehold have been at it a few years now with their brand of cut-throat punk. Taking their cues and inspiration from 70’s and 80’s oi! and punk,  they have a sound all their own, fusing those elements with both melody and grit. Having put out a few 7”s and featured on the ”Oi! this is streetpunk!” Compilations in recent years, this is their first proper full release.

The only real complaint from me is there’s only 6 songs! (Including their own take on the UK Subs song that gave them their name). However, it’ a rock solid “entry point”,  a strong debut which makes its point quickly and then fucks off, I suppose.  

Neat package. Cover art is great, the quality of the  cover and vinyl (grey coloured) is great, and the production gives ‘em a hell of a punch,  and a full stereo sound.

CONDEMNED 84

FACE THE AGGRESSION

30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION

LIMITED TO 500 COPIES

Rebellion Records

This has been reissued  quite a few times , but  this was one I didn’t have, so when I found out Rebellion Records had issued it again, it was  a no brainer.

Varying between flat out and plain ol’ heavy, “Face The Aggression”  has a different style to their first release “Battle Scarred”.

Deluxe, limited vinyl re-release to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of CONDEMNED 84. Strictly limited to 500 copies. The most limited pressing ever for Condemned 84, so you know these won't be available forever...

The LP comes with a thick jacket, a printed innersleeve and 3 different colours of vinyl. This one is red and white splatter.

TUTTI PARZE 7"

TUTTI PARZE    

Self titled 7” Package

Inner City Sound

Limited to 250

A long time ago, I was at a party, and happened to be wearing a Conflict T-Shirt. A guy with a Poison Idea “Pick your King” T-Shirt came up to me and said “great T-Shirt”. I said “yours is better”. “Why” he asks me “because Poison Idea are the Kings of Punk” I said. “Yeah” he replied, “but Conflict are the angriest”. And we left it at that and kept chatting. If Conflict were the angriest, then Tutti Parze were the most Pissed Off.

Sydney's Tutti Parze existed for a short time somewhere from the late 80's to the early 90's. 

I saw Tutti Parze a couple of times just before  they broke up in the early 1990’s at the Jellyheads warehouse and The Vic on the Park  Pub (which I’m pretty sure was their last show). Full On. I remember one of our straight (not not gay, just ....”normal”) friends came along to that show, and he just watched with his mouth open and said later on “I’ve never seen anything like that before, or anyone that angry on stage”. 

Tutti Parze played at a time when there was a lot more mixed bills with punk/crust/grind/metal/thrash bands. I remember a friend who had seen them a lot, and had taken some metal head mates to see them  told me the   metal heads had said they were has one of the heaviest sounding  bands that they had ever heard.          

 

With the unique, distinctively  heavy  guitar sound  of the late Billy Hughes (RIP) this is angry, pissed off, political, heavy  hitting anarcho crust punk.

The 7” comprises the only 4 tracks Tutti Parze ever recorded. I remember getting the “Sounds of ordinary Madness” CD comp years ago because it had two Tutti Parze songs on it, and it’s great now to hear them on vinyl. The other two were released on another comp a few years later.

This package comprises the 7” record, with original art work (from a flyer I think), a live CD, sticker, and badge.  The CD is a patchy recording from a live gig, but the heavy sound is well evident, and singer Wil’s tirades are well audible. The CD is worth it alone for the booklet containing comprehensive notes, and some great pics.

It comes in a hand sewn “Tutti Parze” bag . This is a really well put together package, and it’s suited to the 7” format perfectly. Great Stuff,   and it's great that this has been finally released.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 http://innercityuprising.bigcartel.com/product/tutti-parze-bite-back-7-and-cd-pack                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

VANILLA MUFFINS - THE TRIUMPH OF SUGAR Oi!

VANILLA MUFFINS

The Triumph of Sugar Oi!

2015 Spirit of the Street Records 

Having known about the Vanilla Muffins for a while and not having any of their stuff, they were on the “to get” radar . When I saw this neat “new” “greatest hits” package summarising their  stuff, I couldn’t resist.

Originally released in 2014, this is a 2015 repress, so it must have been popular. 

This has 14 cuts representing all of the Muffins recorded output, opening with the unreleased (and slightly naff and very cheesy) The Sugar Oi! Jive, It moves onto one of the highlights, the irresistible Ladies choice. There’s only one from their debut Suagar Oi! will Win, Storm over England. The Drug is Football LP covers half this comp, with 7 cuts including the buzzy singalong title track, Brigade Loco, 3 Comrades, No Punk Rock in My Car, The Mob from Kannenfeldpark, and The one and only.  

Vanilla Muffins are one of those band perhaps you either like or don’t and their unique brand of melodic Oi! mightn’t be for everyone.  There are a variety  of more comprehensive Vanilla Muffins compilations (mainly on CD) but this one’s a neat little overview that doesn’t overstay it’s welcome and makes its point quick smart. It’s hard not to like, and I guarantee you'll be singing along.

Package wise not bad. Nice silver and black cover, comprehensive notes with the track list on the back indicating which songs come from  which release. Inner sleeve with pics, and no lyrics save for The Sugar Oi! Jive.  Good quality vinyl and great sound , courtesy of the nice distorted sound on the guitar, which works well production wise.   

THE RUMJACKS 7” SINGLE and LIVE REVIEW

THE RUMJACKS

“BLOWS AND UNKIND WORDS/PLENTY” Double A-Side 7”

Single release from the “Sober and Godless” album

A single release in the truest sense of the word –  this has one song per side. I actually thought this was an EP . No matter, it’s great to have a good ol’ single that you can whack on and flip over. Fittingly, the energy  of the band fits the 7” format well. “A- Side” Blows and Unkind words rolls and rambles with aplomb  in The Rumjacks unique  style and take on celtic-punk (or however you want to frame it. And, they have a very Australian sound, mind). Frankie McLaughlin’s vocals drive the song, accompanied by guitar/bass drums and accentuated by accordion and mandolin.  

“B-Side” Plenty has a bit more of a straight up “rock” flavour about minus the enhancements of accordion etc, and makes its point quicker than the other side.

Package wise – the cover art is a winner. There’s no info on the band etc, but then it makes it point, if you will, solely being about the two songs. Production is punchy but not overstated, letting everything be heard within this  5 piece without  one thing being overheard on top of the other.

I got this from the merch table at the gig, and I’m not sure when it came out, but I think it was last year. You can get this with a T-Shirt package, and other merch, (including  the “Sober and Godless” album on vinyl) from the band’s facebook page.

THE RUMJACKS

5 March

Hotel Gearin, Katoomba

The support band, Bell Jar weren’t really my cup of tea, but they did put in an energetic set of accordion driven gypsy-folk.

THE RUMJACKS are one of those bands that just don’t turn in a bad show and they were on form tonight as part of a tour for the “Sober and Godless”  album launch.

I could do the research, name more songs and the band members, and hand over a detailed professional rock-journo type review. Basically though, Lead singer Frankie McLaughlin leads the band on, and they all basically put their heads down and get on with it, whilst enjoying themselves .  They play well, without being overly polished on stage with a mix of old and new songs. Highlights were The Jolly Executioner (always a standout) from “Sound as a Pound”, and new songs from “Sober and Godless”,  Blows and Unkind words,  Barred for Life, and  Sober and Godless.

Check ‘em out if they play near you.

CJ RAMONE GIG AND ALBUM REVIEW

CJ RAMONE, ROCKS, BATFOOT!

12.2.2015

Bald Faced Stag Hotel

Chinese Burns Unit  had to unfortunately pull out at the last minute. Batfoot!play uptempo poppy punk with youthful energy.

ROCKS put in a kick arse set, as always. Featuring Pete back on bass, their blistering set covers all eras of Rocks recorded output. Songs such as Mental Bank, Migraine headache, Your so boring, Combat Zone, What I say, and even a new one called Bombs away rev us up in a blitz  for CJ. Forget  superlatives, they were just fuckin’ great, OK and that’s about it.

CJ and his band come on a little while later kicking off with Understand Me? , the opening cut from his new LP Last chance to dance. From then on, the set is Ramones classics peppered with CJ’s solo stuff, mostly the bulk of  Last chance to dance, and a couple from his earlier release Reconquista. Highlights from Last chance to dance include Pitstop, the title track, Clusterfuck, and Won’t stop swinging. The majority of the set is Ramones classics – Blitzkrieg Bop, Suzie is a Punk, Sheena is Punck Rocker,53^rd and 3^rd, Judy is a punk, Cretin Hop, Commando, Glad to see you go,  Do you wanna dance, I wanna be sedated,the list goes on.

The band is absolutely shit hot, and they’re all having a great time. The guitars of Dan Root and Steve Soto (both from the Adolescents) are spot on, as are their back up vocals. On songs like Listen to my heart they are note for note perfect with the harmonies. CJ's bass, with Pete Sosa (Street Dogs) provide a rock solid rythym section.  CJ banters in between songs just enough to engage with the crowd, but not hinder the workmanlike ethic of the band to just get on with it, which he obviously learned during his apprenticeship with the Ramones.

CJ is in the enviable position of being able to hand-pick his own favourites from the Ramones back catalogue. Interestingly  there is a bit of a trend towards the love themed songs, such as  the KKK took my baby away, She’s the one and Baby I love you  (of which he said “I guarantee you’ve never heard this one live before”). They play only one song  from CJ’s tenure with the band, Strength to endure.

In summary, if you are a (Ramones) fan, you just couldn’t be disappointed. CJ is gracious enough to give the fans what they want – Ramones songs (geared to the early stuff, which everyone loves), even though his own solo material is more than worthy;the proportion of solo stuff is far outweighed by the Ramones stuff in the set. The set goes for almost an hour and a half, played by one of the last remaining Ramones, with band that’s got a pretty good pedigree. Everyone’s got their favourite Ramones songs, but  it would have been impossible for anyone in the room to not have heard plenty of their own in the sizable set.

“There’s only one way to close a set like this” says CJ. They launch into R.A.M.O.N.E.S. and it’s all over.  


CJ RAMONE 
LAST CHANCE TO DANCE
Epitaph (2014)

I’ll admit, this one blipped on the radar late last year when it came out, but I let it slide as I wasn’t really familiar with CJ’s solo stuff.   Then I heard CJ was touring here in February and a mate said Let’s go. So I thought I’d check out the record, and get familiar with the songs for the gig.

First time I put  on Last chance to dance I was hooked. And that was listening over/through my kids noise and mayhem. I gave it a proper spin later on –twice in a row. It was about the only thing I played for a week.

For me, CJ pushes the Ramones legacy here and keeps it alive, whilst doing his own thing. If ya don’t mind me saying, it’s a Ramones-y record. But it’s not the Ramones, it’s CJ Ramone and his individuality of course shines through here. Let’s not forget who revitalised the band when Dee Dee left.

There’s a  kinda late-era Ramones feel here but with a completely different flavour. Understand Me,  and Won’t Stop Swinging,  a one-two punch pop-punk melodic gem barrage kicks  the album off, and One more chance keeps the pace up. The next two, Carry me away and ‘Til the end slow things up a bit, but that ain’t a bad thing, and  the melodic element is highlighted  to good effect. Side one closes with the more out and out buzzsaw-rock  interpretation of Alice Coopers’s Long Way to go.

The rock element continues with the chugging Mr Kalashnikov. It’s back to core business with Pitstop (which borrows/uses the chorus harmony from Carbona not Glue, again to good effect. Correct me if I’m wrong).  Grunt is also a bit of a chugger, and if I’m guessing correctly is partly based on CJ’s experience in the Marines. You own me slows it up again, while the title track gets back firmly again in pop-punk territory, and gives a nod to Do you wanna dance (off Rocket to Russia).  The hardcore of Clusterfuck closes the  album with a bang.

It’s obvious CJ and the band are having fun and coalesce well together. CJ’s bass flourishes and vocals seem to cement everything in place. The long time relationship between CJ and Steve Soto (Adolescents-guitar) is apparent, having played together since at least the late 90’s when CJ filled in on bass in Steve’s band for 22 Jacks for a while.

Package wise, not bad at all. The black and white cover is a bit of a nod (in my mind anyway) to The Ramones first LP. There’s a lyric sheet which is simple but effective. Production gives a  tight   but not overly glossy sound which suits the album well. Download code for those that need ‘em.
4/5 

TOP TEN VINYL PICKS FOR 2014

1.       BISHOPS GREEN  - “Pressure “. Probably THE best punk/oi!  album of 2014. Upbeat, tight, infectious singlalong tunes. In terms of vinyl, great package, great sound excellent artwork, coloured vinyl.

2.       NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS -  “Live from KCRW”. Live interpretations of songs from “Push the Sky Away”, plus a few highlights from Nick’s back catalogue on great sounding vinyl with neat packaging make this a winner.

3.       THE BELTONES –“On Deaf Ears” (Record day re-release). Infectious punk with gravel ly vocals that had me going back for more. Great sounding vinyl to boot.

4.       Oi! THIS IS STREETPUNK  VOLUME 4 – Various.  Latest and  perhaps strongest in this series of Oi! comps.

5.       UK SUBS -  XXIV. I know, I know, this was actually from 2013 but I got it early 2014. Solid offering from Charlie Harper (who turned 70 in 2014!) and his cohorts.

6.       BURNING LOVE -  “Songs for Burning Lovers”. And this is even older but I heard it in the record store and had to get a copy – it fuckin’ rocks!

7.       ENGLISH DOGS “We did, we do, we always fucking will!” Wakey returns with his warped lyrics and acerbic punk.

8.       THE CYANIDE PILLS “Still Bored”. Another one that was technically from 2013. Second LP from Yorkshire snotty boys. Great sound and packaging as well.

9.       THE CRAMPS “Rare Tracks” This is older also, found it in a record store.  2 X LP 24 song comp of B-Sides etc from the legendary Lux and Ivy.

10.   NEGATIVE APPROACH Self Titled 7”. Still around if you want a copy, no nonsense hardcore.

Second hand  special mentions that I acquired through the year –THE EXPOITED “Death before Dishonour”, EDDIE AND THE HOT RODS “Life on the  line”, “A COUNTRY FIT FOR HEROES”   No Future records compilation, “KILLED BY DEATH” Comp #7