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.