Kid Klumsy – Singing Our Souls

Jul3

When covering their last EP, Spit Your Dummy Out, we suggested that Kid Klumsy were despite being around for a few years already “ready to grab a chunk of the limelight”. That they did with that particular release which just grabbed body and spirit like a rebellious puppeteer. Now they are getting greedy and going for even bigger rewards and rightly so for new offering, Singing Our Souls, is one seriously rousing incitement of the band’s uproarious punk ‘n’ roll.

Released on the UK band’s highly anticipated appearance at this year’s Rebellion Festival, Singing Our Souls hosts another six slabs of the Coalfield outfit’s voracious rock ‘n’ roll. Mischief and defiance are as ripe as ever within their bold and tenacious bodies of punk bred sound, Kid Klumsy stamping their own inescapable individuality with increasing vigour and relish throughout another outing which just had us leaping with over enthusiastic rigour.

Straight away we were being reeled in by the devious lure of guitar as opener Mr Right Man waited to pounce and that it did with zeal as rhythms bounded in and a devilish hook colluded with similarly virulent riffs. In no time the familiar tones of WEAB, also known as the front henchman at Dirt Box Disco, were stirring up their own side of belligerence, accosting and inciting with relish. A glorious scowling bassline just completed the epidemic of temptations fuelling song and listen, gang vocal persuasions only inflaming already eager engagement in the track’s virulent antics.

Not to be outdone, Slob thrusts its body forward with matching prowess and gusto next, the guitars weaving a web of catchy endeavour as riffs and bass snarled. The immediate sing-a-long enterprise of the band grabbed instinctive involvement, the song almost preying on an inherent weakness to resist such anthemic arousal. With muscles and catchy imagination swinging, the song devoured inhibitions before Dislexic Munkiz stormed the breathless remnants with its own rabidly catchy rock ‘n’ roll leaving exhaustion grinning from riff harried ear to ear. Ferocious in breath, devilish in touch, it just epitomises the Kid Klumsy creative audacity.

Love Is A Battery Field entangles ears next, initially with a guitar wire before breaking into an animated surge of predacious riffs and hungry rhythms, a fusion just as tenacious as fresh hooks and vocal baiting erupt around it. The bassline cast by Alistair in the midst of it all simply infested the passions being ably matched by the guitar incitement of Carl and Greg within the dynamic punches of drummer Jamie as vocals roar. Together it made for one fiercely persuasive attack though soon eclipsed by that of She’s A Fu*k. Alistair again leads the temptation, his lone hook at the start teasing eager ears before being ablaze with the fiery motivation of the guitars. With metal forged steel in its prowl and old school punk in its bearing, the track proves addition sparking rock ‘n’ roll with increasingly inventive temerity.

Maisy’s Song concludes the pleasure, its punk rock weave a swift and persistent urging on ears and body relentless in its nagging whilst relishing its success. It is a rousing end to another release from Kid Klumsy which effortlessly demanded and received unbridled attention; we sure to be merely one of a hefty crowd corrupted by its goodness upon its release, starting with those at Rebellion.

Singing Our Souls is released August 1^st through STP Records. http://www.stprecords.co.uk/

Upcoming Kid Klumsy dates:

Friday July 5th – Mayhem At Micks Leicester

Saturday July 6th – Macclesfield Nags Head

Sunday July 14th – Coalville, The Vic Bikers Pub.

Friday July 19th – Leeds Brudenell (with Sham 69)

Friday July 26th – Stafford Redrum

Saturday July 27th – Sutton In Ashfield New Cross Pub

Saturday August 3rd – Carlisle The Brickyard (with The Skids, acoustic set)

Sunday August 4th – Blackpool Rebellion Festival

Friday August 30th – Basingstoke Irish Centre

Saturday August 31st – Southampton Shooting Star

Saturday September 28th – Newcastle, Northumbria Uni (North East Calling)

Saturday October 12th – Lancaster John O Gaunt.

Saturday October 26th – Manchester Ritz (with The Macc Lads)

Sunday November 3rd – Brighton The Prince Albert

Sunday November 24th – Bedford Esquires (Holy Molys)

Thursday November 28th – Nottingham Rescue Rooms

Friday December 13th – Abertillery Dolls House

Saturday December 21st – Manchester Star & Garter

Sunday December 22nd – Sheffield Corporation

Monday December 30th – Birmingham Hare n Hounds

Tuesday December 31st – Coalville The Vic – NYE Party

https://www.facebook.com/officialkidklumsy https://kidklumsy.bandcamp.com/

Pete RingMaster 02/07/2019

Headsticks – Kept In The Dark

Mar5

If packaging decided best of year choices UK quartet Headsticks will have top honour sealed with new album Kept In The Dark. The surround to its music is simply glorious, easily the best art and presentation seen in many a year by these hungry eyes and embracing music just as mouth-watering it all makes for one irresistibly thrilling offering.

Checking out their previous album, Feather and Flame, three years back we suggested that Headsticks had confirmed themselves “as one of Britain’s most irresistible and essential punk ‘n’ roll adventures.” Well, while assuring you that nothing has changed, the band has revealed that previous success was just the beginning of bigger things; bold triumphs now presented by its successor. Parading their folk ‘n’ punk instinctive sound in all its glory, the new release is Headsticks at their boldest and most boisterous but equally with its richer kaleidoscope of styles and flavours it has equally nurtured its most defined character and individual adventure yet for the biggest pleasure.

Emerging late 2012, Stoke on Trent hailing Headsticks had built and earned a potent reputation through a rousing live presence and acclaimed debut album Muster in 2014; success only accelerated by the following Feather and Flame. That growth will only be escalated again by Kept In The Dark; the band’s finest moment to date as their socially and politically charged songs relish another striking spurt in diversity, imagination, and dramatic adventure.

The new release opens its bumper load of songs, with no filler in sight, with When. From its first breath, the punk ferocity and infectious incursion of the track gripped ears with vocalist Andrew Tranter masterfully steering the rousing trespass. Devious hooks and manipulative rhythms do their persuasive deeds with relish within a song which has echoes of bands such as The Vibrators and Angelic Upstarts to it.

The impressive start is immediately matched by I Love You and its ska natured saunter. As mentioned variety in the Headsticks sound is enjoyably no new thing but it is certainly at its most eager, bold, and fluidly unpredictable within Kept In The Dark. With a Ruts-esque lilt to its stroll, the song had little trouble in getting under the skin and luring participation from body and voice before Peace Or War erupts in a roar of punk ‘n’ roll carousing where the forceful but virulent swings of drummer Tom Carter collude hungrily with the brooding tones of Nick Bayes’ bass as the wiry melodic tendrils of guitar from Steven Dunn align with his rapacious riffs.

The following pair of Cynical and Mushrooms reinforce the album’s instant adventure and prowess; the first a seducing of acoustic punk with irritation fuelling its breath and its successor a mischievous ska pop swinging incitement easily leading hips and vocal chords into action. Both easily got under the skin but still are eclipsed by the superb Mr ‘I’m Alright Jack’. Bred on classic fifties rock ‘n roll, the track is a lure of swerving rhythmic hips and melody enriched rockabilly chords around riveting vocal incitement.

Through the rock driven reflection of My Own War, an easily relatable declaration, and It’s a Matter of Time with its equally melancholic intimacy and Americana twang, enjoyment only built while the hard rock flavouring of Smoke and Mirrors proceeded to add further diversity to Kept In The Dark.

Both aspects continued to blossom as classic metal and street poetry respectively shape the temptation and strength of What If They’re Right and Out of Fashion before Family Tree pounced on social and political unfairness and exploitation upon a reggae borne canter and All of the Trees captivated with its acoustic/punk rock dexterity.

The final trio of The Song For Songs Sake, When the Sun Turns Black, and Baboon Shepherd close the album out as masterfully as it began. The first is a contagion of folk rock irresistible to ear and body, the second a compelling apocalyptic rumble of voice and insinuation; each as magnetic as the other leaving the third to sign off the album with its eleven minute dub infused homage to the career and life of South African footballer Sam Shabangu and the aligning times and experiences of Tranter. It is a track which brings grin and reflection amidst nostalgia across a lengthy landscape which never outstays its welcome.

Headsticks continue to be one mightily engrossing and thrilling proposition which, as Kept In The Dark proves, just get better and better.

Kept In The Dark is out now via STP Records; available @ http://www.headsticks.co.uk/shop.html or http://www.stprecords.co.uk/page2.htm and other online stores.

http://www.headsticks.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/headsticksmusic https://twitter.com/HeadsticksMusic

Pete RingMaster 05/03/2019

Hung Like Hanratty – What You See Is What You Get

Sep5

For us there is little as rousing and rejuvenating as punk rock at its aggressively mischievous best especially when carrying old school loaded attitude and rebellion. In the UK alone we are blessed to have a plethora of such stirring propositions across the country with so many seemingly discovered and uncaged through the excellent label, STP Records. The latest to do the inimitable deed is Hung Like Hanratty, no newcomers to punk devilry, but set to cause a major outcry of pleasure and new support with latest album What You See Is What You Get.

Hailing from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Hung Like Hanratty raised their first middle finger together in 2011, the band name inspired by a man hung in the UK in 1962 but whose guilt has since been questioned. Whereas many bands focus on worldly ills and injustices, Hung Like Hanratty targets those everyday irritants and its participants which piss us all off, songs which simply have devilment and fun running through their core. Previous albums, the 2014 released Human Pig and its successor 50 Shades Of Shit two years later established the quintet as one of punk’s irresistible incitements though pound for pound What You See Is What You Get is a much punchier, dynamic, and addictive protagonist.

The album immediately surges through ears with Clampit Town, the swinging rhythms of drummer Kye Bosh and bassist Tez Tickle driving the instant revelry from first to last note. Vocalist Al Sation stands centre stage exposing the lo fi clothed antics, surrounded by tuneful backing and viperish hooks which bite from the guitar of Vallam amongst Rick Ettes’ riotous riffs. It is a simply outstanding start which has body and spirit bouncing alongside a broad grin, and fair to say the track echoes the album ahead and its title, just it is what you hear is what you get.

The following Lawyers For You stomps around like a fusion of The Adicts and Dirt Box Disco, laying down gentle teasing lures which rise up into irritable charges, moments which will undoubtedly echo every time you see those infernal TV ads. As with most tracks, the song’s title tells you all you need to know about the focus of attention, Disabled Parking another delicious example. Again hooks and grooves become a fresh addiction as rhythms get the body up to misdeeds, Al Sation a magnetic roar poking at the relevant targets. All that is needed is someone to invent a way to have this blaring out every time someone encroaches on spaces they are not eligible for.

Through the provocatively insightful punk ‘n’ roll of Harvey Weinstein and the bold grubby stroll of Stop Playing With Yourself, the album easily keeps attention and participation enslaved, even if neither of the undeniably galvanic tracks quite matched their mighty predecessors. Equally they get slightly eclipsed by Shut My Gate, a Vibrators meets The Damned uproar we have all expressed at one time or another.

As to the last track, there is a rawer edge to Neighbourhood Watch, old school punk driving the contagion compared to more new wave like hues of earlier tracks. Vallam’s guitar catches flames throughout bringing a hard rock scenting to the holler before Evil Clown fingers and torments with its flirtatious escapade. Arrowing straight for the blimp trying to direct the world, this is simply sheer salacious punk craft at its most addictive; vaudevillian punk panto and more potent than a horde of politically charged complaints.

The dark nagging of Outer Body Experiences is just punk manna to these ears, Tickle’s darkly seductive bassline alone reason enough to get inescapably hooked with the jagged claws of the track escalating through the other members. Its glorious act is quickly matched by the open irritability of Keep Your Cat Off My Garden, fine lawns and roses coming before the family pet and in turn Taxi Driver where all our grievances are forcibly aired by the band.

For all the lyrical insight and connections so easy to find, Hung Like Hanratty simply write unapologetically contagious and gleefully insubordinate punk songs, Ten Bob Millionaire and Mr Boring further rousing examples, both tracks infectious trespasses with a dab hand at melodic enterprise and deviously compelling hooks, each continuing the individuality in the band’s sound from song to song.

Closing with the album’s stomping title track, Al Sation the barker fronting a belligerently defiant punk show refusing to bow down, What You See Is What You Get is simply one of the punk riots of the year. Add the fact that the STP Records appetite has been grabbed by the band and Stu and Co only have an a hunger for meatiest morsels going by their releases to date; the album is a undoubted must.

What You See Is What You Get is released September 29^th via STP Records, being unveiled at North East Calling in Newcastle.

https://www.facebook.com/HungLikeHanratty/

Pete RingMaster 05/09/2018

Kid Klumsy – Spit Your Dummy Out

Apr18

There is a new punkster in town with a fresh mischievously belligerent roar and it goes by the name of Kid Klumsy. Actually the band has been around for a few years just more in the background of recognition. Now though it is ready to grab a chunk of the limelight with debut EP Spit Your Dummy Out featuring six deviously tempting punk ‘n’ roll stomps which greedily have the body bouncing and attitude roaring.

From Coalville, Leics, Kid Klumsy as mentioned has been a stirring presence for a while with a couple of demos to their name. Spit Your Dummy Out is their first official release, coming through STP Records who can always be guaranteed to find the best punk rock around, as proven here with this storming introduction to a fresh incitement sure to draw a flood of new Kid Klumsy fans to those already in the know. The band is fronted by Weab, the frontman of inimitable punk rockers Dirt Box Disco, and upon the EP completed by guitarists Greg and Reidy, bassist Ali and Matt Wharton on drums. Almost automatically comparisons to Weab’s day job are sparked but swiftly Kid Klumsy reveals themselves a whole new proposition if one just as virulently infectious. The songs upon Spit Your Dummy Out also show an enjoyably varied character and just as potent whether snarling at the world, romping with rock ‘n’ roll devilment, or simply teasing with fun fuelled relish.

The EP opens with Grow up, an instantly boisterously energetic proposal with sinew strung tenacity. Of all the tracks it is the one which reminds most of Dirt Box Disco yet straight away bares its own steely breath and touch as hooks and rhythms almost battle for attention around Weab’s ever persuasive tones. Swiftly drawing eager involvement from body and voice, the track strings the listener up like a puppet, getting them dancing and roaring with zeal, our personal exhaustion proof.

The following 24 Hours has a predacious edge to its initial prowl and subsequent stroll. There is also a whiff of old school punk a la the likes of Suburban Subs and Slaughter And The Dogs to the rousing trespass which adds to its individuality rather than any familiarity before Bully Bullied The Bully creates a deliciously grumbling rumble in ears with its fiercely infectious confrontation. Embracing Sham 69 hues and twisting them with Kid Klumsy imagination into something as unique as it is ravenously catchy, the track is a glorious chant loaded temptation; just one of six similarly glorious incitations.

Sugar Junkies bounds in next with its anthemic charge and inescapable vocal manipulation. It too snares body and vocal chords in its contagion; a proposition to which belting out one’s own additives is unavoidable and very essential.

The growling tone and dynamic animosity of Pigs Ass is just as exhilarating; it’s no nonsense prowl and spiteful rhythms alone ensuring captivation but add vocal rapacity and a web of sonic enterprise and you have punk rock irresistibility.

The release concludes with the swinging escapade of Mr Bluey Man, a Rancid meets The Vox Dolomites treat which not for the first time on the EP has feet animated, hips weaving, and the throat crooning. It is a thickly magnetic end to a rabidly addictive encounter. Spit Your Dummy Out found the sweet spot of our passion for punk rock within seconds and continued to tease and fire it up from thereon in. 2018 will surely be the year Kid Klumsy becomes a household punk rock name and it is easy to imagine that rock ‘n’ roll will never be the same again.

Spit Your Dummy Out will be released May 27^th through STP Records with pre-ordering available now @ http://www.stprecords.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/officialkidklumsy https://kidklumsy.bandcamp.com/

Pete RingMaster 18/04/2018

Dirt Box Disco – Immortals

Apr2

UK punksters Dirt Box Disco have this enviable knack of unleashing something inescapably fresh with every record whilst retaining a trademark sound which makes the band one of punk’s most individual propositions. It is a success which is not only repeated with their new album but escalated for their finest moment to date.

Immortals is the sixth studio album from the Midlands hailing quintet and comes with more twists and turns than a swatter hunted fly in a cream cake shop. From song to song it romps with various shades in the spectrum of punk and rock ‘n’ roll; pop, old school, hardcore, and many more voracious hues embraced and given the DBD creative deviancy. It has proven near to impossible to settle on our favourite thirty DBD songs to date let alone choose a top ten but right now you can expect plenty from Immortals to feature in both.

Album opener Ready Or Not is a declaration of their return, though their ravenous live hunger ensures they are never far from a town near you and that they have more of the goodness and madness which has made the band one of punk’s essentials. It’s opening rally of beats and string of la-la-las signal prime DBD is here and eager to get us all bouncing and roaring. Manipulative catchiness has always been swift enslavement in the band’s sound and simply virulent within the first throes of the first song. The rousing incitement of vocalist WEAB.I.AM quickly works its persuasion, its ‘lock up your daughters ‘n’ hide the loot’ message a warning and promise of their insatiable sound and intent.

Its irresistible punk ‘n’ roll is followed by the just as ravenous pop punk lusting of Teenage Lovestruck Blues; a wonderful confusion of sixties, seventies, and modern punk and power pop honed into one swinging stomp ripe with riffs and hooks uncaged by Spunk Volcano and Danny Fingerz in collusion with a tangle of vocals and harmonies. As its predecessor, it unerringly hit the spot as too the melodic seducing of You’re The Only One For Me. It opens with the nervousness of a first date before hitting a confident stroll with the beats of Maff Fazzo the pump to its instinctive excitement of song and romance. Deadbeat Chris’ growling bass is a perfect contrast to the infectious double prong vocal lure, the song sharing gentle incitement fuelled caresses to stir eager involvement from those around and indeed listening.

A whiff of old school lines next up Caveman.com, the excellent feral stomp something akin to The Vibrators meets Turbonegro but distinctly DBD while Stop Shouting similarly taps into seventies punk for its core hook and riffery, draping it in the band’s inimitable anthemic rock ‘n’ roll instincts. Only the deaf could evade its physical and persuasive holler though even Fazzo’s incisive rhythms could probably stir their senses. Both tracks get body and spirit bouncing though maybe not as hungrily as 11th May or the following Mummy’s Boy. The first jabs and harries with beats and riffs, vocals commanding participation as the body throws itself around to the sounds while its successor flies through ears with seventies punk ferocity and DIY aggression to stir even greater involvement.

Done & Dusted is the kind of arousal you might expect The Pirates to come up with if starting out now, their own style of punk and rock ‘n’ roll an echo past of the contagion DBD seemingly effortlessly conjure. Like so many tracks it steps in, lays an instant creative glove on ears and has the body dancing to its whims before leaving at its height of temptation.

Box Of Tapes mixes hard rock and metal with its punk heart, the track a raucous compulsion for ears and appetite before Mirror Mirror shares its reflective croon with energy and tenacity, again hooks spun recalling some of punk’s glory days but revelling in their creator’s own modern uniqueness.

Rock ‘n’ roll comes no more masterful and incendiary than in the riotous charge of Box Set Addict; its raw urgency and attack infused with one delicious bassline and riveting sonic enterprise. The track is superb but still eclipsed by the album’s finest moment, Joyce’s Voices. The initial lure of haunted guitar is a tease of the unpredictable from which melodic infection winds around ears as WEAB.I.AM introduces the spirit guesting world of Joyce. Everything about the song is captivation, rock music which has body, voice, and appetite wrapped around its inventive fingers whilst reminding of people we have all come across in presence or legend.

Immortals leaves as sonically vociferous and rowdy as it began with firstly Pint Kamikaze Jaeger Smash, a sing-a-long bruising and stomping, and lastly through the attitude hurling Shut The Fuckin’ Door. The pair just epitomise the adventure and addiction brewed by the album, the first a lung bursting incitement with its companion a middle finger raising riot woven from various thick threads of rock ‘n’ roll and both reasons alone why DBD are so revered and greedily followed.

With every release Dirt Box Disco evolve, uncaging something new each and every time yet they never deviate from their insatiable honest sound. It is a skill and craft which sets them apart, keeping fans deliriously stomping and the band at the head table of punk rock.

Immortals is released April 27^th via STP Records with an Ltd Ed vinyl version released July 28^th.

http://www.dirtboxdisco.co.uk http://www.facebook.com/pages/DIRT-BOX-DISCO/129060477115572 http://twitter.com/dirtboxdisco

Pete RingMaster 30/03/2018

Spunk Volcano & The Eruptions – Not Wired Up Right

Aug1

Always a dirtily feisty and rousing mix of punk and raw rock ‘n’ roll, we can announce that Spunk Volcano & The Eruptions has managed to breed an even more ravenously incendiary fusion of both within their new and third album Not Wired Up Right, a proposal living up to its title in character and intent whilst stomping around like a bull elephant in heat.

Having set their 2017 off in fine style with the aggressively raucous Ram Raid EP, Spunk Volcano and co devilishly finger its raw virulence and fresh whiff of bruising rock ‘n’ roll to a new aroused state within Not Wired Up Right. It has been a riotous clutch of years since Dirt Box Disco guitarist/co-songwriter Spunk unleashed his own project with the aid of drummer Maff Fazzo, bassist Deadbeatz Chris, and guitarist Ste Lingard; a time kicked off in striking style with a self-titled EP and an insatiable persuasion only perpetuated by debut album Injection that first year, 2014, its successor Shit Generation two years later and the aforementioned Ram Raid EP a few months back. Each release has had the body stomping and a defiance driven attitude roaring; a triumph unsurprisingly just as rampantly repeated with Not Wired Up Right.

With its current line-up completed by guitarist Tom ‘G Force’ Batterbee and newest addition in lead guitarist Stu Page alongside vocalist SV, and fellow DBD members Maff Fazzo and Deadbeatz Chris, the band gets straight down to it with contagious antagonism and bare arsed rock ‘n’ roll through the album’s opener and title track. Not Wired Up Right instantly preys on ears with its corrosive metal bred riffs, a hungry tide of guitar soon driven on by the senses battering swings of Fazzo as SV unashamedly roars. It is a minute and a touch of hook lined punk manna, a storm of balls swinging rock ‘n’ roll swiftly backed in listener manipulation by Nobhead. With a title like this you just know at some point you will be bellowing in zeal fuelled unison with the song and that point comes within thirty seconds of a vocal and riff set up breeding eager anticipation for that incoming moment. The infectious lure of Chris’ bass courts the unspectacular but seriously compelling riffs of Batterbee in the meantime; together laying down the landscape over which the melodic scythes of Page lure and of course the moment to leap on board with vocal energy to match that of SV erupts.

The following Shutdown offers its own collusion of punk and metal lined rock ‘n’ roll next; prowling riffs and biting rhythms a predacious incitement matched in success and intrusive magnetism by a litter of hooks and vocal unity. Standing at the fore SV is the trigger, his tones a belligerent yet welcoming cause to get on board with whilst the bass simply seduces the appetite with its devious groove. The track rocks the joint with ease, bodies and speakers rocking just as tenaciously through the more corrosive presence of Gatecrash and in turn by the seriously irresistible of Fuck This For A Game Of Soldiers. The first of the two lacks some of the sparks of its predecessor, such the former’s inventive bent, but still has full command of again throat and physical participation with its dirty punk ‘n’ roll while the second simply snarls and invades the senses with its primal hearted, melodically catchy antics. Initially a predator in sound and invention, it evolves into another SV anthem which chews up the listener whilst stirring them into an outpouring of unbridled energy. Not Wired Up Right features a special guest in Ginger Wildheart on guitar and backing vocals on three tracks and it would be no surprise if this superb dirt-fest of a romp was not one of them such its unsterilized gutter nurtured rock ’n’ roll.

Next up, Your The Bastard has the same kind of seeding in its punk clamour, a Motorhead meets Grumpynators fuelling which makes its minute and a handful of seconds irrepressible and irresistible before Out Of The Blue reveals to its inescapable tempting a poppier nature contaminated with the band’s ear grabbing stag rock ‘n’ roll. Across all tracks Page adds a broader styled enterprise ranging from melodic metal, punk rock, and of various rock ‘n’ roll seeding but here afforded a clarity which really shines alongside the band’s infection loaded harmonies and chorus. His presence has certainly brought a new fresh air of flavouring to the band’s sound without defusing its distinctive character and presence, Dementia Hurricane another prize example within the release; an encounter which if you are not boldly hollering with its chorus by its second round, deafness of worse may have descended.

Smack In The Teeth is just the same, an eye balling prospect of getting battered which of course the senses do with the rhythmic antipathy and caustic riffery backing up SV’s threat. You can just imagine venues chasing fear into surrounding streets as band and fans inevitably vocally unite in the song’s virulent incitement live.

The album concludes with two of its major highlights amongst nothing but peaks. First up steps Knuckledusters & Scars with an initial surge of rancorous riffs and stabbing beats which alone ignites the passions; metal, heavy rock, and rapacious punk rock soon entangling in its delicious steely tempest with emotional rabidity and primal imagination just as prevalent in its gloriously uncompromising yet still ridiculously catchy howl. Somehow though it still gets eclipsed by the simply captivating Purely Medicinal, a song brilliant in its resourceful simplicity, inspired in its captivating croon as SV opens up heart and suggestion within a subdued but oh so potent web of sound.

It is a final two minutes epitomising the creative strength, new adventure, and instinctive epidemic like catchiness of the band’s sound. Sometimes when review after review of a band’s releases carry nothing other than drooling praise you almost set out to look for faults. Spunk Volcano & The Eruptions relish that challenge and from the first seconds never allow anything other than ardour to once again arise with us.

There are two bands which are making British punk n roll the most exciting it has been in a long time, maybe ever been, and both embrace the headstrong creative instincts of Spunk Volcano and indeed Maff Fazzo and Deadbeatz Chris. Enough said!

Upcoming live dates:

Sun August 6th – Blackpool – Winter Gardens (Rebellion Festival)

Sat August 19th – Cambridge – BOAT HOUSE

Sat September 30th – Northumbria Students’ Union (NE Calling)

Sat December 23rd – Manchester – Star & Garter (STP Xmas Show)

Fri December 29th – Birmingham – Venue TBC

Not Wired Up Right is released August 3^rd on STP Records; for more info

http://www.spunkvolcano.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/pg/spunkvolcano/ https://twitter.com/SpunkVolcano

Pete RingMaster 01/08/2017

Dirt Box Disco – Poppycock

Mar16

To date every Dirt Box Disco album has been a reason to romp and stomp, to unleash the instinctive punk and rocker inside with the British band’s own devilish intent. Of course their new proposal, Poppycock, is no different, a fifth album which turns body and spirit into a mischievously brawling blur of flying limbs, riotous fun, and lustful habits.

The Burton on Trent quintet has long established its own punk ‘n’ roll sound across four voracious albums and a host of EPs and singles. Fair to say that Poppycock brings more of that belligerent rock ‘n’ roll rascality but yet again the band manages to tap into something fresh. It is not necessarily a definable essence though the STP Records released album has a pop catchiness to its attitude loaded, middle finger raised rampage, but something which just gives the album its own character and the DBD sound a new twist.

In another year seeing the band relentlessly cause live havoc across the UK and Europe, DBD set it all up perfectly an album leaping upon ears with the same hunger as opener The Bullshit Kids bursts into life. Rambunctious rhythms and voracious riffs join group calls to get things started, a wiry vine of guitar temptation from Danny Fingers escaping the roar as the track spreads its bait. With lead vocalist Weab.I.Am standing antagonistically but invitingly astride the muscular stroll, band and track barge around with contagious revelry, DBD instantly showing they are still kings of the rebel rousing, listener involving chorus.

The following Finger Blast opens up with a Stiff Little Fingers like air, Deadbeatz Chris’ burly bassline and the swinging aggression of drummer Maff Fazzo courting the spicy hook and subsequent surge of caustic riffs set loose by Fingers and Spunk Volcano. Raw pop punk relishing its inbred rowdiness and sonic enterprise, the song has the body rocking and primed for the immediate incendiary incitement of Punk Rock Riot, a track as you would expect living up to its title with virulent aggression and anthemic contagion. With a slight whiff of The Adicts to it, the track is an inescapable persuasion to raise hell.

The excellent Little White Lie romances the senses with its multi-vocal union and warm textures next, all fuelled by the wilful and headstrong energy and sound expected of the band while its successor, Working For Wankers, has vocal chords at full volume in unity with its sentiment and defiance. Blending explosive and calm pastures, choppy riffs and melodic teasing leading to ferocious expulsions, the song has ears and appetite hooked within seconds, success equally found by the snarling Fat Kid with its carnal metallic riffs and toxic grooves.

DBD show their pure rock ‘n’ roll instincts with Snorting Crack From A Girls Top Rack, a virulent and raucous UK Subs/Sham 69 meets Showaddywaddy roistering providing an almost two minute spirit stirring yell. A pinnacle amongst only peaks, the track leaves body breathless and attitude inflamed ready for the lighter but still imposing incitement and swing of Lazy Bastard, its raw captivation subsequently eclipsed by the metal infused rock of Slapdash And Haphazard. Part pub rock, part hard rock, and all punk, the third of the three roars with creative zeal as sonic tendrils offer a scorching flame within the aggravated air of vocals and song.

The tenacious and uninhibited exploits of Geronimo are a bruising addictive charm to persistently knock around, as too the bolder poppy shenanigans of Imaginary Friend; both raffish sing-a-longs that vocals chords yearn for. The vociferously grouchy and rousing Somethings Are Better Left Unsaid is no different, its lures more metal nurtured but instantly involving rock ‘n’ roll to stride through the world with.

Poppycock closes with the tantalising swing and shuffle of I Hate This City, a ska/reggae kissed stroll with a touch of The Members and Ruts to its initial saunter. Boiling up with every passing second, the track hollers and thrills, and though it is not the best song on the album it leaves an irresistible and lingering imprint just impossible to shake off.

Upon the first listen or two of Poppycock, as impressive and highly enjoyable as it was, it seemingly did not make the same immediate impact as predecessors. That suggestion was soon dispelled as songs imposed their infectious claws in thoughts far away from their home in no time, returning as they pleased. Poppycock creeps up on you as well as creating a thrilling clamour in its presence while again Dirt Box Disco create musical havoc, emotional incitement, and the kind of rock ‘n’ roll that has body and heart stomping and howling with sheer pleasure.

Poppycock is out now through STP Records @ http://www.stprecords.co.uk/page3.htm and https://dirtboxdisco.bigcartel.com digitally and on CD with its vinyl release April 5^th

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