Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Routine Social Incompetance - Call it Whatever You Like LP (2010)
Routine Social Incompetance - Call it Whatever You Like LP (2010) [DIY]
Punk and Roll here from Milton Keynes here with a 17 track effort. With hints of Rockabilly thrown in in places and a general sense of pogo till yer heid hurts this band have a nice pull to them. "Big Brother" is a pretty decent track that would probably sound brilliant live, but falls a bit short on the recording. "Daggers" brings amount an a good amount of speed and a nice wee catchy chorus, but again I feel it falls just a bit short of the mark. "Curly Wurlys" is a nice reminder to not take everything so fucking serious and to top it off it's a brilliant song! Listen to it! The rest of the album is full of nonsense songs just done for shits and giggles and sometimes that's what you need.
Overall: Definitely think this band would be a good laugh to go see live and would be nice to bounce about to in a venue, but I'm not going to be clutching onto their CD as my 3 things on a dessert island. Go see them live, I reckon they'd be pretty good. 7/10
Monday, 16 April 2012
Opposition Rising - Aftermathematics (2011)
Opposition Rising - Aftermathematics (2011) [DIY/Opposition Records]
You want a fuckin album! Here's a fuckin album! From the build up of intro song "Rising", going 100 miles a second into "The Rich are Killing The Poor" this album screams let's rip the roof off the place and start a fucking riot! A personal favourite from the album is the song "F.T.W.", which I first heard from Riot Ska Records' Global Unity Musik II, which can be found here. The band bring the hardcore Boston scene to it's knees with this powerful production. Brilliant lyrical content, heavy as hell. A definite 'tough guy' Agnostic Front feel to it, as well as some metal undertones thrown into the mix do nothing but help this come together like a perfectly crafted jigsaw puzzle. "Total Annihilation" is another brilliant song, even if it is a bit short. "Brick by Brick" changes the pace slightly and the simplistic riff in the song for some reason sounds quite interesting to me. "Debt Sentence" and "Everybody's Lying to You" continues the spirit of mixing it up a bit and and changing the flow, slowing it down a little bit and bringing in slow ska type bits, don't try to skank to it though, you'll look like a total cunt, it's more of an upper body sway! The last song "Destination Apocalypse" is a the perfect way to end the album with lyrics screaming accross the point "Our world begins, when your world ends!"
Overall: Best thing I've heard in ages, pissed off it took me this long to listen to it. I can't really push this record enough, it's brilliant. And you want to know something better. The band's DIY ethics mean it was instantly up for free download. Hell even the CDs say "FREE CD, NOT FOR SALE, DO NOT PAY FOR THIS CD". But if you do like it alot, then do what I'm going to be doing, buy this fuckin peach of a splatter vinyl 12" of the album here. 10/10
Download this album: http://oppositionrising.bandcamp.com/album/aftermathematics-lp
Co-Released on:
Active Rebellion
Crash Assailant Records
Pirates Press Records
Riot Ska Records
Rodent Popsicle
Tankcrimes Records
You want a fuckin album! Here's a fuckin album! From the build up of intro song "Rising", going 100 miles a second into "The Rich are Killing The Poor" this album screams let's rip the roof off the place and start a fucking riot! A personal favourite from the album is the song "F.T.W.", which I first heard from Riot Ska Records' Global Unity Musik II, which can be found here. The band bring the hardcore Boston scene to it's knees with this powerful production. Brilliant lyrical content, heavy as hell. A definite 'tough guy' Agnostic Front feel to it, as well as some metal undertones thrown into the mix do nothing but help this come together like a perfectly crafted jigsaw puzzle. "Total Annihilation" is another brilliant song, even if it is a bit short. "Brick by Brick" changes the pace slightly and the simplistic riff in the song for some reason sounds quite interesting to me. "Debt Sentence" and "Everybody's Lying to You" continues the spirit of mixing it up a bit and and changing the flow, slowing it down a little bit and bringing in slow ska type bits, don't try to skank to it though, you'll look like a total cunt, it's more of an upper body sway! The last song "Destination Apocalypse" is a the perfect way to end the album with lyrics screaming accross the point "Our world begins, when your world ends!"
Overall: Best thing I've heard in ages, pissed off it took me this long to listen to it. I can't really push this record enough, it's brilliant. And you want to know something better. The band's DIY ethics mean it was instantly up for free download. Hell even the CDs say "FREE CD, NOT FOR SALE, DO NOT PAY FOR THIS CD". But if you do like it alot, then do what I'm going to be doing, buy this fuckin peach of a splatter vinyl 12" of the album here. 10/10
Download this album: http://oppositionrising.bandcamp.com/album/aftermathematics-lp
Co-Released on:
Active Rebellion
Crash Assailant Records
Pirates Press Records
Riot Ska Records
Rodent Popsicle
Tankcrimes Records
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Razorblade Smile - Self Titled LP (2011)
Razorblade Smile - Self Titled LP (2011) [DIY]
I caught Razorblade Smile supporting The Defects in Kirkcaldy in November 2011 and was lucky enough to grab a CD off of them. They're live performance was quite good and I was interested to hear what they sounded like recorded. And to be honest they were pretty damn good.
The songs take an Exploited riffage in verse parts in places and combine it with pure 77 chorus parts to make a brilliant go of it. In most places they take a street punk edge into their music as well, but it's not as heavy recorded as it is live. The lot of it is always played a good speed, not 100mph lose control speed, but.... 85mph at least haha. The album is full of good tracks and they are all worth a listen but if I had pick out a couple to play at a party it would be "Censored Society", "Hit The Floor", "Govanhell" and "Friendly Nation".
Overall: Like I said, it's a decent album and each song is worth a listen. The duel female and male vocals make it an interesting 4 piece band, but overall it's lacking that 'edge'. 8/10
I caught Razorblade Smile supporting The Defects in Kirkcaldy in November 2011 and was lucky enough to grab a CD off of them. They're live performance was quite good and I was interested to hear what they sounded like recorded. And to be honest they were pretty damn good.
The songs take an Exploited riffage in verse parts in places and combine it with pure 77 chorus parts to make a brilliant go of it. In most places they take a street punk edge into their music as well, but it's not as heavy recorded as it is live. The lot of it is always played a good speed, not 100mph lose control speed, but.... 85mph at least haha. The album is full of good tracks and they are all worth a listen but if I had pick out a couple to play at a party it would be "Censored Society", "Hit The Floor", "Govanhell" and "Friendly Nation".
Overall: Like I said, it's a decent album and each song is worth a listen. The duel female and male vocals make it an interesting 4 piece band, but overall it's lacking that 'edge'. 8/10
Last Ever Palace Gig @ Palace of Crust, Aberdeen
Saturday March 3rd 2012 @ The Palace of Crust, Aberdeen.
A sad moment and an evening in which Aberdeen's punk house finally met it's demise in a blaze of glory. With me having made the mistake of going to Uganda for 7 weeks for charity work, as well as functioning resident alcoholic JJ Hobin's 24th birthday, the party was set to be an onslaught of madness throughout.
Drug Couple hit the stage first and were a brilliant way to open up the venue. I only heard their set through, didn't see much, as I was getting my drinking on after only just arriving home from a 25 hour journey an hour or so before. They sounded brutal and the crowd, in the few glimpses I did see, were up for a riot, and by fuck did they go for it.
Fifteen Dead would probably have gave this one a miss, but they were requested to play and decided to play a shorter than normal set, mostly of newbies. Great atmosphere as always for the house band, but lack of practice over the last few months didn't do them any favours on the night. The new material, however, sounds brilliant and this band keep getting better and better.
Maze McPunklet gave us a brilliant poem about the legacy the Palace of Crust has left behind.
Clocked Out played yet again a brilliant set. Frontman/madman Crawford finally found his match in front of a crowd with the Aberdeen lot crowd surfing him through the living room and just generally picking him up and passing him about like a joint. The crowd went nuts, the band went nuts, the roof remains with his footprints.
Billy Liar for me played an absolute rarity of a show, I say that because in my mind I thought he played pretty poor. Don't get me wrong, all these drunken arseholes grabbing the mic to try and sing along didn't help and ruined it for you, but as always with Aberdeen, the crowd screamed his lyrics with all the passion in the world. Aberdeen Punks + Billy Liar = Good Times.
Cleavers played a horrible set in my opinion. They were playing, then they weren't, then they were, then they were terrible. However the lovly letterman style Cleavers jackets are just what the cover of NME and Radio 1 ordered. Go get em lads!
Sufferinfuck I don't remember much of, cause they were last and by this point I was drinking anything that looked like it could be liquidated. Myself and Palace Princess Steeny went to go mental for the last song, by the time we got there, they were finished (it was 4 seconds long). I do remember gan "10 Fuckin Eggs!" an awful lot, usually a good sign i'm enjoying the band.
Overall: The gig was an incredible atmosphere. There were a few below average performances from bands who usually hit the button every time, but apart from that, no one could take away the fact that "This was it". The Palace of Crust is coming to an end, so lets make this a night to remember and it was.... and then for a select few, we had a nice 3 days afterwards as well.
If you never got the chance to go to the Palace of Crust then this is what you've missed out on, and If you have, you'll always have the memories of the one year where a house in Aberdeen changed an entire scene.
Link! This video was created by Jamie Christ as part of Scottish D.I.Y. Series.
A sad moment and an evening in which Aberdeen's punk house finally met it's demise in a blaze of glory. With me having made the mistake of going to Uganda for 7 weeks for charity work, as well as functioning resident alcoholic JJ Hobin's 24th birthday, the party was set to be an onslaught of madness throughout.
Drug Couple hit the stage first and were a brilliant way to open up the venue. I only heard their set through, didn't see much, as I was getting my drinking on after only just arriving home from a 25 hour journey an hour or so before. They sounded brutal and the crowd, in the few glimpses I did see, were up for a riot, and by fuck did they go for it.
Fifteen Dead would probably have gave this one a miss, but they were requested to play and decided to play a shorter than normal set, mostly of newbies. Great atmosphere as always for the house band, but lack of practice over the last few months didn't do them any favours on the night. The new material, however, sounds brilliant and this band keep getting better and better.
Maze McPunklet gave us a brilliant poem about the legacy the Palace of Crust has left behind.
Clocked Out played yet again a brilliant set. Frontman/madman Crawford finally found his match in front of a crowd with the Aberdeen lot crowd surfing him through the living room and just generally picking him up and passing him about like a joint. The crowd went nuts, the band went nuts, the roof remains with his footprints.
Billy Liar for me played an absolute rarity of a show, I say that because in my mind I thought he played pretty poor. Don't get me wrong, all these drunken arseholes grabbing the mic to try and sing along didn't help and ruined it for you, but as always with Aberdeen, the crowd screamed his lyrics with all the passion in the world. Aberdeen Punks + Billy Liar = Good Times.
Cleavers played a horrible set in my opinion. They were playing, then they weren't, then they were, then they were terrible. However the lovly letterman style Cleavers jackets are just what the cover of NME and Radio 1 ordered. Go get em lads!
Sufferinfuck I don't remember much of, cause they were last and by this point I was drinking anything that looked like it could be liquidated. Myself and Palace Princess Steeny went to go mental for the last song, by the time we got there, they were finished (it was 4 seconds long). I do remember gan "10 Fuckin Eggs!" an awful lot, usually a good sign i'm enjoying the band.
Overall: The gig was an incredible atmosphere. There were a few below average performances from bands who usually hit the button every time, but apart from that, no one could take away the fact that "This was it". The Palace of Crust is coming to an end, so lets make this a night to remember and it was.... and then for a select few, we had a nice 3 days afterwards as well.
If you never got the chance to go to the Palace of Crust then this is what you've missed out on, and If you have, you'll always have the memories of the one year where a house in Aberdeen changed an entire scene.
Link! This video was created by Jamie Christ as part of Scottish D.I.Y. Series.
The Cundeez - Lend Wiz Yer Lugs LP CD (2011)
The Cundeez - Lend Wiz Yer Lugs LP CD (2011) [Oary Records]
Right from the get go, I'm loving this. An absolute epic intro in "Caleil", could be faulted for being a bitty long, but still sounds great. The second track is "Summer of 78" and along with "This is Britain" is attributed to be inspired by the Clash, the first is about a bunch of auld bastards day dreaming about their youth, sounds good and the latter about the sad state of affairs of the UK, a nice bit of organ work in the background there and one of the slower songs on the album. The band have a feel of yer old school 77 with a bit of grunge riffage there, or so I felt apparent with "Mr E Go", im not sure if I'm hearing a slight bit of Nirvana Smells like Teen Spirit there. "Oary Tull Eh Deh" starts aff wee what I can only describe as Dundonian Reggae, which in itself sounds fuckin mental but strangely it works brilliantly. The finish to the track is brilliant. "Yir Talking Shite" was one of the only songs I'd heard from them recorded before the CD landed on the desk. You really need to listen to the lyrics on this one, it takes everything that needs to be said and simply puts... says it. As a bonus from the CD (Windows PC Only), the video for "Yir Talking Shite" is included. "Fortune Street" is a brilliant slow song. Reflecting another week at work finished and time to hit the town and forget all the bullshit. "Sehturday Night" is about floating around Dundee on a Saturday night obviously and getting into shit, the chorus line from the song sums it up well. "Sehturday Night, it's nae place tae be, Sehturday Night, on the streets o Dundee, Sehturday Night, Psychos oot their face, Sehturday Night, Rang Time Rang Place". "Fightback" was a bit slow for me, lyrically it was good, but I had a feeling towards the end of the album it was floating away from them a bit with this and "Keyboard Gangsters". But "Haggis Man" reminds you it doesn't need to be all doom and gloom and I can now say I've listened to the Iron Man theme music played on the bagpipes and it's fuckin brilliant haha!
Overall: In the end the only really disappointing bits for me here was the 3rd and 2nd last track. While the lyrics were there and cunts on keyboards should just be ignored if you don't like what they're saying, the music wasn't at the end, but the rest of it was brilliant. There's not enough Scottish bands that sing with their own accents and these boys do it well. I remember when I first heard them years ago and they were practically a Dundee Utd supporter band which is why I, as a dirty sheep shagging bastard, didn't think it was a smashin idea to book them in Aberdeen. But that's no longer the case, a great asset to Scottish punk rock and the Dundee scene in particular. 9/10
Note: Went to spell check this before I posted and due to all the track titles.... I gave up.
Right from the get go, I'm loving this. An absolute epic intro in "Caleil", could be faulted for being a bitty long, but still sounds great. The second track is "Summer of 78" and along with "This is Britain" is attributed to be inspired by the Clash, the first is about a bunch of auld bastards day dreaming about their youth, sounds good and the latter about the sad state of affairs of the UK, a nice bit of organ work in the background there and one of the slower songs on the album. The band have a feel of yer old school 77 with a bit of grunge riffage there, or so I felt apparent with "Mr E Go", im not sure if I'm hearing a slight bit of Nirvana Smells like Teen Spirit there. "Oary Tull Eh Deh" starts aff wee what I can only describe as Dundonian Reggae, which in itself sounds fuckin mental but strangely it works brilliantly. The finish to the track is brilliant. "Yir Talking Shite" was one of the only songs I'd heard from them recorded before the CD landed on the desk. You really need to listen to the lyrics on this one, it takes everything that needs to be said and simply puts... says it. As a bonus from the CD (Windows PC Only), the video for "Yir Talking Shite" is included. "Fortune Street" is a brilliant slow song. Reflecting another week at work finished and time to hit the town and forget all the bullshit. "Sehturday Night" is about floating around Dundee on a Saturday night obviously and getting into shit, the chorus line from the song sums it up well. "Sehturday Night, it's nae place tae be, Sehturday Night, on the streets o Dundee, Sehturday Night, Psychos oot their face, Sehturday Night, Rang Time Rang Place". "Fightback" was a bit slow for me, lyrically it was good, but I had a feeling towards the end of the album it was floating away from them a bit with this and "Keyboard Gangsters". But "Haggis Man" reminds you it doesn't need to be all doom and gloom and I can now say I've listened to the Iron Man theme music played on the bagpipes and it's fuckin brilliant haha!
Overall: In the end the only really disappointing bits for me here was the 3rd and 2nd last track. While the lyrics were there and cunts on keyboards should just be ignored if you don't like what they're saying, the music wasn't at the end, but the rest of it was brilliant. There's not enough Scottish bands that sing with their own accents and these boys do it well. I remember when I first heard them years ago and they were practically a Dundee Utd supporter band which is why I, as a dirty sheep shagging bastard, didn't think it was a smashin idea to book them in Aberdeen. But that's no longer the case, a great asset to Scottish punk rock and the Dundee scene in particular. 9/10
Note: Went to spell check this before I posted and due to all the track titles.... I gave up.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Book Yer Ane Fest V @ Kage/Dexters, Dundee
Friday December 2nd - Sunday December 4th @ Kage/Dexters, Dundee
An Absolute gem of a weekend this turned out to be. The folks at Make-That-A-Take Records really went all out on this one. All a worthy cause as the proceeds from the event went to the charity Safe-Tay, give them a nosey here. Anyway. It turned out to be a messy weekend and I was struck down by some illness (no denial of in relation to alcohol) mid way through the weekend. So while I got a got review from Friday. I left Saturday to Bry Parasite from Bile Yer Heid Fanzine. I'll post the link once it's been posted. I then picked a selection of bands I thought stood out on the Sunday that I was able to catch. If you want professional, go buy the fuckin NME, If you want honest, come here.
Friday @ Kage Nightclub
The last ever show (4th time only) from Joey Terrifying and I'm still pretty disappointed this lot a splitting, although I am hoping for several one offs over the next few years before finally reforming. With vocalist Deeker drenched in an impeccably tight testicle exposing orange morph suit, it wasn't very hard to focus on the musical element. A good strong set from the boys, and while I understand the reasons for the placement as opening act, I'd have loved to see them higher up the bill for a good send off. I recommend getting a hold of their stuff, we previously reviewed all their releases, which you can check out here, which includes a link to their bandcamp to download it all. 7.5/10
The Day I Snapped threw us completely off balance and into the world what I could describe as Emo n Roll. Never heard that one before. Infused with some good pop punk tunes, but not an awful lot of energy from the band and a bit too slow in my opinion. Although the did do pretty well musically and seemed pretty tight knit. 6/10
Maxwells Dead had a top night, even with guitarist Russel a bit pissed he still seemed to catch every note perfectly. The whole band put on a good show and their pop punk rock style with bollocks prevailed through and got the crowd bouncing back to life. Very good set from the boys. 8/10
To be honest, as always, I wasn't impressed with that much with Mickey Erg! To start with all I could hear was Joel Madden with a guitar in his hands. A Bit too whiney and with it being just himself on an electric guitar, it sounded a bit more like he was jamming in someones living room after a few spliffs more than anything else. There were definitely folk into him, though it just didn't work for me. 4/10
The Upstarts. This was what I was holding my breath for. One of my favourite bands from Aberdeen and the scene hasn't quiet been the same without them. Missed by all, Crusties, Skankers and Street Punx alike. Their set seemed shorter than it should have been. A few mistakes here and there but nothing crazy and while their reunion would have been met with a cascade of bodies going crazy in Aberdeen, In Dundee it seemed restricted to 4 or 5 folk and few moody cunts down the front complaining they're getting bumped into at a punk gig. Canna please everyone. 8.5/10
The Slow Death for me were pretty poor. Very generic sounding rock with hints of pop punk and I wasn't impressed with any of their set, except.... the last song. I don't know if it was their own or a cover or what the craic is there, but the last song was brilliant and if the rest of their set had the same pace, desire and cinder block to the skull effect as that one, I'd be all over it. 4/10
The Arteries finished off the evening for us and I was all about the face paced energy these boys showed. Great sections of hardcore from this band as well. Couldn't help draw comparisons with Billy Talent in certain vocal situations, but that's not that much of a bad thing. Good Effort. 7.5/10
Selection from Sunday @ Dexters, Dundee
15 Minutes - I'd been looking forward to seeing these guys for years and by christ, from this lads chat between songs, he's had a tough shift and kudos to him for the strength he shows. If you haven't already heard the acoustic melodies (one man playing, the other just singing), then have a look. They don't play very often either, which is why it's taken me so bloody long to seem them but If you get the chance. Take it! 8/10
Billy Liar - I really don't why I bother to continue reviewing this cunt, it's always a top show, but on the night it was the crowd that was lacking to make it special, not the man in particular himself, who kept breaking guitar strings at an alarming rate. As always, if you're near, get it done and go see the loon. 8/10
ONSIND - Two lads from Durham here who's main lyric points seem to be Feminism and Animal Rights. The gathered a close crowd of female followers down the front, with quite a few guys coming in there as well. Their music was pretty good and message good hearted, but they seemed to do a lot of complaining about men, rather than encourage women to do more. Surly when it comes to sexism, lowering one sexes expectations (no matter whether it's female or male), to compensate the other isn't how it should work, Surly bringing each other up to same levels on a united front is much better? They were however quite impressive to say the least and very well worth going to see. 8/10
Chris T-T - This guy was something very different. The man from Brighton comes to us as the tour support for Franz Nicolay. Although it seems he didn't really stand out much on stage he did something, mid-set, I've never seen anyone do before. I never seen anything like it. He put down his guitar, got off the stage and started singing a song. It was a slow and calmly sung ballad. He did it with no microphone and he gradually just circled round the room at Dexters, before heading back onto the stage. Such intensity, that you feared to breath. Something incredibly surreal. 7/10
Franz Nicolay - With contributions on recordings to bands such as Against Me and Leftover Crack, this man gets around and is a very skilled musician, but this point in the night, I was happy to take a back seat and engross myself in his product and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Picking up in different variations an accordion, banjo and an acoustic guitar is was nice way to end the weekend and relax after a long 3 days. 8.5/10
On this particular day, looking back on it, I get the impression that this was obviously the day for everyone to chill out after a long weekend, especially considering the majority of the acts were acoustic, but even then, being told to be quiet while a musician is playing through an amp is ridiculous. And as a whole from the weekend it seemed, and while I'm aware that every scene is different, that Dundee is very wound up. It seemed a lot of being weren't prepared to cut loose. Don't get me wrong, there's a big scene, lots of people who make the effort, but also a bit of shite to it. My friendliest chat, from folk I didn't already know, came from the bouncers at Kage.
Overall, again, I want to say a massive thank you to Make That A Take Records for the whole weekend and big props to Deeker for booking it all. Top marks to the Dundee and surrounding scenes for your effort in getting yourselves there. Top praise to all the bands, whether I liked you or not, for your efforts this weekend. Whether I'm into you guys or not is irrelevant if you're prepared to make the effort and do the show so well done to yourselves.
An Absolute gem of a weekend this turned out to be. The folks at Make-That-A-Take Records really went all out on this one. All a worthy cause as the proceeds from the event went to the charity Safe-Tay, give them a nosey here. Anyway. It turned out to be a messy weekend and I was struck down by some illness (no denial of in relation to alcohol) mid way through the weekend. So while I got a got review from Friday. I left Saturday to Bry Parasite from Bile Yer Heid Fanzine. I'll post the link once it's been posted. I then picked a selection of bands I thought stood out on the Sunday that I was able to catch. If you want professional, go buy the fuckin NME, If you want honest, come here.
Friday @ Kage Nightclub
The last ever show (4th time only) from Joey Terrifying and I'm still pretty disappointed this lot a splitting, although I am hoping for several one offs over the next few years before finally reforming. With vocalist Deeker drenched in an impeccably tight testicle exposing orange morph suit, it wasn't very hard to focus on the musical element. A good strong set from the boys, and while I understand the reasons for the placement as opening act, I'd have loved to see them higher up the bill for a good send off. I recommend getting a hold of their stuff, we previously reviewed all their releases, which you can check out here, which includes a link to their bandcamp to download it all. 7.5/10
The Day I Snapped threw us completely off balance and into the world what I could describe as Emo n Roll. Never heard that one before. Infused with some good pop punk tunes, but not an awful lot of energy from the band and a bit too slow in my opinion. Although the did do pretty well musically and seemed pretty tight knit. 6/10
Maxwells Dead had a top night, even with guitarist Russel a bit pissed he still seemed to catch every note perfectly. The whole band put on a good show and their pop punk rock style with bollocks prevailed through and got the crowd bouncing back to life. Very good set from the boys. 8/10
To be honest, as always, I wasn't impressed with that much with Mickey Erg! To start with all I could hear was Joel Madden with a guitar in his hands. A Bit too whiney and with it being just himself on an electric guitar, it sounded a bit more like he was jamming in someones living room after a few spliffs more than anything else. There were definitely folk into him, though it just didn't work for me. 4/10
The Upstarts. This was what I was holding my breath for. One of my favourite bands from Aberdeen and the scene hasn't quiet been the same without them. Missed by all, Crusties, Skankers and Street Punx alike. Their set seemed shorter than it should have been. A few mistakes here and there but nothing crazy and while their reunion would have been met with a cascade of bodies going crazy in Aberdeen, In Dundee it seemed restricted to 4 or 5 folk and few moody cunts down the front complaining they're getting bumped into at a punk gig. Canna please everyone. 8.5/10
The Slow Death for me were pretty poor. Very generic sounding rock with hints of pop punk and I wasn't impressed with any of their set, except.... the last song. I don't know if it was their own or a cover or what the craic is there, but the last song was brilliant and if the rest of their set had the same pace, desire and cinder block to the skull effect as that one, I'd be all over it. 4/10
The Arteries finished off the evening for us and I was all about the face paced energy these boys showed. Great sections of hardcore from this band as well. Couldn't help draw comparisons with Billy Talent in certain vocal situations, but that's not that much of a bad thing. Good Effort. 7.5/10
Selection from Sunday @ Dexters, Dundee
15 Minutes - I'd been looking forward to seeing these guys for years and by christ, from this lads chat between songs, he's had a tough shift and kudos to him for the strength he shows. If you haven't already heard the acoustic melodies (one man playing, the other just singing), then have a look. They don't play very often either, which is why it's taken me so bloody long to seem them but If you get the chance. Take it! 8/10
Billy Liar - I really don't why I bother to continue reviewing this cunt, it's always a top show, but on the night it was the crowd that was lacking to make it special, not the man in particular himself, who kept breaking guitar strings at an alarming rate. As always, if you're near, get it done and go see the loon. 8/10
ONSIND - Two lads from Durham here who's main lyric points seem to be Feminism and Animal Rights. The gathered a close crowd of female followers down the front, with quite a few guys coming in there as well. Their music was pretty good and message good hearted, but they seemed to do a lot of complaining about men, rather than encourage women to do more. Surly when it comes to sexism, lowering one sexes expectations (no matter whether it's female or male), to compensate the other isn't how it should work, Surly bringing each other up to same levels on a united front is much better? They were however quite impressive to say the least and very well worth going to see. 8/10
Chris T-T - This guy was something very different. The man from Brighton comes to us as the tour support for Franz Nicolay. Although it seems he didn't really stand out much on stage he did something, mid-set, I've never seen anyone do before. I never seen anything like it. He put down his guitar, got off the stage and started singing a song. It was a slow and calmly sung ballad. He did it with no microphone and he gradually just circled round the room at Dexters, before heading back onto the stage. Such intensity, that you feared to breath. Something incredibly surreal. 7/10
Franz Nicolay - With contributions on recordings to bands such as Against Me and Leftover Crack, this man gets around and is a very skilled musician, but this point in the night, I was happy to take a back seat and engross myself in his product and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. Picking up in different variations an accordion, banjo and an acoustic guitar is was nice way to end the weekend and relax after a long 3 days. 8.5/10
On this particular day, looking back on it, I get the impression that this was obviously the day for everyone to chill out after a long weekend, especially considering the majority of the acts were acoustic, but even then, being told to be quiet while a musician is playing through an amp is ridiculous. And as a whole from the weekend it seemed, and while I'm aware that every scene is different, that Dundee is very wound up. It seemed a lot of being weren't prepared to cut loose. Don't get me wrong, there's a big scene, lots of people who make the effort, but also a bit of shite to it. My friendliest chat, from folk I didn't already know, came from the bouncers at Kage.
Overall, again, I want to say a massive thank you to Make That A Take Records for the whole weekend and big props to Deeker for booking it all. Top marks to the Dundee and surrounding scenes for your effort in getting yourselves there. Top praise to all the bands, whether I liked you or not, for your efforts this weekend. Whether I'm into you guys or not is irrelevant if you're prepared to make the effort and do the show so well done to yourselves.
Friday, 2 December 2011
The Defects - Revelator EP CD/DVD (2011)
The Defects - Revelator EP CD/DVD (2011) [DIY]
CD
Opening track and EP title "Revelator" kick us off and it's a song you can get excited about. This is 77 meets street. The echoing ring of the guitar and the build ups are great. The harrowing voice throwing out a chorus, brilliant backing vocals pieces and the drumming is good and adventurously successful in some areas and solid throughout. The Reggae piece towards the end in particular shows this band can diversify whether the fuckin want to or not. And jesus christ that's only track one. "Guilty Conscience" maintains the same pieces as before. Solid riffs, brilliant backing vocal sections and solid drumming. "Metal Walls" is still a good song, with an impressive solo in there as well and it's a good jump around but not better than the last two songs. Then comes track 4, I was so, so, so dreading listening to this. I had listening to dub mixes of songs. It ruins them. But.... not this one. It's "Revelator Dub" and while the song originally has a wee section of reggae in it, this one is all over reggae and it sounds beautiful. With tormented echos which stretch on in the vocals and the guitar before hitting incredibly hard vocally with the chorus to bring you to attention and appreciate it. Like I said, I usually fucking despise these tracks thrown onto the end of EPs. In my opinion it's laziness on the bands part, but this one has been done very well and pretty good considering their drummer Glen did it and it's his first bash at it. Impressive EP 9/10
DVD
Bet they didn't think I'd review this too eh.... haha. To start with I'm thinking this video is shite! It's put together pretty crap, but a sneaking suspicion that that couldn't be the case, cause no one would do something this bad on disk, was confirmed when the next track, the live one, came on and the video was equally as fucked up. Well you know what, Windows Media Player can get tae fuck. So for now, I'll leave it at that until I can get a dvd player to watch the DVD.
CD
Opening track and EP title "Revelator" kick us off and it's a song you can get excited about. This is 77 meets street. The echoing ring of the guitar and the build ups are great. The harrowing voice throwing out a chorus, brilliant backing vocals pieces and the drumming is good and adventurously successful in some areas and solid throughout. The Reggae piece towards the end in particular shows this band can diversify whether the fuckin want to or not. And jesus christ that's only track one. "Guilty Conscience" maintains the same pieces as before. Solid riffs, brilliant backing vocal sections and solid drumming. "Metal Walls" is still a good song, with an impressive solo in there as well and it's a good jump around but not better than the last two songs. Then comes track 4, I was so, so, so dreading listening to this. I had listening to dub mixes of songs. It ruins them. But.... not this one. It's "Revelator Dub" and while the song originally has a wee section of reggae in it, this one is all over reggae and it sounds beautiful. With tormented echos which stretch on in the vocals and the guitar before hitting incredibly hard vocally with the chorus to bring you to attention and appreciate it. Like I said, I usually fucking despise these tracks thrown onto the end of EPs. In my opinion it's laziness on the bands part, but this one has been done very well and pretty good considering their drummer Glen did it and it's his first bash at it. Impressive EP 9/10
DVD
Bet they didn't think I'd review this too eh.... haha. To start with I'm thinking this video is shite! It's put together pretty crap, but a sneaking suspicion that that couldn't be the case, cause no one would do something this bad on disk, was confirmed when the next track, the live one, came on and the video was equally as fucked up. Well you know what, Windows Media Player can get tae fuck. So for now, I'll leave it at that until I can get a dvd player to watch the DVD.
Monday, 28 November 2011
Knives Out - Here Again (2011)
Knives Out - Here Again (2011) [Next Punk Records]
I was quite happy last week because I received a copy of the album Here Again, by Swiss punk n rollers Knives Out. And it's a pretty good listen. The albums opening track "I'm Here" screams rock n roll right from the start and the band keep the level up. The song "Walking Away" was particularly good. It's melody is a nice little head bopper and it's a nice number. The problem I had was this album was that nothing really seemed to stand out. The vocals were pretty good, but the musicians came accross as very pub standard rock n roll and to be honest I felt like they're capable of better. The riffs aren't spectacular, they're not bad, they're just not anything too special or important here. It comes accross as a bit repetitive. "Start Again" and "Foe" are not bad songs in their own right, but like I said, nothing stands out too much. It's obvious they've put quite a bit of effort into their album launch and the recording of it etc, but it just hasn't caught my attention as much as i hoped it would of. I the end it's a disappointing 6/10.
I was quite happy last week because I received a copy of the album Here Again, by Swiss punk n rollers Knives Out. And it's a pretty good listen. The albums opening track "I'm Here" screams rock n roll right from the start and the band keep the level up. The song "Walking Away" was particularly good. It's melody is a nice little head bopper and it's a nice number. The problem I had was this album was that nothing really seemed to stand out. The vocals were pretty good, but the musicians came accross as very pub standard rock n roll and to be honest I felt like they're capable of better. The riffs aren't spectacular, they're not bad, they're just not anything too special or important here. It comes accross as a bit repetitive. "Start Again" and "Foe" are not bad songs in their own right, but like I said, nothing stands out too much. It's obvious they've put quite a bit of effort into their album launch and the recording of it etc, but it just hasn't caught my attention as much as i hoped it would of. I the end it's a disappointing 6/10.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
The Defects @ The Wellesley Inn, Methil
Saturday November 26th 2011 @ The Wellesley Inn, Methil
What. A. Fuckin. Night. Great times and not one i'll forget in a hurry.... well let's hope not, cause here's the review! This was my first time at a gig in Fife that wasn't Dunfermline and I didn't know what to expect. I figured we'd be a in a function room sorta thing at a local pub and I was right, but it was pretty damn good if I'm honest. The layout of the place was spot on and everything about the place was great. Loved it. I'm not going to lie, when I first walked in I was confronted by a skinhead in a West Ham United tracksuit screaming at the bar (as in behind the bar) cause no one was there to serve us, all the while having the word "FIFE" tattooed accross his knuckles. Ye jump to conclusions, but he was a good lad.
So starting off we've got Razorblade Smile from Glasgowville. Now I'm convinced I've seen them before somewhere, but not entirely sure. To be honest, they were a bit off for me. I thought the vocalist was very good, her voice suited the music very well, she just seem struggled a bit to push the energy onto the crowd, but for fuck sake, what opening band does. It's too early to get anyone in the mood, it's an impossible task. Musically however they didn't seem to gel. Musicians that is, not what the were playing. It reflected a bit too much like a jam session, but still, I thought they were nae bad like! 6/10
Then! Oh Then Oh Then! I got me a treat. Prairie Dugz. Fuckin' smashin. Loved it. What I got from their performance was this. I like UK Subs, you like the subs, we all like the subs. But what If we were to give the subs tons of speed. Then make them more powerful. We're talking about the 6 million dollar band here, we can rebuild them and make them stronger and the result is in Ayrshire. And even saying that I'm taking away from them their own style, cause by fuck do they make their own. If you can see this band live, go and bloody see them, they are brilliant. 9/10
This next band I had the distinct pleasure of having a few brews with up the road afterwards, but you know me, no special treatment. Hi-Fi Spitfires played a particularly good set, but to be honest I think the only thing stopping me from getting more into them was how high the previous band had placed the bar. But take nothing away, a solid set, the crowd loved it, tight as hell, if anything wasn't on form for this band, to be honest it was probably me, So i'll definitely be seeing them again if I get the chance. 7.5/10
Now I would have been happy with what I'd already been offered, but we're forgetting one thing here, we've The Defects all the way from Belfast Rock City this evening and it's their turn for a bash on the speakers. These boys come out guns blazing and just tune after tune is something that's very easy to fall head over heels for. They're energy was unquestionable, stage presence impeccable and playing to perfection. I'd heard a lot of hype kicking about for this one and I was not left disappointed, not in the slightest. 9.5/10
Overall the gig gets a 9/10 from me. Half an inch short of spectacular. I would also like to extend my hand to the Fife Scene. You lot showed up in your numbers and supported your scene. Well done, keep it up. It was was a bastard of a night to be outside, but for those of you who braved it, good on ye. Every person I spoke to at the gig were absolutely top people and a great time was had by all. Thanks also to the bands for having faith in a dodger that comes up asking for a CD to review for a fanzine you've probably not heard of.... yet! It's much appreciated and I will hopefully have all the CDs reviewed by the end of the week. And finally the best for last, for feeding me, picking me up and housing me for the evening a big thank you to Pauline and Jim Brown, I had an awesome time, thank you.
What. A. Fuckin. Night. Great times and not one i'll forget in a hurry.... well let's hope not, cause here's the review! This was my first time at a gig in Fife that wasn't Dunfermline and I didn't know what to expect. I figured we'd be a in a function room sorta thing at a local pub and I was right, but it was pretty damn good if I'm honest. The layout of the place was spot on and everything about the place was great. Loved it. I'm not going to lie, when I first walked in I was confronted by a skinhead in a West Ham United tracksuit screaming at the bar (as in behind the bar) cause no one was there to serve us, all the while having the word "FIFE" tattooed accross his knuckles. Ye jump to conclusions, but he was a good lad.
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| Razorblade Smile |
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| Prairie Dugz |
This next band I had the distinct pleasure of having a few brews with up the road afterwards, but you know me, no special treatment. Hi-Fi Spitfires played a particularly good set, but to be honest I think the only thing stopping me from getting more into them was how high the previous band had placed the bar. But take nothing away, a solid set, the crowd loved it, tight as hell, if anything wasn't on form for this band, to be honest it was probably me, So i'll definitely be seeing them again if I get the chance. 7.5/10
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| Hi-Fi Spitfire |
Overall the gig gets a 9/10 from me. Half an inch short of spectacular. I would also like to extend my hand to the Fife Scene. You lot showed up in your numbers and supported your scene. Well done, keep it up. It was was a bastard of a night to be outside, but for those of you who braved it, good on ye. Every person I spoke to at the gig were absolutely top people and a great time was had by all. Thanks also to the bands for having faith in a dodger that comes up asking for a CD to review for a fanzine you've probably not heard of.... yet! It's much appreciated and I will hopefully have all the CDs reviewed by the end of the week. And finally the best for last, for feeding me, picking me up and housing me for the evening a big thank you to Pauline and Jim Brown, I had an awesome time, thank you.
Kvelertak @ o2 abc, Glasgow
Thursday November 24th 2011 @ o2 abc, Glasgow
On a completly baltic Thursday night in Scotland, probably the worst of the winter so far, we drove down from Aberdeen to Glasgow. When we got to Glasgow we fought the wind and rain, luckily only for a few hundred yards, but it was all gonna be worth it cause tonight, Kvelertak are in toon, and I'm going to see them for the first time. While not a punk show per say, its still got heavy elements of it, so well worth a wee mention, but right off the bat it's fucked up. The aforementioned weather means we miss the opening band Wolves like Us and just catch the last few songs of The Secret. However I will say from the last few songs that I did catch of them, I wasn't that into it. Came accross as a bit generic metalcore stuff, wasn't a fan, but they certainly had a few folk into them. Now when Toxic Holocaust came on I was expecting big things. I was quite impressed with the first few songs, but by about the 4th song they just sounded like Slayer. Good. But not much originality in there at all. Infact said song, I could have sworn was a mix between Angel of Death and Raining Blood. Particular highlight was the song titles, which were mostly just very very very very very metal. "667, Greater than Evil" , that sorta thing. Well worth a chuckle. But however, these guys got the place bouncing and albeit a timid crowd in Glasgow still one of excitement for a Thursday and the band gave it everything they had.
Kvelertak then came on and by god they fuckin blew me away. You're talking 3 guitarists, bassist, drummer and vocalist and these boys are tighter than an Aberdonian at a charity gig. Keep in mind this band played for an hour with only one album released and every song they played was like hearing hit after hit after hit. They grasp you in like a child needing comfort and all of sudden everything isn't just ok, it's fuckin marvelous. The sound of the black metal meets punk rock with a Guns 'n' Roses swagger. If you haven't heard of this band, get the listened to.
It'd be cheap of me to judge the entire gig based on 2 1/3 of a the bands, so I'll just mark up Kvelertak and give them a very impressive 9/10
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| Yer stereotypical friendly welcome to Glasgow |
Kvelertak then came on and by god they fuckin blew me away. You're talking 3 guitarists, bassist, drummer and vocalist and these boys are tighter than an Aberdonian at a charity gig. Keep in mind this band played for an hour with only one album released and every song they played was like hearing hit after hit after hit. They grasp you in like a child needing comfort and all of sudden everything isn't just ok, it's fuckin marvelous. The sound of the black metal meets punk rock with a Guns 'n' Roses swagger. If you haven't heard of this band, get the listened to.
It'd be cheap of me to judge the entire gig based on 2 1/3 of a the bands, so I'll just mark up Kvelertak and give them a very impressive 9/10
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Ziplock - Nothing to Prove (2011)
Ziplock - Nothing to Prove (2011) [Horn & Hoof Records]
The Norwich based punk's EP Nothing to Prove blasts off with opening track "One Step Behind" and while in areas it sounds a little rush recorded with some mis-timings, it's full of contagious energy and not to be sniffed at. "Change Your Routine" is a chainsaw of street punk and while it's a really short burst of energy it's pretty good. "Not Cost Effective" and "Mental Block" are also examples of the simplistic, but powerful riffs, but what I feel completely commands this EP is the vocals which is very self-evident in the latter. "Meltdown" without a doubt is their pub anthem. All in all it's a not bad wee number, however a bit too similar musically, which spoils it a bit. Apart from needing a bit more diversity, it's pretty good. 7/10
The Norwich based punk's EP Nothing to Prove blasts off with opening track "One Step Behind" and while in areas it sounds a little rush recorded with some mis-timings, it's full of contagious energy and not to be sniffed at. "Change Your Routine" is a chainsaw of street punk and while it's a really short burst of energy it's pretty good. "Not Cost Effective" and "Mental Block" are also examples of the simplistic, but powerful riffs, but what I feel completely commands this EP is the vocals which is very self-evident in the latter. "Meltdown" without a doubt is their pub anthem. All in all it's a not bad wee number, however a bit too similar musically, which spoils it a bit. Apart from needing a bit more diversity, it's pretty good. 7/10
The Brothel Corpse Trio + Bittersuite @ The Moorings, Aberdeen
Friday November 18th @ The Moorings, Aberdeen
The gig opened up the traditional Moorings Friday night 2 band bill and did a pretty good job. While the Moorings, or in particular the Fudge Promotions lads, have a thing for never putting two punk bands on the same bill it would seem, they always have a good bands on. It's trying to please everyone in the pub who would be there regardless if anyone was playing. So to start off we've got Bittersuite. I was quite impressed with the guys, they weren't half bad. It was sort of post Guns N Roses with Alice in Chains vocals. While the imitation Guns n Roses stuff is done quite often, not to mention quite badly as well, I was surprised when these guys did a not bad job. I thought they were trying to make it their own, but the GNR cover at the end, albeit an encore, shattered that haha.
Brothel Corpse Trio hit the stage next. I've never really been a fan of this band. It started very zombie pish with hints of pyschobilly when they first started up, but I'd been told their new stuff was harder and faster and to be honest throughout the performance I quite enjoyed them. While not quite the Elvis meets GBH I was told to expect, it was still a tightly played and well orchestrated set. And Squidy was right when he said he cut out all the clicking on the Double Bass. 7/10
The gig opened up the traditional Moorings Friday night 2 band bill and did a pretty good job. While the Moorings, or in particular the Fudge Promotions lads, have a thing for never putting two punk bands on the same bill it would seem, they always have a good bands on. It's trying to please everyone in the pub who would be there regardless if anyone was playing. So to start off we've got Bittersuite. I was quite impressed with the guys, they weren't half bad. It was sort of post Guns N Roses with Alice in Chains vocals. While the imitation Guns n Roses stuff is done quite often, not to mention quite badly as well, I was surprised when these guys did a not bad job. I thought they were trying to make it their own, but the GNR cover at the end, albeit an encore, shattered that haha.
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| Brothel Corpse Trio's Squidy in action on the Double Bass |
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| Phil & The Sideburns |
Brothel Corpse Trio hit the stage next. I've never really been a fan of this band. It started very zombie pish with hints of pyschobilly when they first started up, but I'd been told their new stuff was harder and faster and to be honest throughout the performance I quite enjoyed them. While not quite the Elvis meets GBH I was told to expect, it was still a tightly played and well orchestrated set. And Squidy was right when he said he cut out all the clicking on the Double Bass. 7/10
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| Jono's not very photogenic anyway.... |
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