LONG TIME NO SPEAK

Well, I don't know if you have noticed or not. But it has been quiet round here for a while. Don't worry, action will start shortly.
Look out for loads of reviews and whatnot.

PUNKS NOT DAD -

PUNKS NOT DAD – IN ME SHED (DIGITAL DOWNLOAD SINGLE ONLY)

Are the kids laughing at all us old punks? Are the old punks not settling down? Are they having kids and still being punk dads? We can only speculate on this new craze, or is it a mid life crisis? Who knows, but it’s still fun as hell for us and testimony that punk isn’t dead, or should that read punks not dad? Instead of retiring to our sheds to look at porn, plant some flowers were kicking out the jams (probably making some strawberry jam too). If you hear a noise from next doors shed, be warned – it could be some ageing punk. There’s even a cool video to go with this, featuring none other than Lisa Rogers – I would have thought that Bill Oddy would have been more appropriate.

BOSS TUNEAGE, PO BOX 74, SANDY, BEDS, SG19 2WB, UK.

WWW.BOSSTUNEAGE.COM

SOUTHPORT - ARMCHAIRSUPPORTERS CD

SOUTHPORT – ARMCHAIRSUPPORTERS CD

First new full length in over 10 years and boasting members from UK stalwart bands BLOCKO, SNUFF and MIDWAY STILL – is enough for any fan of tuneful melodic songs. In between some hard hitting LEATHERFACE styled moments, is a trip of up beat 60’s tuneage and late 70’s mod fare – all dished up with style and flare. The song ‘White Lightning’ is nothing short of fantastic and my favourite song on the whole CD. Though this is a full length of well crafted and passionate songs, which didn’t instantly hit me – but you know those songs that take a few plays usually end up staying with you longer. Being pretty much the same age as these guys, I’m as much a supporter of armchairs myself.

BOSS TUNEAGE, PO BOX 74, SANDY, BEDS, SG19 2WB, UK.

WWW.BOSSTUNEAGE.COM

GANG GREEN - SOLD OUT 7"

GANG GREEN - SOLD OUT 7"
One of my all time fave records.

GAN -

GAN – DO THAT AGAIN. AGAIN!?! CD

Before the explosion of grunge, never mind the explosion of Green Day there were bands doing melodic poppy punky h/c and before it became a clique that was bastardised. GAN were one of those bands, full of youthful energy and teenage angst. With their hearts on their sleeves and fingers on the right chords they riffed their way through a collection of fine tunes and probably broke the hearts of many a Descendants female fan. Here we have a collection of 24 songs, from their vinyl output back in the day – sounding great and sticking memorable tunes in your head while you go about your business. A really nice booklet full of photos, lyrics etc only complements the innocence of this time, when it was real and before the bandwagon jumpers latched on. Awesome covers of Bad Religion, Nena etc.

BOSS TUNEAGE, PO BOX 74, SANDY, BEDS, SG19 2WB, UK.

WWW.BOSSTUNEAGE.COM

VARSITY DRAGE - ROCK AND ROLL IS SUCH A HASSLE CD

VARSITY DRAG – ROCK AND ROLL IS SUCH A HASSLE – LIVE IN EUROPE CD

Ex – Lemonheads man Ben Deily and co playing songs live on their last European tour. Recorded in Austria and sounding bloody great. If you liked the last CD, then you will surely appreciate hearing them in a live setting.

BOSS TUNEAGE, PO BOX 74, SANDY, BEDS, SG19 2WB, UK.

WWW.BOSSTUNEAGE.COM

THE SHITTY LIMITS - BEWARE THE LIMITS CD

THE SHITTY LIMITS – BEWARE THE LIMITS CD

There’s been a real buzz going about this band, which I seem to have missed out on – like they’ve already released a handful of 7”s and with this CD it’s my first time hearing them. I can honesty understand what it’s all about, as they are one hell of a band. If, like me, you’ve been living in a cave and haven’t cottoned on, well they have an explosive mix of 60’s garage, 70’s punk and 80’s hardcore a potent mixture for sure. Great songs, body moving beats, pit cracking fury, chanty melodies that are all wrapped up and executed with passion and heart. I can only imagine that you would have the time of your life if you attended one of their gigs. The packaging is pretty minimal and stark, but they let the music do the talking. Wonderful CD.

BOSS TUNEAGE, PO BOX 74, SANDY, BEDS, SG19 2WB, UK.

WWW.BOSSTUNEAGE.COM

STUPIDS - THE KIDS DON'T LIKE IT CD

STUPIDS – THE KIDS DON’T LIKE IT ……. CD / LP

The kids might not like it, but I sure as hell do. Quite possibly the come back record of the decade and it makes me feel great that these old guys still kick ass and surpass bands half their age. Totally great ripping tunes, which you would be totally stupid not to like and I can indulge and pretend I’m a young kid too. It includes the “Feel The Suck” 7”, which continues to blow me away – being the fantastic tune that it is. There’s quite an array of sounds going on, savage Agent Orange style melodies (ahem), 80’s styled mayhem done Californian style and plenty of up beat thrashers that are cut up and pasted with a fresh modern vibe that is oozing with life and will make the stiffest person want to jump around. An insight to the trials and tribulations of life which are full of sarcasm, humour and some of the best lyrics they’ve written. A welcome return and done in style, keep it going guys.
BOSS TUNEAGE RECORDS

WWW.BOSSTUNEAGE.COM

DEEP SLEEP - THREE THINGS AT ONCE CD

DEEP SLEEP – THREE THINGS AT ONCE CD

There’s a saying that two’s company, three’s a crowd. Well that doesn’t apply to this DEEP SLEEP CD, because three’s definitely good company here. One of my favourite current bands at the minute and I’ve loved them since I bought their ‘You’re Screwed’ 7” a couple of years ago. Since then, they’ve released the ‘Manic Euphoria’ 7” and the brand spanking new ‘Paranoid Futures’ 7” – all on my favourite current label GRAVE MISTAKE RECORDS who has released this CD and compiled them all for us. This nifty package includes reproductions of the covers of the 7”s, lyrics, photos – just the way it needs to be done when doing these discography type releases. There are 21 songs here that showcase how DEEP SLEEP have honed and crafted some incredible songs that have a stripped down melodic sound, which is catchy and memorable. Each beat is heartfelt and the melodic riffs are coupled with some times frantic blasts of rousing hardcore beats, that ooze mini anthems in a day and age where the scene is awash with apathy and nothing else. A marriage made in heaven of sounds influenced from the likes of ADOLESCENTS, DESCENDENTS, ANTI, BLACK FLAG and countless more. This fantastic anthology is mandatory purchase and definitely well worth your hard earned cash.

GRAVE MISTAKE RECORDS, PO BOX 12482, RICHMOND, VA 23241, USA.

WWW.GRAVEMISTAKERECORDS.COM

STUPIDS - FEEL THE SUCK CD/7"

STUPIDS – FEEL THE SUCK 7”/CD/Download

The first thing I’ve heard from these silly people since their return from the dead. 3 fun packed songs, with cool chord changes and neat beats. Marty is back in the gang again and it’s back to the good ole days, but more polished and modern sounding. No lyrics, but I’m sure they’re pretty ‘stupid’ anyway – it’s like the saying if it ain’t broke ….. I thoroughly enjoyed this and it’s great to see them storming and in great form. Like the old saying, check it out man. They are still available for weddings etc. Available on groovy coloured vinyl (which should brighten up your turn table), CD and download – so you’re spoilt for choice and have no excuse to hear it.

While you are at it, check out their back catalogue on Boss Tuneage.

WWW.BOSSTUNEAGE.COM

F.U.A.L. FUCK UP AND LIVE CD

F.U.A.L. – FUCK UP AND LIVE CD (BTRCS038)

Back in the late 80’s, from the ashes of Stalag 17, rose F.U.A.L. who set alight the stagnant Northern Irish scene with their blend of tuneful and uncompromising full on punk. This release compiles their self released ‘Veganic Wind’ (a Warzone jobby of course) and their self titled LP on Meantime Records. A mixture of fast, melodic and skanky beats, with passionate female vocals which stand out amongst a sea of macho insecurities, that was rife the world over. Lyrics that reflected the struggle and strife that was life (or the so called excuse for life) over here that was prevalent in the 1980’s. Amongst the almost feeling of being suffocated by so many strands of society, F.U.A.L. offered hope for the ordinary person, the belief to stand up for themselves, make their own society and not get drawn into the web of bigotry that clouded so much of life over here. A remake of the old Stalag 17 song “And The Birdie Said” is as wonderful as ever. “Suffer The Children” still creates a knot in my chest, as it still happens throughout the world. I shook many a fist and danced a drunken jig at loads of their gigs back in the day. Lots of good memories have been awoke from the slumber of times gone by with the release of this wonderful CD. Hopefully it will do the same for you and if you are new to them, I hope it gives you the same thrill that they gave me back in the day.

WWW.BOSSTUNEAGE.COM

DESOLATE VOID - NO SIGN OF BETTER TIMES CD

DESOLATE VOID - NO SIGN OF BETTER TIMES ... CD (CAH064)
A very apt title for the times that we live in. The way things are at the minute a little escapism now and again is a good thing. I don't mean going out and getting fucked out of your head all the time, but music I feel is the best way. A little bit of metal anyone? Desolate Void thunder forth, flailing guitar solos, coupled with some seriously good rhythmic bass licks and stomping drumming. There's moments of death, thrash and metal metal here. Featuring Crimes Against Humanity records main man Nick on bass, if you like what's already on this label - but want to up the ante a little and have some metal in your blood, then look no further.

Crimes Against Humanity Records, PO Box 1421, Eau Claire WI54702, USA.
www.cahrecords.com

check out the above web site for a monster distro of records, cds, zines, shirts, downloads.

D.O.A. - NORTHERN AVENGER CD

D.O.A. - NORTHERN AVENGER CD (SDR-0079)
I was pretty nervous about playing this CD, due to Joey Keithley being one of my all time favourite singer/songwriters to ever set foot on stage (or record in a studio) under the banner of hardcore punk. But as soon as the first chord rang out, a smile beamed across my face and I thought to myself - hell D.O.A. are still as fucking great as ever and even more so as I've been listening to them for the past 25 years. Even Randy Rampage is back on bass too, oh man, this fan boy (well old fart really) is a happy one. There's quite a lot of variety of styles herein; be it the ska/reggae/dub of 'Poor Poor Boy' (what an incredible song) and 'Set The Free'; to more punky 'Mountains That We Climbed' (how many bands going in America etc remember the debt owed to bands like D.O.A. etc and their hardcore working ethic that lead the path for many to follow), 'Still A Punk' (hey Joey, I hear ya man); the folky 'This Machine Kills' that leads straight into the mighty 'How Long Till The Day'. There's even light hearted stuff such as 'Donnybrook' and a John Fogarty cover. I can understand the disdain for California in 'Golden State', but don't get 'California Hardcore Last Chance'. The CD is just bursting with so many incredible songs and D.O.A. are one of those bands that have created their own sound and what's even more incredible some 30 years after they first started they are still creating such a standard of quality songs, full of melodic hooks and memorable riffs - they are still as important as ever. They are still doing things their way, they are still singing about injustice. TALK MINUS ACTION STILL MEANS NOTHING. You better fucking believe it.

SUDDEN DEATH RECORDS, CASCADES, PO BOX 43001, BURNABY, BC CANADA V5G 3HO.
www.suddendeath.com

KEITZER - AS THE WORLD BURNS CD

KEITZER - AS THE WORLD BURNS CD (YD071)

Metallic, grindcore from Germany. A sonic assault and battery from the first blast beat until the end. Their drummer is pretty fantastic and plays as fast as a tommy gun emptying cartridge, after cartridge of bullets. Straight-up, no frills, no bullshit mayhem. No porno, gore or other dubious lyrics are growled - despite no lyrics being included. If you like your early Earache, current Crimes Against Humanity styled grind and done really well, then look no further.

YELLOWDOG RECORDS, PO BOX 550208, 10372 BERLIN, GERMANY.

WWW.YELLOWDOG.DE

Yellowdog has a huge online web store, so check it out.

WWW.KEITZERGRIND.COM

PISSCHRIST - VICTIMS OF FAITH CD

PISSCHRIST - VICTIMS OF FAITH CD (YD 078)

All the way from Australia, via Germany, sees PISSCHRIST's new LP/CD - their 2nd full length. Getting by the fantastic artwork on the front sleeve should certainly tell you that this isn't light weight or definitely 'ain't no feeble bastard'. In fact, enclosed are 15 songs fericious and stunning more day d-beat, that flourishes and kicks out some fantastic Swedish influenced mayhem. Well recorded and boasting a punch of harsh music that is needed for the times that we live in. Venom spat lyrics that are well written and have such disdain for what we call society that you can only agree with them while playing air guitar to these rocking tunes. Victims Of Faith is up there in quality along with recent releases from the likes of WORDS BURN TO DEATH, GASMASK TERROR, old ENT, DISFEAR etc. Great rumbling intros that surge into a full throttle attack. PISSCHRIST can only help you through the rough and tumble that is life and be glad there are bands like this around who see through the lies that those in charge want to throw the wool over your eyes.

YELLOWDOG RECORDS, PO BOX 550208, 10372 BERLIN, GERMANY.

WWW.YELLOWDOG.DE

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Just want to wish anyone reading this a happy new year. Thanks to those who sent stuff for review, much appreciated. Hope those who read this blog enjoy it. Lots more to come in 2009.

All the best for 2009.

Mel
XXX

PEREGRINE - THE AGRARIAN CURSE CD

PEREGRINE - THE AGRARIAN CURSE CD

PEREGRINE is what's described as an anarcho-primitivist band - which is a critque of civilisation and it's failure to provide a true existence for those living on this planet. They promote an alternative to the typical work, watch tv, die existence that infests most of society as we know it. Lyrics and short essays are provided to help you think for something other than the mundane life that you may already live. With that, they deliver their songs with passion, with thunderous metal riffage that incorporates crust, hardcore and an unrelenting burst of energy. Fast beats give way to more restful and melodic moments - but are soon shattered and brought back to the ungliness of what prevails. It's all done well and they are definitely worthy of your attention.

www.myspace.com/pergrinemetal

GERIATRIC UNIT - DISTANCE AND DAMAGE CD

GERIATRIC UNIT - DISTANCE AND DAMAGE CD

The follow up to last years 'Life Half Over', their third release and second one with Bosstuneage. Easily their best so far and these 12 tracks prove it and showing that even the old boys get better with age. Totally fast, un adultered and uncompromising hardcore, that is straight to the point with no apologies given. Just think of the best bands you can think of in hardcore; NEGATIVE APPROACH, POISON IDEA, NECROS etc and you'll get the idea. I love the vocals, in that they are just an adrenalin rush of pent up fury, thundering guitar riffage, bass licks and drumming all which are top notch. The recording/production on this is fantastic as you can hear everything clearly and that is crucial in this day and age, plus having a good sound only adds to this already explosive force. The lyrics complement the music, in your face, angry and definitely no let up. It's old, it's fast and it's definitely loud. Absolutely fantastic, if you aren't slightly interested in getting this - then fuck off to the old people's home.

WWW.BOSSTUNEAGE.COM

AVSKUM - UPPROR UNDERIFRAN CD

AVSKUM - UPPROR UNDERIFRAN CD (PRANK 097)

Absolutely brilliant new CD (also available on LP) from this long standing Swedish band. 16 songs of pure adrenalin bursting forth, that captures them at their very best and easily one of the best releases in this genre. A fantastic mixture of DISCHARGE, MOTORHEAD and any good classic Swedish band you could think of. While harsh and heavy, each song evokes the listener to stay tuned and that's where you get reeled in and you are not going to get away so easy. With songs like these who would want to. Plenty of great riffage and thumping beats, exploding vocals and everything you would hope for in a great CD. The artwork/layout captures the mood. Although most of the lyrics are in Swedish, there is a strong anti cop, anti capatalist vibe going down. You know you need it.

PRANK, PO BOX 410892, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94141-0892, USA.
WWW.PRANKRECORDS.COM

CHRIST ON PARADE

CHRIST ON PARADE - LOUD AND LIVE - KFJC PIT 08/15/07 CD (PRANK 098)

Some live records are not worth the time, but thankfully this isn't the case for this live release of CHRIST ON PARADE. Soundwise, it's absolutely fantastic, everything is crisp and clear - but still punk as fuck and definitely a hell of a lot better sounding than most studio releases. As the title states, it was recorded on 08/15/07, after getting back together and the re-release of their old studio material (also available on PRANK RECORDS). CHRIST ON PARADE, were part of the sound track of my youth, that helped shaped my outlook on life - while giving me some incredible hardcore punk at the same time to keep me sane and vent my frustrations to. I bought their records back in the day as they came out, I still have them and I still continue to listen to them. The quality of the songs is top notch and their anger is still there. The lyrics of the songs are included, which are as relevant (if not more so) today as they were in the 80's. The hatred of corrupt government, which is still as bad today - only the names and faces have changed. All my faves are here, which include "Chaos Breeder", "Drop-out", "Teach Your Children Well", "Joshua Brown" and many more. Their songs are memorable, individual and CHRIST ON PARADE still remain one of the best bands I have ever being introduced to. If you already like them and are weary of live releases, fear not - you will love this. If you've not heard them, then rectify that and check them out. It's also available on LP too.

PRANK RECORDS, PO BOX 410892, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94141-0892, USA.

WWW.PRANKRECORDS.COM