Hakan - EP #2

What Hakan has done over the past decade is quite extraordinary. Without ever significantly altering its musical style or approach to songwriting, this Bergamo, Italy–based trio has delivered four equally great full-length albums. At no point have I tired of the band's hard-driving yet totally poppy punk rock sound. If almost any other band were this repetitive stylistically, the returns would inevitably diminish. But Hakan leaves me wanting more every time. In my book, this is one of the best punk rock bands of modern times. Perhaps Hakan has questioned exactly how long it can keep pulling off this trick, for its new EP does mix things up a little (in a way that will still please longtime fans). Out now on Jarama 45RPM Recs, EP #2 is a work of remarkable efficiency. It packs six songs onto one 7" record, with no track running longer than a minute and a half. Songs like "The Only One" and "Give It a Try" (which brings to mind labelmates Neon Bone) find Hakan going all-in on pop-punk. "Dead and Gone" sounds like the best song the Buzzcocks never wrote. "Another Man" has me hearing Weezer, and I'm not mad about it. "Rocco Baroque" is anthemic old school punk that will have you jumping around and shouting along. And if you're still seeking some classic Hakan, "Living in America" will not disappoint. Six songs on one 7" is a swell deal, and all these tunes are first rate. This EP makes me really excited for Hakan's forthcoming fifth LP. Clearly the band has found a way to expand its core sound while still continuing to marry punk and pop in a most satisfying way. Vinyl for EP #2 is limited to 300 copies, so hop to it if you want in on the action!

-L.R.

https://jarama45rpmrecs.bandcamp.com/album/ep-2
https://hakanbeibi.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1sILWPB9pqb5rUQKxEYq1B
https://www.facebook.com/wearethehakan/
https://www.instagram.com/jarama_45rpm_recs/
https://www.facebook.com/jarama45rpmrecs

The Peawees - One Ride

What really needs to be said about La Spezia, Italy's The Peawees? They are the epitome of class and quality in the punk/rock 'n' roll universe. Hervé Peroncini is one of the finest songwriters of his generation. Fast approaching 30 years as a band, The Peawees are aging like fine wine. One Ride, their seventh album, is out now on Wild Honey Records, Spaghetty Town Records, and FOLC Records. How many bands would kill to be able to make just one record this great? The Peawees manage to do it time and time again, and that's something we should never take for granted. The Peawees certainly didn't take it for granted. They started working on One Ride five years ago. And then, of course, the world changed. So did the lives of the band members and eventually the band's lineup. The album got put on hold. Touring got put on hold. Life got put on hold. But the band persevered. Six years after releasing their previous album Moving Target, The Peawees are back with a vengeance. One Ride again finds the band playing the perfect mix of punk rock, garage, soul, and old style rock 'n' roll. This is me listening to a Peawees album: "What a great song! There's no way the next one could be as good!" And then I keep saying the same thing over and over until the album is finished. One Ride is an absolutely bulletproof set of songs. There's not a sub-par track in the bunch, and the band (now with Dario Persi on guitar) sounds fantastic. These songs have energy, guts, timeless style, and hooks all day long. 

A long time ago, The Peawees released an album called This Is Rock'n'Roll. Although the group's progression from those humble beginnings has been extraordinary, that title still captures what The Peawees are all about. From all the best parts of the past 70 years of rock 'n' roll, they create something that sounds fresh and totally their own. One Ride was a long time in the making, but it has proven more than worth the wait. Hands down, it's one of the year's best albums. If you're hunting the colored vinyl, hit the links below for further details!

-L.R.

https://thepeawees.bandcamp.com/album/one-ride
https://open.spotify.com/album/3P5NwjUGO23JMDkWl0Nf44
https://spaghettytownrecords.bigcartel.com/product/the-peawees-one-ride-white-vinyl
https://www.folcrecords.es/producto/the-peawees-one-ride-edicion-espanola-preorder/
https://www.facebook.com/thepeawees/
https://www.instagram.com/thepeawees/
https://wildhoneyrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/wildhoneyrecords/
https://www.instagram.com/wildhoneyrecords___/
https://www.facebook.com/SpaghettyTown/
https://www.instagram.com/spaghettytownrecords/

Miss Chain & The Broken Heels - Storms

It is always a pleasure to come across new music from Italy's Miss Chain & The Broken Heels. This band, to me, represents pure class and everything that is great about music. I first encountered the band when it was playing classic power pop at the end of the 2000s, and since then Astrid and the gang have gone through a remarkable progression that is still on-going. There was a big jump from the band's early singles to its first album On a Bittersweet Ride, and there was an even bigger jump to its second album The Dawn. A decade after the release of The Dawn, Miss Chain & The Broken Heels treat us to the extraordinary follow-up Storms. No longer a "power pop" band per se but most definitely the epitome of great pop, Miss Chain & The Broken Heels have delivered a sophisticated and accomplished release befitting their status as one of the most beloved bands in the worldwide independent music scene. Astrid, Franz, Silva, and Johnny bring together elements of '60s pop music, country rock, rhythm & blues, garage rock, folk, girl groups, and indie rock to create a dreamy, melody-driven sound that is distinctively theirs. Storms is not an album for casual listening. It's a record you will want to immerse yourself in and fully experience. Play it while you're taking a long solitary walk or chilling on the couch with a cup of coffee and contemplating your life. Astrid's voice, so immediately recognizable, has taken on new depths as it has matured. And when it comes to musical talent, you won't hear a better band than The Broken Heels. Recorded by the band's former drummer Brown Barcella and Alessio Lonati and produced and mastered by its best pal Riccardo Zamboni, Storms sounds absolutely stunning. The songs and production fit each other like a glove. 

Miss Chain & The Broken Heels were one of the first bands I ever reviewed for this blog way back in July 2011. They've managed to move beyond their punk rock roots without abandoning them, and one can only hope that it won't be another decade before we hear from them again. Storms is available from the band's own label, Wild Honey Records. 

-L.R

https://misschainandthebrokenheels.bandcamp.com/album/storms 
https://wildhoneyrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/misschainandthebrokenheels
https://open.spotify.com/album/4CQpBTw2yqBZAHnaXLWhyv
https://www.instagram.com/misschainandthebrokenheels/
https://li.sten.to/storms
https://www.facebook.com/wildhoneyrecords/

The Sensibles - Dino Nuggets

Finally out after many years of fan anticipation is The Sensibles' mini-album Dino Nuggets! Based out of Milano, Italy, The Sensibles were one of the best pop-punk bands of the 2010s and are honestly one of the best pop-punk bands I've ever heard. Dino Nuggets was recorded back in 2015 and partially released in the form of a couple 7" records in 2015-16. Now the whole album is available from Spotify, Bandcamp, etc., and it's an absolute delight! Featuring songs about animals, food, friends and life, this album is an essential purchase for pop-punk fans aged 4 to 84. Clocking in at just under 17 minutes, Dino Nuggets is a quick listen that will leave you wanting more. Heck, this band's entire discography has left me wanting more! To me, The Sensibles are everything that's great about pop-punk as a musical genre. And Dino Nuggets perfectly exemplifies that. If you're into sugar-sweet melodies with a hard candy crunch, amazing vocals, and super-endearing lyrics, this is the album for you. This is music that puts a smile on my face and makes me feel proud to be a human being. In my book, "Bibi" is a modern classic of pop-punk. Hearing it with fresh ears in 2023, I love it more than ever. "Ice Cream Man" is pure aural joy, and who can't appreciate "Strawberry Cake"? You simply won't hear music catchier than this — or with more heart. If you missed out on this band the first time around, now is a great time to get caught up. And if you fondly recall The Sensibles' releases, Dino Nuggets will make you a very happy human.

-L.R.

https://thesensibles666.bandcamp.com/album/dino-nuggets
https://www.instagram.com/the_sensibles/
https://open.spotify.com/album/4zMGfhZxwzJvImtYBrFE3j

The Beatersband - VOL​.​TRE

 

Back with the third installment in a series that began with 2019's VOL UNO, Italian trio The Beatersband delivers eight more fantastic covers of 1950s and '60s pop and rock and roll standards on the newly released VOL​.​TRE. The concept is simple yet so perfectly executed: The Beatersband revisits timeless oldies, adding a modern pop-punk touch but never messing with the essence of the original versions. Half the fun is the band's selection of material, which is once again absolutely impeccable. Donatella, Leonardo, and company always choose the classics of the classics. Yet even though you've heard these songs countless times, The Beatersband re-does them in a way that makes you delighted to hear them again. VOL​.​TRE finds the band tackling the Arthur Alexander/Elvis Presley favorite "Burning Love," the Ronettes' beloved "Be My Baby," Del Shannon's iconic "Runaway," Dusty Springfield's 1963 hit "I Only Want to Be With You" (my favorite song of all-time!), Eddie Cochran's essential rocker "C'mon Everybody," the Wild Ones/Troggs classic "Wild Thing," Conway Twitty's 1958 rock and roll smash "It's Only Make Believe," and Jackie DeShannon's oft-covered masterpiece "When You Walk In The Room." That's an untouchable set of songs, and the success of The Beatersband is in not trying to do too much. What we have here are punched-up yet completely faithful versions of perfect songs. The singing and musicianship are top-notch, and you can feel the love in every note. 

I always love pop-punk bands that acknowledge the roots of the genre, and The Beatersband takes that mission very literally. VOL​.​TRE, like its predecessors, is a true celebration of rock and roll and the timeless songs that have brought joy to several generations. Some listeners will hear these songs and want to seek out the original versions. Others will hear these tunes and have warm recollections of the music they grew up with or were introduced to by their parents or grandparents. It's such a music reviewer cliché to talk about what a marvelous thing rock and roll is, but hearing this album makes me want to shout it from the rooftops anyway. I hope this album series continues for a long time to come! 

-L.R.

https://thebeatersbandvintagepunkrocknroll.bandcamp.com/album/vol-tre
https://www.instagram.com/thebeatersband/
https://www.facebook.com/thebeatersvintagepunkrocknroll/
https://www.youtube.com/@donagiuggi

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2nXC5X0wco3stnpzwoLPg1

Limoges - Milan Shakes, Turin Shocks, Limoges Rocks

Hey Pizza! Records is quickly assembling a roster to rival just about any pop-punk label out there. Somehow I even missed a Neon Bone picture disc single that released on Valentine's Day and sold out in a heartbeat. Shame on me! The label's latest release isn't likely to remain in stock very long either. Milan Shakes, Turin Shocks, Limoges Rocks is the first album from Italian punk rock super group Limoges. Featuring members of Ponches, MEGA, Komet, Morbeats, and Volkov, this band tears through 10 excellent tracks of tuneful pop-punk in just under 18 minutes on this stellar debut. What I like about this group is that it plays textbook pop-punk without sounding like a thousand bands you've already heard before. You can hear bits and pieces of all the members' other bands coming together in a wonderfully satisfying way. Influences go beyond the usual Lookout!/Ramones playbook -- digging back into 1980s melodic punk & pop-punk with a pinch of Marked Men style as well. Limoges manage to create a sound that's fast & energetic but also super melodic. And when it comes to singing pop-punk songs, this band proves once again that Italians do it better. Milan Shakes, Turin Shocks, Limoges Rocks is a first-rate effort all the way through and a reminder that pop-punk done well is hard to beat. The LP is limited to 200 copies on black vinyl. Hit up the Hey Pizza! store to pre-order a copy!

-L.R.

https://heypizzarecords.bandcamp.com/album/limoges-milan-shakes-turin-shocks-limoges-rocks
https://www.facebook.com/limogespunkrock/
https://www.heypizzarecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HeyPizzaRecords/
https://www.instagram.com/heypizzarecords/

The Delinquents - "Love O"

You know I'm always a happy camper when I get to write about '77-style punk rock! Hailing from Italy, The Delinquents are a new '77-style band featuring members of Idol Lips and Razorlips. Their debut LP Too Late, Too Little, Too Loose is set for a June release on Madrid-based label Take The City Records. In advance of the album, the label has leaked the teaser track "Love O." There's not much to say about this song other than to point out that it's killer! If you dig catchy first wave inspired punk with a tough rock and roll edge, this tune ought to hit the spot. I dig the raw guitar sound, shout-along vocals, and rockin' leads! It's my belief that we need more bands like this in today's scene. On that note, I will very much be looking forward to the full album. Hit up Take The City's Bandcamp to pre-order!

-L.R.

https://takethecityrecords.bandcamp.com/album/too-late-too-little-too-loose
https://www.facebook.com/takethecityrecords
https://www.facebook.com/The-Delinquents-102111812088696/

Hakan - Hakan Manifesto

It's hard to believe it has been almost seven years since I reviewed the first of Hakan's three self-titled albums. When I wrote about Hakan III in 2018, I expressed hope that a Hakan IV would be forthcoming. Well the Italian trio has switched things up and actually given its fourth album a proper title! Hakan Manifesto, out on Striped Music and One Chord Wonder Records, will disappoint no one who loved the band's first three albums. As always, the group dishes out mega-poppy punk rock with a contemporary garage edge. This has become a signature sound for Hakan, who pull it off so well that it never grows tiresome. Songs like "Just One Kiss", "Ruined Day", "I'm Burnt", and the earworm title track are vintage Hakan numbers that storm your senses with melody and infectious energy. In its usual style, the band approaches its songwriting with a great mix of humor and inspired stupidity. In a wonderful interview with Hayley Cain for New Noise Magazine, the band reveals that songs on Hakan Manifesto concern topics such as "bees, riding bikes, smashing things, and a girl who can turn her head 360 degrees". What's not to love? And while this is a "classic" Hakan album in every sense, you can also hear the band embracing more of a pure pop side on songs like "Stezzanism", "Number One", and "Here With You". These guys are writing the manual on how to make similar albums over and over without making the same album over and over. In a recent email, the band told me, "Even in these crazy times, here's a new Hakan record." I will rephrase that and say that in these crazy times, we really needed a new Hakan record! If you want to get out of a bummer headspace for the next 22 minutes and just enjoy some catchy and fun pop/punk songs, Hakan Manifesto is just what the doctor ordered. Now how do I get my hands on some Von Wu? 

-L.R.

https://hakanbeibi.bandcamp.com/album/hakan-manifesto

https://stripedmusic.com/pre-order-lp-hakan-hakan-manifesto/

https://ocwrecords.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/wearethehakan/

https://www.facebook.com/ocw.records/

https://www.facebook.com/stripedmusiccom

Animols - Due

I always love a good theme band, and Animols are one of the most delightful theme bands I've come across. The concept behind Genoa-based Animols is that they play Ramones-inspired punk rock songs that are all about -- you guessed it -- animals! Due, the band's second EP, is a split release between Monster Zero and El Topo Records. It features songs about cheetahs, turkeys, mermaids, penguins, and bears -- all sung in Italian. Even if you don't speak a word of Italian, these are still super fun tunes to sing along with. This release is part of a special project called Super Involved launched by Kevin from Monster Zero in the wake of Austria's fourth COVID lockdown. The idea behind Super Involved was for Kevin to support newer and unknown bands in any way he could. One part of Monster Zero Super Involved was to make a promotional push for a few releases that came out earlier in the year and may have gotten lost in the shuffle of the craziness of 2021. Well, it sure worked in my case! Super Involved turned me on to Snotty Cheekbones' excellent album Avanti, and now I'm enjoying this latest release from Animols. Due is sure to delight animal-loving punk rockers of all ages and nationalities! 

-L.R.

https://monsterzerorecords.bandcamp.com/album/due
https://animols.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/Animols-529964907090024/

The Beatersband - "Love I Can B W You"

I previously reviewed Italian trio The Beatersband in September of last year --- offering high praise for the band's covers collection Vol Due. I was immediately won over by The Beatersband's perfect execution of a great concept. Essentially this band aims to modernize the sounds of late '50s and early '60s pop and rock and roll by adding a contemporary punk rock edge. And while The Beatersband could have continued on as an oldies cover band without any complaint from me, I am delighted to hear the group present entirely original material on its brand-new vinyl single "Love I Can B W You". These songs retain the feeling of The Beatersband's previous recordings while also demonstrating that Donatella Guida possesses a songwriting prowess that matches her beautiful voice. Both the title track and B-side "My Mother Plays Rock'n'Roll" combine the timeless melodies of early rock and roll with a punchy, punk-influenced guitar sound. Compared to the songs this band has covered, these two tracks are very similar in both style and spirit. The melodies are strong, the musicianship is top-notch, and the production is stellar. This single is great fun for all generations of music lovers. Copies are available here in the U.S.A. from River Monster Records (only five remaining at the time of this review!) and in Europe directly from the band. Grab one while you still can!

-L.R.

https://rivermonsterrecords.bandcamp.com/album/love-i-can-b-w-you
https://thebeatersbandvintagepunkrocknroll.bandcamp.com/album/love-i-can-b-w-you
https://www.facebook.com/thebeatersvintagepunkrocknroll
https://www.instagram.com/thebeatersband/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6xWKEJVrYZZI3zzlOvDHlg

Radio Days - Rave On!

Hey there, power pop fans! Your day has come! Rave On!, the fourth album by Italian trio Radio Days, releases today on a multitude of fine record labels. It has been a half-decade since Radio Days last put out an LP, so Rave On! most definitely qualifies as a highly anticipated release. And it does not disappoint! A co-release between Ammonia Records, Screaming Apple Records, Rock Indiana, Sounds Rad, and Wizzard in Vinyl, this is what you'd call a classic power pop album. It's full of perfect pop songs in the neighborhood of three minutes long -- with hooks to die for and melodies you can whistle all day. The album takes you on a musical journey through the history and pre-history of power pop: from Buddy Holly (the inspiration for the album title) to the British Invasion to the Big Star/Raspberries heyday to the new wave to the alt-rocking '90s. 

If you're like me and have been excited for years about a follow-up to Radio Days' last album Back In The Day, Rave On! will be everything you hoped for and then some. This is a vintage Radio Days release -- and in my book, it's the band's best album yet! When it comes to songwriting, vocals, and musicianship, the band is at the very top of its game. You could randomly select any song on the album and land on a potential radio hit. With the Paul Collins' Beat and The Knack cited as the album's starting inspirations, you've got a good idea of what to expect here. Songs like "I Got a Love", "When I'm With You", and "What Is Life?" are prime slices of power pop right out of the textbook. The latter finds Paul Collins, Kurt Baker, and members of The Yum Yums & Psychotic Youth joining in on vocals to form the ultimate power pop supergroup! Elsewhere, the band gets a touch punky on "Lose Control", tips the cap to Teenage Fanclub on "Walk Alone", masterfully rips off Weezer on "No One To Blame", and shows off its elegant side on "Till The End Of The Night" and the Beatlesque epic "Between the Lines". It's a great mix of songs. Just importantly, it's a mix of great songs! If you love power pop, you'll be raving about Rave On!

-L.R.

https://radiodays.bandcamp.com/album/rave-on
https://www.radiodays.it/
https://www.facebook.com/RadioDaysPowerpop
http://www.screaming-apple-records.de/
http://www.ammoniarecords.it/
https://www.rockindiana.com/
http://www.wizzard-in-vinyl.net/
https://www.soundsradical.com/

Radio Days - "Till the End of the Night"

 

One of my most highly anticipated albums releases of 2021 is the forthcoming long player from Milan-based outfit Radio Days. Rave On! will be out May 21st on Screaming Apple Records, Ammonia Records, Rock Indiana, Sounds Rad, and Wizzard In Vinyl. To whet our appetites for the album release, Radio Days has previewed a couple of tracks as singles. The latest, "Till the End of the Night", is the perfect complement to the lively power pop of last November's hit "I Got A Love". "Till the End of the Night" is less rock and more pure pop -- an elegant and very pretty tune featuring exquisite melodies that you'll be whistling all day. I'm hearing a big Paul McCartney influence on this track, and that can never be a bad thing! It's hard to believe it's been five years already since Radio Days released Back In The Day. That was an incredible album. But based on the tracks that have been leaked so far, it seems likely that Rave On! will be even better. The wait is almost over!

 

-L.R.

https://radiodays.bandcamp.com/track/till-the-end-of-the-night
https://www.facebook.com/RadioDaysPowerpop
http://radiodays.it/

Radio Days - "I Got A Love"

It's been a little while since I brought out something special for the power pop fanatics. Well power pop universe, your time has come today! "I Got A Love" is the brand-new single from Milan's marvelous trio Radio Days - authors of my 2016 album of the year. In the ensuing years, the band has released a couple more singles. While a new album has been a long time coming, it will finally be arriving in the spring of next year. "I Got A Love", the first single from the new record, suggests that we have an awful lot to be excited about! Simply put, this is a classic power pop track. It's punchy, catchy, and full of melodies and guitar hooks that will invade your brain upon contact. This, my friends, is two and a half minutes of power pop bliss! In a better world, this upbeat number would be a radio smash. Up next is "Baby Blue", a charming and absolutely beautiful pop tune in a throwback '60s style. If "I Got A Love" is the energy cut here, "Baby Blue" is the shot of pure gorgeous melody that complements it perfectly. And to close out the EP, the band digs back into its punk roots with a faithful and vibrant cover of The Jam's "In the City". What a great 7"! The new album Rave On! will be a co-release involving Ammonia Records, Screaming Apple, Rock Indiana, Sounds Rad, and Wizzard in Vinyl. I can't wait! Oh well, I guess I will have to wait. But in the interim, Radio Days will be releasing two more singles. For now, "I Got A Love" is available from Spanish label Snap! Records - which is quickly turning into THE label for power pop!

-L.R.

https://snaprecordsspain.bandcamp.com/album/radio-days-i-got-a-love-ep-fun-7035

https://radiodays.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/RadioDaysPowerpop/

https://www.facebook.com/SnapRecordSpain/

The Beatersband - Vol Due

The Beatersband out of Italy operates under a cool concept. Formed in 2018, this trio aims to modernize the vocal music of the '50s and '60s by re-arranging it in a punk/pop/rock and roll style. In its choice of covers, the band especially emphasizes the rock and roll, girl groups, and doo wop music of the pre British Invasion years (1955-63). On its first release last year, the band produced a lively set of covers of Ritchie Valens, The Crystals, The Ronettes, Paul Anka, Bobby Freeman, and Elvis. Now The Beatersband are back with a second volume of covers. This time, the group tackles such songs as the Goffin & King/Shirelles classic "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", Neil Sedaka's 1960 smash "Calendar Girl", the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby", and The Chantels' early girl group favorite "Maybe". Expanding their repertoire from just American music, The Beatersband also take on 1960s European hits by i Ribelli and Francoise Hardy as well the folk standard "If I Had A Hammer" in the style of Rita Pavone's cover version. I don't think I've ever reviewed a cover band before, but I really love the idea of this band and the way it's executed. Singer/guitarist Donatella Guida has a lovely, appealing voice. And while all of these songs have been given fresh arrangements, they retain the soul of the original versions. Whether you're into punk rock and roll or just plain rock and roll, you are sure to enjoy The Beatersband. I mean, come on: who doesn't love oldies?!

 

-L.R.

https://thebeatersbandvintagepunkrocknroll.bandcamp.com/album/vol-due

https://www.facebook.com/thebeatersvintagepunkrocknroll/

https://www.instagram.com/thebeatersband/

Wild Honey Records - The Benefit of Things To Come

Having been a fan of Italy's Wild Honey Records for a number of years, I would have had a great interest in a compilation album from the label regardless of the circumstances. But The Benefit of Things To Come is a project I especially support because of the purpose behind it. The label is based in Bergamo - a city that has been absolutely decimated by the COVID-19 outbreak. Inspired by outpourings of love from all over the world, Wild Honey came up with the idea of assembling a digital compilation to support the new field hospital built by volunteers in Bergamo. 100% of the proceeds from this release are being donated. All of the bands and artists on this compilation have released music on Wild Honey. And for this occasion, they all contributed a previously unreleased track. I'd be lying if I told you I didn't immediately jump to Miss Chain & The Broken Heels covering "Be With Me" by The Yum Yums. And of course I love the track to pieces! I was also super stoked to come across an unreleased Beach Patrol song and a fine cover of Love's "Alone Again Or" by The Peawees. As expected with exclusively unreleased material, there's a mix of covers, outtakes, demos, and recent quarantine recordings. That said, this is a genuinely good collection that gives you a great feel for the roots rock and roll, blues, folk, indie rock, punk, and pop that Wild Honey has been putting into the world for years. I especially enjoy the songs from MojoMatt, The Goodnight Loving, Bad Sports, and Kenny Tudrick. And who wouldn't want to hear The Rubinoos cover an old Brill Building classic?

I love not just the cause behind The Benefit of Things To Come but also its broader purpose. It's about the idea that rock and roll, beyond just being exciting music, can be a powerful tool "to show the world there is another way". Bands and record labels put out the music we love, but they also have the power to do real good in the world. This collection started with a wonderful idea, but it only became possible because so many bands were willing to be a part of it. If this is your first exposure to the Wild Honey roster, you will surely discover some great new bands to check out. And longtime fans will of course be thrilled to hear new tracks from so many old favorites. In more ways than one, this will be €10 very well spent.  



-L.R.

https://wildhoneyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-benefit-of-things-to-come
https://www.facebook.com/wildhoneyrecords/

You Wanna Know What It's Like? - A Tribute to the Hollywood Brats & The Boys

I don't often review tribute albums. But in the case of the newly-released You Wanna Know What It's Like?, there was just no doubt that I was going to have something to say! This tribute to the Hollywood Brats and The Boys was assembled two decades ago. For various reasons, it never saw the light of day...until now! With most of the world now in lockdown, The Italian label Desert Inn Records decided it was time to give this compilation a proper release and "let people have a good time listening to some great music while in isolation". Now that's a mission I can wholeheartedly endorse. And while this is currently a free download, any proceeds from individuals who choose to pay will be donated to the Italian Red Cross.

Let's start with the obvious: outside of the Ramones, Buzzcocks, and Undertones, The Boys were probably the biggest single influence on the punk/pop/rock and roll scene I champion to this day. The Hollywood Brats were the greatest early '70s glam proto punk band that most people never heard. The link between the two bands, of course, is the tremendous keyboardist Casino Steel. You Wanna Know What It's Like? features covers of many of both bands' most beloved songs. Because the album was put together 20 years ago, the band lineup reads like a who's-who of Y2K era glam punk and punk rock and roll. Hearing all of these bands is like traveling back to the year 2000 on a time machine stocked with back issues of Hit List. Suddenly, I'm nostalgic for my shitty later-20s years that were only made bearable by the punk rock records I was acquiring on a daily basis. When I saw that the Beat Angels ("Terminal Love") and Trash Brats ("Sick On You") were on board, I was instantly sold on this thing. And you can never go wrong leading off with the mighty Jeff Dahl (who turns in a uniquely Dahl-ish rendition of the Hollywood Brats' "Chez Maximes")! Fans of later '90s glam punk rock and roll will surely recognize bands like Thee S.T.P., The Dialtones, Streetwalkin' Cheetahs, Aerobitch, and The Turpentines - who all put their signatures on Boys classics. My man Dimitri Monroe even makes an appearance - offering up a splendidly trashy take on the Brats' "Nightmare". First State Thrill Killers (featuring Vince and Randy from the brilliant Jake and the Stiffs) do a killer version of The Boys' "Schooldays". To the best of my knowledge, this is only the third time that FSTK have appeared on an official release (the other two occasions being tribute albums to GG Allin and GG & The Jabbers). I had somehow never heard of the Finnish band Hundred Million Martians, but their version of "Soda Pressing"  is an absolute highlight.

You Wanna Know What It's Like? really hits the spot for a tribute album. Its primary focus is to celebrate the music of a couple of legendary bands, yet few if any of these tracks sound like straight copies of the originals. Because this album went unheard for two decades, it ends up being far more than a tribute. It's also the ultimate time capsule for late '90s/early 2000s glam-punk, trashy pop, and rawk. This collection was assembled with tremendous affection for not just the Boys and Hollywood Brats but also for all the bands that appear here. This was a true passion project, and it's never too late to get such a thing out into the world. Go snag a download of this bad boy and donate if you can!



-L.R.

https://bratsandboystribute.bandcamp.com/album/you-wanna-know-what-its-like
https://www.cri.it/home

The Peawees - Walking The Walk (Reissue)

If 2001's Dead End City was The Peawees' first step into greatness, 2007's Walking The Walk was the huge leap forward that solidified the Italian foursome's status as a world-class rock and roll band. And now this classic LP has been remixed, remastered, and re-issued by Wild Honey Records in Italy and Rum Bar Records in the USA. Building off of the rockabilly meets '70s punk approach of Dead End City, Walking The Walk found Hervé Peroncini's songwriting expanding to embrace soul music, the compositions of Ennio Morricone, and the roots-inspired punk rock of The Clash circa London Calling. The lineup assembled for this release (Riccardo La Lomia on bass, Carlo Landini on guitar, and Livio Montarese on drums) was at the time the band's tightest and most talented yet. Listening to Walking The Walk, you hear a powerhouse rock and roll band with chops for days. And while the album still has its moments of Devil Dogs worship (nothing wrong with that at all!), you can really sense the shift to a more rhythm & blues based style in both Peroncini's original compositions ("Tomorrow I'll Be Done", "Cloudy Vision") and the cover selections (Otis Redding's "I'm Depending On You" and The Shirelles' "Please Go Away" - both great!).

The Peawees are an unusual band in the respect that they've really taken their time getting records made. That creative patience has paid off well. Subsequent releases Leave It Behind (2011) and Moving Target (2018) are arguably the best two albums the band has made. And you can really hear all of that taking shape on Walking The Walk. This was the transitional record between the garage punk rock and roll Peawees and the modern-day, soul punk Peawees. Whether you're working your way from the reissues up to the more recent releases or starting with Moving Target and working your back, Walking The Walk is an essential purchase. It's one of the finest punk rock and roll releases of the past 20 years and a true showcase for the criminally underrated songwriting talents of Hervé Peroncini. To quote another Peawees album title - this is rock and roll!



-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/walking-the-walk 
https://wildhoneyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/walking-the-walk-reissue 
https://www.facebook.com/thepeawees/ 
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords 

Hakan - Drunk Dial #6

Having reviewed Hakan not once or twice but rather three times in the past, I was stoked to discover that the Italian trio was the latest band to participate in Drunk Dial Records' 7" series. The mission statement behind this label is so clear and concise that it bears being repeated in full: Get artists into the studio. Get them drunk. Have them write and record an original song and then cover a classic. We release the results on 7". Hakan, well recognized for their skill at crafting high quality garage-leaning poppy punk tunes and imbibing premium Italian beer, are clearly on board with Drunk Dial's mission. "Tempuras Never Come", the band's original contribution to this single, is vintage Hakan. It's fast, upbeat, and full of melodies that will positively invade your brain. When it comes to catchy punk rock, it rarely gets catchier than Hakan. "Tempuras Never Come" is one of those songs that ends way too soon. But I'm a fan of that sort of thing on a 7". If you're left wanting more, you can just play it again. And again! On the flip, the band takes on Devo's classic "Mr. DNA" and essentially transforms it into a Hakan song. This track doesn't even make it to the minute and a half mark, but it's 79 seconds of toe-tapping, party-starting joy. I can't say that any inebriation involved in the creation of this single impaired the band's performance. And all in all, this is a highly recommended purchase for anyone who has enjoyed Hakan's three LPs. Check out the Drunk Dial Bandcamp for info on this installment and all previous editions of the Drunk Dial 7" series!



-L.R.

https://drunkdialrecords.bandcamp.com/album/drunk-dial-6-hakan 
https://www.facebook.com/wearethehakan/ 
https://drunkdialrecords.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/drunkdialrecords 

Mad Rollers - "I Need Your Love"

Sometimes all you need is some really good rock and roll! Rome's Mad Rollers have released their latest single - a follow-up to their 2017 debut on Surfin' Ki Records. These guys keep it classic with an awesome mix of pub rock, glam, and proto punk. They aren't aiming to break any new ground, and why would you want 'em to? "I Need Your Love" is an upbeat, catchy rocker with big hooks and some absolutely smoking lead guitar. Mad Rollers cite Eddie and the Hot Rods and Slade as influences, and that definitely comes through in the music. Throw in some early Cock Sparrer, and you'll know exactly what sort of soup these guys are cooking. This is your soundtrack to a night of drinking and dancing and all those other fine things in life. B-side "Did You See" is in a similar vein but with a little nastier edge to it. All in all, this is a top-notch single. Label it however you want - in the end, it's just damn good rock and roll. Vinyl out on Sister Raygun Records out of Philadelphia, USA!



-L.R.

https://madrollers.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sisterraygunrecords/
https://sisterraygunrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/madrollersband/

The Dick Dastardly's - ブラック魔王 - Burakku Demon King

If there's one thing I often find myself craving more of from today's punk rock, it's dirtiness. So when the email came in on Italy's The Dick Dastardly's and mentioned them being "one of the dirtiest bands around", I knew I needed to pay some attention! Out on Slack Records and S.F.A. Records (both from the east coast of Italy), ブラック魔王 - Burakku Demon King is the debut album from this Talacchio-based five-piece. These guys sound like they cut their teeth on the entire Crypt Records catalog - most specifically The Pagans and New Bomb Turks. Throw in a touch of Zero Boys/DOA proto-hardcore, and you've got yourself some filthy punk rock n' roll that you can really sink your teeth into! If you saw this album on a store shelf, you'd probably be like, "What the fuck is this?!". But a quick glance at song titles like "Hard Drugs" and "Peepshow" will give you a clearer idea of what The Dick Dastardly's are all about. They keep it fast and raw, tearing through ten scuzzy tracks in just 18 minutes. And if they seem to be stuck in the '90s ("Third rule is don't listen to ska!"), I would be very happy to be stuck there with them! This is the way I like my punk: ripping and chock full of attitude - yet still catchy enough to get the old toes tapping. Crypt Records forever!



-L.R.

https://thedickdastardlys.bandcamp.com/album/burakku-demon-king 
https://www.facebook.com/thedickdastardlys/ 
https://www.facebook.com/SLACKRECORDS/ 
https://www.facebook.com/sfadiyrecords/