Showing posts with label Wanda Records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wanda Records. Show all posts

Monday, October 07, 2024

Bambies - Snotty Angels

Alright, kids! Montreal's finest slingers of ultra-energetic poppy punk rock are back at it on the appropriately titled Snotty Angels. Out on Wanda Records and Spaghetty Town Records, this is the sophomore long player from Bambies — a band I find super underrated in the punk rock world. Sami, Franki, and Feli do not mess around on this release. They blast out 15 tracks of blistering, snotty-as-heck punk rock 'n' roll with pop hooks for days. If you're looking for a fun album to get you bopping and hopping, this is it! A punk band's sophomore album can be a tricky endeavor. If you show too much growth, they'll say you lost the plot. If you show no growth, they'll say you just made the same album twice. Bambies have navigated this situation well. Snotty Angels doesn't mess with a winning formula, but nor is it a copy of 2021's Summer Soon. If anything, they've stepped it up with this release. This is a catchier, more diverse set of songs, and the energy level of the music has not dipped even a little. Any fan of old school punk-pop will be well served to pick this record up.

Saturday, December 02, 2023

The Gee Strings - Speed Soul Racer


I'm always happy to hear new music from The Gee Strings, who have been one of the world's preeminent '77-style punk rock bands for three decades now. Ingi, Bernadette, and the gang have released their sixth LP, Speed Soul Racer, on Wanda Records, Ghost Highway Recordings, Dangerhouse Skylab, KOTJ Records, and Tape or Die. At just eight tracks, this is truly an all-killer, no-filler affair. In typical Gee Strings fashion, these songs ride the more rock 'n' roll side of punk's first wave. Bernadette absolutely kills it on lead guitar, and the band has never sounded tighter. On this release, the influence of 1977 Northern California punk rock is also quite palpable in original songs like "Creature" & "Fire" and in an excellent cover of Mary Monday's "Popgun." All in all, this is an absolute ripper of a punk rock record. There is not a weak track in sight. 30 years in, Ingi still belts it with authority and conviction. The band's cover of Soda Fraise's "Rock​´​N​´​Rolls" will just about set your hair on fire! If you like real deal old school punk rock 'n' roll, Speed Soul Racer is not to be missed!

Sunday, September 17, 2023

The Uppers - Manic Melodies


The Uppers, a band I first wrote about three years ago, are back with a sophomore 7" that could not be any more up my alley. Out on Spaghetty Town Records, Boulevard Trash, and Wanda Records, the aptly-named Manic Melodies features four tracks of tuneful power pop meets '77-style punk with a swaggering rock edge. Producer Tuk Smith helps The Uppers attain a more powerful and polished sound, but otherwise little has changed from the band's debut single Get Down With... All four of these tunes are catchy and melody-forward yet still pack a serious punch. One listen to "Stimulation" will give you a jolt equivalent to three cups of coffee. "Madam Please" is sure to be stuck in your head all day and for at least half the next one. And there's no drop-off on Side B. It's certainly a bad pun to say that this band's songwriting has been "upped" for this release, but it's no lie. If the likes of Wyldlife, RMBLR, Biters, and early D Generation float your boat, you will definitely want to snag yourself a copy of Manic Melodies on Coke bottle clear vinyl!

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Erotic Devices - This World Is Not For Kids


On their third full-length album, Berlin's Erotic Devices take an "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" approach to their tried-and-true '77 style pop-punk sound. Out on Wanda Records, This World Is Not For Kids dishes out 14 tracks of sing-along three-chord punk rock all running under three minutes. Opening track "I Want More" tells you exactly what to expect from the rest of the album. And chances are that once you hear the song, you will want more. I sure did! All these songs are fun, catchy, and played with maximum gusto. These guys don't take themselves too seriously, but they are seriously good at writing simple punk rock songs in the timeless style. Thank goodness that Wanda Records is still around to fill the world with music like this. If the Ramones, Lurkers, Boys, and Dickies are staples of your record collection, Erotic Devices are a band you're likely to enjoy. Be careful Googling that band name.

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Nasty Rumors - Bloody Hell, What A Pity!


Nasty Rumors are definitely my cup of tea. This particular tea is a Swiss import with a distinctively British flavor. And let me tell you, it's a premium product! There is nothing I love more in music than 1977 U.K. punk rock. Bloody Hell, What A Pity!, the new album from Bern's Nasty Rumors, sounds like a long-lost U.K. punk LP from 1977 or '78. And I am here for it! What a thrill it is to hear this style of music carried off not only faithfully but also brilliantly. If you took all the best parts of the Lurkers, Boys, Vibrators, Buzzcocks, and Generation X and mixed them together with a pinch of the Ramones, you'd basically have Nasty Rumors. This band has been on my radar going back to 2016, but Bloody Hell takes things to another level. Out on the always-dependable Wanda Records, this album is a 12-track blitzkrieg of sing-along pogo punk goodness. The band's approach runs the gamut from snotty to poppy to anthemic, which makes for a tremendously satisfying selection of songs. There was a time in my life when I traversed miles and miles trying to track down albums like this one. These guys have nailed the style and delivered top-quality tunes to boot. Bloody Hell has absolutely earned a spot on my record shelf next to the classics. If you want to hear the sound of 1977 in 2022, there's no one doing it better than Nasty Rumors!

Friday, September 30, 2022

The Melmacs - Good Advice


I've been teasing it for months, and now it's finally out! Good Advice, the knockout debut album from The Melmacs, releases today through a collaboration between Wanda, Barkraufarfita, and Tape Or Die Records. The punk/powerpop world has given us many excellent LPs this year, and Good Advice is without doubt one of the very best of the lot. The Melmacs have been releasing absolutely wonderful music since early 2019 — which means I failed you all for three long years by not alerting you of this awesome band's existence. The shame I carry is considerable. For penance, I will binge-watch ALF all weekend. This foursome based out of Leipzig and Dresden, Germany plays old school power pop punk rock and roll that will make you wanna jump up and down, sing along with the utmost enthusiasm, and forcefully launch positive vibes into the universe. As advertised, the band delivers the perfect mix of "jab jab guitars, jub jub keyboards, pow pow drums, and boom boom bass." This is the epitome of a fun band, and Good Advice is a fun record through and through. Yet at the same time, The Melmacs have a special talent for filling their upbeat, catchy tunes with true lyrical substance. Lead track "Good Advices" is about the wisdom people gain from learning from their mistakes. Elsewhere, the band tackles topics such as bigotry ("Watch Out"), fear ("Stage Fright"), crippling regret ("Retrospective Life"), and the power of persistence ("Carry On"). The Melmacs promised some good advice, and they have delivered. They know how to be really serious without ever taking themselves seriously, and that's the magic recipe for meaningful music.    

A royal treat for any punk/powerpop fan, Good Advice offers up a nice variety of musical selections. Songwriters Bimmi, Remo, and Max complement many energetic punk rock numbers with some pure power pop ("Retrospective Life", "Carry On"), lighters-up arena sing-alongs ("Saturday Night"), and a rousing finale that channels '60s girl groups ("Planet Melmac"). To celebrate the release of Good Advice, today the Melmacs have released the fifth single/music video from the album, "Low Life." Be warned that if you listen to this song, you will most likely need to listen to it dozens of times. It's that catchy. Before you know it, half your day will be gone. But what a way to spend half your day!  

Unfortunately the vinyl has been delayed, but Good Advice is available now from all the major streaming platforms. My good advice is to stop whatever else you're doing and go listen to this album now!

Saturday, July 23, 2022

The Melmacs - "Stage Fright"


Oh yes! The Melmacs continue to delight with the extended lead-up to their forthcoming album Good Advice! The Leipzig/Dresden-based foursome came up with the wonderful idea of releasing five singles/videos from Good Advice over the course of this summer. "Stage Fright," the third of these singles, released yesterday. This song is yet another fist-pumping blast of power pop punk rock goodness that no human with a soul should be able to resist. In typical Melmacs style, "Stage Fright" is a super-fun song with a very serious message. It examines the way we sometimes allow fear to hold us back from doing the things we want in life. I love a song like this that I can totally relate to on a personal level even as the music makes me wanna dance around the house and sing along at the top of my lungs! Pre-orders for Good Advice (a co-release between Wanda Records, Barkraufarfita Records, and Tape Or Die) are open now on The Melmacs' Bandcamp. I can assure you that the singles are no fluke. This is going to be one of the best albums of the year and one of the best power pop/punk releases in quite some time. If you like punk music that's fun and catchy but also full of heart and substance, The Melmacs ought to be your new favorite band. Luckily, the summer of The Melmacs is far from over: two more singles are coming, and the second of the two will coincide with the official release date of the LP, September 30th. Best summer ever!

Friday, April 29, 2022

The Melmacs - "Good Advices"


Wow! The Melmacs out of Leipzig and Dresden, Germany have released the first single from their forthcoming debut album, and it's a rocket blast of '77-style punk/powerpop! The album is due out in September on Wanda Records and Barkraufarfita Records. In advance of the album release, The Melmacs will be unleashing several singles over the next few months. First up is "Good Advices," an upbeat number that you'll hear once and end up humming all day! The band has released a music video to accompany the single, and it gives you a great feel for what The Melmacs are all about. And what The Melmacs are all about can be summed up in one word: fun! This song makes me wanna dance merrily around the house while shouting joyful exaltations. If you're like me, "Good Advices" will leave you wanting more. The good news is that more is coming, and pre-orders for the full album will open in June. If you literally can't wait, do yourself a favor and check out the band's existing discography on Bandcamp. You'll wonder where this band has been all your life! "Good Advices" is available now from all the major streaming platforms. Don't forget to wear a helmet!

Monday, June 01, 2020

Premiere: JENNY (Justin Maurer)

Here's a really wonderful surprise to start a new month! Justin Maurer (Clorox Girls, Suspect Parts, Maniac) is a great friend of this blog and one of my favorite people in music. Today he debuts a new solo project called JENNY that he created with the help of a couple of luminaries from the world of underground pop. If you're a fan of Justin's other bands, you will not be disappointed by JENNY. Three of these tracks were recorded by James Carman (whom I just talked about last week!). The other two were recorded by Matt Rendon of The Resonars.

JENNY came about after Maniac broke up. Maurer was working on some songs that were shaping up in a power pop direction. Naturally, his friend Carman was a perfect choice to record the songs and contribute drums and backing vocals. The first three songs on the EP are from the sessions with Carman. The final two tracks were recorded in Tuscon last Christmas with Rendon, who also played bass, drums, and lead 12-string guitar as well as singing backing vocals. Even though this is a true solo project, I appreciate that Mauer allowed his collaborators to put their stamp on these recordings. The songs Maurer recorded with Carman are in the style of late '70s power pop/punk-pop and recapture a great deal of the magic the two made together in LA Drugz. The tracks recorded with Rendon have a distinctive '60s pop flavor. In terms of the sound of the recording, The Everly Brothers were a big inspiration. If you're a big Maurer fan, you may recognize "Song For Sadie" from a recent Suspect Parts release. The JENNY version sounds so different that it's practically a new song! I dug this tune before, but this particular arrangement has me feeling the emotion of the song tenfold. The bare bones percussion is an homage to the Los Lobos song "Christmas and You", which Mauer was enamored with at the time of the recording

JENNY will soon be released as a one-sided 12-inch by the always fabulous Wanda Records. Digital is available now via Bandcamp, so go check it out!



-L.R.

https://jenny2020.bandcamp.com/album/jenny

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Mäsh - "I Don't Want You"

You know I love my '77-style punk rock, and I know I can always count on Wanda Records to deliver it! Next up on the Wanda hit parade is Mäsh, a five-piece outfit from Berlin. New single "I Don't Want You" offers up a pair of smokin' tunes that marry Detroit rock/proto-punk to glammy '77 punk by way of '50s rock and roll. The title track pairs some red-hot lead guitar with a beat that'll instantly have you shaking your ass. It kinda has a Teenage Head feel, which is a-ok by me. On the flip, "Wisper" is similar but a little more bubblegum/glam influenced. I dig! Both of these songs hit that sweet spot where old style punk and early rock and roll intersect. "Songs with dynamite balls, straight outta the junkshop bin," says the label description. How can you not be enticed?! Highly recommended if you like New York Dolls, The Joneses, Humpers, etc.!

  
-L.R.

https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/i-don-t-want-you
https://www.facebook.com/mashpunkberlin/
https://www.facebook.com/wandarecords/

Sunday, March 15, 2020

The Ratboys - Click

When two of my favorite record labels collaborate on the same release, there's a very high probability that I'm going to be into it. Sure enough, the new Ratboys album co-released by Rum Bar and Wanda Records is a Lord Rutledge special! Legend has it that The Ratboys formed as a result of Eric St John running into his old friend Vincenzo D'Aguanno at a festival headlined by The Kids, Buzzcocks, The Sex Pistols, and New York Dolls back in 2008. The duo quickly came up with the idea of starting a '77-style punk rock band, and within a couple years The Ratboys released an album called Cash, Gas And Trash. The band disbanded shortly after the release of the album but finally re-grouped last year with guitarist James Neligan and drummer Reno Aerts jumping on board. So after a ten-year hiatus between albums, Click arrives as the Belgian foursome's second LP. This album epitomizes what you might call the "classic punk" sound. It's built on decades of affectation for the Ramones, Pistols, Dolls, Stooges, and every other staple of first wave punk rock. The delightful "Everybody Loves The Ramones" and "Summer School Girl" pay loving homage to the greatest band to ever walk the earth. "Sonic Boy" and "Listen Closely To Your Heart" marry the pop-leaning '77 punk of The Vibrators to the powerhouse guitars of Steve Jones and Johnny Thunders. "Come On Baby Turn Me On" hits that sweet spot where pub rock crashes into '70s glam rock. Songs like "Motor City Rock'n'Roll" and "Golden Age of Trash" leave no doubt about The Ratboys' revivalist mission. These guys aren't trying to give us anything new. They are punk rock classicists with a particular fondness for pop hooks and roaring guitars. The influences are obvious, and the whole album is great fun for '77 punk enthusiasts like me. Click, in a word, is a blast. If you're not pogoing in your pajamas by the time you get through two tracks, you've got the volume too low!



-L.R.

https://rumbarrecords.bandcamp.com/album/click 
https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/click 
https://theratboys1.bandcamp.com/releases 
https://www.facebook.com/RumBarRecords 
https://www.facebook.com/wandarecords/ 

Wednesday, February 05, 2020

Phone Jerks - Out the Gate

If Phone Jerks' recent 10-inch full length was not quite full enough for your satisfaction, you should be glad to hear that the band's new EP Out the Gate restores those missing couple of inches and tacks on another five for good measure. That makes 17 inches in all - essentially a full album and 42% of another. No one is getting short-changed on this band's watch! And while Out the Gate is comprised of songs recorded in the same sessions that produced Phone Jerks' two albums, it would be a huge mistake to refer to this material as "scraps". These songs weren't cut from their respective albums so much as they were being saved for a killer 7". The Moncton (yeah, that's in Canada) foursome clearly gets that punk music was made to be played on 7" vinyl. So here we have it - a joint release between Resurrection Records from the USA and Wanda Records from Germany (the Germans sure love Phone Jerks, and why wouldn't they?!). With this EP largely being a continuation/extension of last year's 10 x 10, it's logical that the vibe is similar. These songs hit that sweet spot where Rip Off Records circa 1997 and Sire Records circa 1977 smash into each other at full speed. And true to the band's intentions, this is indeed an absolute ripper of an EP. The title track (an ode to the failed racing career of Emily and Tyler's greyhound Donair) will send you straight to budget trash paradise. "Gospel" is a raging kick in the teeth a la first album Saints. "Kill Kill" falls somewhere in between and must immediately be considered a classic Phone Jerks song. And I love how the band can take Protex's "Don't Ring Me Up" and make it sound like something Teengenerate might have written!

No less of a authority than the distinguished Mick Fletcher has placed Phone Jerks in the highest pantheon of present-day garage punk, and I concur wholeheartedly. I just love how raw and tough these recordings sound (the guitars, as the kids say, are fire). James from Outtacontroller (who have a new album coming out NEXT MONTH!) re-mixed these tracks and absolutely deserves some kind of award. I think in the beginning of Phone Jerks, there was the novelty of "Holy crap! It's just so great that we still have bands that sound like this!" But with each passing release, I'm more struck by what great songwriters all of these fine individuals are. That's right, I'm saying it: Phone Jerks aren't just cool - they're actually good! If you like old style punk rock that's equal parts guts and hooks, this is a must-hear band. The digital version of Out the Gate includes a bonus cover of "Drive Me Crazy" by The Penetrators. Talk about a perfect choice in cover material! I would generally recommend that all fans of The Penetrators check out Phone Jerks and that all fans of Phone Jerks check out The Penetrators. And they really nailed this rendition of "Drive Me Crazy". If they ever needed to, they could totally headline the Catalina Wine Mixer as Atlantic Canada's preeminent 1980s Penetrators cover band. Vinyl ships this coming Saturday. You can order now over at the Resurrection Bandcamp!



-L.R.

https://resurrectionrecords.bandcamp.com/album/out-the-gate 
https://www.facebook.com/Monctongaragepunk/ 
https://phonejerks.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/GetResurrected 

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Sanguisuga - self titled

Does Marco Palumbo ever sleep?! In addition to running the illustrious No Front Teeth Records, he's also managed to release music with his bands Miscalculations, The Gaggers, Telegenic Pleasure, The Flesh of the City, La Rabbia, Cold Callers, Disco Lepers, and Botox Rats all within the last four years. He couldn't possibly have had another band in the works, right? Wrong! He created Sanguisuga with some band-mates of his, and for good measure he's singing everything in Italian! Is there anything this guy can't do? I swear he's going to be the first punk singer to perform on the moon! Sanguisuga (translates to "leech") has released its self-titled debut album on Wanda Records. Stylistically, this isn't far from the Gaggers (you can especially hear it on "Disumanizzato" and "Serpente Odioso"). Think razor-sharp '77 punk snot with a hint of Killed By Death influence. Obviously I don't know what the lyrics are, but I'm 100 percent sure Marco isn't singing about sunshine and roses. His caustic, snarling vocals are immediately recognizable in any language. There are some interesting touches in the songwriting on this record. "Guerra Psicologica" reminds me a little of The Stitches, while "Esistenza Inhumana" is firmly in modern punk/post-punk territory. "Declino Sistematico" has an early '80s SoCal vibe to it with the melodic guitar and backing vocals. This debut from Sanguisuga is full of snotty punk bangers that are sure to please fans of any of the aforementioned bands. It's one thing to be merely prolific, but it's another thing entirely to be in all of these bands and consistently turn out killer recordings. Yet another top-notch effort from Marco and friends!



-L.R.

https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/same-5 
https://sanguisuga.bandcamp.com/releases 
https://www.facebook.com/wandarecords/ 

Wednesday, January 01, 2020

Not The Ones - B-Side

How about I start a new decade with a complete change in my musical tastes? Just kidding! I've been a sucker for '77-style punk rock since I was just a young buck music reviewer back in the '90s, and that will likely not change for as long as I'm breathing air. I can always count on Wanda Records to feature the best '77 bands from Europe and beyond. Berlin's Not The Ones have released a couple albums and a single on Wanda in the past, and their new 7" is another cool nod to the U.K. two-chord sound circa 1977-79. The title B-Side might have you thinking this is some kind of outtakes collection, but I don't believe that's the case at all. Lead track "Mona & Lucy" is the real keeper here: a very Adverts-sounding number that you can sing and strum along with to your heart's content. It's followed by a couple more original tunes: one sung in English, the other in German. The latter track, "Wär schön, wenn Du bleibst", is a slower tempo love song in a minimalist Ramones tradition. If you like the classic '77 sound with a German accent, you will definitely dig this band. And be sure to check out Not The Ones' terrific 2016 long player Just A Bad Mood if you haven't already!



-L.R.

https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/b-side 
https://nottheones.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/NotTheOnes 
https://www.facebook.com/wandarecords/ 

Saturday, November 16, 2019

More Kicks - self titled

If you asked me to sum up More Kicks' debut album in just one word, I'd simply say pop. And if you think that's a bad thing, you're clearly visiting the wrong blog! The London trio fronted by Sulli from Suspect Parts has fully delivered on the "pop explosion" it's been promising all along. Out on Wanda Records, Dirt Cult Records, Beluga Records, Adrenalin Fix Music, and Snap Records, the band's self-titled LP is full of splendid tunes that combine the best elements of '60s pop, '70s punk/new wave, and '90s/2000s Brit-pop. As he's already demonstrated with his contributions to Suspect Parts, Sulli is a brilliant songwriter who really knows how to turn out a melody. He's formed the ultimate power trio with Paolo on bass and Kris Hood (Speedways/Los Pepes) on drums.

More Kicks knocked out this album in just two days, recording everything live to tape. Sometimes I ponder what sort of wizardry is involved in making a power pop record sound so, uh, powerful. In this particular instance, I would say it was a case of a tight band coming as close as possible to its live sound. It's a real treat to have a full album of Sulli songs, and his songwriting style becomes clearly defined here. He really excels at writing songs that sound upbeat but frequently prove to be bitter and hilariously savage if you're paying close attention. Combine that with his knack for turning three-minute pop songs into fully-rounded stories, and you can definitely view Sulli as a songwriter from the Ray Davies/Elvis Costello lineage. Of course it's great fun when he's cleverly scathing ("She's A Reaction" and "Rock n Roll Again" are top-notch), but he also excels at turning that brutal honestly inward. "Blame It On The Satellite" is a brilliant reflection on taking personal responsibility for your own failures. "Ain't That Just The Way" is that rare break-up song that's honestly self-aware.

While I won't quite deign to employ the old "this sounds like a greatest hits record!" cliche, I will say that this debut from More Kicks is remarkably strong all the way to the end. You've clearly got a lot of confidence in your material if you can save "the hit" for the track nine position! Heck, it might be the penultimate cut "Young Enough" that boasts the best hook on the entire record. Three of the 7" tracks were re-recorded for this release, and with good reason. It's hard to imagine a More Kicks album that didn't include "On The Brink" (how devastating are those lyrics?!) and "It's A Drag" (the best song the Buzzcocks never wrote). I love some of the little touches too. The keyboards on "She's A Reaction" give a fun, party vibe to what might otherwise have been a downer song. And I'm absolutely loving the Gary Numan knockoff/homage bass line on "What You Thinking". As a power pop fan, I'd be hard-pressed to find a record more satisfying than this one. This is one of the 2019's best LPs, and that's saying a lot considering what a phenomenal year this has been for music. How soon before Kris Hood is drumming for every great band?



-L.R.

https://morekicks.bandcamp.com/album/more-kicks-debut-album 
https://www.facebook.com/morekicksmorekicks 
https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/same-4 
https://dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/more-kicks 
https://belugarecords.bandcamp.com/album/more-kicks 
https://snaprecordsspain.bandcamp.com/album/more-kicks-more-kicks-funlp-027 

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Los Pepes - "Automatic"

This has been a great year for you if you love Los Pepes (as I do)! Less than six months after releasing their fourth album Positive Negative, Los Pepes have followed with a fantastic new EP! "Automatic/Here Comes The Darkness" will be released on vinyl soon on Wanda and Beluga Records. But with an autumn tour of Europe imminent, the boys decided to go ahead and release these songs a little bit in advance. I must say this is my favorite Los Pepes release in quite a while. I'm always a fan of the "all killer, no filler" approach to releasing music. The two titular tracks are big-time hits. "Automatic" roars out of the gates with guitars on fire and a ton of melody. Man, this is how you do power pop with BALLS! And you know that's what Los Pepes are all about. "Here Comes The Darkness" crackles like early Who doing '77 punk. Doesn't that sound great? Of course it does! If you dig loud pop, you just won't hear it done much better than this. This EP's "deep cuts" prove to be formidable in their own right. "Your Justice" is another shot of thundering power pop with a touch of '80s beach punk influence in the guitars and backing vocals. And for the knockout blow, "This Is Rock and Roll" is an absolutely scorching cover of the classic track by The Kids! Not only does this song acknowledge an important influence on Los Pepes, but it also serves as a veritable mission statement for this tremendous band. This sure IS rock and roll, and we should be very thankful! Familiarize yourself with these songs now so you can sing along on the tour dates listed below! 

26/09/2019 D-Bochum, Wageni
27/09/2019 D-Berlin, Urban Spree
28/09/2019 D-Kassel, Goldgrube
29/09/2019 D-Hamburg, Hafenklang
30/09/2019 D-Dresden, Chemifabrik
01/10/2019 D-Karlsruhe, Alte Hackerei
02/10/2019 D-München, Folks
03/10/2019 D-Frankfurt, Klapperfeld
04/10/2019 FR-Tranqueville-Graux, La Bazka
05/10/2019 FR-Paris, ESS’pace
06/10/2019 FR-Blois, L’Auakera




-L.R.

https://lospepes.bandcamp.com/album/automatic-here-comes-the-darkness 
https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/automatic-here-comes-the-darkness 
https://www.facebook.com/lospepesmusic 

Friday, July 12, 2019

Suspect Parts - "You Know I Can't Say No" (Video Premiere)

I am deeply honored to premiere "You Know I Can't Say No" - the new music video from Suspect Parts! It has been released in conjunction with the powerpop/punk supergroup's new single of the same name. Following the band's tremendous debut album from 2017, "You Know I Can't Say No" is Suspect Parts' first single in nine years and fifth overall. It's out today on Dirt Cult Records in the USA and Wanda Records in Europe.

Made up of Justin Maurer (Clorox Girls, Maniac), James "Sulli" Sullivan (Ripchord, More Kicks), Chris Brief, and Andru Bourbon (Radio Dead Ones), Suspect Parts represent the union of three countries and several complementary musical aesthetics. The group's brand of buzzsaw powerpop/punk has roots in '60s pop, early UK punk, and the melody-driven punk rock of '70s California/early 2000s Pacific Northwest ."You Know I Can't Say No" is vintage Suspect Parts - a bittersweet pop song with a whole lot of guitar crunch. There are times when I think that Sulli is the new Pete Shelley, and this is one of those occasions! The video was shot at Smail Shock's recording studio in Kaulsdorf, East Berlin. Shock (from legendary Berlin punk band The Shocks) recorded this single as well as the band's LP. You can see him in this video walking down the stairs and watering plants in the control room. I consider myself a big Suspect Parts fan, and this is my favorite track from this band to date. That melody is something else! Accompanying "You Know I Can't Say No" on this release are another brilliant heart-wrenching pop tune in "Song For Sadie" and a really fun cover of "Hundsgemein" by Berlin new wave band Ideal. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you need this record and this band in your life. This is how you do powerpop/punk! My friends in Europe can order the record here! If you're in the States, order here!


-L.R.

https://dirtcultrecords.bandcamp.com/album/you-know-i-cant-say-no
https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/you-know-i-can-t-say-no
https://suspectparts.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/SuspectParts/ 
https://www.facebook.com/dirtcultrecords/ 
https://www.facebook.com/wandarecords/ 
https://mailorder.wandarecords.de/ 

Sunday, May 12, 2019

Guitar Gangsters - "Being Stupid"

Yeah, you read that right: London's Guitar Gangsters are still at it! Out on the ever-dependable Wanda Records, new single "Being Stupid" is the latest installment in a recording career that dates back 30 years. And if you appreciated that Guitar Gangsters were one of the few punk acts in '89 that were still keeping the faith to the spirit of '79, you ought to be very happy about what they sound like in 2019! Now as always, the Ley brothers are all about the classic melodic punk of late '70s Britain. And they show they can still craft a damn catchy tune. "Being Stupid" is a nice snappy number recalling The Jam by way of The Kinks. If you're looking for a strong melody or a hook to grab ya, this song should do the trick. On the flip, "The Losing Side" burns with an urgency that most younger bands would be wise to emulate. I'm always a sucker for an anthemic chorus, and this song delivers exactly that! How can you not admire a song that can get you pumping your fist and still leave you with a melody you'll be whistling all week?

I always turn to Wanda Records for the best in new '77 punk, and "Being Stupid" sure makes a fine addition to the catalog. A tremendous showing from a veteran band that has never gotten enough credit!



-L.R.

https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/being-stupid 
https://www.facebook.com/guitargangsterslondon/ 
https://mailorder.wandarecords.de/ 

Thursday, April 04, 2019

More Kicks - "I'm On The Brink"

You had to know I would respond positively to a band that describes its music as a "pop explosion"! Seriously: if a pop explosion is going down, I want to be there! On their second single, London's More Kicks deliver a treat for the ears of any power pop fan. The quality of these songs is no surprise given that Sulli from Suspect Parts/Ripchord is at the helm. He's a wonderfully talented songwriter, and with this particular band his focus is on the fine art of melody-driven pop music. The band cites influences ranging from Buzzcocks to Squeeze to Supergrass, with additional nods to '60s pop and soul music. The result is a sound that stands out within the power pop world - a lot of that owed to Sulli's distinctively Brit-accented vocals. "I'm On The Brink" is the "hit" here: a simple yet beautifully crafted number that glides on a melody you'll be humming all day. This is what people like me refer to as "timeless" pop! "He's Gonna Let Her Down", with its punchy guitars and memorable sing-along hook, is textbook power pop with a modern feel. "Can't Fake What You Got" features some groovy bass lines and really interesting guitar work. If I call this song "Oasis-like", will that properly be construed as a supreme compliment?

"I'm On The Brink" is out now on the always fantastic Wanda Records. I also recommend tracking down More Kicks' excellent debut single "It's A Drag". Debut album is recorded and set to release later this year!



-L.R.

https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/i-m-on-the-brink 
https://morekicks.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/morekicksmorekicks 

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Los Pepes - Positive Negative

WHAT?! I wake up today and suddenly a new Los Pepes album has popped up seemingly out of nowhere?! This is almost too much joy for one man to handle! For five years now, I have been closely following the musical progression of the "loudest power pop band on earth". After perfecting Good Vibrations Records inspired powerpop punk on its first couple of albums, this London outfit has proceeded to inch closer and closer to the blistering sonic fury it's known for on stage. If you're not ready to have your ears blown clean off of your head, you should be very careful laying that needle down onto Positive Negative!

If your knowledge of Los Pepes precedes 2017's Let's Go!, you might be taken aback by how less "poppy" Positive Negative sounds than the band's first two LPs. What we've got here, my friends, are 11 tracks of ripping rock and roll taking equal cues from '60s mods and '70s punks. This, to me, is the "Motörhead gone power pop" sound Los Pepes were going for from the start. There's still plenty of pop in the equation, but here the band leans just as much toward the tougher side of '77 punk (Testors, Dead Boys) and the thundering energy of early Who. The band hits the ground running with "Still Belong To Me" and "Positive Negative" - a 1-2 punch firmly establishing this as a balls-out rock and roll record. You can easily imagine these guys playing your local watering hole and tearing the roof off of the place (I think that's actually happened a few times). Those guitars are pure fire! Those two along with "Aint Life Easy" and "We Need It" are definitely the most ferocious studio tracks Los Pepes have ever committed to tape. Elsewhere, the band puts the power in power pop on "Think Back", summons the spirit of Slaughter and the Dogs on "Frustration", and revisits its earlier pop/punk sound on the excellent "Medication". And to close the album, "Action" is a great cover of legendary NYC punks The Knots. 

Positive Negative is that rare record that ought to have the old school punks, garage freaks, pop geeks, and rock and roll purists in a unified state of elation. If no power pop is ever powerful enough to suit your tastes, Los Pepes might have finally won you over. Their best album in years!



-L.R.

https://lospepes.bandcamp.com/ 
https://wandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/positive-negative 
https://www.facebook.com/lospepesmusic