Top Tens: Kieran from Crushed Veneer’s Top Ten Punk Rock Influences

1. Beach Slang – Broken Thrills
I first heard of Beach Slang when Brian Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem) tweeted about them. I put on their first record and it blew me away. I was an instant fan. The first song on that record, “Filthy Luck”, is the perfect introduction to Beach Slang – lots of self-deprecation with an equal helping of hope. Crushed Veneer’s initial sound was entirely influenced by Beach Slang. I was really just trying to write Beach Slang songs. We were lucky enough to have Dave Downham (who produces Beach Slang’s music) mix our debut EP!

2. Cloud Nothings – Here and Nowhere Else
I got into Cloud Nothings when this record came out and I’ve seen them play live a few times since. The first time I saw them was in Dublin in 2014. They were playing a pretty large venue which was, sadly, quite empty but they still put on a show bursting with energy. It was fantastic. At the time I was writing and recording solo acoustic style music but seeing Cloud Nothings in Dublin inspired me to start a rock band again. If you don’t know them listen to “I’m Not Part Of Me”, “Fall In”, and “Stay Useless”.

3. Japandroids – Celebration Rock
This is one of those rare, perfect records. I’m constantly inspired by the lyricism of Japandroids (“When they love you, and they will, tell them all they’ll love in my shadow”) and the sound they manage to get as a two-piece is pretty remarkable. I’ve been a fan since “Post- Nothing” but if you’re new to the band start with “Celebration Rock”. Then go see them live because they put on one hell of a show.

4. The Gaslight Anthem – The ’59 Sound
The Gaslight Anthem are arguably my biggest influence. Brian Fallon is one of my favourite songwriters and I often find myself ‘borrowing’ ideas of his. A friend and bandmate introduced me to them when this record came out in 2008 and I’ve been a massive fan ever since. This is another one of those rare, perfect records. If I had to pick a favourite song it would be “Meet Me By The River’s Edge” – mainly because I have some of the lyrics tattooed on my arm.

5. The Menzingers – On The Impossible Past
The Menzingers are one of the best bands around at the minute. Their latest record “After The Party” is a masterpiece and their live show is insane. On The Impossible Past is the record that introduced me to them. I love their lyricism, particularly Greg’s storytelling ability and occasional incorporation of great and obscure literary references. “Mexican Guitars”, “Nice Things” and “The Obituaries” are all a great place to start if you’re new to The Menzingers.

6. Dave Hause – Resolutions
After getting into The Gaslight Anthem I got introduced to Dave Hause. He was in a punk band called The Loved Ones but his debut solo record “Resolutions” was an all acoustic affair. Keeping with the theme of a lot of these artists, Dave’s a master lyricist. “Time Will Tell” is a particular favourite of mine.

7. Northcote – Hope Is Made Of Steel
This is one of those records that connects deeply with a specific time in my life. I originally saw Matt (of Northcote) support Dave Hause in a pub basement in Belfast in 2012. When this record came out in 2015 I saw them play The Old Blue Last. It was a full band show this time and the energy they gave off was incredible. Amazingly we got to play one of our biggest shows to date at The Old Blue Last two years to the day that I’d seen Northcote play there which was really cool.

8. Brian Fallon
I’ve already mentioned The Gaslight Anthem but Brian Fallon is worth mentioning individually. As a writer he’s my biggest influence. One of those people you aspire to be like but know you can never match. His work as The Horrible Crowes is some of my favourite and his two solo albums are almost flawless. I don’t think I can pick a favourite Brian Fallon song but one of my favourite lyrics of his has to be, “Everybody's hurt, and mine ain't the worst, but it's mine and I'm feeling it now” from “Rosemary”.

9. The Smith Street Band
It’s only in the last year or two I’ve really got into TSSB but I’ve fallen in love quickly. Wil’s writing has definitely inspired a lot more honesty in my writing and got me to pull back on the ambiguity a bit. Even more recently, the writing of Camp Cope and Fresh have impacted me in a similar way.

10. Ham On Rye by Charles Bukowski
It was a line in this novel that inspired the name of one of our songs which then became the title track to our debut EP: “What a weary time those years were – to have the desire and the need to live but not the ability.”

Check out Crushed Veneer on Bandcamp here and Facebook here.

Album Review: 10 Years by Last Edition (by Emma Prew)

If you went to Level Up Festival at the New Cross Inn last July then you’ll have a hard time denying that 2018 was the year for ska punk. I certainly saw and listened to a lot more ska bands than in previous years and that was the case for the whole year, not just the summer. One of my favourite ska punk discoveries of the year was the Leicester-based foursome Last Edition, who played the festival as well as returning to London later in the year. They were a discovery for me in 2018 but they actually recently celebrated being a band for a decade and so are not particularly new to the scene. At the end of December Last Edition released ‘10 Years’, a five track EP to celebrate, you guessed it, their tenth birthday. I had a listen.

First up is the title track, 10 Years. The song welcomes us wonderfully to the EP with a vibrant saxophone melody which is a key part of Last Edition’s sound – and a big reason why I love them so much. It’s a fun and catchy tune about not having changed after ten years – as in, in a good way. There is a feeling of knowing that, despite whatever mistakes may have been made over the past decade, given the chance you wouldn’t change a thing. Blame It On The Beer kicks off with some oh-so-skankable guitar upstrokes, before the infectious sax line comes in and gets lodged in your head for all eternity. This is a fairly mid-tempo tune that reflects on how we can sometimes use alcohol as an excuse for poor behaviour. Blame It On The Beer also features a guest appearance from Joshua Barron of Scottish ska punks The Hostiles who sings one of the verses.

The third song on 10 Years is Skank Only and it makes you want to do just that – skank. This funky little instrumental number first appeared on Last Edition’s 2016 album Best Foot Forward but I for one have no problem with it being included on this release. I do love an instrumental ska song, it’s much more fun than any other instrumental. This Way begins with some pounding drums and a speedy walking bassline, instantly giving the track more of a punk rock feel than previous songs. It’s great to hear variety in the Last Edition sound, alongside those snappy sax melodies. This is also reflected in the second verse when Sam takes over singing duties from usual vocalist Matty. Bringing the EP to a close is another song that first featured on Best Foot Forward, the live set favourite If Ska Ruled The World. This song has everything you could wish for in ska punk with its infectious melodies that will get stuck in your head for days on end and its not entirely serious lyrics that will also get stuck in your head for days on end. This tune will get you dancing like never before while you sing along with the biggest smile on your face. I don’t doubt that if ska did rule the world it would be a better place for it.

I may have been nine years late to the Last Edition party but I’m definitely here to stay now! You can buy 10 Years here (and stream it on Spotify too). Be sure to like Last Edition on Facebook to find out when you can next see them live.

This review was written by Emma Prew.

Album Review: We Are Disaster by Boom! Civil War (by Emma Prew)

Happy New Year! You read my top ten albums of 2018 list, right? Then you’ll know that my number one album was by the now sadly defunct Australian folk punk band, The Suicide Tuesdays. The band broke up in the summer but it turns out Suicide Tuesdays’ frontman Joe Guiton has a new project that he’s been working on more recently. Obviously I was excited to hear whatever new material Joe had, so when he sent over three new songs by Boom! Civil War in the form of their debut EP, We Are Disaster, I couldn’t wait to hit play.

First up is a song titled Breathe It In. With its slow and building start, this track is reminiscent of The Suicide Tuesdays as I expected it might be. That said, it’s definitely more electric with the sound getting bigger and bigger as the song progresses. Breathe It In reflects on how the past year has been tough – a year to forget – but the overall theme of the song is about not wanting to give up just yet. There are some extra backing vocals at certain points throughout the track which does a great job of showing that you’re not alone if you are feeling this way. In fact, the lyrics themselves use ‘we’ rather than ‘I’ – this is about more than just Joe’s own personal feelings. What a great start. The next offering from Boom! Civil War is super upbeat and melodic from the outset, featuring one of the catchiest guitar riffs I’ve heard in some time. A Letter To Wombat is quite strikingly different to the first song of this EP – it’s faster, it’s punkier I guess but it’s also more obviously positive in sentiment. The song is about always being there for someone when they need you – ‘So don’t hesitate to turn up at my door, You know I’ve got your back…’ The chorus is what really makes this good song a great one however – it’s huge-sounding and will have you wanting to throw your fists in the air on your first listen. Last but not least is My Life Didn’t Start ’Til I Met You. Now, you can probably tell from its title that this is a bit of a love song but what you can’t tell from the title is just how wonderful this song is. It’s not a soppy love as such song but instead reflects on the feeling that, no matter how troubled and complicated your life might seem at any given moment, that one special person can make it all okay – ‘You’re the only thing that’s made sense, Of this chaos built around me…’. Guest vocals from Vetty Vials give us an insight into the other side of the story and add to the intensity of emotion. So damn good!

I can’t even pick a favourite or standout track because all three here are outstanding. I’m so glad that Joe Guiton didn’t decide to call it a day completely on music after his last band didn’t work out because We Are Disaster by Boom! Civil War is every bit as good as what came before it.

We Are Disaster will be available on Bandcamp and Apple Music from 23rd January. Check out Boom! Civil War on Facebook for more details.

This review was written by Emma Prew.

News: Call Me Malcolm Headline Charity Gig At The New Cross Inn

Today this absolute cracker of a gig was announced.Call Me Malcolm are headlining an all dayer at the New Cross Inn on Sunday the 24th of February. The gig was put together by New Cross regular Holli who is running the London Marathon in April in support of the mental health charity Mind. Along with Call Me Malcolm also playing are The Love Spuds, King Punch, Triple Sundae, Just Say Nay, Müg, Fastfade, SKIV, Laurence Crow and Bald Head & The Dreads. Tickets are £5 and can be purchased from the New Cross Inn website here. On the day there will also be a bucket for donations so please bring all your pennies. If you would like to keep up to date with the event on Facebook then go here. You can also donate to Holli directly here.

Album Review: I Don't Wanna Go Home by H_ngm_n

H_ngm_n are a emo/pop punk duo from the south coast of England. At the end of November 2018 the duo released a brand new EP on Real Ghost Records titled I Don't Wanna Go Home. H_ngm_n are one of the hottest new bands in the country and I expected big things from these four songs.

I Don't Wanna Go Home begins with the song Matchsticks. Starting out with a gentle guitar riff and vocals, we are eased into the song. Straight away I felt like this is a very accessible sounding band for many fans of a few different genres of punk rock. That accessible sound also continues with a wonderfully catchy chorus that you'll be singing along to after one listen. The second track is titled Happy Birthday. It's a slower song but has a much bigger and atmospheric sound. It's one I can imagine being great live with a crowd being completely transfixed by the band. It starts off in a pretty sad fashion with the lyrics "I was lying when I said it, happy birthday, I hope you have the worst day, it's the least that you deserve." From there we go on to a song about a fractured friendship and holding a grudge.

The third track, Ghost, starts is a similar fashion to the EP's opening song. The gentle jangly guitar and the impressive vocal get things going before a thumping drum beat joins the party. Vocally this song sounds much more emotional than the previous two tracks and this is what really grabs your attention as does the chorus. The words "jump off a bridge and come back as a ghost, come haunt your house and nobody will know" immediately found a comfortable home inside my head. The final song on I Don't Wanna Go Home is named Empty. Empty was a fantastic choice to finish the EP with. Starting with some big vocals, the song gradually builds adding more and more emotion as it goes on. It's a song about feeling negative all of the time. The lyric that stands out is "I wish I could live in your world, where everything is totally awesome, but my glass ain't half full, it's empty and cracked at the bottom." Throughout this entire EP I've been really impressed with the songwriting skills of H_ngm_n. Finishing the song with some terrific gang vocals with the words "who am I anyway?" brings the song and the EP to some conclusion.

Based on I Don't Wanna Go Home I feel like H_ngm_n could be the future of UK emo. If you're a fan of emo then don't sleep on these guys.

Stream and download I Don't Wanna Go Home here: https://hngmnuk.bandcamp.com/album/i-dont-wanna-go-home

Like H_ngm_n here: https://www.facebook.com/hngmnuk

This review was written by Colin Clark.

Column: 2018 Was Pretty Great

2018 finished and it was quite a year. Of course the world seems to be crumbling down around us but Palace stayed up for another season and Andros Townsend scored the greatest goal in the history of football so that was lovely. It was also a phenomenal year for punk rock with more album of the year contenders than I can ever remember. It's so amazing to see so many bands, international and local, continuing to put out such fantastic music. My album of the year shortlist originally had 28 albums in it which is quite silly.

2018 has also been a year that has reignited my love of going to gigs. I mean my enthusiasm for three hour round trips to London to go to small pubs to see bands most people have never heard of and probably couldn't care less about never went away but this year I've definitely grown to love it more than ever. A big part of that has to do with discovering the Be Sharp / New Cross Inn scene in the summer of 2017 and then really becoming a part of it in 2018. Emma's mum actually joked that we must have second jobs there as we spend so much time there. In 2018 almost all of my favourite gig memories happened at the New Cross Inn. As Emma says, "it's a magical place."

The New Cross scene wasn't the only musical highlight though. For the fourth year running, Manchester Punk Festival was the best weekend of the year. Aside from the seamless organisation and excellent quality of bands, the big highlight of MPF was definitely the people. It was so lovely to catch up with so many people we've met through CPRW, whether it's folk from bands, labels or promoters, people from other blogs or legends who are fans of CPRW, the whole festival was handshakes, hugs, high-fives and smiles from start to finish. It was also just the best to have CPRW's Robyn and Brett over from South Africa to enjoy the festival with us.

In 2018 CPRW turned four years old and coincidently on our fourth birthday in June we hit the magical 500,000 views. Now when I started doing this blog I didn't really expect to go past four weeks so to get to four years and half a million views is something I'm probably more proud of than any other achievement in my life. The fact that CPRW continues to grow completely blows my mind. With so many other amazing punk rock blogs, zines, websites and such available, the fact that anyone would choose to read CPRW always makes me smile. I can never thank anyone who's supported us enough. And of course the biggest thanks will always go to my incredible team of friends who contribute so wonderfully. Thanks Brett. Thanks Dan. Thanks Emma. Thanks Jack. Thanks Omar. Thanks Richard. Thanks Robyn.

Sadly towards the end of the year Facebook, the site where we get most of our hits from, changed their algorithms which has really affected our reach and has seen our numbers nose dive. This was, as you can probably imagine, really frustrating after four years of working hard building up a fanbase and then seeing it basically get reset and, I won't lie, it did have me debating whether or not I want to keep on doing this but, to be honest, if I write a review and only one person reads it then I'm happy as it means I've exposed an awesome band to at least one more person.

June of 2019 will see CPRW's fifth birthday and we've got some cool secret things planned. It won't be a gig, as much as Paul Be Sharp keeps telling me I should start promoting. Hopefully you stick around to see what we've got in store for you. Hopefully CPRW can continue to grow and we can continue to meet and work with such great people.

I'm fairly certain 2019 will be another big year of punk rock. Festival line-ups for next year are quickly getting released and there looks to be more choice than ever for incredible punk rock experiences in the UK and all over mainland Europe. Imagine if you could get to them all, that would be pretty fun. I'm not as up to date as I probably should be about 2019's release schedule but I would assume that it's going to be another first class year for punk rock music in all its many forms and I'm excited to check out as much as I can – I do love discovering these tiny bands that release some of the most wonderful tunes.

In summary, 2018 was arguably the best year of my life and I'm looking forward to 2019 topping it.

This column was written by Colin Clark.

CPRW Playlist: The Best Songs Of 2018

It's the last Friday of the month and the last of the year so here at CPRW we thought we'd do something a little special. Brett, Dan, Emma, Jack, Omar, Richard, Robyn and myself have selected our favourite songs of the year. But because 2018 has been such an incredible year for new punk rock music, we decided to ask some of our pals from the punk blogging community to add some of their favourite songs of the year as well. Many thanks to Sarah from Shout Louder, Matt from Ear Nutrition, Makky from Broken Arrow, David from Keep Track Of The Time, Mick from Just Some Punk Songs, Marie-Line from Punk Rock Avenue, AJ from The Punk Site, Bruno from PunKanormal Activity and Tony from Apathy and Exhaustion. Check out all of these blogs whilst listening to this superb playlist.