Gig Review: Teenage Bottlerocket at Camden Underworld 9/8/15

Teenage Bottlerocket are one of the leading lights in the current breed of punk rock bands. Playing fast and fun pop punk music in the style of bands like The Ramones, Screeching Weasel and The Misfits. After almost three years they were returning to London to play a show at the Camden Underworld. Anticipation was high.

The first two bands up tonight were Flash House and The Kut. Flash House were a four piece hardcore/thrash band. They played hard and fast with plenty of aggression including a fun cover of the Fears I Love Living In The City. The Kut are a three piece all female band from London. They played a set of energetic grunge punk. Both bands were decent enough but I had a tricky time really getting into them, they felt like odd choices for the gig.

Main support came from the ever popular London punk rockers Wonk Unit. Since seeing them at the Manchester Punk Festival the Wonkers have added a keyboardist to their live band and she really added a lot to proceedings adding some excellent harmonies and screams along with the keys. Alex Wonk is one of the finest front-men in the game at the moment, dancing around the stage, singing with one of the most distinctive voices around and generally having the time of his life. Wonk Unit are a band that's loved everywhere but especially the London punks. The crowd were dancing excitedly for everything song but the songs Lewisham and Go Easy got fantastic reactions. The man who Go Easy was written about, Teddy Four Legs was in attendance tonight and was great seeing him jump around to his song. I don't think you can really appreciate just how good Wonk Unit are as a band until you experience them live. They really got the party started superbly.

After Wonk Unit it was time for those Wyoming pop punks Teenage Bottlerocket and by now the Underworld was full. I had wondered what the attendance would be like on a warm Sunday night, would people be worried about the late night before the a Monday morning or would they simply be having a relaxing night in a beer garden or having a barbecue at home. Nope! The punks were at the Underworld to support one of the finest and most consistent bands around. After coming onto stage to a remixed version of The Black Eyed Peas hit I've Gotta A Feeling Teenage Bottlerocket ripped through song after song from their entire discography starting with Skate Or Die and finishing with Far Away. The pace never seemed to slow throughout, I have no idea where the band get such energy from. I was really happy to see that songs like Blood Bath At Burger King and Radio from early album Total got as big a reaction as They Call Me Steve and Haunted House from newest album Tales From Wyoming. I was very impressed with TBR's performance as well as their ability to get the crowd involved despite the speed with which they play their songs. Giving the Underworld crowd plenty of opportunities to sing loudly when the band from stop playing. All four members of the band were extremely watchable on the stage and all looked to be having as great a time as the people on the floor.  Kody and Ray's shared vocal duties were both spot on, Miguel on bass was never standing still, always animated and puling faces and Brandon was a machine behind the drums, extremely animated and really rocking out.

Teenage Bottlerocket were on fine form tonight. There are a lot of very good pop punk bands around at the moment (and I mean proper pop punk, not that Story So Far and Wonder Years nonsense) and Teenage Bottlerocket are up there with the very best. I hope it's not another three years before they come back again.

Album Review: Lynchpin by Hellwinners

Hellwinners are a three piece melodic punk band from Brighton. Seemingly a hot bed for fantastic bands with River Jumpers, Demon Smiles, Harker, Haters and Young Attenborough all coming from the English seaside town. Recently Hellwinners released a brand new EP named Lynchpin. I checked it out.

The first song on Lynchpin is named The Courtyard. This track serves as an instrumental introduction before Lynchpin really gets going with Liquor And It's Friends. The song starts quickly and with a nice amount of aggression. Excellent fast paced punk rock music that'll get your fists flying high. Red Hook goes along at a slower pace and has more of a pop sound. This catchy track is one of the more accessible tracks on Lynchpin and is something casual music fans and hardcore punks can enjoy. Live I expect that it's very popular with some great harmonies and whoa-ohs during the track. Oh Arcadia is another song with a pop punk feeling, sounding very reminiscent of early Take This To The Grave era Fall Out Boy. This song gives opportunities for all three members of the band to show off their musical skills and my word they are a talented bunch. Lynchpin in finished with the song At The Root. This is a really strong song with great guitar parts, massive hooks, fantastic harmonies and a big chorus that will really get a crowd pumped up. 

Hellwinners are a fantastic new band with a huge upside. Playing a style of punk rock we don't hear that often in our scene and playing it very well. Looking forward to big things from these boys.

Buy Lynchpin here: https://hellwinners.bandcamp.com/album/lynchpin 

Like Hellwinners here: https://www.facebook.com/hellwinners

Gig Review: Frank Turner Album Launch at The Garage 7/8/15

First thing I want to say on this latest blog is a huge great big massive thank you to my friend Poppy for donating me and Jess tickets for this gig. The gig, which the more observant among you would have worked out was Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls album launch night at The Highbury Garage for his brand new album Positive Songs For Negative People. The gig was only announced two days earlier and you had to register to be entered into a draw to win the opportunity to buy tickets - which were only £5! Unfortunately Jess and I didn't win but Poppy did. She sadly couldn't make it but very kindly donated her tickets to us. She's a babe. Here's what happened.

Frank Turner's only support act this morning was PJ Bond. PJ Bond is an American singer-songwriter from New Jersey. Bond is a name that I've seen around for years but have never given him a listen. When he finally took to the stage at The Garage the first thing I thought was "oh he's American." All of these years of seeing his name dotted around and I never realised he was American. I found it quite hard to enjoy his set fully because there were a lot of people around me talking (very rude!) but from what I could hear was very enjoyable. His folk tinged americana music was very pleasing on the ears and I always enjoy someone on stage who is enjoying themselves. Good to finally see him.

While we waited for Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls to set up I looked around the room I was amused that this gig was announced as an intimate gig. I remembered The Smith Street Band at The Lexington from the week before and thought that was an intimate gig. I guess this is now an intimate gig for Frank as he's now playing Arena's all over the world. As this was an album launch show it was obviously very heavy on brand new songs from the new album but Frank promised he would play the hits as well. I have to admit I hadn't listened to any of Positive Songs yet so I can't really speak too much about them individually but I didn't really enjoy them all. He used an electric guitar much more than he has on previous album and gave songs more of a rock & roll feel. One song felt quite pop punkish and one had a definite Weezer vibe. First thing I did this morning was but that brand new album and I am really looking forward to giving it a listen. Of course the biggest reactions were for the hits. If Ever I Stray got a massive sing along at the beginning of the set. He through a surprise midway through the gig by playing traditional set closer Photosynthesis. During the section where Frank and the Sleeping Souls get the crowd to sit down ready for the breakdown a young lady, who for some reason was looking away from the stage asked me if I used Australian shampoo, that was the oddest thing I've ever been asked at a gig. I was very impressed with the crowd for the gig, everyone around was very friendly and looked after each other like they should. I've heard some people have complained about some of the shoving that was going on but for me that's part and parcel of going to a rock show. The folk doing said shoving should definitely be wary of people around them not wanting to get involved (and around me they were) but you shouldn't complain about being bumped into at a rock gig. It's all part of the sun. Frank and the boys were on top top form, clearly relishing being able to play some of their excellent new material and having some fun playing the classics. The Ballad of Me and My Friends was played which got a great response, as did I Still Believe and Recovery (which Ben Morse and Charlie Caplowe of Xtra Mile Recordings joined Frank and The Souls on stage to lead the crowd in some star jumps) The biggest reaction however was saved for the final song of the night - Four Simple Words. The crowd went absolutely nuts for it and so as soon as I got dragged into the pit (I'm calling this getting pit-napped) I lost it as well. Four Simple Words is a song that allows Frank to put down his guitar and really go back to his punk rock routes, prowling the stage and jumping into the crowd.

Having the rare chance to see Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls play a smaller venue was an absolute pleasure. At the end of his set Jess and I both agreed that this was the best we've ever seen him. It's amazing that he can now play such big venues such as Wembley Arena or The O2 but I'll always prefer a small sweaty show like this. Thanks to Frank for doing this show when he could have easily gone somewhere bigger and thanks again to Poppy for hooking us up with tickets. Fantastic set.

Album Review: Death Of Denmark by Spineless Yes Men

 

I really enjoy the way I discovered London based pop punk band Spineless Yes Men. It was on the tube after Red City Radio's gig at The Brixton Windmill in July. I was discussing the evenings gig with a bunch of chaps who had also been in attendance and as I was leaving they told me to check out their band Spineless Yes Men. After typing it into my phone I as Senseless Yes Men it took me a long time to actually work out my mistake but when I did I discovered an EP with four pop punk gems on it. Titled Death Of Denmark I checked it out.

The first song is called Ramleaze Drive. The first thing I noticed about the song is how good the production is, it's so clear and crisp, not what I was expecting from a small DIY band. I'm transported back to my youth listening to the EP, it's summery, upbeat and full of big choruses. Jake's BBQ is a great song, vocally delivered half in a story telling, spoken word style before getting to the chorus and being joined be some harmonies. The song is about those summer gatherings with your friends and putting on a brave face that everything is okay. Post Gig Blues is my favourite track on Death Of Denmark. It begins with a massive vocal delivery of the chorus before some fast paced melodies carry us into the first. The song is about the come down after a great gig. Hitting that high and then the night ending and just plummeting. Something that is relatable not just at a gig but just life in general really. Death Of Denmark is completed by a song named Clumsy. Clumsy is about a night out with your friends and making mistakes. It's a bit of an epic compared to the previous three songs and feels slightly darker in tone. It goes a long at a very good pace though, I didn't even realise it's length until I started this review. It's still fast and it's still catchy and I love it.

Death Of Denmark is a fine summer pop punk EP which will be getting plenty of listens from me, it's just fantastic. Spineless Yes Men are a new band with a great deal of potential. I get the feeling I would have discovered them sooner rather than later anyway because they are a very talented bunch. Luckily due to a coincidental tube journey it was sooner. 

Buy Death Of Denmark here: https://spkngtngs.bandcamp.com/album/the-death-of-denmark 

 Like Spineless Yes Men here: https://www.facebook.com/SpinelessYesMen

Album Review: This Here's The Hard Part by Local Resident Failure

Australian punk rock seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Of course there are the legendary Frenzal Rhomb, then there are bands like The Smith Street Band, The Bennies and The Decline putting out some amazing records. Another band doing just that are Local Resident Failure. This year they put out a new record named This Here's The Hard Part on PEE RECORDS and Disconnect Disconnect Records. I gave it a listen.

The first song, Around The World starts with a lengthy drum section before Dals unmistakeably Australian vocals kick in. This is some super catchy pop punk music that instantly gets stuck in your head. It's a song about going anywhere for that special someone. A Friend Named Hope is another hugely catchy song. The guitars take me back to my teenage summers when I would always have some pop punk playing on my CD player. The song is about giving up on hope because of being constantly let down and how this effects your life. Kind of serious subject matter but done in a very tongue in cheek style. One of the best pop punk songs I've heard in a long time. There's a nice hint of some old school Lagwagon in the song Old Skool. It's a short song about refusing to grow up. It's fast and it's fun, just like being a teenager. Brainwashed is more of a mid-tempo melodic punk number. This song is about being under the influence of a women, your friends knowing how bad it is but not realising for yourself. We all have that friend. It's a different take on the subject matter of girls which is really interesting. I really enjoyed the pacing of the song, it really gets you listening to the lyrics.

Long Night starts out slowly with just an unplugged electric guitar and some vocals before the band crank everything up to eleven and unleash some frantic pop punk on us. There are plently of key changes throughout the track which keep you hooked throughout the track. This feels like a song that would get a crowd completely "stoked." (I think I used that word correctly) Rockstar has more of a serious feel to it. It's about posers in the scene, somebody who only wants to be in the music because of the celebrity of it all rather than the love and the passion. Something that happens far too often in the music world now. This is by far the angriest song on the album so far, complete with throaty death screams. Roll On 2 brings us to the halfway stage of the album. This is the circle pit song on This Here's The Hard Part. At just one minute and thirty three seconds long the pace barely slows throughout the song.

The eighth song is named Into The Unknown has a sci-fi theme. Musically this song really reminds me of The Lillingtons, a band that also wrote a science fiction punk tune or two in their time. Despite the similarities with The Lillingtons sound you would never get the bands confused. Local Resident Failure have managed to borrow from another bands repertoire and make it their own brilliantly. Failing Heath begins in a stop/start fashion and grabs your attention instantly. This song is a chance for the bands guitarist and drummer to really show of their skills with some great solo's and drum fills. Song number ten is called The Shadow Of My Former Self. This track starts very tenderly before returning to the punk rock assault that I've come to expect from Local Resident Failure. They like to play as fast as they can possibly can, when they do slow things down you know it's building towards going even faster. The slow beginning will work really loud with a live crowd, giving everyone a chance to sing a long before going absolutely nuts. Newcastle Nights is the hardest track on the album, venturing into the world of hardcore punk rock. This is a enjoyable little song but I'm not really sure whether or not the band are intentionally being a bit novelty here.

Time Machine is another fast paced pop punk banger that Local Resident Failure do so so well. It's a song about reminiscing about finding your true love - punk rock music. I always find it very interesting talking to different punk rockers about how they got into the music and how exciting a period it was. Lovely sentiment in the song. The penultimate song is called Sirens and is the third song in a row then falls below the two minute mark. Were the band in a rush to get the album finished? This is some great summertime, bouncy pop punk. When I was growing up this is the kind of song that I would have fallen in love with and I'm really loving it now at 29. The final song on the album is called The Re-Opener and compared to the previous three songs is a bit of an epic, being five minutes and thirty-seven seconds long. The catchy pop punk tunes are still there but there is a more serious message behind the music. It tells the story of a troubled man whose contemplating doing bad things and finding away to come through it. This song is excellent!

The whole album is an excellent piece of work. I'll be surprised if I hear a better pop punk album this year. It's brilliant catchy, shows of some brilliant musicianship and song writing abilities. But what I love the most about it is that the sound varies. Too often you hear a pop punk record and most songs do sound the same, happily this isn't the case on This Here's The Start.

Get This Here's The Hard Part here: https://disconnectdisconnectrecords.bandcamp.com/album/this-heres-the-hard-part 

Like Local Resident Failure here: https://www.facebook.com/localresidentfailure

Colins Top Ten UK Punk Music Videos

Ben 4130's is away playing some shows this week so I'm stepping in with my top ten music videos from UK punk bands.

Ducking Punches - It's Been A Bad Few Weeks

The King Blues - Does Anybody Care About Us

Popes Of Chillitown - Wisdom Teeth 

Faintest Idea - Bull In A China Shop 

Great Cynics - Lost In You 

Apologies, I Have None - Clapton Pond 

 Snuff - Choc's Away

Lightyear - Pack Of Dogs 

 Smokey Bastard - Aspirations, I Have Some

Mike TV - Myoclonic Jerk