Top Tens: Emma’s Top Ten Bands She Would Love To See Live

Last year, Colin wrote a top ten about the bands he’s yet to see live (here). Now, having recently written my top ten punk rock influences (here) and enjoying the top ten format, I’m following suit and attempting to compile my own ‘bucket list’ of live bands. I’m not sure how interesting it will be for most readers of this blog as I don’t really have the same lifelong love of punk rock as others might. Plus I’ve actually seen quite a lot of bands already – for which I am very grateful. But here we go, in alphabetical order (because I didn’t know how else to order them):

The All Brights

Probably my most recent discovery on this list but if you haven’t listened to The All Brights’ latest EP, The White Album EP, then I demand that you do so right now – it’s sure to put a smile on your face. The All Brights are a surf-loving punk rock super-group, sort of like Me First And The Gimme Gimmes except with amazingly catchy and hilarious original songs rather than covers. I’m not sure they’ve played that many shows at all but, should the opportunity arise, I would jump at the chance to see them.

Authority Zero

I am by no means a longtime fan of Authority Zero. I didn’t even listen to their incredible 2017 album, Broadcasting To The Nations, until early this year – and therefore didn’t place it in my top ten albums of the year last year as I probably should have. So that’s why I had not seen them up until August of this year. Then they played The Camden Underworld in between playing Rebellion and Punk Rock Holiday. I was sick and regretfully had to miss the gig. I don’t think I’ve ever been more upset about missing a gig – it still feels fresh now. However, of all of the bands on this list, I think Authority Zero are most likely to be ticked off next. Fingers crossed.

The Clash

Well, I had to include one absolutely impossible band on this list didn’t I? I don’t like the Sex Pistols (at all), nor do I feel the same affiliation towards the Ramones as some people (Colin, for one) do. My favourite ‘classic’ punk band has to be The Clash and I don’t think I need explain why they are on this list – this is a punk blog, you know. If only I had a time machine…

Defiance, Ohio

I was looking back over my iTunes library, before completing my ten band list, in an attempt to remind myself of some of the bands that I perhaps don’t listen to so much now but did 6 or 7 years ago. One of those bands was Defiance, Ohio who (aside from Frank Turner) were probably also my first introduction to the properly folky side of punk rock. Against Me! had hints of folk punk but Defiance, Ohio had a violin and double bass. One of my friends at uni shared The Great Depression, the band’s third album, with me and I was hooked. I don’t know if the band ever toured the UK – I don’t think they did – and they seem to have been unofficially defunct since 2015 so it’s highly unlikely I’d ever see them live but a girl can dream.

Fake Problems

Fake Problems are another band who were one of my favourites when I was first properly getting into punk music – I absolutely love the album It’s Great To Be Alive. Unlike Defiance, Ohio, I know for certain that Fake Problems did tour the UK once upon a time (they supported Frank Turner on at least one tour, I know this because I have the DVD) but I was too late in my discovery of them – either that or maybe it was just the fact that I was living in Cornwall at the time. I have seen Chris Farren, Fake Problems’ frontman, solo and he did play one Fake Problems song but I think that’s the closest I’ll ever get to seeing the band. 

Lincoln Le Fevre & The Insiders

Responsible for my number one album of 2017, Come Undone, and otherwise known as full band Lincoln Le Fevre, this is probably the least valid artist on my list. Only because I’ve seen Lincoln solo… twice – one day after the other at Fest 15. Understandably, Lincoln didn’t bring the band over with him to Florida from Australia. That Fest appearance was also before the ‘full band’ songs and album were released. I’d love to see the full band although I may well have to go to Australia in order to see it. I did once see a chap wearing a Lincoln Le Fevre & The Insiders shirt at a Smith Street Band show in London so I’m not the only UK fan… although I think he might have been Australian himself.

Rancid

I don’t really know why I’ve never seen Rancid but I sure as hell would love to see them one day. If they play …And Out Come The Wolves in full that would be absolutely fine by me but I know they had a new album out only last year so if they want to tour that in the UK then I’ll make sure I get to a show. By a show, I mean a proper gig and not a festival in Hyde Park supporting Green Day like they did last summer. Is that too much to ask?

Rebuilder

This one is going to happen. One day, I hope in the not too distant future, Rebuilder are going to make their UK tour debut and I will be there and I will be very excited. Whether I end up seeing them at a Fest or somewhere else in the US before that is another matter (they’d be top of my list for this year’s Fest, if I was going)! Rebuilder were my biggest discovery of last year and are the band I’ve suggested several times that Paul of Be Sharp should book at the New Cross Inn – it seems to work if Colin requests bands but, so far, I’m having less luck. 

Streetlight Manifesto

I was introduced to ska punk, mostly by Capdown, in my hometown of Milton Keynes by going to local shows when I was a teenager and relatively new to live music. I didn’t really properly got back into ska until about two or three years ago but somewhere between those two time periods there was one ska punk band that I did love – Streetlight Manifesto. I can’t say what made me listen to them over any other ska punk band but damn they were/are great. As I said, I listen to more ska now but I don’t think there’s any band I’ve seen or heard that sound quite like Streetlight Manifesto. They’re the best. (For the record, I’ve not seen Catch 22 either.)

The Suicide Tuesdays

Another Australian band but one that I’m even less likely to ever see live than Lincoln Le Fevre & The Insiders because The Suicide Tuesdays broke up just a month or so ago. I was pretty heartbroken as my time spent (figuratively) with the band was very short lived. I discovered them in January of this year when I heard their debut album, This Is For You, on Bandcamp. It turns out that although it was their debut, it was a long time in the making and some the songs have been around in one shape or form for many years. As an album it is incredible and is likely to be very near the top of my end of year list. I wish I could have seen The Suicide Tuesdays live to hear those songs live. I really do.

Honourable mentions for bands I loved in my youth (before I decided punk rock was the sub-genre for me) go to Placebo, System Of A Down and The Used. I’m also so damn excited to see Spanish Love Songs for the first time (and then again a second time) later this month when they make their UK debut – they would have been on this list otherwise.

This top ten was written by Emma Prew.

Album Review: Shutup by Millie Manders and The Shutup

Millie Manders is a name that has been tipped to be a big breakout star from the UK's underground music scene for a while now. Mille, along with her band The Shutup, have been wowing crowds all over the UK with their high octane live performances and fantastic songs. I've said a few times on CPRW just what a fantastic performer Millie herself is. During September (sorry for the delay, holidays and stuff) Millie Manders and The Shutup released a brand new EP titled Shutup on Bad Granola Records and Bredda Records.

Shutup begins with the song Right To Life. The track begins slowly with Millie showing off her phenomenal vocal range. Fantastic warbling! Then the song really takes to life with a frantic brass section that injects an unbelievable amount of energy into the track. From there we get some fast paced, almost rapping vocals from Millie that give the verse some attitude before we hit the chorus which contains a massive hook. Mille continues to show off her impressive vocal range to the back straight of the song, as she switches to a growling death metal style similar to Teddy from Obsession Transgression. Following Right To Life is the track Brave. Brave sees more of those fast paced vocals accompanied by some background drumming. It's an interesting way to start the song, a quite minimalist approach that really catches your attention. The song is about having the courage to live your life how you want to and not the way society says you should.

Track number three, Lollipops, was a stand out from MMATSU's EP launch at the New Cross Inn back in September. Swaying into more of a pop punk with horns style, Lollipops draws you in with simple guitar. Millie's vocal soon joins and builds the song up nicely. Lollipops sees the band stray into politics as it talks about our government dropping bombs on innocent people. This is the first time I've heard Millie's songwriting go in this direction and I really enjoyed it. One That Got Away finished Shutup in a big way. The tone of the guitars at the beginning of the track gives it a massive sound and the horns add the energy to the song. Of course, the thing that really stands out is the chorus of "I'll be the one that got away." Simple but brilliant for having a big sing-along. This line is the big earworm of the entire EP. The energy on the whole track is completely infectious and really finished the EP on a gigantic high.

Shutup is Millie Manders and The Shutup's best work to date. All four songs on the EP are highlights in their own way and I really enjoyed how each song has its own distinct sound whilst still remaining a MMATSU song. I've felt for a while that this band's career is on a very upward trajectory. After the release of Shutup, I can only see that trajectory getting steeper and steeper. This is an immensely talented band who deserve your attention.

Stream and download Shutup here: https://milliemanders.bandcamp.com/album/shutup

Like Millie Manders and The Shutup here: https://www.facebook.com/milliemandersmusic

This review was written by Colin Clark.

Album Review: 1000 Daisies by Stöj Snak (by Emma Prew)

Since seeing Niels Højgaard Sørensen and his band live at Manchester Punk Festival 2017 – playing the best set of the weekend no less – I’ve been eagerly anticipating whatever Stöj Snak would release next. Following the 2016 album ScreamerSongwriter, 1000 Daisies is a brand new 3-track EP from the Danish band that was released in September. It is available as a pay-what-you-want download but the important thing is that you pay something as all proceeds go to a worthy cause:

‘This EP was written and recorded for the fundraiser to save the venue 1000Fryd in Aalborg, Denmark. Having this venue around has been of great importance for us growing up in our small town and after being part of the scene at 1000Fryd for almost 20 years, it is still our favourite place to go as both audience and performers.’

The first song on the EP is its namesake, 1000 Daisies. Fast paced and lively from the outset, the combination of bouncy double bass, frantic acoustic guitar strumming and scratchy washboard instantly remind me how much I love the Stöj Snak sound. The music hooked me in and had my head nodding enthusiastically but it is the lyrics that really made their mark. 1000 Daisies is about how important DIY music venues are to musicians and music fans alike, especially in the punk scene, all over the world. Of course the song is a tribute to 1000Fryd in Denmark but the sentiment applies to all small venues and I’m sure Niels intended it that way. The lines that lead us into the chorus particularly hit home – ‘Without knowing the words we sing along, For the music belongs to everyone, There's so much hatred outside of these walls but, In this pit we pick up those who fall.’ What a gloriously powerful song. 

Opening with some gentle acoustic guitar, the second song on the EP is much slower than the first. The combination of instruments is subtle but if you listen closely there is quite a variety, from xylophone to melodica! By its title and the opening line of ‘The world’s gone to shit’, I’m sure you can make an educated guess about what Election Night might be about. I don’t know much (anything) about Danish politics but I do know that the UK isn’t the only country where people are frustrated with those in power and so, like 1000 Daisies, Election Night is a song that is bigger than itself. The song is angry but in a subdued sort of way. The message conveyed is that we’re not happy with what our leaders are doing to our countries but we did what we could and voted, we’ll do it again in another four years – we won’t give up. Bringing this trio of tracks to its conclusion is Bitter Place. This is the longest of the three songs with a duration of almost 6 minutes and a reasonably lengthy instrumental introduction to kick things off. It’s progressive and almost eerie in sound as a guitar, this time electric, plays a haunting melody. A second layer of acoustic strumming comes in after too long and the volume increases a little. When Niels’ vocals do eventually come in, after over a minute, his voice feels softer and less strained than it perhaps usually does. Bitter Place is as sad as it is sincere – ‘You are not weak you’ve just been strong for too long, And all hope is not gone, But you just long for somewhere to belong.’ I feel like this song showcases a different side to Stöj Snak that I’ve not really heard before – certainly not on the other two songs on this EP. A sign of what we could potentially expect from the next Stöj Snak full-length perhaps?

You can support 1000Fryd now by downloading (and listening to) 1000 Daisies on Bandcamp. Also be sure to check out and like Stöj Snak on Facebook.

This review was written by Emma Prew. 

Album Review: Goodbye My Love by Vanilla Pod

Earlier this year Vanilla Pod sadly announced that they were calling it a day after twenty-three years together as a band. But before they leave us, they've been playing goodbye shows all over the country with the London show being on the 2nd of November at the New Cross Inn. The band have also released a final EP as a surprise. Titled Goodbye My Love, it's released by a big handful of DIY punk labels including Horn & Hoof Records, Aaahh!!! Real Records, Brassneck Records, TNSrecords, Make-That-A-Take Records, Disconnect Disconnect Records and Speedowax. Vanilla Pod are one of the most beloved UK punk bands of all time and I was certain this farewell EP would see the band go out with a bang.

Goodbye My Love begins with Disgracer. It's not long until we are greeted with Rob Bunting's familiar vocal as he leads us through a heavy hitting, up tempo, melodic skate punk track. It might be because he's been in the game so long now but Rob has one of the most distinctive voices in the UK scene. If a Pod track comes on that you don't know, you will instantly know who you're listening to. Of course the song hits its high point during the chorus as the band belt out "I know that I'm a waster, And I know that I could be better, I know that I'm a waster, fuck you me." Grey begins with a rumbly bassline from Matt Clarke before he's joined by the rest of the band for another hard hitting track about the problems of alcohol abuse. This may be the final Vanilla Pod release but they're certainly not taking it easy on the subject matter. I've often felt that Vanilla Pod are a very underrated band lyrically. On Grey they are at their very best, extremely relatable and perhaps even cathartic on this number.

The third track on Goodbye My Love is titled Waster. This is classic Vanilla Pod. From the beginning Rob is straining his voice as he belts out the opening verse and quickly moves on to a chorus that you'll be singing along to during your first listen of the song. I enjoyed how the song builds throughout and finishes with some fantastic harmonies. If a song has a harmony, it's always a hit with me. Finally we have G.O.B. As a final Vanilla Pod song, this had to be great. It had to cement one of the best legacies in UK punk rock. Of course the Pod boys smashed this song. It feels like a celebration of the long career of the band. The highlight is of course the duelling vocals that make up a big portion of the track – it gives so much energy to the track, it's so infectious. The song actually has quite a sombre feel at its finale as Rob sings "It's over now, I don't want it to be."

When I first saw that Vanilla Pod were releasing one final EP I was a little worried that it might be a bit half-arsed because it was their last hurrah. I needn't have worried as Goodbye My Love is a superb piece of work. All four songs could fit nicely into their entire discography. This is such a fitting end for one of the hardest working, dedicated and, most importantly, finest band our UK scene has ever produced. When many of their contemporaries from the late 90s/early 2000s scene called it a day, Vanilla Pod kept on going and helped to build the next generation's scene. Vanilla Pod are legends and will be so sorely missed. They're not here for much longer, so let's make sure we all see them one last time to give them the send off they richly deserve.

Stream and download Goodbye My Love here: https://hornhoofrecords.bandcamp.com/album/goodbye-my-love

Like Vanilla Pod here: https://www.facebook.com/vanillapodrock/

This review was written by Colin Clark.

CPRW Playlist: October 2018

CPRW Playlist: Here's what Brett, Dan, Emma, Jack, Omar, Richard, Robyn and myself have been listening to this October.

Top Tens: Ten Books Colin Would Like To See Written

Ever since I got my Kindle a few years ago I've become a bit of a reading machine. Along with fantasy and comedy books, I really enjoy reading books about punk rock. I've really enjoyed reading Tranny, Punk Rock Dad, So This Is Ready, Gainesville Punk, How To Ruin A Record Label, NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub & Other Stories and many more. Some of these book have been real eye-openers into some of the history of punk rock. It has got me thinking about more punk rock books and stories I'd like to learn about in more detail. I've put together a list of ten books I'd love to read. Of course some of these stories might be deeply personal and I would never suggest that these books need to be written, I'm just saying that if these people were willing to tell their story I'd be very interested to read. Also, if these books have been written already please send links my way so I can check them out.

The UK Punk Scene in the 2000s
I know that the chaps in Lightyear are currently making a documentary about the punk scene in the UK in the early 2000s but I'd love for there to be a book on the subject as well. You can go into much more detail with a book. My, like many people my age, first introduction into proper DIY punk rock in the UK was through bands like Lightyear, Capdown, King Prawn, [Spunge], 4ft Fingers, Phinius Gage, Whitmore, Jesse James, Adequate 7, No Comply, Captain Everything, Consumed, Vanilla Pod and many more bands that are still much loved almost twenty years later. I'd love to learn about how that scene came together and ultimately faded away.

James Bowman of Against Me!
By now we all know the story of Laura Jane Grace. But I've always be interested to hear what her best friend and guitarist of Against Me! James Bowman's take on it all. Obviously what happened was game changing not just for Laura but all of Against Me!. It could have been the end for Against Me! which is Bowman's livelihood. It's also discovering that your best friend has been keeping this massive secret from you all these years and dealing with all of the emotions of these impending changes, knowing things will never be the same again. That's a side of the story I'd be interested in hearing.

Streetlight Manifesto vs Victory Records
Fans of ska punk will no doubt be well aware of the lawsuit between New Jersey band Streetlight Manifesto and their former label Victory Records. The band and the label had a poor relationship for years and years which eventually resulted in Streetlight's leader Tomas Kalnoky getting sued by Victory. I'd be interested to learn about what actually went on and the strain that must have put on Kalnoky's life and whether or not it affected his love for music.

An Idiots Guide To Running A DIY Record Label and Putting On DIY Shows
The bigger that CPRW gets the more I communicate with DIY labels and promoters. I've always been interested to learn about what goes on and just how much hard work goes into it. How you go about doing it and, ultimately, is it really worth doing it?

Mike McColgan of Street Dogs
Mike McColgan seems to have lead a very interesting life. In the early 1990s he served for the U.S. Army in the Gulf War, he then became a founding member of the Dropkick Murphys, recording one album before leaving to become a fireman and then becoming a full time member of the Street Dogs. The man has lived a very interesting adult life, that is for sure. I'd love to hear his stories from being in the army and the fire brigade, his thoughts on starting the Dropkick Murphys and whether he ever felt any bitterness towards them as they started to take off and whether he felt any pressure for the Street Dogs to have some success because of what the Dropkick Murphys had become.

Derrick Johnston of Make-That-A-Take/Tragical History Tour/Uniforms
I don't think there's anyone I respect more in the UK punk scene than Derrick "Deeker" Johnston. He's a member of bands such as Joey Terrifying, Shitgripper, Uniforms and his acoustic solo project Tragical History Tour as well as running Make-That-A-Take Records. The label that not only puts out records from the best of the Scottish punk scene (and beyond) but also puts on loads of shows and the legendary Book-Yer-Ane-Fest. He's a man that has put his whole life into supporting the punk scene and helping to make it a better place. In his life he has had to slay some demons but seems to come out the other side as the embodiment of everything I think the UK punk scene should be.

The Origins Of Band Names
Punk rock bands have long had some of the most interesting names. I'm sure, like me, you've always wondered why a band has picked a particular name, what the origin is, whether it's an in-joke, were there other options, do they regret it? Imagine if a load of bands got together and contributed to a book with all the information you could possibly want. I'd read that.

Punk Rockers Against Mental Health
Mental health is a subject that is being discussed more and more by punk rock bands and this is a good thing. I think it would make for a good book if someone collected pieces from people in the scene talking about their experiences with mental health. I feel like a book like this could help a lot of people and give more exposure to the topic of mental health. The more it's discussed the less of a taboo it comes.

Ryan Greene
Ryan Greene is an American music producer who played a massive part in shaping the 1990's skate punk sound that is still loved today. In Motor Studios in San Francisco, he worked on albums with legendary bands such as NOFX, Lagwagon, No Use For A Name, Propagandhi, Good Riddance, Pulley, Me First & The Gimme Gimmes, Strung Out, Nerf Herder, The Dickies and many, many more. I can only imagine the stories this man has about creating history.

Ryan Young of Off With Their Heads
I forget how many times I've claimed that Ryan Young is the best lyricist of his generation. So many of his songs are so heartbreaking but also so cathartic. It seems like it would be an incredibly sad book but also a must read to get an insight into those lyrics. I would also love to know more about the formation of Off With Their Heads, what it's been like having a rotating cast of members and the highs and lows of being in that band.

This top ten was written by Colin Clark.

Album Review: Mea Culpa by Dead End Drive-In

Being from Canada seems to be the mark of being a great band. That great country is a conveyor belt for my new favourite punk band. Whenever I work my way through the punk section on Bandcamp discovery, you can always guarantee at least one of the bands that catch my attention will be from Canada. My latest find is Dead End Drive-In. This five piece comes from Vancouver and just released a brand new album named Mea Culpa.

Mea Culpa begins with the song The Music I Can't Hear. After an elongated intro that has me thinking of bands such as Iron Chic or Elway, things slow down to allow a dramatic and theatrical vocal that really grabs your attention. It gives Dead End Drive-In this massive sound that feels like it would work equally well in a tiny basement or a big arena. As the song progresses the tempo increases and so does the intensity. The track is about avoiding facing the truth and feeling sorry for yourself. Up next is Apathy Kills Again which is about wanting things to change but not being willing to do it yourself. On this song Dead End Drive-In really showcase want a great group of musicians they are, in particular there is a fantastic guitar solo midway through the song. The band seem to be experts in the extended introduction to a song that has you eagerly anticipating the vocals beginning. The same can be said about the third song, Echo Chamber. It's full on an infectious energy that has you ready to explode when the vocals come in. This feels like much more of a punk rock banger with its punchy delivery and big sing-along moments. Echo Chamber is about realising that it is okay to stick to your guns in an argument even if it means you could potentially be outcast.

Saturated Sponge is about how our minds are so full of things forced upon us by the media that it's hard to have your own original thoughts. It sounds as if Dead End Drive-In feel very strongly about this subject as there is a lot more venom in the vocals on this track. The short and simple chorus of "but this sponge is saturated, this sponge is saturated" is a fantastic section to shout along to at the top of your voice. The fifth song Floodgate gets started with some lovely big "whoa-ohs" which will instantly pull a listener in. We all love a "whoa-oh." I loved the build during the second half of the track, starting off quite quietly before gradually picking up tempo, volume and intensity that leads us to more "whoa-ohs" that book end the song perfectly. Floodgate is about getting in to an argument with someone but neither of you really winning. I really liked this as a subject for a song, it's very thoughtful and not one that you ever find in punk rock music.

Track six is titled A Stranger Kind. This song is about taking a chance on meeting strangers and having the greatest time. A Stranger Kind starts out with an almost country music feel to it before it gradually shifts into a fast paced punk rock jam. The song really hooks you in as its pace increases and by its end you'll find yourself breathless after screaming along with the song. The brilliantly named Dominant Male Monkey Motherfucker is up next. It's the shortest of all the songs on Mea Culpa at two minutes and fifty-four seconds long. I should have probably mentioned that the majority of the tracks on the album are a little on the long side of what I'm used to listening to, most are over four minutes long – but at no point do any feel like they're dragging. I'm sure you might have guessed from the song's title that it is about the ridiculous nature of the "alpha male" and how they often have a pack of idiots who blindly follow them.

Up next is Tomorrow's Idiot which is more of a slow plodding song. I really enjoyed the way the song is written, there's a simple song structure and melody that will have you singing along pretty quickly. Particularly to the chorus which is so catchy and easy to remember – "today you're just tomorrow's idiot (x3), today your head's just stuck in the clouds". The song is about having a really strong and passionate opinion about a topic but going the wrong way about expressing it to people and ultimately coming across as a fool. The penultimate song is Bus. Bus feels more like an alternative rock song with some pretty angst filled vocals that give it a punk edge. It's a mid-tempo number with some more incredible musicianship including a guitar solo that finishes the track in some style. Bus is about bumping into someone from your past and feeling embarrassed about where you are in your life compared to them. The tenth and final track on Mea Culpa is named Chameleon. When I saw that this song was almost six minutes in length I had a feeling that this would be a big epic track. The track is played at a higher tempo than I was initially expecting, this is good as it helps the song fly by. I think if the song was a slower song I would definitely get bored before the end. The higher tempo helps inject a great amount of energy and keeps you interested throughout.

I really enjoyed this effort from Dead End Drive-In. It's not a punk album in the traditional sense but captures the punk rock spirit tremendously. The songs are extremely well played and the lyrical content is superb. I love finding bands like this that I've never heard of and being blown away by just how good they are. What a great find, a great album and a great band.

Stream and download Mea Culpa here: https://deadenddrive-in.bandcamp.com/

Like Dead End Drive-In here: https://www.facebook.com/deadenddriveinband/

This review was written by Colin Clark.