Manchester Punk Festival 2022 Preview: Part Two

Please read Part One of our Manchester Punk Festival 2022 Preview if you haven’t already!

We haven’t listed the specific times for each band as we understand that these are potentially subject to change before the weekend. Please check the official Clashfinder to be certain you don’t miss anyone!

The Bar Stool Preachers – Friday, at The Bread Shed (Richard)
Most of my picks reflect the bands I’m naturally drawn to because of my love of hardcore; however everyone needs a good sing and dance over the course of the weekend. Possibly the best exponents of this are Brighton’s pop ska / street punk heroes, The Bar Stool Preachers. Equal parts Bosstones and Bouncing Souls, they have an amazing crossover appeal, a banging live performance and tons of anthems to get people moving, hugging strangers and losing their voices. Songs such as 8.6 Days, 02:22 and When This World Ends promise to be highlights of the weekend!

Darko – Saturday, at The Union (Dan)
Watching skate punk legends Darko is a necessary right of passage for any skate punk fan! I’m seriously looking forward to them playing songs off their new EP "SPARKLE". They have stepped up their game tremendously after picking up their new singer, Tom West, and the band have become a force of nature with more incredible riffs, powerful vocal hooks and important lyrics. Their new single "The Ladder" is 7 minutes and 50 seconds of pure mastery of the genre – get up and go see them early on the Saturday!

DAVES – Saturday, at Zombie Shack (Colin)
It was our good friend and all around legend Sarah Shout Louder who told us about DAVES. This would have been around the end of 2019 when we were putting together the Do It Together Fest line-up. Unfortunately for us they already had a gig that weekend and I’ve been itching to see them ever since. I instantly connected with their sing-along punk rock sounds, particularly enjoying the strained vocals that really add a huge amount of energy to DAVES’ songs. It’s an early one but it’ll be sure to blow off the cobwebs from the night before and set you up for a great day.

Drones – Saturday, at The Union (Dan)
Hard hitting punk rock heroes Drones are calling it a day and this will be their second to last show ever. Their political hard hitting sound is one of my favourites in the UK and it's a shame to see them call it quits. But I really hope they play some older bangers like "Graves" and some new ones like "Lost In Translation". If you’re a big fan of Anti-Flag I really recommend you don't pass up one of the last times you can see this band.

Onsind – Saturday, at Gorilla (Dan)
Onsind are the band I am most looking forward to at MPF hands down. Their emotion rich folk punk has connected with me like not many other bands have done before. They have perfect mix of politics and personal songs with my favourites being "Heterosexuality Is A Construct" and "Frankland Prison Blues". It's safe to say that I'm gonna be somewhere near the front crying my eyes out, singing every word!

Accidente – Saturday, at The Union (Brett)
If you made the same mistake as I did when looking up Accidente on Apple Music or Spotify and found some alt-math-rock band from Utah, then do not be alarmed. This is not the band playing MPF. No disrespect to the Utahns (not a made up word) or their fans, but alt-math-rock is not really my thing and I was glad to learn that the Accidente playing MPF is the 5-piece band from Madrid, Spain, who play kickass fast punk rock. Even if you don’t understand Spanish, the strong sentiments and catchy melodies speak for themselves.

Proper. – Saturday, at Gorilla (Emma)
I discovered Brooklyn, NYC, based emo-pop punk band Proper. when they were initially announced for the MPF 2020 that never was. I was excited to see them that time around so to say that I’m excited to finally get to see them live now would be a slight understatement. In the time since the initial 2020 announcement, Proper. have recorded and released their third album, The Great American Novel. It’s very, very good. Perhaps heavier than their previous releases, I imagine that the new songs will go down an absolute treat at MPF.

Beng Beng Cocktail – Saturday, at Yes (Colin)
I never expected I’d get to see Parisian crystalcore act Beng Beng Cocktail so when they were announced for MPF I was equal parts surprised and over the moon. The band’s combination of ska and crack rocksteady acoustic punk is something I’ve enjoyed since discovering them on a compilation years ago. At the beginning of March they released a stunning new album with the help of TNSRecords and I look forward to seeing them and having a dance to ease me into the Saturday evening of MPF.

Harker – Saturday, at The Union (Richard)
Last year’s Axiom was a genuine behemoth of an album that moved Brighton’s Harker from blue collar gruff punks to legitimate post-hardcore titans. Despite the shift in tone, they’ve retained their ability to craft fist-in-the-air anthems. Given how great their entire discography is, coupled with their highly relatable lyrics and a much needed party atmosphere across the weekend, you can expect them to be one of the real standouts!

Cultdreams – Saturday, at The Bread Shed (Robyn)
Cultdreams is a band that manages to be both raw and dreamy, creating a unique blend of high-volume fuzz and emotion that their Twitter account accurately describes as “Queer Lo-Fi Shoegaze Rage”. Despite being just a two-piece, the band deliver huge choruses that hit you like a wall of sound and verses that wrap you up in a darkly brooding rumination. I can’t wait to get lost in the deep reverb and to sing along to bangers like ‘We Never Rest’ and ‘Berlin’. Hopefully there’ll be some older songs like ‘Stitches’ or ‘Ladyfuzz’ thrown in as well.

The JB Conspiracy – Saturday, at The Union (Dan)
The JB Conspiracy are the perfect ska punk band. Their album "Beginnings" last year was no less than perfect, not a single beat or note out of place with crystal clear heaven piercing vocals. Watching them live is breathtaking and every single second will leave you wanting more, they are the must-see ska band for me. I’m really hoping they play a little bit off all three of their albums as they are all masterpieces.

Slow Science – Saturday, at Zombie Shack (Richard)
If ever a band deserved attention, Slow Science would be toward the top of the list. Responsible for some epic indie punk anthems that merge the rockiness of Iron Chic with the pop sensibilities of early Weezer, Slow Science write the type of songs that are the soundtrack to the summer. Despite being a band for over ten years, ongoing commitments to other groups and projects mean they don’t play often and therefore deserve your time when they do!

Bobby Funk – Saturday, at Gorilla (Dan)
My favourite thing about watching Bobby Funk is being in a like minded crowd of people yelling "I'm a cat! Fuck you Meow", I'm a simple Dan with simple tastes sometimes. They have created a sound which makes hardcore accessible and fun with songs like "Best Friends With Kayne" they delight and entertain! A really enjoyable band to watch and listen to!

Disaster Forecast – Saturday, at Zombie Shack (Brett)
I’m not ashamed to say that Disaster Forecast is another skate punk band on my list, but I am a little ashamed that I hadn’t heard the band before being added to the MPF line-up. Disaster Forecast play aggressive skate punk, leaning into the melodic hardcore realm every now and then, with some techy bits added in for fun. The songs take me back to the mid-to-late 90s skate punk that I grew up with, but without sounding stale or contrived, and remind me why I love this style of music so much. The raw energy is present in the songwriting, musicianship and production. The fact that the band pays homage to the legendary Propagandhi with the title and cover of their latest release, How To Skate Everything, also doesn’t hurt at all.

Chewie – Saturday, at The Union (Dan)
I haven't seen Chewie yet but for the last 7 years everyone I know in the punk scene has recommended them as the best pop punk band that has ever lived. They have an ability to make even songs about babies drowning in septic tanks the catchiest hooks you have ever heard. I honestly love every EP and record they have put out and I am looking forward to being in the middle of friends singing all the words. If you have never heard them, have a listen to "Forty Shades Of Grey" Or "Charlene" and I guarantee I will see ya in the crowd!

Knife Club – Saturday, at Gorilla (Richard)
Whether it’s the mystery stunt that surrounded their early inception or the recent acknowledgement that Knife Club only exist on the back of drunken shenanigans, the fact that they are comprised of alumni of many bands you’re likely to want to see over the weekend means you’ll be bound to have a great time with this genuine super group! Musically they tread a nice line between traditional straight up punk rock and more melodic hardcore, but given the talent on show it’s in a live setting where you expect them to stand out from the crowd.

Coral Springs – Saturday, at Zombie Shack (Robyn)
Coral Springs are easily one of the bands I’m most excited to see at this year’s MPF. The band name is almost certainly a reference to the hometown of pop-punk greats New Found Glory, who clearly serve as inspiration for the Dutch five-piece. Their music certainly channels a distinctly American pop-punk sound, along the lines of No Use For A Name, throwing a few skate-punk flourishes into the mix – but without the typical male vocalist. I so enjoyed their debut album, Always Lost, Never Found, and I’m so happy they’re making the trip over to the UK. It’s going to be great to see them play in an intimate venue like Zombie Shack, because I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re playing to even bigger crowds in the future.

Martha – Saturday, at The Union (Richard)
A genuine British institution, Martha are a must-see with an abundance of extremely catchy punk infused pop anthems rammed with sharp insightful lyrics that will have you grinning from ear to ear. With what promises to be a career spanning, festival headlining worthy and crowd pleasing set, expect to hear many of their big hitters including Curly & Raquel, Bubble In My Bloodstream and The Void amongst many other highlights.

The Skints – Saturday, at The Union (Robyn)
The Skints are a London band who play a fusion of reggae, dub, ska and punk. The first time I heard them I had the sense that their live set would be really fun, with lots of dancing, skanking and bopping. Their sound incorporates guitars, keys, beats, synths, saxophone, melodica, and even flute, spanning the distance between rip-roaring punk riffs, syncopated ska rhythms, and slow soulful jams – and all that with just four band members. All this promises to make for an awesome set and a fantastic party vibe on Saturday night.

Shai Hulud – Saturday, at Gorilla (Richard)
Few bands can release genre-defining albums late in their career; however 20 years after their inception the Florida hardcore pioneers dropped a universally lauded behemoth in ‘Just Can’t Hate Enough’. Despite this being their last notable release and now some 7 years old, they remain one of the must-see acts of the weekend. Whilst they might not have the status of peers such as Converge or the Hope Conspiracy, their legacy can’t be understand and with a roster of past collaborators included As Friends Rust Damian Moyal and New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert, their influence can’t be equalled. This is a great opportunity to see an essential band in a setting they excel in!

Thanks for reading! Be sure to check back for the third and final part tomorrow!

Manchester Punk Festival 2022 Preview: Part One

At the end of this week Manchester Punk Festival finally returns and the CPRW team could not be more excited. The line-up is always stacked but in 2022 the festivals organisers, Manchester based punk legends Anarchistic Undertones, Moving North and TNSRecords, have well and truly surpassed themselves. There are six of the CPRW team attending this year and we wanted to write about so many of the fantastic bands playing, so over the next three days we’re treating you to a three-part, sixty band preview of some our top picks for the weekend.

We haven’t listed the specific times for each band as we understand that these are potentially subject to change before the weekend. Please check the official Clashfinder to be certain you don’t miss anyone!

The warm-up gig also features a really awesome and diverse line-up of bands that aren’t playing MPF so it’s a real bonus and a great way to get prepared for the epic weekend to come.

Toodles And The Hectic Pity – Thursday, at Rebellion (Emma)
In 2019, the MPF folks treated us to an official warm-up show on the Thursday night before the festival began properly on the Friday. We’re pleased that this is something they’ve brought back for 2022 and are over the moon that CPRW favourites Toodles And The Hectic Pity are one of the bands scheduled to play. The Bristol-based trio play an emotional brand of folky indie punk and I can’t wait to see them win over the Manchester audience – which no doubt they will. Having seen them live fairly recently, I can vouch that their brand new tracks are sounding particularly good.

Burning Flag – Thursday, at Rebellion (Brett)
If you are lucky enough to be in Manchester on the Thursday before MPF, you would be remiss to be anywhere else but at the official MPF warm-up gig at Rebellion. One of the bands I’m really excited to see is Burning Flag, who play a NYC-style hardcore, with powerful lyrics, relentless riffs and a slightly higher bpm. But it comes without the white-shirt-macho-masculine themes and tendencies so often ingrained in the scene. It feels like forever since I’ve been to a hardcore show and Burning Flag’s latest album, Matador, nearly made it into my top 10 last year so I’m very much looking forward to this set.

Smoking Gives You Big Tits – Friday, at Yes (Emma)
Tasked with the job of opening the entire 2022 edition of MPF are the four-piece riot grrrl influenced Smoking Gives You Big Tits from Bolton and Salford, respectively. I admit to not being an especially big fan of their name but Shout Louder’s Sarah has had nothing but good things to say about this band and, after checking them out on the MPF playlist myself, I’m definitely keen to see what all the fuss is about. From the tracks I have heard, they seem like a lot of fun and should be the perfect band to kick off the festival.

Nexø – Friday, at Zombie Shack (Brett)
With my recent move to Denmark, I am much more alert to Danish punk bands and have picked up on a few that I wasn’t aware of before. Nexø is one of my favourite discoveries so far. Their aggressive hardcore punk is raw and full of energy and is sure to get the early crowd at Zombie Shack ready for what promises to be an amazing weekend ahead. Their 2019 album, New Normal, is an exceptionally strong debut and if the singles released so far this year are anything to go by, Nexø show no signs of mellowing or slowing down.

In Evil Hour – Friday, at The Union (Brett)
In Evil Hour was on my shortlist of bands to see before MPF 2020 was cancelled so I was very happy to see the band on the line-up for 2022. Melodic punk rock that takes on important topics with aggression, passion, and intelligence. The comparisons to Rise Against and Bad Religion are on point. The songs are fast, the vocals are perfectly raspy, with the politically charged lyrics and loads of “woah-woah” moments to lose your voice to. I have no doubt that In Evil Hour will deliver a fierce live performance that any fan of melodic hardcore punk will enjoy.

The Lab Rats – Friday, at Yes (Emma)
I saw The Lab Rats, a Manchester-based folk punk duo, when they played MPF back in 2018 and had a wonderful time bopping along to their rousing activist anthems – with the subjects of their tracks ranging from anti-war to veganism and mental health. Last time around, they were actually joined by a third person to play percussion so I have no idea what the 2022 incarnation of The Lab Rats will be like but I’m hoping to find out.

Just Panic – Friday, at Gorilla (Colin)
I feel like Just Panic might be a name that not a lot of people attending MPF will be that familiar with. I was lucky to see them play at the first MPF in 2015 and they haven’t played again since. I absolutely fell in love with them that day with their own take on punk rock. If you’re a fan of old school Against Me! or Crazy Arm, then I thoroughly recommend going to see Just Panic. They’re brilliant and who knows if/when they’ll play again. Also, they might just throw in an Against Me! cover.

Much The Same – Friday, at The Union (Brett)
The amount of excitement I feel about finally getting to see Much The Same live is difficult to put into words. If you’re not familiar with the band, they are making the trip from Chicago, IL, and play melodic skate punk infused with super catchy hooks, in the same vein as No Use For A Name, Slick Shoes and The Swellers. Their latest record, Everything Is Fine, released in 2019 on Lockjaw Records was an almost flawless return to form and one of my favourite releases of that year. Much The Same has been on my MPF wish list for a number of years now and I am ready to cry tears of joy when they take the stage on Friday afternoon.

Chloë Glover – Friday, at Yes (Emma)
I’m really digging a lot of the acts on the ‘acoustic’ stage of the Friday of MPF this year – it doesn’t have to all be about loud, fast punk rock and the wide variety on offer is what makes the festival so great. One of the artists I’m particularly looking forward to seeing is Manchester local Chloë Glover. Chloë was one of the last artists I saw live before the pandemic hit back in early 2020 and I was captivated by her incredible voice and heart wrenching songs. Chloë is also teaming up with Helen from SGYBT and Sarah of Shout Louder fame to host a sober social at Sandbar on Saturday at midday – so, see you there!

Misfortune Cookie – Friday, at Zombie Shack (Richard)
Coming from the right side of the Pennines(!) it’s inevitable I’d recommend watching Yorkshire’s finest! Comprising 3/4 of Bear Trade and led by the ever impressive Helen Chambers, Misfortune Cookie are the kind of band its easy to fall in love with. Their debut album, Heavy Seas, was high on my list of albums for 2019, and in a live setting songs such as ‘Callumbus’ and ‘All Dogs are Nina’ will be huge. Anyone who has gruff punk legends A Wilhelm Scream on their must-see list for the weekend should add these to their itinerary pronto!

Wolfrik – Friday, at Gorilla (Dan)
After seeing Wolfrik tear it up at the last MPF I'm going back for seconds! They play a unique blend of metal and skate punk which is ridiculously techy. With their new album "Clones" they have furthered that sound, with songs like "Fend & Turn" managing to have some awesome tempo changes which are so smooth they sound like an orgasm for the ears. I can't wait to have my jaw well and truly dropped by them again.

Haest – Friday, at Zombie Shack (Richard)
Another band from the TNS roster that need to be checked out is Hastings’ Haest. Whilst you might not instantly think doom and punk make comfortable bedfellows, Haest meld the sounds effectively and creatively, generating enough grove and rumble to get people excited. When we’ve covered Haest previously we’ve thoroughly enjoyed them and given new material is in the offing it’s a great time to get on board this juggernaut!

Throwing Stuff – Friday, at The Bread Shed (Brett)
I would call Throwing Stuff the UK’s answer to Paint It Black. Pure emotion backed up by gut-punching beats and driving guitars, this is some of the best no-frills hardcore punk you can experience. As far as I know, Throwing Stuff is one of the few bands that has played every MPF so far, but their performances are anything but complacent. The set put on by the band at the 2019 after party was explosive and I can’t wait to experience the onslaught again.

Triple Sundae – Friday, at Gorilla (Colin)
If you’re a regular reader of CPRW then you’ll know how much we love London’s Triple Sundae. The four piece have been a big part of the South London DIY scene for years now and it’s been amazing to see them grow as a band over the years. Playing melodic pop punk music with powerful messages, in particular mental health, the dual vocals from Hassan and Zandro are always a treat. Expect plenty of sing-alongs, fists in the air and crowd surfs for this one. Don’t sleep on Triple Sundae, this is going to be a memorable moment in MPF history.

Belvedere – Friday, at The Union (Brett)
When I wrote about seeing Belvedere in my preview for the MPF that didn’t happen in 2020, I said that Belvedere is as close to perfection as I could think of for skate punk. Since then my feelings have not changed, but the band has unleashed a new album which was one of my favourites of 2021 and raised the skate punk bar once again. Still fast, still technical, and still packed with enough hooks, melodies, and harmonies to fill me with delight at the thought of witnessing Belvedere live. With such an extensive back catalogue of fan favourites, I can’t imagine anyone not having a blast.

Faintest Idea – Friday, at Gorilla (Colin)
Faintest Idea have a long history with Manchester, you could be forgiven for thinking they are a home town band. The band are always a big festival highlight and get some crazy reactions from the MPF crowd. I managed to catch the band in London in December and on that night they came with a four piece brass section and sounded better than ever. I believe that they’ve been working away on their long awaited new album and I’m hoping they play some new material alongside plenty of old favourites. As a cheeky request, I’d love it if they played Two Years Conscription – I’ve not seen them play that in years.

Zombies No – Friday, at Zombie Shack (Brett)
As with a lot of music festivals, there are always opportunities to find gems of bands that you never knew before they were added to the line-up. Zombies No first caught my attention because of their cool band name, but after listening to the band’s latest EP, All You Can Hate, I was hooked and knew I would need to make an effort to see them. Described as a multi-national band, it’s easy to hear the different influences come together to create a cohesive style of thrash-y skate punk with a few metal flourishes, reminding me of bands like Lagwagon and No Fun At All. And how often do you get to say you’ve watched a band called Zombies No playing at a venue called Zombie Shack? This can’t be a coincidence.

Apologies, I Have None – Friday, at The Bread Shed (Robyn)
AIHN easily put on one of the best sets I saw at MPF in 2018, completely captivating the crowd and showcasing some fantastic musicianship. Their songs are carefully arranged, often building up a thick emotional atmosphere before bursting open into soaring choruses. It’s a phenomenal live experience that really shows why the band has such a huge following. This is one set that definitely should not be missed.

Random Hand – Friday, at Gorilla (Colin)
Is there a more beloved band in the UK ska scene than Random Hand? After they took a hiatus in 2015, the band returned in 2018 at MPF and they’ve been killing it ever since. I don’t think there are any bands that can match the energy that Random Hand emit when they play and it always oozes into the crowd. Hearing songs such as Scum Triumphant, Bones and Anger Management being sung by every single person in Gorilla again is going to be a lovely time. Also, expect some shenanigans between Faintest Idea and Random Hand as they continue their prank wars.

Fair Do’s – Friday, at Rebellion (Dan)
Speaking of amazing Lockjaw skate punk again, Fair Do’s deliver amazing riffs and some serious speed! Being local to Manchester and playing to a home crowd they are gonna be completely in their element melting faces and blowing socks off! I am a huge fan of their “Leopards” album and can’t wait to see them again after 4 long years!!!

Thanks for reading! Tomorrow we will have Part Two of our Manchester Punk Festival 2022 Preview so be sure to check back for more of our picks.

Gig Review: Toodles & The Hectic Pity at Shacklewell Arms, London 23/3/22

When indie punk sweethearts Toodles & The Hectic Pity announced a UK tour with their friends Live, Do Nothing at the beginning of 2022, we quickly snapped up our (free) tickets for the London show. Since stumbling upon them a four or five years ago, Toodles have become big favourites in the CPRW camp so anytime they’ve come to London we’ve made the effort to go and see them. The gig would be taking place at a venue named the Shacklewell Arms which is in East London.

When we arrived at the venue – which we hadn’t been to before – I immediately felt comfortable. It was a really welcoming place that I wish I lived closer to. My thoughts throughout the entire night were what a lovely place Shacklewell Arms is. If you live nearby, make sure you support the venue!

First up was Hassan of Triple Sundae playing a rare acoustic set. Hassan was a late but very welcome addition to the line up as the original act had to drop out. Since gigs started happening again I’m pretty sure I’ve seen Hassan perform more than anyone else whether it’s with the rest of Triple Sundae or performing hip hop as Lounar. I’ve been saying for a long time that Hassan has one of the best voices in punk rock and hearing him perform acoustically really showcases that. Hassan played through many Triple Sundae classics as well as a couple of brand new songs and a Lounar track that was originally written for Triple Sundae. It was lovely to see Hassan perform like this and a great way to kick off the night.

We first saw Live, Do Nothing in September 2021 at Fishstock in Bristol. I believe that was the first time that they played with the newest incarnation of the band – with what seemed like a full orchestra. At the time, I assumed that this was something special they had done for Fishstock but it turns out this is the band now! I really enjoyed the Live, Do Nothing set. It was clear that they’ve been working hard on getting tighter as a band and it really showed. This set was full of pure joy from start to finish. The band seemed so happy to be on the stage together playing their music and that feeling spilled out into the crowd. With so many different instruments on the stage, including a cello, flute and keytar, I was super impressed with how seamless the set went and how there wasn’t any awkwardness between songs as members switched instruments around. If you haven’t ever listened to Live, Do Nothing I really suggest that you do as it’s clear that they’re on the rise and will be one of the most talked about UK bands in the next year or so.

The evening’s last act was, of course, Toodles & The Hectic Pity and we were excited. Like Live, Do Nothing, we had been fortunate enough to see Toodles at Fishstock back in September and they played a killer set. Now they were finishing a UK tour and were on top form. Also, kudos to Toodles and Live, Do Nothing for managing to get through a whole tour without having to cancel anything due to the covid. The Shacklewell arms began to fill up a little bit more in time for the band to start. I don’t know if it was folk who had turned up especially for the band or if it was people in the pub popping in to the venue room to see what was happening but, either way, they were in for a treat. The band played through songs from both of their EPs, Call In Sick and Ghosts, Guilt & Grandparents, as well as a handful of new ones and they all sounded great. Callum on vocals and guitar, Max on bass and Dom on drums and melodica are all superb musicians – and together on stage they’re like an undeniable force. I challenge anyone to go see them live and to not thoroughly enjoy themselves. For a three piece, they have a great stage presence and their music screams out to be sung along with. I’ve seen the band a number of times now and I have to say that I don’t think Callum’s vocals have ever sounded better. It’s always an absolute pleasure to see Toodles & The Hectic Pity and I’m looking forward to seeing them again at the MPF warm-up show in a few weeks time.

This review was written by Colin Clark.

Album Review: Feel The Void by Hot Water Music (by Omar Ramlugon)

It’s not overstating things to say that the last couple of years have been pretty dreadful for almost everyone. A worldwide pandemic killed literally millions of people, while we were locked inside our houses and often not even able to bid farewell to our loved ones as they passed. Having only just started to move somewhere past that, a failing state decided to threaten us all with the threat of nuclear annihilation. It has felt like there’s simply nowhere to turn at times; Hot Water Music’s Chuck Ragan is no stranger to this, admitting in a recent interview ‘[...] man, it's been a really tough couple years. There's been multiple deaths in the family ... from losing family members to our dog, there was just a lot going on.’

Just from the title alone, it’s clear that Feel The Void was very much informed by these turbulent times in which we continue to find ourselves. The album spits and crackles with all the furious energy that you’d expect from these Gainesville stalwarts, but it’s tempered with a deep warmth and humanity from life experience that comes from the majority of the band being well into their 40s by this point. Chuck Ragan and Chris Wollard have always been adept with their lyrics and vocals as they are with their guitars, never going for the obvious and instead adopting a wry, spare approach that always serves the music. Indeed, it’s a duo so well known in punk circles that the addition of The Flatliners’ Chris Cresswell may have raised a few eyebrows. Wollard even noted that Cresswell becoming their third guitarist/vocalist was uncharted territory for the band; ‘[...] I had no clue how to do it with three. I didn’t have a plan. I don’t think any of us did, other than plug in and figure it out.’

And figure it out they did. With Brian McTernan at the helm producing, Feel The Void is easily Hot Water Music’s best record for a long while. Whether it’s the shot in the arm from Cresswell, having McTernan back in the fold, or just finding strength in each other and channelling difficult days into their music, they sound revitalised. The album confidently moves through different moods and feelings we’ve all had these last few years, whether it’s the pulse-pounding rage and anxiety of ‘Killing Time’, the laughing in the face of pain exemplified by ‘Collect Your Things And Run’, which manages to make a brilliant hook out of the rhyme “Count to 4, 5, 6, I feel like shit”, or the heart-breaking, grief stricken ‘Habitual’.

The mix is marvellously uncluttered, even with three guitarists, allowing them all to find their place while Jason Black and George Rebelo’s killer rhythm section is as fantastically in the pocket as ever. Vocally, everyone is sounding on top of their game, with Ragan’s stentorian roar, Wollard’s smoky but slightly more tuneful rasp, and Cresswell’s more polished delivery shining, whether they’re backing each other up or leading the charge. The tag team approach taken on the title track is particularly thrilling. Cresswell does lead a song of his own – the killer ‘Turn The Dial’ – and it’s testament to his ability as a musician that he isn’t overshadowed by the four punk lifers around him. Elsewhere, the gnarly rush of ‘Scratch On’ is followed by the almost ballad-like ‘Ride On’, and the album closes itself out with the tuneful, defiant ‘Lock Up’, which features one of the best and most apropos chorus lyrics for these times; “Damn the world that rakes me over the coals/Every day I owe”.

This is a really special record. While there are plenty of cuts that will instantly win you over, there’s still more that don’t grab you at first flush but will slowly work their hooks into you with each listen. It’s Hot Water Music’s best record since The New What Next, easily surpassing Light It Up and pipping Exister to the post. It’s fraught with pain, uncertainty and frustration, but underpinning it all is a sense of the strength garnered from allowing yourself to be vulnerable, so as to confront your darkest impulses with the help of your loved ones, even if that pain comes from letting a loved one go. If that sounds like it would appeal to you, then don’t hesitate to pick this up. We could all do with some reassurance these days, and if Hot Water Music are still making records this good, that has to count for something.

Stream and download Feel The Void on Bandcamp here, as well the the other usual music outlets.

Like Hot Water Music on Facebook here.

This review was written by Omar Ramlugon.

CPRW Playlist: March 2022

CPRW Playlist: Here's what Brett, Chris, Dan#2, Emma, Ilse, Lara, Marcus, Omar, Rich, Richard, Robyn, Theo and myself have been listening to in March.

Album Review: Groundhog Days by Clueless (by Ilse R. Smit)

Generally speaking, contributors get to pick which release we want to review – a pretty sweet deal. However, sometimes the release picks you and that can be the best thing. It really means a lot when an artist/band trusts you with their new material before it gets released, such an honour! I had the pleasure to receive and review the new Clueless record, Groundhog Days. Clueless is a Dutch power pop band from Enschede that has been around since 1999 with its members currently scattered across the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Their new album has been in the making for a couple of years now and will finally emerge and not see its own shadow on April 1st (or whatever the tradition is). I hereby invite you to unleash your inner groundhog and burrow through this record with me.

The opener of the album is You Do The Talking. I love the energy, it sets you up for what is yet to come perfectly. I also love the little “whoo!” in the synth-heavy intro, those are so fun. Not unlike most of the other tracks on the record, you can’t get around the uplifting and lively sound of Clueless. The lyrics on the other hand are a lot darker and more vulnerable sounding, not wanting to be left alone with your thoughts, but made easily digestible by the easy-on-the-ears instrumentals and Tim ‘Voice of an angel’ van Doorn’s vocals. This guy can make a desperate plea to keep him company sound sweet and endearing. The lyric “My brain is my biggest enemy” hits HARD though! I especially like how the delivery of that lyric in the last verse contrasts with the pleasant sound of the rest of the song, perhaps signifying that the “battle for sanity” is not looking so good for him at that point.

The opener is followed by the track There’s A Schnitzel In My Pocket and I can’t write about/listen to this lyric without it making me laugh. This song sounds a tad heavier (also less synthy) and makes me think of confronting yourself with maybe not so healthy coping mechanisms, dealing with the fact that you’re getting older, making poor decisions under influence of poor mental health and/or substance abuse, suffering the consequences and not learning from your mistakes. The underlying weight of the lyrics do come through a little stronger compared to the first song, but is still (as the title suggests) very upbeat and fun to listen to.

Track three is called Something Loud. The synth is back, the intro could have been from a The Rocket song. All these songs have so many layers to them, you’ll keep noticing different things as you listen to them. The backing vocals/harmonies really stand out to me in this one. If I had the voice, I’d love to belt out the bridge (which feels more like an alternative chorus). I think the song tackles the feeling of a mismatch between your skills and expertise, the skills and abilities that are useful to assist someone in your life who needs help, and feeling useless for not being sure what you can do for them. However, I also think that this song can provide some comfort to anyone who listens to it, so there you have it!

We shift gears as we reach Bathroom Breaks, and we transition from the personal to the political and kick it up a notch while we’re at it. Speth’s drumming really stands out here, giving the track a skate-punk edge we haven’t heard thus far. Speaking of things we haven’t heard up until this point: the delivery of the second verse is razor sharp, as could be expected when Hans Roofthooft (F.O.D. and solo work) is generous enough to provide guest-vocals. Van Doorn’s and Roofhooft’s voices really complement each other, which manages to give the message of the song more gravitas. We see and know history is repeating itself. But rather than just observing the normalisation of harmful ideologies, what’s the plan?

The Answer Is Zero is the first song that nested itself in my brain as I first started listening to the album. The chorus is incredibly catchy and I love a gaming-reference (that I get). I’d say it’s a great feel-good/cheer-up track! It’s a well crafted reminder to not overthink as much as we do, and to try to come to terms with the fact that we make mistakes. There’s no point in (mentally) re-living a situation time and time again, and Clueless wants you to know it’s okay to just move on. Isn’t that lovely?

Doubting yourself? Imposter syndrome got you down? Put on Scapegoat and your worries will melt away instantly! I imagine this song being the embodiment of the sentiment expressed in Something Loud (comforting and supporting someone through art rather than helping with everyday tasks), although I’m fairly certain that doesn’t add up chronologically when looking at the writing process.

Ode To The Sun V2 manages to be both kind of sad and uplifting. The lyrics are clearly very heartfelt, coming from a place of grief and having started processing loss. Coming to terms with the anger-phase and its repercussions. That, even though it won’t be easy, there is beauty to be found in pain as well – a paper-thin silver lining if you will.

Time for the title track! It opens with a fragment of a certain Bill Murray-venture (no, it’s not Ghostbusters) and also happens to be the first song to be written for this release (coincidence? I think not!). The lead guitar really drives the intro forward, contrasting wonderfully with the harmonies in the intro. My favourite lyric is “You wonder what tomorrow brings, When it is you that does the grocery shopping”. It’s very easy to feel stuck, like you’re not moving forward, especially when you’re coping with grief or depression, and that’s very understandable! But eventually you are the one who’s in charge of what’s gonna happen next. The lyric seems kinda funny at first, because of how specific it is, but I think it’s a great metaphor!

If you somehow dozed off at this point, Timmy D & The Art Of Postponing is sure to be an attention-grabber. Short but sweet, and mostly FAST! There’s a lot happening there, which makes it an interesting (very repeatable) listen. And it’s relatable as hell. This is the soundtrack to not being able to get yourself to work when you have bunch of stuff *internal screaming*. Those familiar with Van Doorn’s other band(s), St. Plaster, will probably notice some hints of I Can Stop Anytime I Want – The Capitalist in there (he’s not being subtle, but I’m not mad about it).

If the intro of Too Far South gave you the impression that it was gonna be a slow song, you’ll soon find out that you are dead wrong. Its upbeat sound might not be a unique selling point, given the rest of the album, but this time the lyrics actually match the vibe! It’s all about daring to dream and give it a go! I love it when a lyricist is not afraid to paint an unflattering picture of themselves but my favourite lyric from the song goes to “One foot in the grave? Well the other’s gonna dance”. It makes a lot of sense to put this song on the second half of the album, a lovely change of pace lyrically.

Numb Skull (This One’s For You, Stephen Miller) was the first single to be released from the album and it’s a banger, a great choice! A proper punk rock track, giving the finger to all the Stephen Millers out there. All the pieces work perfectly together, always highlighting something without drowning out the vocals or guitars. It sounds edgy and smooth at the same time, which is my sweet spot. If that wasn’t enough, Clueless is joined by Perry Leenhouts (The Travoltas) in the second verse. Not unlike Roofthooft, Leenhouts has a very distinct voice and that really adds another layer to the track. Leenhouts also produced Clueless’s first album, and we love a full circle moment.

Ricochet is an interesting song because although it definitely belongs on the record, it’s unlike anything we’ve heard so far. Calming, like being at the beach, watching small waves roll onto the sand. The acoustic guitar plays a prominent role in this song, but in my opinion the real MVP are the pizzicato-style violin samples (a technique that uses string picking rather than the bow). That really makes it sound more whimsical and dreamy, it’s a very interesting instrumental technique that I don’t hear on a lot of punk rock records!

Favourite lyric: “Full color isn’t always right. The grey makes me able to sleep at night”
This lyric stood out to me because I feel like we tend to focus on our peaks, and while that is understandable, it would be way too intense and probably quite unfulfilling if our life would consist of highlights only. We may not always appreciate the grey days, but we sure need them to appreciate those full colour moments, or to just prevent ourselves from burning the F out.

The subject matter of Feed Me Distractions, given the context of the rest of the album, is fairly self explanatory in my opinion. I love the contrast between the verses (more frantic and faster) and the chorus, and the seamless transitions between them.

Favourite lyric: “Words are redundant but loudness is golden”. Perfectly describes the sentiment of the song. The distraction itself doesn’t matter, as long as it works and takes your mind off of whatever is consuming you. But in itself it also works on a different level as it makes me think of how we as a society seemingly prioritise the medium over the content in a general sense. Real deep stuff.

With this last song, Perspective’s The Keyword, I was very curious about the lyrics. Because on the first couple of listens (without having the lyrics in front of me), there were some instances where I was thinking: “wait, what are they trying to say here?”. As the title suggests, several perspectives are represented in the lyrics and catching that makes it a lot easier to interpret them. Not gonna lie, I’m having a pretty hard time writing about it because I have a complicated relationship with the subject. Like, I don’t know what the right way to deal with people that support racist traditions/beliefs is. Sometimes I feel like people try to humanise them a little too much. Like me just now, why did I not just call them “racists”? What good does it do to keep empathising with people that (indirectly) cause harm? While at the same time, I also believe that a significant portion of those people are just a product of their environment that up until recently never had anything or anyone challenge the way they (sub)consciously see the world, and lash out because they feel threatened by that.

I understand wanting to shut out any opinions that strongly contradict your own, while at the same time I don’t want “the other side” to do the same thing and bubble up as well. But I also don’t think it’s reasonable to expect people to “just have a conversation” with whoever defends racist (or any other -ist or -phobic) viewpoints or actions all the time, especially when they’re on the receiving end of those actions.

However, to get back to the song, I guess at the end of the day I do think it’s important to challenge yourself every now and then. To not (always) instantly dismiss people and to be aware that they indeed can change. What a way to close Groundhog Days.

This album, what a ride! If you made it this far, props to you, you’re a real one. Don’t let the length of this review scare you off! It’s not nearly as heavy as I make it look, it’s such an easy and fun listen. Those 39 minutes fly by! Daniël, Florian, Tim and Willem, you’ve all done an amazing job making a heartfelt, upbeat album that shows range, yet it has a very recognisable and incredible sound. Since the band won’t be performing live any day soon, come hang out with Tim van Doorn on April 1st at this Facebook-live event!

You can stream and download Groundhog Days on Bandcamp and most, if not all other streaming platforms. Like Tim van Doorn on Facebook here.

This review was written by Ilse R. Smit.

Album Review: Cuts by One Million Motors

One Million Motors are a four piece alt-punk band from Newcastle in the North of England. They’ve been working hard at their craft for a number of years now and have a handful of tours and releases under their belt. In 2021 they released one of my favourite songs of the year in the form of You’re Not Viable (You Just Don’t Know It Yet) and now they have just released a brand new EP titled Cuts. It features four brand new songs that I was very excited to hear.

The first of the four songs on Cuts is titled They’re Getting Away With This. The opening guitar feels like a siren going off before the rumbling bass line joins the party. It’s not long before the whole band gets involved and we get some explosive vocals. It’s a political song calling for us not to let the people in power get away with all their wrong doings. The song is shorter than a lot of previous One Million Motors songs and certainly packs the punch I suspect they were aiming for. Next is Distractions which again starts with a killer guitar line. This song does go over three minutes long which allows more time to build and grow. Of the four songs on Cuts, Distractions is definitely the most familiar sounding for folk who were already a fan of the band. I’d like to say that the song has some quiet parts and some louder parts but, in truth, it’s more that it’s got some loud parts and some much louder parts – I loved this. Great tune.

ACW was the first song that One Million Motors shared in the build up towards the EP’s release. At just one minute long, it felt like a perfect teaser for what was to come. Starting out with a phone ringing before we blast into a song that manages to pack a lot into its short time frame. I was a bit disappointed that it didn’t go on for longer as it finished just as I felt like it was getting going but it did leave me itching for more. Last up is Know What’s Best. From the beginning of this track I noticed a shift towards a heavier, more fancy guitar riff style for the band. This gives the band a whole new layer to their sound and helps them stand out from many of their contemporaries. It also shows off just what a talented bunch of musicians the folk in this band are. Special nod to the drumming which is first class throughout the whole EP. Despite the heavier sound, the track is packed full of hooks and moments to scream your lungs hoarse too.

Cuts is another fine release from what I think is one of the most exciting newer bands in the UK. If you don’t know One Million Motors yet then now is the time to check them out.

Stream and download Cuts on Bandcamp here.

Like One Million Motors on Facebook here.

This review was written by Colin Clark.