Showing posts with label France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label France. Show all posts

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Bart and the Brats - Brats Being Brats


Bart is back! Out on Big Neck Records, Brats Being Brats is the 7th 7" record from La Rochelle, France's one-man wrecking crew Bart and the Brats. The title says it all. You should expect nothing different than usual from Bart. He's not attempting five-minute epics or trying to learn a fourth chord. He's not singing about his feelings. He's here to deliver four more tracks of thumping meat and potatoes rock 'n' roll that bridges the 1977 punk explosion to the '90s budget punk heyday. Expect vocals drenched in attitude, lyrics that tell it like it is, pummeling power chords, rapid-fire drums and bass, and songs that never overstay their welcome. Who can't relate to songs about killing your TV and needing three coffees before noon? As always, Lo'Spider was on hand to catch this madness on tape at Swampland, Toulouse. As France shows the whole world that it's unbeatable on the football pitch, Bart and the Brats would make one hell of a run if there were a World Cup of punk rock. Vinyl is limited and sure to go fast!

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Sunday, May 24, 2026

Bart and the Brats - Pushin' Your Luck


A good, old-fashioned best-of compilation album is something you rarely see in the indie music world. But that's exactly what we have here from Bart and the Brats, France's #1 '77-style garage punk (one-man) band. Out on London's Dirty Water Records, the new LP Pushin' Your Luck features 15 selections from Bart's existing discography (consisting of four-and-a-half albums and six EPs) and one previously unreleased track called "Pissin' in the Wind." Putting out this album was either a terrible idea or a stroke of genius. A good chunk of these songs have never been available on an LP. And if you've been aware of Bart and the Brats but have never pulled the trigger on buying a record, Pushin' Your Luck is a fine sampling of the band's body of work. It includes a whole slew of fan favorites such as "Can't Stand the Beatles," "Masochistic Pigs," "Constant Nonsense," "Good Cop, Bad Cop," and "Sick, Sick, Sick." 

Recorded by Lo'Spider at Swampland, Toulouse and remastered for this release, these 16 tracks blast out raw, primitive three-chord punk that thumps you in the head with one hand and gives you the finger with the other. The joke about Bart and the Brats might be something along the lines of "If you've heard one of their records, you've heard them all." But that's a good thing, right? We don't want things like progress, artistic ambition, or proper musicianship ruining this band. Just look at some of the labels that have jumped on the Bart train: No Front Teeth, Sweet Time, Big Neck, Take the City....man, that's the best of the best in the punk rock world! This band embodies just about everything that makes punk music so great. I don't want to tell you to not buy all Bart's stuff. But since we're living in times of economic distress, you might need to be stingy with your cash. On that note, Pushin' Your Luck is a lot of value for the money and an excellent representation of a truly killer band.

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Friday, May 22, 2026

Dimmicks - Love, Raptors, and Robots


Back with a new single, Toulouse, France's Dimmicks continue to be one of the most exciting and delightful new bands in the pop-punk universe. Love, Raptors, and Robots delivers two more songs in the band's wheelhouse of science fiction and pop culture obsession. Musically, this is top-tier pop-punk all the way. It's full of tasty guitar leads, harmonies to die for, super-catchy melodies, and a pure spirit of fun that is truly infectious. Perhaps music sometimes ought to be serious and have something important to say. But sometimes you just want to crank up some tunes and feel good about life. Love, Raptors, and Robots will make you smile and fill your soul with joy. It ought to be a lock for your 2026 summer playlist!

-L.R.

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Sunday, December 07, 2025

Dimmicks - self-titled EP


Dimmicks from Toulouse, France are here with a debut release that practically defines perfect pop-punk music. There's little else that needs to be said about this EP. This is the way this type of music ought to be played. These songs are catchy as hell yet hit plenty hard, and they're the epitome of high-spirited sing-along fun. If three-chord tunes chock full of peppy harmonies, cool pop culture references (these folks really like Quentin Tarantino movies!), stick-in-your-head melodies, and super-tasty guitar hooks sound like your cup of tea, Dimmicks are absolutely the band for you. I just love this band's energy, and all six of these tracks are stone-cold earworms. Anyone looking for some infectious pop-punk that totally rocks will want to turn their attention to southern France!

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Saturday, June 07, 2025

Lùlù - self titled

You hardly need me to tell you that Lùlù's self-titled debut album is going to be one of this summer's hottest album releases. Once the band dropped its crackling debut single back in November, I think we all began to eagerly await a full album. And as more singles were leaked in the ensuing months, it became obvious that Lùlù was no one-hit-wonder. Sometimes all it takes is two or three songs to establish that a band has something special cooking. Whatever "it" is, Fanny, Luc, Sabrina, Simon, and Théo have got it in spades. 

Based in Lyon and Marseille, Lùlù is both very typical of the modern-day European power pop scene but also completely unique in that scene. For one thing, the band's lyrics are sung in French and Italian. And in terms of its musical influences, Lùlù is anything but conventional in the power pop world. Some of its inspirations (Italian pop, '70s riff rock, '60s pop, classic soul music) are easily discernible. Others (modern hardcore and dark Scandinavian punk) are more subtle but definitely part of the unique musical mélange that makes Lùlù such a standout band. Part of me feels like I'm missing out a little since I don't really know what the lyrics are saying. But another part of me feels like it doesn't really matter. One only needs to be fluent in the universal language of rock 'n' roll to enjoy and appreciate this remarkable debut album. You can feel the energy and the joy in every note. This album (co-released by Howlin Banana, Dangerhouse Skylab, and Taken by Surprise Records) was made to be blasted at full volume while you're driving way too fast with the windows down, dancing on the beach in your Speedo, guzzling beers in the backyard, pre-gaming for a live show, or enjoying the summer in any other possible manner. These songs are massively catchy, and they rock just as much as they pop. Even if you took out the two bookend smashes ("Lùlù" and "Sur la Corde"), you'd still have a pretty great album. You can call Lùlù a fantastic power pop album, but that doesn't quite do it justice. It's just a fantastic album, period, and it brings a true jolt of excitement into the indie rock scene. You're gonna see a lot of rave reviews for this thing, and all of them are fully deserved!

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Sunday, May 18, 2025

Split System/Les Lullies - split 7"


So Split System released one of the best punk rock singles of this year, and for whatever reason, I never got around to writing anything about it. So perhaps I should weigh in on the band's split single with France's Les Lullies before I blink and it's suddenly December. There are so many great punk bands in Australia right now, but I wouldn't fight you if you said Split System was the best of them all. This band just kills it time and time again, and its contribution to this split is no throwaway. "Chemicals" is another essential shot of ferocious, hard-hitting punk rock 'n' roll that socks you in the mouth. "A L'Etroit," Les Lullies' contribution to this split, is a ripper in its own right — bringing that catchy '77-style punk rock energy with speed and vigor. If this is your first time hearing Les Lullies, I highly recommended a deeper dive into the band's catalog. This is a nice pairing of bands who have musical styles that are somewhat different but also somewhat similar. They'll be out on the road together in Europe next month, so be sure to check their social media for more info. Their split is available on vinyl from Legless in Australia and Drunken Sailor Records in the UK.!

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Saturday, May 03, 2025

Bart and the Brats - Missed Hits


Bart and the Brats have been a model of consistency since 2021 — releasing six 7" singles, a 10" EP, and now three proper LPs. You always know what you're getting from Bart: smashing '77-style punk rock with a '90s garage punk feel. Anything this one-man-band releases is an essential purchase. But I must concur with King Ralph, who maintains that Bart's new album Missed Hits is even better than we could have expected. Out on the illustrious Sweet Time Records, Missed Hits is everything you've ever loved about Bart and the Brats taken to the next level. This is Bart's best batch of tunes to date, and the energy level is off the charts. Again recording with producer extraordinaire Lo'Spider, Bart attains the perfect sound for a punk rock record: raw & lo-fi but most definitely not low quality. And when it comes to Bart and the Brats, variety is always the spice of life. This album dishes out a perfect mix of Ramones-style thumpers, old school three-chord snot-rockets, mid-paced punk tunes, and fast & furious rippers along with a few nods to more modern garage punk and a scorching, chillingly relevant cover of The Kids' classic "Fascist Cops." If Bart and the Brats always sounded like a '77 UK punk band releasing music on Rip Off Records, Missed Hits leans into that vibe (Jim Kuczkowski mastered the album!) while also bringing more 21st century garage punk influences into the mix. The album as a whole reflects on the struggle to stay sane in these very insane times, and the urgency of this theme is palpable in the music. Crank up these tunes, jump around, shout along, and rage against all that ails this messed-up world!

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Sunday, April 20, 2025

Bart and the Brats/Jacket Burner - Good Cop / Bad Cop split 7"


Well here we've got ourselves another must-have split! Out on the legendary Goodbye Boozy, the "Good Cop/Bad Cop" 7" finds France's Bart and the Brats and New Mexico's Jacket Burner teaming up for some first-rate budget punk action. Bart and the Brats, as always, thump it out in the '77 punk style with force and fury. "Pigeonholed" is a fast-paced smasher that brings to mind the Ramones at their most aggressive. "Good Cop, Bad Cop" dials back the tempo a tad but still punches you in the mouth. This is how you do it: two tracks in under four minutes, and everyone is left wanting more. On its half of the split, Jacket Burner tears through two tracks of trashy, ripping garage punk that will have you feeling like 2005 never ended. How can you not love a song called "Born Fucked"? What I love about this release is that it contains top quality material from both bands. There's no filler here, folks: simply killer punk rock just the way you like it! And be ready: a brand-new Bart and the Brats full-length is dropping in just a few days!

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Saturday, April 05, 2025

Lùlù - "Sur la Corde"


French power pop band Lùlù took the world by storm last year with its self-titled debut single. And now, in advance of its full-length debut, it has unveiled its second single, "Sur la Corde." Lùlù (featuring members of AVIONS, Irnini Mons, Pogy et les Kéfars, and Edgar Suit) is now making it clear that that its first single was no fluke. This band is the real deal! "Sur la Corde" is a song about the trials and tribulations of being in a band: the strained relationships, the mixed emotions, and the drama that can ensue when everyone runs out of patience. Surely many of you reading this right now can relate. Sometimes your bandmates can seem like your best friends and your worst enemies at the exact same time! Lùlù's debut LP will be out soon on Howlin' Banana Records (France), Dangerhouse (France) and Taken By Surprise (Germany). For now, enjoy the anthemic power pop of  "Sur la Corde"!

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Saturday, February 22, 2025

Public Toys - self titled


How about another smashing cassette release from the mighty River Trash Records! Public Toys are based in Lille, France and feature ex-members of Crusaders of Love and Moron's Morons (among others). On this four-song tape, the band blends blistering budget trash with spectacularly sleazy old school glam-punk rock 'n' roll. From the opening strains of "Shell Beach," you can practically smell the booze, sweat, and garage gasoline fumes. If you like smoking lead guitar, howling vocals, and a primitive, bashing musical spirit, you will find lots to love in these four songs. This is a promising debut, and I'm excited to hear more from Public Toys. River Trash sure knows how to pick 'em!

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Sunday, December 15, 2024

Bart And The Brats - Only Fair


You can always depend on Bart And The Brats! On its latest EP, La Rochelle, France's most formidable one-man punk rock recording project continues to smash it up, '77-style. Recorded by Lo'Spider at Swampland in Toulouse last year, these four tracks rip hard in the band's usual Ramones meet The Kids meet Zeros meet The Lurkers on Rip Off Records fashion. "Only Fair," the title track, is the "epic" of the bunch with a running time of two minutes, 45 seconds. Nothing else surpasses two minutes, and Bart wastes no time getting down to business. You know what to expect: tough, hard-hitting, up-tempo punk tunes that will pummel your ears without having to resort to a fourth chord. Only Fair was co-released by Dirty Water Records and the band's label Roaring Blood. You know you want it, and you know you need to play it loud!

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Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Lùlù - "Lùlù"


Oh boy, you all are gonna love this one! Lùlù is a French power pop band based in Lyon and Marseille. The band, in its own words, plays "love songs for the anxious and glam rock nuggets for the dreamers." Now that speaks to my soul! Lùlù's lyrics are in French and Italian, but you don't need to be bilingual to appreciate the greatness of its debut single, "Lùlù" (I always love a band with its own theme song!). This tune is chock full of hooks, and it exudes feelgood vibes all day. When I think of the term "power pop," this is exactly the kind of song that comes to mind. It touches on themes of heartbreak but channels it all into positive energy. I want to brush up on my French so I can sing along properly! My god, this song is a banger. The video is really fun too. Something tells me this is going to be a totally huge band in power pop circles, so you might as well get in on the ground floor. "Lùlù" is out now on Howlin' Banana Records. A full-length album is coming next year!

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Friday, October 25, 2024

Alvilda - C'est D​é​jà L'heure


I can't believe it has been more than three years since Alvilda released its debut EP on Alien Snatch Records. Man, time flies! The Paris-based foursome returns today with C'est D​é​jà L'heure, its fantastic debut long player on Static Shock Records. This full-length release finds Alvilda sticking with the sound that first captured our hearts back in pandemic times: '60s girl group pop by way of '70s power pop with an old school punk rock edge and lyrics sung in French. What's not to love? I suppose I'd get even more out of this record if I knew what they were singing about, but knowing French is by no means a prerequisite for enjoying Alvilda. From start to finish, this album delivers the catchiest and most infectious power pop punk songs you could ever hope to hear. If you wondered what Alvilda has been up to over the last three years, the answer is clear: the band has been developing its chops on stage, honing its craft, and perfecting its timeless power pop sound. Ten tracks in a little under a half hour go by so fast because every second is a delight. As the title suggests, C'est D​é​jà L'heure was a long time in the making. But there's no denying it was worth the wait.

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Sunday, March 10, 2024

Bart and the Brats - Can't Think Straight


Perhaps the only thing in life as dependable as death & taxes are Bart and the Brats, who return with another superb release of '77-style punk rock stripped to its bare bones. Still fresh off a third LP and a killer split with Battlebeats, Bart hit the studio with Lo' Spider in Toulouse this past fall and knocked out Can't Think Straight — out now on 7" record on the labels Juvenile Delinquent and Take The City Records. Bart isn't messing with the recipe one bit, and why would he? These two-minute, three-chord bangers bring to mind the Ramones in first album form and UK counterparts such as The Lurkers and Vibrators. Bart's vocal style is immediately recognizable, and his ability to churn out simple, thumping punk tunes of the highest quality is hard to beat. Put any of these songs on a compilation of 1977 punk tracks, and they won't sound out of place! 

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Sunday, March 03, 2024

Human Toys - "Go Go Alco"/ "Generation Shit"


Here's one you're all gonna like! Human Toys are a Paris-based duo made up of Poupée Mecanik and the legendary Jon Von. Out now on the Los Angeles label Outro Records, the duo's new single "Go Go Alco"/ "Generation Shit" is its first new release since the 2020 long player Spin To Win. You know what you're getting with Jon Von's songwriting, and Human Toys add an extra dimension with Poupée's charismatic vocals and dandy Theremin chops. In Jon Von's own words, "The A-side concerns our friend Alco Degurutieni from Japan and a nightmarish day getting to a gig." On the B-side, "Generation Shit" opines on the current state of the world and in particular the apathy of certain individuals. If you're expecting poppy garage punk of the highest caliber, you will not be disappointed by either of these songs. They're both bangers! Be sure to check out the music video for "Go Go Alco" (embedded below), which was directed by Iris Razzle and illustrates the story told in the song. Hit up the Outro Records store to order a copy of the record!

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Saturday, September 23, 2023

The Suttles - Third Stroke


Fred, Julian, and Max are back with their third album in three calendar years. And I'm sure not complaining! On Third Stroke, The Suttles continue to do what they've always done so well: make music influenced by all my favorite records! The Paris-based trio's sweet spot is '77 UK punk and mod meets late '70s power pop. That couldn't be any more up my alley, and Third Stroke finds the band in top form. "Without a Sound" kicks things off sounding like The Undertones meets The Real Kids, and it's off to the races from there. "Un Certain Temps" (with lyrics sung in French) reminds me of first album Clash. "Make You Mine" reinterprets an obscure 1971 Fairchild B-side as classic power pop. "Weekend à Lille" channels the pub rock stylings of The Vibrators and Eddie & The Hot Rods. "You'd Better Dance" sounds like it could be an outtake from Joe Jackson's Look Sharp. And then you have "quintessential Suttles" numbers like "Stuck On You" and "Won't Come Back to Me" that do not disappoint. Track after track, the band delivers a tune that's catchy as hell and sure to have you reaching for your dancing shoes. To be able to turn out three albums in this style and actually get better with each release is quite the impressive feat. The Suttles are on a roll that I hope never ends!

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Sunday, May 28, 2023

Les Lullies - Mauvaise Foi


Woooooo! On Mauvaise Foi, their second full-length album, French punks Les Lullies rip it up with ten of the catchiest, most rocking tracks you'll hear all year. Out now on Slovenly Recordings, Mauvaise Foi finds this Montpellier-based foursome in truly fine form. If you're offering my ears some old school punk rock and roll with hints of power pop, you know I'm always going to be receptive. And Les Lullies execute this style better than most. From the opening chords of the title track to the final strains of "Animal," Les Lullies bring the energy, the attitude, and hooks to spare. It matters little that I have no idea what they're singing about most of the time. I still wanna bob my head up and down, sing along, and make a mess around the house just for the fun of it. If your favorite '77 punk bands were the ones that just essentially played rock and roll faster and more furiously, tunes like "Mauvaise Foi," "Soirée Standard," and "Zéro Ambition" will be music to your ears (literally). "Station Service" reminds me of first album Clash, you know I'm not complaining! A cover of the Jackie DeShannon classic "When You Walk in the Room" is totally excellent and quite complementary to the album's original tracks. You've probably been hearing quite a bit about Mauvaise Foi lately from the finest blogs and radio programs. You wanna know why? Because it's freaking awesome!

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Thursday, September 15, 2022

Bart and the Brats - self titled


Following a 10", a 7", and a split 7" with Take the City, France's Bart and the Brats have unleashed their proper debut LP via two of the greatest punk record labels ever: No Front Teeth and Big Neck Records. And as expected, it's a smashing slab of wax! Bart and the Brats are the solo project of the prolific punk musician Bart De Vraantijk (Pneumonias, Wild Zeros, Teenage Hearts, The Janitors, etc.). With this project, Bart hones in on the classic '77 punk sound — taking equal inspiration from both sides of the Atlantic. If you dig The Kids, Zeros, the first two Ramones albums, and the tougher/snottier side of early U.K. punk, then Bart and the Brats will be right up your alley. You know I'm always a sucker for the classic '77 sound, and Bart really hits the sweet spot on these 12 ripping tracks. He knows how to write a rockin' punk tune that will get your head bobbing and your toes tapping. There's no fooling around here: every song gets the job done in two minutes or thereabouts, and then it's on to the next one. With this being a Bart De Vraantijk project, you know you're getting a little of that garage/budget rawness in the production and performance. But stylistically, this album is all about the sound of '77. Bart is a master at writing catchy tunes that are chock full of attitude, and he has delivered the goods on this self-titled release. If ever an album existed that needed to be co-released by Big Neck and No Front Teeth, this is the one!

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Friday, February 04, 2022

The Suttles - Stories


Stories, the second album from Paris trio The Suttles, could not be any more up my alley. It meets at the intersection of power pop and '77 punk rock with additional touches of mod and new wave. You may recognize Fred, Julian, and Max as three-fifths of Jon & the Vons. And these guys have been in plenty of other cool bands such as Opération-S, Protokids, Les Braqueurs, and Les Terribles. These three formed The Suttles in 2019 and have already gotten two full-length releases out the door. Stories follows the same blueprint as last year's self-titled debut on Les Disques à Rebours. The songs are tuneful and energetic, and they're influenced by all of your favorite records from 1977 through 1980. "I Wanna Get That Girl" is quintessential punky power pop and a great tone-setter for the whole album. "First Time" is not a cover of The Boys' song, but it sure reminds me of The Boys! "Papercut" and "Arrête de Penser" are straight-up '77-style punk bangers. "It's Alright" is textbook power pop. "Seul" is bang-on Jam worship. "Bad Time" is a killer cover of the classic tune by the old British beat group The Roulettes. Punk/powerpop is always a go-to genre for me, and The Suttles have once again totally nailed that sound. Order Stories now from Topsy-Turvy Records!


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Sunday, November 07, 2021

Bart and the Brats - Livin´ in the Future/Dogged



Before I even heard a note of the music, I saw the band name Bart and the Brats and knew I was going to be a fan. I was not wrong! It turns out that Bart and the Brats is a solo project from French punk rocker extraordinaire Bart De Vraantijk (Wild Zeros, Teenage Hearts, The Janitors, Pneumonias, The Skeptics). Out on the Madrid-based Label Take The City Records, the new 7" Livin' in the Future is actually Bart's second release of 2021. As a '77 punk enthusiast, I'm totally digging these three tracks -- which mix the style and simplicity of original era punk rock with the rawness of '90s-style budget punk. The title track is destined to appear on Bloodstains Across Europe Volume 27! Somehow I missed a previous Bart and the Brats album titled Dogged that was released on 10" vinyl by Chickpea Records back in the spring. Taking inspiration from the o.g. punk rock sounds of the U.K., mainland Europe, and both coasts of the U.S.A., Dogged plays like a genuine 1977 release that somehow got vaulted into the future. The album features ten smashing originals plus covers of The Undertones and Blitzkrieg Bop. Get ready to crank up the volume and pogo around the house! You can order a bundle of the 7" and 10" for just €13 from Bart's Bandcamp. Livin' in the Future is also available from Take The City's Bandcamp. If Bart really is a time traveler from 44 years ago, he can alert his old friends of a surprising future where flying cars still don't exist but The Kids remain one of the most popular punk bands on the planet. Who would have imagined? 

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