The Scunthorpe Yobs - Kick It 'Til It Breaks

Mick Bladder's mighty punk/Oi! super-group The Scunthorpe Yobs are back with album #2, which does not mess around with a winning recipe. Also featuring members of bands such as Oil!, The Generators, The Randumbs, and Smogtown, The Scunthorpe Yobs are based in Southern California but sound like they just stepped out of the U.K. circa 1979-82. If you dig classic Oi! a la Cockney Rejects, Angelic Upstarts, and Sham 69 along with tougher first wave U.K. punk (Menace, UK Subs) and early '80s British street punk (Anti-Nowhere League, Blitz), The Scunthorpe Yobs will be right up your alley. Having already nailed this sound perfectly on 2023's We Are The Yobs, the band was going to be challenged to top itself. But I must say that Kick It 'Til It Breaks is even stronger than its predecessor, pounding out ten tracks of beer-swilling, first-pumping, teeth-kicking punk rock that mixes serious social commentary with boorish humor and a fuck-off attitude. Of course songs like "Hey Wanker," "Lager Frenzy," and "Two Finger Salute" live up to the promise of their titles. But "Council Estates," "Class War," and "Sing Through the Pain" prove that these self-proclaimed yobs are far more thoughtful and sophisticated than they let on. When it comes to old school street punk, this album checks all the boxes. These songs are powerful and aggressive yet also tuneful, anthemic, and fun to sing along with (preferably with a pint in your hand). If you didn't think music like this was still being made, well, you're wrong! Kick It 'Til It Breaks will be best enjoyed if played loud enough to piss off your neighbors, co-workers, or family members. It's available now from the iconic No Front Teeth Records!

-L.R.

https://open.spotify.com/album/0PgShWbgMsM3FEF5srSeLz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUbCkEGHIds&list=OLAK5uy_nVTCwLES_LMsQgYyMv0SKraEi1Onmzj_k
https://www.nofrontteeth.co.uk/

The Scunthorpe Yobs - We Are The Yobs

I absolutely flipped out when I was looking over the new releases from No Front Teeth Records and saw a debut album from a band formed from the ashes of Bladder Bladder Bladder. Bladder Bladder Bladder were one of my favorite punk rock bands back in the '90s, and I was always a bit outraged that they weren't absolutely massive. So it's a thrill to come across The Scunthorpe Yobs — who represent the next chapter in the Bladder Bladder Bladder saga. The mighty Mick Bladder can still shout and offend with the best of 'em! Also on board are some heavy hitters from the last 25 years of California punk rock. The band's lineup features past and present members of Oil!, The Generators, The Randumbs, Gross Polluter, The Feelers, Trust Fund Babies, Smash The Granny, Outsiders, and The Shrinks (just to name a few). Now that's a supergroup (or at least a super group!). On their debut long player, We Are The Yobs, The Scunthorpe Yobs tear through a dozen loud-and-proud shout-along Oi! anthems in the Sham 69/Angelic Upstarts/Blitz mold. While based in Los Angeles, the band plays songs reflecting life on the streets of Scunthorpe. This is the classic Oi! sound: boisterous and hard-hitting yet still catchy as hell. If you fondly recall Bladder Bladder Bladder (is there any other way to recall them?), you'll find much to like about The Scunthorpe Yobs. Similarly, fans of any of the bands referenced above will want to get their hands on this LP (many of them already have, so don't dilly-dally!). You'll be holding a pint with one hand and hoisting your fist with the other as this record plays at an obnoxiously loud volume. We Are The Yobs is a next generation street punk classic!

-L.R.

https://www.nofrontteeth.co.uk/
https://thescunthorpeyobs.bandcamp.com/album/we-are-the-yobs
https://open.spotify.com/album/1So6nluvzfxfXNaAX4rXTI
https://www.facebook.com/p/No-Front-Teeth-Records-100063644735297/

Norcos Y Horchata - Forever Disheveled

There's nothing more rewarding as a music fan than watching super talented people blossom into true artists. Amado Movado (Devious Ones, Bump-N-Uglies, Bill Bondsmen) has long been one of the finest guitar players in the modern punk rock world. In the early stages of the pandemic, he started the solo recording project Norcos Y Horchata as a means to hold on to his sanity. Before long, his pals Dougie Tangent and Roman Wonsul joined in. And just like that, Norcos Y Horchata was a real band! Recorded last summer with Jim Diamond, Forever Disheveled is the band's debut album and the first-ever release made up entirely of songs written and sung by Amado. Essentially this album is Amado's rookie effort as a frontman, and it's quite spectacular! 

I previously raved about "Almost Lost My Thumb (to the Pinewood Derby)," a delightful sing-along tribute to Amado's grandfather. That was such an amazing song that I had to wonder: did Amado have more songs of that caliber in him? The answer is a resounding YES. Forever Disheveled is an absolute treat for anyone who likes catchy punk rock with a whole lot of grit. Amado takes quite well to being the face (and voice) of a band. His gruff everyman style perfectly suits lyrics that are honest, heartfelt, and down to earth. Musically, Norcos Y Horchata inhabit the shared space between the more tuneful side of street punk and the tougher side of rock and roll. Forever Disheveled conveniently arrives in this first week of summer and is best enjoyed in the company of good friends and the coldest, cheapest beer you can find. Over the course of these 10 tracks, Amado reflects on the consequences of his choices ("Forever Disheveled," "Clutter, Debt & Disarray"), dispenses some solid life advice ("There's Always Something New," "Oysters"), and laments a human race gone terribly wrong ("Chords Against Humanity," "...Out For Smokes"). Of course Amado has a knack for writing appealing and catchy three-chord rock tunes. Better yet, he's the kind of songwriter you can't help relating to. As he confronts his failures and shortcomings on the album's title track, he could just as easily be describing most of us. And on the timely "...Out For Smokes," he puts into words the thoughts that bring distress to almost any rational human at the moment:

It's like the whole world got dropped on its head/
Dropped on its head all at once/
And now it’s looking like some contest/
To crown the biggest dunce

We talk about COVID silver linings all the time, and Norcos Y Horchata is yet another example. This band may never have existed if Amado Movado hadn't found himself on the verge of losing his mind two years ago. He started writing these songs because he had to. Yet in spite of its despairing origins and moments of hard-to-swallow truths, Forever Disheveled is a really enjoyable and uplifting punk rock record. These are songs that are fun to sing along with -- perhaps even more so because they say something genuine about the present human experience. Amado the amazing guitarist is now Amado the amazing singer/songwriter, and we are all better off for it. LP ships in early August!

-L.R.

https://norcosyhorchata.bandcamp.com/album/forever-disheveled
https://www.facebook.com/norcosyhorchata/
https://www.instagram.com/norcosyhorchata/

Da Groins - 100% Groin

Now here's something right up my alley! U.K. trio Da Groins play pissed-off punk rock in the classic style. With a band name like Da Groins, you would expect some kick-you-in-the-balls music. And that's exactly what you get with the new EP 100% Groin. Think old school British street punk if it were produced by Billy Childish. The gag uniting these four songs is that there's just one letter separating the words "public" and "pubic". I've been waiting for a band to capitalize on this quirk of the English language since I was 12. Da Groins are that band, but they are no joke. On this brilliant debut, they dish out raw, hard-hitting tunes that are chock full of fury and profanity. What more could you possibly need in life? This, my friends, is punk fucking rock in all its glory. 100% Groin is available now on vinyl from Amok, No Front Teeth, Kibou, and Serial Bowl Records!

-L.R.

https://amokrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/da-groins-100-groin
https://kibourecords.bandcamp.com/album/da-groins-100-groin-7-e-p
https://serialbowlrecords.bandcamp.com/album/100-groin

https://www.facebook.com/Da-Groins-103709492234024

https://www.nofrontteeth.co.uk/

Oi!l Change - Voices of the Past E​.​P.

Oi!L Change has me fondly recalling the '90s heyday of street punk. On its debut release Voices of the Past E​.​P., the Grand Rapids, Michigan based trio blasts out four tracks of tough and powerful punk rock with strong melodies and anthemic sing-along choruses. This is a timeless sound done right, with songs that'll have you hoisting a beer with one hand and pumping your fist with the other. I like that the vocals are aggressive without being cartoonish, and there is tremendous substance to the lyrics. If you dig The Business, Blitz, and Sham 69 along with the subsequent generations of bands they inspired, you'll want to check out this E.P. for sure. What a debut! 

-L.R.

https://oilchangepunx.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/oilchangepunx/

The Wheelz - Twenty/Twenty

 

Tulsa, Oklahoma based trio The Wheelz have returned with four more tracks of absolutely perfect sing-along punk rock! In December 2018, the band released its debut album Top 10 Super Hits! - which yielded the instant classic track "Throwaway". Out on Boulevard Trash & No Front Teeth Records, new 7" Twenty/Twenty is a worthy follow-up to the immensely enjoyable Top 10 Super Hits! This latest release again finds The Wheelz drawing from the influences of snotty '77 punk rock and old school anthemic street punk. Yet it's far from a replay of the last record. I wonder if I can say this without ruining the band's reputation, but Twenty/Twenty feels less obnoxious and far more "serious" compared to Top 10 Super Hits! Don't get me wrong: these songs still have that same snotty edge to them. But this time through, The Wheelz are in less of a jokey mood and more, uh, pissed off! While Twenty/Twenty is not necessarily about the events of last year, it does tap into the anger and frustration of the moment. Lead track "Politicians" is that rare modern political song that's fully nonpartisan. It rails at elected officials of all stripes who have failed the people they've been entrusted to serve. The equally anthemic "Washed Anyway" rages against corporate interests that systematically suck the souls out of American cities. "Generation Turncoat" calls out those who have abandoned their ideals and fallen into complacency. "Two Little Boys" is a very fine cover of the early 20th Century war anthem. All in all, Twenty/Twenty is a splendid example of what a pure punk rock record ought to be. It sounds like it could have come out on TKO Records in 1998! All of these songs are urgent and powerful, but also full of strong melodies and memorable choruses. This is a classic sound executed superbly. Vinyl copies are going fast, so get on it!

-L.R.

https://www.facebook.com/TheWheelz/

https://boulevardtrashpunk.com/shop/ols/products/the-wheelz-twenty-twenty-ep

https://www.facebook.com/boulevardtrashtulsa/

https://www.nofrontteeth.co.uk/

The Fallout - The Times Have Never Changed

The Fallout's new album could not be any more of a soundtrack to this moment. It's packed full of fist-pumping punk rock anthems railing against injustice, inequality, and the systemic oppression of the people. It's music in the grand tradition of late '70s/early '80s political punk rock and the protest folk that inspired it. This Toronto-based band has been active since 2004 and strives to write "songs of unity, inclusion, solidarity and struggle". It's inspiring now to see so many people finally waking up to injustice in the world and getting angry about it. The Fallout have been angry from the start, and they're ready as always to take up the fight.

Out on Rebel Time Records and Discos Machete, The Times Have Never Changed opens with the premise that the protest music of the past promised change that has yet to be delivered. That's not a cynical statement so much as it is a message that the struggle has yet to be won. Over the course of 15 tracks, it's clear that The Fallout reserves all of its cynicism for institutions of power, which must be resisted and confronted if real change is to ever occur. So don't let the album title fool you. These guys are true believers in the idea that songs can change the world - or at least that songs have the power to inspire the people who will change the world. If you can watch authority clash with dissent at this moment and honestly side with authority, this is clearly not the band or album for you. The Times Have Never Changed rages against everything from endless wars to partisan politics to institutionalized homophobia to organized religion to police brutality to the marginalization of sex workers. It's full of urgency, passion, and absolute conviction. Sometimes the whole idea of "political punk" can turn people off because the music tends to be generic at best or an afterthought at worst. But The Fallout is a throwback to a time when protest punk was just as much about the tunes as it was about the message. These guys write catchy songs that are tailor made for you to shout along with. The music is powerful and aggressive but also fun to listen to. And that's the way it ought to be. If a song is going to inspire people, it has to be inspiring. Songs like "Red Light Union" and "Raise Your Flag" will have you fired up to run through a brick wall for the cause! This is "street" punk in the truest sense of the term - music for the people that is relevant to what's actually happening on our streets.

Certainly when this album was being prepared for release, the band and labels had no idea it would arrive on the eve of a mass protest movement of historic proportions. But the injustices and inequality that ignited this movement have persisted for geneerations. I used to assume that most people had the sense to know that racism is wrong and fascism is bad. But in this modern-day Bizarro World where anti-fascists are suddenly "terrorists"  and not wanting cops to murder people of color is a "divisive" position, it's clear that nothing is obvious. We can't take for granted that sanity will prevail or that progress is inevitable. We must resist and keep resisting. And we will listen to awesome music while we do it.



-L.R.

https://rebeltimerecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-fallout-the-times-have-never-changed-2
https://thefalloutcanada.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheFalloutToronto/
https://thefalloutcanada.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/RebelTunesForRebelTimes/
https://discosmachete.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/discosmachete/

Chubby and The Gang - Speed Kills

I'm often indecisive about whether or not I should be writing about releases that are already well-publicized. But usually it comes down to one thing: if I think a record is great and that my readers would like it, I just let 'er rip. So add my name to the chorus of praise for Speed Kills - the rip-roaring debut album from London's Chubby and The Gang. I dig this record because it's an absolute blast! This is the sort of wild, youthful punk rock that cannot be rightfully ignored by a blog that calls itself "Faster and Louder". Given the Oi! and hardcore background of this band (members of Arms Race, Violent Reaction, Gutter Knife), the degree to which this album is influenced by '70s U.K. punk and pub rock might be a little surprising. But it's that unique blend of inspirations that gives this group so much juice. This is like pub rock on steroids! Chubby and The Gang marry the pure energy of early Damned to the boisterous first generation Oi! of Cockney Rejects and then run it all over with a Motörhead steamroller. The term "street punk" has been so overused over the years that I've been very reluctant to invoke it. But if ever I heard an album that truly defined what I think street punk is supposed to be, Speed Kills would be it. These are songs inspired by and written for the streets of London: played with a brash, teeth-smashing force and packing choruses so rousing that it would a terrible shame to sing along without a pint of beer in hand. And while the poppy roots rock of "Trouble" and the impassioned Bragg-ish ballad "Grenfell Forever" make for effective changes of pace, this album overall exudes the spirit that punk music played with this much power and conviction simply can't be stopped. Crank up that volume, hoist your fist in the air, and get yourself inspired to go out into the world and kick some ass.



-L.R.

https://staticshockrecords.bandcamp.com/album/speed-kills 

Territories - self titled

Territories are one of the best new punk bands I've encountered in quite some time, but there's a catch to that! This group actually formed out of the ashes of legendary Calgary punk band Knucklehead, who had a nearly 20-year run starting in the mid-'90s. Knucklehead split in 2013, but four former members reunited two years later with a fresh start and a new name. Without a doubt, fans of Knucklehead's tuneful, anthemic punk rock will enjoy Territories just as much. But this is a different band with a slightly different sound. The group's debut album, out on Pirates Press Records, is that rare example of punk music that can be described as both mature and powerful. Of course you can expect rousing chanted choruses and intelligent, heartfelt lyrics. Yet I can also hear the undeniable influences of '80s/'90s melodic post-hardcore and traditional folk rock. This album is a great example of why I enjoy music made by veterans of punk rock. Territories bring to their debut an even wider array of life and musical influences than those that informed Knucklehead. Yet they sound more inspired and excited than ever about playing punk music. The songwriting is top-notch, both in terms of melodic structures and meaningful lyrics/vocals. You can tell they really worked and refining and perfecting these songs. How amazing do those guitars sound! And even with the obvious progression in songwriting, these guys prove they can still get your heart racing with some exciting, fist-pumping punk rock ("New Thing", "Heart That Breaks").

I would consider Territories to be kindred spirits with a band like Swingin' Utters - who themselves are about to demonstrate that "middle-aged" guys are capable of making some of the most vital punk music out there. If you're stoked to hear the new Utters album, I would highly recommend picking up this tremendous debut from Territories as well. These guys are writing songs from the heart and playing them with conviction, and I can only hope the career of Territories is just getting started!



-L.R.

https://territoriescalgary.bandcamp.com/album/territories 
http://shop.piratespressrecords.com/products/625028-territories-self-titled-lp 

The Beltones back in print!

I am delighted to announce that Jason Duncan has revived Just Add Water Records a decade after its last release. It's awesome to see one of my favorite labels of all-time back in action. And I'm particularly pleased with the way Duncan has chosen to re-launch JAW. He has decided to reissue his favorite release: The Beltones' classic 1996 single "My Old Man". That happens to be my favorite JAW release as well!

I could not name many musical acts more worthy of a reissue than The Beltones - one of the best bands to come out of that '77/street punk scene I so avidly touted in the late '90s. While The Beltones (now based in Austin, Texas) are still around and playing shows, they have not released new music in 14 years. I'm so pumped that a whole new generation of fans will have the chance to discover this amazing record. And for those of us who fondly recall owning the 7" back in the day, the good news is that it holds up phenomenally well after 19 years. While the original version backed "My Old Man" with "Fuck You Anyway", the new release adds a third track in "Juvenile Delinquent" (from the 1996 compilation I Can't Believe It's Not Water). All three songs were later re-recorded for the band's 1998 EP On Deaf Ears. And while I love On Deaf Ears, you just can't beat the original versions of these songs. "My Old Man", in my opinion, is the best 7" The Beltones ever made. It demonstrates that this band had way more going for it than the Stiff Little Fingers influence that reviewers constantly brought up. Bill McFadden was (and probably still is) an exceptional songwriter. He never got enough credit for the humanity of his lyrics or the sheer passion in his voice. Who else, in a '90s punk scene dominated by formulaic love songs and political rants, was writing about the repercussions of alcohol abuse and the misfortunes that drive men to drink? And the wisdom that "Juvenile Delinquent" imparts to young people looking to find their way is truly timeless.

If you're a longtime Beltones fan or just someone who'd like to own a fantastic record, head on over to the new Just Add Water store to reserve your copy of "My Old Man". 300 copies are being pressed on black - plus 100 each on red and blue. Hurry: the colored vinyl is already nearly sold out! 



-L.R.

https://www.facebook.com/TheBeltones
https://www.facebook.com/justaddwaterrecords
http://justaddwaterrecords.bigcartel.com/

The Fanatiques

On many occasions, I've gone on record declaring that '77 era punk rock is my favorite music ever. I love that classic '77 sound, and I've often lamented that there are not as many current bands in that vein as there used to be. So it's always great to hear newer bands that play that kind of style and really do it well. France's Fanatiques are totally up my alley. They're particularly inspired by those early U.K. punk bands that were the forefathers of Oi! - like Slaughter and the Dogs, Menace, and Cock Sparrer. By no means are The Fanatiques attempting a straight copy of that sound. But they certainly aren't trying to hide what their influences are. Their excellent debut EP can be heard in its entirety on YouTube. When I first saw the song titles "Where Are They Now?", "Where Have All The Bootboys Gone?", and "I Don't Like You", I thought maybe all the tracks were covers! But they're all original songs. Vinny from The Clean-Cuts (7" on No Front Teeth Records) is the singer, and his snotty vocals give these songs a little bit of a different feel than you'd expect. Imagine, if you will, The Queers playing street punk. That might sound a little odd, but these Frenchies really pull it off! The melodic guitar leads are definitely of a '77 vintage, and of course there are ample opportunities to sing along and pump your fist. If you dig further into Vinny's YouTube channel, you'll also find some songs from The Clean-Cuts. They had more of a '77 powerpop/punk sound, and were also quite good. Seems I can always count on France to get it done!



-L.R.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCucDR0UyJn-sLZJ5jPFvEug 
http://uneviepourrienvinyles.bandcamp.com/album/the-fanatiques-ep 

Meet Bishops Green

Bishops Green describes itself as a "melodic, hard-hitting street-punk band". If you think that sounds like my cup of tea, you're totally right! Remember when I used to review bands like this all the time? Those were the days. I'm getting nostalgic for 1998!

When it comes to this particular genre of music, Bishops Green is the best band I've heard in a really long time. Formed in 2011, the Vancouver foursome cites influences ranging from classic Oi! (Blitz, Partisans, Cock Sparrer) to early '80s American hardcore (Minor Threat, Naked Raygun) to first wave punk greats like The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers. Fronted by ferociously gruff-voiced Greg Huff (Alternate Action, Lancasters, Subway Thugs), Bishops Green delivers a blend of toughness and melody that you just don't hear often enough these days. The band's latest EP has me fired up to hoist a pint of brew and shout along to each and every chorus. And lyrically, you can really hear the influence of the aforementioned classic bands in songs that have something serious to say about the state of the world and the plight of the common man. Opening tracks "Tumbling Down" and "Blinded" are as furious and anthemic as it gets. And even when they slow down the tempo on songs like the totally great "Senseless Crime", they sacrifice none of the power or intensity. With its sing-along choruses and impassioned lyrics, Bishops Green is a total throwback to the glory days of street punk. Play their EP loud! New album coming soon.



-L.R.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bishops-Green/165148116903355
http://bishopsgreen.ca/

Mean Streets - Philly's Finest!

If you know Mean Streets guitarist Andy Mehos, one thing you'd say about him is that he has the best ever taste in music. And he's been that way since the mid-'90s and probably before that. If I should die in a gruesome bear attack and they make a La Bamba style movie about my life, I'd want Andy hired as soundtrack consultant. What you really have to admire about Andy is that not only does he like great music, but also he's been able to make the same kind of music with his own bands. I could never do that. That requires talent. It also requires exceptional band mates. The fine taste to emulate the right bands is certainly important. But what I love about the men of Mean Streets is that they're not copyists. They're terrific musicians, skilled songwriters, and distinctive enough in their artistry to put their own spin on old punk rock.

That said, there's no denying that Mean Streets is right up my alley (no pun intended). I've always been nuts for the melodic side of early UK punk, and Mean Streets has that classic sound. Reminiscent of bands both vintage (Chelsea, The Professionals) and contemporary (One Man Army, U.S. Bombs), Mean Streets imbues its hard-edged throwback punk with a refined pop sensibility. And while certain genre hallmarks are absolutely spot-on (running guitar leads, chanting backing vocals), you really have to appreciate how much thought and skill goes into this music. New release Rewired is a terrific little EP. It opens strong with the two "hits", "Good Luck, Charm" and "Genesee", both catchy up-tempo numbers that are surely sing-along favorites live. From there, the pace slows considerably, bringing emphasis to singer Billy's gritty, emotionally charged vocals and Andy's classically melodic guitar. I especially like "Where Do We Go?", which culminates with an amazing, near epic guitar solo that sounds quite a bit like the instrumental break at the end of The Vapors' "Letter from Hiro" (surely a co-incidence, but still really freaking cool). Topped off with the very Yobs-esque "I Ruined Christmas", Rewired is lean, mean, and so very worth your six bucks!

If Mean Streets is also the name of a classic Martin Scorcese movie and the best Van Halen song, where does Mean Streets the band rank in that trinity? #2 and rising, I'll say!

- L.R.

http://www.myspace.com/meanstreetsPA
http://www.facebook.com/meanstreetsmusic