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Issue #40 Reviews and Playlist
Due to popular demand (!), here's the reviews originally
printed in the first paper (mini) fanzine since 2015 (available here),
published in 2022. Here also is a playlist of the acts reviewed to help
you connect with and enjoy the artists' music, and proove that my taste
is as usual, 100% right.
Of course.
Be inspired!
Rosey R*E*P*E*A*T
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Reviews 'R' Us
August 2022
At my great age, I realise that there's only a limited amount of words
left. Which I don't want to waste being polite about dull dog shit and
worthy wannabe wankers. So, in a return to best principles, here's my
minimal mentions of things that I've genuinely enjoyed and wanted to
tell you about. If you're not mentioned,maybe you're dull dog shit or
a worthy wannabe wanker. Or possibly I just forgot, which is also very
possible too, at my great age.
Maes Dewr School Rock Show, 8.7.22
One of my proudest moments as a teacher and in music. Powered by enthusiasm,
talent and dogged persistence, this incredible day was organised by
a band of 11 year olds. And me. Not only did Atomic Beat Boys pull off
their best set to date, showcasing their first original song, and a
version of Jack City Rockers demand 'Where's Me Jumper?', but proper
grown up pop stars in waiting Femmebug played as special guests. Probably
the only time they'll (a) play without keyboards (b) perform on a school
yard under a heatwaved sun and (c) inspire cross generational manic
moshing. And Helen Love donated a guitar! A life / music affirming day.
THX!
Femmebug – I Don't Wanna Do This Anymore.
Pop powered hook infested new single from Swansea's brightest hopes.
Perfect summer sounds, The Pet Shop Boys moshing with Lily Allen at
a wild school rock show. But better. And then there's a remix by Ricardo
Autobahn!
The Popguns, Le Pub Newport 23.7.22
In about 1991, Phil Rose Esq gave me a copy of Eugenie for Christmas.
30+ years later I see them for the first time and they're strident,
powerful, emotive and melodic. They are received joyously, proving that
dreams needn't burn down.
Raving Pop Blast / Pint Sized Punk fanzines
My two favourite fanzines come from two ends of the age spectrum, but
both packed with infectious enthusiasm to get you listening to new music.
Which is surely the point. Available via their Bandcamps.
CJ Wildheart – Lives
School's Out, and I am so enjoying catching up with CJ Wildheart's Best
Of album 'Lives'. Not sure where it got its name from, but the record
certainly showcases the incredible musical lives this gifted and generous
man has achieved : songs from The Jellys, Honeycrack and solo albums
are all refreshed and revived, polished and preened, so that their massive
mix of melody and noise breathes anew. Sounds immense!
Pre order of the physical album is now over but you can buy digitally
from Bandcamp and I believe physical copies will be available again
soon. And don't forget to catch the triple headed rock beast as CJ tours
with Scott Sorry and Grand Theft Audio in September.
Album and tour not to be missed!
Hot Mass – Astroturf
The elusive Hot Mass were one of the first bands to intrigue me when
I returned to Swansea; they're a punk band with something edgy and unexpected
about them. And after ages they've released some new music, the first
since 2018. Astroturf sees the band 'take their eclectic taste in music
and throw it all into the melting pot to create a melodic, grunge fuelled,
indie popping, jaw dropping, punk banger awash with defiant upbeat lyricism'
according to Punkrocktheory.com) There's an album to come too apparently;
the quest to see them live continues!
Chroma ‘Meindia’r Gap’
Another explosive, forceful, infectious, powerfully distinctive track
from this Pontypridd three piece, with ep “Llygredd Gweledol”
to follow on August 12th. Another one on my 'must see' list.
Primitive Soul – Euphoria
New single from Blackwood's brilliantly Bolshy impassioned punks. Massive
musical and lyrical steps, and their gigs are becoming ever more accomplished
and raucous, rapturously received..Looking forward to seeing them combine
this with their essential teen rawness and honesty.
Taxi Rank - Under the Sun
Too many guitars in a 5 piece rock'n'roll band? Not at all when they're
all tuned to make a sound this epic, catchy, intelligent pop'n'roll
ditty. The bassy one thuds, the jangly one shimmers, the heavy one thrashes
and the lead one draws pictures in your head. I love the spoken middle
bit and the way it erupts into something else. Very nice.
Grey Flx - Foreverless
Massive noises from a small band fast making a name for themselves.
At times dark, shouty, instrumental, metallic, prog, punky, Goth and
outlandish, Grey Flx excel at combining the unexpected in a way that
will grab you by the collar and throw you over your complacency.
FshTank – The Other Song
Fuzzy, energetic, loud, in yer face, packed with ideas and enthusiasm,
what more could you ask for in a record? Making a marked contrast with
previous single Backburn and showing the breadth of their ambition,
no wonder Fshtank are starting to make ripples (sorry).
Ski Lift – The Singles
CD copy of these joyously nifty and uplifting singles. Seriously top
tappingly ear wormingly brilliant. Portal is a favourite for the way
it recalls Superglu's super Suffolk should have been hit sounds, but
all 5 tracks make me glad to be alive. I Wanna Be Them. So do you, you
just may not know it yet. Available from their Bandcamp now.
Adam Walton – Afal
‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.’
Petrol Girls – Baby
'Anger is an energy...'
King Goon - Admit Nothing! Deny Everything! Lie! Lie! Lie!
Long awaited album from this bunch or South Wales reprobates. It's a
glorious technicolour, high-octane, genre-hopping rock/dance/ska racket,
brazenly pointing the middle finger at the ghastly masquerade who govern
us. File under 'big choruses and even bigger mouths'.
Slime City – Newport Le Pub 28.5.22
Slime City are an amazing discovery, a revelation - a Glaswegian existential
nerd punk rock trio with hidden depths. They're musically all over the
place, and their lyrics are bleak, clever and hilarious, with songs
including 'Less Jools More Top Of The Pops', 'You And Everyone You Love
Will Someday Die' and 'Dial Up Internet Is The Purest Internet'. They
play hold music in between songs. I fall down a bit of a rabbit hole
researching them when I get home, and fall in love with their strange
world, discovering amongst other things that lead singer Michael M was
the original creator of those images of lead guitarists with their guitars
replaced with slugs that did the rounds of internet land a while back
- guitar faces transformed into surprised expressions of disgust. (Tom
Emlyn - full review here
)
Tom Emlyn – News from Nowhere.
Years in its gestation, News from Nowhere is a fascinating, captivating,
absorbing record, which grabs you by the ears and by the brain, and
lures down the caverns of time and place. In it, Tom Emlyn digs beneath
the surface mundanities of everyday life, particularly those of Swansea
life, below the decaying bricks and mortar and paving stones, to encounter
the ghosts haunting below.
(Read the full review here
and interview here)
Bad Shout – Anecdote / Play With Yourself
Anecdote's dirty garagey thrills are so inspired and refreshing that
Adam Walton played it twice in a row, in a true John Peel moment. Play
With Yourself is equally appealing. Not sure where you can listen to
either but follow the band online and find out.
Bob Vylan – The Price Of Life
'A post-mortem of ‘Great’ Britain. It’s exactly what
punk should be, tearing apart the disillusionment of the masses and
forcing you to acknowledge just how broken society is. Speaking up on
issues that desperately need addressing, Bob Vylan are the mouthpiece
of those often silenced by the industry. The duo have created something
extraordinary here – something that definitely needs to be heard.'
(Clashmusic.com)
Amyl and The Sniffers : Comfort to Me
Not new I know, except there's now a version with an extra live album
recorded on a dock outside of Melbourne. Amyl and the Sniffers rekindle
the belief in the healing power of raucous, rude and rebellious rock'n'roll;
pix of their Bristol show on our Gig Pix - we're hoping to send Phil
to photo them with Bob Vylan in downtown Seattle in October (can we
have more of that tour here please?).
Swansea Sound, Newport Le Pub 28.5.22
Swansea Sound don't disappoint... I love the way Huw and Amelia's vocals
bounce off each other, with some endearing call-and-response sections.
Great chemistry. They play the entirety of their recently released record,
in order, with standout tracks including 'Rock N'Roll Void', 'Corporate
Indie Band', 'Indies Of The World', 'The Pooh Sticks', and 'Swansea
Sound'...
Personally, I'd much rather see these legends of the indie scene than
Ed Sheeran. I can't help but think that it's unfair that our society
raises such mediocrity to laughable heights of consumption, while missing
the amazing music happening in grassroots music venues. But that's why
this stuff is so great; it's the small bands in small rooms that are
the most precious.
Tom Emlyn
(Full review here
)
Panic Shack : Baby Shack
I can't stop listening to this, it's brilliant. 'Their infectious snot
rock anthems and sing along cathartic chorus' should someday save the
world if given half a chance. Place this platter high on your turntable,
turn it up so the great goddess of punk herself can locate you and allow
her to kick your undeserving butt. This is a mini masterpiece worth
sharing.' (Urban Cannibal). Spellbinding live in Cardiff too.
Max Headroom - Gimme Something
'Gimme Something is the debut single from Cambridgeshire band Max Headroom....Together
can these best bros write a great tune? You bet they can! It’s
time to buckle up for Max Headrooms exciting adventure!'
Full review here
Creature Kaz - ‘Fight For Love (Not War)’
The people behind Swansea’s community venue and invaluable local
resource Creature Sound have got together to release a powerful, impassioned
and important anti war track ‘Fight For Love (Not War’)...
Although described as an ‘electronic / drum and bass’ track,
the song actually frolics along like a classic pop song, the infectious
hook, insistent synths and upbeat rhythms belying its serious message
powerfully conveyed in thoughtful lyrics, alternately sung and rapped
by complementary male and female vocalists.
Full review here
Goldblume – Sleep On Your Side
Only heard a tiny FB snippet of this but it sounds absolutely immense
from former flexi things...
Sniffany & The Nits – Clam Chowder
This is a 'cavernous world of snarling guitars and blackened tones,
setting the scene for Sister Sniffany and her vocal barrage. Once Sister
Sniffany enters the fray, her lyrics creep around every corner...' (Austintownhall.com)
Love it!
Kikker - Trash
Just heard this ontheradioonce anditmademe want to rip up this zine
and start again. Huge slab of trashy perfect noise annoys. Incredible,
immnese, messy, brilliant!
Helen Love - This is my World
When I received a copy of this album, my mouth literally feel open with
surprise and delight. Since playing it, it's been metaphorically open
ever since.Helen Love is an icon, an inspiration, a one of a kind call
to arms to those from small towns but with big ideas and big hearts.
Full review here
and new interview here
Rosey R*E*P*E*A*T
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