MY TOP TEN - JOHN HOEY (ANGRY ITCH)

John Hoey

Angry Itch - guitarist and vocals.

Ok so Chris has asked me to blog about my top ten favourite albums about how it's influenced me as I've grown up, these are just my personal choices, so take it or leave it....here goes, in no particular order.....
 

Green Day – Kerplunk

First Green Day album I ever bought, Straight upstairs to my brothers stereo to record it onto cassette and fell in love, dancing round the bedroom playing air guitar and drums wanting to be my new hero, Billie Joe Armstrong, boy could he play at pace, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for…..the start of my journey into punk rock

Personal Favourite tracks - ‘2,000 light years away’, ‘80’ and of course ‘Welcome to Paradise’
 

 

Rancid – And Out Come The Wolves

Now there are some albums when you can remember exactly where you were at the time of buying, this is one of them. I bought it after seeing the video to ‘Ruby Soho’ on MTV2 and loved the hair and the song was so god-damn catchy it was unbelievable and I sang it all the way to the Virgin Mega-store in Sutton Coldfield, I paid £17.99 for the album which was expensive then, the first time I bought a Rancid album, one of the best buys ever and one of my most cherished albums

Personal Favourites – ‘Roots Radical’, ‘Timebomb’, ‘Listed M.I.A’
 

 

Blink182 – Enema of the State

When I first heard Blink182, I wasn’t very impressed, I thought ‘man this guy can’t sing and talks about wanting to hump dogs’ well, my mate Samm got his mom to buy the album when she was in America, they were the ‘new big thing’ and he always had a knack of picking up these new bands like Blink, screeching weasel, Mxpx, Nofx etc…. then saying to me and Ric (Bassist in Angry Itch) check these guys out! So we went to watch them play at the Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton, we paid £8 for a ticket and got dropped off outside the venue, the following week they released ‘All The Small Things’ and everyone kept sayng ‘you heard of these?’

Highlights – ‘Aliens Exist’, ‘All The Small Things’, ‘Mutt’
 

 

Oasis – Whats the story (morning glory)

Put simply, Noel Gallagher made me want to play guitar, I thought he was so cool, it was before I got into Green Day & punk music generally so circa 1994/95. I’d listen to ‘wonderwall’ and ‘don’t look back in anger’ all the time, they were my first ‘musical’ love but then my music developed harder and quicker into power chords of punkrock and I never looked back, still a cracking album tho!

Personal Favourites  – ‘Hello’, ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’, ‘Wonderwall’
 

 

NoFX – So Long and Thanks For All The Shoes

We all know, Fat Mike can’t sing, but a band with so much energy and enthusiasm, they were the first band I knew that did it DIY and I love them for that, they helped educate me on punk rock, like that you can ‘make it’ with hard work and effort. ‘Its my job to keep punk rock elite’ is just a tune! The feedback from the guitar intro still gives me a tingle down the spine and the ‘secret track’ of ‘drugs are good’ from the howard stern showed that it was ok to take the mickey out of yourself and just have fun

Personal Favourites – ‘Its My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite’, ‘Murder The Government’, ‘All Outta Angst’
 

 

Offspring – SMASH

The first Offspring track I ever remember listening to was ‘bad habit’, I was 12 years old and I thought it was so ‘cool’ to sing the middle ‘you stupid dumb s ………………………Man what a track, one of the first records I remember on MTV (when MTV actually played music videos)

Personal Favourites – ‘Bad Habit’, ‘Gotta get away’, ‘Self-Esteem
 

Drongos for Europe – Barcode Generation

‘THE’ first Birmingham punk band I ever saw, I hadn’t even watched them live when (playing in an old band about 10 yr ago) I’d asked Tommy if they fancied doing a charity gig in Brum which we’d organised, the Drongos kindly agreed and I was soooo looking forward to watching them. The first song I ever heard was ‘who the f*ck are you?’ during the soundcheck, WOW! Never heard anything like it, raw, passion, anger and catchy as hell.

Personal Favourites - ‘Spirit Bomb’, ‘Freakazoid’ and ‘Mayday’
 

 

Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American (or now – self titled)

I remember picking up a free CD with Kerrang magazine and it had a song off this album called ‘A Praise Chorus’, loved it, bought the album (it was then called ‘Bleed American’, they changed it because of 9/11) but it showed me different dimensions to music, dynamics, new guitar pedal effects like delays etc. Just a fantastic album to listen to especially when you want to chill out

Personal Favourites – ‘Salt, Sweat, Sugar’, ‘A Praise Chorus’, ‘Cautioners’
 

 

Slipknot – The Subliminal Verses Vol.3

I went to Leeds Festival in the early 2000’s (a day ticket to see NoFX and The Prodigy was the main reasons) they came on and played ‘People = Sh!t’ now, I was never a metal fan but what a great live band these are, the hair on the back of my neck  and introduced me to a lot heavier music and helped me become more open minded about metal

Personal Favourites – ‘Duality’, ‘Pulse of the Maggots’, ‘The Blister Exists’
 

 

The Distillers – Coral Fang
 

I’ve included this because I’m in love with Brody Dalle and have been since their first album, she looks ace, the songs are great and boy can she belt out a snarl or two. I just love the whole attitude of the album, its very brooding

Personal Favourites – ‘Drain the Blood’, ‘Die on a Rope’, ‘Coral Fang’

REBELLION 2013 - SUNDAY

Final day and we managed to keep the pace going. 

As we entered Sam saw a young lad by the name of Louie Raw on the acoustic stage so he stopped off to listen in and was mightily impressed for one so young. 

First on for us was the Terraces in the Arena who certainly woke us up.  We met up to watch Captain Hotknives in the Pavilion.  He had drawn a large crowd and although I have seen him before he had us all crying by the end of the set (with laughter that is). 

We then went to see the Adolescents in the Empress who I thought sounded great although there crowd wasn’t as big as I thought it might be.  

We then decamped to the acoustic stage to chill for a while and managed to see Mauri Clash City Rocker.  As you may guess he predominately played Clash cover but threw in a few other too and was a massive surprise when Colin from Cock Sparrer joined him on stage for Because You’re Young and England Belong’s To Me, aided by an appreciative crowd. 

Next was the Nightingales in the Pavilion.  I thought they sounded great, playing to a small crowd but if you get a chance check them out, still as relevant as ever. 

We then went to see Attila The Stockbroker on the literacy stage, another great set.  I could listen to Attila all night with his poems and stories , usually funny, sometimes biting and a superb and touching piece about his mom which reduced the room to silence. 

Then it was Lene Lovich in the Pavilion.  Another big crowd and to be fair I thought was a really good set and Lene sounded fabulous. 

A quick dash to the Olympia to see Face to Face, another band who suffered with poor sound but even that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd. 

Then it was back up to the Pavilion to see Peter Hook and The Light.  A slow start but a couple of songs in and once you’d gotten accustomed to Hooky singing these songs that were already ingrained in our consciences, you realised you were actually witnessing something pretty special.
 

It was a difficult decision to leave before then end of the set but I was keen to see Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine.  I never got to see the Dead Kennedys back in the day but have loosely followed Jello’s career and was mightily impressed with the recent album, from which they played a selection in addition to the crowd pleasing Holiday in Cambodia and Nazi Punks Fuck Off. 
 

Then it was last band of the weekend time, Sham 69.  Usually by this time I’ve kind of had enough and just want to go to bed but this year still felt quite lively even though we decided to watch from the balcony, couldn’t get a seat and it felt as hot as the tropics.  I thought Sham were a fitting end to the weekend, Jimmy Pursey was on fine form and they ripped through an absolutely blistering set.  Overall great weekend, few minor gripes over sound and running out of bottles of real ale, but that didn’t spoil another great coming together of the weird and the wonderful.

BRASSICK - PELT

Brassick - Pelt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lId-Q5uEx-M

Check out the excellent video from Brassick for their song Pelt.  Taken from their debut ep Broke & Restless out in September.  Catch Brassick this Saturday at Birmingham Punx Picnic at The Wagon & Horses

REBELLION 2013 - SATURDAY

Saturday was a return to form for us. Full English and we were back on it, okay we might have had an hour or two shut eye first but definite improvement in stamina today.  

First off to the literary stage and listen to John Robb interview Gary Bushell. I kind of went off Bushell after he left Sounds and started writing for the Sun but there is no doubting his positive contribution to the punk and Oi movement over the years. It was an entertaining interview and he told an hilarious tale of when CID turned up at his house looking for Motorheads stolen Bomber stage prop.   

Then it was down to the acoustic stage to see Louise Distras. Louise seems to have come so far in such a short time and seems to be on the road more than the Subs. Her voice seems to vary from melodic to a gravelly roar, sometimes in the same line and she has got a great batch of songs, sometimes political and having a pop at appropriate targets (Sam for some reason seems to think her final song about the creepy men from the internet was about me!?). Her debut album Dreams From the Factory Floor is out at the end of September and is top of the most eagerly awaited albums of the year. I urge you all to buy!



We caught a little bit of Anthrax in the Pavilion before going down to the Olympia to see Dirtbox Disco. They played on the smaller stage and we were a nit nearer the front so the sound wasn’t actually that bad. I’d never heard DBD until the Christmas Rebellion and was shocked at how big a crowd they drew then and the fact that everyone was singing along so we’d made an special effort to see the whole set at Blackpool. They are definitely at the more light hearted end of the punk rock spectrum but have some catchy as hell tunes that get everyone joining in and I would recommend catching them if they play in a town near you. (they are playing at the Birmingham Punx Picnic weekend at the end of August).

Next were King Prawn in the Empress. I love watching some of the ska bands as very often they present a bit of lighter relief amongst the punk rock mayhem but King Prawn are a bit different offering a ska tinged set with a tougher edge than most and I will make an effort to catch them again. 

We saw Terveet Kadet on the Arena stage. A Finnish hardcore band from the 80’s they played a tight wall of sound 20 minute set and left. Brilliant. It’s this variance in styles that keep this festival interesting. 

A quick dash to the Pavilion to catch the second half of Citizen Fish, another politically tinged ska band but so different to King Prawn but still great. It really was now becoming like a mad episode of Runaround (without Mike Reid) rushing from stage to stage to try to catch as many bands as we could. 

We decided to drop in on Chas N Dave as we might never get another chance. They played to a pretty packed Empress but after 20 minutes we decided we’d seen enough. Don’t get me wrong they were good, but they would have been immense if they had taken a leaf out of Terveet Kadet’s book and done a heads down 20 minutes romp through the classics and cleared off.  

Quick drop in on Zounds at the pavilion who sounded great and hopefully I will get chance to see a full set at some stage then it was down to the Arena again to see Hardskin. As Fat Bob proudly announces when they came on stage, Hardskin are an anti-fascist skinhead band. With tongue slightly in cheek they belt out a serious of classics and crowd pleasers and I’m so chuffed they are at the Birmingham Punx Picnic.

Soon as they are finished quick dash next door to the Empress to complete the London town knees up with the Cockney Rejects. At times suffering with slight sound problems they still belted out the classics and threw in a couple of tracks from East End Babylon album and Power and The Glory
to boot. Great set and always worth checking out.

We’d missed so many great band tonight but next up was the possible high light of the weekend. Managed to catch the Ruts DC a couple of times last year and they had been brilliant on both occasions so tonight was going to be tough to match it. Firstly they played the Pavilion where the sound had been good all weekend. Secondly Dave Ruffy and Segs both seemed really relaxed and were enjoying themselves. And those songs. A great mix of tracks from the excellent Rhythm Collision Vol 2 album, Ruts DC back catalogue and tunes from the mighty Ruts. Where do you start? It Was Cold, Backbiter, Dope For Guns, Something That I Said, Babylon’s Burning, Staring At The Rude Boys, West One, Love In Vein, In A Rut, H Eyes, Jah War. Say no more. On a day where highlights were great (Louise Distras etc) Ruts DC stole the show and maybe it’s because I’m a sentimentalist and they were one of my favourite bands but I don’t care because I fucking loved every moment.


Finally, went to see the Misfits in the Olympia, truly awful sound meant it was hard to distinguish between the songs at times but still sang along to Skulls and was that really a cover of Rise Above I heard? Best day so far!

 

LOUISE DISTRAS - DREAMS FROM THE FACTORY FLOOR - REVIEW COMING SOON

LOUISE DISTRAS

DREAMS FROM THE FACTORY FLOOR

RELEASE DATE: 30TH SEPTEMBER 2013

STREET REVOLUTION RECORDS

CATALOG NUMBER FR0001

With a clenched fist full of fury that targets injustice, apathy and X Factor culture - "Louise Distras is poised to single-handedly reinvigorate the punk scene" with the release of her debut album 'Dreams From The Factory Floor', out 30th September via Street Revolution Records.

Described as "the 21st century Joe Strummer who personifies punk rock spirit and renegade soul", Louise Distras is making her own mark as an activist in our urban sprawl. On International Womens Day, she set out to "empower young women" by releasing her debut single 'The Hand You Hold'. It was angry, pointed and "an anthem for female empowerment", asking the media: 'Who are you to say/we should look this way?'

"I'm sick of the way women and young girls are reduced to stereotypes and exploited", says Louise, who is proud to be putting the purpose back into pop.

Praised as "the only new generation punk artist to catch the eye of the mainstream press since the Sex Pistols!", Louise has garnered much attention from major press and fanzines alike including BBC Radio 1 who said "Louise Distras is destroying it now and flying the flag, she is what all punk should be about!"

Fresh from performing on the Leftfield Stage at this years Glastonbury Festival, this summer will see Louise Distras touring in support of her debut album throughout mainland Europe with Street Dogs followed by a Canadian tour this Autumn with The Mahones.

You can bet your last fiver that you'll be seeing alot more of this talented song-smith in the not too distant future. Most likely hitchhiking, guitar slung over her shoulder on the way to a town near you! For more information visit www.louisedistras.co.uk

Louise Distras

Dreams From The Factory Floor

Debut album out 30th September via Street Revolution Records

Engineered by Pat Collier

Produced by Steve at Perry Vale Studios in London

 

TRACKLIST

1. Stand Strong Together

2. Bullets

3. Love Me The Way I Am

4. The Hand You Hold

5. Not In Our Name

6. Black and Blue

7. Shades Of Hate

8. No Mercy

9. One Thousand Tears

10. Story Is Over

11. Dreams From The Factory Floor

12. People Of The Abyss

 

THE MAHONES + LOUISE DISTRAS AUTUMN CANADIAN TOUR DATES

4 October - The Casbah, Collingwood ON
5 October - Beaus Oktoberfest, Vankleek Hill ON
11 October - Bobby's Place, Moose Jaw SK
12 October - Bobby's Place, Moose Jaw SK
13 October - Wild Bill's, Banff AB
14 October - Wild Bill's, Banff AB
16 October - Pawn Shop, Edmonton AB
17 October - The Gateway, Calgary AB
18 October - The Regent Inn, Revelstoke AB
19 October - Royal Legion, Jasper AB
24 October - Queens, Nanaimo BC
25 October - Wise Hall, Vancouver BC

LINKS

www.louisedistras.co.uk

www.facebook.com/louisedistras

www.twitter.com/louisedistras

REBELLION 2013 - FRIDAY

Friday started slightly sluggishly, as we all felt the effects of over indulgence on the first day. 

After grabbing breakfast and another hour or two kip we started at a more sedate pace listening to John Robb interviewing members of The Outcasts and The Defects about the punk scene in Northern Ireland and specifically Belfast and also their portrayal in the Good Vibrations film.  Really interesting and at times funny as fuck. 

We then decamped to the acoustic stage and listened to banjo maestro Jim Sorrow.  Next up on the acoustic stage was Attila the Stockbroker.  Seen him quite a few times before and as usual he didn’t disappoint with a mix of political, humorous and at times touching songs and poetry (despite several technical problems). 

We were beginning to get back into our stride so ventured down to the Empress to see The Skints, catchy ska from the Smoke and mighty fine too. 

Hazel O’Connor was on in a packed Pavilion with a more paired down sound of keyboards and sax but that didn’t stop her belting out a storming set, and slipping in a few amusing anecdotes too. 

Popped out for a bite to eat and bit of fresh air then it was back to see Mike Only (ex-King Blue) on the acoustic stage.  Thought he was really good and maybe doesn’t quite match the stage presence of someone like Vic Ruggiero the night before still went down really well. 

We then went down to our first visit to the Olympia to see Eddie & The Hot Rods who like most bands over the weekend in the Olympia suffered from a poor sound (especially on the larger of the two  stages).  But still went down a storm.

 

It was a real toss up then between long time favourites the Damned and new boys and girls Pete Bentham & the Dinner Ladies.  Pete won!  This time back in the Pavilion were we first saw them and still employing a squad rotation system.  They sounded as good as ever and they are the kind of band that truly make this festival great, a bit different to the mainstream but punk as fuck in attitude.  And a set packed with killer tunes.  Check out the recently released Space Punx ep for a quick fix and I have it on good authority from the horse’s mouth (well Pete’s) that a new album is in the pipeline. 

We hung around in the Pavilion for a short while but the endurance test that is a day at Rebellion was taking its toll on all of us, so we rather shockingly decided to call it a day and head off for an early night.  Felt slightly guilty for missing some great bands today but there were so many clashes it was impossible not to miss some bands over the weekend that I really wanted to see.  I suppose with something as large and great as this you have to focus on the good stuff you end up experiencing.

ANGRY ITCH - SCRATCH IT TIL IT BLEEDS EP

 

Oh Boy, this is good.

Every now and then a band comes along who really grab you.  I was lucky enough to go see Pete Bentham & the Dinner Ladies at the Adam & Eve a couple of months ago (who by the way are absolutely brilliant) and was completely blown away by one of the support bands, Angry Itch. 

They have just released their debut EP, Scratch It Til It Bleeds.

 

Brought together through a love of loud, brash music and a mutual, burning hatred of Phil Collins, Angry Itch are an amalgamation of Great Barr punksters This Side Up and Knockout Ned comprising John Hoey - Guitar/Vocals,  Richard Ellis - Bass/Vocals, Luke Deakin - Drums/Shouting

And oh man, this EP is amazing.  The Birmingham punk bands such as GBH and Drongo's For Europe and even Rotunda seem to have developed a Birmingham sound over the years (and thats not a band thing) but these guys seem to offer something a bit different They are tighter than a nans habit on a celibacy stint and the lyrics are delivered with the enthusiasm of kid with ADHD on speed with all of the answers. I think a bit Blitz, Husker Du, Descendants, Leatherface, so no pressure dudes. 

 

9 Livers is an up two three four catchy as fuck punk rock steam roller drinking song classic.  All Locked Up is more of the same about the riots a couple of years ago and FROC (Fuck Right Off Cameron) is as political and fuck you hard as nails in your face as you are going to hear this year.  I think these guys could possibly be my new favourite band.

You can get to hear the other two songs on the ep Don't Be A Dick and Bailout on their soundcloud page and if you love these songs the other three songs on the EP are even better and the live experience even more so.

 

To get a copy of the ep catch Angry Itch at the Punx Picnic on 31st August at the Wagon and Horses or on 28th Sept at the Wagon & Horses as part of the Punk Rock Chaos gig headlined by Rotunda. Or speak to me nicely and I might be able to hitch you up with a copy.

REBELLION 2013 THURSDAY

Thought I’d share some thoughts on Rebellion Festival 2013

 

Being veterans of six or seven Rebellions (or Wasted) we kind of knew what to expect.  It’s a coming together of the weird and wonderful in a four day punk and alternative festival but is actually far more diverse that the title suggests
 

We managed to check in a bit early at the travel lodge, quick beer in the room while Sam spiked the Mohican, steady stroll to the Winter Gardens, wrist banded up and another beer and it was first band time: 
 

The Dipsomaniacs from Sunderland in the Arena.  Massive surprise that Dickie Hammond wasn’t on stage with them although he was down the front watching and got a couple of song dedications from Steve Smith.  Sound was a bit iffy for the first couple of songs but then it all clicked into place and they sounded great with their catchy but edgy punk rock tunes.  Should be on everyone’s to see list. And California on the front Line is a veritable punk rock classic.

 

Then it was a quick sprint to the new band stage at the Pavilion to catch the end of the Maid Of Ace set. They had drawn a large crowd and with good reason, the singer has got a voice bigger than Blackpool Tower with a powerhouse of a band and they did a cracking version of We’ve Got A Fuzzbox’s ‘ Rules & Regulations’. 
 

We hung around in the Pavilions to catch another new band, The Minx from Manchester.  Decked out in Dr Martens and Fred Perry's (except for the keyboard player sporting a PIL t-shirt) they sounded a bit post punk, a bit indie with a healthy shot of Buzzcocks thrown in and they sounded every bit as good as that combination suggests. 

 

We decided to decamp to the acoustic stage where Max Splodge was just starting a short set accompanied by a man with a kazoo, musically perhaps a bit lacking but hell this is a punk festival and in pure entertainment value more than made up for any technical shortcomings. 

 

Popped out for a quick Harry Ramsden then back in time for The Talks from Hull in the Empress Ballroom.  A crowd pleasing Ska tinged set that left everyone in a good mood and set up the rest of the night  nicely. 

 

We caught the Cundeez and The Surgeons in the Pavilion who were both good then it was back to the acoustic stage to see Vic Ruggiero from the Slackers performing a solo slot.  He had literally just arrived before going on stage but that didn’t stop him delivering a blistering set of solo stuff, Slackers tunes and some great covers including Rudie Can’t Fail and Beat on The Brat.  Despite having to rush back to catch the last train he hung around for a chat and was definitely an early highlight of the weekend and is coming back to the UK later in the year with a full Slackers tour. 











 

 

Next up for us was the self- proclaimed original rude-boy Neville Staple.  No longer part of the Specials he still plunders their back catalogue for his own take on their tunes as well throwing in plenty of ska classics.  Always a crowd pleaser. 

 

Managed to catch part of the Ramonas set, an all girl Ramones covers band, you get the idea.  By this time of night the drinks had been flowing, everyone was in high spirits and this was just perfect.  And it just re-iterated what great tunes the Ramones  had. 

 

Headlining in the Empress were New Model Army.  I’ve not seen them for around 20 years and until fairly recently had only picked up the occasional album by them.  Now expanded to a five piece they opened with a couple of new numbers from their forthcoming album, a brave move but one they easily pulled off.  They have never been a band to rest on their laurels and rely on greatest hits oldies set, so we got a great selection of tunes covering their 30 plus years back catalogue.  The band have an amazing fan base who were very much in evidence and it was great to see people standing on shoulders of friends during some of the slower songs, a real hairs sticking up on my arms taking me back to the old days moment.  Was a great performance, will try to catch them again on their tour later in the year and cannot wait to get a copy of the new album. A great first day.

MY TOP TEN - GREG ALLEN

I've loved posting everyone's top tens over the last few weeks and already listened to a couple of albums as a result and I know I say this every week but this is probably my favourite top ten so far.  This is a really varied selection, spanning several decades, not necessarily the obvious album to select by some of these artists and is way too good for someone of such tender years.  Greg, I wanna hear your next 90 album choices.  And the fact I have 9 of these albums myself and love everyone means so much.  Oh and by the way the one album I don't have, I now really want.    

Top 10 albums, in no particular order.


MTV Unplugged in New York - Nirvana

I have 2 Nirvana live albums. This one, and Live at Reading. Live at Reading is good and contains a far bigger set, but the MTV Unplugged concert was possibly their greatest ever performance. You have to have balls and talent to turn up at MTV and perform only lesser known records and still produce the greatest MTV Unplugged session ever.



Ill Communication - Beastie Boys

I like the mix of early 90's Hip Hop and Hardcore punk in this album - the hardcore punk bits being the best songs (Heart Attack Man being up there with my favourite punk songs ever).


Automatic For The People - REM

This album does not include many of my favourite REM songs (Daysleeper, Imitation of Life, Animal) and also includes their most over rated song, Everybody Hurts, and yet I still love this album. Michael Stipe is my favourite front-man ever. His voice is haunting and beautiful. This album also includes their most underrated song ever - Try Not To Breathe. If you like REM but have not heard Try Not To Breathe, stop what you are doing now and look it up.



Minor Threat - Minor Threat

1980's US Hardcore punk classic. I still say Minor Threat are better than Fugazi even if most disagree. In My Eyes is probably the greatest punk song ever.


Forty Licks - The Rolling Stones

It's probably cheating to include a compilation album but no Rolling Stones album includes all of their best songs in one place. If I had to listen to just 1 song for the rest of my life, Gimme Shelter might just win.



Sweet Soul Music - The best of Stax

Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Booker T and the MG's, Isaac Hayes, all on one album. Need I say more? Better than Motown.



Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike - Gogol Bordello

Discovered these one year watching Glastonbury performing "Not a Crime" and getting the crowd bouncing. Since then, everyone I have pushed them on end up loving them. Amazing live band. Has contained countless different nationalities in their line up through the years. Best Gypsy Punk band in the world.



De Stijl - The White Stripes

I would have selected Under Blackpool Lights as my White Stripes selection, but as they have only ever released it as a DVD and not a CD, I have had to go for one of their Studio Albums. I don't know why he named the album after a crap Dutch Art movement, but the music on the album is anything but.



Mellow Gold - Beck

The majority of Beck's albums contain a lot of hit and miss stuff, however his first album Mellow Gold was superb from start to finish. One of the best début albums ever.



At Folsom Prison - Johnny Cash

Cash managed to produce countless amazing albums, and his ability to adapt and change throughout his career is amazing (look at his later stuff before he died, outstanding cover songs). His change to "The man in black" in the late 60's produced 2 of the greatest live albums ever. Performing live in a prison in the 60's sounds a bit risky when his old audience was the bible belt from the south - so it get's the nod from me.

I could have included countless albums. I'm disappointed I did not include any folk music as I love Artists like Tommy Makem and the Clancy brothers, and Renegades by Rage Against The Machine, The Fat Of the Land by the Prodigy, OK Computer by Radiohead and anything by Amadou and Mariam could easily have made the top 10. Honourable mentions also go to comedy music pioneers like Flight of the Conchords and Richard Cheese.

NEW MODEL ARMY - 225

New Model Army - 225

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPKPHFUSfXM

She stares at the screen, at the little words of green
Tries to do remember what to do next
There's a trace of frustration that crosses her face
Searching for the key she should press
And I would help her if I only know how
But these things are a mystery to me too
And it seems that the Corporate eyes they are watching
She fears for her job and the moments are passing
I stare at her nametag and I think to myself
Both you and I, we never asked for any of this

So let's take a walk up past the chemical works
Where the sky turns green at night
And we'll talk about getting away from here
Some different kind of life
But even in the freshest mountain air
The jet fighters practise overhead
And they're drilling these hills for uranium deposits
And they'll bury the waste for our children to inherit
And though this is all done for our own benefit,
I swear we never asked for any of this

This golden age of communication
Means everyone talks at the same time
And liberty just means the freedom to exploit
Any weakness that you can find
Turn off the TV just for a while
Let us whisper to each other instead
And we'll hope that the Corporate ears do not listen
Lest we find ourselves committing some kind of treason
And filed in the tapes without rhyme, without reason
While they tell us that it's all for our own protection,
I swear we never asked for any of this

X-RAY SPEX - OH BONDAGE UP YOURS

X-Ray Spex - Oh Bondage, Up Yours

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogypBUCb7DA

Some people think little girls should be seen and not heard, but I think Oh bondage up yours!

Bind me tie me
Chain me to the wall I wanna be a slave
To you all

Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more

Chain-store chain-smoke
I consume you all
Chain-gang chain-mail
I don't think at all

Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more

Thrash me crash me
Beat me till I fall
I wanna be a victim
For you all

Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more
Oh bondage up yours
Oh bondage no more

NOFX - I'VE GOT ONE JEALOUS AGAIN, AGAIN

NOFX - I've Got One Jealous Again, Again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dWJUZDNxiQ

I've got one Jealous Again, again
I got one Killing Joke
I got what was bound to happen
What was broken now's been broke
I parted with my Neurosis but I kept the Lookouts
I got the record player but I didn't get the house

I've got one Black Flag Damaged
And one Golden Shower of Hits
I left the Misfits coffin set but I fucking kept the Spits
Now I got Group Sex and No Control
I got Suffer and Let's GO
I left Freedom of Choice with the Guilt Show

I knew it was over when I put on Walk Among US
You grabbed the TV remote control
You put on Survivor and I put on some headphones
And cheated with my first love rock and roll

I took back my Replacements and grabbed my E13,
Bullet, Nihilistics, and the banned "God Save The Queen"
This wasn't like the Faith/Void
This was a clean split
If I didn't grab my records
They may all have been smashed to bits

Take your Guns N' Roses with the Robert Williams cover
And I'll take the Fugazi picture disc
19 or 20 years ago, I labeled my slip covers
That was a union I wasn't willing to risk

ADOLESCENTS - KIDS OF THE BLACK HOLE

Adolescents - Kids Of The Black Hole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifq24lljbQM

No sound is heard from unit two
When there was once so much to do
Was once a green mansion, but now it's a wasteland
Our days of wreckless fun are through

GO!

Kids in a fast lane living for today
No rules to abide by and no one to obey
Sex, drugs and fun is their only thought and care
Another swig of brew another overnight affair

House of the filthy, house not a home
House of destruction where the lurkers roamed
House that belonged to all the homeless kids
House of the filthy, house not a home
House of destruction where the lurkers roamed
House that belonged to all the homeless kids
Kids of the black hole

Messages and slogans are the primary decor
History's recorded in a clutter on the floor
Inhabitants that searched the grounds for roaches or spare change
Another night of chaos is so easy to arrange

House of the filthy, house not a home
House of destruction where the lurkers roamed
House that belonged to all the homeless kids
House of the filthy, house not a home
House of destruction where the lurkers roamed
House that belonged to all the homeless kids
Kids of the black hole

The nights of birthdays
The nights of fry
The nights of endless drinking
The nights of violence
The nights of noise
The nights that had to end for good, still not understood, by the girls and boys

Carefree in their actions as for morals they had none
When the girls were horny who would be the lucky ones?
Pushing all the limits to a point of no return
Trashed beyond belief to show the kids don't wanna learn

House of the filthy, house not a home
House of destruction where the lurkers roamed
House that belonged to all the homeless kids
House of the filthy, house not a home
House of destruction where the lurkers roamed
House that belonged to all the homeless kids
House of the filthy, house not a home
House of destruction where the lurkers roamed
House that belonged to all the homeless kids
House of the filthy, house not a home
House of destruction where the lurkers roamed
House that belonged to all the homeless kids
Kids of the black hole

THE BOOMTOWN RATS - THE BOOMTOWN RATS

The Boomtown Rats - The Boomtown Rats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjOkJ3KtsTA

New song from the Boomtown Rats compilation issued in September - Back To Boomtown - Classic Rat Hits

VIC RUGGIERO - 23rd & 2nd live

 

 

Vic Ruggiero - 23rd and 2nd live

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7ZoVQceMnA

Saw Vic at Rebellion last week and thought he was amazing with his brand of punky folk blues with a tinge of ska thrown in.  The Slackers are in the UK later in the year.

LENE LOVICH - SAY WHEN

Lene Lovich - Say When

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isI2ray8cFE

Well, I'm all revved up and ready, baby
You're a man, I'm a lady
Better turn your eyes from this body of mine
I don't want you to be ahead of our time

I'll say when to stop
Hey, I call the shots
Baby, I say when
Say when

I'll say when to stop
Hey, I call the shots
Baby, I say when
Say when

Well, you look plenty good to me
Yeah, you got plenty of energy
And, I know that you're big and strong
But, I'll be the boss, so don't go wrong

I'll say when to stop
Hey, I call the shots
Baby, I say when
Say when

I'll say when to stop
Hey, I call the shots
Baby, I say when
Say when

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!

Well, I'm all revved up and ready, baby...
Yeah, you're a man, I'm a lady...
You better turn your eyes from this body of mine...
I don't want you to be ahead of our time...

I'll say when to stop
Hey, I call the shots
Baby, I say when
Say when

I'll say when to stop
Hey, I call the shots
Baby, I say when
Say when

Un, deux, trois, quattre, cinq, six, sept, huit, nine, ten!

HUSKER DU - BOOKS ABOUT UFOS

Husker Du - Books About UFOs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW2pxd1ueG4

Walking down a sunny street to the library
Checking out the latest books on outer space
Going to the fruit stand to buy a dozen oranges
Then she and the books and the oranges go back to her place

She tells the same old story to everyone that she knows
She's just sitting in her room reading books about UFOs

Sometimes I see her sitting on the rooftop
Perched in a lawnchair and staring into the sky
I know that somewhere in some faraway galaxy
That some gray men with telescopes are gazing right into her eyes

Her live revolves around all of the planets
And she is constantly aware of all the changes that occur
I'm going to turn into a lens and focus all my attention
On finding a new planet and naming it right after her

MY TOP TEN - KEV REDMOND

Well this is the latest instalment in the My Top Ten album posts.  I've known Kev quite a few years now and over that period have realised his musical tastes are quite eclectic and he hasn't disappointed with this tasty selection including a couple of nice curveballs. This is what I love about reading other peoples Top Tens, you get a real feel of their musical heritage and the artists that have had an impact on their lives through the years.  It really is only a snapshot and we all know our tastes and choices change over time but this is a great selection and there's a couple of albums in there that I'll definitely be checking out.  Only one complaint Kev. No punk albums.  I might have to dig out a couple for ya! 

 



Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy – Elton John

First heard this album when a friends dad put it on during our Saturday night snooker competitions back in the early 80s. Loved it from then on. The songs are varied and fit well together on the album. Up tempo numbers such as “Better Off Dead” , “Bitter Fingers” and “Meal Ticket” nicely offset the slower tempo of “Writing” and “Tower of Babel”. The album ends with one of the most wonderful sequences of music that Elton has ever put together in my opinion. Two songs, "We All Fall In Love Sometimes" and "Curtains" are segued together into a seamless piece of music lasting over 10 minutes. ". Inspiring, and, well, fantastic!




City to City – Gerry Rafferty

From the files of “I haven’t listened to this for more than two decades” comes City to City. The exception of course is the brilliant “Baker Street” which was the inspiration for me taking up the saxophone due to what has to be the best sax solo of all time. There's no doubting the beauty of the opening track, “The Ark”, which has a real celtic feel to it, and the piano ballad “Whatever's Written in Your Heart” to the sax driven “Island” which almost strays into country territory at times. This album from top to bottom is musically and lyrically beautiful




The War of the Worlds – Jeff Wayne

There’s no music to begin with, just a voice, the voice of the late great Richard Burton. The voice does not tremble, mutter, or stumble over words, but what it says is frightening; an almost overwhelming sense of foreboding creeps into Burton’s voice, as he whispers, ‘….slowly, and surely, they drew their plans against us’! Scared the crap out of me when I first heard this at the wee age of 8! I have always loved this musical. Stand out tracks include the spectacular “Eve of the War”, the haunting "Forever Autumn", the tragic “Thunder Child” and the wishful “Brave New World” The spectacular music crashes ahead like a steam train throughout, and then suddenly fades or stops completely, using the power of silence to set the mood. The transitional key change into "Dead London", a slow piece that gives imagery of pain, sadness, and loss, gives me goose bumps every time I hear it. Epic production that is yet to be surpassed




The Collection – Ultravox

A seductive combination of the subtle and intense from the desolate and haunting songs of “Vienna”, “Visions in Blue”, “The Thin Wall” and “The Voice”, the livelier efforts of "Love's Great Adventure", "Dancing With Tears in My Eyes" and “All Stood Still” , to the broodiness of "The Hymn" which harbours its own brand of gothic charm, and not forgetting the solemn and sombre ballad of “Lament” The Collection has mystery, atmosphere, power and had me hooked from the start.




Hot August Night II – Neil Diamond

This is the album that got me hooked on Neil Diamond. ND is a great live performer and this album, in my opinion, is his best concert to date (and ive seen him live 3 times!). It starts mellow enough, then breaks into "Headed for the Future", which gets the crowd on their feet. ND continues to belt out early greats such as “America”, “ Sweet Caroline”, “Hello ” and “Love on the Rocks”. ND has the ability to keep every song sounding fresh and injects energy into each performance, as witnessed in a loud, hardcore version of "Forever in Blue Jeans", and the most aggressive song on the album "Cracklin Rosie". This energy is easily transformed into the ballads "I Dreamed a Dream" (from the Les Miserables musical), “September Morn” and the classic “ I Am…I Said” added intimate moments throughout the show. Superb!




Seventh Son of a Seventh Son – Iron Maiden

An eerie concept album about sin and the devil, and in my opinion Maiden’s greatest accomplishment to date.. How does one even begin to describe an album as good as this? It's a dark, but polished album with a chilling atmosphere for its entire duration. The composition and songwriting is more dynamic than ever before, and this is evident at the start and finish of the album as Bruce voices the same haunting lyrics: “Seven deadly sins, Seven ways to win, Seven holy paths to hell and your trip begins. Seven downward slopes, Seven bloodied hopes, . Seven are your burning fires, Seven your desires.” After these eerie lyrics, the opening track “Moonchild” kicks in with a combination of ominous atmospheric synthesizers and guitars that can be heard throughout the entire album. Each song brings with it the next part of the story with their mellow introductions which move onto heavy and complex instrumentals. “Infinite Dreams”, “ Can I Play With Madness”, “ The Evil That Men Do”, “Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son”, “The Prophecy”, “The Clairvoyant” and “ Only The Good Die Young” all play their part in adding to the mystique, especially in final moments of “The Prophecy” as the guitars fade out and the beautiful acoustics blend over the top This kind of musical diversity and intelligence just doesn’t exist on Maiden’s other albums Timeless Classic!




…And Justice for All – Metallica

This has to be my favourite Metallica album due to its sheer heavy, aggressive and unforgiving sound from start to finish! It literally is a rollercoaster ride of the mind with plenty of twists, turns and complex topics. This is as close as Metallica has ever come to a concept album and they pulled it off in a brutally honest and serious way. Politics, corrupt justice systems, world destruction, horrors of war and child abuse are just a few of the topics touched upon. Songs such as "One" (limbless, deaf, dumb and blind soldier existing in just a shell of a body), "Blackened" (death of mother earth), and "And Justice for All" (rant against U.S. justice system) epitomize the overall feel of this album very well. Pure thrash throughout. Brilliant!




Divine Intervention – Slayer

This album is arguably Slayer's crowning achievement. Divine Intervention is as dark and heavy as their earlier material. It all starts with a track called “Killing Fields”, which is such a change of track for them. It almost takes your breath away, Other impressive and infectious songs are “Circle of Belief”, "Fictional Reality", the furious “Dittohead", "Divine Intervention", and "Serenity in Murder." What makes this album a true masterpiece of thrash is the combination of all the elements that have made Slayer thrash metal gods: powerful yet eerily melodic, haunting and hate-filled, utterly merciless metal reprisal.




Danger of Infection – Dirty Deeds

Danger Of Infection was released in 1998 and I had the pleasure of watching them perform most of the album live at Shepherds Bush where they were supporting Iron Maiden, who were performing to a cosy 2000 fan club members, which made for a great, memorable night First 'n' foremost, Danger Of Infection is a guitar oriented album, and the opening track, "Nothing To Lose", drives that point home with authority, which sets the pace for the entire album. "Cry Out", the Maiden-esque, "Promised Land” and the hard charging "Dividing Line" which is propelled by a fantastic galloping guitar riff, are as good a start to a metal album that I have heard, while "Too Scared to Run", "In The Name Of The Law", "I Am The One" and "Ruled By The Gun", blow out the walls. From start to close, Danger Of Infection is fast and aggressive, with driving rhythm and strong, snarling vocals which deliver the goods, Impressed? I was and still am!




Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1 – George Michael

This album features a different sound, a somewhat acoustic feel, which suits the songs perfectly and for this, it will probably remain my favorite work of George Michael Songs of note are "Praying For Time" which is an ultimate ballad that has been compared to Lennon's "Imagine" in terms of beauty and uniqueness.. The cover of Stevie Wonders 70s classic "They Won't Go When I Go" is even better than the original. "Mother's Pride" is a heart breaking, haunting song about war,. "Heal The Pain" and "Waiting For That Day" are both more uplifting. But to me, shining moment of this collection must be "Cowboys And Angels".. It's a classy, jazzy number, with a quality sax solo at the end that carries itself well.