Aimona - S/T CD (C & P Stakava)
Aimona is back, and with vengeance. These four guys from Copenhagen sent out an EP last year, and are back with another EP, this time on a label. Congratulations. Its still the same no-nonsense rock and roll we've come to expect from them, only this time they seem a lot more sure of themselves. Their previous EP were in essence three tracks with a hint of the same style, but also with a lot of different sound to each of them. The three tracks on this EP are a lot more homogeneous - are they done experimenting? It was'nt hard to find out where Aimona belonged in the rock and roll scene, and with their incendiary riffs, bass solos and drum fills, they've more or less perfected that pseudo hard rock style they tried to voice the last time. The vocalist is still the main attraction, though all of the members seem to have developed a lot over the past 6 months time. Like cheese, some bands get better, given time to mature. I think this is especially the case with Aimona. The lyrics are a lot better this time around, abandoning the portrayal of rock and roll as heartbroken teenage love - thank you, that was my greatest grudge against the last record. But to finish the analogy with cheese, where some people enjoy a well-matured cheese, others find the taste too sharp or dominant. If aimona were a cheese, they would be just that. Buy it off the shelf and you get a mild, but niche cheese. Let it sit, and you get a lot more punk and anger. Some may not enjoy that development, but a strong cheese now and then, can be just what the doctor ordered. I congratulate the band of their efforts, and hopefully their success, even if they have somewhat abandoned the classic feel their first EP had, in pursuit of their own, as I said before, more punky style. But thats admirable. Three big blades is exactly what they deserve.
http://www.aimona.dk

If you dig: Aimology, WEED, The Play-Offs

Kristian

AntiSeen - Thee From Parts Unknown EP 7" (Scarey Records)
More evil scumpunk noize from these southern redneck rockers who recently excelled with the awesome "Badwill Ambassadors" album. This single includes the great "From Parts Unknown" from that record, as well 3 other mean filthy tunes, with the fast and glorious "Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know" being the top tune. The production of "Watch The Bastard Fry" isn't that good, the drums sound kinda cardboard-ish to me. Still, a mighty fine release. The more politically correct punks will surely hate AntiSeen, but don't worry, the leaders of the Confederacy Of Scum hate PC punx even more, haha.
http://www.antiseen.com
http://www.scaryrecords.com

If you dig: G.G. Allin, Motörhead, Hammerlock.

Jens

Bassholes - The Bassholes CD (Dead Canary)
Oh boy, this is the shit! It's not often you come across a band, consisting only of two people, who make a record on an independent label, and make it sound like a trillion bucks! But these guys did just that. This is a tour-de-force of these two guys musical finesse/tristess with both bluesy tracks of all shapes and sizes, and late 70s style rock and roll! Oh boy, I'm shaking all over! The bluesy tracks vary a lot, from traditional style Lightning Hopkins, or Robert Johnson blues style, over the blues rock interpretations known most recently from The Black Keys, and country blues like The International Tussler Society, only with a heavier, darker sound to it than any of those artists could ever do, or want for that matter. But thats what these guys want, originally starting out as lofi experimentalists, and grandiose studio productions, respectively, these record is a hifi take on their lofi experiments. The myriad of tracks in each production is staggering, with banjo, bass riff, blues harp, drums, solo guitar, cacophonic guitar, distortion and more, all playing at the same time. And then, suddenly, a track with only drums, guitar and a blues harp. Perfection, is all I can say. But they also do bluesy takes on the 60's and 70's rock, with some of their songs sounding like a depressed Rolling Stones, or depressed Pretty Things. All of these styles and tracks merge perfectly into the Bassholes own spectacular style of playing, creating a lofi inspired masterpiece. No wonder these guys once released albums on Matador. If this is what they play at the party, I'm coming!
http://www.evilbitch666.com

If you dig: The Black Keys, Thee Shams, Tiger Mann

Kristian

The Blue Van - The Art of Rolling CD (TVT)
Who would have figured…a bunch of friends growing up in a Danish shit town called Brønderslev (I know, I worked there for a year during my splendid career of selling TV and sound systems to farmers and idiots in general) and after 10 years moving to Copenhagen, sign a deal with US label TVT (wonder if they ever met Snoop Dog?) and having their debut album released in most of the world. Well, that's what happend to The Blue Van and thumbs up from this geezer. Based on the solid ground of Small Faces, Who and Doors they pretty much have found their own voice in the current field of retro rockers. A fine debut album, but I guess I am a little jaded after hearing these songs at every goddamn TBV show the last couple of years. http://www.thebluevan.com

If You Dig: Small faces, Doors, Who

Don K

The Blue Van - Beatsellers MCD (TVT)
Wow! The Blue Van hails from Denmark and plays some kinda dirty garage rock with roots in the 60's. They have really found a sound of their own and it's simply great. Their stuff makes you think of genius like the Doors to the Sonics. The Blue Van delivers some amazing songs on this piece of plastic and I truly believe that the tune Revelation Of Love will be a huge hit. This is their second release and their debut album "The Art Of Rolling" will be out on TVT Records when you read this. Don't miss that one. This Blue Van will run you over!
http://www.thebluevan.dk
http://www.tvtrecords.com

If you dig: The Doors, The Sonics

Pär

Bomber - Booze, Dope and fever CD (Bad Attitude)
Six years ago Jeffrey Lee Burns & Ski Williamson from The Flaming Sideburns and Don Hesus & El Toro from The Mutants got together and recorded this session that back then only resulted in a great 7" while the rest was shelved and the band broke up. Thanx to Bad Attitude 10 more songs are now available and this disc is well worth seeking out. Bomber has described as deep country and even though I don't know what that is it fits the music very well. It's soul, honesty and Finnish melancholy on full scale and probably not what you would expect from these guys. I would buy one.
http://www.bad-attitude-records.com

If you dig: Johnny Cash, Finnish rock music

Don K

The Born Losers - For Chicago Girls 7"
(Scarey Records)
This band is pretty hard to describe. "For Chicago Girls" made me think of The Humpers' punk'n'roll with a weird emo-feel to it. "Streets Of This Town" is more straight forward punkrock, while "Red Light Valentine" is a slow and crunchin' track. Not bad, but the band needs a bit more direction and focus. I reckon they got their name from the first Billy Jack biker revenge flick.
http://www.scaryrecords.com
http://www.thebornlosers.com

If you dig: Humpers, Fugazi, Jawbreaker.

Jens

BOTTOM - You're Next (Small Stone Records 053)
I have only ever heard the one track on the High Times magazine Stoner rock compilation by this all female band from NYC. They are touted as the heaviest all female band ever. The CD opens with Testimony of the Mad Arab, and features the band tuning up and spacing out before the band enters into track 2, By a Thread. By a Thread begins with some nice melodies before the evil rumble from below creeps into the sound. The lyrics on this song are great being both funny and tragic. The band have long tracks of strange feedback and angry vocals but most of the songs are strange instrumentals adventures and very much remind me of the old Melvins (pre-90's). I have to say this band have a unique sound and while most people will hate this and not really think it is very musical and worth listening to, others will appreciate the art. So fuck off is basically the message presented here. Take what we give you and if you don't like it, tough shit!!!!!!!!

Scott

The Deadbeats - Long Hard Nights CD (Rock Alliance)
Well, this is the second album by the Deadbeats from Sweden. Their first record was released over five years ago and they have changed a couple of members along the way. Nowadays The Deadbeats sound has turned from being more punk rock to only be about rock. Its much more laidback this time and the pace is slow most of the time. I think that's a bit boring. But the real problem with this record is that many of the songs sound a bit too much alike; it feels like it's the same riffs over and over again. So overall, Long Hard Nights is a pretty average but good rock record. So check it up if you are into other Swedish rock bands like the Peepshows etc.
http://www.thedeadbeats.tk
http://www.bootlegbooze.com

If you dig: Hellacopters, Peepshows

Pär

Deadline - Getting Serious CD (People Like You/Target)
Deadline is best when they combine powerpop and punk in "Wave You Goodbye", and totally bland when they go for that speedy Fat Wreck bore-core with "The World Keeps Turning". A mixed punkrock bag of candy from a talented London combo (fronted by tattoo-crazed Liz Rose) which has very busy since 2001 giggin' with the likes of Rancid, Distillers and Dropkick Murphys. Deadline is definitely for fans of melodycore, it sadly didn't really connect with my taste in dirty punk'n'roll. "Getting Serious" is too overproduced for my liking, a bit more rough and noisy edges would have improved the album.
http://www.peoplelikeyou.com
http://www.deadline-uk.dk

If you dig: Bad Religion, NOFX, The Creamers.

Jens

The Deep Eynde - Shadowland CD (People Like You/Target)
Fans of The Damned, Social Distortion, and Misfits should give these LA punks a spin on the stereo. Catchy horrorpunk with hooks and dark melodies that are destined to get The Deep Eynde followers among punks, rock'n'rollers, goths and psychobillies. 12 solid tracks of the ghoulish kind which benefits from Joel Fatal Fatal's voice which comes off as a cool Dave Vanian/Iggy Pop hybrid. But the generic backing woo-oh vocals doesn't really help at all, a bit more originality is needed to transform this release from a good to a truly great album. Lotsa potential though.
http://www.peoplelikeyou.com

If you dig: Misfits, The Damned, Lords Of The New Church.

Jens

Destruction Unit - Self Destruction of Man CD (Empty)
Semi-electronic solo project by Ryan Wong - formerly the brilliant Reatards and the even more brilliant the Wongs. He's one of the unsung heroes of punk rock and even though this is almost purely electronic it still has all the nastiness and aggressiveness of his former bands. Loud, distorted electronic devises, desperate vocals and screaming guitars, backed by real drums and backed up by Alicja and Jay Reatard. This is like the fucked up twin brother of Lost Sounds and it bleeds in a way more tormented way. Fast, dark, nihilistic fare with short sharp tracks wrapped up by the seriously title track, which sounds more like a hardcore version of an early Pere Ubu sound collage, than anything remotely punk rock. It's a small masterpiece and together with the Lost Sounds this stuff is some of the most powerful electronic punk rock currently terrorizing the air waves and it's fucking fantastic!

SN

The Dt's - Hard Fixed LP/CD (GP Records)
There's fine vegetarian cuisine, asparagus and olives roasted in the oven with brie on top; and then there's steak - both things fine in their own right, even better if you make a varied diet out of them: You can survive vegetarian fine, but in the long run I suppose it would become a bit too righteous and mushy, and a meat only-diet will make you lose your teeth and go bonkers (look at George Michael). If, For the sake of this equation, Fugazi as the vegan diet, the Dt's are definitely the steak. Nothing fancy or refined here, no roquefort sauce or whisky marinade, just big chops of meaty riffs dripping with gravy. It's not terribly hard to make a steak tasteful, as long as you don't overcook it, exactly the problem with a lot of garage r'n'r and hard rock. The Dt's, though, are medium rare, the female vocals picante, the guitar crunchy, and the drums and organ providing some potatoes and broccoli to the plate. I wouldn't want this every day of the week, but excellent for variation.
http://www.estrus.com/bands/dts

If you dig: MC-5, Dirtbombs, Sleater-Kinney

Jon A

Fast Fuel - Pain Pleasure Club CD (Svenska Popfabriken)
These guys live in a small God-forgotten Swedish town called Klippan. This place is not directly famous for it's many bands, except one I guess. One of the first Swedish punk bands was from this town - Kriminella Gitarrer! Fast Fuel isn't that well known yet though. The cool thing is that Fast Fuel sound a bit like how old Swedish punk bands used to do. But just a little. I would like to describe them more as a street punk band. Pain Pleasure Club is Fast Fuel's self-released debut album and it's a pretty good one. Unfortunately it feels like you have heard this a thousand times before. Fast Fuel won't start a revolution with this record or put back their hometown on the punk map, but they will hopefully gain some new listeners.
http://www.fastfuel.se

If you dig: Voice Of A Generation, Bad Religion

Pär

The Fevers - Love Always Wins CD (Alien Snatch)
Powerpop indeed. The fevers is a three piece band, releasing their second album - stuffed to the rim with slightly annoying powerpop, predating but not unsimilar to the annoying sound of calipunk. I'm sorry, but thats just how I feel. The utterly annoying vocal that sounds like something a high-school student would have done in the 80s, slightly nasal - and very anal. I've never understood the rock vocalists who try and force the song out through their nose, making it sound like they've either been stabbed, or that they are just as bored with the meaning of it all, as I am with their singing. The only
positive thing I can say about this CD is that they have a nack for melody and harmony, although most of it disappears into a very rusty and crude guitar sound. But that makes it exciting, and at least gives it something more than just melodic hard pop songs. There is diversity in the tracks, in the sense that they have different chords - but the way they have settled on one specific style, makes it very monotonous indeed, making me yawn after four tracks. If you find yourself skipping through the CD hoping to find a track that wont make you walk around your apartment looking for something better to do, then there is little quality there. And thats how I feel about these guys. According to their press release, they have gotten a lot of good feedback on their first album. I have'nt heard it, but I can only hope it sounds very different from this one - either people are loosing their hearing, or I was born with a different taste in music. It's probably the latter. http://www.thefevers.homestead.com

If you dig: The Flakes, OJN, The Play-Offs

Kristian

Ganister _ Movin' On CDS
Finnish pubrock. The two tracks, "Movin' On" and "Ridin' Ridin'", are both covers of a 70s Finnish band called Hurriganes which I never heard of. Its basically no frills beersoaked rhythm'n'blues r'n'r that made me think of Dr. Feelgood, pretty good, but unfornately are the vocals not that exciting. http://www.ganister.com

If you dig: Dr. Feelgood, Dave Edmonds

Jens

Garage 13 - Ride Of The Rides CD (Bad Attitude)
This Finnish group has been around since '98. It feels like a lot of the Scandinavian bands that started up in that period sounded a lot like this back then. I hate to use this label, but Garage 13 plays typical Scandinavian action rock. It's like a blend of early Gluecifer and Hellacopters but far from that good. The guys in Garage 13 are skilled musicians but I guess that they should benefit from finding an own sound. To be honest, this is a boring record with a lousy title.
http://www.garage13.com
http://www.bad-attitude-records.com

If you dig: Hellacopters, Gluecifer

Pär

Ghost Rocket - Drug Freedom/Million Times 7"
(Bad Afro)
Yet another psyche-stoner-rock outfit from Copenhagen and a damn fine one as well. Swinging late 60s/early 70s style Blue Cheer crossed with Deep Purple's "Made in Japan" with loud organ, distorted pounding bass and fuzz guitar. I love it! The sound has a primitive authentic Spectator label sound to it and I just wish they won't get into a fancy studio with some candy-ass hardrock producer like most other rock bands on Bad Afro. This is super cool, dopey, raw, spliff friendly stuff that kicks ass. Definitely cool!

SN

Grafton - Blind Horse Campaign CD (Dead Canary)
Bad ass punk rock/hardcore that reminds me of the times when Amphetamine Reptile had their momentum. These guys are not out to please any one and sound real pissed off. I am getting old and collect Dusty Springfield vinyl from the 60's so this is kinda scary for me. But frustrated and hateful it certainly is.
http://www.deadcanaryrecords.com

If you Dig: Helmet, Jesus Lizard

Don K

Jolly Jumpers - Bebop City 7" (Bonga Bonga)
Jeffrey Lee Burns ( ex- The Flaming Sideburns) recently joined these oldtimers and this is the first recording where he plays the lead guitar. Jolly Jumpers has been around as long as I can remember (which might not be too long considering my drugged short term memory) but coming from way up north in Finland they are probably pretty unknown outside of their home country. Which is not really fair since they are actually pretty cool and play swampy rock from the Finnish tundra.
http://www.jollyjumpers.fi

Don K

Josiah - Into the Outside (Molten Records CD007)
This is Josiah's 2nd full length release. The band have released a few cool 7" records as well and recently toured with the Danish band On Trial in Europe. This three piece band really knows how to lay down the rock and roll and the record has a really cool sound to it. The CD opens with Turn it on, to break things open. The Scarlatti Tilt continues the rockin' and has a great groove to it. O.B.N is the single from the record a cool foot stomping number and short at 2½ minutes. I doubt anyone will play it on the radio, but who cares! There are a lot of cool mid-paced rocking songs on this CD (Bloodrock, Keep on Pushin', Beyond). Sweet Time reminds me a bit of Nebula somehow. Sylvie is an acoustic ballad that really changes the mood of the CD. The CD closes with a jam (Death Rides a horse) that fades into the long 14 minute Unwind your Mind (it has 4 minutes of silence in the middle!). This one of the most adventurous track the band has ever recorded, beginning with some nice acoustic guitar that leads into a cool psychedelic guitar freakout! A great way to end the CD.
http://www.molten-records.com

Scott

Kevin K. - Mr. Bones CD (Realkat Records)
This Yankee punkrock veteran has more than paid his dues, like supporting Ramones and Dead Boys in the late70s/early80s in the New York area, travelling and playing around the world for last 3-4 decades. Now Kevin's on a French label, and this exciting trio deals in that classic NYC punk as his influences with some hardrock ("The Sacred Gift") and boogie ("Up To My Neck"). Kevin's voice and style of guitarpickin' ain't that far from Jeff Dahl, so any fans of the Dahlster should check out this cat. A line from "White Trash" goes; 'we got the MC5/you're just a rich lowlife,' which sorta sums up this r'n'r nomad's attitude. Down-to-basics rawk'n'roll, baby!
http://kevin.k.realkoolkats.free.fr/

If you dig: Jeff Dahl, Dead Boys, Iggy Pop.

Jens

The Knights of the New Crusade - My God Is Alive! Sorry About Yours LP (Screaming Apple)
Ok, get a load of this: These guys dress up as weak looking Knights, recites William Blake, claim they are Christians fighting Satan and his spawn (a.k.a hippies), rejects Darwins evolution theory, hail the lord in every lyric and play crude Rip Off-style garage punk. And it's FUN, oh sinner you. I mean just the title "Ain't No Monkeys In My Family Tree" kinda says it all. Although the joke can wear thin at times, this is hilarious and blessed to save many a sinner.
http://www.screaming-apple-records.de

If You Dig: The Rip Offs, Supercharger

Don K

Long Don Silver - Filthy Jim 7" (Scarey Records)
"Junkie Cinderella" is mean motor fucker not unlike MC5 and early Rose Tattoo, while "Spank My Spank" and "Tied To The Needle" (great screamin' vocals from Emperor Caligula) come off as a punked up Sabbath/500 Ft. Of Pipe/Blue Cheer kinda thing, and "Teenage Witch" reminded me of The Nitwitz. These 4 flawless track are some heavyass fuzzy mayhem that should appeal to anyone likes their rock'n'roll to be dirty, sleazy and LOUD! Long Dong Silver is probably the best Italian band I've heard since Temporal Sluts, translation : GET THIS SHIT!!! Another winner from Scarey Records, a new bitchin' Euro label to look out for, baby!
http://www.scaryrecords.com

If you dig: Nitwitz, MC5, Blue Cheer.

Jens

Lost Sounds - s/t CD (In the Red)
This is probably the most polished - sound as well as music wise - from this Memphis four-piece and it's also the best. "Blackwave" was quite fucking amazing but this is just as good and maybe even a tad better. Their trademark 70s style punk boosted through a wall of 80s synth delivers some seriously dark and brooding cyber punk rock with songs about paranoia and techno fear. From the haunting "I Get Nervous" to the sheer pop bliss of "Clone Don't Love". Almost metal sound but it fits the music perfectly and the blitzes of dark metal keyboard sounds and breaks goes well with the whole post-Armageddon feel of the Lost Sounds. Bands like Chrome, Pere Ubu and early OMD springs to mind as well as the Wipers, X and the Pagans. The vocals from Alicja and Jay gets better for each album and it's hard to believe that they can get better than this. But I felt the same about "Blackwave" and I think they have beaten that with this one. I can't recommend it enough.

SN

Million Dollars Marxists - Give It A Name CD (Gearhead)
These guys must be the biggest New Bomb Turks fans in Canada! Is that a bad thing? Well, The Turks have always been one of my absolute faves and since M$M do it as good as this I really don't have problem with that, haha. "Give It A Name" consists of 14 thrilling punk'n'roll tracks which are greatly serviced by a topnotch production ('recorded + engineered onto 8 track cassette'!) that fills your speakers with wonderful raw guitar hooks by Steve and Lee. And Luke is one helluva singer, and even though he sometimes sounds like Eric Davidson's twin brother (not really a bad thing), his voice gives the tunes a neat classic punk flavor. The album maybe lacks some originality but I liked it a lot.
http://www.milliondollarmarxists.com
http://www.gearheadrecords.com

If you dig: New Bomb Turks, Humpers, The Lemons.

Jens

The Mojomatics - A Sweet Mama Gonna Hoodoo Me CD (Alien Snatch)
Porcodio! Here we got some ear-splitting and soulful punkrock from Italy. The Mojomatics are a two-piece band and contains of a drummer and a guy on guitar and vocals. This is their first full-length record and the cool label Alien Snatch releases it. The Mojomatics has recorded this album by them self and it's really trashy, just the way it should be. I really like this and I'm convinced this band must be cool to see alive on stage!
http://www.mojomatics.com
http://www.aliensnatch.de

If you dig: Oblivians, Bob Log III

Pär

Thee Psycho Delmatics - Tough Guys Can Dance CD (Off The Hip)
Hardass greasy Aussie rock'n'roll (is there any other kind from down under? haha) there isn't out to innovate or revolutionize the music scene, they just wanna kick ass and steal yer beer & nail yer girlfriend. And of course they loot like hell from different r'n'r decades; "(I'm A) Psycho/Delmatic" is Stooges-meets-Bo Diddley, "Thrill Killers" has a horrorpunkabilly vibe, Sonics/Cramps gets a workover with "Brand New Woman" and "Venus Fly Trap", and others fornicate Detroit, NYC punk, and Aussie hardrock to one glorious climax. The funky "Spank The Monkey" is probably the only track I didn't cherish, and I've like heard a zillion covers of "Strychnine" thru the years. Singer Dave Delmatic has a cool Iggy/Gene Vincent-like voice which suits the tunes perfectly. "Tough Guys Can Dance" is their 2nd album, so keep'em coming, fellas!
http://www.offthehip.com.au
http://www.psychodelmatics.com

If you dig: Electric Frankenstein, Turbo ACs, Cramps.

Jens

Reatards - Bed Room Disasters CD (Empty)
Punkrock pyjama party! Most of these 22 recordings were conceived in the Memphis bedrooms of singer/guitarist Jay Lindsey (now in Lost Sounds) and drummer Ryan "Elvis" Wong between 1996-99 when they were teens, aided by booze from their parents' liqour stash. Of course it's lo-fi as hell (from press release; 'These were recorded straight to cassette tape and mixed down to a 70s stereo system'), but it still packs more guts and heart than most big punkrock names. Fantastic fucked-up snotty punk anthems like "Bummer Bitch", "Lick On My Leather" and "Dildo Darlin" put an instant smile on my face and made my ol' bones move franticly. Youthful savage and primitive fuck-you energy is prime petrol for the soul. Covers include "Listen To My Heart" (Ramones) and the Angry Samoans' classic "Stupid Asshole". A fuckin' great companion piece of rare Goner singles etc. to my "Teenage Hate" and "Grown Up Fucked Up" Reatards albums, the latter is probably the best place to start for rookies who are used to more 'sane' production quality.
http://www.emptyrecords.com

If you dig: Oblivians, Supercharger, Angry Samoans.

Jens

Rio Grande - Partner in Crime 7" (Transmission)
Again with the Swedish rock and roll! Like the Finnish scene, the Swedish rock scene has something special going for it. The sound is unique from band to band, yet there is something recognisably Swedish about it. Just like The Sewergrooves, and even The Hellacopters, Rio Grande mix up real rock guitar, with a simple, yet powerful tune. Combine this with that special, beautiful Swedish vocal they all master, and you have an instant hit. Well, almost. Rio Grande is a five piece band, two guitars, bass, drums, and Kristina on vocals. The reason I highlight Kristina, is that she is what makes this band fantastic, in my opinion. The four other band members are just as unique, but not individually on this single. They manage to create the background, merging all their instruments into one powerful rock, soul - whatever - groove, on which Kristina surfs, with an impeccable vocal strength. The band reminds me of The Detroit Cobras, if they had played proper rock, that beautiful vocal energy, merging with spot on instrumental play, forging a sound that can only be created by people who love what they do, and have a natural talent for doing it. Just like the actual Rio Grande, this band is big, winding, furious at the same time. Grand in their rock, winding in their poppy breaks, and furious in their tempo. The boogie rock feel, combined with a bluesy riff, its all perfectly aligned. What else can I say - go buy this single, and let the 70s road-trip bury itself deep in your heart! Well worth the listen, and hopefully visiting a venue near you!
http://www.riogrande.se

If you dig: The Sewergrooves, The Hellacopters, The Detroit Cobras

Kristian

The Sacred Sailors - We Gave It All To You CD (Lonestar)
The Sacred Sailors are a new young upcoming band from Sweden. They are all around 18 years old and they have recorded and produced this record on their own. This is their debut album and it's one of the best debuts I've heard in a long time in the rock scene. Just listen to the second song on the record - Sparkling Juice. That one should become a huge hit if this were a fair world. It's hard to describe The Sacred Sailors sound. A way to put it is maybe like a Hellacopters raised on a 60's garage rock diet? Don't be surprised if The Sacred Sailors turns out to be the next big thing. Remember were you read it first.
http://www.thesacredsailors.tk
http://www.lonestar-recs.de

If you dig: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Hellacopters

Pär

The Sirens - Hellraiser 7" (Wiped Out)
IT'S PARTY TIME!! A Sweet single tribute might sound tacky to some, but these Detroit glamazons take great pride in being as tacky as impossible. Just look their ridiculous outfits with birthday cakes as headgear, for christs sake! The old glamrock hits "Hellraiser", "Fox On The Run" and "Wig -Wam Bam" get the raw and rowdy Sirens-treatment, and I dare anyone not to jump around like crazies to this celebration. If you don't, you're dead from the waist down, c'mon, this ain't rocket science, just lewd fun-as-fuck good time rock'n'roll so shake them hips and pour another drink! Muffy's voice is totally perfect for these 3 party tunes that made me feel 13 year old again, thanks girls! Hope they'll tour Scandinavia soon, until then check out my Sirens interview in Lowcut # 20.
http://thesirensdetroit.com
http://www.wiped-out.net

If you dig: Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Runaways.

Jens

The Slurs - The Problem With Rock'n'Roll CD (Record Records)
The problem with rock'n'roll is that so few bands sound as good as The Slurs! Attitude and classic guitar hooks go hand in hand with this insanely talented Indianapolis 5-piece. These 13 flawless raw tunes which recall the best of Pagans, Angry Samoans, Infections and New York Dolls. Songs like "Radio Ready", "It Just Gets Worse", "Manchild Baby", and "Sonic Offspring" are modern rock'n'roll anthems spearheaded by the wonderfully snotty vocals of Justin Allan, and the buzzsaw swaggy energy of 70s pre-MTV fuck-ya punk. Easily the best fuckin' album I've heard this year so far. All peers out there - eat their dust! A GODDAMN MASTERPIECE! See interview elsewhere in this issue.
http://www.theslurs.com

If you dig: Dead Boys, Angry Samoans, New Bomb Turks.

Jens

Small Jackets - Play At High Level CD (Go Down)
Here's another band from Italy. It looks like the Italian rock scene is starting to get really big? Well, The Small Jackets play some kinda 70's hard rock and the first band that pops up in my mind is Kiss. This is much more raw though. It's very well played but I think that the Small Jackets lack catchy songs. Nothing for me, but I don't like Kiss either so…
http://www.smalljackets.com
http://www.godownrecords.com

If you dig: Kiss, Sewergrooves

Pär

Snitches Get Stitches - I Liked You Better When You Were A Corpse CD (Empty)
Snitches Get Stitches are a trio from Seattle that plays aggressive hardcore with style and a twist. They're really hysteric and loud in the rough parts. But they also have a lot of electronic elements in their music, which makes them more interesting than an average hardcore act. The lyrics are well written and the samples are cool. Just listen to the last song; the 14 minutes long Kodiak With A Kojak. Hypnotic. Well, punk. Buy this record today.
http://www.snitchesgetstitches.com
http://www.emptyrecords.com

If you dig: Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys

Pär

Sons Of Otis - X (Small Stone Records SS052)
Sons of Otis are Canada's answer to Italians stoner head fuck band, Ufomammut. This is the bands 5th release and shows no sign that they are becoming mainstream, despite a cover by the classic Steppenwolf! If you want happy music you better run far from this CD. This stuff is dark, heavy, evilly stoned and moves slow as molasses at times. This is challenging music and you must prepare yourself mentally before stepping off the plank into the unknown with Sons of Otis. The tracks are all long here with only 2 under 7 minutes and the last over 14 minutes! Way I feel starts the CD off in a pounding slow groove (if you can call it that) and really far out vocals with massive delay, as the wall of sound flows.. I really liked the cool guitar that opens Relapse but then it enters into a groove and mood nearly the same as the opening track. Still some cool stuff mixed in. 1303 is next and begins with a heavy distorted bass that just pounds endlessly and the vocals really trip you out…. I was pretty taken back by the heroin version of The Pusher. I love the original song but this is a bit too stoned. I have to say it is a unique version…. The guitar sound that starts off Help Me is really cool. This is the only slightly upbeat rocking track on the CD. You need a number like this to kick you back to life once you enter into this world. The last two tracks really blow your mind if you get into these mindfuckers….. Take some drugs and go off into the cosmos with Sons of Otis, you may never be the same….
http://www.smallstone.com
http://www.sonsofotis.com

Scott

The Stuff - Pick It Up, Pig Boy CD (Ill Wind Records)
I realize that it's hard to attract attention in the world of music with millions of crap bands to compete with and a lame press who promote so much mediocre bullshit that it leaves little room for all the good stuff. I realize that, but it's over the line when 4 talented rock musicians with rare ability to write highly listenable songs that borderline between pop and garage rock and have loads of potential claim to actually be rats and wear rat masks that make them look like morons…….come on! Other than that it's a great album with huge commercial potential. So skip the masks ratboy and play some rock'n'roll!
http://www.illwindrecords.com

If You Dig: Jesus And Mary Chain if they were in a happy mood, Swedish pop with distortion

Don K

Swell Maps - 5x7" Box Set (Munster Records)
You know you're listening to British postpunk when the music keeps playing while you change sides, and you realize it's the neighbours drilling down a wall without you having noticed. Arty, sweater wearing fucks (postpunks, not my neighbours). Swell Maps, formed in the mid-70's by brothers Nikki Sudden and Epic Soundtracks, released two albums in '79 and '80 before doing each others' dope or girlfriends, or whatever lies behind that standard "personal differences" disclaimer, and splitting, Epic to join Crime & the City Solution and various other postpunk groups, Sudden to embark on an everwaning solo career modeled initially on Neil Young and gypsy tradition (brrr...) and lately presenting himself as a pirate on an album featuring Rolling Stones and Faces-members (even more brrr...).
But before things turned sour, there was Swell Maps, and their 4 singles released between '77 and '79, long out of print, have now been reprinted and repackaged with a previously unreleased 7" in a snazzy black box by Munster Records, ltd to 1000 cps.
For a first listen to these 10 sides, there's not much to set them apart from contemporaries like Wire, except for the interspersed avantgarde bits by Epic Soundtracks and the overall noisiness and snottiness, in great part thanks to Sudden's apathetic and tuneless vocal delivery. However, in songs like the 2-tone "Read About Seymour", the brutal if arty "Let's Build a Car", or the straight out punkrock "Real Shocks", Swell Maps justify some of the awe surrounding them. The more experimental parts lend a lot from krautrockers Neu!, and progressing chronologically through the singles become ever more interesting. This is not the Holy Grail of punkrock by far, but it's a fine gem, and the packaging alone is cool enough to merit an extra razorblade. http://www.munster-records.com

If you dig: Wire, Sonic Youth, Neu!

Jon A

This is…..the Beginning (Molten Records CD003)
The is a side project for Josiah main man, Matt Bethancourt. This little project allows Matt to explore a more groovy 60's beat sound compared to the 70's inspired hard rock sound of Josiah. I am not sure who backs him up on the CD as there is very little information with the CD or promo sheet. Anyway, this is some pretty cool stuff with some good grooves and licks! At times it is a bit like Quicksilver Messenger Service and on track 4, Baby's takin' me for a Ride, very Jefferson Airplane like. He really can sound like Marty Balin on this track. There is some cool dual electric leads on tracks throughout to give it a bit more psychedelic flavour than Josiah. Quite a cool record and worth checking out if you like Josiah. Look for Matt's next project to be released on Elektrohasch in 2005!
http://www.molten-records.com

Scott

The Turpentine Brothers - We Don't Care About Your Good Times CD (Alive)
This I like. And so will you if The Dirtbombs and the gospel album by Oblivians rules your world. The Turpentines Brothers are a guitar/drums/organ trio from Boston and this is their debut album Although it's hard to compete with the above mentioned bands I really enjoyed listening to We Don't Care... And there's plenty of traces of mid-60's soul too which is always a plus in my black book. Recommended.
http://www.alive-totalenergy.com

If You dig: The Dirtbombs, Oblivians, 60's soul with an edge

Don K

The Voyeurs - The Voyeurs LP/CD (Bang! Records/Munster)
It's a bit funny the stronglived myth of the swampy lounge music, desolate men in impeccable suits drowning their sorrows in whisky, while movie star babes sashay by in flowing dresses, a romantic vision of elegant melancholy; but did anyone here ever actually encounter such a place outside a Raymond Chandler novel? It's a dimly lit place with burgundy curtains, a place where the resigned insult of "I hope you're satisfied now" rhymes with the cliché "smoke gets in your eyes"; and it's a place Australians apparently dream themselves off to, once they go from being street corner punks to decadent bohemians. It can be a fine enough place to visit once in a while if you're in the mood, like listening to a Lee Hazlewood record late at night drunk on whisky, but it needs to be done with some elegance and a fair amount of humour, and unfortunately The Voyeurs are lacking in both. It's a nice enough album as such, but it becomes off somewhat forced and reminds me of Copenhagen's Monoton, while singer Brian Henry Hooper at times sounds like Jarvis Cocker from Pulp, which is rather unfortunate. The Voyeurs were a one-off project for Hooper of The Beasts of Bourbon with members of The Devastations, and this record is released some 4 years later by Basque Bang! Records in a ltd ed of 500 vinyls and 1300 cds.
http://www.bang-records.net

If you dig: The Triffids, Tom Waits, Tindersticks

Jon A

V/A - Last Vegas/Bible Of The Devil 7" (Scarey Records)
Last Vegas blasts through the roof with "You Wanna Know How To Love Me", a full-on dirty and catchy punk'n'roll rager in grand tradition of New Bomb Turks/Columbian Neckties, and "S&M" is a fine hardrock anthem that'd make Ted Nugent cream his tiny lioncloth with envy. Two killer tracks from these Get Hip rock'n'rollers who's right now on a Euro tour. Bible Of The Devil cover Rainbow's "Starstruck" and "Humboldt Home" seems like a lost KISS track off "Destroyer", complete with Stanley/Simmons vocal harmonies. Hmm, not bad, but I miss a bit of identity and some input of their own in this 70s hardrock retro-fest.
http://www.scaryrecords.com

If you dig: Columbian Neckties, Gluecifer, Bottomfeeders (Last Vegas). Dio, Rainbow, Kiss (Bible Of The Devil)

(Last Vegas) (Bible Of The Devil)

Jens

V/A NO MUSIC REQUESTS - 20 YEARS OF LAST TRAIN (Last Train 002)
This is a CD that was released last year in Norway to commemorate 20 years of one of Oslo's coolest ROCK clubs, Last Train. The CD features 20 different bands that have played and supported the venue over the years. In some cases the tracks are rare and unreleased (WE- Cold night for Alligators by Roky Erikson) and others just taken from live or studio recordings. It is a really cool compilation with Turbonegro, Team Spirit, Gluecifer, Madrugada, King Midas, Euroboys, Die Die Die, Astroburger, Wonderfools, Amulet, Anal Babes and more.
http://www.lasttrain.no

Scott