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Baseball Furies - Lost Ones 7” (Alien Snatch)
Their ”Greater Than Ever” album is one the best
damn records of the 00’s, and this is more of the same;
raw, fucked, snotty and hardrockin’ punkrock with plenty
o’ balls and attitude. Two bitchin’ original songs,
”Lost Ones” is a killer tune that rocks so hard
it made my nuts hurt, and there’s even a cool cover of
Reatards’ ”Quite All Right”. It doesn’t
get much better than this, fellas. My fave 7” of this
issue! Blue vinyl limited to 98 copies. http://www.aliensnatch.de
If you dig: Pagans, New Bomb Turks, Humpers
Jens
 Beasts
Of Bourbon - Low Life CD (Spooky)
Spooky Records are damn proud of this live record by the legendary
swamp blues punk rockers, and they have every right to be,
cuz ”Low Life” reeks of all what’s essential
in playing ugly drunk sludgy and angry rock’n’roll.
Most of the tracks are from ”The Low Road” and ”Black
Milk” LPs, and yes they might never make a record as
great as the ”The Axeman’s Jazz” debut, but
this is still a must for fans. Their grinding heavy-as-shit
blues riffs are more than matched by Tex Perkins’ raw
gravel voice which seems hellbent on raising the dead. My
two faves is the rare Stones tunes ”Cocksucker Blues”
and their ferocious version of Hound Dog Taylor’s ”Let’s
Get Funky”. Good drinkin’ music for middle aged
punks.
Distributed in EU by Munster.
http://www.spookyrecords.com
If you dig: Stooges, Mudhoney, early Nick Cave & The
Bad Seeds
Jens
 Black
Dahlias – Wednesday Night 7”
(Plastic Idol records)
Songs that begin with the actual refrain and repeat it all
through the song have a tendency to stick in your head and
Wednesday Night is one of those songs. Damn! This is one catchy
motherf#&%” of a song. A power pop type feeling,
but still rough and simple riffing, with the kind of drumming
that makes trios come alive. Call the police! The two songs
on the B-side have kind of a (I’m) Stranded-era Saints
meet the Jolt punk-mod mood and that’s another plus.
http://www.plasticidolrecords.com
If You Dig: see references above
Morten
Black My Heart – Before the Devil CD
Unearth – Our Days of Eulogy CD (both Alveran Records)
Faithfully, our friends at Alveran Records keep churning out
album after album of US hardcore. Little of it is very original
or even individual, a lot of it comes off rather thick headed,
but that said, I’ll take 10 albums sounding exactly like
Sick Of It All to just 1 sounding like The Faces. This is
good, super-aggressive, beefy music for lifting weights or
relaxing after work, and for those purposes Black My Heart
and Unearth serve well. Both bands are licensed from the Eulogy
label, and of the two, I prefer BMH, who are closest to the
Hatebreed metal core vein. They lack some hooks, but this
being their debut album, and with them being good straight
edge boys not pissing about, they should be able to make up
for that in the future. It’s a decent, promising debut
record. Unearth, who present 6 live recordings with OK sound
and 7 studio cuts, march further into the metal field, going
a tad too crust for my taste along the way, but they’re
desperate and heavy. Emo it sure ain’t, pacifist neither,
but it eats hearts.
http://www.alveranrecords.com
If you dig: Sick Of It All, Hatebreed, Slayer
BMH:
Unearth: 
Jon A
Bowfinger - All You Know CD (Squadra Records)
The guys from Luton are back for more, after I reviewed their
first self-named release.
Last time, I said they resembled britpop, which apparently
made the band smile. I'm not kidding though, and this
single made me smile. It's not one of those cheeky smiles,
where you chuckle, and burn the CD in the bin - more
one of those "this is ok" kind of smiles. The
second track on the CD doesn't do a lot for me - so I'll just
note that the one critique point of this release, is the second
track. The first track however, is Bowfinger as I remember
them. Surging organ intro, powerful vocals, and a thumping
rhythm that makes you want to jump on the first place
to Luton and drink Margaritas. People always hate, say The
Beatles or Caesars Palace, for making simple music. I beg
to differ: their songs have power, and enough style to make
it big. I've never understood why music has to be anything
but simple.
More is less in this industry, although that seems to have
been lost in the abundance of string synthesizers. Bowfinger
make music simple again, but add that special sound - the
artistic freedom that comes with being a talented young band.
I sincerely hope they visit Copenhagen so I can catch
this band before they make it big. They sound like The Killers
would have, if they were any good!
http://www.bowfinger.net
If you dig: The Killers, Caesars Palace, Coldplay on speed
Kristian
 The
Brimstone Solar Radiation Band - Solstice
(Big Dipper Records BDRCD056)
The Bergen, Norway band, The Brimestone Solar Radiation Band
are back with their 2nd CD. The CD is packed full of great
tracks that take you back to the quality days of the late
60’s and early 70’s. That classic organ sound, the
cool and very unique vocals, lyrics about far out stuff and
love and peace and flowers, combined with skilled playing
and an amazing sound production makes this CD a true Norwegian
classic. Very few bands create such a faithful throwback to
the good old days. The band played several of these songs
when they played live in Copenhagen almost a year ago (Feb
2005) and will be back in 2006. Don’t miss them….
http://www.brimestone.no
http://www.bigdipper.no
If you like: The Beatles, Arthur Lee
Scott
 The
Breakers - Here For A Laugh CD (Good Guy’s)
Their debut album, ”What I Want”, drew a lotta different
reactions from critics and r’n’r fans; some loved
it, some hated it, I thought it was good but not a sensational
rock’n’roll record that tried to compete with probably
too many bands playing the same kind of 60s garage/70s hardrock.
”Have A Laugh” is an improvement over the debut.
It’s less noisy but it focuses on what The Breakers is
best at; writing catchy youthful party songs. The guitars
are tuned down, and their love of 60s mod, rhythm & blues
and soul music really shines through, there’s even some
tasty horns here and there. Rock’n’roll ain’t
always about being gloomy, pissed-off and angry, it’s
also about being young, naive and having fun, and The Breakers’
irrisistable lust for life is present in all 10 tracks, all
lead by Toke’s youthful Rod Stewart vocal. Highly recommended!
This was the last record for Lukas Scherfig who’s more
than busy with The Movement (they just moved to Berlin), new
geetar picker is Daniel Hecht. The Breakers have found their
identity, now go see’em and have a laugh and a beer with
the boys.
http://www.thebreakers.dk
If you dig: Faces, The Jam, (early) The Who
Jens
Cameran – A Caesarean CD
The Redrum – The Redrum CD (both San Martin Records)
Wow! If these two records are anything to go by, Turin-based
San Martin Records must be a really cool label, even if they
don’t know English for shit. Cameran sound scarily similar
to our own Lack, not just in style, but the voice too is exactly
the same. Spooky. That means the Austrians play the best kind
of emo / screamo on this, their very mature debut album; melodies
set against screaming, interlaced with elements of folk music.
I think I’ve said this before, but the world needs more
bands like this. The Redrum aren’t half as sophisticated
as their label mates, but damn they’re noisy. Full-on
punk rock in the vein of Dwarves, reminiscent of my personal
darlings Muletrain, but with the added twist of being sung
in Italian. Great! http://www.sanmartinrecords.it
If you dig:
Cameran: At the Drive-In, Fugazi, Refused
The Redrum: The Dwarves, Muletrain, Ramones
Cameran:
The Redrum:
Jon A
Celibate Rifles - Beyond Respect (Bang!)
The Aussie garagerock veterans, formed in the late 70s, are
back with bang! ”Beyond Respect” reeks of vitality
and packs a wallop of fiery hooks, clever lyrics and memorable
tunes, highlights being ”Return Of The Creature With
The Atom Brain” (nice nod to Roky), ”You Won’t
Love Me”, ”From One Line”, and ”Salute”.
Fuck everything labelled ’nu’ and enlist at the
old school university of Celibate Rifles rock’n’roll,
okay? There’s a hidden CD track, a ferocious version
of ”My Generation”.
http://www.bang-records.net
If you dig: Nomads, Roky Erickson, Fleshtones
Jens
Che – Sexy 70. Music Inspired by the Brazilian Sacanagem
Movies of the 1970’s CD (Vampisoul)
At times, it would seem that the growth of the breasts in
porn has been inversely proportional to that of the balls
in the accompanying music, leaving us with bottle-blond silicone
divas heartlessly banging away to Mark Knopfler-schlock. In
the 60 and 70’s, however, as those of us barely born
at the time imagine them, all the erotic movies had beautiful
latinas in them and Deodato did just about every soundtrack.
It’s probably an illusion, but labels like Crippled Dick
Hot Wax! have mined that illusion with their “Beat at
Cinecittà” series, and the music sounds elegantly
sexy. Vampisoul is another label that has earned its props
re-releasing obscure 60’s and 70’s funk gems, but
last year the madrileños took it to another level with
new releases in the genre. This continues with “Sexy
70”, an album that honours Brazil’s cheesy erotic
cinema of the last years of the military dictatorship. For
the full story on that, there are comprehensive liner notes,
but once again they suffer from broken English that at it’s
worst actually needs to be re-translated back into the original
Portuguese to be able to make any sense of it. Come on, get
a native English speaker to proofread it before you print
it, shouldn’t be that hard to find one in Madrid! The
music is fluffy bossa, true to form it’s interspersed
with women moaning stuff like “Eu gosto muito de homem,”
and shit, and if it lacks some of the sleaziness of the original
recordings, that might just be another case of mistaken nostalgia.
A good record – perhaps a bit too cheesy for making luv
to, but probably great for whacking off. http://www.vampisoul.com
If you dig: Deodato
Jon A
 The
Coffin Lids - Round Midnight CD (Bomp!)
This was the last band Greg Shaw signed before his demise,
and it’s a fuckin’ superb addition to Bomp’s
already great catalogue. Crazee fuzzed out garagepunk outta
Boston that I wouldn’t mind seeing live, cuz this shit
rocks, BIG TIME! All tunes rip, from the cool cover of the
greatest 80s garage song ever, ”Slave Girl” (Lime
Spiders), to my fave stomper at the moment, ”I’m
Going To Have My Way (With The 5,6,7,8’s)”. Highly
recommended!!
http://www.bomp.com
http://www.coffinlids.com
If you dig: Fleshtones, Thee Headcoats, Cynics
Jens
 Dean
Dirg – 26 tracks To Make the Whole World Pay CD (Dead
Beat records)
Compilation collecting songs from Dean Dirg’s The Last
Kid On the Block and S/T lps, 26 in total as the title implies.
They might as well have called it 26 minutes to make your
girlfriend pay, because I’m sure she’ll enjoy these
kinky spurts of AGGRESSIVE and TIGHT German punk rock A LOT.
Just like you! And when was the last time you spend 26 minutes
on your girlfriend, by the way?
So… Buy this one for your next romantic evening and smash
your heads against the wall with Claus, Doph, Torsten and
Børge. The Floor Manager at your local fast food outlet
might complain about the noise, but then smash his/her head
against the wall too.
http://www.dead-beat-records.com
If You Dig: Catholic Boys, Henry Fiats Open Sore, Zodiac
Killers
Morten
 Dee
Rangers - Five Spanish Minutes CD
(Screaming Apple)
I’ve caught these Swedes before in Copenhagen, and last
year I saw’em at Primitive Festival with a new line-up
with singer Per Nyström (the brother of Anna of Stomachmouths)
and organ grinder Parsley The Lion. Dee Rangers have moved
towards a more soul/rhythm & blues sound which fit them
nicely. They even cover Joe Tex’s soul stompin’
classic ”Show Me”, and do a damn fine job at it.
I bet they had a nice time recording this excellent platter
down in sunny Spain under the helm of Jorge of Dr. Explosion,
you can hear the freshness and energy in every hotpants shakin’
tune. A perfect band for Club Mau Mau, so get on to it, guys!?
http://www.deerangers.com
http://www.screamingapple.de
If you dig: Mitch Ryder, Stomach Mouths, ? & The Mysterians
Jens
Dollhouse - The Basement Takes CD/10”
(Stigmate/The Rock & Soul productions)
Our blooze rockin’ Swedes are back with a killer release
after “The Rock & Soul Circus” which suffered
a bit from a somewhat muddy overproduction. The 7 track “Basement
Takes” is recorded at their rehearsal and possess a neat
live feeling which suits Dollhouse rather well. Every tune
oozes with soulful electrifying licks from Chris who’s
voice has never been better, and Marcus & Yoda is one
outstanding rhythm section. Yoda sure has some solid lungs
as he sucks the bong in “All My Luck Is Gone” like
there’s tomorrow, haha. All in all a small masterpiece
from one of Scandinavia’s most talented rock combo, I
really looking forward to their upcoming Nick Royale produced
album “The Royal Rendezvous”.
http://kiss.to/dollhouse
If you dig: MC5, Son Of Cyrus, Jimi Hendrix
Jens
 Digital
Leather – Simulator 7” (Plastic Idol Records)
Once a member of the Reatards, later front man of the Wongs,
after that some Destruction Unit, then some Tokyo Electron,
Cutters and Digital Leather… The chronology might be
slightly wrong, but the namedropping is tight. Word! Digital
Leather is the synth-punk/dance alter-ego of the man who broke
his first strings next to Jay Reatard, Ryan ”Elvis”
Wong is the name and what the grooves of the B-side of this
7” can do for you is make you Dance ’til Death.
A repetitious and evil tune of a DM rip off, with a hook so
large… so large… Argh! Just dance! ”Simulator”
on the A-side is not bad either, but compared to the brilliant
B-side, it’s just a warm up.
http://www.plasticidolrecords.com
If You Dig: see references above
Morten
 Dozer
- Through the Eyes of Heathens
(Small Stone Records SS
Dozer is back! Not that they ever went away but after tour
after tour, the band is still producing a new CD every 2 years
or so. Anyway, this is by far the heaviest thing Dozer has
ever done and is sort of crossing over into a more heavy metal
sound. The influence of touring and becoming friends with
Mastadon is very obvious on many tracks. The vocalist from
Mastadon contributes as well to the CD. I think this will
bring them a lot of new fans though as the same drive that
the band has always had is still there but now, they have
a more focus to their sound and are heavier. From Fire Fell
really pummels you with some heavy riffing and screaming shouting
vocals but also sometimes Fredrick sings more melodically
as well. Until Man exists no More starts very slow and dark
(with piano), before the very heavy riffing kicks in. This
track could have been on a Mastadon record! Days of Future
Past (remember Nektar?) brings things down a bit and Fredrick
sings a lot like Josh Homme on this track. Seems Josh influences
just about every vocalist in this genre these days. The track
is heavy but also one of the most melodic in some ways. Omega
Glory is another high energy bulldozer of a song. Blood Undone
is a great track, in classic Dozer style. The Roof, The River,
The Revolver is another very heavy Mastodon influenced track,
but quite cool. A bit psychedelic vocal. Nice change. The
CD ends with the amazing Big Sky Theory, easily my favorite
track on the CD and probably the best track the band has ever
recorded. You have to give it to Dozer.. They work hard, and
play damn tight music. The drumming is outstanding on this
CD and the grooves heavy and the band have evolved their sound
a bit. Congrats!
Even Dozer seems to have dropped almost all the lead guitar
from their album. What the hell is going on in this world,
where the heavy metal bands are no longer soloing, most of
the stoner rock bands don’t know what a guitar solo is
anymore??? Riffing all the time is fucking boring, man…Beware,
the band has a new web site but hardly any of the links are
working, including the tour dates…
http://www.smallstone.com
http://www.dozermusic.com
If you dig: Unida, Nebula, Sunride,
Scott
 The
Embrooks - 45 & High Times 2CD (Munster)
This is a really neat comp by these mod/freakbeat revivalists
that mixes tasty psych folk with Mersey beat harmonies and
fuzz guitars. All their singles (1996-2004) are included that
were released on Dig The Fuzz, Sympathy For The Record Industry,,
Monkey Boy Records, Guerssen Records + ultra rare tracks from
zines etc. Many were produced by Liam Watson at the famous
Toe Rag Studios. Among the 20 cuts I really dig their take
on “Fire Fire” by John Fogerty’s pre-CCR band,
The Golliwogs. Disc 2 consists of two radio live sessions,
one from New Jersey and a live show from Madrid in 2003/4.
http://www.munster-records.com
http://www.embrooks.freeserveco.uk/
If you dig: The Outsiders, Lovin’ Spoonful, Small Faces
Jens
 The
Flakes – Back To School (Dollar Record Records)
Whether you’ve just tasted a garage rock burger recently
or you’ve been eating them since you quit breast milk,
this particular bun and everything in between will fill your
stomach twice and still make you come back for more. Amongst
other budget rock ingredients, the Flakes feature a certain
tomato with sticks, who used to dress up as a mummy and ride
around in a hearse… You guessed right - the one and only
Russell Quan handles the drumming for this lanky Bay Area
quintet! It’s their first longplayer, it’s called
Back To School and most listeners can definitely pick a thing
or two up about the grammar of R’n’R from listening
to the 14 songs on this disc. The material ranges from Flakes
”originals” to choice covers like Stupid Girl (Rolling
Stones) and the Sam & Dave medley Shake/Hold On and the
recording is appropriately trashy, so - any cons? Not really.
I’m smiling.
http://www.dollarrecords.com
http://www.theflakes.net
If You Dig: Count Backwards, The Dukes of Hamburg, the Sexareenos
Morten
 Gentle
Bob And His Sensitive Side - The Sober Light Of Day CD (Spooky)
These Aussies’ “Beginning Of The End” record
really surprised the hell of out me since I’m not usually
into crooner alt. country/indie acts with theatrical vocals
that’s even more flamboyant than Bowie or Tom Waits.
“The Sober Light Of Day” is just as unique as Gentle
Bob’s previous LP, 11 laid-back twangy ditties that’d
be the perfect background music as some bartender yells ‘last
call’ at some seedy bar in early hours of the morning.
A track like “The First Song Of The Last Day the Rest
Of Your Life” is probably the best song Pixies never
wrote, and I bet my firstborn that Nick Cave sure wish he
had written “Execution Day”. The different moods
and vibes are present all over the record; slow, yet menacing
ballads that suddenly erupt into guitar violence and then
back to subtle crooning. This is smart music for hungover
people. Another winner from Spooky Records.
http://www.spookyrecords.com
http://www.sensitiveside.net
If you dig: Pixies, Lee Hazelwood, Ricochets
Jens
 Gorilla
Angreb - Long Island/Supersyn 7”
(Spild Af Vinyl)
2005 saw these Copenhagen punks successfully touring at the
West Coast, releasing a couple of 7”s and this single
was released before X-mas when Lowcut was on vacation break.
Both tracks are slower than previous releases, with more emphasis
on haunting melodies with superb twin vocals of Mai and guitarist
Peter. I don’t know if this shows ’another side’
of Gorilla Angreb, but it definitely broadens their musical
range, which shows a band growing with each release. The two
tunes reminded me a bit of Adverts’ 2nd album, ”Cast
Of Thousands”. ”Long Island” is an outstanding
single with new atmospheric depths to an already welloiled
punkrock/new wave machine. Way to go, guys! The 1st pressing
(500) is gone, and the 2nd (500) is almost gone now. Their
12” ”Bedre Tider ” (6 tracks) will be out by
the end of February. Stay tuned for a Gorilla Angeb interview
in Lowcut # 32! http://www.spildafvinyl.dk
If you dig: X, The Adverts, X-Ray Spex
Jens
 The
Grim Fighting Heroes - Songs on the Edge of Forever (demo,
2005)
Allll righy, brothers and sisters! Back to the good old days
of Stooges, MC5 and the lot. Back to the dusty ol’ garage
again. Copenhagen band The Grim Fighting Heroes have spent
4 days in Black Tornado Studio with sound magician Ralph Reilly
making 15 songs of which only six made it to this teaser/demo.
Pretty cool dirty sound on all tracks – the guys can
actually play and especially the drummer has a real hard kick
in his bass drum. Nice stuff on this demo, and I find the
vocals much better here than when hearing the band live. This
is full power rock’n’roll without too much crap
on the side. One little remark: The G F Heroes have been listening
maybe a bit too closely to Love’s cover version of all
time classic “Hey Joe” (from the album “Love”,
1966) on their song “Next to You” – it’s
nearly the same riff, approach and attack! But aside from
that a pretty competent demo from these ass kicking guys who
come from bands like The Saints, Pidgeon Party, Neon Machine
and Psyched up Janis.
http://thegrimfightingheroes.mymusic.dk/
If you dig: Cramps, Stooges – old school garage.
Foxy
 Highway
Child CD
If there’s any justice in the r’n’r world Highway
Child will hit big in 2006, since they’re armed with
musical abilities that are vastly superior to most other Danish
rockbands. That combined with a string of successful concerts
showcasing their amazing stage presence should make room for
an international breakthrough. This 5 tracker, their 2nd release,
shows impressive range from hardass rockers (“Red White
& Blue”, “Love For Sale”), to fuzz blues
(“Gold”), acoustic rootsrock (“High”)
and the Led Zep-ish “Evelyn”. The tunes sounds like
the shithot work of a seasoned band with a hotshot producer,
but it’s actually recorded in their rehearsal. Simply
sensational!! These youngsters will go far, mark my words,
and this ep is the horse that gonna ride’em into the
promised land, baby!
http://www.highwaychild.dk
If you dig: The Who, Led Zeppelin, Zen Guerrilla
Jens
 Initial
Prayer – The Last Men in Europe CD
(Corrosive Growth Industries)
“Drawn together by a mutual interest in anarchism, the
philosophies of Nietzsche, Gurdfief, Ouspensky, Marx etc.
not to mention a broad range of musical affinities (Faust
– Crass – Satie – Throbbing Gristle –
Test Dept – Foetus – Reich – PiL – Stockhausen
etc),” will ya! Talk about pretentiousness plunging itself
way over the line into preposterousness! Thankfully, Initial
Prayer aren’t as bad as their press would have them,
even though they’re nothing if not over-ambitious. The
band, which apparently has been playing live since the early
80’s, specialize in noisescapes, moody, atmospheric melodies,
and military anthems. At times reminiscent of a less metallic
and more arty Neurosis, at others a bit under-baked in its
epic symphonies, but definitely not uninteresting.
http://www.corrosivegrowthindustries.com
If you dig: Einstürzende Neubauten, Laibach, Neurosis
Jon A
Heartattacks – 7” (Ken Rock)
One of a series of amazing punk singles from Ken Rock. The
overall level of quality of Stefan’s latest releases
has been very impressive, but now he seems to over-do himself.
This is kick-ass punk rock somewhere between the Brides and
Teengenerate. Fast, tight, catchy and aggressive. Fuck, this
is brilliant! Cool male and female vocals and four excellent
songs. One of them you might already know from Anal Babes’
“Delirium or Diarrhea” album: “Jag Ska Aldrig
Dö” by the Swedish band Dr Zeke. Check out my review
of the Manikins for more Anal Babes cover songs done by young
hot rocking Swedes. Anyway, if Teengenerate ever re-united
I’m sure they’d be proud if they could do a comeback
single as great as this. Get it!
SN
 Highroad
no. 28 - Unsteady & Steady State CD (DSM99)
Australian rock is usually a good thing - and when the band
claims to be a pop rock band, I was expecting Powderfinger
or Augie March. I was disappointed. According to the band,
they are very proud of this record - which is always
a plus. But just like it doesn't count when your mom
thinks your paintings from 2nd grade look pretty, liking your
own music is enough to get you rave reviews. The record isn't
finished in my eyes - it's poorly produced, recorded and performed.
The band only spent 2 weeks in a studio, and that wasn't enough.
More practice, and proper production might do wonders
for Highroad no. 28, but for now, the record is only "unsteady
state".
http://www.highroadno28.com
If you dig: Maximum RnR, Sövsö
Kristian
 Holy
Curse - Wear Your Fricken Seat Belt 2CD
(Off The Hip)
Garage/rock’n’roll outta Paris that is very inspired
by Australian bands and the Detroit rock sound. Disc 2 is
two live shows with decent sound quality, so you get your
money’s worth with this release. They got a Radio Birdman
fetish, and Deniz Tek is producing their new album, so that
seems fitting. I like it.
http://www.drink.to/holycurse
http://www.offthehip.com.au
If you dig: Radio Birdman, New Christs, Nomads
Jens
Brian Henry Hooper - Lemon Lime & Bitter CD (Bang! Records)
If Jarvis Cocker was 10 years older, had listened to David
Bowie a lot more (read stole his style), and if he had the
style of Jon Spencer combined with the stoned quality of Joe
Cocker, you would have Brian Henry Hooper. On the cover of
his new album, he's wearing a suit. Inside the cover,
he's wearing everything from Stardust empowered The Darkness
costumes, to AC/DC leather clad. The music is just as
stylish as The Man himself, though it has the dusty, moldy smell
you would expect from an 80s-90s leftover. This is the kind
of music that would have been mighty popular right around
Cocktail the movie, and probably still is very popular,
though not to the particular liking of your Reviewer.
It's very much mood music to my ears. Very down to earth,
yet rocky, in its own right. Talent in abundance, but a style
that wont necessarily harmonize with most people in the world.
http://www.briansway.com
If you dig: David Bowie, The Pixies, Hackmack Johnson
Kristian
The Hypstrz - Live At The Longhorn CD (Bomp!)
An American amphetamine version of Dr. Feelgood? This CD consists
of live performances recorded in 1979, 19 songs have been
released on an EP and their “Hypstrization” (1980)
album, along with 17 from a Longhorn gig, yeah, that’s
37 (!) tunes of full-on high speed rhythm & blues/soul/garage
classics and a few originals. The Hypstrz cover Small Faces,
Wilson Pickett, Music Machine, Sonics, Flamin Groovies, The
Litters, Standells, James Brown and tonsa other artists which
get their hyperactive treatment. Mucho thanks to Bomp! Records
for releasing the ultimate party comp by these rockers. The
live sound is shitraw but it fits the songs perfectly. AWESOME!
http://www.bomp.com
If you dig: DMZ, Dr. Feelgood, The Senders
Jens
 The
Incubators - Vision Express 7” (Bootleg Booze)
When Gluecifier called it quits some of the members joined
this combo. The Incubators deliver classic rock with bigass
riffs and melodies that stays with you for days. A song like
“(I Could Be) Your Nightmare” sounds like a hardrock
take on Roky Erickson (“The Evil One” period), and
the three others follow the same path. Good shit! Blue vinyl
limited to 500 copies.
http://www.bootlegbooze.com
If you dig: New Christs, Roky Erickson, Radio Birdman
Jens
 The
Kelvins - Shake Your Ass, Baby!! CD
(Saint Martin)
Italian punk/rock’n’roll with all greaser bad boy
clichés of the genre. There’s also a poppunk feel
to their tunes which ain’t terrible original but it’s
all pretty catchy and well executed. Not unlike Demonics,
if anyone remembers that Californian band. Neat covers of
Sam Cooke (”Twistin’ The Night Away”), Stones’
”Dead Flowers” and yet another take on ”That’s
All Right Mama” (Arthur Crudup).
http://www.thekelvins.it
http://www.sanmartinrecords.it
If you dig: Demonics, Ramones, Peawees
Jens
 Kosmos
- Tarinoita Voimasta (Kosmos 001)
Kosmos is a new Finnish progressive folk rock band. The band
features 6 members including several guests on this their
debut vinyl LP. The female vocals (2 and all in Finnish) are
fantastic. The LP is on high quality 180 gram vinyl and includes
the lyrics in both Finnish and English. The lyrics are quite
amazing stuff and I guess even cooler if you understand Finnish.
The LP begins with a very laid back mood. This is a band that
loves their mellotrons and the moods that they create. The
title track is almost all just piano, flute and voice and
quite beautiful. The band maintain this folky and laid back
music and texture until the amazing Seven Planets track, which
features some real progressive rock jamming and some very
depressing lyrics about the death of mankind. Phew… Another
beautiful short piece ends this pretty cool LP. You can contact
the band through the web site link below to obtain this future
collectors item!
www.nic.fi/~ovaltone/kosmos/index.htm
IF you dig: The Amazing String Band, Moon Fog Prophet (acoustic
stuff)
Scott
 Th’
Legendary Shack Shakers - Pandelirium CD
(Yep Roc/Kick Music)
The best band on the face of the earth is back titillate us
again with yet another slap of deranged rootspunk of the outerwordly
kind. ”Pandelirium” is a further journey into country/polka/balkan
folk weirdness that ”Believe” started, and this
time guest musicians include such different icons as Reverend
Horton-Heat and Jello Biafra, who called Col. J.D. Wilkes
’the greatest American frontman’. ”Ichabod”
kicks off the record in Slayer-buttfucked-by-polka style,
American Gothic rears it’s spooky head in ”No Such
Thing”, ”Something In The Water”, ”Bottom
Road”, ”Gypsy Valentine” and ”Bible, Candle
And Skull” ooze of ragtime/bluegrass/swing with short
burst of rocketfueled polka, while ”Iron Lung Oompah”
is psychotic balkan folk at 666 mph. Legendary Shack Shakers
is a band which is always evolving, always curious about infusing
different elements of folk music from around the globe, although
they’re based in southern country/blues/punk. There has
never been a band remotely like them, and there never will
be. NOONE CAN TOUCH THE GREATNESS OF TH’ SHACK SHAKERS,
PERIOD!! NOW SUCCUMB, OR STAY A DICKWEED! Did I mentioned
that Col. J.D. Wilkes is also the best damn harp player since
Little Walter? P.S. Hope guitarist David Lee is okay after
a recent nasty hit & run accident. You can donate money
to his medical bills at gobabygomusic@hotmail.com
http://www.yeproc.com
http://www.kick.dk
http://www.theshackshakers.com
If you dig: Flogging Molly, Whiskey Daredevils, Scotch Greens
Jens
 Magnified
Eye - Transition (Daredevil Record, 2005)
I heard this album already in 2004 and reviewed it back then
for another magazine, so it was kind of funny to get it again
now one and a half years later. The story of this album is
a story of a very long fight for getting a release on a label,
and luckily for Århus band Magnified Eye they finally
got the deal with German based Daredevil Records. The album
contains 18 tracks of which each second track is a kind of
a short “breaker” in between the “real”
songs. A nice idea. This is headbanger’s ball: A mixture
of metal and some kind of stoner played by five very skilled
men – including a harp which adds a specific sound to
the band’s music. Front man Torben Egebjerg has a very
powerful voice, but he maybe pushes it a little too much –
a bit more dynamic variation would suit the music. And unfortunately
the bass (played by one of DK’s best bass players, Torben
Ravn) is not loud enough in the final mix – and that’s
a real shame! But still a cool release from a hard working
band. Next album should be on it’s way, and I certainly
hope it won’t take years till it’s out...
http://www.magnifiedeye.com
If you dig: Alabama Thunderpussy, Cowboys & Aliens, Hangnail
Foxy
Manikins – Hits Men inte Längre 7” (Ken
Rock)
This must be the most productive band around these days and
so far they haven’t set a foot wrong. Top-notch punk
rock action all around proving that Swedish punk rock is far
more than the Action Rock reputation it still seems to have.
Here they have recorded 4 songs with Swedish lyrics and it’s
brilliant. Three cover songs: “Bakom Mine Solglasögon”
(Docent Död), “Amsterdam” (Etiquette Moon)
and “Jag vill Dö” (KSMB) – which is also
covered by Anal Babes’ “Deliruim or Diarrhea”
album following their cover of “Jag Skal Aldrig Dö”
(covered by Heartattacks – see review elsewhere in this
issue). The only self-penned song here “Kriminelle Tendenser”
is pure catchy punk rock bliss and probably one of the best
songs these young dudes ever made. Great chorus and ripping
(Kriminelle) guitar riffs! This is one of the best 7”s
I’ve heard for years and it’s only 300 copies I
think so get to it chum!
http://www.ken-rock.com
SN
 The
Mighty Go-Go Players – Play, Lose And Die
(Alien Snatch Records)
The French and Italian guys have a distinct way of churning
out their 60s inspired surf/beat/punk with a bent lo-fi trash-rock.
I don’t know why. The Go-Go Players sound and approach
bring to mind bands like The Uninvited and The Hermits, both
from Italy and the Players’ countrymen the Squares, from
France. On this 10”, their first long player, the quartet
have added a creepy Farfisa organ to the grandeur, which they
build the songs around, along with some pretty lively drumming,
such as on the opening track No Way At All and the following
Goin’ On. Well, Well is a moody Boots-like ballad, but
they speed things up again on side 2 and prove that the freaky
shit-tag they come with, was earned the hard way on It Could
Be Higher and Not Too Bad. You Got To Crawl On My Soul is
another slow Beguiled-like monster of a song and just like
the Fatals, whom the Players share two members with, this
happy marriage of fuzz, reverb and desperately trying to have
some fucked up fun, is made in heaven if you like your R’n’R
with one foot in the garbage can and the other one in the
grave.
http://www.profetrecord.com
http://www.aliensnatch.de
If You Dig: the Bomboras, the Fatals, the Satelliters
Morten
 The
Misteriosos - The Misteriosos (Triptone Records)
This is the bands debut CD and it is described in their bio
as “fuzzed out organ tremolo psych rock n roll”.
The band is a three piece of drums, guitar and organ with
female vocals. The band has a really killer low fi 60’s
psychedelic beat sound. Quite amazing! The opening track is
quite an intense little number that takes you back in time.
Not the whole CD is upbeat and rocking though….She Said
follows and is very much like the Monkees and includes a cool
psychedelic guitar jam! Yeah….The Sun is a killer 9 minute
psychedelic LSD track… The CD has a great mixture of
stuff on it, all with its roots deep in the 60’s and
psychedelic rock domain… They get mellow and spaced out
as well. I really hope that the band makes it over to Europe!
Very impressed…
http://www.themisteriosos.com
If you dig: The Fuzztones, The Monkees, Flesthtones
Scott
 Monoton
- Greenwood CD (Play/Rec)
It's not often a Danish band, with only two records in the
bag, have gone through as much as Monoton have. Reading their
biography is down right depressing, and so is their music.
As the name implies, the band tries to shred every last piece
of music from compositions, leaving only monotonous guitars
and slightly warped blues slides. The lead singers dark Johnny
Cash voice shreds through the last piece of light left in
the compositions, and leaves wad of depressing, monotonous,
destructive, dark music. Trying to compare this band to Robert
Johnson would be an insult towards Robert Johnson. Not even
in my darkest hours would I find comfort or reconciliation
in their work. It's the soundtrack for bad-ass cowboy movies,
or a depressed version of the Crocodile Dundee soundtrack.
I have every bit of pity for this band, and the things they
have been through - but seriously, this is just off.
http://www.playrec.dk
If you dig: Johnny Cash, Robert Johnson in the dark
Kristian
 Mojomatics
- Nothin about nothin´7" (Alien Snatch)
Italian duo from Venice who released their cool
debut album "A Sweet Mama is Gonna Hoodoo Me" last
year on Alien Snatch. Since then they have released a 7"
on Shake Your Ass and recorded with BBQ and King Khan
for a future 7". And then there is this one and it doesn't
get much better as far as electrified blues/country/punk go.
The title track is an amazing song and in a sane world it
would be "Nothin' about Nothin´" people would
hype about and not Strokes or those new UK Monkeys.
Well, the world is not exactly sane but buy this 7" and
feel part of a small group of boneheads who knows what's it
all about. Another two exclusive songs on the back and although
they are not in the same league as the title track it could
be much worse. Brilliant! http://www.mojomatics.com
http://www.aliensnatch.de
If You Dig: Oblivians, BBQ
Don K
 The
Mormons – Statement of No Statement CD (Nickel And Dime
Records)
You’re pretty much sold out in the image department when
bands start dressing up as Mormons – complete with bike
helmet and back pack – for a gimmick, which is about
as stupid as Running Wild (or Adam Ant, if you must) dressing
up in pirate regalia. But all that becomes irrelevant once
The Mormons start playing. My initial reference for them within
5 seconds was NoMeansNo, though The Mormons aren’t as
jazzy, and that’s a big compliment coming from me. Devo
are another obvious reference, but this is more straight-ahead
punk rock, angular and intense, with melodies bordering on
power pop, but for once I like it. A good, intelligent album,
with thumbs up for titles like “Mega Alpha Chumps Enjoy
the Grand Oblivion”, “Karaoke Death Machine”,
or just “Prophecy of the Rollerboys”. Great! http://www.nickelanddimerecords.com
If you dig: NoMeansNo, Devo
Jon A
 Mother
Misery - For the Crows EP
(Daredevil Records DD034)
This is the Swedish bands 2nd EP since 2004. The band is playing
their first gigs in Germany to support this Daredevil release
in early 2006. The band plays a pretty straight up melodic
hard rock sound with raw vocals. This EP contains 5 new tracks.
The opening track is a bit inspired by Dozer in some ways.
Take a good look is a pretty cool track with a cool guitar
sound. Monster Magnet (later 90’s sound) fans would like
this one. I will never Learn is another very Monster Magnet
inspired track. For the Crows, is a 2½ minute straight
up rocker! The CD ends with Pray for them Pigs. This one sounds
cool when you crank it up as the opening guitar riff is quite
a monster! A bit of a TOOL inspired track here. Check it out.
I bet they rock live!
http://www.mothermisery.com
http://www.daredevilrecords.de
If you dig: Monster Magnet, Dozer, Electric Earth
Scott
 The
Naked Eye - Done and Dusted
(Hip Records, 2005)
This is the second album from the hands of Australian The
Naked Eye – and a number two is always a hard one to
make. First album got a nice reception when it came out. This
is guitar rock with a dark and noicy edge to it, but nevertheless
simple and pretty direct. Some resemblance to bands like The
Stranglers or Dream Syndicate in my ears though the press
material mention names like Creedence Clearwater Revival,
Love and Alice Cooper (which I frankly cannot hear!). The
composing from the band bears the same fragile, slightly naive,
almost-falling-apart and kind of scruffy attack as an early
Steve Wynn had and still have – and that’s meant
in the most positive way! I like it as it is anyway. It brings
back memories of a whole lot of cool concerts I sneaked in
to hear as a too young female rock fanatic in the late 80’ies
and 90’ies...
http://www.ofthehip.com.au
If you dig: Dream Syndicate, The Stranglers and the like...
Foxy
 The
Neanderthals - In Space CD (Munster)
Compared to Neanderthals’ ”The Latest Menance To
Human Race”, this is a lot less garagerock-ish. Eddie
Angel & Co. is having one huge joyful celebration of late
50s/early 60s fratrock, r&b, surf, twang and rockabilly,
all with an outer space theme. We get the expected covers
like ”Purple People Eater” but also John Lennon’s
”Across The Universe” and Bowie’s ”Space
Oddity” get the unique Neanderthals treatment. Great
stuff! Flying Saucer Rock’n’Roll, yes indeed. George
Miller of The Kaisers made the caveman/astronauts painting
on the cover.
http://www.munster-records.com
If you dig: Trashmen, Los Straitjackets, Untamed Youth
Jens
The New Invincibles - Legs Eleven CD (Off The Hip)
Sonically supercharged garagefuzz that belongs somewhere between
60s psych and Detroit’s classic rock’n’roll
sound. The lethal mix of shitraw geetars, hammond organ, punk
attitude and catchy uptempo tunes is truly awesome. Man, the
2 first tracks, ”Fist” and ”Teargas”,
totally grabbed my testicles and squeezed’em like Olga
with a bad case of PMS. And lo and behold the nut grip continued
all through the 12 (that’s a hidden track) tunes. OUCH!
Damn Aussie cavemen. One of the best releases from Off The
Hip I’ve ever heard.
http://www.offthehip.com.au
If you dig: Fuzztones, Ghost Rocket, Stooges
Jens
 Nixon
Now - Altamont Nation Express
(Elektrohasch Records 109)
The German band, Nixon Now has been around for 10 years now
and this is their 2nd full length CD. I have never heard them
before but I have to say this CD really kicked my ass! 15
tracks of high energy Detroit 1969-71 sound in 40 minutes.
This includes two cover songs, the first being a slightly
faster version of the Rocker by Thin Lizzy as well as Car
Wash, which is performed in a way that would make The HEADs
very happy. Car Wash is probably the most psyched out song
on the CD as well. Burn down the Neighborhood is very Stooges
inspired but a killer track. There is also some funny stuff
with songs like I live in a car and Brian Jones. The CD ends
with Electric Teenage Nürnberg, showing that the band
wants to end the CD in heavy, fast and psyched out fashion…
Excellent release…
http://www.elektrohasch.de
http://www.nixonnow.net
IF you dig: MC5, Stooges, Screamin’ Eric and the Erections,
The HEads
Scott
 The
Omens – Destroy The ESP CD (Hipsville)
This record took me by surprise. With the amount of garage
punk records out there it can be hard to muster some heartfelt
enthusiasm when yet another one enters the mailbox. But Destroy
the ESP is different, it had me sit up and take notice right
away. The Omens released a 7” before this release that
is otherwise their debut and I wouldn’t mind getting
myself a copy of that single cuz Destroy the ESP contains
some mean garage-punk fuzz that sounds uncanningly like our
brothers in The Maggots and The Defectors when they really
tear it up. Early Makers and Woggles also springs to mind
so it’s not like The Omens present anything remotely
new, but they do what they do with heart and passion and on
this release it’s more than enough.
http://www.the-omens.com
http://www.hipsville-records.com
If You Dig: The Maggots, early Makers, early The Defectors
Don K
 Radio
Reelers - The Next Best Thing CD (Dead Beat)
It’s no secret that I’m a huge Devil Dogs fan, and
Radio Reelers’ previous ”Shakin’ At The Party”
album sent me right off into orbit, and fortunately ”The
Next Best Thing” is yet more of the same; short 2 min.
blasts of speedy rock’n’roll/punkrock that fuses
the very best of Chuck Berry, Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers,
and The Ramones. The CD has short bonus video with Radio Reelers
on tour, these boys like to rock and drink beer, so get this
fucker and go see ’San Francisco’s Only Rock’n’Roll
Band!’. Radio Reelers make this ol’ wanker dance
like a loon on German diet pills!
http://www.dead-beat-records.com
http://www.rockinvan.com/radioreelers
If you dig: Devil Dogs, The Infections, Ramones
Jens
 Reigning
Sound – Live At Maxwell’s
(Spoonful Records)
Greg Cartwright ranks pretty high on everybody’s near-genius
list of contemporary songwriters, right? If bands like Oblivians
and Compulsive Gamblers don’t ring a bell, your bell
might never ring, but any fan of so-called R’n’R
music ought to have at least one Reigning Sound album lying
around not too far from their turntable. Their tear-driven
and melancholic take on 60s soul, punk rock and 70s Dylan/Petty/Young
rock is a goosebump inducing experience. This album captures
Cartwright’s trio version of the band (featuring Jeremy
Scott on bass and Lance Wille on drums) live at a Hoboken,
New Jersey joint on a Monday night in July 2004. The recording
is a diamond in the rough, there’s no doubt about that,
but great songs are great songs and here they are: 14 of them
from their various albums on Sympathy and In The Red and the
intensity and atmosphere captured here ought to make you reach
for a cold one, despite the somewhat disarming recording.
http://www.spoonfulrecords.com
If You Dig: Oblivians, Compulsive Gamblers, Sam & Dave
Morten
 The
Invisible Eyes – Laugh In the Dark
(Bomp Records)
Another bunch of mops who know their 60s pimple punk stuff
inside out, with the obligatory haunting organ swirling under
some meaty guitar chops, which would make Bo and the Duchess
proud. 16 songs and the sound is gutsy with plenty of reverb,
courtesy of Conrad Uno and Egg Studios. All in all and it’s
not a bad ride, but a tad long and a couple of more loops,
to shake the trip with this Seattle quartet up a bit, wouldn’t
hurt. You can’t judge an album by its cover, but this
one sounds a lot like its cover: something for the garage
crowd, intruding at times, but still too hooked on etiquette.
http://www.bomprecords.com
If You Dig: Bo Diddley, Estrus Records and gloomy weather
Morten
 Rock’n’Roll
Stormtroopers - On Fire CD
(Full Breach Kicks)
This issue’s award for the ugliest album cover goes to
these Krauts, 4 barechested blokes in ripped short jeans/hot
pants standing on top of a vulcano, straight outta some mid80s
Metallica-wannabe backcover. And their name ain’t that
clever either. Well, I didn’t like the first song, ”Bulldozers
On The Loose”, but then something strange happened, maybe
due to too much jamaica rum I dunno, track by track they won
me over by the end of the record. It’s stupid and vulgar
powerpop/punk mixed with cheezy 70s glam/hardrock, but since
when have nerdy philosophy students ever made great rock’n’roll?
Disrespect your IQ, get drunk, and bang yer head to Rock’n’Roll
Stormtroppers! I sure did, and so would Claus Powergrill,
haha.
http://www.bulldozer.de
http://www.fullbreach77.com
If you dig: The Vibrators, The Boys, Rose Tattoo
Jens
 Scotch
Greens - Professional CD
(Brass Tacks/Target)
Fast and furious banjo-fueled rootspunk that made my schlong
stand up and salute at their recent gig with Gogol Bordello
and Throw Rag. ”Professional” truly re-captures
my memories of that glorious nite, bluegrass/country and punkrock
fused into one hot tasty stew. I mean, tracks like ”Throw
It Back” and ”River Of Blood” sound like Hank
Williams Sr. rose from the grave just to jam with Zeke and
kick our sorry asses! OutFUCKINstandin’! From San Diego.
http://www.scotchgreens.com
http://www.targetshop.dk
If you dig: Flogging Molly, Zeke, Legendary Shack Shakers
Jens
Sergej the Freak/Deville Split CD (Daredevil Records DD032)
Sergej is back! While I did not like their first split CD
very much, I think they have come back with a very strong
effort here, with some killer grooves, cool low down and dirty
vocals. There are some really heavy tracks and tracks like
Seth Kill Joy which has an almost reggae like skank and the
band fucking around at the end, but then they kick you in
the face again with a killer groover, Dirt Dust and Champagne.
Time is Mine is an acoustic number to end Sergej’s part
of the disk and to hand things over to Deville. Deville kick
it in heavy with Hands of Mine, which is very Queens of the
Stone Age influenced stuff, as are too many of the bands tracks.
They have a lot more heavy grooving riffs but the way they
structure their melodic parts is very unoriginal. Deville
feature a mostly acoustic instrumental track (Seven) to bring
things down a bit but it is too short and should have had
a killer guitar solo but is sadly faded out.. Actually, as
seems to be the norm these days with stuff I get to review,
neither band seems to be able to find anyone who can play
lead guitar or the space in their tracks… Get it Right
is a bit of a bluesy thing but soon takes on a very QOTSA
rip off…Deville finish with Thorn in my side, which starts
acoustic but really takes off. In this battle of bands, Sergej
is clearly the winner!
http://www.daredevilrecords.de
http://www.sergejthefreak.com
http://www.deville.nu
If you Dig: Magnified Eye, QOTSA; Dozer
Scott
SLA - Sonic Love Affair CD (Dollar Record)
”Back From The Grave” 60s snotpunk meets The Stooges
could describe SLA’s superior brand of garagepunk, it’s
definitely the best American band I’ve heard this year
so far. As the press release sez ’too punk for the garage
kids, too garage for the punk kids’, so you know it’s
groovy, baby! All killa no filla 110% kickass classic LOUD
rawk’n’roll that’ll burn a new asshole in yer
forehead! SLA hails from Sacramento, and hopefully they get
their young asses over here SOON!
http://www.dollarrecord.com
http://www.myspace.com/sonicloveaffair
If you dig: Stooges, DMZ, Mudhoney
Jens
 Slideshaker
– In The Raw CD (bad Afro Records)
Great record from Finnish band Slideshaker. A loose but still
sharp production makes this album very listenable. The songs
are a cool mix of garage rock, bluesy stomp anthems and 'pop'
elements. 'Last Draw' is the cd's radio hit for sure! You
catch yourself humming it over and over again. Some of the
songs are also a bit experimental compared to your average
'garage rock' – and not too many wanker guitar solos,
thank God! All in all the record works just fine in a laid
back style and they even throw in some weird 'electronic'
sounds and horns, which actually fits the band perfect. But
I'm not sure if they can do that in a live situation. Well,
we'll see about that when they come here in Copenhagen and
play with fellow Finns Sweatmaster in April. I'll defenitely
be there!
http://www.badafro.dk
http://www.slideshaker.com
JT
 Sons
of Cyrus - Monkey Business
(Dead Beat Records, 2005)
A compilation of singles and rarities, demos and other stuff
recorded 1999 to 2004, played by Swedish band Sons of Cyrus
– 20 songs on this 65 minutes all rocking release, which
among the tracks include a cover version of Jagger/ Richards
(“Street Fighting Man”) and even a cover of glorious
old Swedish band The Nomads (“The Fast Can’t Loose”).
One thing is for sure: Hellacopters has definitely had their
influence on these guys. Add a bit of Gluecifer, and you’re
just about to get it. Solid rythms and fat blues chords accompanied
by sliding, bending guitars and a whole lot of power and high
energy all the way through. Impossible to listen to without
moving. Quite a smack in the face and simple, but it sure
as hell works on a bloody cold snowy day in January 2006!
http://www.sonsofcyrus.com
If you dig: Hellacopters, Gluecifer, The Nomads
Foxy
 Soreazis
- Songs From A Picnic CD
This is kind of a detour from the old tunes I’ve heard
from Copenhagen’s Soreazis (which had traces of hardrock
and surf); pissed-off doom-laden mid-tempo ’77 UK punk
with memorable guitar hooks. The growls of Buzz sound like
a weird mix of Johnny Rotten and that guy from Placebo. I
like it, but it might take some time to really grow on me,
Soreazis sure doesn’t sound like any Danish punk acts
that I can think of. The lyrics center on serious topics like
incest, tv brainwashing, and that nutjob in the White House.
7 up-yours tracks of youthful angst, venom and bile.
http://www.soreazis.dk
If you dig: Sex Pistols, UK Subs
Jens
 Spiritu/Village
of Dead Roads- Human Failures (Meteorcity)
Wow.. Meteorcity is back with a split CD. The label who dominated
the Stoner rock scene for many years has released very few
things in 2005 and it seemed it might disappear… Looks
like it ain’t dead yet…. Good thing…Spiritu
starts the CD off with The Ten of Seven Bell. The production
sound is much more raw and not as full as their debut CD and
some of the drum sound is just awful sometimes but they have
a lot of raw energy and rock the first two tracks although
they are not very memorable songs. It is a bit more doomy
than their debut. They start getting interesting when they
freak out during Lattitude, their 8½ minute track,
but then the last 3 minutes just disappear, instead of coming
back with the original riff again. Throwback, is by far the
best track by Spiritu with a great riff and groove. Village
of Dead Roads, gives us 4 tracks in 32 minutes (with each
track getting longer and longer) and some much heavier and
more interesting stuff than Spiritu. This is some heavy stuff
like the good old Melvins early stuff. The vocals reminds
me of the first Carnivore record a bit. Skin Prison is a very
cool track with some multi-layered guitars in the quiet mid
section that are quite cool and psychedelic before the track
builds up again. Woman of Ill Repute beings with a sample
from some horror movie or something with some very doomy riffs
before the pace picks up and the band really grooves. The
CD closes with the 11 minute Divine Mistake, which features
many moods. Amazing stuff from Village of Dead Roads (5 out
of 5) and not so amazing stuff by Spiritu (2 out of 5).
http://www.meteorcity.com
If you dig: Clutch, Melvins, YOB
Scott
 Stonegard
- Arrows ( Bells go Clang 33 43 753)
I am told that Stonegard are going to be the next big thing
out of Norway… Stonegard play real true, straight up,
honest heavy metal (sadly no guitar solos…). The singer
often sounds like John Garcia (Kyuss,Unida, Hermano) mixed
with James Hetfield. The band is clearly a big fan of Metallica
and they have copied that guitar sound quite faithfully but
they create quite some unique and cool tracks on this debut
CD. The opening instrumental is very Nordic in many ways and
goes straight into Arrows, the title track. You can really
hear the way the singer sounds like John Garcia of Kyuss.
The band hits hard like Metallica but have a more stoner rock
approach to their breaks and grooves in someway. Hunter is
very Metallica inspired. At Arms Length is one of the most
melodic tracks on the CD. The White Shaded Lie has a very
mysterious start before getting heavy and a riff like old
Metallica kicks in. Darkest Hour is very much like Metallica..
Acutally, these guys are the new Norwegian Metallica with
no guitar solos…. The CD is a beautiful digipack with
a nice booklet with drawings and glossy high resolution pictures.
You don’t get a lot of music for your money (only 35
minutes) but some quality stuff. http://www.stonegard.org/
www.bonnieramigo.no
If you dig: Metal and can imagine Metallica meets Kyuss
Scott
 Sunn
O))) - Black One (Southern Lord)
This is the sixth and darkest Sunn0))) album yet featuring
very special guests Oren Ambarchi, Wrest (Leviathan/Lurker
of Chalice/ Twilight) Malefic (Xasthur, Twilight) and John
Wiese (Bastard Noise). If you are lucky you will get one of
the first 1000 copies of this totally far out CD, which includes
about half of the bands 2005 performance at the Roskilde Festival
in Denmark. The music presented here is pretty far out. It
is slow, it is dark, it is heavy, the lyrics are far out and
extreme, and I am not sure what kind of people get into this
stuff.. I really thought the band played a cool concert at
Roskilde but hearing this CD is very special. You have to
be in a very special mood and very patient, preferably highly
sedated! Take a trip to a very scary place and buy this CD..
Extreme music for extreme people….
http://www.southernlord.com
If you dig: Boris, Earth , YOB
Scott
 Sövsö
- We are all the same CD
I get sad associations with Foo Fighters, Linkin Park etc.
when listening to Sövsö. Their cover looked so nice!
I had high hopes for them - but no... Every time I judge a
CD by its cover, I get disappointed. This is a nice CD if
your into the whole 90s rock scene. Personally I left it behind
in the 90s where it belongs – but there’s always
some guy in high school who still thinks Nirvana are cool.
Here you go - I don't like them one bit! Its your typical
hard approach to touchy-feely songs, a little acoustic guitar,
and then fade into distortion, WAM! This is a classic
case of "Don't quit your day job" - though the world
is a weird place, so for all I know, this will be a major
seller. I just hope its not.
http://www.s-music.dk
If you dig: Foo Fighters, Linkin Park, Limp Cookie
Kristian
 Tractor
Sex Fatality – Peel And Eat
(Dead Beat Records)
In case the name of this band has got you wondering, it implies
a tractor (preferably a John Deere - model JD410 with a raised
shovel), some rope, a towel, a cloth safety harness strap
and a long piece of plastic pipe and getting just a little
bit too excited. Get the picture? TSF combine chaotic riffs
and heavy rhythms with suavely served sloppy punk rock and
psychotic vocal workouts. With 11 tracks of unsettling mayhem,
blasting a total of 29:11 minutes, TSF will appeal to the
adventurous listener’s ears with a wicked vibe leading
down a musical cul de sac where there’s no way out, but
turning your stereo up to 10 and let your head expand. Powerful,
brutal, menacing, twisted and inimical indeed, but also jazzy
in a way. If you’re fed up with formulaic three chord
fuzz frills and the missionary position, catch a kinky ride
on this tractor. Don’t forget your helmet.
http://www.dead-beat-records.com
If You Dig: Baseball Furies, Chrome Cranks, MonsterTruckFive
Morten
 Ugh!
- Meat Faries (Elektrohasch 108)
Well, Ugh! is back with their 3rd full length CD. The basic
hard to describe sound is intact but many of the songs are
a bit more melodic in some way and a few tracks a bit psychedelic..
I still find this band very hard to describe after many listens.
I think if you were a fan of their previous two records, you
will probably dig this one as well… Special music by
a special band… Oh yeah…. This is pretty hard rocking
stoner style rock but a bit noisier and in your face at times
with strange and unusual rhythms… a stoner nomeansno
or sorts…..
http://www.elektrohasch.de
http://www.ugh.de
If you dig: Jesus Lizard, Nomeansno,
Scott
Urgencies - Desolation Chic CD ( Bubble Empire)
If Johnny Thunders and Paul Westerberg had some kids they
might have been these Austin rockers. Trashy soulful rock’n’roll
with some tasty Dolls glamrock influences delivered with attitude
and snotty youthfulness. 12 tracks of pure r’n’r
excellence, incl. a shithot version of ”Million Miles
Away” by The Plimsouls which Replacements also covered
on their debut album. I think we’re gonna hear a lot
of this talented band in the future, they got the chops to
make it big!
http://www.theurgencies.com
http://www.bubblegumempirerecordings.com
If you dig: New York Dolls, Jeff Dahl, (early) Replacements
Jens
Bob Urh & The Bare Bones - Hoodoo Garage CD (Green
Cookie)
Velvet Underground-inspired bleak semi-fucked up blues from
New Orleans with members of The Ultra 5, Optic Nerve, Zero
Child, Coffin Daggers, Longhorns, Ragged Bags etc. It’s
very low key drunken semi-acoustic folk blues, that you’ve
have to be in the right mood to a appreciate. I wasn’t,
though I dug the more country flavored tunes like ”Gypsy
Davey”.
http://www.greencookie.gr
http://www.ultraproductions.org/
If you dig: Velvet Underground gone folk blues on the wrong
drugs
Jens
 Upskirts
- Sidewalk Susie CD (Grog)
Rough-as-fuck drunken punk/hardrock outta Norway that’s
somewhat comparable with Confederacy Of Scum bands like Rancid
Vat and Anti-Seen. 5 tracks, not terrible original, but I
like it. Bet these fuckers would empty your liquor cabinet,
fuck your girl and kill your dog, and still ask you to get
them more booze, haha. The singer wears a Venom t-shirt almost
as cool as mine.
http://www.upskirts.no
If you dig: Anti-Seen, Motörhead, Anti-Nowhere League
Jens
V/A - The Come Again? vol. 1 10" (Mother Ocean Records)
Cool introduction to four new bands on the Norwegian garage
and punk rock scene. The Cheaters is a new young band to look
out for, they recently recorded their first real session in
Toe Rag and their thrilling take on the 60's garage rock is
well represented here with "Losing My Mind" that
sorta have an early The Nomads vibe going on. The Vineyards
sound like early Gluecifer with a driving organ all over the
place while Autotune deliver a song not that far from our
own The Blue Van. Cocktail Slippers ends the disc in fine
all-girl fashion. They have released two albums in the past
so they are the most experienced band here. I am sure we are
gonna hear more from one or more of these Norwegian bands.
Don K
V/A - Totally Shattered Euro Tour 7” (Ken Rock)
Compilation single promoting and documenting one of the absolute
high lights of the past years punk rock live experiences.
Just read the review of their Århus performance in the
previous issue of Lowcut. Their show here in Aalborg the day
before was just as brilliantly aggressive, wild, chaotic and
plain solid rocking. Amazing! The three bands in question:
Angry Angels, Tokyo Electron and last but not least the Reatards
play on song each. The Reatards sounds like the Reatards always
do with some top-notch angry Killed by Death style punk with
cool riffs and catchy refrains. Angry Angels – which
also has Jay Reatard on guitar and vocals has a more poppy
and bluesy feel to it and finally Tokyo Electron does a great
cover of Jeffrey Evans “The Rub” – like a cross
between Beasts of Bourbon and the Stooges. Repetitive, bluesy,
heavy, beer fuelled rock for the drinking man. Wow! All of
you who saw this have probably bought this already and the
rest of you can get a good impression of what you missed.
SN
 Whoremoan
- Youth must Dare (WH-Inde1)
This British band play balls out stoner rock. Yeah… they
love Kyuss, Nebula, Fu Manchu and the rest but they try to
give it their own personal twist. The CD had a very heavy
bottom end to really shake the floor of your pad. The CD starts
off with the Killer Gorilla and goes for the throat straight
away and has a really cool guitar riff. Headbanging stuff!
Hit and Run is next and a bit more like Fu Manchu but speed
up a bit. All your Rights is a bit more heavy and then just
takes off like a freight train of heaviness and has some killer
wah guitar… Until the Water, has a totally different
groove and is a bit more repetitive in a good way as you get
sucked into it. Sympathy Crutch slows things down for a minute,
but not for too long. Actonvonskilliant picks up the speed
and is also a bit more melodic is some ways and instrumental.
Capri, features the cowbell and is quite a cool Fu Manchu
rocker…Capri is next and the longest track on the CD
at 6 minutes. The band continues on with the Cow is Now, another
quite groovy heavy number at a slower pace. The CD finishes
with Holes in the Ground, which you can also see a video of
on your computer! Whoremoan is all about being heavy, no wimpy
shit here, just in your face ass kicking stoner rock.
http://www.skyvalley.eclipse.co.uk/band
http://www.burbs.co.uk
http://wwww.whoremoan.co.uk
If you dig: Kyuss, Hezzakya, Gas Giant
Scott
 Zeno
Tornado & The Boney Google Brothers - Lover Of Your Dreams
CD (Voodoo Rhythm)
If you like me are tired all that bogus ’Americana/Alt
Country’ (most sound like indie whiner shit to me) that
’hip’ zines like Mojo are constantly hyping, then
Zeno Tornado is the ultimate antidote! Their follow-up to
the sensational ”Dirty Dope Infected Bluegrass Hillbilly
Hobo XXX Country Music” is just as amazing honky honk
bluegrass mayhem as the barnyard hellraisers’ debut.
14 cornfed ditties about booze, broads & misery packed
with fantastic pickings on fiddle, banjo, lap steel and mandolin.
Fuck Nashville, Switzerland is the country wonderland of the
world!
http://www.zenotornado.com
http://www.voodoorhythm.com
If you dig: Hank Williams Sr., Asylum Street Spankers, Meat
Purveyors
Jens
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