Looking at the name of the band, I was expecting some bubblegum punk or glammy punk, but this Italian trio is more into in your face punk rock with a dark and heavy guitar sound, so if they chew bubblegum, they probably spit it right after it! Vocals are shared between Billy and Ally, which adds more melody in songs like “How I Feel” or “In Limbo”. Songs like “Never Again” or “Burn” also have cool lead guitar melodies (almost surf rock at times) and “Full of Agony”, “How I Feel” and “Compassion” have a bit of an early TURBONEGRO vibe. TEENAGE BUBBLEGUMS describe their music as popunk filled with sadness, angst and despair. This is quite an accurate description, and this album can probably find quite a few listeners among crust/d-beat fans as well. /Laurent C.
Just one look at the cover makes you think that L.A rock’n’roller RICHARD DUGUAY has his own universe, which is a positive thing to start on. Opening song “Death Defy” is a mix of 70s and 80s hard rock and is the perfect anthem to make the listener ready for the rest of the album. Then “The Rain” brings early ALICE COOPER and psychedelia to mind, and songs like “Psychotic Garden” or “Bad Ju Ju” also head to the same direction, while a song like “Dr. Silver” has a bit of a ZODIAC MINDWARP vibe. Things get a bit more experimental with “The Last Star”, but still with a good dose of rock’n’roll, and “Critical… Darling”, “Paradise Is Gone” or “Way Back Home” could be unreleased ALICE COOPER songs.
Listening to this album bring images of big shows or even musicals at time. This could give another dimension to these songs, but even without that, you should definitely check this album out! /Laurent C.
The BEATERSBAND from Italy is back with a 4 song Christmas EP, opening with a RAMONES influenced ‘Frosty The Snowman” before bringing their 60s powerpop influences back with “Black Christmas” (in which the vocals sound more like modern pop punk) and “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer.’ “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” takes us back to the 50s with its rockabilly beat and girl pop vocals. In these four songs, the band’s garage sound still mixes pretty well with the female vocals, bubblegum backing vocals and vintage guitars.
I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas records, but these songs sound good, and if you’re looking for one, this one might be for you! /Laurent C.
Acclaimed chronicler of the shadows Suzie Stapleton has announced the release of her new single, ‘Thylacine’, and a run of UK dates. Both herald the release of highly anticipated debut album, ‘We Are The Plague’, which is due in the spring.
Released independently on 29 November via AWAL as a digital-only release, ‘Thylacine’ finds the Brighton-based artist in compelling form. Drawing its title from an extinct Australian mammal, and tying in with the apocalyptic themes that inform ‘We Are The Plague’, the new single is suffused with a sense of drama and an ethereal intensity that marks her down as a very special talent. This is music that seduces, compels and haunts.
“When I started writing for this album, I felt compelled to address what was going on in the world. We’re bombarded constantly by horrific news, stuck on a broken systemic hamster wheel. I felt stupid writing about my insignificant woes whilst the world burned around me.” explains Stapleton.
Joining Suzie Stapleton’s live band are bassist Gavin Jay from Jim Jones & The Righteous Mind and former Yann Tiersen drummer Dave Collingwood. The Stranglers’ drummer Jim Macaulay brings his talents to the studio.
“I approach the art of recording differently to performing songs live,” continues Stapleton. “There’s an energy during live performances that can turn songs into a different beast. I expect that these new songs will evolve and begin to draw their own breath during this tour.”
Produced by Suzie Stapleton, ‘Thylacine’ and ‘We Are The Plague’ were recorded between OX4 Sound in Oxfordshire and Stapleton’s home studio, and were mixed by award-winning engineer Dan Cox, whose previous credits include Thurston Moore’s ‘The Best Day’.
SUZIE STAPLETON TOUR DATES January 4 The Carlisle, HASTINGS w/ Dastardly Dudes // Free Entry
January 24 The Brunswick Hove (Cellar Bar), BRIGHTON w/ Rex Speedway & The Denim Avengers + The Damn Shebang // Free Entry
January 25 Rough Trade BRISTOL w/ Emily Breeze (headlining) + National Treasure
Veglam 