SISTER MORPHINE had a first life from 1989 to 1991 in South Wales. They even got a deal with South Bank Studio who released the MANIC STREET PREACHERS‘ “Suicide Alley” 7″. After those pandemic times, the members of the band decided it was the right time to give life to some of their long lost songs and they even gave birth to four new songs including high energy opener “Holy City Zoo” and the power pop hit “8 Tracks and Zodiacs”. Sometimes band reunions are a bit scary after a long time but SISTER MORPHINE haven’t lost their rock’n’roll edge since songs like “Do You Wanna Get Wasted?”, “Nothing Dirty In The Truth” or “Ghosts Of Heartbreak City” sound like some good late 80s/early 90s sleazy rock’n’roll. Names like QUIREBOYS (especially on “Get Back Home”) or GUNFIRE DANCE come to mind and songs like “Cry The Rain” or “Days Of Wine & Roses” could have been mix tape favourites in rock’n’roll high-school. The ROLLING STONES influence is obvious in songs like “Waiting On Salvation” or in “Living With Snakes” and you’ll even get a glam punk fix with “Red Eye Juice.” Sometimes the band even takes you deep into the glorious 70s with the catchy “Sea Of Love” and even though the music is pure rock’n’roll, the vocals sometimes remind me of WEDNESDAY 13 (“Black Hearts & Bruised Egos”.) 15 songs usually sound like too much for me but when the last song (“Seven Long Years”) stops, I tend to get back to it for a couple more. High quality rock’n’roll ! /Laurent C.
Tag: sleaze rock
The Erotics “Rot In The Shade”
Albany’s sleaziest rock’n’roll band The EROTICS are back with 10 brand new songs for Christmas produced by Don Furry. “Knockin’ On Death’s Door” opens the album with a good dose of 80s hard rock before “Helltown Boogie” and “You Got Me Shakin'” both take us back to the 70s in an AEROSMITH/CHEAP TRICK way. “Diamonds” slows things down and “Dia De Los Muertos” offers us some good heavy rock with Spanish lyrics while “Too Hot To Stop” and “Scream Like A Demon” both sound more like the band’s previous albums. “When The Wolves Are Howlin'” is an interesting song, kind of a mix between RATT and horror rock and “Bless Your Heart” has a bit of a POISON “Nothin’ But A Good Time” vibe. “Hungover On Christmas” puts an end to this album making sure you’ll keep it sleazy even on Christmas. The EROTICS have tried new things on “Rot In The Shade” without betraying their style. Good job! /Laurent C.
Paradise Alley “Bad Timing And Silver Linings” EP
Just in time before their show at HRH Sleaze festival, this 4 track EP celebrates the 30th anniversary of the band! “Soho Daze” actually takes us back to the times when the band started, when London was witnessing a glam revival mixed to 80s sleaze rock and when flamboyant rock’n’rollers used to hang out at The Marquee, The Fox, The Ship and Gossips. The song really sounds like it’s from the late 80s/early 90s, a kind of mix between The DOGS D’AMOUR and The THROBS! “Backstabber” was written around 2008 and rocks in a STIV BATORS way while “Walk Away” is a heavy rock song with some good STONES guitar riffs thrown in. Finally, the title track of the EP “Bad Timing & Silver Linings” brings back the “Beatutiful Losers” theme in style and makes you want to listen to more. Well done! /Laurent c.
Nasty Reputation “After All It’s Rock’n’Roll”
NASTY REPUTATION have been around for a while now since they started in 2007 but had to face many line-up changes. They released their sleaze rock single “Slut Machine” a few months ago and here they are now with a full album under their arm. “Line Of Fire” has this Swedish hard rock vibe that is now famous around the world while “Riot In Hell” is leaning towards the glory days of NWOBHM. “Suicide” slows things down and offer us more melody in the chorus but that’s just before “After All It’s Rock’n’Roll” takes us right to the Sunset Strip! “Hit On You” shows us a more heavy metal side of the band before the very arena rock “These Times.” I personally like it better when the band gets wilder with a song like “Freeride” or “Wild at Heart.” Definitely worth checking out! /Laurent C.
The Erotics “Hungover On Christmas” EP
The EROTICS are getting ready to celebrate Christmas their own way with “Hungover On Christmas”, a new song in which you’ll find some good old hard rock influences with a punk rock production. Fans of early WASP will probably dig this one! They also offer us a cover of 1974 Jim Stafford classic “Spiders & Snakes” adding some groove to this 2021 chaotic Christmas. Get the bottles out!/Laurent C.
Dirtbag Republic “Tear Down Your Idols”
Canadian hard rock’n’rollers DIRTBAG REPUBLIC are back with 11 new songs filled with heavy rock guitar riffs and sleazy hooks. Opener “Main Objective” brings us right in the matter saying that “rock’n’roll will never die” in a way that could have been done by the coolest Scandinavian bands from the 00s. “Skinny” has a very welcome glam punk vibe that makes it really catchy and “Wannabees” reminds me of MICHAEL MONROE‘s solo albums. “Days Are Gone” they say but the spirit can still be found in this record since you’ll even get some QUIREBOYS piano in “Don’t Answer To No One” and a dash of TRASHCAN DARLINGS in “Tear Down Your Idols”. Things slow down a bit with “Sorry” and “Did All I Cold” but don’t worry, there’s no cheesy ballad on this record! “Superficial” will probably stay in your mind for a while, “When I Was Young” will be every HANOÏ ROCKS‘ fan’s new favourite and “Turn Back Fast” is the perfect song to end this album that shows that bands can still play sleaze rock in 2021 and do it very well! /Laurent C.
https://linktr.ee/dirtbagrepublic
Plastic Tears release “Riot Zone”
Finnish Hard Rockers PLASTIC TEARS proudly unleash the single & video for “Riot Zone”, track taken from their upcoming album “Anthems For Misfits” due for release on 26 03 2021 via Wormholedeath Records worldwide. |
Statement about the single & video:Are you ready for a rock ’n’ roll riot?!!“Riot Zone is a fast loud punky rock song about standing up for yourself, freedom, peace and fighting the injustices of the world. About being the underdog, finding your way and standing up for your rights. It’s a song that makes you wanna raise your fist, bang your head and pogo like crazy! The lyrics are meant to be uplifting rock ‘n’ roll rebellion and defiance, with a slight socially critical undertone. So don’t take life too seriously and strengthen yourself through the power of rock ‘n’ roll! Plastic Tears new album ‘Anthems For Misfits’ is released this year through Wormholedeath Records.” PS. Plastic Tears condemns all violence and violent riots. |
Plastic Tears release video for “Communication”
Plastic Tears fourth album ‘Anthems For Misfits’ is almost ready.
The band though they could finish it in good time before their fall UK tour, but since the pandemic messed up almost everything the album release is delayed. It’s also possible that the tour gets canceled.
To keep themselves busy Plastic Tears released a video for ’Communication’ on the 24th of April. The song was originally released as the b-side of ‘Look of Lies’, the first single from the upcoming album. Besides clips from their native Finland there’s also video material from Sweden and the bands recent European tour. The video fits these times well, when traveling is just a beautiful memory and touring can’t be done.
Faithful to their style the video is a punk rocking package, and you might want to watch it a few times to notice all the details.
Anthems For Misfits is released first thing when the circumstances are right.
Watch the video here:
https://theplastictears.wixsite.com/official
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