I’d not heard of this band prior to reviewing the Wigan Boulevard charity cd last year. Their track on that cd stuck out for me as being one of the best on there (not taking anything away from the other tracks/bands I might add).
Back in 2017, Steve Scott, guitar/vox decided it was time to start a band with an old school punk sound. Steve contacted his mate Heath Waterfield who in turn got in touch with his mate Paul Reynolds, and lo, the band came to fruition.
Immediately hitting the praccy rooms, pen and paper to hand, they quickly got together a number of tunes, following in the sounds of the likes of Black sabbath and of course, The Ramones.
The band’s first gig was at The Fleece in Whitby, a local venue for the lads, and was received well by the crowd. Up until covid had its now known catastrophic effect on the music scene, they gigged prolifically, the punters taking note of this new up and coming band.
May 2018, the lads got together their debut EP, “Ignition”, released in August the same year on Nunny Dave Records. The EP was greeted very well by the local music scene and beyond, with radio play on local stations. Also getting support slots with the likes of 999, Sham 69 and The Vibrators.
Personally, I love the sound of this band, tho likened to others, there is a uniqueness about them, a slight rock n rolly vibe that gets ya foot tapping. This is the first full album, and I can’t wait to see them live once all this covid is under control. Enjoy.
Radar - Opening with what appears to be incoherent radio transmission voices and quickly slamming into heavy repeating guitar riff, complimented succinctly with rapid drum work. This darkly written track outlines the use of remote weapon attacks on unsuspecting targets in “war”. Heavily informed of just how easy it is to turn a place into a “graveyard” without seeing the eyes of your “victim”. The end of the song, in my mind is possibly the more impactive lyric, where after the strike is made, the operator can calmly go to bed without a care in the world, having ended lives. A very thought-provoking song, and also a cautious and debateable topic. Make ya own mind up.
Drill it in your Head - Nice sliding guitar riffs with a touch of Backyard Babies style, opens up this message of getting it right before carrying out anything that you do. Get it right first time. Nice little dig at the chancellor for screwing us over for every penny he can. The song could also be perceived as being brainwashed by the establishment. Also, I perceive a little dig at humanity for fucking up this amazing planet, where Jesus is asked to come back down to see how “horribly wrong” it has all gone. Musically this is a cracking track, catchy tune with different outcomes of opinion. Nice cymbal work too.
Masterplan - Bit of a cryptic one this. Storming high note guitar intro taking us into the street of run-down ghetto, being brainwashed to believe that this life is works our own, when in fact it controlled by others. Looking for a way out, be it by making ya “masterplan” or leaving this broken world for another. A sad song with a melody, again a thought-provoking track. Brings images of poverty and desperation from around the world to mind. Maybe a chance to start doing something about it.
Snowblind - Sleazy slow guitar with rasping vocals offering the not so joyous life of drugs. Chopping up ya lines to get that fix. The darkness in the mind of a user, of going through the old laborious routine of that next hit. Finding that level where you can exist in comfort to the detriment of your mind. A society scourge that has seen so much tragedy and death.
Monster - Opening chords reminiscent of early Datsuns, with a Bauhausy bass line throughout. A strong intelligent sound from a 3-piece band (surprised) with I sense a darker side to their lyrics than most. Monster can be translated into many things, at one point stating the parents are our monsters in our heads. A recurring theme where we are fed unnecessary “facts and information”, information from the beginning of our lives which continue to present day, which may one day end in overload tragedy?
Planet in the Sky - A clever and fascinating lyric using a belief system of Nibiru, who believed that a planet will collide with our own wiping out all life. A good analogy of how we have treated this planet and starved her of life and oxygen. The dieties of Annunaki (mythical gods sitting in judgement over the human race) seeing how we as a race have failed nature on this rock on which we live. Industrial revolution, co2 and all that rest of those human traits that is destroying our eco system. A stark reminder that we have to change Sir Dave would love this track, as should everyone.
Been there, failed that - A stark reminder of how we were. The mistakes we made in our youth, and how we have been affected by them. Making a conscious effort not to repeat them, and to make our lives better, without the bad influences of what we thought was right. Everyone has the opportunity to change, to make that decision to go down a different road, and maybe to make up for lost time and correct the actions we took without thinking. I think this song follows on perfectly from Planet in the sky. A real and necessarily need to change things. Pause for thought methinks.
Local? - A song of wanting to belong. To be a part of something close to your heart. The never-ending search for friendship and being with those who we trust and admire. So many people out there dispossessed of basic human needs such as human contact. A direct link I think to homelessness, where your home is the street you live and sleep on. Remember to be nice and to embrace all that is humanity.
Mr. Remote Control - Desperation is a tragic thing. Being at the wrong end of the spectrum, people expecting more from you that you can give. Yet, they still demand more. And still, you try to give it all, even tho you are empty. The speed of life these days often leads to tragic consequences. A look a t how mental health is affected by the speed at which society is increasing, where the need to excel overtakes the human side of who we are. We can’t all be the perfect specimen, sometimes we just need to slow down and take stock of who we are, and not to feel we need to please others. And at the end of the day, it seems this life we lead, the life we are in, is centred around wealth and success, when in fact, it isn’t. Is it?
I Can’t stop Laughing - Following on from Mr Remote Control, finally the realisation that we are not here to just please others. Realising that that no matter what we sometimes try to say and do, it just falls on deaf ears. We have the power to change and to be who we are and be grateful for what we have, and we do contribute, and we are ok. Laughing the piss takers, laughing at those who try to control. Fuck you, fuck them and fuck em. I am me, like it or lump it. Ha ha ha ha
Here comes the End - Hard hitting yet so relevant to what is happening now. The end nigh, perhaps a little too harsh, but not far off. The theme continues where we see the planet being destroyed by us, oh the irony, big businesses making vulgar amounts of money to live a life of luxury, a life that will potentially be short lived due to how we treat the earth. The main message here, once we have depleted this planet of ours, raped the natural resources, damaged the air, what will your riches mean then. Once it happens “and how you lived your life before, don’t seem to matter anymore, now beggars and kings the same, all your policies in vain”. Disturbing words, but never truer.
Hot Rockets - So, who is to blame for what we have? The “world is explosive, and so are the people”. Strange lyric you may think, but no. It is us who have caused this shit storm of a situation, we are the explosive nature that is not so slowly blowing up before our eyes. Different races, governments and societies led to believe we must fight one another, not necessarily by means of war, but trade, poverty, greed, wealth. We often speak of unanswered questions, maybe it’s the answers we have, but not the right questions being asked. And who is gonna ask them, you, me, the politicians. Our children in the future, or will it be too late. Fuck knows, but it’s obvious we need to know now what our “leaders” intend to do about this mess we are in.
Summing up this album is clearly quite easy. Lyrically very impacting. It's time once and for all that we sit down and think honestly at what is going on around us, to be totally transparent and open over the many many mistakes we as a species have made, and how to at least attempt to fix it. I dunno when or how this will happen, but it needs to be done. Musically this is an astounding debut album, vocals are a rasping and show emotion and passion. Guitar work is spot on, I hear many influences, from Sabbath to Ramones, Velvet Underground to The Stooges, with a bit of rockabilly guitar twang thrown in. as I said at the start, I can’t wait to see this band on stage. Check em out and enjoy, I did.
Words: Johnny, Photos: Band Media
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