As a punk and ska fan, it’s always refreshing to come across a band that takes ya breath away. This outfit hails from Chard. It has taken Harris, James and Trent 10 years of hard work and gigging to put this brilliant album together. Rasping powerful vocals showing a real passion for the subject matter. Bass lines vary a lot, from subtle riffs thru to blistering distortion. Lead guitar of course compliments both extremely well. The lads have gigged relentlessly in the Bristol and Exeter areas getting their message across. Originally working with Riotska Records in the early days, the band turned to their good mate Justin Wood of 51st State who recorded these tracks live and incredibly ended up mixing and mastering the whole thing in his living room. Extraordinary feat with what I believe to be one of the best debut albums I have heard in ages. DIY indeed. In my opinion this lot need to tour outside their home town, and get on a the “big” festivals, Rebellion and Sleazy to name but two.
I’ve probably listened to this album about 20 times, each time it gets better, I’m not usually one to harp on about just one band, however, this is the exception to the rule. These are very good and I look forward to seeing them soon. Anyway. Here goes the review. Hope you enjoy, and please give it a listen. You will not be disappointed.
Chase that Gold
A song of greed, control and desperation. Opening with major bass distortion blending sweetly into lead riffs. Throaty vocals outlining the greed of multinational corporations, governments and the fat cats of our planet, putting profit before humanity. The need to line pockets and to “chase that gold”. Clever lyrics and subtly describing that we can live in harmony, without the need for unnecessary possessions to survive a world gone mad at the expense of a peaceful life with basic human needs.
Sick of this Disease
I sense the disease is that of not accepting others for who or what they unnecessary possessions are, be it colour creed, sexuality or status. More great guitar distortion, heavy vocals and back playing on guitar gives it that traditional ska (skya) twang, with a bit of the old Egyptian sand dance riff thrown in for good measure. Fast n slow and to the point, we all live in the same box, there are no outsiders, only those who see other as being so, and they are the disease.
They salt the Sea
Ska chord riffs and a subtle bass line leads us into the so-called balance of power between those who “lead” and the people who are “led”. A short track exposing the government who are clearly in it for themselves, an institution who control and dictate how we live our lives, and the way in which that control extends to media, making us see and believe what may not always be true and honest. “Power to the nation, but this is about wealth, making money for the privileged”. How very true
Apocalypse
Quirky opening guitar riff belies the dark side of this track. Have we really reached that point where humanity has sunk so low that there is no turning back? First line “as hellfire rains to the ground” can be interpreted in so many ways, war, bombs, social injustice, poverty, hatred. So many ways to read this, and all probably true. A dig some might say at religion here “your god has given up on you”, yup, I should so say so. A final message that it is over for us, as we “knew it would last forever”. Are we at this point, or can we turn it around? Up to you folks.
TV Song
Nice rocky riff to start this, yo-yoing back and forth to ska work. Short and sweet track reminding us of the power of television, how it dictates our lives without us even realising it. Ironic now considering the situation the world is in whereby that magical screen has become a true companion to many in loneliness. So easy to get sucked in by the glamour of tv and all that it has to “offer”. Commercialism in its purest form, some might say it has become a drug, and I guess in many ways it has. Easy to believe what we hear and see and become the addicted.
Parasite
The human parasite sucking this world dry, following on from Apocalypse, gives us a glimmer of hope where we question our own actions, see what we are doing to the planet and to our fellow human beings. Its time to take stock of how we treat life itself, not only people, but the very essence of what life is, animals, plants, trees and the air. Stop being a puppet, wake up and make that change, otherwise it’s all over kids.
Battlecry
Oh, the joys of war. Eloquent use of film clip at the beginning “oh boy, here I go killing again”. Amusing but shows the arrogance of war mongers who take the loss of live with such derision and acceptance. War is everywhere, has there ever been a time in history where someone hasn’t thought it right to fight for their own ends. “pushing us along with the barrel of a gun” a very prophetic lyric, not only little with a gun, but economic and materialistic intent. We literally wait for the next conflict; the excuses of war never seem to run out. Time again to look at the human race and truly realise just how shit we have become.
Blah Blah Blah
A follow on from TV Song, being sucked into to the bollocks and pointless bullshit that television can bring. Issues and problems created by ourselves by the constant stream of drivel that is being broadcast. Short n sweet and to the point. Yup.
Escapist Celebration
If there isn’t a phrase “sleaze ska”, there is now. Love the distorted bass intro joined succinctly by lead ska. Slow tempo rising to crescendo, almost operatic musical style, and then into almost prog rock lead solo. Very very clever use of chords and speed here. Apathy of the human mind, sliding into darkness, unable to swim out of the void. A stark reality for many suffering with mental health issues, a reality that is so difficult to escape from. A sad song, brilliantly engineered to expose how the mind can be affected by the lives in which we live. A song that so many can relate to.
The Dark Below
Again, we are led into the dark recesses of our mind, a mind that is delicate and easily susceptible to pressures of life. We see how easy it can be to make wrong turns in life, often for personal gain. To be enveloped by the darkness within. Voices in our head, controlling the urges we all have and seek to experience. And yet, we still fight it, some win, some don’t. Being taught from an early age that we are better than others, a human trait not shared by other species.
Experimental Mistake
Fast and short track mimicking “the matrix”. How we are just the experiment, controlled by the puppet masters to do their bidding. How we have accepted this and just carry in ignorant bliss sucking up to the “fat controller”.
Plight of the Humble Bee
A song that reaches my heart. Not only are we sucking this planet dry with pollution greed etc, the small, yet mighty bee is one of the most important ecological systems on the planet. The domino effect is known to most. A creature less than an inch long helps start the eco process that leads to so much more. The song can also be seen as an analogy to people, the “little” “less important” ones in our society, who are not seen as important enough to help or save. We all have a place; we all have the potential to affect life in the wider scheme of things. Thinking that “just one life” lost is acceptable is mistake made by many. Look after yourself, your friends and the so called “unimportant” ones. We all have a role to play in order to survive.
Night Terrors
I suspect this track is somewhat personal to the writer. How we can be influenced by the actions of others and the effects it has on us. Learning how not to be taken in by the “in crowd” and fall into the trap whereby we become victims via the fate of others. It can get to the point where your “friend” becomes a liability to you. Self-abuse can be a disease to others where you fall into that abyss taking others with you, subsequently being forcing people away from you. This could be seen as a pre cursor to mental health and the issues it brings with it, not only for the sufferer, but also for those close by.
Words: Johnny, Photos: Band Media
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