First and foremost, this is a good album, a very good album. It’s also a rock n roll album! I have had the pleasure of seeing Potential victims a few times and can say with hand on heart, they are one of the best punk bands out there. Stage presence, sound, energy and all it is to be punk and rock n roll. It is easy to hear the huge Motorhead influence, with major emphasis on bass and drums throughout the album and on each and every track. Each song sends out a message, covering many aspects of society and the behaviour of certain people. The whole of the message is basically to be yourself, don’t be controlled by what society expects of you. Easy really. Be careful kids, they walk among us!
Potential Victims is one of those bands that mirror the days of 77 and beyond, grass roots punk rock with a clear and transparent message. No bullshit, just sing it the way it is and wait for the reaction, we need to hold onto this ethos, this is a band that hasn’t strayed, they have stayed true to themselves and those who listen, and a jolly decent bunch too. Anyway, here we go…
Chewing Gum for the Brain:
Opening straight in to a blistering high-speed drum and bass, accentuated with ripping guitar chords we are taken into the heady world of television (not the band), that thing that sits in the corner of our room. That screen which “controls” our lives to a huge degree. Oh, how we pander to the brain washing bullshit of consumerism, buy high-speed buy. Listen to us, were right, we know what’s best for you bollocks. Clear as day this one, turn it off and get a fuckin life kids, there’s more out there.
Control Freak:
A nice little dig at Malcolm here, “do not try to control me”. All those nasty twisted little narcissists trying to tell us what to do, how to behave and say what they want us to say. Be yourself, don’t become the puppet to the puppet master, we are who we are, like it or lump it, and get over it. Trying to be summat ya not, we can see right through so don’t even bother. Been around too long for that BS.
Hate Crime:
A favourite of mine. The bully. Straight to the point, here we have the epitomised description of the bully and how he/she is and should be dealt with. There is no place for you, vile repulsive creatures who prey on the weak and those who are unable to fight back. Again, we see right through the masquerade, this is an important song, we see this shit all the time, but how many of us do anything about it. The song describes how the bully works, using weaknesses as tool to control and hurt others, until finally the bully is caught and dealt with accordingly being given a dose of what he metes out. Beware, you will be found out one day.
Potential Victim:
Splitting ripsaw guitar and banging drums starts off this little ditty following on from Control Freak. Don’t be controlled by those who want to see us fail. Don’t become the victim of someone else’s ideologies, we won’t be beaten nor will you succeed, and if we do fail, then so be it, at least we did it of our own accord, kinda makes me think this is about relationships or a particular one. Take me for who and what I am, rather than what you want me to be. Loving the guitar work on this, fast ripping chords complemented perfectly by the drums and deep bass. Love it.
Punk Rock Police:
Probably my favourite track on here. This song covers the question of what is and what is not punk. We all have our opinions, descriptions and ideas of what it is, and that’s fine. What we don’t do complemented is tell other people how it should be, what’s good for the goose, isn’t always good for the gander. Half way through, the tone slows, the rhythm changes to a bit of ska fret work (can I say that? fuck yeah!) the band joining in with some football style chanting, something I know the crowd will respond to. Brilliant. Slight pause, then back into their rock n roll chordy stuff, a gentle yet very effective transition of musical style. Nice.
Revolution
Rebel. Rebel. Rebel. Get off ya fat lazy arses and do something about the state of the world. Don’t just talk about it, do it. Revolution is another dig at those who have the mouth, but don’t act on it. This institution as it stands works to add profit to itself and the cronies who support it. The rich get richer, the poor get poorer. This is a never-ending struggle with democracy at its worst. Again, a succinct and clear message to the masses, bordering on anarchy, but still having the intelligence to change the rules in favour of all and not the privileged few. Make a stand and never-ending be heard people or this will never change. A great song with meaningful words. BURN IT DOWN.
Screen Burn:
Get off ya fucking phones people. Take a ya face out of the screen and see what’s going on around you. Modern technology controlling the mass. Buy this, get that, do this, reply to the other. There’s more to life that an iPad or whatever ya head is stuck in. speak to people, have a conversation and start to live again. THINK. FOR. YOURSELF.
Smack City:
Ah the joys of heroin, many songs written about the downside of “gear”. Its all around us, destroying lives, the users, the families, the friends. Everyone is affected. The war on drugs will rage on forever, the battle never won. Don’t do it kids, bad shit
Smart Arse:
I get the feeling this written about a particular person !! how many big headed gobshites do we all know. I got this, I did that, I own this blah blah blah. Yep, I know a few. Basically, go fuck yaself, not interested. Heard and seen it all before. And incidentally, we are not impressed. Great track, fast and to the point. Yup.
Weekend Warrior:
Trying to be sommat ya not. Ooh look at me, I’m this, then that. Being part of a scene, but underneath ya just the same as everyone else. Trying to impress to get in with the crowd. Doesn’t work mate, we can see right through it. Hypocrisy at its vilest best. Just be yaself, accept what you are and get on with life. An interesting lyric to this, can’t think of many songs that cover this angle on false people and characters. Some might read it differently, again, that’s ok. Very in ya face punk sound all the way through. Loadsa cymbal, which I love. Shweet
And there ya go. A storming album by Potential Victims UK. Rock n roll punk, heavy Motorhead influence. Can’t wait to hear these tracks live. I like this album, I like it a lot. Up the revolution baby
Words: Johnny, Photos: RBY, Johnny
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