I’m a long-time fan of Cowpunk originator, Pete Berwick. Now, I thought Pete’s last album, The Island, was supposed to be his last, and honestly, despite the quality songs, it was too mellow and too Nashville, and honestly, I thought he was going out with a whimper. Well, I guess I was wrong as he is back with his seventh full-length release, and out of the gate, he explodes with punk energy and redneck attitude. This is very much a return to form for Pete. Maybe the most intensive album he has ever done. For a reference point, The Damage Is Done, reminds me of Steve Earle when he worked with the Supersuckers, but louder. Peter does manage to sneak on a couple of old-school gritty country ballads and a growling gospel number for balance. Recorded in Nashville, I’m reminded of the old Kris Kristofferson song, To Beat The Devil, about a down-on-his-luck Nashville songwriter who drinks the Devil’s beer and steals his song. Well in Pete’s case, he steals the Devil’s whiskey, his song, and then kicks his ass.
new Kilmaine Saints album out tomorrow
The Tossers: The Tossers
I picked up the vinyl version of the new self titled Tossers album at their recent gig at the Middle East in Cambridge, Mass. There is not a lot of info on this album. I’m guessing it’s a self-finance, stop-gap release to support the bands 30th anniversary tour.
This album is a mixed bad of re-recorded Tossers classics (Aye Sir, and Buckets of Blood), some standards and a few new originals (Americay, and Irish Blood). The Tossers LP is a good reminder of just how good the original American Celtic-punk band still are. I’m super impressed with Tony Dugging channeling MacGowan at his finest on their covers of Dirty Ol’ Town and Paddy On The Railway.
The Tossers is a fun album and a great listen. Here’s to another 30 years for “The World’s Loudest Folk Band”. Cheers’ lads.
Best of 2022
Screw the Oscars, screw the MTV awards, screw Rolling Stone and the CMA, here is Shite’n’Onions best of 2022 list. The only list that matters.
#1 THE MAHONES: JAMESON STREET
A full force Céilí romp and possibly the most authentic trad sound I’ve ever heard coming out of any Celtic punk band.
#2 FINNEGAN’S HELL: ONE FINGER SALUTE
As good as anything the big boys are doing
#3 THE WINTER CODES: SET THE DARKNESS REELING
Barney still has a voice that could strip paint at 50 feet
Their most Celtic-sounding album with an almost Seán Ó Riada style Celtic orchestration
#5 SIR REG: KINGS OF SWEET FECK ALL
Something you can’t fake.
#6 JESSE AHERN: HEARTACHE AND LOVE
This is real blue-collar rock’n’roll with the authenticity you can only get from someone who actually works hard for a living.
#7 DAN BOOTH & NICK BURBRIDGE: ICONS
Beautiful – musically, lyrically, and sounding
Best album to piss off your neighbors with:
THE TEMPLARS OF DOOM: RISING OF THE DOOM!
And on this one, the bagpipes go up to 11.
Best vanity project (just kidding) album:
DROPKICK MURPHY: THIS MACHINE STILL KILLS FASCISTS
Dropkick Murphys ode to Woody Guthrie
Best punk supergroup album:
Fast, powerful punk rock with great melodies, kind of like, well,…………Hüsker Dü
If there was an justice these guys would be huge album:
Back to Zero, is really great rock’n’roll and an album I suspect I’ll be listening to for a long time into the future.
Flogging Molly: Anthem
I’m not going to do a long review on Anthem as the album has been out a while and it’s got lots of in-depth reviews elsewhere. Flogging Molly had gone off on a bit of a tangent with, Speed of Darkness, but with the follow-up, Life is Good, they got back on track. I’m happy to report that Anthem keeps them heading the right direction. I will say while Anthem rocks hard it is also their most Celtic-sounding album with an almost Seán Ó Riada style Celtic orchestration (especially, The Croppy Boy ’98). There are plenty of songs here that will be in the band’s live set for a long time – These Times Have Got Me Drinking, A Song of Liberty and, The Croppy Boy ’98.
https://www.floggingmolly.com/
Finnegan’s Hell: One Finger Salute
I reviewed, Finnegan’s Hell’s last album, Work Is The Curse Of The Drinking Class, a few weeks back and it was outstanding. I now have a copy of their new one, One Finger Salute, and can happily report it’s another cracker. The band is tight, and aggressive with a great sense of melody. The songs are very strong, as good as anything the big boys are doing, while the lyrics betray a sense of humor and a touch of a drinking problem. The album kicks off on side one with, What Have You Got in the End, which blends tin whistle and aggressive guitars with a bleak outlook on life. One Finger Salute, is an F-U to an ex and their extended family – I love the growling vocals here. Mickey Finn is about a bad trip and it’s a wild ride of a song -the double lead vocals are reminiscent of the Dropkick Murphys. Read My Lips, has a bad attitude and strangely reminds me of Motorhead (well if Lemmy played the banjo). Godforsaken Town, closes out side one as a hard luck barroom singalong. Side two opens with, Run Boy Run, a strong accordion-driven Celtic rocker. Comin After You, is growling Celtic-Cow-punk. I’ll make it up to you, is a frantic jig of promises that may not be true – very reminiscent of fellow Scandinavians Greenland Whalefishers. Nothing Left to Lose, is maybe my favorite track here and musically is as nihilistic as its lyrics. The album closes with the doom and gloom of Oh Death. Overall a great album.
Pete Berwick – new release
My favorite Cow-punk, Pete Berwick, has just released his seventh album, The Damage Is Done. The album is available via bandcamp.
LONDON CELTIC PUNKS presents….
London Celtic Punks have put together a 20 track digital album of unashamed Irish rebel songs. For full details and access to the free album go to London Celtic Punks.
Intro
The Gentlemen – Come Out Ye Black And Tans
Templars Of Doom – H-Block Escape
The Gobshites – Give Ireland Back To The Irish
In For A Penny – Easter Mourn
The Tan And Sober Gentlemen – Follow Me Up To Carlow
Black Irish Texas – Join The British Army
Tullamore – Mairéad Farrell
Sons Of O’Flaherty – The Fields Of Athenry
The Dead B-Specials – Take It Down From The Mast
Auld Corn Brigade – Broad Black Brimmer
Hudson Falcons – 6 + 26 =1
The Lucky Pistols – God Save Ireland
The Larkin Brigade – Sean South From Garryowen
The Fisticuffs – Young Ned Of The Hill
O’Hamsters – Erin Ga Bragh
Kilmaine Saints – Go On Home British Soldiers
Jasper Coal – The Merry Ploughboy
Drunken Fighters – The Big Fella
The Bleeding Irish – The Uprising
St. Bushmill’s Choir – The Foggy Dew
Larkin – On The One Road
Happy Birthday Pete Walsh (Gobshites)
Happy Birthday Pete Walsh yah old bastard. The Gobshites live March 3rd
Raglan Road: Pour It Black
New Brunswick based Celtic-rockers, Raglan Road have a new song out tomorrow, March 1st, on all streaming platforms. Its called. Pour it Black, and it’s an ode to the Black Stuff.
Shite'n'Onions 