And now something from the world music section of your local punk rock music store. Oi! n’Ast are a very excellent and very original street-rock band from the ancient Celtic kingdom of Asturies (now part of modern Spain – though a place with a strong nationalistic spirit and Celtic identity – Asturies was one of the few area of the Iberian Peninsula not to be conquered by the Moors) who combine first class street punk ala The Business and early Dropkick Murphys with the riffing of Angus and Malcom Young and the traditional sounds of their homeland including Astonian Bagpipes (more melodic then the Scottish with an almost Eastern sound). The vocals are rough and gruff and in all in Astuines. I’m told the lyrics deal with Astonian culture, anti-racism and Hardcore solidarity. A great CD that would give 99% of English speaking Steet Punk a run for it’s money plus with the added bonus of something fresh and original sounding. So if you like your Punk Rock with bag pipes……

May 2003