Posted on December 29, 2012 by Mustard Finnegan

1 Joint) The Radiators From Space: Sound City Beat

Dublin ‘s original punks masterful tribute to the long forgotten beginnings of rock music in Ireland, 60’s beat and garage given a ’77 style kick up the arse. Not exactly Celtic punk but there wouldn’t be any Celtic punk with out these guys (or U2 but we won’t hold that against them) and main man Philip Chevron is a Pogue as is guest Terry Woods. Henry McCullough also guests (he of the guitar on Joe Cockers, A Little Help From My Friends, at Woodstock)

1 Joint) The Mahones: Angels and Devils

21+ years on the go and The Mahones keep it alive and screaming and as authentic as fu#k. While the band may not as of yet have had the level of success of some of those who followed in their wake, Angels and Devils, puts to rest any doubt who the true masters of Celtic-punks are (and Finny can write a nice mushie love song as well)

2) The Langers Ball: The Devil or the Barrel

Gone from a two person bands from previous releases to a true contenders with drinking problems.

3) Kilmaine Saints: Drunken Redemption

US Bagpipes’n’Punk rock at its finest.

4) Bill Grogan’s Goat: Second Wind

Detroit sludge meets Celtic, Danny Boy must be heard.

5) Greenland Whalefishers: Live At Farmer Phil’s Festival

The Norwegian masters live and raw and on vinyl too.

The Next 5 in no particular order…

Jamie Clarke’s Perfect: Beatboys

Former Pogues (on the Pogue Mahone album) Paddy-punk meets rockabilly (Paddy’a’Billy?)

Handsome Young Strangers: Here’s To The Thunder Lads

Colonial punk, the best new band outta Down Under in 2012

Smokey Bastard: Tales From The Wasteland

Polished yet powerful – Celtic folk punk from the UK

Nick Burbridge & Tim Cotterell: Gathered

Songwriting master from McDermotts Two Hours solo album – stipped down and scary

Compilation of the Year:

Paddy Rock Volume 4

What else could it be. Having do a few of these I take my hat off to Mr. Paddy Rock Bowels

EP’ s worth a holler:

2012 was a great year for short releases and these are the best of ’em:
In no particular order:

Circle J: Diggers

Bastards On Parade: Shallow waters

Auld Corn Brigade: Our Flag

Lexington Field: Poor Troubled Life

Murder The Stout: 6 Track EP

Sharks Come Cruisin – Hardtack