Kind of an 80’s MTV revival here. Electronic power pop with distinctively 80’s sounding vocals, hooks galore and catchy as hell but definitely not S’n’O material.
2006
Black Friday: Live at Maker
Flogging Molly is an obvious huge influence on Black Friday – the bands name of course and 4 of the 12 songs on ‘Live at Maker” are Flogging Molly covers. Combinations of MacGowan and The Popes/Pogues are the other big influence with 3 covers (5 if you count “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Star of the County Down”). The Clash & The Mahones (great version of “Drunken Lazy Bastard”) are also covered. “Go to Go” is the only original (I thinks it’s an original anyway) and it’s a great one that isn’t out of place on a collection of classics the band covered. Just next time some more originals if the rest are as good.
2006
V/A: Paddy Rock Radio Vol.2
Hats off again to John Bowles of Paddy Rock Radio for pulling together another fine comp. I’m always amazed how John will always manage to find 2 or 3 really great bands that I’ve never heard – Meisce, The Sandcarvers and The Vandon Arms being the new standouts to me. Of course there are also lots of bands that are old friends of Shite’n’Onions here – Blaggards. Sharky Doyles, The Killigans and many more. 15 great tacks in all. Check it out, I think you’ll be finding new friends as well and getting reacquainted with some old ones.
2006
Süvöltő: My Sun, My Sun (CD Single)
Here’s something completely different from the Celtic scene – Hungarian power-folk. But really is it that different? – apart from they signing in Hungarian, we’ve got Clash inspired punk-rock and a love of The Pogues and Dropkick Murphys and bagpipes of course – this time the Hungarian variation (and you though bagpipes were Scottish). I’m told a full CD is to be recorded and I’m looking forward to hearing that.
2006
Street Dogs: Fading America Dream
“Fading America Dream” is the third release in four years from Boston’s (though now LA based) Street Dogs. While I thought the first Street Dogs release was a street fighting punk classic, it’s follow up “Back to the World”, while good, fell short of the lofty heights of number 1. “Fading America Dream” like “Back to the World” is a strong punk release – very much in the vein of Dropkick Murphys (Mike McColgan’s era of course), Rancid or The Bouncing Souls – but still no “Savin Hill”. Fans of Celtic punk should note “Shards of Light” with Flogging Molly’s Matt Hensley and James Fearnley of The Pogues helping out.
2006
The Rag and Bone Men: EP
I don’t know a lot ‘bout The Rag and Bone Men. The contacted me through myspace. The packaging the CD came in was postmarked Portland OR. The CD and sleeve are very DIY. The 5 tracks on the EP are reminiscent of the anarcho-folk of Mischief Brew crossed with the klezmer/ gypsy of Portland’s much missed The Domolites later stuff. If you like your folk RAW then check these guys out.
2006
JD and the Longfellows: Confessions
I’ll be honest I had to Google Duncan Goodhew to figure out who the hell JD was singing about at first, but damn that is quite the resemblance, which I could relate to. Many years ago when I was fit and took care of myself, people used to say I looked like Ed Norton in American History X (more like the fat skin I’m thinking – editor) . I have a great tale about that, but that’s for another day we are here to talk about this latest in music which I can’t categorize. The lines of what’s what genre of music blurs more and more, which I like because it confuses a lot of folks.
The cover confuses me because it doesn’t really look as the music feels; it seems like a guy running from a bad situation to an even worse one, naked. Kind of doom and gloom if you will. But the music inside is anything but, it is mostly lighthearted drinking music and songs that tell great tales. This is all wrapped together by some of the best music to come off that little island empire in a while.
This isn’t just the best damned drinking album of the year; it’s the best damned CD to play before you go out drinking to pump yourself up album of the year! That is just as good if not better, if you want to pump yourself up for say a great night of tying one on with your best mates, or feel like you want to pick yourself up because your drinking by yourself again you lonely bastard, this is the CD for all of you. I guess putting this in with the drinking music group is going to really discredit the unbelievable talent these musicians present. Drinking bands usually sound great while your drinking, but any studio album they do is not as great. JD and the Longfellow’s blow that stereotype right out of the water, they sound so good on this CD I want them to chart on Billboard and win Grammy’s!
Are there any reasons why you shouldn’t buy this CD? Any little quibbles as to why you should hold on to you’re measly little 14 bucks instead of buying this masterpiece? Not a one especially with the service CD Baby gives you. One of my favorite CD’s of the year for sure.
2006
Cheers,
The Rover
G.T.M.: Bitter and Twisted
G.M.T. are a 3 piece metal band with punkish influences. Guitarist Torme and bass player McCoy (the M. & the T.) are veterans of the 80’s UK metal scene – both were members of Ian Gillan’s mega successful early 80’s solo project. Torme later joined Ozzy’s band. Guy (the G.) was drummer for The Business. The band is tight, raw and LOUD – think Cream meets Hendrix meets Motorhead meets The Sex Pistols. Not really S’n’O material here (though Torme is from Dublin and the instrumental “Deireadh an Samhradh” has strong Celtic influences) but if you looking for something LOUD and hard rocking you won’t get much more LOUD or rockin then this.
2006
Rum Rebellion: Crusin For A Boozin
“Crusin For A Boozin” is the first full length album from Rum Rebellion, an “Oirish” band from Portland, Oregon. The first thing I’d like to point out are the amount of original songs on this album. Nine out of eleven! There’s obviously some talented songwriters in this gang of ruffians, no doubt. Then there’s the music… Damn! For only being together for roughly a year and a half, these guys must have some weird telepathic thing going on here…The tin whistle, guitar, fiddle, and bouzouki seem to flow together like a musical stream of whiskey, backed up with a solid set of drumbeats and bass lines. The vocals accompany the music perfectly, and sound as if Popeye was clutching an empty bottle of rum instead of a can of spinach! (Spinach is bad for you nowadays!) Another thing I’d like to mention are the amount of sea shanties! I think every track makes at least once reference to something nautical, so at least you know this reviewer is happy!
Speaking of Rum Rebellion, As you may or may not know, the band got the the name from the Rum Rebellion of 1808. It was the only successful (if only temporarily so) armed take over of government in Australia’s recorded history. The rebellion was precipitated by the Governor of New South Wales, William Bligh, who attempted to normalize trading conditions by prohibiting the use of spirits (Rum) as payment for commodities. Bligh was aiming to reduce the power of the rum merchants and the New South Wales Corps, which had a role in the trade. These groups resented his interference and the quarrel built to a military rebellion on January 26, 1808. The group of mutineers included John MacArthur as one of the leading personalities. Bligh was arrested by George Johnston of the New South Wales Corps, who took control of the colony. Bligh was held for over a year and when he agreed to leave for England, he immediately attempted to return. Stupid bastard.
Lucky for me, I have been able to witness this band start from scratch. I’ve been lucky enough to have seen them live a few times, (Some I can’t remember… like cough*opening for the Tossers*cough!) and they sound just as good live as they do on record. I’ve also heard them absolutely nail a version of “Dirty Old Town” on the radio. I’ve seen them on street corners busking away like madmen. So let me mention that I am seriously impressed with “Crusin For A Boozin”
100% Pirate approved!
Track listing:
1. Anchors Aweigh!
2. Raise Yer Glasses
3. Boots & Bottles
4. Beer Run
5. The Rusty Cannonball
6. Drifting Down The River
7. A-Rovin
8. Drink With The Devil
9. Ramblers Road
10. Drunken Sailor
11. Dragons Tooth Jig
Go get this album! By the way if you’re in the Pacific Northwest anytime soon, check them out live!
12/31/06 @ SE House Show
1/8/07 @ Tiny Tavern (EUGENE)
1/11/07 @ House Show
1/12/07 @ the Paragon
1/13/07 @ Comet Tavern (SEA)
1/27/07 @ Diablo’s (EUGENE)
2006
Review by: Barnacle Brian
Whisky Chaser: Rantin’ & Rovin
“Just as you thought things couldn’t get any wackier along comes an off-the-wall music combo which looks set to give Scottish folk music a whole new meaning: Celtic rock band Whisky Chaser.”
“It was in the summer of 2004 that vocalist-guitarist John “Fanny” Adams got together with drummer Wal, vocalist-penny whistler Klaire and vocalist-guitarist Will over a few pints, and began to experiment with music of a decidedly folkish feel. At first they leaned toward the Irish side of Celtic, but with the arrival of bagpipes-bohdran-mandolin supremo, Stripey McDoog, and bassist-vocalist James, the band’s focus shifted North of the Border.”
Sadly, Will has since gone on to other pastures but the core of the band remains and bravely carries on.
Anyway, the disc is really a cover of other tunes, some being traditional. There’s nothing you may not have heard elsewhere but who doesn’t do that now? I mean, everyone covers somethin’ now and again.
On to the disc then…
At the start you’re greeted by the spirited pipes of Doog “Stripey” Grant into a jaunty version of “Scotland The Brave” which leads to a rousing cover of “Leaving Of Liverpool”. The oft done “Whiskey In The Jar” is next with a punkish slant featuring Klaire on the whistle followed by a heart-felt rendition of “The Skye Boat Song”.
This could well be the signature song of the disc if not for the nicely done “Wild Mountain Thyme” and “The Torch” ably done here with the afore mentioned Will and Klaire on vocals. This is a nice change a pace and bridge for the disc.
From here we get to the faithfully done Dropkick Murphys “Heroes Of Our Past” which takes us to “Amazing Grace” which always leaves one with a tear in the eye as it’s done here even with a bit of an edge. The disc wraps up with a nice version of “The Wild Rover”.
So, I know what you’re thinkin’…who the hell is Whisky Chaser and how the feck did they make the Shite n Onions top ten?
Well, I’ll tell yas…
Simply put…heart and a sound everyone likes. There’s nothing new here, no argument there but they’re here because they play with conviction and they love what they do. And while the CD is good, their real strength is in their live show. They’ve played with some damned good bands, most notibly Neck. They pull out the stops each and every night no matter how big the crowd and give it all they’ve got.
They’re what most of us like in a band and they do a bang up job doing what they do. They’re like us given what they like, the way they play and they entertain us and what more can we ask for, really?
If you get the chance to see this lot live, go ahead and do it. You won’t be cheated. They’re great folk that put their hearts into it and it’s definately worth it.
“One thing’s for certain…the image of the lone piper will never be quite the same once you’ve seen Whisky Chaser explode into a mad blur of tartan, kilts, sporrans and bagpipes.” Having seen them, I can attest to that!
2006
Review – The Blackstuff
Shite'n'Onions 