Review

Runnin’ Riot: Monks Not Dead

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“Monk’s Not Dead” is the follow up EP to Belfast Oi-sters very excellent first CD “Reclaim the Streets” which set a new standard for Irish punk and arguably came very close to the sheer brilliance of SLF’s “Inflammable Material”.

Unfortunately of the 5 originals on “Monks’..” only one “PTA” comes close to the standards set by “Alcoholic Heros” or “Judge, Jury and Executioner”. Sure the music is still as hard as a crack over the head from a RUC baton but with the quality of songs lacking I doubt I’ll be wearing out this EP like I did with the first release.

The covers are GG Allen’s, “KTP”, which I suppose you can still get away with if you’re from Belfast. A version of those SMF’s Twisted Sisters “(Oi) We’re Not going To Take It”, that will crack Dee Sniders makeup foundation. “Runnin Riot” by Cock Sparrer is excellent but “Babylon’s Burning” originally by the Ruts doesn’t work and not being familiar with the song I can’t tell you if it’s a shitty version or just a shitty song.

Hopefully this EP is just a filler and the band are keeping the good stuff under raps tills the next full length.

July 2002

Review

The GC5: Never Bet The Devil Your Head

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Hey I know I just reviewed the GC5’s singles collection in the last edition, but the GC5 seem to be able to get a release out a hell of a lot quicker then I can get an update out (God bless’em)

“Never Bet…” is the second proper CD from the 5 the other released being a CDEP and the previously mentioned singles collection. While the first CD “Kisses…” showed the bands potential in songs like “City Lights” and “White Flag”. They have now captured that potential after a year and a half solid touring, playing 250 plus shows, honing their song writing skills and getting some help from the Dropkicks; Ryan Foltz in the production department. The GC5 have taken their SLF, Utters, Clash and Billy Bragg inspired punk, stepped up to the plate and are ready to swing for the best punk band in America. And with this CD I think they will hit a home run.

July 2002

Review

Brian Blood: Simple

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The back cover of this CD says it all. The industrial background, one man dressed in black, the tattoos, the quaff and side burns. The guitar ready to go. Brian Blood plays dark, brooding acoustic rock with strong roots in 50’s Rock and American Country with a touch of Irish. Perfect for someone who wished Johnny Cash was a little more rock’n’roll or Mike Ness was a little more country.

July 2002

Review

V/A: Warped Tour 2002 Comp

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I’ve never actually been to the Warped tour but I think it’s a great idea and a great way for bands that MTV or commercial or “alternative” radio won’t touch to gain exposure to a huge audience. Sure I hear you complain that it’s headlined by MTV punks like Blink 182 and Sum 41 are playing this year so it’s really a commercial sell out. But I say to you where else can you arrive a Sum 41 fan in the morning and leave that night a Flogging Molly fan (though rarely the reverse happens).

This comp. is a 50 (yes 50) track double CD of all the bands playing this year. Something for everybody and a good opportunity to hear those bands whose name you’ve only previously heard before and for a low price it’s a steal.

July 2002

Review

Hayseed Dixie: A Hillbilly Tribute To AC/DC

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The world has heard some great cover bands, and the world has heard some awful cover bands, but I bet no one in the world has heard a cover band like Hayseed Dixie! They are the most hilarious band I have ever heard!! This is an album of hillbilly bluegrass (or boozegrass, as the band likes to call it!) musical style with an AC/DC flavor. That’s right, AC/DC- bluegrass style!!! Hell, if you say “HAYSEED DIXIE” fast enough it even sounds like “AC/DC”! When I heard this album the first time, I laughed so hard I almost shit meself! I was rolling on the ground laughing like a 12 yr old redheaded stepchild with ADD on a sugar fix! In fact I still am! I guess when the folks in AC/DC themselves heard it, they fell to their knees cracking up! The only people who should avoid this album are boring simpletons who have no sense of humor whatsoever. Everyone else will enjoy it. Them good ole boys hail from the fertile valley of Deer Lick Holler, deep up dem dar hills of Appalacia, over yonder! Even the quality of the music is top notch. It not like this band is a bunch of folks just playing a different style of music for shits and giggles, they really do know how to play bluegrass. Check out the website for more hilarious stories about the beginning of the band, and how they got to where they are now!

Track listings are
1. Highway To Hell
2.You Shook Me All Night Long
3. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
4. Hell’s Bells
5. Money Talks (just ask The Dead Kennedys about that pathetic reunion)
6. Let’s Get It Up”
7. Have A Drink On Me
8. T.N.T. (complete with fart noises)
9. Back In Black
10. Big Balls

P.S. you may be thinking this review has nothing to do with Celtic-Folk-Punk, but if you can remember far enough back, AC/DC was the first rock ‘n’ roll band to incorporate bagpipes into their music. Plus, Bon Scott, and those Young brothers were transplanted Scots living down under!

July 2002

Review by Brian “Moonshine” Gillespie

Review

Siobhan : The Patron Saints Of Debauchery

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You gotta love Canada! That massive hockey loving country continues to spit out great bands into the music spittoon left and right! (except for Celine Dion, Bare Naked Ladies, and a few others) A band I have added quite close to the top of the Canuck list is Siobhan. Hailing from the capital city of the great white north. (Ottawa, for those of you who may be globally handicapped!) They have recorded a full album with 13 tracks of whiskey inspired mayhem. They never leave D’arcy McGee’s Pub in Ottawa, because they are all cheap lushes who know free pints don’t exist outside of their home pub! (Actually, they never leave D’arcy McGee’s because they are the house band!) So if you ever stumble into Ottawa, don’t go to a Senators hockey game, walk into the pub and go straight to table 12 where the band drinks, and they will tell you to fuck yerself!

Okay, on with the album. According to the liner notes, all songs were recorded live in a single room with no re-takes or anything. Any mistakes you hear are the product of your deranged imagination. I must admit, it sounds as crisp as a Canadian winter evening in Manitoba, every instrument is represented evenly. It has about 5 covers, including “The Limerick Rake”, “Whiskey In The Jar”, “All For Me Grog”, a kick ass version of “Spancil Hill”, and the anti-war classic, “Salford Town”. The originals mix perfectly with the covers, such as “The Monday Night Drinking Song”, which is on par with “Streams Of Whiskey” inviting you to join the band for a pint or 10 on the first night of the week. Another classic song about pint hoisting ’till dawn is track 7, “The Killfinane Parish”, track 8 is a nice instrumental, “Gypsy Rebel”, track 2 is a great original ballad, “Lay Down And Die”, and a few others like “I Got Drunk In Europe” (who hasn’t?) This is a classic album from a promising young band. I recommend checking out the new album PRONTO! Siobhan is one of my favorite bands at the moment.

Siobhan’s Debauchery Tour

07/19 – Merchant MacLiam’s Pub – Kingston ON
07/20 – Merchant MacLiam’s Pub – Kingston ON
07/23 – Bunker’s Pub – Sydney NS
07/25 – O’Reilley’s Pub – St. John’s NF
07/26 – O’Reilley’s Pub – St. John’s NF
07/27 – O’Reilley’s Pub – St. John’s NF
08/09 – Toronto Festival of Beer – Historic Fort York – Toronto ON
08/10 – Fionn MacCool’s Pub – Toronto

July 2002

Review by Brian Gillespie

Review

NECK : Fields of Athenry + Ole Hooley (CDS)

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The Irish team is back home now from the World Cup after a great performance and unlucky defeat to Spain. “Fields of Athenry + Ole Hooley” was released in celebration of the Irish World Cup appearance and NECK have certainly paid a fine tribute to the Irish team and fans.

This is a far better version of “Fields..” then previously recorded on “Necked” and even better then Brush Shields version if I dare say so. The production is great and the football terrace chorus and the Ole Hooley tacked on at the end turn this into a true football anthem.

The other two tracks are:
“May the Road Rise to Meet You”, a NECK original and a slow and powerful tribute to the fans of Irish Soccer worldwide.

“McAlpines Fusileers”, is a rocker. Originally written by Dominic Behan (Brendan’s brother), made famous by the Dubliners and never played like this before. The ultimate song about the Irish in Britain by the ultimate Plastic Paddies.

July 2002

Review

The Pogues: Rum Sodomy and the Lash

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Debauchery and tears. The second effort from the legendary Pogues promises it from the outset. From the cover piss-take on the painting “Le Radueau De La Medusa (The Wake of the Medusa)” to it’s fiery, howling mad content; “Rum, Sodomy and the Lash” delivers in spades. From puking up in Church to fighting the Turks in Gallipoli, from courting Sally MacLennane to riding with Jesse James, it’s all here, wrapped in the familiar wails of the Wildcats of Kilkenny.

Generally lauded by both critics and fans as the Pogues finest hour (no argument from me, except to add that “If I Should Fall From Grace…” is as good) and produced by the master himself, Elvis Costello, “RSATL” is nothing short of a perfect album. I remember finding the vinyl for $3 in a second-hand shop many years ago, and having no idea what awaited me, and if any of you bastards haven’t heard the album, then I envy you, for the first time you listen to it is almost a religious experience.

Shane’s twisted poetry has arguably never been as clear as it is on this record. Every cut a winner. Inspired. Original line-up. (A good companion to this record is the Pogues book “The Lost Decade” which details the history of the band, and also the making of this record.) It just seems the band were at their tip-top, like they never were before, and never quite would be again. Shane vocals would never be as purely emotive as they are here. He’s always the master, but this is him in his prime. The rest of the band follows his lead – From Spider’s speed demon tin whistle to Cait O’Riordan’s bass playing (always had a soft spot for ol’ Rocky) it all just works.

You can tell you’re in for a helluva ride from the outset. “The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn” promises: “there’s devils on each side of you with bottles in their hands/you need one more drop of poison and you’ll dream of foreign lands.” And off we’re whisked. The boy-prostitutes of “The Old Main Drag” sing a woe-begotten tale, which is quickly drowned out by the cries of “The Wildcats of Kilkenny.”

Up until then, things had been a wild, violent, drunken ride. Debauchery. Now come the tears. The old standard “I’m a Man You Don’t Meet Everyday” with a twist – Cait on vocals. Beautifully rendered. Tugs at the old heartstrings this. But then. Oh, but then. Perhaps Shane’s finest moment. Perhaps his purest vocals. “A Pair of Brown Eyes.” Jesus Christ, what a fucking tune. No use trying to describe the tale of war, love, loss, redemption. Just listen to it yourself. I sure as hell can’t do it justice. Modern Irish poetry.

Things pick back up for the crowd favorite “Sally MacLennane” with it’s tale of Jimmy’s exploits round the world but him never forgetting he loved the town where he was born and poor ol’ Sally. “Jimmy drank until he choked and took the road to heaven in the morning.” And what a trip it most assuredly was. The highlights just keep coming: Ewan McColl’s “Dirty Old Town” might as well have been written by Shane because after this recording, he has owned it ever since. “The Gentleman Soldier” is a sentimental favorite, million miles an hour, with punk rock vocals by the one and only Spider Stacy, and then things wrap up with the ultimate anti-war sentiment “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” and once it ends, just try to swallow the lump in your throat.

To me, it’s simple: The genre of Irish punk owes most everything to this one record. Sure, it wasn’t their first, and certainly not their last grand moment, but for a time, there wasn’t a band on Earth that could touch the Pogues. They could turn it up like the best punk bands only wished they could, and then could choke you up like the best balladeers. From the amount of bands that cover songs from this record, it’s clear – untouchable. Legend. I think it may be the most emotionally charged record I’ve ever had the good fortune to listen to and it’s enduring quality remains even today. So grab a drink and some tissues, put the record on and travel to foreign lands, have a drink and fight the good fight one more time with the first and the best. The Pogues.

April 2002

Review by Sean Holland

Review

Filmmaker: Break This Fall

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Filmmaker from Saskatchewan, Canada have earned the proud distinction of having their demo downloaded over 40,000 from mp3.com and even reaching number one in the mp3.com charts. “Break This Fall”, their debut CD, originally released last year to big collage radio success north of the border and now release in the USA on Farway Records is six slabs of EMO-ish/post punk indie. Not really my listening cuppa of tea but nevertheless if this is your thing I’d definitely recommend it.

April 2002

Review

Warblefly: The Sinful, Wise & Insane

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As eclectic as they wanna be, but still clearly flying the banner known as Celtic, Warblefly impress with their second album, “The Sinful, Wise and Insane.” Their press release describes them as “too folky for the indie circuit and too groovy for the folk circuit” and it seems an apt description. Not “punk” by any means, but still too fast and aggressive for the stuffy folkies (or so I’d imagine.)

The album is equal parts traditionals and originals, and opens up with the trad. number “As I Roved Out” which is done fairly straight-forward and I must admit – the musicianship impressed, especially the violin, melodion and the whistle, done by David Hassell, Ellie van Veen and Emma Dover respectively. The gravelly voices of Nigel Griffiths (bass as well) and Adrian Leach (banjo and bazouki) seem a kind of a cross between Spider Stacy and Shane MacGowan…not as gruff or slurred as Shane but a bit more rough then Spider. Good stuff.

Next up is another trad, the instrumental “The Red Haired Boy” which also plays things quite straight. Kind of like a more subdued “Wildcats of Kilkenny.” This band proved themselves very good musicians with these first two songs. When speed is required, these ‘flys can pump it out. Very capable and very well played by the band: Guitar sounds from Frank van Veen, acoustics and bodhran from Matthew Heard, mandolin and trumpet from Peter Frizzell and drums by Dave Hodgson.

Of the originals, my favorite is probably the first “The Rebel Soldier.” It is quite good. The tale relates, of course, the lament of a rebel soldier far from home. “I eat when I’m hungry and I drink when I’m dry/If the drink don’t get me, I’ll die when I die.” Lyrically very inspired stuff from head lyricist the aforementioned Adrian Leach. Leach seems to be taking his cues from not only MacGowan, but Tom Waits, Brendan Behan, Joyce, etc. The title of the CD is lifted from the line “I’ve drunk with the sinful, the wise and insane.” Haven’t we all? Well said, sir.

I also dig the speedy “Tapachula Scramble” which seems to have a bit of tex mex flavor to it showcasing the bands eclectic side indeed. “Home and Dry” follows similar pathways, it being speedy and tightly played and leads into “Dead Jose” which is another winner, with a heavy melodion line, propelled along by the vocals and a lament-type chorus for the title character before hitting 4th gear the rest of the way, and busting into a spaghetti-western type spoken word. “The Life of Reilly” begins the wind-down. The character has “lived the life of Reilly and it just don’t make me happy anymore…. A man with no ambition but at least I’m still a man.” Hear hear. Another strong original.

The album closes with two trads “The Bonnie Ship of the Diamond” and “Twa Recruitin’ Sergeants” both of which are done very well. The prior being a nice sea-shanty-type tune and the latter a “getupandsingtilyapuke” rollickin one. I really liked this one.

Warblefly proved themselves to be a force in the Celtic circuit with this effort and will surely only get better with age. If your bag is very well-played, fast, speedy folk, (not punk) with hints of several other styles involved, check it out. Nice one.

April 2002

Potato-eating, Whiskey-drinking, Bog-trotting, CELTIC PUNK ROCK