NYC’s Rogue’s March have been playing the bars and clubs (and most recently the “Warped Tour”) of New York and further a field since the early nineties. Lead by the whiskey and cigarettes throated London-Irish man Joe Hurley; a fine songwriter and storytelling lyrist in the rich tradition of Shane MacGowan, Dave King and Bruce Springsteen.

“Never Fear” was originally released in 1994 and now re-pressed (hence the review plus Joe sent me copy along with the newie “Chaser”). Could best be described as imagine Johnny Cash and Shane MacGowan sharing a bottle of Johnny Walker Red, smoking butts and trading songs and stories in a seedier bar on 2nd Avenue.

Outstanding tracks include; the live favorite and no f**kin around Celtic punk of “Shut Up and Drink”, the hardcore country of “I Wish My Wife Was a Country Singer” and the punked up Scottish traditional “McPherson’s Lament”. A fine debut CD that if it had come out on a major label with a big name producer it would be sitting in your collection right now.

September 2001