Hard Folk is probably the best description I can come up for Stoke-on-Trent, England’s Jug’o’punch. Part Pogues, part Dubliners with a touch of American bluegrass and blues (lots of harmonicas here). Like The Pogues before ’em, Jug’o’Punch mix the romance of Irish dreams and yearning with the gritty reality of life in the UK  Those like me who loved “Fiver on the horses” and “Cold” from the recent EP will love this full length

August 2005