Darkbuster are the kings of Boston street punk, period.
18 songs, clocking in around 30 mins. Darkbuster are fast, catchy and loud with a wicked sense of humor. Influences on a Weakness….. include Stiff Little Fingers, Bouncing Souls and The Clash along with old school Boston hardcore (and Thin Lizzy – the lyrics to the Ska tinged “Rudy” are a little to close to Lizzy’s “Jailbreak” to be a coincidence.)
February 2005
I’m pretty sure the majority of S’n’O readers understand that folk music (No matter what ethnicity) can tell us about the tales of the past in ways history books never could. Folk music speaks of the truth, and when I want to find out about the daily life of a paticular place, I’m not going to reach for some bland travel guide from AAA, I’m going to be looking for some folk music from that paticular area of interest. I’ve always been interested in the history of Australia. Maybe it has something to do with the convict way of life, or maybe it’s something nautical, or maybe a combination of both. Whatever the case may be, I’ll always reach out for the folk music first. I have learned alot from Aussie bands such as: Roaring Jack, Weddings Parties Anything, and the random traditional numbers. Now there’s another band I need to add to the list: Mutiny.
Mutiny has been around since the early Nineties, and have been around the dock more than a few times. As you may or not know, the album “Rum Rebellion” is not exactly brand new. It was originally released back in 1997, and lucky for us, a label in Pennsylvania, (Fistolo Records) re-released the next-to-impossible album earlier this year. In my humble opinion, “Rum Rebellion” is not another Celt-Punk album at all…Sure there’s hints here and there, but It’s more of a combination of: Aussie folk, Sydney streetpunk, pirate punk-inspired sea shanties, and whatnot. Think of Mutiny as the music of yesteryear, & the lyrics as the lastest news of today. Oh yeah, I know it’s only May, but at this point “Rum Rebellion” just might be my favorite record released this year. (Do re-releases count?)
The band, Mutiny, are one of my all-time favorites!
February 2005
Review By: Brian “Shelia” Gillespie
Sing Loud Sing Proud part deux…
Warrior’s Code represents the next step in the evolution of Dropkick Murphys from a pure punk oriented outfit to a more refined, mature band. They’ve found their niche and are sticking to it.
That said, the Murphys don’t totally abandon their roots and have created a sound like previous releases and good on ’em for that. Songs such as “Your Spirit’s Alive”, “Warrior’s Code”, “Take It And Run” and “The Walking Dead” are classic Dropkick Murphys while songs like “The Green Fields of France” show a nice evolution of their skills. Tunes like “The Auld Triangle” is a good mixture of new and old.
Still, a lot of their songs are reminicient of earlier offerings and that will not disappoint fans while recalling days past. All in all, the Murphys continue to deliver an energetic, enjoyable outing and it’s worth the money on this latest offering too.
Their live shows are worth attending as Ken Casey and crew continue to deliver the goods and you could do a lot worse than attend a live Dropkick Murphys show. I would recommend seeing them at a club or hall rather than a venue like an outdoor festival however. The sound and energy are better and you get the chance to join them on stage at the end of the night!
In summation, “Warrior’s Code” is a good Dropkick Murphys release that shouldn’t disappoint fans but won’t garner any new ones that don’t like them already.
February 2005
Review By: TheBlackStuff
While the D.I.Y.-ish cover of Live a Ferneham Hall give the appearance of a bootleg there is nothing bootleg or D.I.Y.-ish about either the music or production on this superb live CD (recorded in March ’05) from one of the most influential Celtic-folk-rock bands of the 80’s (ask The Levellers). If your unfamiliar with past works of this Brighton, England based Anglo-Irish quintet then think Bragg, Moore (Christy of course), Strummer and of course MacGowan and the Pogues and not as mere imitators but as peers.
February 2005
BIB are a “band” that managed to cause a lot of controversy and piss off more then a few people on the strength of the track “Drunk Tonight” that they circulated as a mp3 prior to releasing “Drunk Rock” – the big piss off factor was that it was maybe just a little to close to Flogging Molly’s “Swagger” to be a coincidence. Now while the rest of the CD is still hugely influenced by Flogging Molly and SoCal punk (“My Wicked Ways” is a little to close to something of the Mike Ness solo CD whose title escapes me) there is nothing else that can be stamped with the rip-off accusation, and in fact everything is highly listenable (even if the traditional instruments are electronic studio creations) and top quality. So let’s give the guy (BIB are basically a one man show) a break and some encouragement and support and remember nobody in this scene is truly original and even the mighty Flogging Molly have been accused of lifting from others – remember “Another bag of Bricks” and the riff from “Swagger” itself sounds like it was lifted from Slade.
February 2005
Nova Scotia’s Slainte Mhath blends straightforward renderings of traditional Scottish tunes with modern applications like sampling, loops and groove-laden rhythms. With virtually no singing Slainte Mhath allows their impeccable instrumental prowess convey their message. Alternating between traditional and modern music ideals they are driven by a duo of fiddler players, Boyd MacNeil and Lisa Gallant, Scottish piper John MacPhee and keyboardist Ryan MacNeil who injects a jazzy and sometimes R&B flavor into their repertoire. Flanked by a funky rhythm section of drummer Brian Talbot and bassist Jamie Gatti, Slainte Mhath is North America’s answer to Shooglenifty and Tartan Amoebas. While their traditional approach is by-and-large flawless and can easily rival that of the genre’s major players, this band is at its best when it permits the collision and intermingling of styles.
November 2004
Review by: Dave Sleger
The fourth album by this Scottish outfit continues in much the same fashion as their previous. Moody, rhythmic and highly textured instrumental music influenced by traditional Scottish fiddle tunes and judiciously accented with other worldbeat snippets. The brassy “Nordal Rumba” might be the most engaging selection on this album as it is accompanied by the Salsa Celtica horn section giving it a slight island feel. Actually, this record contains far less of the reggae, bluegrass and Mid-eastern motifs that peppered their previous efforts. However, Shooglenifty remains one of the more interesting bands in the loosely defined Celtic-rock arena.
November 2004
Review by: Dave Sleger
On their tenth album this veteran German folk-rock band revisits some of their old favorites with new singer Mark Patrick at the helm. Evidently Patrick felt the need to rework those old tunes (made popular by previous front man Harald Schmidt) in an effort to gain acceptance with the disgruntled fanbase. Risky move perhaps, but if this revamped band is to carry on the tradition of this top-notch German pseudo-Celtic folk-rock outfit they will have to connect with the fans and prove that the past is not forgotten. Patrick’s squeaky-clean vocal style is in stark contrast to Schmidt’s gruff, boozy style but Patrick does an admirable job particularly on the gypsy-inflected “Johnny Went to the War” and “Lady from Athina,” thanks in part to fiddler Jens Kempgens meticulous playing. Their rendition of the Charlie Daniels classic “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” is the highlight, mainly due to it’s unlikely inclusion. Why this band opted to include two tracks “Troubadour” and “Cornerstone” (which appeared on their 2002 Mark Patrick debut, RED-LETTER DAYS) is beyond me. Those songs haven’t changed at all in the two years since their release. “Nice” sums up this album accurately. It’s neither dismal nor exceptional and far from the best work Paddy Goes to Holyhead has produced over the years.
November 2004
Review by: Dave Sleger
If you haven’t heard Neck yet, now is a great time to start. In fact this latest Neck release “Here’s Mud In Yer Eye!” makes a perfect introduction to these “County Holloway” locals. Formed by lead vocalist/guitarist, Leeson OKeeffe, (Who at one time was a member of Shane MacGowan’s Popes), NECK are a London-Irish band playing their own brand of Celt-Punk described as “PSYCHO-CEILMDH” Their songs reflect 2nd-generation Irish life, (Known to some as Plastic Paddy) Neck combines the rip-roaring spiritual abandon of Irish songs and tunes with the vibrant electric guitar driven energy of punk rock, (Regular Shite’n’Onions readers might know a little about this genre.) Speaking of the term ‘Shite’n’Onions’, The name of the website itself comes from a Neck song off the original “Necked” album. The term has been described as James Joyce’s fathers’ favorite quote!
If you have heard Neck before, you’ll want to know that the new album “Here’s Mud In Yer Eye!” mainly contains previous releases.(With the exception of “Spancil Hill” & “To Win Just Once” The difference is they are produced WAY BETTER than earlier efforts. And in my opinion, is the main reason for releasing this album. In fact, just think of those previous albums, as mass produced demos! Another great thing about “Here’s Mud In Yer Eye” is the County Holloway slang” glossary located inside the liner notes.
Examples:
“Here’s Mud In Yer Eye!” is a toast given while drinking, as favored by Willie O’Keefe!
“Jackey” is a name for the people who habitually drink alcohol in the street in Scotland!
“Sassenach” is an Englishman!
There’s plenty more. Reason enough to check it out, right?
As you can probably tell, Neck is a favorite among the Shite’n’Onions staff, and that should be reason enough to familiarize yourself to the London-Irish Psycho-Ceilidh! I don’t really have anything else to tell you. I’m honestly too busy listening to the album…
Track Listing: (Complete with classic definitions provided by: Barnacle Brian Gillespie)
1. McAlpine’s Fusileers (Irish manual workers tale)
2. Loud ‘n’ Proud ‘n’ Bold (A song about drinkin’ in Dublin)
3. Spancil Hill (This is a great version of the traditional ditty)
4. To Win Just Once (Let’s hear it for the underdog!)
5. Here’s Mud In Yer Eye! (Cheers! Ya Bastards!)
6. The Maid Behind The Bar / The Sally Gardens (Another traditional)
7. Suzie MacGroovie (Can’t cheat on that lass back home)
8. I’m A Man You Don’t Met Everyday (Yep, the Jacobite song made popular by The Pogues)
9. A Fistfull Of Shamrock (Worse than getting hit by brass knuckles)
10. Hello Jackey! (AKA-What’s up, ya Scottish lush, get outta the bloody street!)
11. Topless Mary Poppins (A twisted Neck nursery rhyme)
12. The Feilds Of Athenry (This is the best version around.)
12.A Ole Hooley (Ole, Ole Ole……football fever, only 2 more years ’till the cup!!)
November 2004
Review by: Barnacle Brian “Jackey” Gillespie
Brighton based McDermotts Two Hours are 80’s UK folk rock legends and also one of the most influential bands on the scene – so influential infact that The Levellers are constantly tipping their hats collectively in McDermotts direction. During the 90’s the band went on hiatus but in 2000 Levellers bass player Jeremy Cunningham persuaded McDermott’s signer Nick Burbridge to start recording again under the McDermotts Two Hours moniker. Joining Nick was fellow McDermott, fiddler Tim O’Leary and Levellers, Jeremy Cunningham and Charlie Heather (drums).
Disorder is the third collaborative with members of The Levellers (though the first I’ve heard) and it’s a very polished and passionate effort, the music is solid Celtic influenced folk-rock with a distinctly English (I don’t meant that in a bad way at all, The Levellers defined the English folk-rock sound and McDermotts defined the sound of The Levellers) fokie feel. The lyrics are very political yet never preachy though always thought provoking. Good stuff
November 2004
Shite'n'Onions 