Review

Bates Motel: Cafatine

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A couple of months ago I got a whole serious of emails from a cocky bunch of Cornish men known as Bates Motel, telling me they were the greatest thing to hit Celtic rock since the beginning of creation and I should do a feature on them and listen to some mp3’s on their web page. Now I’m not too good at listening to mp3’s cos’ mostly I listen to music on the train to and from work and It’s often hard to bring the desk top along on the train so they went unheard for a while.

Finally this 3 track demo/promo arrives through the mail and man does this ROCK! Powerful Celtic rock from the new masters of Celtic Grunge (to quote Steve Davies), heavy on the fiddle with an energy that could raise a dead man and get him jigging. To steal a quote from Rock’n’Reel magazine, “a glorious hybrid of the Clash, the Levellers and vintage Thin Lizzy” and there is not much I can add to that except that the Levellers sound like the strongest influence and I also hear some NMA.

July 2002

Review

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones: A Jacknife To A Swan

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Boston’s hometown boys the Bosstones (F**k Aerosmith, who are really from New Hampshire- Jeeze I wish those guys would do us all favor and retire, they haven’t even managed to co-write a decent song since “Pump”) are back after a couple of years that would have split up mere mortal bands. The MMB’s were dumped by their label after much corporate shenanigans and the disappointing sales of 2000’s “Pay Attention” along with the departure of longtime guitarist and Dickey’s songwriting partner Nate Albert. Both have been suitably replaced, Mercury/Def Jam/Island with happening major-indie Sideonedummy (home of Flogging Molly) and Nate with Lawrence Katz, who certainly has picked up the Bosstone writing knack.

This is a much stronger CD then “Pay Attention” and much dirtier, gruffer and a lot less radio friendly then 1997’s “Let’s Face It”, but still with that original mix of Ska, Reggae, Punk and Hardcore and proud Boston roots that makes the MMB’s so special. Something certain to please longtime fans and win some new ones. It certainly pleased this fan.

July 2002

Review

Defenestrated: Another Round…

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The Pogues! There I went and said it. I knew it would be hard to review the new CD from Defenestrated without mentioning the Pogues (again!) From the first note of opener “Do As You Will…” to the closing note of the charmingly titled “Bird Shit Stained Rocks”, Defenestrated proudly nail the colors of the Pogues (again!) toothless Jolly Roger hard to the mast.

The music is a glorious, raw, drunken, riotous and chaotic tribute to the glory days of the Pogues (4 time’s) arguably greatest period, “Red Roses For Me”. So if you’re like me and wish Steve Lillywhite hadn’t cleaned up the rough edges and put the music through the studio version of the washing machine then this CD is for you. Pure raw poguetry in motion.

One complaint is that a couple of the songs just don’t work and if they were left off we’d have a great CD.

July 2002

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

Potato-eating, Whiskey-drinking, Bog-trotting, CELTIC PUNK ROCK since 2001