Ciaran Murphy is a singer/songwriter/one man acoustic hand grenade from West Belfast. A protest singer in the finest tradition and politically sharp as a syringe needle hanging on razor wire. Murphy on this 7 track release points out the often ugly truths of Irish life, asks difficult questions and never pulls his punches. Akin to Damien Dempsey with pin pulled out.
2008
If you’re ever stuck in Arizona on Paddy’s Day then there is only really one place to be – wherever The Brazen Heads are holding court. “Who’s Yer Paddy” is chocker block full of upbeat sing-along Celtic rock originals (and a couple of standards) all done with that cheeky sense of humor that only a true Dub can pull off. The bio mentions Bear Naked Ladies (along with the usual suspects – The Pogues/Waterboys) as an influence and who am I to disagree -especially since I’d be pushed to name one of their tracks. My own ears though remind me of 70’s MOR Celtic rockers – Bagatelle.
2008
Comprised of three members of the recently defunct band, Jugopunch, plus a new guitarist, ‘The Clay Faces’ sound is, not surprisingly, in the same vein of that rootsy, alternative-folk sound.
Instrumentally comprised of acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, percussion, harmonica and vocals distributed amongst the quartet, the sound is one of distinct and open clarity without distortion. This openness allows for easy discrimination between the various instruments as well as the vocals. All lyrics, too, are clearly discernible, but with apparent emphasis on vivid imagery. These elements combine to give a sort of timeless quality to the the songs found on this EP.
“The 3-Track EP” has, yes, three tracks, but also a video of the the opening song, “Football on the T.V.” and, for those with even just a passing curiosity in this band, is available for free on the band’s MySpace page. Also on the MySpace site are some examples of the band’s other songs, all cementing the impressions given by the E.P.
If you were a fan of the band, ‘Jugopunch’, you’ll definitely want to look into ‘The Clay Faces’. I’d also recommend this to anyone who likes the sounds of ‘Billy Bragg’, ‘The Men They Couldn’t Hang’, or to those interested in the idea of an English folk-rock band with rootsy, punky leanings.
2007
Review by Christopher Toler, THE Blathering Gommel
Out of the Celtic Folk-Punk hotbed of Berlin, Germany comes The Pokes. And yes, the name was chosen as a tribute to Mr. MacGowan and Company.
Despite this, the band makes it quite clear that they are “not Irish and do not pretend to be.” They make this clear not just through the very frank statements saying just this on their CD liner notes as well as their website and MySpace page, but also through their music; not only omitting any songs about Ireland or any traditional Irish covers on their ‘POKING THE FIRE’ release, but including 2 tracks sung in German! ‘POKING THE FIRE’, the band’s 2nd full-length release, is full of rowdy, rambunctious, sing-alongs, that seems to aim as much for creating its own sound as it does to staying true to its Paddy Punk formula. In doing so, something altogether unusual is the outcome, with few words summing up The Pokes as accurately as the word “fun.”
Instrumentally, the CD plays like a showcase for the accordion with banjo ornamentation and the rest of the band providing an elaborate and very percussive backdrop with sharp, angular voicings from the acoustic guitar, bass, and drums.
Lead vocals are abruptly barked out in emphatic, boisterous metronomic syncopation and kept within a limited scale for a result that seems to hide the German accent; noticeable only now and again throughout the disc’s fourteen tracks, (thirteen, plus an unnamed, uncredited, banjo-only tune that starts after sixteen minutes of silence after last song on the disc ends.) This vocal treatment does create a mood that seems somehow foreign to the familiar melodies; contrasting, yet complimenting. Perhaps, an attempt at some sort of hybrid sound between the Celtic influences and the band’s German heritage was the goal here. Whatever the aim, the result is a sound that is pretty singular and recognizable to The Pokes.
The disc opens with a great track called “The Day I Pass Away,” (with an equally cool video available at the band’s MySpace page,) that sets the pace appropriately, and the disc’s velocity barely drops below this bar.
Or, in short, fun.
2008
Review by Christopher P. Toler, THE Blathering Gommel
Japanese bands in this genre are unfortunately and all too frequently overlooked. Perhaps the difference in languages makes finding and ordering them so difficult, or maybe the biggest hurdle is the price after shipping from Asia. Whatever the reasons, some great bands’ music is being kept from our ears. The Croagh Patrick is one of those great bands.
HELL’S JIG is the 2nd full length release from The Croagh Patrick, and with songs like “??,” “????,” and “????????,” one can guess that the courted audience is mostly Japanese, but that is where the primary Eastern influence ends. The Croagh Patrick’s sound is a fresh, tight and compact mix of an energetic Paddy-Punk style and high-speed, driving melodies that create a real upbeat mood that is accessible and highly enjoyable despite the language barrier.
The band’s instrumentation is made up of guitars, banjo, mandolin, bass, drums, accordion and tin whistle, divided among it’s five musicians with such a well blended sound that no one instrument stands out more than the others in the mix, instead giving the songs themselves the spotlight.
2007’s HELL’S JIG, the follow-up to the 2005 debut, SLAINTE, includes in its packaging all the tracks’ lyrics, which is helpful because the two songs that are allegedly in English would never be decipherable without reading along. Somehow, however, this doesn’t matter. The songs are so good and executed with such enthusiasm that the vocals become simply another ornamental instrument in the disc’s overall signature.
You may not be able to sing along with the words in these songs, but sitting still is not an option, either. Dashboard drumming is almost unavoidable but requires a whole new level of proficiency when HELL’S JIG is in the deck.
One final caveat: This disc was not an easy acquisition. I found this out after many months on backorder from JPOPhelp.com, but with the wait (finally!) over, it was well worth it.
2008
Review by Christopher P. Toler, THE Blathering Gommel
Scary Crick are the finger picking fast acoustic/folk side project of upstate NY’s The Rubes (plus one). “Some Low Glow”, is their debut 9 track CD out on Rube Records. I would describe it as bluegrass meets Celtic played with the spirit of punk. Vocals are equally shared amoung the 4 members – Mike plays mandolin, Paul plays guitar, Kris plays tenor banjo, and Ryan plays bodhran and jews harp. I do though sturggle with the vocals – I don’t know if it’s the mix or they just don’t fit an acoustic band (more punk or even Death metal at times) – Then again I think it might though be a case of the boys just having to smoke a whole lot of cigarettes to get’em right.
2008
The band Belfast (Белфаст) are from Moscow of course. Who self style themselves as “Rock-a-Paddy”. So what is “Rock-a-Paddy” you ask? Punked up, old school Rockabilly with a (talented) Steve Jones on lead guitarist, and a kick ass rhythm section playing Irish influenced and traditional standards (Irish Rover, Drunken Sailor, Follow me up to Carlow). The vocals are all in Russian and even though I don’t speak or understand a word that doesn’t take away anything from my enjoyment. Great band, great CD and their version of “Paddy public enemy #1” is amazing.
2007
The Swaggerin’ Growlers is a great name for a band, and a very true to life name. I knew Johnny Swagger (vocals) knew how to swagger as I’ve see him in action at many a Skels show. What I didn’t know was Johnny’s ability to growl so masterfully as demonstrated on “The Bottle and the Bow”. The music and the growl is straight ahead Celtic Punk, very much in the vein of The Skels and Flogging Molly with some Bouncing Souls/$wingin’ Utter$ style punk. Recommended.
2007
Co-op Brewery was a well deserved 4th on the “Shite’n’Onions 10 Ten CD’s” of 2006. I believe it’s the bands 5th album to date and while I can’t claim to have heard the early releases, I have heard everything since 1997’s “Rum Rebellion” and I think it’s a safe wager to say it’s the best thing Mutiny have every done. For the uninitiated, Mutiny are a bunch of DIY/crusty punks playing trashy, punked up folk very much rooted in the sounds and history of Australia and the southern seas. 8 songs in total and not a bad one in the bunch.
2007
Jug’o’Punch is dead. Long live The Clay Faces. The mighty Jug’o’Punch may be no more but former members (Andrew – vox, Steve – banjo, Cara & Pauly) have cropped back up as the mighty The Clay Faces. This 4 track debut EP is very much in the hard-folk style of Jug’o’Punch though with a much lesser Irish influence and much more American. i.e.less Clancy Brothers, more Johnny Cash.
2007
