The Cloverhearts - New Couture

 

1. Who are The Cloverhearts? 

The Cloverhearts are a new generation of Celtic punk band from Australia, Italy and the Czech Republic. They have been playing together since 2021 and New Couture (Nov, 2024) is one of a handful of singles to spring off their second album Loving in Squalor (Dec, 2024). 

2. What kind of song is New Couture? 

New Couture bursts out of the traps led by the bagpipes and accompanied by gang vocals, trad punk riffs and the a timely and caustic word to say about the plague of mouth breathers who condemn others for something they once said on social media. 

3. Who do The Cloverhearts sound like? 

The Mahones, Mr. Irish Bastard, and Paddy and the Rats. Dropkick Murphys if you must. 

4. Which bands have influenced The Cloverhearts? 

The Rumjacks, NOFX, and Fiona Apple. 

5. What have people said about The Cloverhearts music? 

"Bagpipe laden, raucous Celtic-punk'n'roll" - London Celtic Punks. 

"Bounce factor inducing anthems" - Back Seat Mafia. 

"Blaring bagpipe anthems and twisted tin whistle tunes" - The Flapper.

"At the click of a button you tie your own rope" 

Burly Wood - Side By Side

 

1. Who are Burly Wood? 

Burly Wood are an alternative rock band with elements of punk and grunge from Montreal, Canada. A band made from accomplished musicians from other bands they have been making music since 2016 and Side By Side (August, 2024) is from their second E.P. Horror Vacui (2024). 

2. What kind of song is Side By Side? 

Side By Side has an earnest pop punk sound like The Ataris or PUP but with all the polish you would expect from well established musicians. 

3. Who do Burly Wood sound like?

PUP, The Ataris, Dinosaur Jr, and Weezer. 

4. Which bands have influenced Burly Wood?

I don't know. One of them is rocking a Rise Against T and I'm thinking they wouldn't hate bands like Weezer, Modern Baseball, and The Wonder Years. You'll have to ask them though.

5. What have people said about Burly Wood's music?

"A refreshing sound" - Pitch Perfect.

"Music that resonates on a deeper level" - Tunepical. 

"An explosive brand of alternative rock" - Bombshell Radio.

"I should have spent more time with me when I was young,

I wouldn't feel unsafe with everything I do"

The Ritzy Kids - Reverie

 

1. Who are The Ritzy Kids? 

The Ritzy Kids are a pop punk band from Sydney, Australia. They started making music in 2021 and Reverie (May, 2024) is a stand alone single at the moment but I wouldn't die of shock if it graced their debut album. 

2. What kind of song is Reverie? 

Reverie is more immediate, vital and arresting than their genre description of pop punk would lead you to suppose. The vocals soar through the stratosphere and everything else is just generating the urgency to keep this supersonic song aloft. Reverie is a commercially viable fucking banger that I'd expect to hear on any modern rock radio station. 

3. Who do The Ritzy Kids sound like? 

Kings of Leon, Body Jar, and Luca Brasi. 

4. Which bands have influenced The Ritzy Kids? 

Green Day, Millencolin, and Body Jar. 

5. What have people said about The Ritzy Kids music?

"A tightly wound, emotionally charged punk-rock sucker punch" - Nick Milligan.

"Nostalgic 2000's punk feel" - The Ritzy Kids.

"This sounds like a gay Green Day" - Some Rando.

"You know I can't sit here, all alone in this city,

While the demons break bread with the thoughts in my head"

Locked Shut - Roll The Dice

 

1. Who are Locked Shut? 

Locked Shut are a hardcore punk band from Missouri, Columbia. They are fronted by Alex Kelly; a successful pop, hip-hop, musician/producer who traded under the moniker of Oliver Francis. Roll The Dice (Sept, 2023) is from a demo but Locked Shut have a debut album out called The New Chaos (August, 2024) that you should also definitely check out. 

2. What kind of song is Roll The Dice? 

Roll The Dice continues a trend of easy listening and accessible hardcore punk with vocals that are sang not shouted and more inventive song structure. There's a word to say obviously for folk who try their luck with the wrong with the wrong person and while it may sound a little try hard I wouldn't say that to their face. Maybe. 

3. Who do Locked Shut sound like? 

SPEED, Turnstile, and Trapped Under Ice. 

4. Which bands have influenced Locked Shut?

Comeback Kid, Turnstile, Green Day, Sum-41, and Saosin. 

5. What have the press said about Locked Shut's music?

"Explosive sound and unrenting energy" - Punkaganda Press. 

"Turbulent and untamed" - Columbia Tribune. 

"Heft and menace" - Revolver Mag.

"So go ahead and push your luck,

Always shootin' double sixes got you all fucked up,

Placin'bets that you can't back up"

Schedule 1 - Travesty

 

1. Who are Schedule 1?

Schedule 1 are a post-punk band with elements of diverse genres from Vancouver, Canada. They have been making music since 2020 and Travesty is from their debut album Crucible (April, 2024). 

2. What kind of song is Travesty? 

Travesty is a mélange of 80's post-punk bands of the Simple Minds or U2 ilk, but without the baby fat and pop filler, and some of the French/Canadian cold wave bands like Home Front and RIXE.

3. Who do Schedule 1 sound like? 

Home Front, Spiritual Cramp and High Vis. 

4. Which bands have influenced Schedule 1?

Home Front, Japandroids and Joy Division. 

5. What have the musical press said about Travesty?

"High energy melodic punk" - Release Wave. 

"Driving bass, angular bass and emotive melody" - Thoughts Words Action. 

"Hard hitting drum beats and thrumming bass pulses" - White Light/White Heat.

Lipton's Orphan - Dressin' Scottish, Drinkin' Irish, Talkin' Rubbish

 

1. Who are Lipton's Orphan? 

Lipton's Orphan is Frankie McLaughlin the ex-singer and guitar player from Australian Celtic punk band The Rumjacks (2008 - present). He got kicked out of the band in 2020 for getting handsy and is out on his tod. He's put out a handful of tunes since 2022 and Dressin' Scottish, Drinkin' Irish, Talkin' Rubbish (Jan, 2024) is the most successful so far. 

2. What kind of tune is Dressin' Scottish, Drinkin' Irish, Talkin' Rubbish? 

A swaggering Celtic rock ripsnorter with a lot of pipes and and guitar riffs. More rock than punk and without the cringe that accompanies listening to a lot of second-hand Irish heritage Celtic punk; perhaps because Frankie is Glasgow born and bred from Irish stock before he got transported to the colonies. This has the righteous stink of yesterdays drinking, todays hangover and the pride of winning a barroom brawl lathered all over it. 

3. Who do Lipton's Orphan sound like? 

Black Tartans, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, and Smokey Bastard. 

4. Which bands have influenced Lipton's Orphan?

The Pogues, UK Subs, GBH, and Gogol Bordello.

5. What have the great unwashed said about Dressin' Scottish, Drinkin' Irish, Talkin' Rubbish? 

"Talent with his words and a natural knack for telling a story" - YouTube Comments.

"No classic instrument better suits rock'n'roll than the Scottish pipes" - YouTube Comments.

"Celtic punk is still going strong!" - YouTube Comments.

"Carved in the image of a man I never knew,

In the name o' the Faither reart baith guid and true"

The Drowns - Ketamine & Cola

 

1. Who are The Drowns? 

The Drowns are a blue collar punk rock'n'roll band from Seattle, Washington. The band members have all done previous in other bands like Madcap and The Briggs. Ketamine & Cola flounces off their third album Blacked Out (Feb, 2024). Black Out is produced by Ted Hutt (Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, The Gaslight Anthem).

2. What kind of song is Ketamine & Cola? 

Ketamine & Cola is classic pub rock'n'roll song with a word to say about the excesses of a night on the turps. 

3. Which bands do The Drowns sound like? 

The Pirates, The Angels, Cheap Trick. 

4. Which bands have influenced The Drowns? 

The Drowns have been influenced by 1950's rock'n'roll, 1970's glam rock and street punk. Some of those bands include The Temptations, Cock Sparrer, Slade, Blitz, and The New York Dolls. 

5. What have the press said about the new album Blacked Out?

"A roaring blast of distorted guitars, rapid-fire drums, and brilliant sing-alongs" - New Noise Magazine. 

"Swaggering rock'n'roll" - Indie, Punk & Alternative.

"A rallying call to punks, rock'n'rollers, and misfits of all stripes!" - Distrotable.

"Lost and violent youth,

Stealing smoke and sniffing glue,

I ain't like you,

No, I ain't like you"

Circa Waves - We Made It

 

1. Who are Circa Waves? 

Circa Waves are an indie pop rock band from Liverpool, England. They have been making music since 2013 and We Made It (October, 2024) is the lead single from their third album Death & Love Pt.1 (January, 2024).  

2. What kind of song is We Made It? 

We Made It is a perfectly serviceable radio friendly pop song that will make a welcome addition to anyone's playlist. It will never be anyone's favorite song but it did remind me of why Circa Waves were an exciting young band ten years ago although the excitement has faded like a street walkers smile.

3. Which band do Circa Waves sound like? 

Circa Waves are similar to Amazons, Sundara Karma, The Courteeners, and The Cribs.

4. Which bands influenced Circa Waves music? 

Some of  Circa Waves' influences include David Bowie, The Strokes, The Vaccines, and The Libertines.

5. What have the cut and paste bandits said about We Made It?

"Captures the vital optimism of their sound" -  When The Horn Blows.

"Oozes with Shudall's hope and optimism" - MNPR.

"A punchy pop rock anthem" - NME.

"Lost your mother,

Don't know if you'll recover,

Found the bottle,

Like so many others"

Chubby And The Gang - Company I Don't Want To Keep

 

1. Who are Chubby and The Gang?

Chubby and The Gang are a punk rock band from West London, England. They are Charles Manning-Walkers' band and he formed it in 2019. Charles used to play in hardcore punk bands and still is the guitarist for punk rock's latest and greatest band The Chisel. Company I Don't Want To Keep (Oct, 2024) is an album cut from his third album And Then There Was ... (Chubby and The Gang) (Sept, 2024).  

2. What kind of tune is Company I Don't Want To Keep? 

Company I Don't Want To Keep features abominable production, organ that is as useful as tits on a bull, vocals that might as well have been shouted down a phone and a chorus like an old man rooting; a shadow of his former strength and it comes far too late. I loved songs from the first two albums and I genuinely wanted to find something I liked about this album. This song is a reasonable addition in my opinion. It grew on me slowly like Chlamydia. But Chubby will always be a legend to me.

3. Who do Chubby and The Gang sound like? 

Something pub-rockish, Ian Dury, Dr.Feelgood, maybe even The Stranglers. I don't know, it's not great. Chubby's vocals are very Joey Ramone though.

4.  Which bands have influenced Chubby and The Gang? 

Some of his influences include Lightning Hopkins, The Bobby Fuller Four, Dr. Feelgood (huh, I got one), The Ramones (two), and Coloured Balls. it reminded me of a Japandroid's song for some reason.

5. What have people said about the album And The There Was?

"Rage and vulnerability that blends hardcore punk with the most infectious element of 70's rock'n'roll" - Punk Rock Theory. 

"A mix of control and chaos, love and loneliness" - Flatspot Records.   

"A much more refined effort taking influence from a myriad of genres" - Punktastic.

The Hives - Rigor Mortis Radio

 

1. Who are The Hives? 

The Hives are a garage rock band from Fagersta, Sweden. They have been making music since 1993 and Rigor Mortis Radio (July, 2023) is the third single off their sixth album The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons (Aug, 2023). 

2. What kind of song is Rigor Mortis Radio? 

Rigor Mortis Radio is a jaunty radio-friendly garage rock song with hand claps and wide appeal to the masses about having the confidence to live life your own way. It carries just enough spark of originality to survive on my playlist as a guilty pleasure. 

3. Which bands do The Hives sound like? 

They are often compared to bands like The Jets, The Vines, The Fratellis, The Von Bondies.  

4. Which bands influenced The Hives? 

Their early influences are said to be Rancid, The Dead Kennedys, Turbo Negro, and New Bomb Turks. 

5. What did the sycophants in the press say about Rigor Mortis Radio?

"Swaggering" - Stereogum.

"Feral energy, a garage punk fizzer to sit along the greats" - Clash Music.

"A slice of grinding stomping and insanely infectious Garage Punk - 100 Word Song Review.

"Here's how much longer I can stand your shit,

I'm gonna hold it back, this tongue in crack,

It's gotta end I'm not an evening snack"

RIXE - Tir Groupé

 

1. Who are RIXE?

RIXE are a street punk band that combine the sound of Oi with post-punk. They come from Paris, France, and have been making music together since 2014. Tir Groupé (Aug, 2024) is the lead single from their E.P of the same name Tir Groupé (Aug, 2024).  

2. What kind of song is Tir Groupé? 

Tir Groupé is the sound of an old car full of young men being driven as fast as it will go down an empty highway. There aren't any highs or lows. It kicks off to a gunshot and goes flat out to the end. It grows on you with time and the drum machine adds an odd endearing quality. 

3. Which bands do RIXE sound like? 

Blitz, Syndrome 81, Camera Silens, and Béton Armé. 

4. Which bands have influenced RIXE? 

They say French Oi from the 80's and others hear a lot of the Italian band Nabat. 

5. What have the cut and paste bandits said about Tir Groupé? 

"A stark, icy street-punk singalong with a drum-machine beat and a warlike sense of melody" - Stereogum. 

"Fuckwave, OI! and pop music as infectious as their previous four Eps" - Bandcamp.

"A clash between the band’s aggressive street-punk edge and their knack for melody" - Add To Want List.

RAT BOY - Mob Mentality

 

1. Who are RAT BOY? 

RAT BOY is Jordan Cardy from Chelmsford, England. He has been making music since 2012 and Mob Mentality (Oct, 2024) is one of a handful of songs to get a release and video from his third album Suburbia Calling (Oct, 2024). RAT BOY's music started out as a blend of hip hop and indie rock but veered toward Rancid style ska and punk rock since signing to Hell Cat for the second album Internationally Unknown (2019). 

2. What kind of tune is Mob Mentality? 

Mob Mentality is Madness style ska in the verses and a Clashesque chorus. The song wears it's Madness influences on it's sleeves. It is what it says on the tin. 

3. Which bands do RAT BOY sound like? 

Jamie T, The Specials, Madness, Rancid.

 4. Which bands have influenced RAT BOY? 

The Clash, The Streets, Beastie Boys, Rancid, Blur, Kasabian. 

5. What have the press said about Mob Mentality?

"Their chaotic youthful sound captures the sound of debauchery" - When The Horn Blows. 

"Scrappy punk meets Brit-pop" - Epitaph. 

"Leans hard into it's British roots, pulling on the sounds of Britpop, 90's indie and 2 Tone ska" - Atwood Magazine. 

"Mob mentality that's reality, murder she wrote,

Call the policeman when you hear the spray cans,

No where left to go"

Dial Drive - Burning Bridges

 

1. Who are Dial Drive? 

Dial Drive are a pop punk band that embrace a variety of genres but rock out of Orlando, Florida. Playing tunes together since 2017 Burning Bridges (Aug, 2024) pops off their second album of the same name Burning Bridges (Sept, 2023). 

2. What kind of song is Burning Bridges? 

Burning Bridges is a stereotypical early 2000's pop punk song with all the bells and whistles but a carries a fair bit of genuine anger at cutting a bad relationship out of your life.

3. Who do Dial Drive sound like?

Blink 182, Sum 41, Fall Out Boy, Taking Back Sunday. 

4. Which bands have influenced Dial Drive? 

Some of Dial Drive's influences include NOFX, Pennywise, Taking Back Sunday, Alkaline Trio, Less Than Jake, Streetlight Manifesto. 

5. What have the press said about Burning Bridges?

"A fantastic sound that is upbeat and full of energy" - The Metal Asylum. 

"A loud, brash declaration of emancipation" - Medium. 

"Just banger after banger" - Find No Enemy.

"And when I said I had enough,

You told me then to suck it up,

I'll need a knife to cut you out of my life"