Old Firm Casuals "This Means War" LP Oi The Boat

THE OLD FIRM CASUALS

"This Means War"

Oi The Boat Records

Released: July 29. 2014

Just letting you know that this is out. Seriously. I was cruising online and when I saw it listed, I ordered it. If you know Lars Frederiksen (& the Bastards, Rancid) you are doing the same thing right now or already have "This Means War".

"This Means War" LP is magic. 

The desolate "Eternal City" is perfection. Just a great song that musically captures the bleak and dismal emptiness that the lyrics relate.

"...It's the end of the golden road

It's the end of all prosperity

It's the end of an empire the fall of Rome

Too late for justice It's dead and gone

Stuck in the gutters where we belong..."

The fury of the track "This Means War" is up front and blunt. As is "Off With Their Heads", "The Dear Leader", "Election Day" and "Wolves of War".

The pure joy of dropping the "Needle on the Record" with a tasty beverage.

"Put the needle on the record and a drink in my hand

If you've never had the feeling then you'll never understand

When the needle hits the groove of your favorite song

Nothing else matters when you're singing along..."

"Victory" is majestic, epic punk.

This is one of those timeless punk records. Put it alongside all the other classics. Pissed at the state of the world, ready to fight, loving the things they love. The spirit is evident and alive. 

Check out this youtube video of "Perry Boys" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjHe-nibT3A#t=119

Very glad Lars teamed up with Paul Rivas (drums/vocals) and Casey Watson (bass/vocals) for the Old Firm Casuals. 

US version of the LP (Oi The Boat) is the wolf, German version (Randale Records) is the snake.

Cheers,

Frank FOE

The Old Firm Casuals FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheOldFirmCasualsOi

Oi The Boat: http://www.oitheboat.com/

Oi The Boat FB: https://www.facebook.com/oitheboat

Electric Frankenstein / The Cheats Split LP Screaming Crow Records

Electric Frankenstein vs. The Cheats

"Rockamania #1"

Screaming Crow Records

Released: July 8, 2014

This is an absolute no-brainer, mandatory LP.

Electric Frankenstein are one of my very favorite bands ever. Punk rock, high energy rock n roll. I have so many records by this band they rank in my top ten - by actual weight of the record collection - alongside the likes of Slayer, Beastie Boys, AC/DC, Johnny Cash and Depeche Mode. The songs on this split are not just completion-ist, for the sake of having everything type of filler songs, they are true classics. The originals and the cover of "Son of Sam" all rule. 

Jeff Lamm's artwork graces the cover. Jeff rules. Whether it is his art or his time in legendary Pittsburgh band Half Life, Jeff rules. (Follow this link to an interview I did with Half Life in the 80s after they played a gig with the Meatmen - my god how many times have I seen the Meatmen - in State College PA http://www.foe.firstpress.net/halflifeissue8.pdf )

The Cheats are from Pittsburgh and combine the hooks of power pop, the drive of punk with the aggression of Antiseen. So there. 

Plus, I ordered the "Limited Edition" - "Stone Cold" vinyl version. Grey and black swirl vinyl, plus a full color 11x17 poster of the Pittsburgh LP release party (art by Jeff Lamm) and a beer coaster that includes the album artwork.

Check out the promo at this youtube link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbM-estedPU#t=24

Cheers,

Frank FOE

Screaming Crow Records FB: https://www.facebook.com/screamingcrowrecords

Electric Frankenstein FB: https://www.facebook.com/ElectricFrankenstein

The Cheats FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecheatspgh

Dismemberment "Embrace the Dark" HPGD CD

DISMEMBERMENT

"Embrace the Dark"

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions

Released: April 29, 2014

Going to keep this real simple. 

I love vintage thrash metal bands like Kreator, Destruction and Carcass. 

I would suppose that the members of Dismemberment (although much younger than I) also love these bands. 

I suggest you check out Dismemberment's "Embrace the Dark" as they are greatly influenced by the likes of Kreator, Destruction and Carcass, and successfully channel these roots into something exciting.

Give a listen to their track "Archaic Wisdom" at this youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3Stp-mBi0c#t=275

Dismemberment are a four piece from Ohio who execute the 80s thrash metal style with perfection. When I first heard Destruction in the mid 80s my mind was blown wide open. The nine tracks on Dismemberment's "Embrace the Dark" take me back there with a big smile on my face.

Cheers,

Frank FOE

Dismemberment FB: https://www.facebook.com/DISMEMBERMENTohio

HPGD Productions: http://www.horrorpaingoredeath.com/store/hpgd085.html

Dismemberment bandcamp: http://dismemberment.bandcamp.com/album/embrace-the-dark

Angelic Upstarts / The Prowlers

ANGELIC UPSTARTS / THE PROWLERS

Split 7"

Aggro Beat (Netherlands) / Insurgence (Canada)

Released: June 30, 2014

Every punk knows the Angelic Upstarts. The band began in 1977 in England. I respectfully (and with great joy) drop the needle on a regular basis on the 13 Angelic Upstarts albums that are in my collection. This latest 7" split with The Prowlers was issued in celebration of their first Canadian tour dates in over thirty years (since 1982). The Prowlers are from Montreal Canada.

The Angelic Upstarts song "King of the Rats" is an alternate version, which got me wondering, "why is this news to me that I don't know the regular version"? It certainly isn't on any of the 13 albums I possess. Turns out I missed a split release of the then new material in 2011. I suppose I need to locate this split LP with Crashed Out (on I Hate People Records) in a hurry!

"King of the Rats" wholly serves as evidence why the Angelic Upstarts have survived in the hearts of many punk fans for so many decades. The attitude is always evident, the musical execution is so perfect it has inspired bands to head back to the garage to work on their chops and the songs simply rip.

The Prowlers began in 1999, over 20 years after the Angelic Upstarts. But The Prowlers get it. Check out their video of the song from this 7" "Voisin De La Terreur" which features guest vocals from Martin from Impact.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TQ48IPvFlc

THE PROWLERS

"Voisin De La Terreur"

Ils vivent leur vie comme on vit la notre
Dans une rue, dans quartier
Ou les pires massacres ont pu être vues
Comme si c'étais pas assez pour eux
Ils choisissent la meilleur place, celle la plus près
Pour être sur de vivre a fonds cette misérable expérience

Voisin de la terreur
Comment peuvent-ils dormir
Comment peuvent --ils vivre

Élevé sur les ruines d'un camp de la mort
Sans même chercher a s'en éloigner
Une ville construite au dessus des corps
Excécutés, gazés, massacrés
Sans aucun respects pour leurs mémoires
Ils vivent leur vie comme si de rien n'était
Un mémorial pour leur seul gloire
Déculpabilise ces enculées

Sachsenhausen tu es le cauchemard, le reflet de la bêtise humaine



They live their lives like we live ours
on their streets, in their town
where the worst massacres have ever happened
As if that was not enough for them
They chose the best place, the closest place
To be sure to live in the depths of this miserable experience

Neighbor of terror
How can they sleep?
How can they live?

Raised on the ruins of a death camp
without even trying to get away
A town built over the dead
Executed, gassed, massacred
Without any respect for their memories
They live their lives like nothing happened
A memorial for their only glory
condones these motherfuckers

Sachsenhausen You are the nightmare
The worst reflection of human stupidity

  

This is a great record. Only 150 copies are available on black/white vinyl with gold splatter, with the rest of the copies on black vinyl.

Cheers,

Frank FOE

Angelic Upstarts: http://www.angelicupstarts.net/

Aggrobeat FB:  https://www.facebook.com/aggrobeat

Aggrobeat blog:  http://aggrobeatblog.wordpress.com/

Aggroshop:  http://www.aggroshop.nl/

The Prowlers FB:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Prowlers/143209245743349

Insurgence Records: http://insurgence.net/
Insurgence Records FB: https://www.facebook.com/insurgencerecords

Village of Weedville LP Review

 

VILLAGE OF WEEDVILLE

"Village of Weedville" LP

Released July 4, 2014

Back in 1994, Sonny Joe Harlan: Village Idiot, focal point of Village of Weedville, ended an interview in my zine FOE, by providing his then band's motto: "Can't Win Em All, Can't Win Many, Having A Hard Time Winning Any."

Sonny Murder Junkie 

Allentown PA 2011

Photo by Frank FOE

Twenty years later, Sonny now plays in The Murder Junkies and has just released the first Village of Weedville LP. Read the FOE interview. Sonny (FAS) seems to have been winning all along, it's just a matter of perspective. Read about the then teen sneaking in to see the Murder Junkies before ending up eventually playing in the band.   

FOE 1994 interview with Francis Anthony Superstar at this link: http://www.foe.firstpress.net/francisanthonysuperstar.pdf

Murder Junkies write up and photos from the legendary 2011 Allentown PA show at this link:

http://frankfoe.blogspot.com/2011/10/murder-junkies-jimmys-place-allentown.html

Sonny Murder Junkie 

Allentown PA 2011

Photo by Frank FOE

Village of Weedville, released summer of 2014, draws equally upon straight up rock n roll, punk and southern rock. GG Allin, Nashville Pussy, Hank III, Molly Hatchet and Murder Junkies rolled into one experience. The song "Molly, Marshall and Lynyrd" should clue you in on what to expect. Women, whiskey and records.

"I WOULDN'T LIE"

My poor mama used to drink like a man

With no regrets

She dried out and straightened out her act

Just in time to drop dead

It ain't fair

I swear

I wouldn't lie

So come on!

Daddy worked 32 years in the factory

Breaking his back

Gave it all up just to live a little life

And had a heart attack

It ain't fair

I swear

I wouldn't lie

So come on!

Hey man, listen to me and live it up

You might as well

Cause god dammit, you're still gonna die

You're still gonna go to hell

It ain't fair

I swear

I wouldn't lie

So come on!

Village of Weedville is direct and to the point. Always honest, real and personal, Sonny wins again. It has been my pleasure following his musical path for the past 20+ years. Looking forward to the next 20!

Sonny Joe Harlan FB:https://www.facebook.com/sonnyjoe.harlan

Village of Weeville bandcamp: http://villageofweedville.bandcamp.com/album/village-of-weedville 

Jamie Vayda Artwork FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jamie-Vayda-Illustrator/264449503660861

Cheers,

Frank FOE