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Saturday, May 18, 2013

VIDEO - HAGGIS AND BONG "Revelation of the Gods"


Haggis and Bong - "Revelation Of The Gods"

Official video for "Revelation of the Gods" off their latest release "Of Myth and Legend".

Video by Ashes to Flames Productions
Directed by Ross John Warwick
Camera man - Theo Crouse


Friday, May 17, 2013

FREE DOWNLOAD - BLACK VELVET BAND




Black Velvet Band is a Celtic-Slavic metal / rock/ punk band from Lublin (Poland)

https://www.facebook.com/blackvelvetbandpl
http://www.reverbnation.com/blackvelvetbandpl

Line-up:

Xymena - vocals / violin
Jarek - vocals
Darek - electric guitar / mandolin
Marcin - acoustic guitar
Flavio - bass
Rafał - drums

Discography:

Pieśń Kruka (1 track single, January 2011)
Black Velvet Band (3 track EP, June 2012)

DOWNLOAD:

http://bvblbn.bandcamp.com/album/pie-kruka
http://bvblbn.bandcamp.com/album/black-velvet-band


Sunday, May 12, 2013

REVIEW - MUIRSHEEN DURKIN and Friends "Last Order" (2012)

Muirsheen Durkin & Friends "Last Order" (2013)
Release date: December 2012
Running time: 32:18, 10 tracks

 
Muirsheen Durkin (and Friends) is a German band that was formed 5 years ago. The band leader Thoma “Lanze” Landsknecht (mandolin, banjo, guitars) played in a punk band 30 years ago together with their band mates Lothar Gödde (bass) and Chris “Kentop” Eggenstein (drums). Lanze has been collecting Celtic rock CDs from all around the world (including Australian, Japanese, Chinese and Indonesian bands). So, they decided to blend Irish traditional music with punk and they were joined by Lady Godiva/Kings & Boozers members Thomas Rünker (lead vocals, tin whistle, flugelhorn) and Christian “Kiki” Eickel (accordion). Other members that jumped in are Sonja Plage (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Ralf “Ehli” Ehlert (electric guitar) and Thomas “Püddl” Pütter.

All of the tracks on their debut album “Last Order” are covers:  8 traditional songs, a traditional song with new lyrics by Lanze and a The Skels song. Then, a question comes immediately to my mind. There are  enough German CDs full of Irish covers, for instance The Porters’ and Auld Corn Brigade’s debut albums. Was a new covers album necessary? Muirsheen Durkin and Friends have followed two goals:

1) To feature a bunch of songs that have not been covered by every single band on the scene
2) A new approach, since they are aware that  mixing traditional music and punk was not something new

Regarding the first goal, it’s clear that they have succeeded. They have put new lyrics to “Hot Asphalt” (“Irish Pub Song”) and it’s one of the best songs on the album. They have covered “Have a Drink Ya Bastards” by the Skels, featuring “Bugger Off” at the end of the song. They have chosen a song already recorded by The Killigans, “Santy Anno”, and the result is OK. And they have included a couple of songs that are seldom covered  , “Sally Brown” and “My Son John”.

As far as the other goal is concerned, I feel that it should be changed. Some of the arrangements  are closed to Shane/Pogues renditions (“Minstrel Boy” and “The Parting Glass”). And, even if the vocals are shared by MacRünker and Sonja, some of the songs have a Lady Godiva flavour :“Greenland Whale Fisheries” (but it’s true that a new element has been added, “The Battle of Brisbane” is featured at the end of the song), the tune added to “The Parting Glass”, the sound of “Marie’s Wedding”…I find this normal and it’s not bad. In fact, I love Lady Godiva. So, I wouldn’t  use the words new approach, but enjoyable approach.

If you like tin whistle and accordion and if you are a little bit fed up with listening the same traditional songs, then “Last Order” is  a worth buying CD.

Tracklist:

01 - Marie´s Wedding 3:04
02 - Santy Anno 3:36
03 - Have a Drink Ya Bastards 3:28
04 - My Son John 3:04
05 - Irish Pub Song 2:50
06 - Greenland Whale Fisheries 3:46
07 - Minstrel Boy 2:43
08 - Sally Brown 2:33
09 - God Save Ireland 3:30
10 - Parting Glass 3:44


http://www.myspace.com/muirsheendurkin
https://www.facebook.com/MuirsheenDurkinAndFriends
http://www.regioactive.de/muirsheendurkin


Contact the band's manager to buy the CD:

chris.eggenstein@googlemail.com

Review by Kinksmarkham

Friday, May 10, 2013

SAMPLER 2013 - VOL III



Some of the bands featured on this sampler have been included on previous samplers  or have shared for free their previous recordings. Anyway, all of them are really worth hearing.

As usual, all of the tracks can be downloaded for free from legal sites:

Tracks 1-3 and 6-9 available at Reverbnation
Tracks 4 and 5 available at Bandcamp
Track 10 available at Soundcloud


1) WEESE, PADDY! (Doylestown, PA, USA)

http://www.weesepaddy.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/weesepaddy
http://weesepaddy.stereokiller.com
http://www.facebook.com/WeesePaddy
https://twitter.com/WeesePaddy

Line-up:

Ryan Williams - Guitar, vocals
Karly Klein - Vocals
Chris Brill - Banjo, violin, Vocals
Chris Dromboski - Guitar
Shane Hobensack - Guitar, vocals
Matt Amend - Bass, vocals
Trevor Scott - Drums

2) VAGRANT NATION (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

http://www.reverbnation.com/vagrantnation
https://www.facebook.com/vagrantnation
https://twitter.com/vagrantnation

Nick Morgan - Guitars, lead vocals
Michael "Mickey" Madden- Stand up bass
Rich Piscani - Drums, percussion
Danae MacElroy - Fiddle
 - Mandolin/banjo
John McKenna - Accordion

Discography:

"One for the Gallows" (EP, March 2013)

3) 13KRAUSS (Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain)

http://www.facebook.com/13krauss
https://twitter.com/13Krauss
http://13krauss.bandcamp.com


Line-up:

Body -  Lead vocals
Miguel I-  Guitar, back. vocals
Miguel II - Bass, back. vocals
Guille - Drums
Mario - Vocals, guitar
David - Bagpipes, tin whistle, back. vocals
Slow - Viola

4) DEIEDRA (Santurtzi, Basque Country)

http://www.deiedrafolk.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/DEIEDRA/117171008894
http://www.myspace.com/deiedra

http://deiedra.bandcamp.com
https://twitter.com/Deiedra

Line-up:

Hibai Deiedra - Guitar, mandolin, vocals
Urritz-  Bodhrn
Andion - Percussion
Sergio - Tin whistle and flute

Discography:

"Folk Pirata" (2012 Reload)
"Legegabeen kondairak" (10 tracks, 2012 Reload)
"Dagda beltza" (10 tracks, 2011)

5) SIXTYSIXDAYS (Denver, CO, USA)

http://www.reverbnation.com/sixtysixdays
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sixtysixdays/208869289132700
http://www.myspace.com/sixtysixdays

Line-up:

Christopher Shelby - Guitar, vocals
Braden Rauen - Fiddle, whistle, vocals
Dave Lamothe - Bass, vocals
Andy McQueen - Drums

6) RAIN IN SUMMER (Bandung, West Java, Indonesia)

http://www.reverbnation.com/raininsummer
http://www.myspace.com/raininsummerpunkjava
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raininsummerpunk/148291631867240
https://twitter.com/raininsummer08

Line-up:

Az-war Sidick - Lead vocals, tin whistle
Galih D.P. - Bass, back. vocals
Sulaeman - Acoustic guitar & back.vocals
Adjie Hadhian - Mandolin, guitar & back.vocals
Taufik Sulaiman - Accordion, ukulele & back. vocals
Esa Rodian - Drums

DOWNLOAD:

http://turbobit.net/tvqbhmtm1pkb.html

or:

http://dfiles.eu/files/zds800b6r


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

FREE DOWNLOADS - FIACHRAS


Two albums released by the Basque band Fiachras are available at Bandcamp (Name Yor Price).


Personnel:

Aitor Aldanondo
Txus Martinez
Andoni Aperribai
Joseba García de Andoin
Josu Zeziaga
Haritz Artola
DOWNLOAD:

Sunday, May 5, 2013

REVIEW - THE FATTY FARMERS "Refarmatory" (2013)

The Fatty Farmers "Refarmatory" Self-released
Release date: 14 March 2013
Running time: 58:02, 13 tracks + 1 hidden track


After a succesful crowdfunding campaign at Verkami, The Fatty Farmers sophomore release is out. “Refarmatory” is probably one of the most awaited releases in 2013, since their previous album got rave reviews in Europe.

The so-called Spanish Flogging Molly have delivered almost an hour of music. “Refarmatory” has been produced by the band, but they have switched to a different studio were the tracks have been recorded, mixed and mastered. This time, the sound is more rocking and electric guitar and bass play a more important role. There are some awesome numbers on which the influence by the band from “behind the green door” is still clear (“At the Counter Bar”  and “21 BlackJack”). However, the guys from Toledo are opening to new influences. For instance, some arrangements have a Paddy and The Rats twist on tracks such as “Fancy Prankster” (my fave), “The American Dream” (featuring some amazing tunes) and “The Way Back Home”.  Other highlights of the album are the football anthem “Next Sunday We’ll Be Back Again” (they have released a video for this song, check it out) and the gypsy folk goes ska number “Sraka Dupa”. This one is an instrumental that shows clearly the party side of the band.

Yes, The Fatty Farmers are a live experience and they always play catchy songs that have been written to be enjoyed with a beer at hand, dancing and shouting. But a bunch of songs on “Refarmatory” don’t follow this path. The vibe on those tracks is different , since they deal with social themes and the music is stuck to the words: “No More Woman You’ll Kill”, a song about domestic violence, “Rather Die than Forget”, a song about Alzheimer, “With Head Held High” (musically one of the best songs on the CD), about unemployment and evictions, a real problem in Spain, and “Hate Cannot Forever”, about reconciliation as a way of sorting out long standing conflicts.

At the end of the album there are a couple of surprises for their Spanish fans. First of all, The Fatty Farmers cover “Johnny Techno Ska”, a hit by Paco Pil, who guest on lead vocals. Secondly, when the CD is over and one waits a couple of minutes, a Spanish version of “At the Counter Bar” will be played (“Lurfy el payaso”)

Well, I could keep on writing about other interesting songs like “My Childhood Dreams”. But I feel that it’s about  time to enjoy the music. And that’s my advice: buy a copy and enjoy!

Tracklist:

01. No More Woman You´ll Kill 4:10
02. 21 blackjack 3:42
03. Sraka Dupa 2:11
04. Rather Die Than Forget 4:46
05. Next Sunday We´ll Be Back Again 5:02
06. The Way back home 4:14
07. With Head Held High 4:09
08. The American Dream 3:32
09. Hate cannot be Forever 5:30
10. At The Counter Bar 3:45
11. My childhood dreams 3:26
12. Fancy Prankster 3:59
13. Johnny Techno Ska (feat. Paco Pil) 5:47
14. Lurfy el payaso (hidden track) 3:44

http://www.thefattyfarmers.com
https://www.facebook.com/TheFattyFarmers
http://www.myspace.com/thefattyfarmers
http://www.reverbnation.com/thefattyfarmers
http://www.musikaze.com/thefattyfarmers
https://twitter.com/TheFattyFarmers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thefattyfarmers


Click to buy the CD

http://www.thefattyfarmers.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=85:tienda&catid=42&Itemid=77

Review by Kinksmarkham

Thursday, May 2, 2013

BAND OF THE MONTH - FROM UNDER THE STONE

Band of May 2013: From Under the Stone, from Calgary, Alberta (Canada).

"Formed in late 2011 from members of three bands - Inspected By 40's Cody and Chris, 7 Deadly Grins' Sarah, and Censless' Rob and Jay. And introducing Mr. Nick and Mr. Adam!! Influenced by such bands as The Real McKenzies, The Dreadnoughts, Iron Maiden, Bad Religion, Flogging Molly, and many more. From Under the Stone meshes the sound of hardcore punk rock, heavy metal, and traditional Celtic music."

Sazo McQueen - 6 strings, 4 strings, vocal strings
Choda O'Hary - Vocal strings, 6 strings
Stalion Kiltflasher - 8 strings, 4 strings, 6 strings
Khaki McCordoroy - 4 strings, 6 strings
Inflatey McAirbag - Wind, words
Bones McDicklicker - Beating on stuff
A(god)dam McQueerie - Four strings with a lot of hair

http://www.reverbnation.com/fromunderthestone
https://www.facebook.com/pages/From-Under-The-Stone/376673905739685


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

REVIEW: MOLLY MALONE'S “Obłęd” (2013)

Molly Malone's "Obled" Lou Rocked Boys LOU 115 CD
Release date: 17 april 2013
Running time: 41:19, 11 tracks


I would like to thank again Marcin Puszka (Hello Folks!)for the shout-out

Celtic punk/rock has been shifting to Central and Eastern Europe. Bands from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Serbia or Slovenia have given a new lease of life to the genre and the likes of Paddy and The Rats, Firkin or Happy Ol’ McWeasel are well-known all around the world.

Molly Malone’s, from Giżycko (Poland), are joining that bunch of amazing bands. These guys released a 4 track EP in 2011 whose tracks were featured on our sampler from January 2012.

Their debut album, “Obłęd” (madness), was recorded between September 24 and October 14, 2012 at Studio X. It was recorded, mixed at mastered by Marcin Kielbaszewski, who has done a fantastic job. He has got the right balance between rocking and traditional instruments. And, given the band’s musicianship and passion, the final result is awesome.

Bands such as Flogging Molly and The Dreadnoughts are often mentioned as the ones who have influenced Molly Malone’s sound. In fact, the band thanks The Dreadnoughts on the liner notes. The main features of The Dreadnoughts sound are energy and Central and Eastern Europe music, but they are Canadians. It’s normal that Molly Malone’s music gets a Central and Eastern Europe twist, since they hail from Central Europe.

The best tracks? “Gniazdo Zmij”, which shows the strengths of the band (accordion and fiddle together with electric guitar and great rhythm section) on a Killigans style song; “Nie Czekajmy”, another track that can rival with The Killigans and The Dreadnoughts; “Déjà vu”, a different sound, Celtic metal à la Mago de Öz featuring whistle player Marcin Ruminski from the band Shannon; “List”, a song in the vein of Happy Ol’ McWeasel; “Obłęd”, featuring gang vocals and a party at the pub at the end of the song;  and “Szminki Slad” another Central and Eastern Europe number.

Obłęd” is one of the most enjoyable CDs that I have listened in 2013. Eleven songs and only one cover. A kick-ass production on which the electric guitar sounds powerful, but the fiddle and the accordion can be clearly heard. Let alone the packaging: an excellent digipack showing an Irish pub during a fight and when the fight is over. Obviously the tavern’s name is Molly Malone’s. Fans looking  for new bands whose music is fresh and different should get a copy of this CD. It’s really a shame that “Obłęd” will be overlooked by some people from the other side of the pond only because Molly Malone’s don’t sing in English.


Tracklist:
  
1. Molly Malone    3:39
2. Nie czekajmy    3:17
3. Obled 3:49  
4. Zapomnij - Pamietaj 3:17  
5. Bez sumienia    3:03
6. List    3:50
7. Dwie burze 5:23
8. Gniazdo zmij    4:38
9. Deja Vu 2:48
10. Przyszlosc i przeszlosc 3:33
11. Szminki slad 4:03

http://www.mollymalones.pl
http://www.reverbnation.com/mollymalones
https://www.facebook.com/MollyMalonesGizycko
http://www.myspace.com/mollymalonesband

Click to buy:

http://punkshop.pl/kategoria/5/p/obled,molly_malone%27s,21036

Review by Kinksmarkham
 

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Friday, April 26, 2013

FREE DOWNLOAD - SALT LAKE WHALEFISHERS

Salt Lake Whalefishers is a two-piece outfit from Leyto, Utah, USA. They released an album in 2010 and most of the tracks can be downloaded for free from their reverbnation site. The only track that cannot be downloaded for free is the first one. It costs only 1,29 USD, but  50% goes for charity.

http://saltlakewhalefishers.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Salt-Lake-Whalefishers/93340712721

Nick Larson - Tenor Banjo/Vocals
Jared Thompson - Acoustic Guitar/Vocals,
and two drum machines, who are not called anything, as bass and drums

Discography:

"The Foggy Bitch" (13 tracks, 2010)

1. Tijuana Vasectomy 2:38
2. Whalefishers 3:10
3. Excommunicate Me 2:31
4. Lightweight     1:59
5. Goligon Street 2:28
6. Moat 2:32
7. The Computer Is Not My Friend 2:24
8. Peewee's Playhouse 2:23
9. Strap On 0:58
10. Provo Girl 4:08
11. Ezri No! 2:03
12. Public Defender 2:37
13. Flippin' Pancakes 1:49

DOWNLOAD: (Click on "download" on every track)


Thursday, April 25, 2013

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

REVIEW - BLACKEYED DEMPSEYS s/t (2013)

BlackEyed Dempseys "BlackEyed Dempseys" Self-released
Release date: 9 March 2013
Running time: 26:23, 8 tracks

 
Northern California’s Premier Celtic Rock Band BlackEyed Dempseys were formed in 2008. Their self-titled album was recorded in 2012 and it has been released just before Saint Patrick’s Day. They were chosen as the band of April and if you listen to their songs, you will agree with that.

Jamie Hill (vocals, guitar), Moe Crummett (guitar, background vocals), Mark Repking (banjo, mandolin), Keith Jukes (accordion, background vocals), Quinn Brentson (bass) and Josh Wagner (drums) have released the kind of album that I expect from a new band: a lot of original stuff and a distinctive sound. On this mini-album the guys have written 6 original numbers, one based on “The Parting Glass”  music (“Same Auld Flag” ) and only one cover (“The Irish Rover”). Yes, this is an overexposed song. However, Keith and Mark do a fantastic job on their rendition. I really love the manic banjo sound. And this is exactly what I mean when I talk about a distinctive sound. Banjo/mandolin, accordion and guitar work are amazing on this CD.
 
Every song is different and appealing. The opening number “Sail Away to Amerikay” is a catchy song. “Seven Shades of Hell” would be another single. “No Retreat” goes Celtic punk, featuring a top-notch banjo. “Free Derry” is the most Celtic punk song on the CD. It has everything: banjo, accordion, guitar and great chorus. “Sweeny’s A Working Man’s Bar” is their answer to The Tossers Teehans” .“Prodigal Song” is a slower song and “Same Auld Flag” is the rockiest number, featuring an awesome guitar work and interesting backing vocals.

Maybe the BlackEyed Dempseys self-titled album won't make the Top 5 at the end of the year. But they are honest musicians that play with passion and trust on their own compositions. They deserve to be heard and if you give them an opportunity, you’ll enjoy their songs. And the banjo wizard.

Tracklist:

1 - Sail Away to Amerikay 3:23
2 - Seven Shades of Hell 2:57
3 - Irish Rover 3:34
4 - Sweeney's , a Working Man's Bar 3:24
5 - No Retreat 4:05
6 - Free Derry 2:25
7 - Prodigal Son 3:39
8 - Same Auld Flag 2:51

http://blackeyeddempseys.wix.com/blackeyeddempseys
http://www.reverbnation.com/blackeyeddempseys
http://www.facebook.com/TheBlackeyedDempseys
https://twitter.com/BEDempseys
To buy the CD, contact the band.

Review by Kinksmarkham