REVIEW: THE GENTLEMEN "Stick to Your Guns" Bebop Studios 2009

Stick To Your Guns is the name of the debut CD from Morgantown, West Virginia’s The Gentlemen, and a complete and accomplished sounding release it is. Oh, yeah, and a damned rocking one at that!

The Gentlemen are comprised of eight members armed with drums, tin whistle, bagpipes, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, mandolin and fiddle. Placed firmly down the Dropkick Murphys/Real McKenzies end of the Celtic Folk-Punk spectrum, with aggressive song delivery and chanting choruses. But these Gentlemen seem to place more emphasis on the inclusion of the traditional instruments, either as the main melody vehicle, (as with the bagpipes in War Time in North London, and the fiddle in Belfast Boy,) or simply as dancing on top of the power-chord-laden rock majority of the CD.

In fact, the strength of The Gentlemen’s sound on Stick To Your Guns lay in this balance. The trad. instruments are not assigned only to lead positions and ornamentation, but blended right in with the thick of things. Their pervasive influence gives the music herein a stronger, but more natural, Celtic feel.

Stick to your Guns has many highlights to it. The above mentioned “War Time in North London” and “Belfast Boy” are both excellent songs, but “All Alone” might be my favorite on the disc. It has a really slippery and lazy shuffle beat and a great percussive guitar riff that combines with the pipes for a sound that I just really dig.

For my money, the original material on Stick to your Guns, is a just bit stronger than the two traditional covers included, (although listening to The Gents’ rendition of “Come out You Black and Tans” is very convincing! I really felt like they were calling out for a throw-down!)

The Gentlemen do throttle back occasionally, if only somewhat, and with dramatic results. “Under the Rowan Tree” is a nostalgic mug-swinging singalong accompanied only by acoustic guitar and tin whistle.

I do wish that the band included their rendition of John Denver’s Country Roads on their debut, however. It really asserts The Gentlemen’s W. Virginia roots, captures their sound perfectly, and seriously kicks ass. (And the video for it on their MySpace page is simply excellent.) Hopefully, The Gentlemen will include this number on their next CD, which I will certainly be in line for!


Stick To Your Guns is a very thorough and mature sounding release for a debut. And The Gentlemen are definitely a band to keep an eye/ear open for.

Highly recommended stuff!



Review by Christopher P. Toler, THE Blathering Gommel

www.myspace.com/thefreakingentlemen

www.bebopstudios.net/thegentlemenstore.html


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FEATURED BAND - CUTTHROAT SHAMROCK

(Special thanks to Stuart John Bernard for the shout out)



This month's featured band is Cutthroat Shamrock - Appalachian bluegrass, Irish drinking, and driven with punk rock speed!

If bluegrass and punk rock walked into an Irish pub and got kidnapped by pirates!!!

Cutthroat Shamrock combines the speed of bluegrass with the drive and energy of punk rock and then tops it all off with alittle celtic influence. Fronted by dual vocals and backed by solid bass lines, the momentum gained by two drummers make this a combination to wake up any size of room. Each song sounds different from the last yet some how familiar. Train like rhythms are traded in for finger picking and the rockabilly slaps of the upright bass are replaced with long dark notes played with a bow. Instrumental breaks introduce jigs and reels into almost every song, with guitar leads that would seem more at home on a fiddle or penny whistle.


Brewed from the hills of Appalachia the bands foundation is one of humble beginnings. United by their mobile residence, a black '73 nova parked above the neon lights of Gatlingurg, Ben and Derek are bound by the ability of playing off the notes of the other. They are natural hosts, raising a toast every few songs, and welcoming the new faces and familiar regulars alike. To their right, plays Guido,whose long dreds, worn Converse sneakers, and soiled grease rag pay perfect complement to the towering stand up bass. To the left, taps Johny on his congos, whose shirtless overalls and flaming red beard do little to hide his Bahamian charm and rythm. Seated discreetly at the dark corner of the stage sits metal laden Sauvo behind his full drum kit, whose powerful beats and intimidating gaze earn him a deserved notice amidst the crowd.

Cutthroat took to raiding pubs throughout the counties. One by one, audiences would fall to the lively beats of this unknown band. Armed with songs such as "Drunken Pirate" from their 2006 self titled album and "Hell's Shovel" from 2007 "The Wake". Their legend grew, so did their audiences. Now more determined than ever, Cutthroat Shamrock expanded their geographical empire, playing shows all across the southeast. They soon moved west and it was not long before their name, and their sounds, were heard in pubs as far as Colorado......

Derek McRotten: vocals, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo, bouzouki
Johnny Hyena: congas and bongos, washboard
Guido: vocals, stand up bass
Benjamin: vocals, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki
Suavo: drum kit


Discography:

"Cutthroat Shamrock" (2006)
"The Wake" (10 Tracks, 2007, Running Time: 37:53)
"Blood Rust Whiskey" (11 tracks, 2009, Running Time: 38:10)

(Click to buy the albums from CDBaby)


http://www.myspace.com/cutthroatshamrock
http://www.cutthroatshamrock.com/
http://www.reverbnation.com/cutthroatshamrock
http://www.emusic.com/artist/Cutthroat-Shamrock-MP3-Download/12533041.html

A couple of songs can be downloaded free from Reverbnation.

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BOOTLEG - SPIRIT OF THE WEST

This SOTW bootleg includes my favourite tracks: "Political", "D for Democracy (Scour the House)" and "If Venice is Sinking".

The following info comes from wikipedia

"Spirit of the West are a Canadian folk rock band, who were popular on the Canadian folk music scene in the 1980s before evolving a blend of hard rock, Britpop, and Celtic folk influences which made them one of Canada's most successful alternative rock acts in the 1990s.

The band began in 1983 as a Vancouver-based folk trio called Evesdropper, consisting of John Mann, Geoffrey Kelly and J. Knutson. They soon changed their name to Spirit of the West, and independently released a self-titled album in 1984 before signing to Stony Plain Records, a roots music label based in Edmonton, Alberta.

Stony Plain released Tripping Up the Stairs in 1986. Following that album, Knutson left the band and was replaced by Hugh McMillan.

1988's Labour Day was the band's first major success, spawning the popular single "Political" and making the band a major name on the folk festival circuit. After that album's tour, McMillan took a temporary hiatus from the band. He was replaced by Daniel Lapp and Linda McRae, but returned before the band's next album was recorded. When McMillan returned, Lapp left the band but McRae stayed on. (As a result, Lapp never actually appeared on a Spirit of the West recording. He pursued a solo career, however, releasing a number of albums of experimental jazz/folk/electronic fusion.)

On the strength of "Political", Warner Bros. Records signed the band, and Stony Plain released a compilation, Old Material 1984-1986 in 1989. In 1990, the band's major label debut, Save This House was released. The album track "Home for a Rest", which is still considered a classic frosh week anthem at universities across Canada as well as a popular tune at wedding dances, was not officially released as a single, but remains the band's most famous song.

Following Save This House, the band toured England with The Wonder Stuff, and decided to bring in a drummer and experiment with a more rock-oriented sound. Vince Ditrich was brought in, and the band's 1991 album, Go Figure, was the result.

Although the album retained many of the band's folk influences, it was more hard rock than any of the band's previous efforts, and this proved controversial among the band's fans. The album included a rock rendition of "Political", and at one show in London, Ontario, the audience presented the band with a petition demanding that they play the original version of that song. Despite the controversies, however, it became the band's mainstream commercial breakthrough, and won them many new fans in the alternative rock scene.

MacRae also appeared on The Wonder Stuff's album Never Loved Elvis, and all of the members of both bands recorded a cover of the country standard "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" as a B-side for the Wonder Stuff's "Welcome to the Cheap Seats" single.

In 1993, the band released their most successful album, Faithlift, and scored their biggest hit single, "And if Venice is Sinking". 1995's Two Headed, in turn, garnered significant airplay for the single "Tell Me What I Think". However, the album was not as successful on the charts, or as critically hailed, as its predecessor.

In 1996, the band performed two shows with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. The band included some of their hits in these shows, but also included an album's worth of songs written specifically for the occasion, and the new songs were released as Open Heart Symphony that year. (Some of the hits performed at those shows are available on the compilation Hit Parade.) Also in 1996, McRae left the band amicably to pursue a solo career, performing her last show on New Year's Eve of that year. She released a solo country album in 1997, and then formed the alternative country band Cheerful Lonesome.

The remaining members recorded 1997's Weights and Measures as a four-piece, working with members of The Wonder Stuff, Capercaillie, Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull to round out the studio effort, and added Tobin Frank for their concert tour. However, with the music industry's emphasis having shifted by this time toward more mainstream pop-oriented performers, Warner Bros. put little effort into promoting the album, and dropped the band from their roster after the tour.

After Weights & Measures the band took a hiatus from recording and broad-scale national touring, although they continued to perform selected live dates on the summer folk festival circuit and in major concert markets such as Vancouver and Toronto. During the hiatus, Mann, Ditrich and Kelly all released solo albums, Mann pursued acting roles, McMillan worked as a session musician and producer for The Town Pants, and Kelly and Frank recorded with The Paperboys.

The band's first new album in seven years, Star Trails, was released on July 6, 2004 on MapleMusic Recordings.

In 2008, the band released a 25th anniversary compilation, Spirituality 1983-2008: The Consummate Compendium, on Rhino Records. The two-CD set includes 32 remastered tracks from throughout the band's career, including two new songs, "Winter's Now the Enemy" and "Another Happy New Year". Their official 25th anniversary concert, held at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom on March 14, 2008, was recorded and broadcast by CBC Radio 2. Concurrently with the release of Spirituality, Rhino also released remastered editions of Faithlift and Open Heart Symphony.

In 2009, Spirit of the West opened for Great Big Sea on the "Fortune's Favour" tour, finishing in Victoria, British Columbia on March 26.

In 2010, Kelly, Ditrich and Frank joined Ashley MacIsaac and folk musician Matthew Harder in recording a charity single, "Dreams", to benefit Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, a skier from Ghana who was the first Ghanaian athlete ever to compete in the Winter Olympics.[Nkrumah-Acheampong himself participated in the recording, playing traditional Ghanaian percussion.The single, credited to The Parallel Band, was released to iTunes on February 19, 2010. Concurrently, Mann was in Edmonton, starring in a stage production of Bruce Ruddell's rock musical Beyond Eden.


Discography

1984 Spirit of the West
1986 Tripping Up the Stairs
1988 Labour Day
1989 Old Material 1984–1986
1990 Save This House
1991 Go Figure
1993 Faithlift
1995 Two Headed
1996 Open Heart Symphony
1997 Weights and Measures
1999 Hit Parade
2004 Star Trails
2008 Spirituality 1983–2008: The Consummate Compendium"


www.sotw.ca

www.myspace.com/spiritothewest



DOWNLOAD:

SOTW Part I

www.mediafire.com/?3c581n3uv816vf4

SOTW Part II

www.mediafire.com/?7bxn7hb5en5n95a
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SIR REG - Tour with The Misfits

In September SIR REG are heading out on an 18 Day European Tour with Horror punk Heroes The Misfits and Japanese punk outfit Hat Trickers.

They are really looking forward to playing their stuff for the amazing fans of The Misfits and are hoping they'll dig their stuff!

The tour starts on the 1st of September in Augsburg, Germany and will also see them play The Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway & Finland.


09/01/10 AUSBURG, GERMANY @ KANTINE
09/03/10 ZIZERS, SWITZERLAND @ EVENTSTAG
09/05/10 ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND @ BAROEG
09/08/10 TRONDHEIM, NORWAY @ BYSCENEN
09/09/10 OSLO, NORWAY @ ROCKEFELLER
09/10/10 STAVANGER, NORWAY @ SJOHUSENE
09/11/10 BERGEN, NORWAY @ USF
09/13/10 TAMPERE, FINLAND @ PAKKAHUONE HALL
09/14/10 HELSINKI, FINLAND @ NOSTURI
09/17/10 WUPPERTAL, GERMANY @ CLUB PAVILLON
09/18/10 LINDAU, GERMANY @ CLUB VAUDEVILLE
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LIVE REVIEW: The Mahones, The Gobshites, Continental, Chris Skel @ McGann's Pub, Boston, MA, 7/24/2010

Just around the corner from Boston’s North Station and the home of The Celtics and The Bruins, is McGann’s Pub. Although only average-sized in square footage, the place is laid out perfectly for a show like tonight’s.


The first act to go on was a single guy with an acoustic guitar. There was no fear of any James Taylor-like smooth and/or mellow stylings though, as the guy was Chris Skel, helmsman of New Jersey pub punk act, The Skels. With just his axe and his voice, he created a huge noise off of that stage! His set included a track or two from the Skels catalog, true, but the bulk of it came from his solo material. For those unaware, Chris has put out two solo project CD over the last eighteen months, so he had plenty of great material to choose from. (Look for a review of his newest 6-track EP, “Sudden Psalms” here soon!) Chris set the pace well and got the crowd on their feet.


Up next, (or ‘again,’ since they did the sound check earlier with some killer stuff!), was Rick Barton and The Continental. Rick Barton, a familiar face in this type of venue as the former guitarist for the Dropkick Murphys, assembled this new project with himself in the guitar and lead vocals role, (and his son on the bass.) An incredible performance from these guys, tight and sharp, with some fantastic guitar solos from his lead guitarist. (Oh, and an excellent rendition of DKM’s The Torch, by the way!)


The third band in the line-up was The Gobshites, who somehow manage to show up and play at every show I see in Boston!

Pete and the gang jumped right into action and proved, once again, to possess the largest catalog of drinking songs in the free world!

Apparently on a first-name basis with every member of the audience, the band’s conversational banter and audience participation portion, (which included alternating readers for the limericks, and some masterful beer-tray playing,) brings Gobshites’ sets as close to an open seisiún as punk rock gets.


The headliners, of course, were The Mahones. The band were in the midst of celebrating their twentieth anniversary tour, and a festive mood was running amok!

Unfortunately, the band was playing as a four-piece, without their mandolinist. As a mandolin player myself this was a bit of a let down, but the band seemed to compensate by selecting songs from the higher-energy end of their catalog! This was probably for the best, and the mood of the crowd was perfect for these tunes.

Tight, clean and in top-notch form, The Mahones blasted out a great set deep into the evening.


By the time the music had died down, the Newcastles and Patron were making their presence known to me. Fearless and bulletproof, I was feeling pretty good. The show, though, was a great time for all, and another huge success for Shite ‘n’ Onions.


Thanks a bunch to S’n’O’s John Murphy, for another fantastic show!



Review by Christopher P. Toler, THE Blathering Gommel


http://www.myspace.com/chrisskelmusic

http://www.myspace.com/continentalboston

http://www.myspace.com/gobshites

http://www.myspace.com/themahones

facebook.com/themahones

BOOTLEG: FAIRPORT CONVENTION

OK, this is not Celtic punk. But I feel that whoever is interested in Celtic punk should at least listen to Fairport Convention. Why? Because after Fairport Convention, the main British Folk Rock band from the 70's together with Steeleye Span, the Celtic rock was born: Horslips in Ireland and JSD Band and Five Hand Reel in Scotland.

I have put together some songs from different shows. The line-up is not the "classic" line-up with Richard Thompson, but at least Sandy Denny and Dave Swarbrick are there. I have only included the songs that I like. I guess that some Fairport diehard fans would tell that it is a sin to remove "Sloth" and another songs sung by Sandy Denny.

Enjoy the fiddle playing by Dave Swarbrick, the main British fiddler and remember that he toured and recorded together with the late Alistair Hullett (Roaring Jack)


DOWNLOAD:

www.mediafire.com/?hmdzumz0wmttooh
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FREE DOWNLOADS - ANONYMA "Demo" 2008

AnonymA, Anarchist Urban Rock, is a French two-piece band:

- guitar
- bagpipes, guitar, vocals, drum machine

The band was born in 2004 and is influenced by the French Keupon Rock from the 90's (mainly by Bérurier Noir)

Their lyrics are about the human madness, the fascism, the work, the opression ..

They publish their own fanzine every two months: "Lève toi et gueule!" (Stand Up and Shout!). They are also against MySpace.


http://anonyma36.blogg.org


DOWNLOAD:


www.mediafire.com/?0hfhryidmgh


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FIRE IN THE PUB - Sampler July 2010

01 - BEER BELLY - The Rogues of Scotland (from "Noric Kingdom") 2:45
02 - BEER BELLY - Morrison's Jig/Kerfunken Jig (Live) 3:13
03 - BEER BELLY - Far Away (Live) 3:35
04 - LA ERINGO! - In Heaven There Is No Beer (from "Más famosos que tú") 3:42
05 - LA ERINGO! - La Danza del Claudio (from "Más famosos que tú") 3:49
06 - LA ERINGO! - Morrison Gemini (from "Más famosos que tú") 3:49
07 - LA ERINGO! - In La Kesh (from "Más famosos que tú") 3:15
08 - SHAMUS O'BLIVION AND THE MEGADEATH MORRISMEN - Raggle Taggle Gypsies 3:36
09 - SHAMUS O'BLIVION AND THE MEGADEATH MORRISMEN - Kerry Polka 3:29
10 - SHAMUS O'BLIVION AND THE MEGADEATH MORRISMEN - Early One Morning 2:30
11 - THE LUCKY EEJITS - Normal Life (from "Fine Asian Gentlemen") 3:06
12 - THE LUCKY EEJITS - Talkin' to the Captain (from "Fine Asian Gentlemen") 1:41
13 - MELMOR - Disuj (Demo) 4:17
14 - MELMOR - Dans ar marmouzig (Live) 4:34
15 - MELMOR - Netra (from "Punk Noz") 1:50
16 - MELMOR - Une balle dans le front (from "Punk Noz") 3:52

Tracks 1-3 traditional, arr.Beer Belly
Tracks 4-7 traditional, arr. La Eringo!
Tracks 8-10 traditional, arr. Shamus O'Blivion and the Megadeath Morrismen
Tracks 11-12 The Lucky Eejits
Tracks 13-16 Melmor

Five bands,Beer Belly (Celtic folk from Slovenia), La Eringo! (superb Celtic rock from Chile), Shamus O'Blivion and the Megadeath Morrismen (Celtic rock live band from England) The Lucky Eejits (an excellent Celtic punk band from California) and Melmor (the first Bretton Celtic punk band, active from 1994 to 1996)

1) Beer Belly (Kranj,Slovenia)

"Irish & Scottish mixed with other european traditional music

Uplifting songs,sing-along ballads,bawdy tales and a bit of the brew are trademarks of Beer Belly,a six-piece band from Slovenia.The aim of the group is to present the sound of Irish reels and jigs,Scottish bagpipes and traditional Celtic music through live performances and to surprise with arrangements of various irish bands as well as with the music of their own.Members of the band come from a wide and varied assortment of musical backgrounds including folk,classical,rock and jazz styles.The band performed on almost 200 gigs in different countries,released 3 albums and 1 video and is recording 4th album and preparing 2nd video at the moment."

Uros Kavcic - guitar, banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, darbuka, lead vocals
Miha Pinteric - accordion, backing vocals
Spela Jansa - fiddle, piano, tambourine, backing vocals
Marko Bogataj - mandolin, banjo, guitar, vocals
Robert Bone - clarinet, tin whistle, harmonica, vocals
Adrijan Novak - double bass, afterparty accordion, harmonica, backing vocals


Discography:

"Noric Kingdom" (14 tracks, 2006)
"Giant Finn MacCool" (15 tracks, 2008)
"Paddy's Boots" (16 tracks, 2009)

www.beerbellyband.com
www.myspace.com/bandbeerbelly
www.reverbnation.com/beerbelly

2) La Eringo!(Concepción, Chile)

Camilo Colection - fiddle
Espectro Solar - guitars
Joven Maravilloso - bass
Estel - vocals, bouzouki and whistles


Old member:
Fresco Valdi - drums

Discography:

"Grandes éxitos, pequeños fracasos" (4 track demo, 2008)
"Más famosos que tú" (9 tracks, 2010)


www.myspace.com/laeringo
www.fotolog.com/laeringo/76490321#
www.facebook.com/pages/La-Eringo/18838583461

3) Shamus O'Blivion and the Megadeath Morrismen (Nottingham, United Kingdom)

"This highly entertaining band have earned themselves a reputation across the country for playing Rock influenced Celtic Music (traditional Irish & Scottish) in a hard edged, fast and cheeky style. Whipping up a storm among the audience, frenzied dancing and serious foot stomping is the norm. You ain't seen nothing....Like This!

Note: It is Shamus O'Blivion (not Seamus Oblivion) And the Megadeath (not Megadeth - that's a rock band - we play folk! sort of :) Morrismen (not Morris Dancers - well it should be Morris People really)"


Mental Mick O'Hara - accordion, synth, vocals
Poundin Paul
Steve the Fiddle
Craig Fretz - guitar
Mad Mel

Discography:

"Yee-Ha" (4 track EP)
"The Devil Made Me Do It" (2008)


http://shamusoblivion.co.uk
www.myspace.com/shamusoblivion

4) The Lucky Eejits (Concord, East Bay, CA, USA)

"The Lucky Eejits are simple. We play music that we love and respect. We're not out there to antagonize like a lot of other bands are. We came together in May of 2007 and played our first show at the Concord Pavilion Battle Of The Bands, and ended as finalists. We've opened and headlined and are down for any show offered. We're all the best of friends and hope to keep it that way. We play our music with passion and creativity. Message anyone of us or this myspace for show bookings or information."

Casey Fitzpatrick AKA Chopz- lead guitar, lead vocals, mandolin, banjo
Evan and Gobby - bass guitar, background vocals
Julian AKA Gonzo - rhythm guitar, background vocals
Laddy AKA Ladaconda - drums, background vocals
Tim AKA Timmy- accordion, keyboards, tin whistle, background vocals

Discography:

"A Pint in the Right Direction" (6 track demo, 2007)
"Fine Asian Gentlemen" (4 track demo, 2008)


www.freewebs.com/theluckyeejits
www.myspace.com/theluckyeejits
www.reverbnation.com/theluckyeejits

5) Melmor (Saint Brieuc, France)

Nico - guitar, vocals
Jean-François "Chino" - drums
Youenn - fiddle
Fred "Poilard" - bass

Discography

"Melmor" (3 track Demo, 1994)
“Dans ar marmouzig” (3 track demo,1995)
“Punk Noz” EP (4 tracks, 1996)
“Melmor Live” (12 track CD live + DVD, 2006)

http://biger.free.fr/spip.php?article408
www.myspace.com/melmordvd


DOWNLOAD:


www.mediafire.com/?94u3q5f32qg4imc



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REVIEW: THE FATTY FARMERS Demo

Out of the unlikely region of Toledo, Spain, comes The Fatty Farmers, a young, seven-piece entry in the ever growing field of Celtic Folk-Punk.

The instrumentation used to create The Fatty Farmers sound involves electric and acoustic guitar, bass and drums and joined by fiddle, gaita, (Spanish bagpipes,) whistle, and mandolin shared amongst the band’s seven players.

Comparisons to Flogging Molly are inevitable in the case of The Fatty Farmers. Due not only to the amazingly Dave King-esque vocals, but in the general feel and energy of the band. The manic pace of the songs on this three-track sampler, (all available on the band’s MySpace page, by the way,) also reminds me of the Japanese “Rustic Stomp” bands, like Junior, The Cherry Cokes and The Croagh Patrick. And that is some damn good company for such a fledging outfit!

The three tracks on The Fatty Farmers’ sampler are opener, “Baja California,” “Island,” and (my favorite,) “Tomorrow,” are all well-constructed and arranged, sung in English and played with such infectious enthusiasm that one soon forgets any similarities to those other bands.

I really hope the band can develop their sound to stand a little bit further away from their obvious influences. The band certainly has the chops, and some interesting and enjoyable material. It shouldn't take too long to see, though, since the The Farmers apparently begin recording their debut release this winter.

Definitely worth keeping an ear out for!


Review by Christopher P. Toler, THE Blathering Gommell

www.myspace.com/thefattyfarmers

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REVIEW: THE STAGGERERS "YEAR OF THE BASTARD" Chain Smoking Records 2010

Fort Wayne, Indiana’s The Staggerers have finally released their new full-length CD, Year of the Bastard, a huge, abrasive collection of shit-kicking hillbilly stomp with an energy that, although not for the weak, could wring a party out of rusty shed and old sawdust.

The Staggerers are comprised of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, drum, bass, guitar, and an occasional accordion, and led by a set of vocals akin to those on a chain-smoking muleskinner, barking out the lyrics like they are burning in his throat.

These elements come together on Year of the Bastard to form a sound that crashes forth with a punch from somewhere down the Skels/Dropkick Murphys end of the Celtic Folk-Punk spectrum, but completely devoid of sheen and polish.

Instead, the sixteen tracks within are about as smooth as week old, mason-jar moonshine, but possess a certain honesty and unfiltered, (uncensored?) purity in the sound, that, whether intentional or incidental, brings the music into a realm of “real” that is refreshing and a bit startling, kind of jumping into an icy stream first thing in the morning. That's a wake-up call!

Scattered among the assortment of original tracks, (like my personal faves, “Pitbulls Don’t Play Banjo,” “Go to Hell,” and that great title track,) are a few “traditional” cover tunes, that, well, how do I put this? “Challenge description.”

Remember that children’s game “Telegraph?” Sure, you know, someone would say something to one person, who in turn would say it to another and so on, and so forth, and the final outcome was usually so twisted and different that it bore only a passing resemblance. Well, that is apparently how The Staggerers approached many of these songs. Year of the Bastard wrangles and stretches the skin of these traditional songs over the bones of the very distinct and brutish Staggerers sound, for finished product that is an entirely different animal! Nowhere is this more obvious than on the ubiquitous favorite, “The Wild Rover,” sounding here more like a threatening, bluesy, and bruised number, all shuffling and snarls.

That said, disc closer, Rosin the Bow, evokes a level of passion and emotion from The Staggerers sound that can usually only be found deep into the night, amid empty bottles and a haze of stale smoke. A surprising conclusion to a surprising release.

Year of the Bastard depends strongly on the listener’s immersion in the music, however, and does not agree with being relegated to background noise or sound bites. Bear this in mind if you decide to pick a 30-second sample from Amazon, CD Baby, or iTunes. It is really easy to get lost in the music, though, with a live energy sticking thickly on each and every chord, note, and lyric contained herein.

Highly recommended, but only for the stout of heart.


Review by Christopher P. Toler, THE Blathering Gommel

www.myspace.com/thestaggerers

REVIEW: PADDY'S FUNERAL "Pour In" (2010) Self released

Paddy’s Funeral - Pour In - (self released)
Release Date: 2010
Running Time: 58 min -13 tracks


There are too many bands playing Celtic punk in Germany. So it is not easy for a new German band to find its place . However, bands such as Boggin Leprechaun or Paddy’s Funeral are opening a new path, and I must admit that it works.

Paddy’s Funeral comes from a beautiful student town, Göttingen. This 5 piece band plays its own Celtic punk based on a rocking guitar, an own fiddle sound and aggressive vocals. Apparently, the budget to record the CD was too low, because only 5 tracks were recorded in 2010. But, instead of releasing an EP, the band decided to add the three tracks from their 2009 demo and another 5 tracks that were recorded at an unplugged gig at the Diva Lounge in Göttingen last year.

The first track is called “Lady Shatterly” and the band says that it is not related to Lady Chatterley. The song really rocks and sometimes the fiddle reminds me of Bleeding Hearts or even The Levellers.

The next song, “Blood Sweat and Beer” has a Ramones influenced start and even if it changes the style, it is a great song.

The third track is “Fiddler’s Green”. I find some Lordryk influence and it is maybe one of the songs that I have not enjoyed as the others.

“Paddy’s Funeral” must be the band’s “business card”. At the beginning, after hearing the fiddle intro, I was wondering if it was a “Drowsy Maggie” cover. It is really a strong number, with an excellent fiddle.

Track no. 5, “Raise your Glasses” is an acoustic song. The tempo is not so fast, but it is one of my favourite songs. It reminds me of the Levellers, and even sometimes it sounds as a Velvet Underground song. Maybe I’m wrong and those are not the influences, but I feel that it is an awesome song. Unfortunately, the sound quality is not as good as it should be.

Next song comes from the demo, “Whiskey”. The beginning is slow, but after that fiddling, the song bursts. Rocking guitars and superb fiddle. IMHO, this is the best song of the album.

Paddy’s Funeral also plays some traditional songs. “Some Say the Devil is Dead” and “Jock Stewart” show that Paddy’s Funeral is able to play those songs as if they were self-penned songs.

The last five songs come from the acoustic show at the Diva Lounge. Apart from different versions of “Paddy’s Funeral” (whose title is changed to “Paddy’s Jazz”) and “Lady Shatterly”, they play three traditional tracks: “The Black and Tans”, “Monto" and “Whiskey in The Jar”. Even acoustically, these guys sound quite interesting.

Yes, this is not really what we would call a debut album. So I would like to know what Paddy’s Funeral is able to offer with a bigger budget and better production. They have good songs and their own sound, so I expect that we will hear from them soon.


New Stuff

01 – Laddy Shatterly
02 – Blood Sweat and Beer
03 – Fiddler’s Green
04 – Paddy’s Funeral
05 – Raise your Glasses

“Whiskey” Demo

06 – Whiskey
07 – Some Say the Devil is Dead
08 – Jock Stewart

Live Stuff – Unplugged at Diva Lounge

09 – Paddy’s Jazz
10 – The Black and Tans
11 – Monto
12 – Lady Shatterly
13 – Whiskey in the Jar


www.myspace.com/paddysfuneral


Review by Kinksmarkham
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BOOTLEG - LES RAMONEURS DE MENHIRS

This Recording of Independent Origin includes live tracks from different gigs.

Les Ramoneurs de Menhirs:

Éric Gorce - Bombarde
Richard Bévillon - Biniou
Maurice Jouanno - Lead vocals
Loran - Electric guitar

Discography:

"Dans an diaoul" (11 tracks, 2007)
"Amzer an dispac'h" (11 tracks, 2010)

www.ramoneursdemenhirs.fr

www.myspace.com/lesramoneursmenhirs


DOWNLOAD:

www.mediafire.com/?o2y1gzxtidy




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VIDEOS - THE KILLIGANS "Honor"

"Honor" by The Killigans, off the album of the same name.

BLEEDING HEARTS - July 2010 Newsletter

FOXIE'S BLEEDING BAND NEWS

Latest Stuff

1) The summer is now upon us, we have done our first few festivals here and across the wasser, got those miles under our belt and been trying out some new stuff bit by bit. All in all, quite satisfying and I promise not to mention the world cup or the election results for the sake of getting all worked up again about what the f**k is going on.

Oh dear, can’t resist……………Cuts cuts cuts and Con-dem is about right….where are we headed eh, I feel like the 80’s are upon us again and it was shit the first time round believe me, why do you think I am like I am eh?………. and as for JT and Capello, f**kin embarrassing! Spending a lot of time in Germany is hard with them gloating and laffing at us…… and us having to endure the fact that we have a team full of overpaid, overhyped, underperforming prima-donna premier league egotistical misfits when 1,000’s of workers are being thrown on the dole and ordinary working families are suffering in this capitalist created meltdown. Hell, even the grads can’t get jobs at Mc’Shits.

Here’s a thought for you……what if it’s all just a ruse to keep the worlds’ workers in our place – war and recession = ring a bell? Check your history folks. And be prepared for more anti-union laws as the rich fill their boots at our expense. Still, we’re all in this together ain’t we, yea us and all the millionaires in the Govt. I’ll be looking forward to the riots next summer.


2) We hope you enjoyed the brand new video on our 'Pix 'n' Mix' page taken at 'Folk Im Schlosshof' Germany 2009? Let us know what you think. We all think it rocks and it's 2 of our newer songs too!


3) Those of you who are missing our earlier albums will be pleased to hear they are now on Spotify, as well as being available to download from iTunes, Amazon MP3, Play, 7digital, and many other fine vendors of digital music.


4) The gig list is as up to date as it can be and we hope none of us catch any exotic diseases while on tour like last year with swine flu where we had to cancel one or two shows – something we have never done before and hope we don’t have to do again. The sight of Gel moaning and groaning and the agony he endured just trying to step up on stage at Katie Fitzgeralds last year was something else. Of course, we pissed our pants laughing about it and it wasn’t at all fair on him but how could we resist - we are blokes, we are in a band and the years have taken their toll on our sense of humour. Shit, I even find it funny now thinking about the Serb soldier in Bosnia who stuck an AK47 in my face.


5) You may have noticed that the forum is not really a forum anymore but a blog of what highs and lows and other stuff happens on tour. Go check it out, there’s even some sorry looking pics of us at our morning best (irony) after a late night or 3. Yuk!


6) We hope to see some of you, all of you, new friends, old friends, lost friends at a gig soon, so don’t be strangers, we are playing plenty of UK and German dates in various locations and it would be nice to catch up. Bring on the summer, sunburn, beer bellies, baggy shorts and alcohol haze…….it’s gonna be a good ‘un! Until it rains at least.



GIGS 2010

16 July: Vogelwald Festival, Laimnau bei Tettnang, Germany (with Lizzie)
(www.vogelwald.de)

17 July: Warmfreibad, Badstr. 30, Fischbachau, Germany (with Lizzie)
(www.musik-gastronacht.de)

6 August: Festival Maritim, Vegesack-Bremen, Germany
(www.www.festival-maritim.de)

7 August: Festival Maritim, Vegesack-Bremen, Germany
(www.festival-maritim.de)

13 August: Folk Klub Venne, Haupstr 29, Venne (nr. Osnabruck), Germany ( 4 piece acoustic with Ewan)

14 August: Shamrock Festival, Burg Waischenfeld, Waischenfeld, Germany (5 piece line-up inc Mark & Ewan)

27 August: Zytanien Festival, nr Hannover, Germany
(www.zytanien.de)

28 August: Burgfolk Festival, Mulheim, Germany

17 September: Royal Oak, 175 Felixstowe Road, Ipswich
(www.myspace.com/the_royal_oak_ipswich)

18 September: Alchemy Festival, Lincs, UK (full details tbc)

6 November: The Railway, Bromley Cross, Bolton, UK
(www.myspace.com/railwayvenue)

27 November: The Wheatsheaf, Leighton Buzzard, UK
(www.thewheatie.co.uk)


All the best from Foxie, Gel, Gaz:

Bleeding Hearts



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IRISH FOLK & CELTIC PUNK NIGHT IN LONDON 31 JULY 2010

Looking for something to do after the Celtic v Lyon game on Saturday July 31st? then head to Tottenhams best Irish boozer Mannions Prince Arthur for a whiskey and guinness fuelled night of Celtic mayhem!

The pub is only one stop on the tube from Arsenals ground (Finsbury Park station) to Seven Sisters station and then only 5 minutes walk to the pub.(when you arrive at Seven Sisters tube follow the signs on the platform for the buses.when you leave the barriers check the signs again for Broad Lane and when you leave the station thats the road that runs alongside the tesco.Mannions is just a wee walk and is painted blue and yellow(Roscommon!) and cant be missed)

It's also guaranteed to be the cheapest pint you'll drink all day! BUT warning you now NO GLASSES outside all the landlord throws a wobbly!

confirmed so far are-

All the way from county Holloway (1 mile!) the worlds number 1 celtic-punk band Neck giving it their style of traditional Irish with a touch of the Clash."psycho-ceilidh" indeed!

Ciaran Murphy the Belfast singer-songwriter makes a welcome return to Mannions for only his 2nd London gig... and he's still as totally unrepentent as ever!

From Glasgow following in Gary Og's footsteps the excellent Glasnevin young Irish rebel band

The Jennywooi Project acoustic singer-songwriter from Canada



further information at: www.myspace.com/londoncelticpunks

or at

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=306370667754
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GARY MILLER - Promo Video Out Soon

(Taken from Gary Miller's MySpace)

Plans are afoot to film a promotional video over the summer for 'Bold as Brass' (the true story of cornet player & military bandsman and First World War veteran Archibald Frederick Harold Mill (1890-1985) who survived two attacks of mustard gas as an artillery officer but as a result of his injuries was unable to play his cornet again even though he lived into his 90's. 'Bold as Brass' is the second track on my new CD 'Reflections on War'. I hope to post more news on this exciting project as it becomes available.

BOLD AS BRASS
(Music & Lyrics: Gary Miller)

Sat in your uniform looking real class
Striking a pose as bold as brass
You played a mean cornet in a military band
The finest sound in all of the land

The girls all adored you; it was always a lark
When the band came to play in Battersea Park
Polished and smart, a mighty fine gang
All for one, one for all, when the instruments sang

So blow on your cornet, blow it loud and proud
When the band would strike up, what a heavenly sound

An old photograph in sepia tones
Shows all of the boys in impeccable rows
Trombones and euphoniums, marching snares and bass drum
Cornets and tuba and a shield proudly won

So blow on your cornet, blow it loud and proud
When the band would strike up, what a heavenly sound

As the call went out, “there’s a war to be won”
Rifles and bayonets replaced cornets and drums
Down on the platform there was not a dry eye
As they wished you luck as they waved you goodbye

An artillery officer astride a fine mount
Twice gassed ’midst the carnage, still not out for the count
But no longer to blow so bold on your brass
With your lungs constricted by the harsh mustard gas

So blow on your cornet, blow it loud and proud
When the band would strike up, what a heavenly sound
And though sweet music fades, its memory flows
Are you playing in Heaven now God only knows?
As the angels sing when your cornet blows
I’ll be blowing your trumpet wherever I go

OFF TOPIC FIFA WORLD CUP 2010

MARK CHADWICK - Solo Album Out in September 2010

(Taken from The Levellers July Newsletter)

Mark Chadwick has announced details of the release of his debut solo album, entitled All The Pieces, to be released through Stay By Records on 6 September 2010, and a 10 date UK tour in October. All The Pieces is however, not a Levellers album. Whilst the voice may be familiar, that is where the similarities end. Instead, this is an intensely personal collection of folk-tinged acoustic pop tracks, written and refined over the course of the last two decades. Brought to life by award-winning producer Sean Lakeman Mark is joined by an ‘all star cast’ of some of the UK’s greatest folk musicians on the album.

All the Pieces is available to pre-order now with signed copies of the album available with pre-orders from www.play.com. A limited edition ‘All The Pieces’ collector’s pack featuring 12” vinyl or CD album plus t-shirt, cotton tote bag and screen print is available to pre-order exclusively from www.recordstore.co.uk. Mark’s October tour goes on sale on Monday. He will be joined on tour by a band featuring guest musicians plus support to be announced. Mark will be touring in October to EXETER, LONDON, SOUTHAMPTON, CARDIFF, BIRMINGHAM, BRIGHTON, BRISTOL, MANCHESTER and NOTTINGHAM. More details from www.markchadwickofficial.co.uk and www.levellers.co.uk
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FREE DOWNLOAD: Mr. Irish Bastard "F*ck You I'm Drunk"

Mr. Irish Bastard's song "F*ck You I´m Drunk" can be downloaded free from the band's website:

www.myspace.com/mririshbastard

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FREE DOWNLOADS: Ruxe Ruxe "Na Fura de diante"

"Na Fura de Diante", Ruxe Ruxe's seventh studio album can be downloaded free from the band's website.


"Ruxe-Ruxe ... Punk and Rock since 1996"

Vituco Neira - Lead vocals
Martín Zapata - Guitar
Álex Sevilla - Drums
Jimmy Carlitos - Guitar
Antón Torroncho - Bass
Xaco Barona - Bagpipes
Xan Rico - Sax


www.myspace.com/ruxeruxe


DOWNLOAD:

www.ruxeruxe.com (Click on BAIXA-O!)


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BLAGGARDS - New Live album out!

"Live in Texas" is out NOW!

Buy it here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/Blaggards1

Tracklist:

01. Waxie's Dargle 1:46
02. Whiskey in the Jar 4:08
03. Rocky Road to Dublin 3:24
04. Spancil Hill 4:39
05. Slapper's Medley 3:28
06. Leaving of Liverpool 3:28
07. Botany Bay 3:44
08. Foggy Dew 4:28
09. Big Strong Man 2:59
10. Drunken Sailor 2:41
11. Bog Songs 4:47
12. Wild Rover 3:15
13. Irish Rover 3:41


Patrick Devlin: guitar and vocals
Chad Smalley: bass and vocals
Michael McAloon: drums
Chris Buckley: fiddle

http://blaggards.com

www.myspace.com/blaggards
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REVIEW: BLACK TARTAN CLAN "The Loyal Men" 4Subculture Records (2010)

The Black Tartan Clan – The Loyal Men (4Subculture Records)
Release Date: April 2010
Running Time: CD1: 32’30 - 10 tracks, CD 2 28’47– 10 tracks


I was looking forward to listening to the Black Tartan Clan new album. These guys, together with Pipes and Pints and Bastards on Parade, are at the forefront of the Bagpipes punk European scene. Then, my expectations were high and I felt that it would be a Must have album.

So I ordered the CD and as soon as it arrived I opened it. A 2 CD set, only 15,00 EUR + P&P. I put immediately the CD in the player: 33 min. I thought that maybe the second CD would be longer. Quite the contrary, 29 min. At that moment I was wondering why these Belgian guys had chosen to release a 2 CD set when all the tracks would fit in a single CD. So, I did what I should have done before placing the CD1 in the player: I looked to the tracklist. Then I understood it immediately, CD2 was a covers CD.

I felt that this would make it more difficult to review the album. Which approach should I follow? To review the two CDs as a whole or consider that the second one was a bonus free CD? I decided to take the second option.

As I have written previously, I was expecting an excellent CD, since I have really enjoyed their debut album. Am I disappointed? Not really. “The Loyal Men” is a great album. Maybe it is not as good as I have expected, but, to be honest, the album is very good.

The opening track, "Scotland “Part I” is a good starting point. The second track “Na fir Dileas” is just the kind of song that I love from these Celtic punks: hot piping and powerful arrangements. The third track, “Kilt Song” follows the same path. It’s a song about the band itself: “But the best way to know is to come to our shows/and you’ll see five guys rockin’ having fun like young kids/we are there to make fun … that’s all”.

Next song, “Proud to be Kelt” is the twin brother of track no. 5 “Strong, Loud & Proud”. The titles are clear and I think of The Business straightaway. Celtic Oi! Great chorus and favourite sing-a-longs at their gigs, I guess.

Between those tracks, "She’s the One" is, IMHO, the weakest number. No, it is not a Ramones cover, but a self-penned slow number. I do understand that some calm numbers should be placed between the firing pipes tracks. Some people’s ears need this (even if it’s not my case; I can stand a full piping hot album). I find that the lyrics are rather poor in this stripped down song. No pipes on this track, but a wonderful violin that recalls me Bobby Valentino, a usual guest on The Men They Couldn’t Hang albums. I guess that the problem is not the music, but the lyrics.

Track 7, “My Father My Hero” is another slow number, but this one works better and has some interesting piping and fiddling arrangements. Once again, I feel that the lyrics could be improved.

The following number, “The Old Man” is quite similar, but musically I find it stronger.

The last two tracks are “Ye-De-La-Hey” and “Scotland Part II”. The first one begins with “The Atholl Highlanders” tune and I imagine that it is another high moment at their live shows: “The Clan Will Go, The Clan Will Go”. “Scotland Part II” is the perfect closing track for this album, faster and punkier than Part I.

As far as the covers CD is concerned, those who have heard the band’s demo will find here some numbers that were included in it: “If the Kids (Are United”) and “Border of Salt”. The first one is really great, better than the cover that Les Ramoneurs de Menhirs have recorded for their second album.

“Amazing Grace” rocks, but I feel that it’s a song that has been covered by many bands, including Dropkick Murphys and Flatfoot 56.

John Denver’s “Country Roads” is another excellent cover, not as good as the one recorded by the West Virginian band The Gentlemen. Anyway, it’s a strong number.

Another song that I have really enjoyed is “La Poupée (qui fait non)” a song by the French songwriter Michel Polnareff originally released in ….1.966!!!

IMHO “Warriors Code” (Dropkick Murphys) doesn’t receive the right treatment. It is played at a slow pace and I feel that that pace doesn’t fit the lyrics.

To finish up, just a few comments. The folded booklet has a high quality design, but there are some minor defects.

- There are pictures of all the band members, including a guest fiddler. But the name of the fiddler has not been mentioned anywhere.
- Track 7 is not “The Old Man”, but “My Father My Hero”. In both booklet and back cover the track order is not correct. I remember that The Real McKenzies made the same mistake on their “10.000 Shots” album, so maybe The Black Tartan Clan has made it on purpose. Who knows.
- Finally, it is not stated who wrote the original tracks on the second CD

If The Black Tartan Clan is able to improve the lyrics and avoid these small details, I guess that their third album will be their masterpiece. But now, let’s enjoy “Na Fir Dileas” while we drink a Chimay Bleue Trappist beer, because it’s an awesome album.

Tracklist:

CD1

01 - Scotland “Part I”
02 - Na Fir Dileas
03 – Kilt Song
04 – Proud to Be Kelt
05 – She’s the One
06 – Strong, Loud & Proud
07 – My Father My Hero
08 – The Old Man
09 – Ye-De-La-Hey
10 – Scotland “Part II”

CD2

01 – Hills of Argyll (McIntyre)
02 – Country Roads (Danoff, T.N./Danoff, B./Denver, J.)
03 – Banks of The Roses (traditional)
04 – Amazing Grace (traditional)
05 – Warriors Code (Barr/Brennan/Casey/Kelly/Lynch/Orrell/Wallace)
06 – Highland Cathedral (Ulrich Roever/Michael Korb)
07 – Wild Rover (traditional)
08 – If the Kids (Parsons/Pursey)
09 – La Poupée (Michel Polnareff)
10 – Border of Salt (traditional)


http://theblacktartanclan.com

http://www.myspace.com/theblacktartanclan

http://theblacktartanclan.com/shop/contents/en-us/d1.html (click here to purchase the 2 CD set)


Review by Kinksmarkham
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