FEATURED CDs AT CELTIC-FOLK-PUNK RADIO (2-3 OCTOBER 2015)

Paddy and The Rats "Lonely Hearts Boulevard", The Stubby Shillelaghs "Critical Fail", Zuname "Pipes Not Dead" and Harley McQuinn "Orden Svatogo Viskara" are the featured CDs at Celtic-Folk-Punk radio.

Schedule as follows:

Friday 2 October 2015

From 9h00 to 11h30 CEST and from 18h00 to 20h30 CEST

Saturday 3 October 2105

From 9h00 to 11h30 CEST and from 20h00 to 22h30 CEST

Tune in!

https://www.radionomy.com/en/radio/celtic-folk-punk/index

http://celtic-folk-punk.playtheradio.com

http://tunein.com/radio/Celtic-Folk-Punk-Radio-s196762/ 

ARBORE LUME, BAND FROM COSTA RICA

Arbore Lume is a band from Costa Rica. "King of Pipers" is their first single

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Line-up:

Kevin Murillo - Flutes and pipes
Carlos Mata - Fiddle
Jason Aguilar - Guitar and Irish bouzouki
Jean David Alonso - Piano  and accordion
Jose Jimenez - Bass
Adrian Marchena - Drums

VIDEO - COCKSWAIN "Hanged Man / Gods Have No Graves" (Live)

Cockswain performing "Hanged Man" and "Gods Have No Graves" at Pho Cao on 9/12/15.

Cockswain - "Hanged Man / Gods Have No Graves" 

VIDEO - SKONTRA "La foguera"

Skontra official video for "La foguera", off their 4th album "Foguera"

Skontra - La foguera

REVIEW - SKONTRA "Foguera" (2015)

Skontra "Foguera" Self-released
Release date: May 25th, 2015
Running time: 45:30, 13 tracks
 

Four years have passed from Skontra’s third album “Mazcando miseries” to the release of their brand new album “Foguera”. The band from Asturies have had some ups and downs, but they have been able to arise from their ashes like a Phoenix.

During the years 2011-2015 Skontra  played some big festivals in Spain and the South of France and a lot of small gigs where they made new friends (they shared the stage with Drink Hunters and The Potes and became close friends with both bands). Unfortunately, César (drummer) decided to leave the band. He was living in Madrid and it was too hard to drive to Asturias and then back to Madrid every single weekend to rehearse with the band. This could have put a damper on Skontra’s career, but they found a new drummer, Mawy, and they were back on the road again. Founding member and bassist Gonza found a job on Madrid too, but he decided to stay on the band and now Skontra are back with a vengeance with their best work to date “Foguera”.

“Semeya de la rabia” (2006) is a classic of the Spanish punk-folk scene. With “Cantares pa dempués d’una Guerra” (2008) the band tried to broaden their musical universe. Instead of keep on being a punk/oi band with pipes, they followed the path opened by The Clash or Mano Negra. Unfortunately, a bad production in the studio didn’t help to push the album and some fans feel that it was a “faux pas”. Their next album “Mazcando miseries” proved that they still were a worth hearing band and added a bunch of classic songs to the band’s set list.

“Foguera” is the band’s most appealing album to date. Musically, it features different sides of the band. The pipes sound better than ever thanks to the production work by Miguel Herrero at ACME studios. And Mawy’s drumming adds a new dimension to the band’s sound too. After listening to track no. 3 “La Foguera” (or their acoustic version at the end of the album), some people could feel that the band has mellowed. Quite the contrary, the lyrics are incisive and the social dimension has not been put aside. Skontra are older, but wiser. They are engaged with their home country (Asturies), their mother tongue (seven songs are sung in Asturian) and the(ir) people.

“Foguera” kicks off with “La nuesa vida” (Our Life). The lyrics for this amazing number are about the band’s life. It can be filed together with Booze and Glory “Off We Go!” or The Real McKenzies “Midnight Train to Moscow”, songs about the same subject.

“Fuego” (Fire) is a call to arms. It’s  a guitar oriented number that ends up with a clear message: No van a callarnos (they are not going to shut up our mouths).

“La foguera” (The Homefire) has been launched as single. Pop punk influences can be found on this track. Some buddies guest at the end of the song, singing in their mother tongues: David from Bastards on Parade in Galician, Nuria Martí in Catalonian and Sala Strummer and Ibi from The Potes in Basque. Electric guitar is played by Juanin (Carlinos' brother) and accordion by Igor Sala (The Potes).

“Amargo Despertar” (Bitter Awakening) is another highlight. It has a The Real McKenzies feel, a Spanish punk-rock guitar sound part and great gang vocals.

“La mio forma” (My Way) is a personal fave. Excellent work by Mawy on drums and fantastic piping and guitar work. They shift again to the pop-punk end with some The Clash sounding guitars. The song features a pipe rendition of “Music for a Found Harmonium”.

“Otra oportunidá” (Another Chance) is a reggae number with a punk twist. The lyrics are about the economic crisis. Life's a bitch, but if we fight and stand up, it will bring us another chance. Don’t surrender and you’ll get your reward.

“Sal a la cai” is a raucous punk rock number featuring inflammable pipes with plenty of woah backing vocals. It has a pipes arrangement based on the traditional tune “Pasacáis de Peruyes” as recorded by Asturian top folk band Llan de Cubel.

“El 34” is Skontra at its best. This song about the Asturian Revolution in 1934 was recorded by Asturian folk band  Xéliba on their debut album  (lyrics are based on a traditional song and the music was written by the band from Avilés). One of the best numbers on “Foguera”.

“A por ellos” begins à la early M.C.D. (punk-rock band from Bilbao) and the guitar work is excellent all along the song. It’s a tribute to the people who kept on fighting against the Franco’s dictatorship after the Spanish Civil War.

Skontra showcase again their love by Mexican music: “Nesi furgon” (In that Black Maria) is a brilliant Mexican-punk number featuring Miguel Herrero on trumpet.

Fernando Madina from Reincidentes (well-known punk-rock band from Sevilla) guests on vocals on “Largo camino” (Long Way), a song about all the African people who try to reach the European coasts in order to start a new life.  Ana Caballero guests on fiddle too.

Skontra played a gig at the Elorrixoko Gaztetxea in April  2014, sharing the stage with the band from Arrasate-Mondragón The Potes. At that time, The Potes  banjo player was Jul Bolinaga, a former member of Basque damned punk band R.I.P.. The Potes played a version of one of R.I.P. hits, “Condenado” (Condemned) and Berto, a long time fan of R.I.P., jumped on stage to sing with them. Later, they shared the stage once again in Asturies. Sadly, Jul died on stage at a gig in Bergara last year. Skontra have recorded this bagpipes punk  rendition together with The Potes members, Igor Sala on accordion and Sala Strummer and Ibi on vocals.

To finish up, Skontra deliver an acoustic version of “Foguera”

The album artwork has been designed by Zapico (pipes) as usual. “Foguera” comes in a digipack enclosing a folded sheep (the equivalent to an 8 page booklet: lyrics to all of the songs, guests, thank yous and credits). I know that the album is available at Bandcamp as a Name Your Price download, but if I were you, I would write to the band to buy a physical copy.

Tracklist:

01. La nuesa vida 03:18   
02. Fuego 03:12   
03. La foguera 04:02
04. Amargo despertar 03:16
05. La mio forma 04:01
06. Otra oportunidá 03:36
07. Sal a la cai 03:38   
08. El 34 02:48
09. Por la libertad 03:27
10. Nesi furgón 03:34
11. Largo camino 03:14
12. Condenado 03:36
13. La foguera (acústica) 03:42

Website
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Wikipedia

Click to buy

Bandcamp

If you're interested in a physical CD, contact the band on Facebook.

Review by Kinksmarkham

FREE DOWNLOAD - HARLEY McQUINN " Orden Svatogo Viskara" EP

Harley McQuinn have just released a new EP, "Orden svatogo viskara". The songs have already been added to our 24/7 streaming radio Celtic-Folk-Punk radio.

The EP digital version is available for free.

DOWNLOAD:

Yandex

 
 

LYRIC VIDEO - THE MCDRINKERS "Follow the Wave"

Quebecer band The McDrinkers are releasing their debut album "Bring the Barrels" next October 16th.

Check out this advance to whet your appetite:

The McDrinkers - Follow the Wave

VIDEO - THE REAL McKENZIES "Stephen's Green"

"Heads up!
Get yer eyes and ears on our latest vid for Stephen's Green! Please like and share and tweet and whatnot if you're liking it.
Big thanks to our friends at Minus2 Digital Media and Family Curse Films (www.familycursefilms.com) for putting it together."

The Real McKenzies - Stephen's Green

REVIEW - GREENLAND WHALEFISHERS "The Thirsty Cave" (2015)

Greenland Whalefishers "The Thirsty Cave"
Release date: September 21, 2015
Running time: 40:57, 10 tracks

I first heard of Norwegian band The Greenland Whalefishers when I got a swap/sale list from a German guy that I’d found at the Friends of Shane mail-out. He defined them as a band similar to the early Pogues. Once I had internet access, I found the band’s website and I wrote to them to buy their stuff. And then I got my first Greenland Whalefishers CDs: the “Mary B (Good)”, “The Clown” and “T.Bell’s Blues” EPs, together with their debut album “The  Mainstreet Sword”. In the following years, they became Greenland Whalefishers (without “The”), a cult band that delivered a bunch of studio albums, EPs and compilations, probably the best band to understand Shane MacGowan’s songwriting. Yes, maybe the only band that gave The Pogues a run for their money in the late 90’s.

The band fronted by Arvid Grov has followed a straight line all along their career. Musically, no big changes have taken place in their sound and attitude, and no fan would accuse them of being a sellout. Quite the contrary, they are appreciated as one of the most authentic bands of the scene.

Their brand new album “The Thirsty Cave” kicks off with “Tinted”, an amazing number with a Dexy’s Midnight Runners feel. Only two tracks have been previously released, the brilliant numbers “20 Years of Waiting” and “Looney Tunes” from their “Looney Tunes EP” (For a detailed review of the EP, have a look to the London Celtic Punks review HERE). There are plenty of classic GWF fast paced anthems like “None of Us Are Faithful”, “The Letter” or my faves, the kick-ass numbers “Been Away” (with a slightly different drumming) and “Queen”, a “Galway Girl” revisited song. GWF moves to the Tom Waits territory on “Angel” and “Ted McKenzie” is a quieter number. Finally, track no. 3 “Nothing to Say” is a badass instrumental written by Arvid. If only more bands wrote their own instrumentals.

“The Thirsty Cave” album comes as a LP on green vinyl together with a CD copy. Lyrics to all the songs, line-up and thank you section are included (thank you guys for adding us to that list!). The studio and design credits are stated on the back of the sleeve. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Iver Sandøy at Solslottet Studio in Bergen and co-produced by Arvid and Agnes. The sound is perfect and even if there are a lot of electric guitar parts, the tin whistle sound is always very clear.

After 20 years, Greenland Whalefishers new album is as fresh as their earlier material. I’d say that a Greenland Whalefisher album is like a Harry Hole novel by Jo Nesbø.  They never let us down and we (the fans) enjoy it from the beginning to the end. Norway's best exports.

 

Tracklist:

01 - Tinted 5:53
02 - None of Us are Faithful 3:56
03 - Nothing to Say 2:11
04 - Angel 4:37
05 - Been Away 3:14
06 - 20 Years of Waiting 3:45
07 - Ted McKenzie 5:22
08 - Queen 3:40
09 - Looney Tunes 4:51
10 - The Letter 3:06

Website
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Click to buy

Shop

Review by Kinksmarkham

FEATURED CDs AT CELTIC-FOLK-PUNK RADIO (21, 25 and 26 SEPTEMBER 2015)

Greenland Whalefishers are releasing their brand new album "The Thirsty Cave" on Monday 21 September.

This album, together with O'Leary "Red Roads of Home", In for a Penny "The Guardian Angel Sessions", The Waxies "Down with the Ship", The Fatty Farmers "Escape from the Dirty Pigs" and Hooligan's Mountain single will be the featured CDs at Celtic-Folk-Punk Radio. Songs from Strawdaze "Sei" and Driák "Tvrdá realita" will be played too.

Schedule as follows:

Monday 21 September 2015

From 9h00 to 12h00 CEST and from 18h00 to 21h00 CEST

Friday 25 September 2015

From 9h00 to 12h00 CEST and from 18h00 to 21h00 CEST

Saturday 26 September 2105

From 9h00 to 12h00 CEST and from 20h00 to 23h00 CEST

Tune in!

https://www.radionomy.com/en/radio/celtic-folk-punk/index

http://celtic-folk-punk.playtheradio.com

http://tunein.com/radio/Celtic-Folk-Punk-Radio-s196762/

VIDEO - JOLLY JACKERS "Hey Johnny"

Jolly Jackers official video for "Hey Johnny".

The band is currently touring Hungary together with their buddies LochNesz.

Jolly Jackers - Hey Johnny

VIDEO - THE SCARLET "Drunken Scallywag"

The fourth official video from the "Midnight Avenue" EP.

The Scarlet - Drunken Scallywag

REVIEW - BODH'AKTAN "Mixtape (Covers)" (2015)

Bodh'aktan "Mixtape (Covers)
Release date: July 11, 2015
Running time: 40:23, 12 tracks

Bodh’aktan are probably the most interesting Canadian band at the moment. They have released a couple of albums in French (and an English version of the second one) and both of them topped our charts. The lads are working on their new album but in the meanwhile they have released a digital album titled “Mixtape (Covers)”. Needless to say that all the songs are covers that the band have been playing at their shows since 2011.

The 12 numbers can be divided into 4 groups:

-    Celtic standards and shanties
-    Songs that little by little have become Celtic rock standards
-    Quebec rock classics
-    Rock classics in English

The first group consists of 2 Maritimes classics and two shanties. “Excursion Around the Bay” is a song that can be found on Great Big Sea’s debut album. Bodh’aktan’s cover follows a similar path, with bodhrán and backing vocals. “The Old Black Rum” can be found on Great Big Sea’s second album, “Up”. Bodh’aktan play a brilliant fast-paced version showcasing great electric guitar and fiddle arrangements. “South Australia” is based on The Pogues version. In fact, Bodh’aktan add the “Kerry Polka” as The Pogues used to do at their gigs. “Ladies of Plymouth” is the other shanty on the album. Interesting choice, as it's not an over-exposed song.

Regarding the second group, “I Fought the Law” is the song that most of my faves bands from the 80’s-90’s have recorded. The "original" cover version was recorded by Bobby Fuller Four, but later versions are always based on The Clash rendition: The Pogues, Oysterband, Mano Negra, Hertzainak …. Bodh’aktan’s take is a powerfulk song that has been improved with a well-known polka at the end.

Johnny Cash “Ring of Fire” is another song that Celtic (punk) rock bands love to cover. Levellers released an amazing cover a long time ago and recently The Craicheads, Keily’s Folk and Meneguinness have also delivered awesome renditions. Bodh’aktan offer a rocking version with kick-ass bagpipes.

“Galway Girl” is definitely the song that every single band loves to play at their shows. In the last years the Celtic punk/rock fans have listened to fantastic versions by the likes of The Craicheads, Menneguinness, Keily’s Folk, Lennon Kelly and Folkaholics. Bodh’aktan deliver a badass rendition with accordion, tin whistle, fiddle and gang vocals.

There is a couple of songs in French whose original versions were recorded by Quebecer bands.  Most of the Celtic folk punk fans will be familiar with Bodh’aktan’s cover of Vilain Pingouin’s hit “Salut salaud”, as a video for that song was posted here. Vilain Pingouin and Fred St. Gelais (Bodh’aktan’s producer) guest on this track. The second Quebecer classic is titled “Boisson d’Avril”, a song by a band called Groovy Aardvark. Apparently,  this was one of the first marriages between a rock band and traditional musicians in Quebec, as La Bottine Souriante members  Yves Lambert (vocals) and Michel Bordelau (backing vocals, foot tapping) guested on the original version. Moreover, Groovy Aardvark’s frontman was Vincent Peake, the guy who has produced Carotté’s debut album. Bodh’aktan have recorded a great rocking version of this classic song.

Finally, there are three songs that can be put together in another group: Motörhead “Ace of Spades”, House of Pain “Jump Around” and AC/DC “Highway to Hell”. All of them are respectful to the originals and are a proof of Bodh’aktan’s vocalist versatility. The Celtic hip hop number, featuring former Bodh’aktan member Jonathan Moorman on fiddle, gets an updated sound with foot tapping, fiddle and tin whistle. And Bodh’aktan have decided to move away from the obvious choice (“It’s a Long Way to the Top”) and cover AC/DC “Highway to Hell”. Once again, Marie-Mai helps Bodh’aktan and adds some amazing female vocals. As Rob Langlois also plays bass on Marie-Mai’s backing band, one could say that she’s an “honorary member” of the band.

That's all. If you’re looking for the perfect soundtrack for your Halfway to St.Patrick’s Day, go to Bodh’aktan’s website and buy this enjoyable album.
 

Tracklist:

01 - I Fought the Law (3:55)
02 - Salut Salaud (avec Vilain Pingouin & Fred St-Gelais) (3:57)
https://youtu.be/-K94x9ZHZSw
03 - Ring of Fire (2:38)
04 - South Australia (3:26)
05 - Ace of Spades (2:40)
06 - Excursion Around the Bay (2:45)
07 - Boisson d'Avril (4:09)
08 - Jump Around (avec Jonathan Moorman) (3:45)
09 - Galway Girl (3:14)
10 - The Old Black Rum (2:46)
11 - Highway to Hell (avec Marie-Mai) (3:24)
12 - Ladies of Plymouth (3:17)


Website
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Band's Store

Review by Kinksmarkham

VIDEO - THE PIKEYS "Pissed Again"

The Pikeys (Sacramento, CA) video for "Pissed Again"

"Here it is folks! Our Video for "Pissed Again". It is about as PG as we get. It won the Director's Choice Award at The 2015 Sacramento Film and Music Festival. Watch it, Share it, Show it!

The Pikeys - Pissed Again

NEW SONG UNVEILED FROM THE FATTY FARMERS THIRD ALBUM

"Carrot Man", new song from The Fatty Farmers new CD "Escape from the Dirty Pigs"

VIDEO - SCRUM "Open Up!"

Dutch band Scrum has a new single out, "Open Up!"

"Dear Friends,

The past few days we spent a lot of time together on the road and in the studio. We talked about the news and of course about the refugees from Syria. The suffering and despair shown in the images really hit us hard! As musicians, the only possible way of dealing with these feelings is by expressing them in a song.

All revenues from 'Open Up!' will be donated to Refugee organisations. Please show your support by purchasing the song on iTunes:


Credits:
Music, Lyrics, recording and audio production:
Scrum - www.scrummusic.com

Video editor : Aniek Keizers
Assistant editor : Steven Hignell

Thanks to Metropool Hengelo NL

Scrum - Open Up!

 

WILD COLONIAL BHOYS - SINGLE FROM NEW ALBUM

(Thanks to Steven for the heads-up)

Wild Colonial Bhoys have a new album out, "On Our Own".

This is their first single:

Wild Colonial Bhoys - Falling Through the Cracks

VIDEOS AND FREE DOWNLOAD - THE CENSUS "The Midnight Bus EP"

The Census is a "Instant pop classic" band from London, Ontario. Their "The Midnight Bus EP" is available at Bandcamp (Name Your Price). The songs are already played on our 24/7 streaming radio Celtic-Folk-Punk Radio.

"The boys are back! A rag tag crew of scholastically inclined lads, The Census hit the ground running after rocking the Sarnia Waterfront at the 2013 Sarnia International Power Boat Festival. With original tunes such as Riverboat Gambler, Green Heart and The Closer mixed in with some classic folk and rock covers, the boys put on a timeless and energetic live performance. A five piece band, The Census has taken their love of performing and accidentally turned it into a semi-professional pastime. With banjo, mandolin, and accordion adjoined by electric guitar, keys and drums, the band’s unique sound transcends all contemporary genres. Not afraid to play ‘outside the box,’ the boys put on “the best live performance this side of the Thames River” (Anonymous Music Aficionado, 2013). With their hearts and souls spilt on stage during every performance, the Census strives to live up to the slogan coined by their fans—Bold. Raw. Forever. ‘Bold’ to go where others will not, ‘Raw’ in their musical passions and to be ‘Forever’ etched in your hearts, The Census is set to have a colossal 2015!

"Recorded in Toronto 2013-2014, "The Midnight Bus EP" is a colourful collection of songs spawned by the creative vision of 6 men known only as The Census. These 5 genre-bending tracks are a tour de force that is sure to start any party off right.

To put it simply, "The Midnight Bus EP" truly is bold, raw and forever."
 

These are the videos for two tracks.

The Census - Greenheart




The Census - The Closer




Website
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Line-up:

Zach Anderson - Guitar
Alex Boothby - Drums
Aaron Brown - Mandolin
Aaron Beaudrow - Banjo
Brad Azzano - Guitar
Alex Brown - Bass


DOWNLOAD:

Bandcamp

 

VIDEO - LUGH "Quando os canecos batem"

Lugh have just launched their video for "Quando os canecos batem".

Lugh - Quando os canecos batem

FREE DOWNLOAD - PUNCHING NAMARD "EP"

Punching Namard EP can be downloaded for free. Remember that they were our Band of January and the EP was reviewed HERE.

DOWNLOAD:

Bandcamp

REVIEW - STRAWDAZE "Sei" Nemeton records (2015)

Strawdaze "Sei" Nemeton Records NR 04/15
Release date: July 20, 2015
Running time: 37:35, 11 tracks

“Sei” is the follow-up to Strawdaze’s “Senza Rotta” EP from 2012. The six-piece Italian band has signed with a folk-metal label, Nemeton Records, and has delivered an interesting debut album. The main points are the same, a sound based on Mirko’s tin whistle and Marco’s banjo where the band merges some Dropkick Muyrphys influences with and Italian punk attitude and a songwriting based only on self-penned songs.

Banjo and tin whistle shine on the perfect opening track, “Tu chi sei?”. “In clasifica” has a guitar beginning and great tin whistle and fiddle work (Violin played by guest Andrea Rinaldi). “Esplodi” has a Flogging Molly vibe and little by little becomes harder in the Ramones from the “Too Tough to Die” era vein.

“La tua ultima dose” is the fast-paced Celtic punk number featuring mandolin that will make you jump and shout. “Immobili” is another highlight with amazing banjo picking and tin whistle arrangements.

“La rivolta del cammello” is an infectious reggae number with chorus in English (Davide Torregiani guests on sax) while “In una vetrina” is a ska punk track.

“Diritto di plaggio” has a guitar intro à la AC/DC, showing a different side of the band. And the closing number, “Un altro autunno” follows a different path too, moving to the folk-metal ballad side.

“Sei” comes in a digipack together with an eight page booklet. All the lyrics and credits are stated on the booklet. The album has been produced by Strawdaze and Carlo Izzo, who also engineered, mixed and mastered the songs. The final result is quite good and the tin whistle gets the right treatment in the final mix.

Strawdaze keep on evolving as a band and have been able to confirm all the expectations. Congrats to them for focusing on their own material. Highly recommendable album.

 

 

Tracklist:

01 - Tu Chi Sei? (Who are You? ) 03:47   
02 - Diritto di Plagio (Right of Plagiarism) 02:27   
03 - Immobili (Properties) 04:18   
04 - Scegli (Choose) 03:44   
05 - Cenere (Ash) 02:32   
06 - La Rivolta Del Cammello (The Camel Uprising) 04:29   
07 - La Tua Ultima Dose (Your Last Dose) 03:05   
08 - In Classifica (In Ranking) 03:07
09 - In Una Vetrina (In a Showcase) 03:30   
10 - Esplodi (Explode) 02:51   
11 - Un Altro Autunno (Another Autumn) 03:28

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Click to buy:

Bandcamp
iTunes

Review by Kinksmarkham

VIDEOS - STUMBLERS

The Stumblers' videos for "City Rats" and "Stone Cold Side of Town"

The Stumblers - City Rats

The Stumblers - Stone Cold Side of Town

REVIEW - DRIÁK "Tvrdá realita" Cecek Records (2015)

Driák "Tvrdá realita" Cecek Records CR161
Release date: May 23, 2015
Running Time: 37:49, 12 tracks 

“Tvrdá realita” is the third album by Cezch band Driák.  Průža (accordion, vocals), Tůča (guitar), Milda (guitar, vocals), Lukašenko (bass, vocals) and Lukas alias Ježíšek (drums) are not a Celtic punk band, but a kick-ass accordion punk band. They sing in their mother tongue, but they are a worth hearing band.

Obviously my favourite songs are the accordion fronted numbers: the opening track “Nekonecný Seriál”, the catchy single “Pátek trináctýho” (the video for this song can be watched here ), the Across the Border sounding tracks “Nocní mura” and “Holky ceský” (awesome!), “Zakázaný ovoce” (with that ska punk part), the closing number “Poslední vlak” and “Geniální vynálezce” (a track where the accordion doesn’t play the major role). There is no accordion on “Veselé Vánoce”, but it’s an infectious punk song with amazing gang vocals.

“Tvrdá realita” comes in a jewel case with a 16 page booklet. All the lyrics in Czech are included, together with a pic for every song, line-up, thank yous and the band logo. The album cover has drawn my attention, since in Spanish we say “he feels like a kid with new shoes” when someone is happy.

If you want to stretch your folk-punk boundaries and you enjoy punk music even if it’s not sung in English, don’t think twice: grab a copy of Driák “Tvrdá realita”

Tracklist (Click on the song's title to listen):

01 - Nekonecný Seriál (Infinite Series)
02 - Do jednoho pytle (In the Spotlight)
03 - Pátek trináctýho (Friday 13th)
04 - Všeobecnej strach (General Fear)
05 - Veselé Vánoce (Merry Christmas)
06 - Nocní mura (Nightmare)
07 - Orbis Pictus
08 - Deti a hrdinové (Children and Heroes)
09 - Holky ceský (Czech Girls)
10 - Geniální vynálezce (Genius Inventor)
11 - Zakázaný ovoce (Forbidden Fruit)
12 - Poslední vlak (The Last Train)

Website
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Bandzone

E-Mail the band to buy the CD:

driak-punkrock@centrum.cz

or purchase it from Cecek Store

Review by Kinksmarkham

BAND OF THE MONTH - DYSANIA

Dysania is our Band of September 2015. The songs from their EP will be at the top of the page on the right side till the end of the month.

"Dysania are an original six piece band hailing from the mighty Co. Monaghan. Through experimentally blending the Irish language into Punk/Indie-Rock with a twist of traditional irish music, we have forged a style that critics have called "bog rock”. The Irish language is the heart and soul of the group; we write and perform "as gaeilge" as well as doing our utmost to promote the "cúpla focail". The Irish language is the heart and soul of the group; we write and perform "as gaeilge" as well as doing our utmost to promote the "cúpla focail".

Influenced by an eclectic mix- From Stiff Little Fingers and The Smiths to The Waterboys and the Arctic Monkeys; we find ourselves tossing the musical salad with everything from funk and punk basslines, to jangly indie guitar tones and dulcet tin whistle-isms.

Like a wheelybin headed down Queen Maeve’s Cairn, we have been picking up speed since our formation last April, playing 31 gigs in total around the country where ever possible. Such venues included: McKenna's Bar-Monaghan, Doyle's Bar-Dublin, The Spirit Store, The Aviva Stadium, "An Cabaret Craiceailte" in Gweedore, Co.Donegal, The Menagerie agus The Galway Bay Hotel.The band has featured on BBC Radio Ulster, RTE Radio na Gaeltachta, Radio na Life and most recently on BBC2's irish language magazine show "I Lár an Aonaigh". Just recently we were awarded 1st place in the national music competition organised by Gael Linn, Scléip. We shall be recording our EP in Trackmix studios, Dublin this July and are on the bill with HamSandwich and the Flaws for the Carrickmacross Arts Festival this August."

Line-up:

Josh mc Phillips - Vocals, guitar
Jamie Ó Suiligh - Bass
Aindriú de Buitléir - Guitar, vocals
Cian o'Connor - Drums
Paul Beagan - Tin whistle
Aoife Ní Roideáin - Fiddle, vocals

Discography:

An Treo Eile (4 tracks, August 2015)

"The first outing of Monaghan Bog Rock band Dysania. A mixed bag of genres from Rock to Trad, and Indie to Funk. Jangly guitar, driving bass lines, and of course everything through Irish. The sounds are distinctly Celtic, bringing bands such as the Horslips and Waterboys to mind, yet distinctly modern, reminiscent of the Arctic Monkeys or Royal Bloods. Though comparisons can be drawn it is its own sound altogether. The 6 piece aimed to explore the sonic landscape, and this E.P is what they found."

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REVIEW - THE CLANNS "s/t" (2015)

The Clanns "The Clanns" Self-released
Release date: May 18, 2015
Running Time: 32:12, 9 tracks
 

The Clanns is a five piece Celtic rock band from British Columbia: Scotty Guy (lead vocals), Angela Maharajh (fiddle, lead vocals), Al Black Davidson (drums, lead vocals), Len Imbery (accordion, backup vocals) and Earl Upright (upright bass, backup vocals). The band was born in 2014 and they recorded a live demo (a couple of standards, a Flogging Molly cover and a The Mahones cover). For their self-titled debut album they have focused on their own material and the effort has paid off. Only 1 out of 9 songs is a standard (the closing number “Whiskey in the Jar”) and fiddler Angela has put lyrics to a couple of tunes. The rest of the songs have been written by Angela or Al.

The catchiest songs on the CD are amazing booze songs: the opening track “Lucky Bastard” (written by Angela) and the third track “Man of the Hour" (written by Al). “Maggie McVee” is another awesome number about a special woman.

Apart from those Celtic rock numbers, there are other songs worth hearing, like “Happy Birthday Baby”, a Celtic pop number sung by Angela and “I’ll Be Sorry”, a lively song written by Al with great fiddle arrangements.

Regarding the semi-traditional stuff, “The Butterfly” is a well-known tune (it can be found on The Bothy Band’s debut album) and Angela has written the lyrics. This number features both boy and girl vocals. “West Coast Trail” is based on the tune “Tam Lin”. The Clanns have done a great job with this song whose lyrics are about a trail following the southwestern edge of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada that was built in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of survivors of shipwrecks along the coast

The Clanns debut album is packed in a gatefold sleeve. There is a band pic and full credits. Even if there is no booklet with the lyrics, a wonderful PDF file can be downloaded from the band’s website.

We do love Canadian Celtic rock bands and The Clanns are a good addition to our list. Hats-off for delivering an interesting self-penned Celtic rock album.

Tracklist:

1 - Lucky Bastard 3:38
2 - Happy Birthday Baby 2:53
3 - Man of the Hour 3:39
4 - Maggie McVee 2:38
5 - Butterfly 3:32
6 - Goodbye Dark Skies 3:18
7 - West Coast Trail 4:12
8 - I'll Be Sorry 4:12
9 - Whiskey in the Jar 3:50

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Contact the band to buy the CD

theclanns@gmail.com

Review by Kinksmarkham