REVIEW - THE MAHONES The Hunger & The Fight Part 2" (2015)

The Mahones "The Hunger & The Fight (Part Two)" Wolverine Records WRR215
Release date: October 16th, 2015
Running time: 40:58, 12 tracks

The voyage is over. If “The Hunger & The Fight (Part One)" was said to be focused on The Mahones folk side and on Dublin city, “The Hunger & The Fight (Part Two)” is said to be focused on the band’s punk side and on New York City.

What can be heard on this final concept album installment? Amazing songs (“Turn This Town”, a number coming back to the “Here Comes Lucky” era), the usual anthems (“Riot Tonight”, featuring Strawberry Blondes singer Mickie Stabbs on guest vocals, “Irish Brigade” and the gimmicky “Punk Rock Saved my Life”), early U2 inspired stuff (“Skeleton Sea”), Velvet Underground/Lou Reed infused material (“JFK”) and simple but effective numbers (the hardcore song “F*** You”). “Réamhrá”, the link to the previous album, is a short but  interesting uileann pipes intro.  And “The Parting Glass” is probably the best standard cover that The Mahones have ever recorded (maybe because they have followed a different approach).

On the other side, there are a few album fillers. The mash-up “Hunger & The Fight Ouverture” was not really needed.  The “Alternative Ulster” cover is too faithful to the original. And I do understand that The Mahones wanted to dedicate a track to Cuzo, but “Dancing in the Moonlight” as a bonus track after “The Parting Glass” doesn’t work at all.

“The Hunger & The Fight (Part Two)” CD is delivered in a 4 panel digipack. The liner notes provide all the info (band’s line-up, guests, studio credits, song credits, thank yous and the dedication to the late Paul “Cuzo” Mancuso). Unfortunately, there are no lyrics to the songs. All the fans that have funded the album will find their names on one of the panels (among them, some Celtic punk active fans on Facebook like Barry Burke, David Engelman, Timmy Mihalko or Rafael Ponchio, together with former Irish Moutarde piper Christian Haerinck).

“Part Two” has been produced again by Finny and Dave Baksh. This time, the album has not been mixed and mastered by Gene Hugues; Paddy MCallion and Josh Gwilliam have mixed the album in Calgary and Rene de la Muerte (“Angel & Devils” co-producer) has mastered it in Montreal. The guests list is shorter than usual. Apart from Mickie Stabbs, Mark Gilligan plays sax on “Dancing in the Moonlight” and Paddy McCallion guitar on “Dancing in the Moonlight” and “Alternative Ulster”. By the way, track order is different on the iTunes digital version, since “Irish Brigade (Fighting 69th)” is track no. 3 and “Skeleton Sea” track no. 4, while on the European CD version “Skeleton Sea” runs before “Irish Brigade (Fighting 69th)”

Anyway, Finny, Katie and Dom must be happy. Whatever they do, their fans and fellow reviewers will love it.

Tracklist:

01 - Réamhrá 0:25
02 - Punk Rock Saved My Life 4:06
03 - Skeleton Sea 4:44
04 - Irish Brigade (The Fighting 69th) 3:34
05 - Turn This Town (New York City) 4:27
06 - JFK 3:42
07 - Hunger & the Fight Overture 5:21
08 - Riot Tonight 3:56
09 - F*** You 1:55
10 - Alternative Ulster 2:55
11 - The Parting Glass 2:12
12 - BONUS TRACK: Dancing in the Moonlight 3:42

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Review by Kinksmarkham

FREE DOWNLOAD - THE FUCKING BUCKAROOS "Puro Pinche Pari"

The Fucking Buckaroos Mexican music EP "Puro Pinche Pari", covering The Pogues and Los Tigres del Norte. The songs have already been added to our streaming radio rotation. Enjoy!!!

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The Fucking Buckaroos' Discography at Bandcamp

Line-up:

Rob "El Gallo Giro" Pugh - Vocals/Accordions
Travis O'Guin - Mandoling/Backing Vox
Tim Sandberg - Banjo/Vocals
Ricky Pugh - Guitar/Backing Vox
Andrew Appleton - Drums
Rodrigo Leni - Trumpet
Jon Peck - Head Blowing Stuff
Quincy Atkins - Blower of Blowingstuff
Thomas Puhek - Bass

Pay what you want, please!

DOWNLOAD (Name Your Price):

Bandcamp

 

VIDEO AND FREE DOWNLOAD - O'HAMSTERS "Stakan (Glass)"

O'Hamsters, our favourite band from Kiev has just released a single and a video for the song "Stakan (Glass)":

O'Hamster - Ctakah



DOWNLOAD:

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REVIEW - THE NARROWBACKS "The After Hours EP" (2015)

The Narrowbacks "The After Hours EP"
Release date: October 23, 2015
Running time: 17:02, 5 tracks
  
The Narrowbacks are a sextet from New York: Seamus Keane (lead vocals, harmonica), Barry Walsh (banjo, mandolin), Patrick Keane (accordion), Fionn McElligott (guitar), Chris Moran (drums and percussion) and Anthony Chen (bass). You’ll be familiar with them, since they have been sharing some free stuff at Bandcamp and we have been posting the links regularly. “The After Hours EP” is the follow-up to their debut album “Fire it up”. The guys have called some friends (Joe Mulvanerty of Black 47 on Uilleann pipes, Andrew McCarrick of Jameson's Revenge on flute and tin whistle and Katie Linnane of Broken Banjo Strings on fiddle) and have recorded some of their favourite standards.

The EP begins with “Star of the Co. Down”, a song that I use as a filter to decide if a band covers the traditional stuff in the right direction. And The Narrowbacks rendition, with uileann pipes, flute, banjo and percussion, is a winner.

“Rising of The Moon” is led by banjo and accordion and there is a kick-ass uileann pipes passage.

“Fields of Athenry” is the song that every single band usually covers, based on the Dropkick Murphys version. However, that song was previously recorded by the likes of Neck and Greenland Whalefishers. The Narrowbacks’ rendition is closer to those recordings, mainly to the Neck’s one with the hey-hey shouts. Band’s tend to copy the epic of the DKM’s song and a different approach is always welcome.

Finally, “Patriot’s Game” is the kind of standard that I’m always looking for: good song that has not been overexposed. Flute, accordion and uileann pipes shine on this song.

There is and additional track, a sort of a bonus track titled “Aqueduct North 3:15 am (Live)” which is a short “pub” version (just vocals and claps) of The Pogues “A Pair of Brown Eyes”.

“The After Hours EP” digital copies are available from CDbaby and iTunes. Hard copies can be bought at the band’s shows only.

Normally I’m not interested in Irish standards covers, but it’s fair to admit that The Narrowbacks have recorded fantastic renditions on “The After Hours EP”, thanks to the blend of the band’s musicianship and the quality of the guests.
 

Tracklist:

1 - Star of the County Down 3:27
2 - Rising of the Moon 3:16
3 - Fields of Athenry 4:05
4 - Patriot Game 4:38
5 - Aqueduct North, 4:15am (Live) 1:25

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Review by Kinksmarkham

FEATURED CD AT CELTIC-FOLK-PUNK RADIO (27-28 NOVEMBER 2015)

The McDrinkers "Bring The Barrels" is the featured at Celtic-Folk-Punk radio

Schedule as follows:

Friday 27 November 2015
From 9h00 to 11h00 CET and from 18h00 to 20h00 CET

Saturday 28 November 2105

From 9h00 to 11h00 CET and from 20h00 to 22h00 CET

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/

REVIEW - BLACKSTONE CÚIL "s/t" (2015)

Blackstone Cúil "s/t", self-released
Release date: June 26, 2015
Running time: 28:29, 6 tracks

Four piece band Blackstone Cúil hail from Worcester, MA (USA). Their name comes from an area in Worcester where the Irish emigrant workers lived while working on a canal (further info here and here). Mike Ladd (lead vocals, guitars), Myra MacLeod (fiddle), Steve Harnois (bass, not on the album) and John Guertin (drums, bodhrán and percussion) have coined a term for their music, Irish Mod.

The mini-album kicks off with “Dark Inishowen”, a ballad written by David A. Campbell, which gets a rocking treatment with a perfect rhythm section, fiddle arrangements, some mandolin and backing vocals.

The next track is an original by Mike Ladd, “Blackstone Cúil”. The lyrics are not included on the 4 page booklet, but they can found on the band’s website (click on song lyrics). It’s a poignant song with a The Waterboys twist about the Irish emigrants’ lives in that Worcester corner called Blackstone Cúil.

“Irish Ways and Irish Laws” is another highlight on the album. There is an instrumental part with a strong Planxty feel.

George Gershwin song “Summertime” is covered and it’s the jazzy-est moment on the album

The last two numbers are “Scrawl”, a fiddle-rock song written by Mike, and “Cliffs of Moher”, a brilliant Irish rock rendition of a Dermot Kelly ballad.

“Blackstone Cúil” comes in a jewel case. The 4 page booklet includes band's pic, studio credits, songs credits, band’s line-up and guests, thank yous and contact info. Joe Miglionico played bass on the album and Brendan Keenan, from Celtic local band Fergus, Irish bouzouki, mandolin and low whistle.

Blackstone Cúil’s debut album is not the standard Celtic punk album that we normally review, but it’s an enjoyable album. Go to CDbaby and check out some clips of their songs.

Tracklist:

1. Dark Inishowen 4:49 (Lyrics)
2. Blackstone Cúil 5:14
3. Irish Ways & Irish Laws 6:01
4. Summertime 4:09
5. Scrawl 4:03   
6. Cliffs of Moher 4:13 (Lyrics)

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Review by Kinksmarkham

VIDEO - BENJAMING'S CLAN "Baby Boxy"

Benjaming's Clan new video.

Benjaming's Clan - Baby Boxy

REVIEW - THE DOGS FROM THE GRAPES "Sailor Without Sea" (2015)

The Dogs from the Grapes "Sailor Without Sea"
Release date: September 30, 2015
Running time: 20: 22, 8 tracks

The Dogs from The Grapes are a new Italian band from Brentonico that were our Band of the Month in October. The sextet have released an 8 track mini-album on which Italian Celtic punk and North American Celtic punk influences are merged.

The songs from the album can be divided into three groups. The first one would include fast-paced self-penned songs: the opening track “Brotherhood of DTG”, a well-balanced mix of mandolin, accordion and flute, “Red Ribbons”, a catchy song that can be filed together with The Dirty Artichokes early material and “Riot Bomb”, another amazing pub(folk) rock number.

Three tracks could be put on the second group: more mature efforts like “Sailor without a Sea”, “A Working Class Song”, interesting song with la-la-la chorus and “Together Again” with its banjo intro, infectiuos chorus and their Italian DNA.

Finally, the covers. The Dogs from the Grapes cover one ballad and one reel. “The Wild Rover” is played with gusto while “The Congress Reel” gets a different treatment. Instead of playing the tune at the right speed, The Dogs from The Grapes play a first round at a slower pace, then a second round at a mid-pace and finally, the reel is played at full speed.

“Sailor Without a Sea” is the first step on The Dogs from The Grapes’ career. The band has the right punk attitude and their instruments mix, with banjo/mandolin and flute instead of tin whistle, places them together with other young and fresh bands from Hungary and Italy.

Tracklist:

1. Brotherhood of D.F.T.G. 01:00   
2. Sailor Without Sea 03:03
3. The Wild Rover 02:21
4. A Working Class Song 03:05
5. Red Ribbons 02:15   
6. Riot Bomb 03:24   
7. Congress Reel 02:05   
8. Together Again 02:52

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Review by Kinksmarkham

VIDEO - DOOZER McDOOZE "I Think Politicians Should Be Put On Minimum Wage"

Doozer McDooze official video for "I Think Politicians Should Be Put On Minimum Wage"

Doozer McDooze - I Think Politicians Should Be Put On Minimum Wage

"Anyone who is doing a job, should be able to get a living wage. That's the point I was trying to make. I do like hearing everyones views. I know im having a pop at the politicians but they are the same people who are having a pop at everyone else. I'll show you all the song very soon. But its also about how quickly the minimum wage would rise if politicians were forced to be on minimum wage. As when I play this song live I always say that this is just my opinion, I'm not saying I'm correct. Its good to find out what everyone things. We should discuss this sort of thing rather than just bend over and take it."

Lyrics
Not Enough to Live on, Not Enough to Spend
On all of your Bills, And all of your Rent
And there's not that many council House's coz she sold alot
and no one can tell me what to done with the dosh

Chorus
I think Politicians Should Be Put on Minimum Wage
Then we'll see how quickly that it is RAISED

The Cost of Living goes up every single day
Its getting harder and harder to pay your way
When you got bills coming out of your eye and ears and Nose
and everyone just tell me thats just the way it goes

Chorus
I think Politicians Should Be Put on Minimum Wage
Then we'll see how quickly that it is RAISED

A baked potatoe and a tin of beans a day
thats enough to live on or so they say
but we're only ever 3 meals from total anarchy
and if that really happens then i just say let it be

Chorus
I think Politicians Should Be Put on Minimum Wage
Then we'll see how quickly that it is RAISED

 

FREE DOWNLOADS - DOOZER McDOOZE

Doozer McDooze is a singer songwriter from Essex, south of England. He prides himself on his ability and passion to play everywhere and anywhere; from venues to car parks, squats, campfires, backs of vans, queues, the street, coffee shops, pubs and house parties... the list is endless.

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He has toured all over Europe, in nine different Countries, and tons of Festivals such as Glastonbury, Bearded Theory Beautiful days and Lattitude.. Last year hit a personal record of 34 festivals. Which is how the single "I Don't Wanna Go Home" came to fruition.

This single nearly got into the actual charts, but it was then knocked off the number one spot of the 'Movers & Shakers' chart on Amazon by The Rolling Stones.
 

However, earlier this year Doozer McDooze managed to reach number 1 in the Amazon Folk charts with his most recent single release called “I Think Politicians Should Be Put On Minimum Wage”

In a download world of media solitude, Doozer likes to give music back to the people.

Doozer writes honest, infectious lyrics, with an earworm value.

He was also an Roadie/Tour Manager/Merch Bloke/Driver for Band, Grave Digger, Father Christmas, a Toilet Cleaner and former UK Air Guitar Champion.

"The sound of a scrap between The Levellers & The Pogues being broken up by Billy Bragg" - Tom Robinson BBC 6Music

DOWNLOAD (Name Your Price):

"Let´s Give Up Everything and Go Live in a Van" (14 tracks, 2014)
"Live at Vigilstock 2015" (8 tracks, 2015)

VIDEOS - THE GREAT SHAME "Boundary Street" and "Police State"

Aussie band The Great Shame videos for "Boundary Street" (Yes, the tune is "Drowsy Maggie") and "Police State".

The Great Shame - Boundary Street

The Great Shame - Police State

REVIEW - FILTHY NELLY "Tranquilize This!" (2015)

Filthy Nelly "Tranquilize This!"
Release date: September 17th, 2015
Running time: 44:27, 11 tracks

Filthy Nelly are a six piece from The Netherlands: Katastrof (lead vocals), Trackie (bass), Ngk Sélavy (drums, percussion), Crazy Dwarf (guitar, vocals), Don Dirtbag (accordion vocals) and Miss Crisis (violin, vocals). The band was established in 2005 as a folk punk band and their first recording was a 6 track EP released in 2006 and titled “Fast Feet Galore”. However, their sound evolved, adding some drops of Balkan, gypsy and reggae music to the songs from their debut album "Festival!" (2010) and they labeled their style as Eurospeedfolk .

“Tranquilize This!” is their second album and sometimes they remind me of The Tower of Dudes. My fave tracks are “Party of One”, an upbeat fiddle fronted song, “(Don’t Be a) Negative Nancy”, and Irish polka song with a Mr. Irish Bastard twist, and “If I Had Known”, a British folk-rock showcasing fiddle and accordion.

Other interesting tracks are “Bottle of Vodka”, an amazing folk-rock number with a The Barely Works spirit, “Brussels Midi” and “Quite Right”, with a Madness sounding arrangement. Fans loving reggae will enjoy “New Day” and fans loving French accordion songs will appreciate “The Painter”.

“Tranquilize This!” is packed in a digipack. Liner notes include the band’s line-up, studio credits, thank yous and artwork credits, together with booking contacts. The album can be bought from Bandcamp, so go ahead, stream the songs and, if you like it, buy the album.
 
Tracklist:

01 - Quite Right 3:22
02 - Brussels-Midi 4:26
03 - Down On Mainstreet 4:15
04 - Party of One 3:49
05 - Bottle of Vodka 3:02
06 - The Painter 3:08
07 - New Day 4:08
08 - (Don't Be a) Negative Nancy 4:30
09 - The Hunting Season 3:55
10 - If I Had Known 3:15
11 - Tranquilize This! 6:10
   
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Review by Kinksmarkham

VIDEO - THE GAELLEON "La buteglia del Fracass"

The Gaelleon is a new band from Italy. This video is an advance from their upcoming album.

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Line-up:

Max - Acoustic guitar, lead vocals
Sonya - Background vocals
Chris - Bass
Dilo - electric guitar, mandolin
Mathia - Accordion
Mirko - Drums

The Gaelleon - La buteglia del fracass



 
 

FEATURED CDs AT CELTIC-FOLK-PUNK RADIO (20-21 NOVEMBER 2015)

The CopOuts (Our Band of November), Coming Up Threes "The EP", The Barataria Project "s/t" and Vagrant Nation (advance from their upcoming album) will be featured at Celtic-Folk-Punk radio

Coming Up Threes

The CopOuts

The Barataria Project

Vagrant Nation


Schedule as follows:

Friday 20 November 2015

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

Saturday 21 November 2105

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

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 - SMOKEY BASTARD "Baba Yaga"

After the release of their new album, and midway through their UK album release tour, Smokey Bastard have shared the new, animated video stream for 'Baba Yaga'. 

The single tells a tale from Russian/Slavic folklore of Baba Yaga alongside Polka inspired musicianship.

In Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga is a supernatural being who appears as a deformed and/or ferocious-looking woman. Baba Yaga flies around in a mortar, wields a pestle, and dwells deep in the forest in a hut usually described as standing on chicken legs (or sometimes a single chicken leg). Baba Yaga may help or hinder those that encounter or seek her out. She sometimes plays a maternal role, and also has associations with forest wildlife...

Smokey Bastard - Baba Yaga

 

 

 

REVIEW - SMOKEY BASTARD "Back to the Drawing Room" (2015)

Smokey Bastard "Back to the Drawing Room" Bomber Music UXB027

Release date: November 13th, 2015
Running time: 40:36, 10 tracks

Smokey Bastard and Roughneck Riot have some similarities. Firstly, both bands’ instrumentation is the same: bass, drums, electric guitar, accordion, banjo and mandolin.  Secondly, both of them released straightforward Celtic-punk debut albums around 2009-2010 and both of them shifted away to new folk-punk territories on their second and third albums. Obviously, their sound and influences are different. But both bands followed a smarter and more interesting approach.

“Back to the Drawing Room” is Smokey Bastard’s third album. Four years have gone by from “Tales from the Wasteland”, their brilliant second album. And I must say that the wait has been too long.

Taking into account that The Dreadnoughts are “on hiatus”, the fans missing Vancouver’s finest band will appreciate several Smokey Bastard’s songs were The Dreadnoughts influence can be noticed. For instance, the first kick-ass tracks, “Archipelago” and “Rats”. This is not really new, since that “Polka/gypsy” flavour was also present on some tracks from their previous album.

The next number is titled “Baba Yaga”. The accordion first notes have a Russian feel, but soon the song gets an upbeat twist à la Manu Chao. Another album highlight.

The following two tracks “Faster than Light” and “Screens” share lively moments with toned down passages, electric guitar and the remarkable band’s backing vocals.

The second half of the album kicks off with Smokey Bastard’s a cappella rendition of “South Australia”. “Rotter”, the next number, gets closer to Sir Reg music, as Brit-Pop arrangements can be heard.

Track no. 8 “Alcobatical” is a personal fave, a The Dreadnoughts go pop-punk hit. And the level is really high till the end of the album: “Jester”, with its brass instruments, and “Can of Worms”, where the band’s new “progressive” approach shines.

“Back to the Drawing Room” is available on vinyl and digipack CD. Sleeve notes including the lyrics to the songs, line-up, guests, studio credits and amazing drawings.

Smokey Bastard keep on moving forward. Maybe some tracks are a little bit long, but the six-piece band from Reading have developed their own sound. They enjoy what they play and their fans become infected by their enthusiasm.

Tracklist:

01 - Archipelago 5:18
02 - Rats 3:49
03 - Baba Yaga 5:10
04 - Faster Than Light 4:32
05 - Screens 3:56
06 - South Australia 1:26
07 - Rotter 4:19
08 - Alcobatical 3:29
09 - Jester 4:06
10 - Can Of Worms 5:38

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Review by Kinksmarkham

 

VIDEO - McONAK "Bizirik"

McOnak video for "Bizirik" off their forthcoming album "Galarrena"

McOnak - Bizirik

THE RUMJACKS - AUSTRALIAN EAST COAST TOUR AND THIRD VIDEO FROM "SOBER & GODLESS"

The Rumjacks ‘Home Rule’ East Coast Tour just weeks away!

Sydney show confirmed, The Loft Warrnambool date added

Sydney folk-punk band The Rumjacks are delighted to announce that their final shows of the year will be on home soil, as they treat fans to the ‘Home Rule’ East Coast tour across November/December.

Fresh from a hugely successful debut overseas tour where they played to more than 50,000 fans in the Northern Hemisphere over three months, and a stellar return performance at Bigsound Live, the band has never been more gig ready! They have earned a fearsome reputation for the strength and passion of their live shows, tearing up the stage and inspiring audiences with their raw energy.

‘Home Rule’ will give The Rumjacks an opportunity to further showcase tracks from their acclaimed current album ‘Sober & Godless’, as they gear up for a massive 2016 with new recording, many more Australian shows to be announced, a return to the UK & Europe, and further overseas touring.

In addition to a fervid local fanbase, The Rumjacks have amassed a significant international presence; alongside their touring success, they’re now ranked as #4 band on Spotify outside of Australia, and the music video for their track ‘An Irish Pub Song’ has hit 12.4 million views on YouTube.

The Rumjacks ‘Home Rule’ East Coast Tour

Presented by The Music, Black Matilda, The Harbour Agency & Troubadour Music

November

Thursday 19 Bendigo Hotel, Collingwood
Friday 20 Barwon Club, Geelong
Saturday 21 The Loft, Warrnambool

December

Friday 4 The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
Sunday 6 The Jubilee Hotel, Brisbane
Friday 11 Marrickville Bowling Club, Sydney

Tickets on sale from www.therumjacks.com

The Rumjacks - Home