2016-12-31 VIDEOS - LES VRILLÉS and TRANSPHER

A couple of Celtic rock videos from France: Les Vrillés "Flibustier" et Transpher "Live 2016".

Les Vrillés hail from Brittany. You can find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Les Vrillés - Filibustier
 

Transpher - Live 2016

2016-12-23 BEST OF 2016 - CELTIC PUNK/ROCK ALBUMS AND CELTIC PUNK/ROCK EPs AND MINI-ALBUMS

This year it has been very difficult to choose the best CDs and the lists have been modified several times in the last couple of weeks. As you're interested in checking out the lists, just a comment: these are, IMHO,  the most enjoyable CDs of 2016. This is neither a contest, nor a competition. Enjoy!

THE BEST CELTIC PUNK / ROCK ALBUMS 2016 - TOP 40

16 albums from North America: 11 from the USA and 5 from Canada

2 albums from South America: 2 from Brazil

3 albums from Australasia: 3 from Australia

2 albums from Asia: 1 from China and 1 from Indonesia

17 albums from Europe: 4 from France, 4  from Spain, 2 from Germany, 2 from The Netherlands, 1 from the Czech Republic, 1 from Italy, 1 from Romania, 1 from Sweden, 1 from Northern Ireland

1 - Mickey Rickshaw "Behind the Eight Ball" Review and Free download
2 - The Rumjacks "Sleepin' Rough" Review
3 - The Dread Crew of Oddwood "Lawful Evil"       
4 - The Cloves and The Tobacco "Across the Horizon" Review
5 - Bodh'aktan "Bodh'aktan" Review
6 - Ruckus Deluxe "Crashing the Gate" Review
7 - McOnak "Galarrena" Review
8 - SMZB "The Chinese are Coming" Review
9 - To the Last Drop "Shipwreck" Review
10 - SIR REG    "Modern Day Disgrace" Review
11- 13Krauss "The End is Nigh" Review
12 - Kilkenny Knights "Highland Rebels & Lowland Buskers" Review
13 - Drink Hunters "Shameless" Review
14 - RATS "Par terra, céu e mar" Review
15 - Pirates of the Pubs "Drunken Forever" Review
16 - The O'Reillys and The Paddyhats "Seven Hearts One Soul" Review
17 - Sisters of Murphy "Working Stiffs Unite!" Review
18 - The Narrowbacks    "Arrogance & Ignorance"  Review
19 - The Langer's Ball "Whiskey Outlaws" Review
20 - High Sea Looters "The Beginning" Free download
21 - Ghost of Bannockburn "Songs of the Warrior Poet" Review
22 - Katie's Randy Cat "Irish Reply" Review   
23 - LQR "10 Pinter" Review
24 - Drunken Dogs "Pints" Review
25 - Alternative Ulster "Rebellion" Review
26 - Meneguinnness "A chi non dorme" Review
27 - Bunch of Bastards "My Drinkin' Ain't Done" Review
28 - Sigelpa    "Rabant Original" Review and Free download
29 - Lugh "Histórias do mar" Review
30 - Fox'n'Firkin "No Vacancy" Review
31 - CopOuts "This is to Her Life" Review
32 - Selfish Murphy "Broad Jump" Review   
33 - The Muckers "s/t" Review
34 - Jay Wars & The Howard Youth "Love in the Time of Fear" Review
35 - Derina Harvey Band "Rove and Go" Review
36 - Shoepolishers "Shoepolishers" Review
37 - Wenches and Rogues "s/t" Review
38 - Rusty Nail "Bitter Ale, Bitter Heart" Review
39 - Celtic Hangover "Don't Fool Yourself" Review
40 - The Logues "Comin of Age" Review

 

THE BEST CELTIC PUNK / ROCK EPS and MINI-ALBUMS 2016 - TOP 25

7 EPs from North America: 4 from the USA and 3 from Canada

5 EPs from Australasia: 5 from Australia

13 EPs from Europe: 5 from the UK, 3 from France, 3 from Germany, 1 from Hungary and 1 from Russia

1 - The Ramshackle Army "Whitewashed Graves" Review
2 - Mick O'Toole "A Working Class Battalion" Review
3 - The Bay Street Bastards "Small Batch" Review
4 - Rogue Scholars "The King, the Maid and the Rebel" Review
5 - The Grinning Barretts "Live" Featured band
6 - The Barefoot Sailors "Davey Jones' Locker" Review
7 - In for a Penny "Every Day Should Be Saint Paddy's Day" Review
8 - Sons of Clogger "Compilation" Free download
9 - Drunken Fairy Tales "P'yanyye Skazki" Free download
10 - Mad Man's Crew "Way to Go" Free download
11 - Sons of O'Flaherty "Misc Songs" Free download
12 - Across the Border "Calling 999" Review
13 - A Drunker Shade of Green "A Drunker Shade of Green" Review
14 - Handsome Young Strangers "Battle of Broken Hill" Review
15 - Mickey Rickshaw "Wild Atlantic - Acoustic EP" Free download
16 - Jack Flash "Nothing But a Bad Dream" Review and free download
17 - Lexington Field "Redwood" Review
18 - The Ceili Family "Ministry of Silly Folk" Review
19 - The Silk Road "The Silk Road" Review
20 - The Whipjacks "Scoundrels and Rogues" Review
21 - Medusa's Wake "EP1" Free download
22 - Les Tricards "Le rot 2016" Free download
23 - Korrigan's Celtic Rock "Tournée générale!" Review
24 - Paddy's Funeral "Adequately Supplied Clowns" Free download
25 - Sinful Maggie "EP" Free download

Unfortunately, some interesting CDs didn't make the album's list, since there were only 40 places. Anyway, several songs from those CDs are being played regularly at Celtic Folk Punk Radio. 

Regarding compilation albums, remember that our friend from Russia Vladimir Andreevich released a kick-ass Tribute to The Pogues double album featuring 27 bands (and it's free). 

Thanks again to all the bands for sending their stuff and special thanks to my mates Phil (PaddyRock) and Mark (London Celtic Punks) for their friendship and support.

2016-12-21 ALBUM REVIEW - SMZB "The Chinese Are Coming" (2016)

SMZB "The Chinese Are Coming" Maybe Mars
Release date: September 30, 2016
Running time: 55:54, 16 tracks


I’ve been a SMZB fan since I came across them on the internet in 2008. “Ten Years Rebellion” is a classic bagpipes punk album and their following release, “Sin Harmony”, was the best Celtic punk album in my list for 2012 . When they released “A Letter from China” in 2014, I felt that it was very good, but some of the freshness had gone away. If was afraid that the magic was gone, but I was wrong. I found a link to an article at the band’s Wikipedia  and there is a sentence at the end that is very clear: “I like our new album (“A Letter from China”),” he (Wu Wei) says demurely. “But we will record a new record next year called The Chinese is Coming that I really love.” And I must admit that “The Chinese Are Coming” is an amazing come back.

“The Chinese are Coming” is a long album, as there are 16 tracks and the running time is around 56 minutes. However, there are no fillers and you’ll feel that the album is actually shorter than it is. The opening track “Intro” is a badass instrumental featuring pipes and percussion. It’s followed by “Ten Thousand Ways to Rebel”, a kick-ass song à la Dropkick Murphys via Bastards on Parade: more pipes, catchy woah choruses, oi! shouts and the whole lot. (You can watch the video for this song here )

The next number is the title track, “The Chinese Are Coming”. There is also a video  for this song. This is the Chinese version and it’s one of the best songs on the album: perfect gang vocals, brilliant tin whistle by Tang and excellent banjo by Tudou.

Track no. 4 is called “Born in the PRC”. Apart from tin whistle and banjo, there is electric guitar, some trumpet that gives the song an early Billy Bragg twist, and some kids singing that make me think of The Clash “Career Opportunities” on the “Sandinista!” album. Awesome.

“Road to Petition” is an upbeat banjo driven song with a ska-punk vibe and “Generation” has a cow punk feel because of the banjo. Some standout numbers arrive after those tracks: “Flower to Socialism” and “Sunny Speculation”. Both tracks move to the Rancid end and feature the classic sound of the band based on tin whistle.

More addictive banjo and trumpet can be heard on “One Night in Prison”, a song with a dancing beat featuring accordion. “Welcome to China” has a ska beat and a musical “fight” between electric guitar and tin whistle.

SMZB come back to the Rancid territory on “The Chinese Are Coming Again”. Together with the excellent tin whistle, there is fiddle and great bass playing too.

Girl/boy vocals on “Colonial Trip” a Flogging Molly infused song with banjo and trumpet. Interesting.

“Tattoo the Earth” is reminiscent of The Pogues “Tuesday Morning”. Once again, Tudou and Tang do a great job on banjo and pipes.

SMZB give the Bob Marley’s classic song “Redemption Song” a fast-paced bagpipes treatment. BTW, the late Joe Strummer (RIP 22 December 2002) recorded another top-notch rendition with the Mescaleros.

“Song of the Seagull” is a rad song. It kicks off with an acoustic guitar and the sound is a little bit Mexican / spaghetti western. Then, a girl sings backed by a piano. After this poignant part, the song bursts into a tin whistle led Celtic punk anthem. Further information about this song can be found on the YouTube video .

The bonus track is the English version of the title track, “The Chinese Are Coming”.

“The Chinese are Coming” has been released in 2016, the year that marks the band’s 20th Anniversary. I’m pretty sure that Wu Wei and his mates will keep on releasing brilliant albums in the following years. Remember that this album can be purchased from Bandcamp, so please go there and buy a legal copy. There’s no excuse, do yourself a favour and add this album to your collection.

Tracklist:

01. Intro 01:34   
02. Ten Thousand Ways To Rebel 03:09   
03. The Chinese Are Coming (Chinese version) 03:49   
04. Born In The PRC 03:13   
05. Road To Petition 02:15   
06. Generation 03:19
07. Flower Of The Socialism 03:04
08. Sunny Speculation 02:50
09. One Night In Prison 04:49 video
10. Welcome To China 02:46
11. The Chinese Are Coming Again 03:05
12. Colonial Trip 03:40
13. Tattoo The Earth 02:57   
14. Redemption Song 03:06   
15. Song Of The Seagull 07:51
16. The Chinese Are Coming (English version) 03:49

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Review by Kinksmarkham

2016-12-20 VIDEO UPDATE - ROGUE SCHOLARS, TOXIC FROGS, THE STUMBLERS, LEGEGABEA

Too many reviews to post, but a lot of videos to share too.

Remember that you can subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Rogue Scholars - We the ragamuffin



Toxic Frogs - Criminal Heart



The Stumblers - City Rats



Legegabea - Forajidos en un siglo de mierda

2016-12-19 EP REVIEW - ROGUE SCHOLARS "The King & the Maid & the Rebel" (2016)

Rogue Scholars "The King & the Maid & the Rebel"
Release date: 15 December 2016
Running time: 23:26, 7 tracks

“The King & the Maid & the Rebel” is the title of the long-awaited Rogue Scholars mini-album. Rogue Scholars hail from Gold Coast, Queensland (Australia) and they are Will Swan (lead vocals, accordion, tin whistle), Thomas D. Martin (banjo), Sean Moyles (guitars) and Govinda Gutwein (drums). Will Swan was a founding member of Catgut Mary and The Rumjacks, so for old Celtic punk fans like me he’s a legend and a guarantee that his band will be worth hearing.

Rogue Scholars mini-album consists of 7 tracks and 6 songs, given that there are two versions of “Xanadu”, the real one and the radio edit. Recently I reviewed the latest Handsome Young Strangers EP and they included a cover of a song by a kiwi pop singer. As Will was a guest on the Handsome Young Strangers debut album, I was a little bit worried. Maybe he has followed that trend and “Xanadu” was a cover of the Olivia Newton-John song. Fortunately, that was not the case and Rogue Scholars “Xanadu” is a self-penned song showcasing Will’s accordion and Sean’s rocking guitar.

“Mickey the Vermin” was advanced at the beginning of last year  and it reminds me of the earlier Rumjacks: jumping accordion, badass banjo, more electric guitar by Sean and Will switching to tin whistle too.

“Champagne Girls” was also advanced at the end of 2014 . The approach is a little bit different and the vocals have a British folk rock treatment. Amazing song.

“The Bank of the Roses” is the proof that there are innovative bands that are able to deliver real covers of Irish standards. A cover is not a carbon copy, and Rogue Scholars rendition of this song is brilliant.

"Melbourne Tram Song” will be familiar to some people, as this number was written by Will for Catgut Mary. As Will said at an interview on Shite’n’Onions a long time ago, “Melbourne Tram Song is basically a love song I wrote for the city. It blurs the line between the love for a person and the love for a place.” I must admit that I’ve always loved this song.

To finish up, Rogue Scholars have recorded a top-notch song: “We the Ragamuffin”. Watch out! This is a catchy number, you’ll end up singing along all the day long. All the proceeds from worldwide sales of "We the Ragamuffin" go to the White Ribbon Campaign.

“The King & the Maid & the Rebel” is a digital release and can be bought from the band’s Bancamp page. BTW, you’re right: most of the best EPs/mini-albums of the year have arrived in December.

Track list:

1. Xanadu 02:51   
2. Mickey the Vermin 03:13   
3. Champagne Girls 03:24   
4. The Banks of the Roses 03:34   
5. Xanadu (Radio Edit) 02:51   
6. Melbourne Tram Song 03:18   
7. We the Ragamuffin 04:11

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Review by Kinksmarkham

2016-12-18 EP REVIEW - THE BAY STREET BASTARDS "Small Batch" (2016)

The Bay Street Bastards "Small Batch"
Release date: 16 December 2016
Running time: 17:55, 5 tracks


The Bay Street Bastards were our Band of the Month last April 2015. These Canadians released a great debut album and now they have just delivered a 5 track EP titled “Small Batch”. There are a lot of words to define their brand new CD, but I’ve chosen this one: spectacular. They have kept all the things that made them an interesting band, but they have pushed the punk side of their sound and they look like a new (and better) band.

From the very first notes of “Hooligan Crew” you know what to expect from them. This one is a fast paced anthem with amazing accordion, a powerful rhythm section and gang vocals à la DKM. One of the songs of the year.

“Blood, Sweat and Teeth” follows a similar path: angst vocals, catchy woah chorus, full speed drumming, backing accordion and an electric guitar passage.

“Ships of November” has a quiet beginning with fiddle, acoustic guitar and harmonica. The vocals move to the Guns and Roses territory and then the song bursts into a ska punk accordion and fiddle led number with a Fiddler’s Green twist. It’s difficult to choose a favourite song, as all of them are perfect!

The next track is a new version of “Slappywag’s”. “Slappywag’s”? From their debut album? Yeah, that f*cking good song. If you felt that this number couldn’t be improved, you were wrong. The Bay Street Bastards have recorded the definitive version for this classic song. Grab a pint of stout and sing along, bastards!!!

The EP comes to its end with “Private Reserve” and the quality doesn’t go down. Lead vocals, backing vocals, rhythm section … everything is spotless, including the electric guitar part.

The Bay Street Bastards “Small Batch” is one of the best Celtic punk records of the year. Watch this space, because they will have a privileged place on the Best Celtic punk EPs of 2016. In the meanwhile, go to Bandcamp and buy your copy. And don’t forget to play it loud at home.

 

Track list:

1. Hooligan Crew 02:17
2. Blood, Sweat & Teeth 03:16
3. Ships of November 03:40
4. Slappywag's 04:36
5. Private Reserve 03:56

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Review by Kinksmarkham

 

2016-12-17 PADDY ROCK PODCAST - Episode #29 – Naughty & Nice Shakeup: A Christmas Spanktacular

(This podcast was originally posted at Paddy Rock last December 14. Enjoy!)

Christmas is almost here,

Let paste those happy face on and fill ourselfs of booze and bad intentions!! I mean we only get to do this once a year, why not make the most of it? For real though, for a lot of us Christmas time sucks, we manage just barely, but it sucks.!  If you see someone suffering this year lend them a hand, an ear, a place to hang out whatever your comfort zone is.  Regardless though if you love or hate the holidays I have a pretty kick ass Paddy Rocking Christmas Podcast lined up for you.  As I am sure you are well aware there is not much in the way of Celtic Christmas tunes so I revisited the last hanfdul of Podcasts and threw together some of the Naughtiest and some of The Niceest songs and brought you one Hell of a Spanktacular show..  There is no escaping it this year !  So get yer arses ready it’s time for Christmas ya bastards !! Enjoy this “Naughty & Nice Shakeup a Christmas Spanktacular” my Christmas gift to you all .

See you next year with the Best of 2016 !

As always thanks for listening ~ Phil (aka The Grinning Beggar)

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The Playlist

Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Shauna Burns
The Wren - Shanneyganock
Mummer’s Party Jig - Reg Watkins
Why Santa Goes Ho Ho Ho - Elis Coles
What Child Is This - Emish
We Three Kings - Tim Sanphy
Christmas In Pittsburgh, 1943 - Boston Blackthorne
1913 Massacre - The Langer’s Ball
Irish Holiday - The Gleasons
Stan Rogers - First Christmas
Christmas Day - The Elders
Fairytale of New York - Raymond Coleman
Drinkin’ Rum & Egg Nog - Angry Snowmans
St. Stephen’s Day - The Tossers
Chistmas eve at the Poor House - Whiskey Wagon
Cashing In On Christmas - Stocks And Bombs
Its In These Times - Rovers Ahead
Whiskey for Christmas - Barleyjuice
Joy The World (The Kilt Has Come!) - Celkilt
Santa Santa - Celkilt
The Season’s Upon Us - Dropkick Murphys
Hammered This Christmas - Ceann
Drunken Christmas - Finnegan’s Hell
Santa Smells Like Whiskey - The Fisticuffs
Christmas in New York - Shilelagh Law
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem / The Ballintore Fancy … - Cherish the Ladies
Santa’s A Boozer - Missile Toads
Foul Mouthed Elf - Nothing But Enemies
Prodigal Son - The Narrowbacks
Drunk Tank Christmas - The Traditionals
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
Auld Lang Syne - Kitchen Implosion
Angel Without Wings / Merry Christmas Baby - The Mahones

2016-12-17 EP REVIEW - THE WHIPJACKS "Scoundrels and Rogues" (2016)

The Whipjacks "Scoundrels and Rogues"
Release date: December 8, 2016
Running time: 15:16, 4 tracks

London Celtic Punks are doing a great job both locally and internationally. At a local level, they are often unveiling new bands from the UK. One of them is The Whipjacks. The Whipjacks are Tim Pearson (drums & backing vocals), Ash Curtis (bass & backing vocals), Dean Miles (vocals), Tim Wright (electric guitar & backing vocals) and Arran Gould (mandolin, acoustic guitar & backing vocals) and they hail from Worcestershire. The band was founded in 2006, but the current line-up was established in 2015. Original guitarist and accordion player Tim Stamps was battling ill health and he decided to leave the band then. The guys were thinking about calling it a day, but Tim whished that they keep on playing. Sadly Tim passed away last May.

The Whipjacks EP is called “Scoundrels and Rogues”. There three songs and four tracks, since there are two versions for the title track: the original one and the “clean” radio edit. “Scoundrels and Rogues” (video here ) is an amazing song that places The Whipjacks together with other English acts like Mick O’Toole and The Hydropaths. Catchy chorus, kick-ass mandolin and electric guitar.

"My Madness (Molly Murphy)” tells the tale of a guy who meets and marries a girl called Molly Murphy: “She stole away my heart / Then she stole away my life / Though I still live and breathe / I’ve got a devil for a wife”. Great track featuring accordion and, once again, electric guitar.

The third track is titled “Campfire Song”. It’s a festive mandolin driven number with an early The Men They Couldn’t Hang twist.

The Whipjacks EP artwork is courtesy of Loz at Circle of Swords Tattoo Worcester. If you’re interested in buying “Scoundrels and Rogues”, drop the band a line.

Track list:

1. Scoundrels and Rogues 3:44
2. My Madness (Molly Murphy) 4:37   
3. Campfire Song 3:13
4. Scoundrels and Rogues (Radio Edit) 3:48

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Review by Kinksmarkham

 

2016-12-14 ALBUM REVIEW - THE LED FARMERS "Katie"

The Led Farmers "Katie"
Release date: September 1st, 2016
Running time: 53:06, 14 tracks (11 + 3 radio edits)

The Led Farmers’ debut album was called “Lucy” and their sophomore album is titled “Katie”. It seems that they have a predilection for girl names when they have to choose the title for their albums. Bassist Patrick Shortall left the band and now Ross O’Farrell has switched from guitar and bouzouki to bass guitar and new member Séamus Long is in charge of guitar.

"Katie" consists of 14 tracks, but the last three songs are radio versions of tracks no. 1, 5 and 8. Five songs have been written by banjo player Brendan Walsh and the rest of the songs are traditional numbers.

These are the most interesting songs on the album IMHO: “Share the Wealth” (video here ), a lively banjo and tin whistle driven number; “The White Set”, a kick-ass set of traditional tunes arranged by Brendan and Ross; “Thomas Jefferson”, a catchy sing along track with amazing banjo picking. ; and the original instrumental “Space” featuring once again guest tin whistler Roman Haller.

Other tracks to check out: “Row by Row”, a song with a Californian folk rock from the 60’s twist, the cover of “Rare Old Mountain Dew” with a live atmosphere approach, and “The Irish Rover”, which was in fact recorded live at a gig.

The Led Farmers sound really tight on “Katie” and they have grown-up as a band. If you like Irish ballads (traditional or new stuff from the XXIst century), grab a copy.

Track list:

01. Share The Wealth 3:58
02. Rare Old Mountain Dew (Trad) 2:47
03. To Offer 4:26
04. The White Set (Trad) 3:41
05. Row By Row 4:29
06. Star Of the County Down (Trad) 3:11
07. The Irish Rover (Live) 3:58
08. Thomas Jefferson 5:02
09. Space 3:28
10. The Foggy Dew (Trad) 4:01
11. Raglan Road (Trad) 3:26

Radio Versions:

12. Row By Row 3:50
13. Thomas Jefferson 3:23
14. Share The Wealth 3:22

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Review by Kinksmarkham

2016-12-13 VIDEO - KITCHEN IMPLOSION "Palle Appese"

Kitchen Implosion's Christmas video. Enjoy!

Kitchen Implosion - Palle Appese

2016-12-12 ALBUM REVIEW - COPOUTS "This is to Her Life"

The CopOuts "This is to Her Life"
Release date: October 28, 2016
Running time: 42:04, 10 tracks


The CopOuts were our Band of the month in November 2015 and one year later we are happy to review the debut album from this five piece band from Vermont. Jay Knecht (vocals, guitar), Jordan Brown (drums), Dan Dodd (bass, vocals) and new members  Matt Bean (fiddle) and Ryan Emerson (lead guitar) have recorded 10 songs where they clearly showcase their love for Ireland. “This is to Her Life” has three standards and several self-penned songs, some on them based on/featuring some traditional tunes.

The album kicks off with the title track “This is to Her Life”, which is an upbeat fiddle led song based on the “Irish Washerwoman” jig. The next track is the CopOut’s rendition of “All for Me Grog”. It gets a live treatment with a lot of 1-2-3 and hey shouts and backing vocals shouting “Tobacco!!!”. When the song goes slower and one tends to think that it’s over, there is a an amazing electric guitar part before the real end.

“Drunk Guy” is a long track, 5:40, but it’s one of the highlights on the album. Brilliant cow punk fiddle and rhythm section can be heard on this song. And there is an electric guitar part too. “Where We Goin’” has a The Dubliners sounding fiddle tune and it’s an enjoyable song.

Track no. 5 is a cover of “Star of the County Down” featuring electric guitar towards the end of the song.

The following song, “Ireland”, is the main anthem on the album and the song that every Celtic punk fan enjoy. Celtic punk at its best with its catchy chorus: "We may not be from Ireland, but the whiskey, beer and soul are deep within." On the next number Jay has put lyrics to the “Road to Lisdonvarna” reel and the result is excellent, a great song with a British folk-rock twist. Another standout number follows, “Now or Never”, a fast-paced song featuring a traditional fiddle tune.

“Drunken Sailor" is the third standard on “This is to Her Life”. The CopOuts follow a similar approach to Firkin’s version, that is, an energetic approach.

The album comes to its end with “Out to the Sea”, an interesting song based on the “Little Beggarman” tune.

If you like fiddle, electric guitar, Irish tunes, the American music approach and the live pub atmosphere, The CopOuts “This is to Her Life” will be the right addition to your Celtic punk collection.

Track List:

01. This Is to Her Life 3:52
02. All for Me Grog 3:58
03. Drunk Guy 5:42   
04. Where We Going 2:59
05. Star of the County Down 4:21
06. Ireland 4:41
07. Road to Lisdoonvarna 3:40
08. Now or Never 3:08
09. Drunken Sailor 5:24
10. Out to Sea 4:09

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Review by Kinksmarkham

2016-12-11 THE DEAD MAGGIES - NEW SINGLE "She"

‘She’ is the new emotional and powerful single from Tasmania’s hard hitting folk-punk band The Dead Maggies. It will be launched on the 15th of December at Smorgasbaarg (Hobart) with 100% of sales going to support local domestic violence NGO; Support, Help, Empowerment (SHE). The song will be available to purchase from Bandcamp from Thursday9th December from 7pm AEST.

The song adapts the words of women in Tasmania who are experiencing and have experienced domestic violence into a single story with a dark and powerful message. Their stories came from a report released by SHE and The Dead Maggies hope to raise awareness and money for this invaluable NGO.

“I found reading the interviews [in SHE’s report] incredibly powerful. The women’s words made understanding the reality of seeking help, and society’s reactions, stark, bleak and horribly sexist. It was very hard to take in, the only reaction I could have was to turn it into a song. I’m proud of this song, I think it’s a good one. But it’s because of the words of those women. That’s where its power comes from. It seemed obvious from the moment I wrote it that we needed to use it to support SHE and support the movement against ending gendered violence and societies’ gendered reaction to violence.” (Gareth, The Dead Maggies)

Not long returned from their second international tour, and coming off the back of HOBOFOPO (Hobart’s first folk-punk festival) this is The Dead Maggies first release since their album “Well Hanged” (2015) which received rave reviews, national and international airplay.

This summer The Dead Maggies will be appearing at festivals including; Falls Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Taste of Tasmania, National Folk Festival and Fractangular Gathering.

She (the song) will be released in March on an EP with other tracks that are still currently being recorded.

 

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2016-12-07 EP REVIEW - THE RAMSHACKLE ARMY "Whitewashed Graves" (2016)

The Ramshackle Army "Whitewashed Graves" Folk til Ya Punk Records
Release date: December, 2nd 2016
Running time: 19:11, 6 tracks

The CD that you’ve been waiting for the last two years has just arrived. The Ramshackle Army previous effort, their debut album “Letters from the Road less Travelled”, topped no. 2 at our Best of list for 2014. So I guess that everybody was looking forward to hearing a new album. However,  the third work by Aussie band The Ramshackle Army is another EP. Anyway, “Whitewashed Graves” is one of the best CDs of the year: catchy choruses and backing vocals, brilliant banjo by Josh, kick ass fiddle by Kat, and, obviously, Gaz fronting the band with his powerful vocals.

“Back Up Again” is the first track. Some guitar, vocals and drums and then the full band speed up. As usual, a catchy banjo and fiddle theme and an epic end.

The next number is the well-known song “Foreign Soil”, which was previously released as single (video HERE ). Needless to say that it’s one of the album highlights thanks to the hypnotic banjo picking and the woah backing vocals.

“Dust and Cobwebs” has a pop-punk feel and an energetic chorus. Once again, Josh and Kat showcase their skills.

Track no. 4 is one of my faves, “Homecoming”. The beginning has a SZMB twist thanks to the banjo and the fiddle. Litte by little, the song gets a rocking treatment. It’s followed by “Protest Songs”, another song that stand outs. Nice banjo and fiddle tune, an overall sound that reminds me of Canadian band Jimmy George and then a different banjo and fiddle melody. My favourite lyrics, by the way.

The EP comes to its end with “Dry Dead Bones”, a DKM infused song that moves forward little by little till reaching its climax.

The Ramshackle Army have already shared the stage with Dropkick Murphys and toured the USA. Taking into account how the European audience have welcomed The Rumjacks, I feel that they should come over here soon.
 

Track list:

1. Back Up Again 03:20   
2. Foreign Soil 02:49   
3. Dust and Cobwebs 03:24   
4. Homecoming 02:39   
5. Protest Songs 03:52
6. Dry Dead Bones 03:03

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Review by Kinksmarkham

2016-12-06 FREE DOWNLOAD - ROTTEN RIOT

Rotten Riot are an Indonesia Celtic punk band from Bogor. A couple of tracks can be downloaded for free. If you tune regularly to Celtic Folk Punk radio, you should be familiar with them, as they have been played for the last two weeks.

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2016-12-05 FREE DOWNLOAD: THE 23 CARBINES "Grave of Old Fools" and "Dave's Rant"

Shaun Hillary and Ken Dennis were members of South African bands The Sunday Punchers and The South Shore Ramblers. Their new project is called The 23 Carbines and they have uploaded their first songs to Bandcamp (Name Your Price).

The songs are already on Celtic Folk Punk radio.

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2016-12-04 ALBUM REVIEW - CELTIC HANGOVER "Don't Fool Yourself" (2016)

Celtic Hangover "Don't Fool Yourself" Self-released NOR 08
Release date: November 9, 2016
Running time: 52:12, 11 tracks

Sometimes we focus on new bands and we forget about essential bands. Celtic Hangover is a French band fronted by Irishman Paul “Puck” O’Toole that was founded in 1992. The band is based in Chambéry (Savoie, Rhône-Alpes) and has released 6 studio albums, 2 live albums and a 5 track EP. Their new album is titled “Don’t Fool Yourself” and consists of 3 self-penned songs, 3 over exposed standards, another 4 traditional covers and 1 The Waterboys cover.

The three original songs are called “Down in the City”, “All I Can Give” and “Politician”. “Down in the City” it’s a catchy number featuring top-notch fiddling and female backing vocals. A different version of this song can be found on “… Whispers from the Attic” (2010). “All I Can Give” begins slowly with guitar and little by little the rest of the ban joins. The song has a Christy Moore twist thanks to the guitars, and more kick-ass fiddling too. This number was also recorded on “Run Away” (2002).  “Politician” is an energetic track. The beginning has a Celtas Cortos touch and the amazing electric guitar plays a major role on this song. The original version can be heard on “Get Your Head Together” (1997).

There is a great selection of traditional covers. Fiddle and tin whistle are showcased on “Yarmouth Town”, another excellent number featuring female backing vocals. “American Land” starts with some drums, fiddle and tin whistle that remind me of the early The Moorings. A lively song that will make you dance and sing along. “Pay Me Money Down” is really played with gusto. “Mairi’s Wedding” was also recorded for their 5 track EP “Debout sous la table” (1999). The new rendition starts slowly and the fiddle arrangements are excellent. When the song is nearly over, the band burst into a rocking rendition of “Toss the Feathers” featuring fantastic percussion.

“Fisherman’s Blues” could be the next “Galway Girl” song on the Celtic scene. I mean, nobody covered this song for a while and now we have two brilliant covers by two different bands, Handsome Young Strangers from Australia and Celtic Hangover from France.

The usual standards are “Johhny I Hardly Knew Ye”, “Drunken Sailor” and the bonus track “Wild  Mountain Thyme”. “Johnny Hardly Knew Ye” has apparently been on the band’s repertoire from their beginning, since this song has been previously recorded for “Get Your Head Together” (1997) and “… Whispers from the Attic” (2010). Obviously, the song has evolved and the brand new version with electric guitar is rad. “Drunken Sailor” (video HERE) has been improved with “Drowsy Maggie” while “Wild Mountain Thyme” gets an acoustic treatment based on acoustic guitar, flute and fiddle.

“Don’t Fool Yourself” comes in a jewel case and the 8 page booklet includes the lyrics to every single song, even the traditional numbers. The CD can be bought directly from the band and the digital version is also available at Bandcamp.

If you are not familiar with Celtic Hangover, the godfathers of the French Celtic rock scene, “Don’t Fool Yourself” is the right album to start with. Grab a pint of Guinness (or Pelforth Brune) and enjoy!

Track list:

01. American Land 05:13
02. Fishermans Blues 05:04
03. Mairies Wedding 06:34
04. Down in the City 03:16
05. All I Can Give 05:48
06. Yarmouth Town 07:24
07. Politician 03:29
08. Pay Me My Money Down 03:39
09. Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye 03:48
10. Drunken Sailor 03:33
11. BONUS TRACK: Wild mountain Thyme 04:20

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Review by Kinksmarkham