Pages

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

2017-03-22 ALBUM REVIEW - UNCLE BARD & THE DIRTY BASTARDS "Handmade!" (2017)

Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards "Handmade!"
Release date: February 9,  2017
Running time: 62:19, 16 Tracks

After having recently posted the review of the brand new Tossers album, now I’m publishing a write-up of a band with a similar attitude, the mighty Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards. The Italian band have released 3 albums and 1 EP in 10 years and nowadays they are one of the most interesting Celtic punk/rock bands from this side of the pond. In fact, they’re clearly one of the European celtic punk bands that really know the traditional repertoire, together with Firkin and probably Fiddler’s Green.  And when I say traditional I don’t mean only the balladeers (The Dubliners, The Wolfe Tones, Pete St. John …) but also the likes of The Bothy Band, Lúnasa or Flook.

Among all the amazing tracks on “Handmade”, I’d pick up a couple of standout numbers because of their lyrics. “The Streets of Dublin” is Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards’ answer to Pete St. John’s “The Rare Auld Times”. Lorenzo Testa knew Dublin in the heyday of the Celtic tiger and has been a witness of the city changes because of the financial crisis. “Plastic Paddy's Day” was originally released in 2015 (video HERE). St. Patrick’s Day is gone, but maybe you should listen to this song and think about it. Apart from the lyrics, it’s a well written number, with a spoken intro, a flute and banjo driven attack, a banjo bridge and another spoken passage.

There are a couple of instrumentals, a set of tunes and a Lorenzo’s composition. The set of tunes consists of “The Donegal Lass”, a tune by Flook’s flutist Brian Finnegan, “Butler of Glen Avenue” by Tony Sullivan and Luca Crespi’s “Tell Me About You”. If you love the traditional stuff played with gusto and a rock twist, you’ll enjoy this brilliant set of tunes. The second instrumental is “The Clarenfridge Fair” and it was written by Lorenzo Testa when he went to Clarenbridge to say hello to Fintan and Tom Cussen at their workshop. Even if it’s not an upbeat tune, the atmosphere and the musicianship are top-notch.

Some songs are also covered on “Handmade!”. “The Ferryman” is another classic song by Pete St. John and it has given a bluegrass-y treatment by Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards. It reminds me of some The Waterboys / Sharon Shannon's stuff . The closing number is a poignant rendition of Phil Coulter’s “The Town that I loved so Well”. Luca Rapazzini guests on fiddle and Denis Jelly from The Moorings shares vocals duties.

Regarding the other self-penned songs, I have enjoyed Silvano’s songs “Gipsy Geezers”, featuring banjo and uileann pipes and a tune written by Lorenzo Testa (video HERE ), the upbeat banjo and tin whistle led “Stay Untamed” that includes a Luca’s tune, and “A Flat above my Pub”, another lively number featuring the well-known Denis Murphy’s polka. Other amazing numbers written by Lorenzo would be “Lads from the Countryside” (I guess that Irish band O’Hanlons Horsebox will love this number too) “The Man Who Spoke to the Earth”  (where three tunes are played, one by Lorenzo, another by Séamus Egan and the traditional Coleraine’s Jig), “Too Old to Stop Now” (I’m sure that The Logues would love this one too) and  Guido’s “Anger, the Void that stops the Wind”, a song with an Oysterband twist and kick-ass uilleann pipes by Luca.

As Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards have said, “Handmade!” is a real labour of love. Once again the packaging is spotless: a four panel digipack with a 20 page booklet. Top quality pics are provided, together with comprehensive liner notes and credits.

After releasing a full Irish standards album, Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards showed with their EP that they were able to write top-notch original songs. The Italians reached the stardom with “Get the Folk Out!” and with “Handmade!” they have not gone down from that place. A must have for any Irish music lover.

You can check out what other people have written about this album on Viva la XV! (in Spanish) and on London Celtic Punks (in English)


Track listing:

01 - Handmade 1:54
02 - Gipsy Geezers 4:21
03 - Too Old To Stop Now 3:40
04 - Stay Untamed 3:42
05 - The Man Who Spoke To The Earth 4:33
06 - The Donegal Lass / Butler of Glen Avenue / Tell me About You 3:25
07 - The Ferryman 3:04
08 - Anger (The Void That Stops The Wind) 4:44
09 - The Clarenbridge Fair 2:25
10 - The Streets Of Dublin 4:34
11 - Lads From The Countryside 3:49
12 - The Luck Of The Irish 3:12
13 - Plastic Paddy’s Day 4:59
14 - Rust 4:55
15 - The Flat Above My Pub 3:24
16 - The Town I Loved So Well 5:37


Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Click to buy:

Band's Store
Amazon

Review by Kinksmarkham





Sunday, March 19, 2017

2017-03-19 VIDEO - KRAKIN' KELLYS, A NEW BAND FROM BELGIUM

We love Belgian bands (Black Tartan Clan, Nevermind Nessie ..) and now we have a new fave, Krakin' Kellys, from Namur, Wallonie. 

Krakin' Kellys is David Leroy (lead vocals), Matthieu Hendrick (electric guitar), Pierre-Yves Berhin (accordion), Olivier Drèze (drums), Stephan Mossiat (bass) and Rémi Decker (bagpipes / whistle). They come from bands such as Camping Sauvach, Niitch and Silly Snails.Their motto: Irish skate punk, beer & bar fight!
  
Website
Facebook

Their first single, "Promised Land", can be purchased from Bandcamp. This is the video for that song:



 

Saturday, March 18, 2017

2017-03-18 VIDEOS - RAISE MY KILT, A NEW BAND FROM ARGENTINA

At last a real Celtic punk/rock band from Argentina. Welcome boys!

Raise My Kilt hail from Buenos Aires, Argentina. They are Carlos Caverna (bass and vocals), Mariano Miramontes (electric guitar and vocals), Pablo Gadea (Scottish bagpipe and small pipes), Damián Giancarlo (electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin), Diego Guyón Moreno (banjo and acoustic guitar) and Manuel Magariños (drums)

Facebook

They released a 4 track EP titled "Gaitas y Tanos" at the end of 2016 and these are the videos for two of the songs.



Friday, March 17, 2017

2017-03-17 PADDY ROCK Episode #31 – Shenanigans for St. Patrick’s Day



(Originally posted on Paddyrock radio)

Well Paddy Rockers It is that time of the year again, that being St. Patrick’s Day. I lamented long and hard, as I do every year as to how I could make this years Podcast awesome and amazing. The it occurred to me, I would just do what I do best and bring you the very best Celtic Rock and Punk I can. I have been trying to look for ways to keep the show fresh, I have found it. I am going to make the podcasts so they are fun for me to do again! I love Celtic Punk, I love Celtic Rock, I love Trad I love it all.. And soon you will too. So with that being said Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all. Hope you enjoy the day for what it is, and do not use it as an excuse to get shit faced. But if that’s what you are going to do, please be safe I wish to see no harm upon you or anyone else.  I need you all to come back again next month! So without further ado please allow me to fill up your earholes with the vulgarities, crude humor, inappropriate puns and kick ass tunes as only the Grinning Beggar can do it !!  Slainte you heathens…

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

The Playlist

Hector The Hero Natalie MacMaster|Donnell Leahy
Irish Rover “Craic”
Lonesome Lullaby “Craic”
Rambling Johnny Black Water County
I’m a Man You Don’t Meet Every Day Neck
Sweeney’s BlackEyed Dempseys
Jib Polka/Spanish Lady/Boots For Maggie Saint Bushmill’s Choir
Warm Sweet Breath of Love Jake Burn (Stiff Little Fingers)
The Town Where I Was Born The Tossers
Drinking All The Day The Tossers
The Mason’s Apron (Reel) Damaris Woods
Don’t Promise Me Heaven The Skels
Left Behind The McMiners
Last Night Stone Clover
Paddys In America Swagger
Free the People  The Dubliners (feat. Luke Kelly)
Lanigan’s Ball     Enter The Haggis
Everyday’s St Patrick’s Day! Celkilt
Boys Of The Old Brigade Down By The Glenside
I Love Whiskey     Kevin Flynn & The Avondale Ramblers
Sally O’Riordan The Cloves And The Tobacco
Drink With The Irish Muirsheen Durkin and Friends
The Devil’s Waiting For Me The Righs
The Broad Black Brimmer Of The IRA Tråd
Uncle Michael The Fighting Jamesons
Paint the Town Red The Mahones
Count Your Blessings The BibleCode Sundays
The Day The Booze Booze Brothers
Fields Of Athenry Dropkick Murphys
Drunken Lullabies Flogging Molly
Celtic Symphony Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones
I Had A Hat Dropkick Murphys
Rosie The Narrowbacks
Getting Lucky (On St Patrick’s Day) Shilelagh Law
Feck The Celtic Tiger Sir Reg
Odd Boat Flatfoot 56
Irish Up The Gleasons
The Evil Of The Drink The Gobshites
Whiskey You’re The Devil Greenland Whalefishers
Farewell To Clean And Sober The Peelers
We Won’t Die Tonight Fiddler’s Green
Fire Is Burning The Ramshackle Army
Farewell, Self Esteem Kilmaine Saints
Ordinary Man 1916
Fuck The Real McKenzies The Real McKenzies
Drink Some More The Real McKenzies
No Heaven for Heroes Mickey Rickshaw
Boys From The Country Hell The Pogues
Thirty-Two United Celtic Rebels Band
Belfast Mill Raymond Coleman
Lonely Days and Drunken Nights The Scally Cap Brats
Heart of a Rover The Rolling Kings
The Molly Macquires The Royal Spuds
Stumblin’ Home     In For A Penny
The Cure The Waxies
I Only Got One Pint Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards
Mr Valentines Dead The Town Pants
Guinness Sunday Punchers
An Irish Pub song The Rumjacks
Back Home In Derry Red Rebel County
Shamrock Thief The O’Reillys and the Paddyhats
Prodigal Son The Pourmen
Loud ‘n’ Proud ‘n’ Bold Neck
Shamrocknroll In Search Of A Rose
Devil I’ll Tell Whiskey Of The Damned
Work Away The Lagan

STREAMING:


DOWNLOAD:






2017-03-17 VIDEOS - St. PATRICK'S DAY PLAYLIST

Celtic Folk Punk and More's video playlist for St. Patrick's Day. Enjoy!



Thursday, March 16, 2017

2017-03-16 St. PATRICK'S DAY PODCAST FROM COUSIN PADDY

This is the Paddys Home and Pub Podcast for St. Patrick's Day. Paddys Home and Pub Podcast is hosted by Scott, from Syracuse. You can download previous episodes from this site.

Don't forget to give him a like on Facebook too.

Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD:

Podbean

iTunes


Wednesday, March 15, 2017

2017-03-15 ALBUM REVIEW - CELKILT "Stand" (2017)

Celkilt "Stand"
Release date: March 11, 2017
Running time: 47:12, 13 tracks

 

If you have a look to my review of CelkiltOn the Table” (HERE) these were my last words: "Nevertheless, I’d appreciate very much if the next time they could jump from the 9 track/30 minute  CD format to the 12 track/40 minute CD format."

The five piece band from Roanne delivered 2 EPs and 2 mini-albums between 2011 and 2014. In 2015 they issued a Christmas song mini-album (10 songs, running time: 25 minutes). Finally, they've gone out of their comfort zone in 2017 with their brand new album “Stand”. Yes, “Stand” consists of 13 tracks and its running time is around 47 minutes!!!

Celkilt know what they fans expect from them. All of their CDs have their own trademark. However, it’s also obvious that the band is evolving and every new CD offers new things that improve the band’s universe.

The “standard” Celkilt sound can be noticed on tracks no. 3, no. 11 and no. 12. “I Don’t Have a Brain” is a Celtic pop-punk number featuring fiddle and tin whistle and lots of “Hey” shouts; “Better” is another standout, with pipes and a more “American” sound; and “The Last Day of My Life” has a traditional sounding tune showcasing fiddle and tin whistle and a fantastic percussion end.

The kick-ass bagpipes rock is represented by the opening number “Sometimes I Care” (it reminds me of AC/DCThunderstruck”) and “Kilt up”, the “up yer kilt” song with its short rap part towards the end.

The self-penned sets of tunes are compulsory on a Celkilt CD. There are two instrumentals on “Stand”: “Gavotte Party/Whipping Reel/Motherjigger” is an infectious Celtic rock set, while “Hornjigger” gets a “pub” treatment.

But the set of tunes are not the only numbers with a traditional feel. “All the Way” is a fantastic shanty. “Fall in Place” has a Breton feel both on singing and pipes. And even if “I Gotta Run” is a fast-paced Celtic pop-punk, the fiddle has a Hungarian twist.

The three surprises would be the ethereal “Lost and Found", “Stand”, a song that gives the latest Dropkick Murphys' album a run for their money, and “Superpower”, with its drunken backing vocals and la-la-las.

Celkilt have always had a fun approach. Some people would say that their CDs should be shorter than 33 minutes then. They’re wrong. “Stand” is as enjoyable as any of the band’s previous offerings. In fact, I’d daresay that it’s even better.

Tracking list:

01 - Sometimes I Care 2:50
02 - Kilt Up 3:11
03 - I Don’t Have A Brain 3:19
04 - Fall In Place 5:14
05 - Lost And Found 3:27
06 - Gavotte Party / Whipping Reel / Mother Jigger 5:23
07 - All The Way 1:43
08 - I Gotta Run 1:46
09 - Hornjig 2:17
10 - Superpower 3:45
11 - Better 3:40
12 - The Last Day Of My Life 4:01
13 - Stand 6:35


Website
Facebook
Twitter

Click to buy:

Band's Store
Amazon. FR
iTunes


Review by Kinksmarkham

  Celkilt - Kilt up!




Celkilt - Fall in Place



Celkilt - I Gotta Run

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Monday, March 13, 2017

2017-03-13 ALBUM REVIEW - TOXIC FROGS "The Mermaid's Song" (2017)

Toxic Frogs "The Mermaid's Song"
Release date: March 17,2017
Running time: 32:57, 7 tracks

 
First of all, a stupid question. Album or mini-album? “The Mermaid’s Song” consists of 7 songs, then I could say that it’s a mini-album. But the running time is 33 minutes, longer than many Ramones’ albums. Then, IMHO “The Mermaid’s Song” is an album and then you’ll find it at the best albums list at the end of the year. This being said, let’s talk about the songs.

The first cut is called “Scott is Back”. The girls deliver an amazing set of tunes, a perfect blend of traditional stuff and punk attitude. If you love Ashley McIsaac’s  “Hi How Are You Today” album, then listen to the last tune. You’ll love it.

The next couple of songs are very interesting too. “Criminal’s Heart” begins with the fiddles solo. Then the drums are added and a little bit later the rest of the band join. There’s no singing till 1 minute and 39 seconds. The sound is 100% Toxic Frogs, with addictive oh, oh, oh chorus. At the end of the song, the fiddle speeds up in the British fiddle punk vein. Guitar plays a major role at the beginning of “The Mermaid’s Song”, a number with a hard rock twist. Great fiddling once again and, although it seems that the song is over, the screams open the way for a kick ass end.

Toxic War” is my fave song on “The Mermaid’s Song”. Fast-paced number with a fresh sound and lots of heys and la la las.

The following track is titled “Fuck You. There are two parts too. The first one is darker, while the second one is faster, with the fuck you shouts and the band’s classic sound.

Go!” is the sixth track on “The Mermaid’s Song” and obviously it’s a lively number. Great guitar work too.

Finally, “Violins and Hammers for ever” is the perfect choice to close the album, a ballad.

If the pop-punk scene has full girl bands like Shonen Knife or The Donnas, fortunately the Celtic punk scene has Toxic Frogs.
 

Track listing:

1 - Scott is Back 4:29
2 - Criminal's Heart 5:23
3 - The Mermaid's Song 4:47
4 - Toxic War 3:19
5 - Fuck u 6:04
6 - Go! 4:14
7 - Volins and Hammers for ever 4:25

Website
Facebook
Twitter

Click to buy

CDbaby


Review by Kinksmarkham

Sunday, March 12, 2017

2017-03-12 EP REVIEW AND FREE DOWNLOAD- AND THE WATERS "State of Repair" (2017)




After their front man Will Tun left, the band formerly known as Will Tun as The Wasters changed their name to And the Wasters. The band has been playing their ska- with a folk twist for the last 5 years, from big festivals to squats.


And The Wasters are Dan (vocals, fiddle), Josefa (accordion, vocals), Ivo (bass, vocals), Danny (lead guitar, vocals),Celeste (trumpet), Jared (Ukulele) and Jack (drums). “State of Repair” is their brand new EP. 


Tracks 1 and 2 are “classic” ska numbers. “Lion’s Share” is a catchy song showcasing trumpet and accordion while “Small Victories” have a more standard sound.


Reduce, Reuse, Rebel!” is an interesting number blending ska with East European folk. “Bound as One” is a quieter song with some Latin influences and great fiddle and trumpet.


Finally, “Intro Dub” is exactly that, an infectious dub number.


State of Repair” is a digital release and can be purchased from Bandcamp. The Wasters have also a video for “Lion’s Share” (Click HERE to watch)

 Track listing:

1 - Lion's Share 3:51
2 - Small Victories 4:32
3 - Reduce, Reuse, Rebel! 3:04
4 - Bound As One 3:42
5 - Intro Dub 2:04

Facebook

CLICK TO BUY/DOWNLOAD:

 
Bandcamp

 

Review by Kinksmarkham






Friday, March 10, 2017

2017-03-10 EP REVIEW - THE McMINERS "Tales of Betrayal and Deceit" (2017)

McMiners "Tales of Bretrayal and Deceit" (2017)
Release date: March 10, 2017
Running time: 19:03, 5 tracks


McMiners are a band from the burgeoning Brazilian Celtic punk scene. They hail from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais (hence their name). They released their first EP in 2016, “County Cross” and now they have just issued the second one, “Tales of Betrayal and Deceit”. If their previous work has some interesting ideas, their new offering is a big leap forward.

Tales of Betrayal and Deceit” kicks off with “No Deal”, a bagpipes driven instrumental and the perfect EP opener.

Track no. 2, "Left Behind",  has a folk metal touch with powerful backing vocals and great accordion and fiddle.

Behead the Captain” is the single (video HERE)  and one of the highlights. The accordion sound links this song to their fellow countrymen Lugh, but the vocals and the pipes make me think of Brutus’ Daughters, although they are boys instead of girls.

The next cut is titled “A Prologue - The Jack and The Black”. It starts with a spoken intro by Irish born guest Karl Mooney from The Celtas Ride Again, backed by acoustic guitar. After 1 minute and 46 seconds the song turns into a pirate metal number.

The closing track is the instrumental “The Clauss”. "This song was improvised by Ernst Clauss, former McMiners accordionist, before an event in 2016. The final part of the song is the original recording from that day." Two bodhráns are played, the "base" by front man Gabriel Leao and the "solo" by Rafael Salobreña and Ernst and Luciano join on accordion and tin whistle. Brilliant!!!

Tales of Betrayal and Deceit” comes in a jewel case with an eight page booklet including the lyrics to the songs, line-up and guests, studio credits and pics.

Brazil is a huge country and even if the Celtic punk/rock scene is not so big in terms of bands, there are quite a few top-notch acts. Fortunately, McMiners have been able to find their own place and their own sound with their second EP “Tales of Betrayal and Deceit

Track listing:

1 - No Deal 2:19
2 - Left Behind 3:58
3 - Behead the Captain 3:07
4 - A Prologue - The Jack and The Black 6:35
5 - The Clauss 2:54

Facebook
Soundcloud

Contact the band to buy the CD

Review by Kinksmarkham




Saturday, March 4, 2017

2017-03-04 FREE DOWNLOAD - LES TRICARDS "La Peste et le choléra" (2017)

French band Les Tricards are back with a new EP, "La peste et le choléra". One song against the Front National and another one about the singer of French band Les Wampas.

DOWNLOAD:



Thursday, March 2, 2017

2017-03-02 ALBUM REVIEW - THE REAL McKENZIES "Two Devils Will Talk" (2017)

The Real McKenzies "Two Devils Will Talk" Stomp Records STMP137
Release date: March 3rd, 2017
Running time: 36:22, 14 tracks

 
The Real McKenzies are one of the top 3 Celtic punk bands from the post-Pogues era, together with Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. The Real McKenzies’ music differs from those and other seminal acts such as The Tossers, The Mahones, Fiddler’s Green or Greenland Whalefishers, since RMcK were the first band to blend punk rock and bagpipes and to focus on Scottish folk instead of Irish folk. Being an innovative band, they have influenced a lot of acts from both sides of the pond, for instance Pipes and Pints, Die Dødelsäcke, Farler’s Fury or 13 Krauss to name a few.

The Real McKenzies and fellow Canadians The Mahones have some similarities. Both of them are without any doubt the hardest working bands in the scene and both of them are a revolving door of musicians. Following Wikipedia, The Real McKenzies line-ups include 36 members and 8 guests. After releasing the acoustic live album “Shine Not Burn” in 2010, The RMcK reached their peak in 2012 with their 7th studio album, “Westwinds”. I felt that maybe this would be the last studio album for a while and that the following albums would be a proper live album (“Pissed Tae Th’ Gills” dates from 2002) and a "best of" compilation album. I was wrong, as The RMcK released another classic album in 2015, “Rats in the Burlap” and they decided to record a brand new studio album to celebrate their XXVth anniversary instead of the usual greatest hits album.

In the last years some crucial members have left The Real McKenzies, mainly old members and songwriters “Dirty” Kurt Robertson and Mark “Bone” Boland. So, the current line-up consists of Paul McKenzie (lead vocals), Troy “Vlad” Zak (bass, vocals), Luis “Aspy” (bagpipes, vocals), Dan Garrison (guitar, vocals), Jono Jack (guitar, vocals) and Dan Stenning (drums). Even if Gord Taylor is still listed as band member, together with Matt “McNasty” Hawley,  apparently he has not written new songs for the new album. Then, new member Dan Garrison would have been the main songwriter on “Two Devils Will Talk”.

So, what about the songs? My personal faves are the opening track “Due West” that reminds me of Mudmen’s old material (video HERE); the brilliant rendition of Stan Rogers classic song “Northwest Passage”, “The Comeback” (showcasing the band’s trademark sound), the new rendition of “Scots Wa Ha’e” (the same song which was originally the opening number of their debut album back in 1995) and “Fuck the Real McKenzies”, a piss-take where fellow bands The Pogues, The Mahones, Flogging Molly, The Rumjacks and Roughneck Riot are mentioned.

Other amazing number that follow the band’s legacy would be “Weyburn”, “One Day”, “One Man Voyage” and “The Town”. Special mention to “Seafarers”, a song that “listsThe RMcK’s discography ”The rats take a bite, the westwinds guide our night, for the clash now unleashed, oot and aboot, on the seas, under fire, we’ve had lots, about 10.000 shots, we keep straight as were learnt, to shine never burn

Regarding the packaging, once again, The RMcK album comes in a digipack with all the lyrics to the songs, line-up, studio credits and thank you section.

Two Devils will Talk” is a great addition to The Real McKenzies’ discography. Maybe the sound is not as good as that of “Westwinds” and the songs are not as diverse as those on “Rats in the Burlap”, but obviously is a kick-ass XXVth anniversary celebration album. Paul and his bandmates could have taken the easy road and deliver a live album or a best of compilation. However, they have been honest and have given the perfect gift to their fans: a brand new studio album.

Track listing:

01. Due West 02:38   
02. Weyburn 02:13   
03. One Day 02:43   
04. Seafarers 02:56   
05. Northwest Passage 03:59   
06. Float 02:22   
07. One Man Voyage 02:21   
08. Sail Again 02:26   
09. The Town 02:31   
10. Pedals 02:30   
11. Drunkards Lament 02:28   
12. Fuck The Real McKenzies 01:46   
13. The Comeback 02:26
14. Scots Wha Ha’e 02:56

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Wikipedia

Click to buy

Bandcamp
Band's Store

Review by Kinksmarkham