2018-05-30 ALBUM REVIEW - MEDUSA'S WAKE "Rascals & Rogues" (2018)

Medusa's Wake "Rascals & Rogues"
Release date: June 1, 2018
Running time: 11 tracks, 43:05

Medusa’s Wake is a six piece band from Sydney, NSW, Australia. The band was first featured on our pages last April 16, 2016, some days after they released their 7 track EP.

Medusa’s Wake have been recording their debut album "Rascals & Rogues" in 2017 and 2018 and the 11 track CD will be released next June 1st. Between both recordings, the EP and the album, an accordion player joined the ranks and former bass player Brett Fish left the band. So, the current incarnation of the band is Eddie Lawlor (vocals, mandolin, tin whistle), Frank Sallie (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica), John Coote (electric guitar, banjo), Ron Clark (drums), Ben Pattinson (accordion) and Zane McRae (bass).

Two songs from their EP have been re-recorded and 3 out of 5 songs from the Ringtail Sessions from May 2017 can be found on their debut album too. All of the songs have been written by Ed Lawlor. Neither “Seldom Sober” is a cover of “I’m a Rover”, nor “Gates of Hell” is a cover of The Currency’s song with the same title. “Botany Bay” from the EP is now called “Convict’s Tale” and “Lawlor’s Lament” is the final title for the song “Come Away with Me” from the Ringtail Sessions.

“Rascals & Rogues” kicks off with “Seldom Sober”: mandolin, some yee-has and the amazing accordion open for the rest of the band. Brilliant song with the Aussie-Irish DNA. It’s followed by “Hobart Sailor”. Tin whistle and mandolin are the main instruments on a song that has a The Rumjacks twist and whose chorus reminds me of “Hot Asphalt”.

“Tilly Devine” is the longest track on “Rascals & Rogues”. The rhythm section give a tribal atmosphere while the vocals make me think of SIR REG.

Track no. 4 (“Convict’s Tale”) is one of my faves. Medusa’s Wake moves to the early The Rumjacks territory and Ben proofs that right now he’s the most interesting accordionist in the scene. “Banshee’s Wail” gets an electric treatment with a great work by John. “Lawlor’s Lament” is another highlight and Medusa’s Wake delivers a song that wouldn’t be out of place on any The Tossers album. Once again, Ben’s accordion shines.

Mandolin and accordion are the first instruments that are heard on “Irish Sky”. Then the full band joins and after a go! shout the song burst into a lively number. There is an electric guitar part and some accordion and mandolin towards the end. Another track that can rival with the best work by SIR REG.

“Branxton” is a true gem! This instrumental number features mainly mandolin, percussion and shouts. I guess that it’s a live take in the studio. To finish up, Eddie says “All Right, thank you very much!” and then there are a lot of claps.

Harmonica can be heard on “Barney Dalton”, a Wedding, Parties, Anything meets Midnight Oil song.

The last two tracks on “Rascals and Rogues” are a couple of songs from the “EP”: the anthemic “No Nay Never” and the excellent “Gates of Hell”.

If you enjoyed Medusa’s Wake "EP", then you’ll love “Rascals & Rogues”. Only self-penned songs that have been perfectly arranged. And Ben has been the right addition to improve Eddie’s songs. Hats-off lads!

Track listing:

01 - Seldom Sober 2:52
02 - Hobart Sailor 3:00
03 - Tilly Devine 5:38
04 - Convicts Tale 4:22
05 - Banshee's Wail 4:23
06 - Lawlor's Lament 3:38

07 - Irish Sky 4:24
08 - Branxton 2.28
09 - Barney Dalton 4:14
10 - No Nay Never 4:16
11 - Gates of Hell 3:50

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Review by Kinksmarkham

2018-05-28 VIDEOS - RATS, DRUNKEN DOLLY AND IRISH STEW OF SINDIDUN

Some videos that have been added to our Playlist 2018. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Then you'll be able to watch all the new videos before they are posted here.

RATS - Saloon 79



Drunken Dolly - Hold On



Irish Stew of Sindidun- Stranger

2018-05-24 ALBUM REVIEW - HOLD FAST "Black Irish Sons" (2018)

Hold Fast "Black Irish Sons"
Release date: May 5th, 2018
Running time:29:04, 10 tracks

Hold Fast is a six piece band from Harrisburg, PA. So they are neighbours with The Kilmaine Saints. Hold Fast is Cole Brown (lead vocals, acoustic guitar),  Dave Thompson (tenor banjo, 5-string banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar, piano, background vocals), Michael Parks (drums, percussion, background vocals), Buzz Klinger (bass, harmonica, background vocals),  Kayla Rosencrans  (tin whistle, background vocals) and Jon Heller (accordion, bagpipes, background vocals). Their debut album is titled “Black Irish Sons” and that’s what Phil Duckworth aka The Grinning Beggar from Paddy Rock Radio stated recently on facebook “Definitely one of my favorite of the year this year and totally epitomizes what Celtic Punk is meant to be!”

“Gangway” is the first cut on the CD. There is a bagpipes intro and the sounds of glasses and people in a pub. Then, the percussion and the banjo leave way to the full band after some “Gangway” shouts. Brilliant opening in the DKM vein with gang vocals and electric guitar.

The next number is titled “Drunken Irish Bastard”. Some banjo before Cole tells us that he’s an Irish drunken bastard. More gang vocals follow before the song gets a punk treatment with guitars and some accordion on the background.

Track number three is a crowd favourite, “The Banshee Wail”. Cole sings a cappella and little by little mandolin, electric guitar and the rhythm section join in. The dichotomy between acoustic and electric instruments is kept all along the song and it pays off. The tin whistle at the end is a little bit hidden in the mix though.

“My Girl is a Singer in a Punk Rock Band” is a fantastic punk number with woahs, tin whistle and more guitars. Imagine The Skels pushing to their punk end and you get the picture.

Fans of Lovecraft will recognize the name of track no. 5, "Cthulhu". The first half of the song features vocals, acoustic guitar and some bass, but the drums and the electric guitar find their place at the second half of the song.

There are two trad. numbers on “Black Irish Sons” and the first one is Hold Fast's rendition of “I’ll Tell Me Ma”: “Belle of Belfast”. The song gets the Celtic punk treatment with guitars and mandolin.

Cut no. 7 is the title track, “Black Irish Sons”. Electric guitar from the very beginning and powerful vocals. I daresay that Hold Fast sounds like In For a Penny if the band from Georgia add some electric instruments to their line-up.

“Curse of the Drinking Class” (pub version) showcases the band’s quieter side, with accordion and tin whistle.

The album is coming to its end and Hold Fast deliver a kick-ass pirate number with banjo, electric guitar and gang vocals: “Pour Me Grog”.

To finish up, Hold Fast have chosen a song from The Wolfe Tones repertoire, “Big Strong Man” (aka “My Brother Sylveste”). The boys and girl from Harrisburg play a fantastic Celtic punk version that can rival with The Pubcrawlers’ rendition.

Hold Fast is the next big thing on the East Coast Celtic punk lineage. The only “flaw” that I find is that the electric instruments “outweigh” sometimes the tin whistle and the accordion. But, apart from that, a brilliant debut album.

Track listing:

01. Gangway 03:16
02. Drunken Irish Bastard 02:38
03. Banshee Wail 03:44   
04. My Girl is a Singer in a Punk Rock Band 02:51   
05. Cthulhu 03:37   
06. Belle of Belfast 01:15
07. Black Irish Sons 02:42
08. Curse of the Drinking Class (Pub Version) 02:47
09. Pour Me Grog 03:00
10. Big Strong Man 02:52


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Review by Kinksmarkham

2018-05-19 NAME YOUR PRICE DOWNLOAD - BOSTiiiN': The Be Kind Help MIND Album

Bostin' Days is the West Midland’s favourite indoor music festival, bringing the atmosphere of the festival fields, without the need for waterproofs and wellies.
Originally starting as a tribute to The Levellers, the festival has grown, and evolved. 2018 sees Bostiiin 3 take-over The Robin 2 in Bilston.

All profits from future downloads, will be donated to our chosen charity, which is Mind.

You can PAY WHAT YOU WANT for this album. Essentially, it could be free, but EVERY PENNY of donations goes directly to the MIND charity (For Better Mental Health).

Dig deep if you can afford it.

If you want to see all of these lovely acts in the flesh, BOSTIIIN' Festival takes place at The Robin 2 in Bilston on Saturday 13th Oct.
Tickets from www.bostindays.co.uk

Released May 14, 2018. Compiled by Scott Doonican for Team Bostiiin'

We were able to put this together in less than a week, because of all of the wonderful acts who have so selflessly given up these tracks for your delectation. I feel honoured to call you all friends, and it is proof that there are still some bloody good souls in this world.

Keep paying the good stuff forward people. You are all diamonds.

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2018-05-17 MINI-ALBUM REVIEW - 7 STOUT CLAN "Alcohostility" (2018)

7 Stout Clan "Alcohostility"
Release date: April 2018
Running time: 22:11, 8 tracks + 1 secret track

While Sweden and Norway have well-known Celtic punk acts such as SIR REG, Finnegan’s Hell or Greenland Whalefishers, the Finnish Celtic punk scene is still a mystery for many fans. 7 Stout Clan is a five piece band formed in Savonlinna in 2008. The current line-up is Kalle (bass, double bass and vocals), Taavi (vocals, 5 string banjo, Highland pipes, uileann pipes, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, percussion and tin whistle), Elias (drums, percussions and bckg. vocals), Julius (electric guitars, vocals, tin whistle and bodhrán) and Juho (vocals, tenor banjo, guitar, mandolin and melodica). Taavi and Juho are the songwriters.

7 Stout Clan was featured on a couple of our samplers (April 2010 and April 2013). So far, they have released 3 CDs: “First Taste EP” (2009), “Too Drunk to Punk” (acoustic, 2011) and “Lump of Coal” (Christmas single, 2012). Most of the songs can be downloaded from their Mikseri pages.

The lads announced on YouTube last September 2017 that “Bastards Claps Your Hands” was a track from their upcoming EP. “Alcohostility” should have been released last March 3, but it had to be postponed. Luckily, the 9 track mini-album is already out.

“Alcohostility” kicks off with “Bastards Clap Your Hands”. The pipes and the banjo give a Black Tartan Clan twist to the song, but The Real McKenzies influence is there too. Needless to say that this number is bagpipes punk at its best.

The following cut is called “Whiskey Rain”. The song is short, less than a minute. It has a hard rock flavour, woah chorus and kick-ass banjo picking.

If you downloaded our samplers featuring 7 Stout Clan, then you’ll be familiar with the next track, “Grief Makes a Murderer”. Excellent pipe tune on this song.

Vocal duties are switched on track no. 4, the amazing banjo punk number “Old Scratch”. After that song, the guys deliver a bagpipes hardcore number full of gang vocals: “Tartan Army”, the proof that 7 Stout Clan’s gigs must be a blast

“Reissumies” is another fast-paced banjo driven song with electric guitar. On the other hand, “Let Me Have My Beer” is a party number featuring banjo and tin whistle: fun, fun, fun. 7 Stout Clan moves slightly to the Flogging Molly end on the “closing” number “Oh My Head”. But fortunately, the mini-album is not over, as the guys have added a secret track titled “Juhannus” (Midsummer /Summer Solstice). More pipes and electric guitar on the band’s comeback to the hardcore territory.

7 Stout Clan are not a prolific band. Nevertheless, “Alcohostility” is a real gem. Rough at the edges, but a gem. Grab a copy and file together with recent releases by Raise My Kilt and The Grinning Barretts.

Track listing:

1 - Bastards, Clap Your Hands 2:54
2 - Whiskey Rain 00:59
3 - Grief Makes a Murderer 3:18
4 - Old Scratch 1:55
5 - Tartan Army 2:23
6 - Reissumies 2:23
7 - Let Me Have My Beer 3:47
8 - Oh My Head 2:53
9 - Secret Träck - Juhannus 1:12



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Review by Kinksmarkham

2018-05-13 ALBUM REVIEW - THE DOGS FROM THE GRAPES - "In the Name of Captain Ludd" (2018)

The Dogs from the Grapes "In the Name of Captain Ludd" On Airish
Released date: April 6, 2018
Running time. 29:11, 10 tracks

The Dogs from The Grapes have released their sophomore album “In the Name of Captain Ludd”. The band issued their debut album “Sailor without Sea” in September 2015 and they were our Band of the Month in October 2015. On this new offering, The Dogs from the Grapes keep on exploring their own blend of punk and folk based on flute, accordion and banjo. It’s not easy to pigeonhole the band’s sound, but I daresay that it shares some points with other Italian bands like Lennon Kelly or Strawdaze. I mean, they are not your average Celtic punk band, since influences from Italian folk music can be noticed on their sound.

The album kicks off with “The Ballad of Captain Ludd”, a song with a “Mediterranean” accordion, flute and some trumpet at the end. "Wind Never Lies” is one of the standout tracks with upbeat tin whistle, some woahs and some banjo too. Cut no. 3, “A Fuckin’ Day” is the longest track on the album. Accordion and cow punk sounding guitar open before the flute joins. then, accordion and flute becvome the lead instruments on this number.

There are two traditional numbers, “Sitor Sailor” and “My Bonnie”. The former is played with an awesome tin whistle arrangement, while the later gets the Celtic punk treatment. Between those tracks, a couple of folk punk songs with electric guitar are delivered, “Human Extinction” and “The Manoeuvrer”.

“Roadsigns” starts the countdown to the end of the album, and is followed by my fave songs, “The Unchained Lady” and “Procambarus”.

“In the Name of Captain Ludd” has been released by Italian label On Airish (The Clan’s label) and can be found on the main digital platforms (Spotify, Deezer…). Digital copies can be purchased from Amazon too.


Track listing:

01 - The Ballad of Captain Ludd 03:06
02 - Wind Never Lies 02:12
03 - A Fuckin' Day 04:00
04 - Sitorsailor 02:43
05 - Human Extinction 03:06
06 - The Manoeuvrer 03:21
07 - My Bonnie 01:38
08 - Roadsigns (Read It on the Wall) 03:03
09 - The Unchained Lady 03:06
10 - Procambarus 02:33


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Review by Kinksmarkham

2018-05-12 - VIDEOS: FIRKIN, CELTIBEERIAN, SIGULKA

More videos that have been added to our  YouTube Channel: a couple of folk metal bands from Spain (Celtibeerian and Sigulka) and the mighty Firkin from Hungary. Don't forget to subscribe!

Firkin - Awaken the Iron (lyric video)



Celtibeerian - Deiwos



Sigulka - On Fire (lyric video)





 

2018-05-10 ALBUM REVIEW - KRAKIN' KELLYS "Promised Land" (2018)

Krakin' Kellys "Promised Land"
Release date: March 17, 2018
Running time: 47:27, 14 tracks

Belgium, placed at the heart of Europe, is well-known because of its beers and its BDs (comic books) artists. Normally tourists prefer to visit Flanders (Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp) rather than the French speaking area (Wallonia). Even if the biggest cities Charleroi and Liège are not as interesting as the biggest Flemish cities, there are a couple of Walloon towns that are worth visiting: Namur and Mons.

Krakin’ Kellys hail from Namur and after having released several badass videos, they have finally released their long awaited debut album. Matthieu Hendrick (electric guitar), Pierre-Yves Berhin aka HAMO (button accordion), David Leroy (lead vocals), Oliver Drèze (drums), Stephane Mossiat (bass) and Rémi Decker (pipes and whistles) play Celtic skate punk. They blend traditional Irish Rock’nRoll with American punk music. Yes, they are not the first band to do it, since the likes of The Real McKenzies, Pipes and Pints, Drink Hunters or Irish Moutarde have previously followed a similar path. However, Krakin’ Kellys offer something different. And they add something new to the Celtic punk scene.

“Promised Land” consists of 14 tracks that are delivered in 48 minutes. Videos for the title track “Promised Land” and for “One Way” were shot in 2017 and obviusly those cuts are some of the highlights. At the beginning of 2018 the video for the amazing “Anarchy in the Double K” was unveiled and Krakin’ Kellys showcased their folkier end.

Together with those songs, there is a bunch of standout numbers such as the streetpunk song “United” (gang vocals and brilliant pipes and accordion tune), the excellent “When I Die”, with a great balance between guitars and the diatonic accordion (BTW, the accordion reminds me of Asturian folk band Tejedor), “Hey Bro” (an upbeat number with a Bastards On Parade approach) and “Giving Up” (a Rancid touch for a festive punk song).

Besides, Krakin’ Kellys master both ends, the traditional and the punk one, on “Come and Get Some” (accordion folk meets RATM) and “Our Pride” (R’n’R, hip hop and a pipes and accordion duel with an Ar Re Yaouank feel).

Ah, if you have enjoyed the cover for “Promised Land” you should know that it has been drawn by accordionist Pierre-Yves, who is also a comic book artist under the name HAMO.

If you are planning to visit Wallonia, these are the three events that you shouldn’t miss: 1) le carnaval de Binche, 2) Les 24 heures vélo de Louvain-la-Neuve, and 3) A Krakin Kellys gig. So grab a Jupiler, or better a Leffe Radieuse, and party with Krakin Kellys.


Track listing:

01. Anarchy in the Double K 03:37   
02. Bar fight 2:26
03. Promised Land 03:18   
04. Our Pride 3:47
05. United 3:15   
06. The Journey    3:16
07. Kinky Mary 3:20
08. When I die 3:25
09. Come and get some 3:16
10. Lovely Jess 3:07
11. Hey Bro 3:22
12. One Way 03:25
13. Giving up 3:13
14. Garry's Battle 4:34

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Review by kinksmarkham

2018-05-08 FREE DOWNLOADS - PADDY WHACK - some songs

Paddy Whack is a German band from Munich that was established in 1987. They have released 4 CDs and 3 cassettes.

“Great 9 Songs” MC was released in 1993 and was basically an album full of traditional numbers. The personnel that recorded the album was Kai Fahr (vocals, bass), Achim Budde (fiddle, mandolin, banjo), Tom Seefried (accordion, piano, organ, vocals), Peter Fahr (banjo, mandocello, vocals) and Klaus Zirngibl (guitar, bass drum, bass, vocals). The album was recorded and mixed by Tom Seefried.

“Nona Nana” was issued in 1996. Nine of the tracks were self-penned songs and the other five were covers. The line-up was Kai Fahr (vocals, bass, bckg. vocals), Achim Budde (fiddle, mandolin), Tom Seefried (keyboards, timbales, lead vocals on 1 track, bckg. vocals), Peter Fahr (mandola, banjo, bckg. vocals), Klaus Zirngibl (guitars, bass, lead vocals on 2 tracks, bckg. vocals), Peter Gebhard (trumpet, flugelhorn, bckg. vocals) and Georg Hopfensperger). Once again, Tom Seefried recorded and mixed the album, which was arranged and produced by Tom Seefried, Klaus Zirngibl and Paddy Whack. Some copies are available at Amazon Germany.

Paddy Whack released their last CD in 2006: “Rocky Road – Irendisko vol. 4”, a collection of Irish standards and The Pogues songs.

The current line-up is Kai Fahr (vocals, bass since 1987),  Peter Fahr (banjo, mandola, vocals since 1987), Georg Hopfensperger (percussion, cajon since 1994), Peter Gebhard (trumpet since 1996),  Vic McChord  (accordion since 2007) and Peter Hegerich (guitar since 2008)


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Nine songs from “Rocky Road – Irendisko vol. 4” can be downloaded from the “Media” page at their website. The songs have to be downloaded one by one (right click and download link as).

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2018-05-02 VIDEOS - BLACK ANEMONE, THE REAL McKENZIES, EAST RIVER RATS, THE FATTY FARMERS

Some videos that have been added to our Playlist 2018. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel. Then you'll be able to watch all the new videos before they are posted here.

Black Anemone - Far Away

The Real McKenzies - Scots Wa Ha'e

East River Rats - Let's Get Drunk

The Fatty Farmers - Himno 90 aniversario del C.D. Toledo