2019-03-02 VIDEOS - THE PIKEYS, GREENLAND WHALEFISHERS AND LENNON KELLY

Videos from the USA (Internet ad for The Pikeys new beer collaboration with Tower Brewing Company), Norway (Greenland Whalefishers, 2nd single from their new album) and Italy (Lennon Kelly).

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2019-01-15 VIDEOS - MENEGUINNESS, JOLLY JACKERS AND JEILIDH

A new playlist is available at our YouTube channel, Celtic Folk Punk 2019. These are some of the videos that have been added.

2018-12-01 VIDEOS - SKINNY LISTER, FOLKAMISERIA, THE LED FARMERS

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2018-11-27 IRISH ALEHOUND, A BAND FROM ITALY

Irish Alehound is a celtic punk band from Imola, Italy. They've released 3 demo tracks in June 2018.

 

The line-up is Alessandro Panzo Franzoni (lead vocals), Simone Loretti (banjo, bck. vocals), Tomasso Murolo (acoustic guitar), Matteo Rossi (accordion), Giovanni Mongio Montanari (bass), Samuele Anconelli (drums) and Lorenzo Poggiali (electric guitar).

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2018-10-09 VIDEOS - MOSCHE DI VELLUTO GRIGIO, LEXINGTON FIELD, THE LED FARMERS

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Mosche Di Velluto Grigio



Lexington Field - Michigan




The Led Farmers - If I Should Fall from Grace with God

2018-06-15 VIDEOS - MOSCHE DIVELLUTO GRIGIO, LOCHNESZ, SONS OF O'FLAHERTY

The latest additions to our YouTube channel. Subscribe!

 Mosche di Velluto Grigio - Glasgow Town



Loch Nesz - Mr. Másnapos



Sons of O'Flaherty - The Lucky Ones
 

2018-06-07 VIDEOS - LES HUMEURS CÉRÉBRALES, LEVELLERS AND UNCLE BARD & THE DIRTY BASTARDS

 

 

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Les Humeurs Cérébrales - Dear Molly (feat. The Crook and the Dylans)



Levellers - Chaos Theory Live 2006 - Full Concert



Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards - Anger

 

 

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

2018-02-23 VIDEOS - TEMPEST, LENNON KELLY, BLACK WATER COUNTY, Mr.IRISH BASTARD, FINNEGAN'S HELL, THE REAL McKENZIES AND RAWLINS CROSS

Seven vids that have been added tou our YouTube channel during the last 3 days!!!

Tempest - Thirty little Birds



Lennon Kelly - Mio Fratello



Black Water County - Rise and Fall



Mr. Irish Bastard - We are the Drunks



Finnegan's Hell - Shane MacGowan's Grave



The Real McKenzies - One Day



Rawlins Cross - Rock Steady



 

2018-02-09 VIDEOS - KRAKIN' KELLYS, MENEGUINNESS, FEROCIOUS DOG

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

Krakin' Kellys - Anarchy in the Double K



Meneguinness - Cotton Eyed Joe



Ferocious Dog - A and B

2018-01-27 VIDEOS - FINNEGAN'S HELL, PIRATES OF THE PUBS, UNCLE BARD & THE DIRTY BASTARDS

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

Finnegan's Hell - Coal Mine
 


Pirates of the Pub -Budweis Pirates Clan



Uncle Bard & The Dirty Bastards - Lads from the Countryside

 

2017-12-19 VIDEOS - LENNON KELLY, SELFISH MURPHY, 13KRAUSS

These are the latest videos that have been added to our YouTube channel. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on Facebook. Then you'll be able to watch all the new videos before they are posted here.

 

 Lennon Kelly - Mazapégul



Selfish Murphy - Drunken Bastards



13Krauss - En mi ataúd

2017-08-18 VIDEOS - RAIN IN SUMMER, MENEGUINNESS, LES TRICARDS

Some videos that have been recently added to the Celtic Folk Punk YouTube channel. Don't miss any update, subscribe!

Rain In Summer - Eksploitasi



Meneguinness - Buonanotte a chi non dorme



Les Tricards - Saint Pogo

2017-07-12 ALBUM REVIEW - HOOLIGANS' MOUNTAIN "Dalle strade, dalle valli" (2017)

Hooligans' Mountain "Dalle Strade, Dalle Valli"
Release date: July 14, 2017
Running time: 43:19, 10 tracks + hidden track

An important part of the Italian Celtic folk punk scene consists of bands that sing in their mother tongue. Apart from the godfathers of the Italian scene (Modena City Ramblers) bands such as Mosche di Velluto Grigio, Menneguinness, Kitchen Implosion, Lennon Kelly and Strawdaze, sing mainly in Italian. Even if every band has its own identity, all of them merge Celtic influences with Italian music.

Hooligans’ Mountain are Alberto “Bertu” Ughetti (bagpipes, clarinet, tin whistle), Davide “Dado” Benso (vocals, bass), Enrico “Ricu” Bruno (drums, percussion), Luca “Gene” Genero (accordion, fiddle, banjo) and Martin Campolongo (electric and acoustic guitar). They hail from the Turin region and they released a couple of tracks at the second half of 2015, “Indigeno” and “Balkanica”, where they blended Celtic music with Occitan, ska and Balkan sounds.

Hooligans’ Mountain debut album is titled “Dalle strade, dalle valli” (from the streets, from the valleys). They play an upbeat (Celtic) folk punk that shares a common ground with the likes of Strawdaze. The vast majority of the songs on “Dalle strade, dalle valli” follow that path. But there are also kick-ass intrumentals and an excellent number with an Italian traditional sound.

The core of the album are tracks from 1 to 3, track 6 and track 8.”Spettro” is a fast-paced number featuring bagpipes, accordion and fiddle. The vocals have a punk treatment and there is a short ska passage. “La Grolla dell’amicizia” is a tin whistle led folk-punk song with “hey hey” shouts. “Hermanos” deals with the relationship between Italia and Argentina. A huge percentage of the Argentinian population is from Italian origin. In fact, hermanos is a Spanish word, the Italian translation would be fratelli. The song starts with some claps, drunken vocals and the sound of the accordion. Soon the rhythm section and the tin whistle join the accordion, and then the vocals move to the DKM territory. There are plenty of gang vocals on “Non ci arrenderemo mai” too, another cut based on the accordion and the tin whistle. Finally, “Maraja” is a track with fantastic banjo picking and tin whistle playing.

Hooligans' Mountain take a risk with “Passo dopo passo”. There is some ska, klezmer echoes thanks to the clarinet and female background vocals.

The two instrumentals are “Mazurca” and “Bourrée 4t”. The former is a dancing tune featuring accordion and tin whistle (and a tight rhythm section), while the latter is a lively folk rock tune.

“Il Bersagliero” is a cut with an Italian folk flavor. Bagpipes can be heard again on a number that reminds me of Kitchen Implosion.

Hooligans’ Mountain “Dalle strade, dalle valli” is a well-balanced album. Moreover, the production is excellent and all the acoustic instruments can be perfectly heard. BTW, there is a hidden track on “Dalle strade, dalle valli”. It’s one of the singles that were previously released. Which one? Buy the CD!


Track listing:

01 - Spettro
02 - La grolla dell'amicizia
03 - Hermanos
04 - Cita e bela Turin
05 - Passo dopo passo
06 - Non ci arrenderemo mai
07 - Mazurka
08 - Maraja
09 - Il bersagliero
10 - Bourée 4T

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Review by Kinksmarkham

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

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Review by Kinksmarkham

2017-02-01 VIDEOS - DANGEROUS FOLK, THE PEELERS, UNCLE BARD AND THE DIRTY BASTARDS

Three new videos added to our YouTube channel :

The Dangerous Folk single (a new Aussie band from Brisbane), a song off the new The Peelers album and a lyrics video off the Uncle Bard and The Dirty Bastards sophomore album.

The Dangerous Folk - Sum of All My Fears

 

The Peelers - Going Down Swingin'

 

Uncle Bard and The Dirty Bastards - Gypsy Geezers

2017-01-05 VIDEOS - MICK O'TOOLE, SMZB and MENEGUINNESS

I have just opened a new Youtube playlist for 2017. These are the first videos that have been added. Remember that you can subscribe to the Celtic Folk Punk YouTube channel HERE.

Mick O'Toole - As If It Were to End



SMZB - One Night in Prison



Meneguinness feat. Leslie Abbadini - Hallelujah ( Leonard Cohen cover)

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

Kitchen Implosion's Christmas video. Enjoy!

Kitchen Implosion - Palle Appese

2016-06-10 ALBUM REVIEW - MENEGUINNESS "A chi non dorme" (2016)

Meneguinness "A chi non dorme" Maninalto
Release date: March 17, 2016
Running time: 43:30, 11 tracks

Jan Imbesi (accordion, piano), Daniele Forcella (vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica), Davide Bini (drums), Fabio Mantegazza (bass, backing vocals), Mauricio Bisol (fiddle), Lorenzo Sacco (electric guitar) and Fabio Salvalaggio (tin whistle) are Meneguinness, a band from Brugherio (Milan, Italy) that was founded in 2012. Their self-titled debut album was released in 2014 and consisted of a bunch of Irish standards and two covers: “Galway Girl” and “Ring of Fire”. Three videos from that album were posted HERE and now the guys have moved forward and have issued a sophomore album based on their own songwriting: “A chi non dorme”.

Meneguinness sing in their own language and therefore the first band that comes to my mind is Modena City Ramblers.  Their sound is sometimes similar to MCR early years, but the Clash and Mano Negra influences are not so obvious. Besides, on their quieter numbers Meneguinness follow and approach similar to that of Quebec’s finest band Bodh’aktan.

The album begins with “Bergamo”. The intro has a Mexican feel, thanks to the accordion and bass. However, the song turns into a Flogging Molly influenced number showcasing banjo (guest Sergio Pontoriero), fiddle and tin whistle. The last part of the song is 100% Italian accordion music. The video for this song can be watched HERE .

There is no gap between track 1 and track 2, “Titanic (John Ryan’s Polka)”. It’s really a pity that Celtic punk/rock bands always chose the same tune when they record a polka. Nevertheless, Menneguinness deliver a great version and every single instrument has its own place: fiddle, tin whistle, mandolin, electric guitar …

“E’ tardi” is a slower number, but it’s very interesting too. As I’ve previously mentioned, this song reminds me of Bodh’aktan’s quietest moments. The next number is called “Felix Pietro”, a song about the Italian emigration in the XIXth century. I love the upbeat fiddle beginning and the overall epic feel thanks to the accordion. The level goes up with “Pietrino”, a fast paced number with a great end featuring tin whistle and fiddle and one of the hottest numbers together with the opening track and track no. 10.

“Dany del Nord” is a cover of “Donegal Danny”, but Menneguinness have put their own words about a shipwreck. It starts acoustically and little by little drums, accordion, banjo and fiddle join in. The country sounding electric guitar adds something new to the song. Nice cover.

“Crandall Canyon” tells the story of a mining accident that took place in Utah in August 2007. This song is folk-rock at its best: beautiful harmonica and piano first notes, fantastic fiddling, tin whistling and accordion playing, excellent rhythm section and a kick-ass electric guitar again.

The next song is titled “Donna Manager”, a number with an addictive chorus and a badass tin whistle and fiddle tune at the end. It’s followed by a song about the London terrorist attacks in 2005, "Dolce Signora". Track no. 10 is a song written by the Italian songwriter Massimo Bubola for Italian singer Fiorella Mannoia in 1992: “Il Cielo d’Irlanda” (Ireland’s sky). Brilliant version by Menneguiness, since they have been able to take a top-notch song and arranged it in an updated Celtic rock way. If Modena City Ramblers chose Bob Geldof’s “The Great Song of Indifference”, Menneguinness have chosen another amazing song too, “Il Cielo d’Irlanda” and they have done a great job. That’s the kind of cover that I like to discover in a Celtic rock/punk album. Hats-off guys!

The album is over with a slow ballad, “Buonanotte a chi non dorme”, a song dedicated to our youth. Piano, banjo, fiddle … and an appealing electric guitar work that reminds me of the Christy Moore “Unfinished Revolution” and “Voyage” years.

“A chi non dorme” comes in a six panel digipack. No lyrics are included, but the liner notes have a short explanation about the album concept and comments about every single track. Line-up, guests and studio credits can be found together with contact addresses and a full band pic.

I’m happy; Meneguinness have always been on my radar and I’ve been waiting for this moment. After a full standards/cover album Meneguinness have  released an excellent sophomore album based on their own material. And the final result is spotless. Even if you can’t speak Italian, you’ll enjoy “A chi non dorme”. That’s the power of music, and Menneguinness’s life is music.

Tracklist:

01 - Bergamo 3:57
02 - Titanic 2:49
03 - E' tardi 4:26
04 - Felix Pedro 4:33
05 - Pietrino 3:27
06 - Danny del nord 4:18
07 - Crandall Canyon 4:09
08 - Donna Manager 4:21
09 - Dolce signora 3:58
10 - Il cielo d'Irlanda 3:20
11 - Buonanotte a chi non dorme 4:10

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Review by Kinksmarkham

2016-04-15 VIDEO - MOSCHE DI VELLUTO GRIGIO "Northwest Passage"

Official video for "Northwest Passage", off Mosche di Velluto Grigio upcoming album "Old School". The video has already been added to our YouTube channel. Don't forget to subscribe!

Mosche di Velluto Grigio - NorthWest Passage