VA -May the Folk Be With You Vol. I, Uncleowen Music UNCL045Release date: 2011Running time: 33:32, 10 tracksSamplers are the easiest way to show what is going on in the Celtic rock scene. “
Maybe the Folk Be With You Vol. 1”, the last sampler release by the Japanese label Uncleowen presents 5 bands, four Celtic punk and Celtic rock bands (
MoDERN B Beard,
Ally Band,
Pinch of Snuff and
Royal Shamrock) and one ska band (
The Autocratics).
MoDERN B Beard were recently reviewed here, so I guess that you will be familiar with them. The two tracks that are featured are tracks no 2 and track no. 11 taken from their debut album “
1st Log Book”. I would have chosen other tracks but these two songs are enough to know that these guys are leading the Japanese Celtic punk scene.
The next band is called
Ally Band. Band members are Ally (Great Highland pipes), NKB (guitar) and Osamu. I like their approach and I have enjoyed both tracks, but I prefer the second one, "
Hellbound Train". I have the impression that Ally doesn’t feel so comfortable on the first one, “
Mason’s Apron”. Anyway, a very interesting band.
The third band is
Pinch of Snuff and they have already released a 5 track EP (three set of tunes and two Irish songs). The band consists of Tiger (vocals and guitar, he’s
MoDERN B Beard’s accordionist), Yuka (fiddle), Mattsn (tin whistle), Marinanne (bodhrán), Shark (double bass) and Ichi (5 string banjo). A different sound, but quite enjoyable.
"Pinsuna Set" is an excellent selection of tunes:
Tam Lin / The Cooley’s / The Mouth of Tobique.
The Autocratics are a ska band. Not a Celtic ska band, but a 2 Tone ska band. If you like
The Specials,
The Selecter or
Bad Manners, check
The Autocratics.
The last band is
Royal Shamrock. They are the best known band in the sampler, as they have released a couple of albums and an EP. Besides, their music have been featured in several samplers. The two tracks come from their second album and I feel that they are moving away from the Celtic influence. By the way, the guy that plays the electric guitar is Tiger. Yes, the same guy that is a member of
MoDERN B Beard and
Pinch of Snuff and who was a member of
The Croagh Patrick. And the drummer is a guy known as Sexy, who was also a member of The Croagh
Patrick.
UncleOwen is doing a fine job releasing and distributing European, North American and Australian Celtic punk bands in the Japanese market. But, at the same time, the label is giving a boost to their local scene. Thanks, Sota.
Tracklist:
1. MoDERN B Beard - Viking Aubade 3:17
2. MoDERN B Beard - The Leaving Of Liverpool 3:11
3. ALLY BAND - Mason's Apron 2:47
4. ALLY BAND - The Hellbound Train 3:46
5. PINCH OF SNUFF - Star Of The County Down 2:00
6. PINCH OF SNUFF - Pinsuna Set 4:22
7. THE AUTOCRATICS - Suited & Booted'79 4:02
8. THE AUTOCRATICS - (The Brown Eyes)RICH GIRL 4.25
9. Royal SHAMROCK - Komoriuta 2:53
10. Royal SHAMROCK - Amewokakeru Ryusei 2:50
http://modernbbeard.web.fc2.comhttp://www.myspace.com/modernbbeardhttp://www.myspace.com/allybandhttp://pinchofsnuff.web.fc2.comhttp://www.myspace.com/pinchofsnuffhttp://www.autocratics.comhttp://jp.myspace.com/theautocratics2009http://www.gunyukakkyo.comhttp://www.myspace.com/royalshamrockClick to buyhttp://surf-project.com/uncleowen-music/va-and-split/list/vamay-the-folk-be-with-you-vol1.htmlReview by Kinksmarkham. 
