Over the last few weeks I got my greasy mits on a few new singles/EPs, two from bands/artists I was already familiar with and another from a band who tick all the right boxes in becoming a band I want to hear a lot more of in the future.
Jonzip & Razor Ramon
First up is a new single from the legendary globetrotting Jonzip (of The Zips/Passionate Friends fame). This time feeding my vinyl addiction releasing a new joint 7” release with Portugal’s Razor Ramon (not to be mistaken for the wrestler of the same name).
Three top quality punkobillytastic tracks. I wouldn’t expect anything less from Mr “Motor Mouth” McNeil, and on hearing this I’d like to investigate more from Razor “Party Animal” Ramon
I’m not sure if you’ll get a chance to catch the duo live in the UK, but I’m sure there will be plenty opportunities to catch Jonzip with The Zips into 2019, following on from their storming set at the Joe Strummer tribute gig in Glasgow’s King Tuts on the 22nd December.
Crashing drum rolls, thumping bass and energetically vital guitars herald the arrival of Motor Mouth “I believe in freedom of speech” is the opening salvo. The track goes on to qualify the statement to the subject of the song – so long as you’ve got something to say.
We all know someone like the Party Animal. They don’t know when to stop… It’s a shame the track has to stop though with Jonzip’s urgent chorus and Ramon’s equally dynamically vibrant guitars.
Some tasty riffs and guitar licks back up Jonzip’s quality storytelling in Truth or Dare, including the story of the last-minute cancellation of The Stranglers Black and White gig in Cascais in ’78 ending in a riot after 8000 fans had congregated to attend the gig travelling from all over Portugal. The chorus – never let the truth get in the way of a good story – sounds like the mantra for all politicians and journalists these days.
Get the 7” now in Love Music, Glasgow or order online.
EX-
EP 6 is the latest release from the prolifically talented Meek and Co with EP 6 from Ex-. Once again, Ex-don’t disappoint. In fact, they have Ex-celled themselves on these 3 tracks. No mean feat considered their debut album Too Famous to Die could be classed as all killer, no filler.
The new EP features 3 tracks of Ex-traordinary, Ex-ceptional quality, with Meek’s vocals on these songs being amongst the best I’ve heard on all the bands releases.
Jungle Room kicks things off nicely with a driving guitar line with huge thumping beats at the chorus. Take Meeks advice and pump it up to maximum. “Someone turn up the volume, we’re stuck in a vacuum”. Next in Line is another slab of melodious verdant punk drawing the listener in with its insistent beat.
The tempo comes down slightly on the final, and my favourite, track on the EP, “No Means No”. The message is clear and influenced by much news coverage across the globe this year around the likes of #Metoo. Lynn Ainslie duets with Meek on this track which evokes the spirit of the New York sound of the Dolls/The Heartbreakers, with a vocal that to my ear could easily be Michael Monroe paired with Patti Smith. I love it.
Contact EX-on Facebook to order a copy.
PowderKeg
Finally, I got around to catching PowderKeg live earlier in the month supporting Duncan Reid and the Big Heads where I picked up a copy of their “Anyway Anyhow” EP.
Four immense tracks of glammy-blues-punk’n’roll, bringing a much-needed opulent shimmer and gloss to the world of rock’n’roll.
Take a bit of Hanoi Rocks, add a sprinkling of Wildhearts and the energy of a Backyard Babies gig then top it with a hint of blues and a gutsy powerful lead vocal and you have a perfect mix to get the party started. Crack open the Jack Daniels I’ll be round in five.
I’m only sorry I’m late to the party, I wish I’d seen and heard more of PowderKeg before now. I’m not one for New Year resolutions, but I do resolve to keep close to what this band do in 2019.
And don’t just take my word for it, Classic Rock magazine featured “Make Up Your Mind” on their Best of 2018 CD. Big things beckon?
Get in touch with PowderKeg on Facebook to pick up your own copy
I’m Looking forward to more from all three bands in the coming year.
First class review of the Truth Or Dare EP, Mr Quiff! I shall share this with Razor Ramon and Andre at Different Class Records, who also runs the fanzine O Alfinete. Nice to see that you did your research on that Stranglers gig. The other verse was based on a guy I met, Paulo Ramos, who was the guitarist in a punk band in Lisbon, in the 70’s. The lead singer died, before the band could ask him if he did still had the demo cassettes that they had recorded. So, now they have no way of remembering the songs. Sad story. Thanks again for the spiffing review!