Guest reviewer Alex “Mainy” Main reviews LoGOz, fresh from watching them play The Great British Alternative Weekend in Skegness. I think it is safe to say they were one of his highlights:
The Third Wave
When the second wave of punk that was loosely termed UK82 gave way to a third wave of pop ska hardcore punk from the US those of us who preferred melody rejoiced. The umbrella that the third wave of populist punk rested under was as broad as the initial punk one was. From the tongue in cheek humour of Blink 182 to the politically charged Propaghandi we had it good.
Even with the rose tinted glasses set aside it was a solidly vibrant scene that challenged the mainstream in the best way possible. Accessible was no longer a dirty word.
It’s success also drew attention to bands here in the UK, bands like SNUFF, WORM, Turtlehead, Raggity Anne and so many more who were simultaneously forging forward with prising punk from the hands of the leather and studs acts that were embracing thrash and speed metal while indulging in grunting unintelligible ACAB lyrics and such over everything.
But as is natural the sun rose and then fell on the bands of that era. Some like Green Day and Blink 182 can still fill stadiums, but in general the acts of the time are a faded memory or making a nostalgia buck in mid sized venues, clubs and bars.
Hell for Leather
But as is also natural the wheel turns and the sounds of yesteryear can be heard echoing in the present and it certainly sounds like that wheel has turned as the UK’s LoGOz go hell for leather in trying to spearhead a resurgence by delivering a melting pot of all that floated to the top at the time while also adding a brit twist via lashings of a sound that throws the Wildhearts and Eureka Machines at that part of the brain that is deciphering influences.
Simultaneously while that bit of the brain is ticking along nicely another part is considering that Psycho Radio could be repackaged as is by a major label and given a big boys promotion budget and push LoGOz could be six months away from filling stadiums and single handedly launching an attack on the mainstream under a ‘guitars are back’ banner.
Hopefully that fantasy can even in part become a reality as we are overdue a guitar revival, and these guys could carry it with plenty of punk energy in the tank.
It’s the tail end of 2019 and this has has just muscled its way into being contender for one of the best releases of the year.
Head over to Bandcamp to grab a copy for yourself