If you looked in as an outsider, The CundeeZ are one of these bands who are always labelled as “punk”, but when you peel away the layers there is much more than that. What does punk really mean anyway? Bring half a dozen old punks into a room and they’ll all have a different view of what it means to them… Never a band to conform to the norms (I mean, a punk band with bagpipes that wear kilts onstage?) the latest album, Geeez It!, like its predecessor, Teckle & Hide, while undeniably the sound of The CundeeZ, dips its toes into a variety of genres, this time taking in rockabilly territory, as well as other genres like new wave/post-punk and folk.
Bag O’ Riffs opens up the album, this instrumental does exactly what it says on the label, each band member riffing away as if their lives depended on it, coming together in a melee of crashing noise before giving way to the behemoth that is the albums title track Geeez It! On my first couple of listens to the album I didn’t get past this song, hitting the repeat button to listen out for the little nuances I missed the first time, from the thunder of drums, through sing a long chants, little post punk guitar flourishes, and taking things into 1990s punk with a wee Ash-like riff. The band then veer into pirate punk territory taking to the seas in East Meets West. Well kent references appear throughout the album – links to the first wave of punk (Holidays in the Sun, “Jiggin'” in the Riggin’, right through to plenty of nods to Gary’s love of all things Peat and Diesel (East Meets Wets and Stornoway Stomp), plenty of enjoying the craic, and absolutely no drinking songs…
Ok, I lied. What would a Cundeez album be without a song about a good sesh? Will On The Ran Dan do for you? The invite is open to all… “Come alang, come alang, we’re goin’ on the randan…” You away to the bar? Mine’s a hauf n hauf…This is sure to go down well at rebellion later in the year.
My love of all things rockabilly is satisfied by the inclusion of their just for the hell of it romp, Rockabilliy Revolution. With references from teddy boys through to psychobillys, the song is basically an acknowledgement that rock n roll will never die, and that rockabilly has never really goes away. Count the many rockabilly references to the fashions and trend, bands and songs throughout this real foot tapper. I’m glad to say, rockabilly is in safe hands with the younger generation – the (just) 20 somethings of The Best Bad Influence leading the 21st century Rockabilly Revolution.
Elsewhere, there are more tributes to Peat and Diesel in the form of Stornoway Stomp along the ubiquitous cover version, this time the Martha and the Muffins classic, Echo Beach as I’m sure you’ve never heard it before. Take it from someone who has tried – playing rock songs on the bagpipes is no mean feat due to the limited range of notes, I only once managed it once with an Elvis song for a wedding…while the band go hammer and tongs down the serious rock route, instruments bringing the storm on CG McGeddon, with lyrics encouraging speaking up if you are burdened by your mental health.
There is a wee party at the end of the album, Scotland appearing an the Euro’s last summer saw a spate of football songs appearing like hadn’t been seen for years, Rudebeard and The Cundeez battling with Baccara, if I’m honest I’m still a bit baffled by that one. Kilts On, Taps Aff makes much more sense to me as a terrace anthem.
Finishing as it started with an instrumental, this time the band takes takes a traditional tune and charge it up by turning guitars instead of fiddles up to 11 to compliment Gary’s piping, with drums and bass keeping everything in time with military precision before all coming together in an almighty crescendo.
The band were supposed to support The Rumjacks in Slay earlier in the year. Like many other gigs it didn’t survive the COVID restrictions. Glad to say its back on in August and I’m looking for both bands to take the lead and live up to the name of the venue…