Time and Time Again - Johnny Casino (Folc Records)

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By The Barman

The Barman

12 May 2017

Hits: 5222

Recorded in fits and spurts across four years and multiple countries, “Time and Time Again” had a drawn-out, trans-national gestation and birth. That’s fitting because it’s an album with a spirit that doesn’t need a visa to work in any place that’s receptive to spirited, heartfelt rock and roll.

It’s been said before but bears repetition: Johnny Casino’s been a moderately well-kept secret in his birth country of Australia since he struck out under his own name in the ‘90s. With Easy Action and then The Secrets - the former a US-spawned crew, the latter a rotating cast of members in various Aussie state capital cities - he’s built a formidable body of work without bothering mainstream taste arbiters. 

• johnny casino
• hit the ground running
• time and time again
• folc records
• la vila nova

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Cold Irons Bound - Cold Irons Bound (self released) & The Edge of Winter - Eden (Seraph)

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By Robert Brokenmouth

Robert Brokenmouth

11 May 2017

Hits: 3630

You need to know that I don’t know Melbourne band Cold Irons Bound from a bag of chops, while I do know Sean Bowley, the man behind Eden (a situation which I dread, because what if my mate produces some awful muck? How the fuck do you tell them?). 

And the thing is, while I always give a band an even chance regardless of whether I do or don’t know the personnel involved, there’s always a risk that some irritable individual will go, "Hey… favouritism!"

• cold irons bound
• sean bowley
• eden
• melborne
• the edge of winter

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Rush b/w Raw Ramp (Easy Action)

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By The Barman

The Barman

10 May 2017

Hits: 4691

Birmingham’s Black Bombers follow their rough ’n’ tumble, rambunctious eponymous debut album and "Crazy" 45 with a Record Store Day single and it’s a totally righteous effort. 

A slinky bass-line and sultry vocal (that’s Rachel Mayfield in the duet, ex-delicious monster) give “Rush” a downright sexy feel.“You take my mind over the top/You make my senses stand up,” intones guitarist Alan Byron before the song’s consumed by a monstrous guitar break and a wave of horns. Sonically speaking, it’s simply spectacular.

• easy-action
• record store day
• black bombers
• birmingham
• rush b/w raw ramp

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Monsters b/w Before You Go - DM3 (Spider Music)

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By The Barman

The Barman

10 May 2017

Hits: 4756

It’s been a long time between drinks but the DM3 cocktail remains as sweet as ever, without losing any of its bite. This limited edition, double A-sided 45 shows off the Fremantle trio’s trademark tight harmonies and guitar-fuelled melodies, just right.

• dm3
• stems
• powerpop
• dom mariani
• before you go

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URRAH!! – Rattens Kater (Conquest of Noise)

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By The Barman

The Barman

10 May 2017

Hits: 6089

In Kärrgruvan, Sweden, where Rattens Krater apparently come from, they call it “terrorpop”. You might coin a different name. Go ahead, knock yourself out…

Stylistically speaking, “Urrah!” is a game of Musical Twister: One limb is anchored on the hard rock colour, another is on electronic-punk. A third is planted on grunge-pop and the other is flailing about, threatening to land somewhere else, depending on what you’re second-guessing them to be doing.

• conquest of noise
• Rattens Kater
• urrah
• swedish

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Death Of An Angel - Destination Lonely (Voodoo Rhythm)

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By The Barman

The Barman

06 May 2017

Hits: 4970

Trashy wah-wah skronk is what Destination Lonely delivers. In spades.

A bass-less trio from Toulouse, the members have done time in Jerry Spider Gang, The Fatals and Kung Fu Escalators. If those names mean anything to you, you’ll know what to expect. Just imagine them frolicking in a swamp. 

This is rock and roll from the dirty side of the street. All the well-to-do people live somewhere else. Opener “Dirt Preacher” sets the scene: Barely audible, angsty vocals under layers of guitar. The wah pedal signifies music that opens up and bleeds, on a regular basis. 

• garage
• swamp
• voodoo rhythm
• jerry spider gang
• destination lonely
• death of an angel
• lo spider

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Speaks Evil – Giuda (Conquest of Noise)

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By The Barman

The Barman

03 May 2017

Hits: 4492

Italy’s best kept secret since the Bellini cocktail with Peroni chaser has an Australian record label. In an age of Fake News, this is significant Good News. It means there’s one fewer reason (like overseas postage) for Aussies not to pay attention.

So let's catch up with the rest of the world: Giuda play irresistible songs that marry all the best parts of glam rock to punk. That’s the simple story. Handclaps mixed with hooks… nasty, gravel rash chords…rifferama that’s sharper than a Rome pickpocket’s reflexes.

• punk
• conquest of noise
• glam
• giuda
• italian

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Hate The Blues, Personal Frequency & Ballads of Chessells&Shooter b/w Only Happy - The Dope Smoking Morons (self released)

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By Ronald Brown

Ronald Brown

02 May 2017

Hits: 4102

Australia has, and always will have, a thriving underground music scene. It’s the DIY attitude towards garage/punk rock that endures for many of us, and I’m pleased  to say Ronnie Dap’s The Dope Smoking Morons’ three releases on Bandcamp are keeping the old eight-track-tape machine, no-computers ethos alive and kicking.

Recorded at Dap’s Melbourne home, this nine-song collection of recordings (spread over three titles) is primitive in its sound with very little production, apart from a few overdubs (necessary when the man doubles up on guitar, drums and bass.) Ronnie also has a crack at the singing.

• punk
• melbourne
• the dope smoking morons
• ronnie dap

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Claw Machine Wizard - Left Lane Cruiser (Alive Natural Sounds)

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By Ronald Brown

Ronald Brown

29 April 2017

Hits: 5210

US label Alive Natural Sound have released the seventh album by the wonderful Left Lane Cruiser and to use a descriptor that no American will understand, “Claw Machine Wizard” is a ripper.

Indiana born and breed, this duo of Freddy J Evans (guitar-vocals) and Pete Rio (drums) brings the band back to what founding member Freddy has always seen as its place: two-piece blues /rock. Boy, does it work.

• garage
• left lane cruiser
• alive natural sound
• claw machine wizard
• hillbilly

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