Tag Archives: Dirty Water

The Jack Cades: Music for Children

Garage rock ‘n’ soul from the UK scene

This four-piece brings together experience from such UK garage, soul and freakbeat bands as the Embrooks, Mystreated, Baron Four, Thee Vicars, and Masonics. Their debut is an eight-song mini-album stuffed with snotty vocals and guitar solos from Mike Whittaker, catchy rhythm guitar riffs from Elsa Whittaker, and a solid bottom end from bassist John Gibbs and drummer Mole. Their eight originals suggest early Stones, the Pretty Things, Faces and Standells, and the album closes with the surf-tinged psychedelic sounds of “Don’t Let Them Bring You Down.” Eight tasty morsels for garage dwellers. [©2018 Hyperbolium]

The Jack Cades’ Bandcamp Page

Lucy and the Rats: Lucy and the Rats

Garage-punk-pop flashes back back to the ‘80s, ‘70s and ‘60s

The Australian-born, London-based Lucy Spazzy conjures the retro-tinged blend of power pop and DIY garage punk that fueled 1980s acts like the Pussywillows, Primitives, Josie Cotton, and Nikki & the Corvettes. It pairs melody with attitude, as did the Shangri-Las, Lesley Gore, Blondie and the Ramones, with loud guitars, vocal harmonies and driving rhythms powering lyrics of romantic longing, anticipation, confusion, despair and second chances. Spazzy teeters between exultation and heartbreak, vacillating between surrendering to and fighting off love’s inexorable pull. The album closes with the sun-drenched problems of “Can’t Surf,” timed perfectly for the record’s summer release. Roll the windows down and turn the stereo up! [©2018 Hyperbolium]

Lucy and the Rats’ Bandcamp Page

The Masonics: Obermann Rides Again

Ferocious Medway rock ‘n’ roll

Fans of Thee Headcoats, Mighty Casears and Prisoners will rejoice at the ninth album from this all-star Medway band. Fronted by ex-Milkshake Mickey Hampshire on guitar, and backed by drummer Bruce Brand (Pop Rivets, Milkshakes) and bassist John Gibbs (Kaisers), the Masonics offer the perfect combination of unpolished garage rock and blues-based melodies – something you might call rough ‘n’ roll. Even the ballad “I Don’t Understand Her Any More” isn’t exactly tender, with Hampshire pleading his case as more of a complaint than a concern, and the Animals-like “What Do You Do” providing a sobering, after-the-fact look in the mirror. The trio channels Bo Diddley’s rhythmic stomp in “You Don’t Have to Travel” and “The Unsignposted Road,” crank up the tempo to amphetamine punk for “You’re a Stranger,” and nail the combustible tension of the early Who with “You Won’t See Me Again.” The band’s energy is relentless as Hampshire picks guitar solos and Brand rides his cymbals, creating music that’s perfect for a sweaty, overcrowded beer-stained venue near you. [©2017 Hyperbolium]

The Masonics’ Facebook Page

MFC Chicken: Goin’ Chicken Crazy

mfcchicken_goinchickencrazy_chrismooreGreasy old-school R&B with a bawdy sense of humor

If you like your R&B with shouted vocal, thick sax, garage guitar and a manic rhythm section, you may already be acquainted with this UK band. If not, their throwback frat-rock will have you asking the clerk to get you a copy of their record from under the counter. Whether rocking up a “Hooch Party,” lusting after “Women Who Jog” or extolling (Ben Vaughn style) the pleasures of “New Socks,” vocalist Spencer Evoy decorates every lyric with a suggestive smile. The core lineup of guitar, drums, bass and tenor sax is thickened by guest baritone sax and piano, allowing the group to cover ground from Little Richard to Bo Diddley to the Fabulous Wailers. The songs are both tribute and parody, nodding to ‘50s tropes with “I Ain’t Crying (That’s Just Pomade in My Eyes),” launching a worldwide dance craze with the honking sax and dynamic backbeat of “Roast Potato Time,” and throwing social mores to the wind with “Blackout Drunk” and “Baby Let Me Bang Your Box.” If Bob Seger is still looking for some old time rock ‘n’ roll – in the vein of Big Jay McNeely, the Sonics and Gary “U.S.” Bonds – he should look right here. [©2016 Hyperbolium]

MFC Chicken’s Facebook Page