New Release: Drinking Boys And Girls Choir- History

A new single release from Damnably is always worth celebrating. Out today is the brand new single from Drinking Boys And Girls Choir History, and it’s absolutely wonderful. A tangy, effervescent piece of punk by the Daegu skate punk trio , it’s a headrush. They are heading out on a North American tour with OtobokeContinue reading “New Release: Drinking Boys And Girls Choir- History”

Overlooked Classics: The Damned- Strawberries

Who said goths don’t have a sense of humour? Strawberries, The Damned‘s fifth studio album, is a fun ride.Drawing upon sixties psychedelia, as with Generals, Dozen Girls and Stranger On The Town, it’s got some gleefully silly lyrics, due in no small part to trickster Capture Sensible and his playful subversion. Indeed, Don’t Bother Me andContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: The Damned- Strawberries”

A Secret Worth Sharing: Meet Anna Secret Poet

Anna Secret Poet is a genderfluid singer/songwriter,musician,poet and model based in Glasgow. Their influences range from The Ramones to Doctor Who, and you can find them performing in clubs,cabaret nights and at comedy shows.With new music on the horizon,I caught up with the delightful Anna Blair to find out what’s in store for 2024. IsContinue reading “A Secret Worth Sharing: Meet Anna Secret Poet”

The Peel Sessions- The Slits

“We were like a gang”, Viv Abertine said in her brilliant memoir, Clothes, Clothes, Clothes, Music,Music,Music,Boys,Boys,Boys. “We’d shout over to each other…OI!” It’s this uninhibited spirit that marks The Slits as unique, fearless and badass, even decades later. The sessions for John Peel reflect this. From the sarcastic sex kitten cries and faux orgasms ofContinue reading “The Peel Sessions- The Slits”

The Future’s Here Today: Currls

We’re all tired. January is a tough month, and where I am, it’s bloody freezing. So here’s something to warm us all up. Brighton garage rock trio Currls are getting a lot of heat, and rightly so. Beth Molly Moore, Trilby White and Natalie Caushaj are the band in question, and they’re sounding amazing rightContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Currls”

Lost In Music: The Pogues- Red Roses For Me

What a fully-formed debut Red Roses For Me, released in 1984, was. Somehow producer Pete Brennan managed to distil the chaotic energy of The Pogues’ live gigs.It’s stunning. This, coupled with irrepressible lead singer Shane MacGowan ‘s gimlet eyed poetry (Transmetropolitan, Dark Streets of London) meant they were forever torn between raucous piss- up andContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Pogues- Red Roses For Me”

Album Review: Small Pond- Emerging Vol 3

The small but mighty indie label Small Pond, based in Brighton, shows that alternative !music is very much thriving. This new compilation has a wide diversity of genres. There’s bright, anthemic indie pop from MaxwellTheBand with piledriving opener, ‘Bic Lighter’, Currls provide soulful /emo inspired indie with ‘April Fool’. Peach Season are another musical uContinue reading “Album Review: Small Pond- Emerging Vol 3”

Lost In Music: The Cramps- Smell Of Female (Live At The Peppermint Lounge)

Feral, camp and outrageous, The Cramps‘ live album from 1983, was apparently tweaked a little (seemingly the audience screams were from a ‘bigger’ band) but still sounds fresh and vital. It’s definitely more playful than menacing. The line-up is Interior, Rorschach, Kid Congo Powers and Nick Knox. Classic line-up as far as I’m concerned. ‘YouContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Cramps- Smell Of Female (Live At The Peppermint Lounge)”

The Future’s Here Today: Baby Lame

Described by her creator Chris Weller as a “punk -horror-drag superstar”, the award winning Baby Lame is one of the finest drag queens out there. Having wowed/freaked out audiences at the Edinburgh Festival last year with her Final Baby Girl show, she continues to stomp over cliches in her candy floss shock wig, beard, clownContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Baby Lame”

Album Review: Problem Patterns- Blouse Club

It’s nice that there are young bands who still have a lot to say. Feminist punk band Problem Patterns release their debut album Blouse Club today, and it’s politically engaged without ever losing its sense of humour or effervescent fizz. ‘Advertising Services’ takes on the ubiquity and inescapable nature of advertising and corporate sponsorship… Where’sContinue reading “Album Review: Problem Patterns- Blouse Club”