ICE CREAM FOR QUO FANZINE
In our last issue I reviewed a CD called 'Teaism' whilst drinking a refreshing cup of PG tips. To my great delight, this time I am listening to a CD called 'Music By People Who drink Cider in the Gutter' so I felt it my duty to pick up a bottle or three of Strongbow (not Diamond White, I have learnt my lesson).
I gulped down the sweet golden intoxicant whilst listening to these three enchanting CDs.
If you buy these records direct from the TNS webstore they will cost you a mere £4 each. Buy all three for less than the price of the shite new Axl Rose cd, which as I type this is being hyped to the fullest extent. If you like noisy guitar music there is bound to be a band or two on here that satisfies your taste more than that Guns n' Roses crap. Could I just take this moment to point out how truly pointless and rubbish Axl Rose is. Thank you.
My personal TNS favourites of this moment are Revenge of the Psychotronic Man, partly because in my current state of inebriation their approach to the music reminds me of that nervous energy generated by the Dead Kennedys.
The visuals: The back of Vol. 1 has a rather disturbing cartoon drawing of a jaguar armed with a gun and a knife. the knife seems uneccessary, what with big cats having those sharp claws and teeth.
TNS002 continues this bizarre animal violence theme with a picture of a horse punching a dog in the face! TNS003 has some rather good monochrome paintings of old peoples faces. if i have deciphered the signature correctly they are by someone called Adam B.
A SHORT FANZINE ABOUT ROCKING
That's Not Skanking have been entertaining Manchester for going on four years now with their gigs at venues throughout the city centre (such as Joshua Brooks and The Retro Bar) as wel as the fanzine they give out for free wherever they can, and in that time they have across many a band that they've felt aren't getting the attention they deserve. So here they take that next step, and have put together twenty tracks, by twenty acts they love and have set up a record label in order t get the damn thing out there to the masses. It's balls out punk at its best, and though on occasion it can lag (due to the fact that variety here means a band has brass) for most part this is a fantastic compilation of underground punk bands. Stand out tracks on here are The Shadowcops 'Putsch', Just Panics 'Crime', the utterly brilliant 'Curriculum Vitae' by Manchesters very own Harijan, and 'Kidnap and Ransom' by On The Turn, but that's not to say any of the other tracks here are no good. The quality is off the charts, and it's actually shocking how good all twenty tracks are. A definate must have for anyone into underground punk, or looking to get into it.
BARBIE'S DEAD
There are some good songs on this. I like the street punk of Dangerfields and Revenge of the Psychotronic Man and Buzzkill do what they do with the brassy ska thing better than anybody else. TNSRecords have put together a fine compilation here. Dog Toffee, the Shuffle and Speeding Bee are a few of the other bands represented. Just dump some of the ska eh? 99% of ska bands are shit although Sonic Boom Six do it well. Leave ska to the Specials and the Beat - bands who know what they are doing with it.
IN ON IT
There are some good songs on this. I like the street punk of Dangerfields and Revenge of the Psychotronic Man and Buzzkill do what they do with the brassy ska thing better than anybody else. TNSRecords have put together a fine compilation here. Dog Toffee, the Shuffle and Speeding Bee are a few of the other bands represented. Just dump some of the ska eh? 99% of ska bands are shit although Sonic Boom Six do it well. Leave ska to the Specials and the Beat - bands who know what they are doing with it.
LEEDS MUSIC
http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/10371/
9/10
'Music By People Who Drink Cider In The Gutter,' the mammoth twenty song, twenty band round-up of punk bands from in and around the Manchester area, kicks off with 'Midnight Scene' from The Dangerfields. It's pretty standard punk fair, offering up shouty vocals, triumphantly barked gang vocals, and riffs and drums played at triple speed. It gets this TNS compilation off to a fittingly fast and furious start, although The Dangerfields do go a little heavy on the galloping drumbeats, and consequently they tend to overwhelm the song slightly.
Revenge of The Psychotronic Man fair much better with the brilliantly-titled 'Get Pissed, Talk Shit, Dance Like An Idiot.' This rowdy party anthem whips along at a frightening pace, as squealy chords flutter around a tight central beat, and disorderly gang vocals chant the no-brainer mantra "get pissed, talk shit, dance like an idiot!" It's ridiculously good fun, and will make you wish you were dancing to this live, rather than just listening to it on CD.
Next up are The Kirkz, who aren't a million miles away from R.O.T.P.M, as twitchy riffs and raucous gang vocals make for another good time anthem. It's also surprisingly catchy, with verses of toe-tapping riffs and brisk vocal patter, and choruses of call-to-arm lyrics sang over driving punk rhythms.
'Putsch' by The Shadowcops bumps energy levels even higher, with an initial showing of hammering drums, dizzying riffs and shouty, hoarse-throated vocals. The second half adopts a cock-rock swagger and a slight polish, as The Shadowcops crack out the massive riffs and shout-along vocals for a hugely entertaining end-section. If you like your punk to be all about having a good time, then you couldn't do much better than the triple whammy of 'Get Pissed...' 'Ratz' and 'Putsch.'
Buzzkill's offering, 'Broken Picture' has a slicker sound than much of this compilation, largely thanks to liberal helpings of saxophone and trumpet that perfectly echo the patterns of Matt's vocals.
'Broken Picture' is an irresistibly bouncy ska-punk track that ricochets between twitchy, self-consciously cool verses and hard-partying ska-punk choruses. This is one song you'll struggle to sit still to.
In stark contrast, 'One Day' is steady punk-rock with classy guitar solos and vocals you can actually sing along to. After the immediacy and liveliness of the first five tracks, The Great St Louis' offering feels like a definite step downwards in terms of tempo. However, it does boast a longer-lasting sound, and their frontman has an unusual, hoarse timbre to his voice that's surprisingly addictive. A definite grower.
Even on a compilation of serious up-and-coming talent, Dog Toffee's 'NME Darling' really stands out from the crowd. You'll need a crowbar to remove that near-perfect chorus from your frontal lobe, as frontman BH alternates between soaring, life-affirming high notes and likeably grim low notes. While it sounds as though BH's stood about four foot away from the microphone, and his vocals are crying out for some extra 'oomph,' 'NME Darling' is just so catchy and well-pitched, that you'll forgive BH for not belting out those lyrics. A must-hear.
Just Panic's contribution, 'Crime' is a jittery light-punk tune that's guaranteed to get your feet tapping. The interestingly folkish anti-war lyrics benefit from a smoother, less abrasive delivery, which not only means you can appreciate Just Panic's socially-charged lyrics, but you can also sing along, which you will, as this nervy, hyperactive tune has some serious sing along appeal.
Harijan frontman Mike doesn't have the nicest of voices, especially when it's pushed to the forefront of 'Curriculum Vitae's groovily stripped-down verses, exposing it to more intense scrutiny than it can comfortably withstand.
Thankfully, things pick up on the choruses, with chugging chords bouncing off guttural, but oddly catchy, growls. The bridge section is a further improvement, as serrated chords grind against a jangly backdrop. However, Harijan then lurch back into that jazzy, Mediterranean-tinged groove that really doesn't suit Mike's voice, and sees this song expire on a low note despite its addictive chorus.
The Fractions offer up a dose of upbeat ska-punk that occasionally feels messy around the edges. This is especially true of the verses, where Joe's snotty vocals sit awkwardly against the piping trombone and angular, stop-start riffs. The Fractions also sign off with a sprawling instrumental where everyone in the band seems to be playing a completely different tune. That said, it all comes together on the chorus, as The Fractions hit a slightly soberer note with a gradual plod of fuzzy-edged riffs and downbeat lyrics.
'Kidnap and Ransom' is a little different from the rest of this EP, layering distinctly poppy vocals over a funky backing track of spring-heeled drums and pop-punk riffs. The chorus cracks out some nastier rhythms, but you'll hardly notice them beneath those crazily catchy, pop vocals. On The Turn's sunny, pop-infused punk is hardly offering anything new, but it has the instant likeability factor that music of this genre should have, and makes a nice change from the jaded vibe of much of this compilation.
Speeding Bee's oddly-titled 'Cat. Pie. Bake' features a great chorus of multi-layered vocals that you'll be dying to add your own voice to. Even better, they're sung over a brisk buzz, mixed up with plenty of jazzy overtones. The verses are equally irresistible, with their frontman contributing some nicely casual sounding vocals and giving 'Cat. Pie. Bake' plenty of laidback charisma.
Faintest Idea conforms to the harsh drumbeats, shouty vocals and breakneck riffs formula of much of this CD. However, its ska leanings give 'See You In The Gutter' that extra oomph it needs to stand out from the crowd. It also features a wonderfully dumb chorus of a single line repeated over and over again. It isn't big and it isn't clever, but it is great fun.
The Hyperjax's offering, 'English Country Garden' bounces merrily along with jack hammering drums and ricocheting main and backing vocals. A hyperactive burst of quick-footed, barndance-inspired punk, with a chorus that's custom made for dancing like an idiot to.
'Bourban' from The Medicine Bow has an underlying, finger-clickingly stylish beat that's balanced out by a whistly-edged, raw production. Frontman Stu's interestingly deep voice drips understated cool, and compliments this song's laidback vibe remarkably well. 'Bourban' rocks slickly along without ever seeming to try too hard, making for an oddly smooth, but charismatic, listen.
Mr International and the Getaway Gang's jangly drinking anthem 'Binge Drinker' follows in 'Bourban's footsteps in terms of delivering a slick listen. It also delivers impossibly bouncy, rattling drumbeats and inspired vocal work you won't be able to get out of your head. Taking 'Binge Drinker' down to its barebones, was a stroke of genius, as it's packed with more awkwardly addictive hooks than your average indie anthem.
Sounds of Swami unleash some serious anger with the ear-pummelling, metal-infused punk of 'Identity Crisis.' They cram in furiously chugging guitars and metal riffs, to create something that's brutally heavy, but driven along by galloping punk drumbeats.
'Identity Crisis' doesn't always sound coherent, as its heaviness and speed sometimes completely overtake the song, and it becomes nothing more than an ungodly racket. However, when Sounds of Swami add a classy, slightly polished metal swagger to their riffs, everything falls into place, and the speed and fury of 'Identity Crisis' is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping.
After Sounds of Swami, 'Song For The Union' by Death By Decibals offers up a more melodic take on punk, with a socially-aware, sing along chorus and a catchy backing track of fluttery riffs and perfectly placed drumbeats.
'Rise or Fall' from The Shuffle is an odd track, diligently building towards an anthemic sound with towering riffs and urgent vocals, before cutting out just as they're about to reach the heights they've been so painstakingly working towards. It's probably supposed to be edgy, but having that head rush of epic riffs ripped away from us, just as we start to get caught up in them, is actually pretty annoying. You'll find yourself wishing The Shuffle would just keep on tossing out those soaring riffs, and leave the stop-start angularness to other bands.
'Music By People Who Drink Cider In The Gutter' draws to a close with the tongue-in-cheek country and western of 'So Straight Edge I'm on Daytime TV.' It's guaranteed to raise a smile with its hilarious lyrics and name-checking of teatime-TV stars Richard and Judy. It's a great, non-serious note to end on as any listener who's successfully battled through this twenty track effort, definitely deserves a bit of light relief.
'Music By People Who Drink Cider In The Gutter' is essentially a showcase for D.I.Y punk bands who might not otherwise get exposure. It's a fantastic way to find your next favourite band, as every track on this compilation is chosen with obvious care: there isn't a single weak moment. Every last track ranges from good, to excellent, with Dog Toffee's 'NME Darling' providing the standout moment. 'Music By People...' delivers twenty different songs, by twenty different bands, and, at £4 per CD, you can't really do any better than that.
LIGHTS GO OUT FANZINE
20 tracks of punk and ska from the UK kicking off with rock and roll legends, the Dangerfields, who are just immense, really setting the tone for a decent album. Compilations are a great way to discover new bands and there are a few her for me. An early example is the Kirkz - loved their track and definitely plan on checking more of their stuff out. And Just Panic are on here too, another amazing band. Sounds of Swami pitch in with a corker of a track too.This is something you really should get hold of, both to check out the UK scene and to support a DIY label. I've no idea how much this costs but I am sure it is worth every penny.
Mr T
MILD PERIL FANZINE
Ok, so going by the title you might think this is some dodgy old oi-punk album, full of stupid ‘pissed n drunk’ songs but this is much more than that, it’s another great compilation band of 20 punk and ska bands from around the UK, compiled by the guys from TNS records based up in Manchester.
The Dangerfields kick off the CD with a fantastic track called Midnight Scene, an excellent rock n roll/punk affair, I’ve always liked these lot and this track is I think the best track I’ve heard from them so that’s cool. We also have tracks by Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man and The Fractions (as reviewed above) so at least I did get to hear another track by both bands and great tracks they are to. Also other bands I like on here included Buzzkill, Dog Toffee, Just Panic, Sounds Of Swami and The Shuffle. (again another band reviewed above, but this is a track not on that EP)
Other bands worth a shout out are Hariijan, The Kirkz, On The Turn and a funny acoustic song on the end by Matt Woods called So Straight Edge I’m On Daytime TV. It was also nice to see local ska-punk boys Faintest Idea on here, a great track by them called See You In The Gutter. A great comp that lasts for over and hour and that you can pick up for 3 or 4 English pounds.
SCANNER WEBZINE (NEW ZEALAND)
Music By People Who Drink Cider In The Gutter {TNS} Neat 20-track comp of UK Punk and Ska bands. The overall quality is really high; given the album’s title it’s easy to imagine this is little more than glue-snorting Street Punk bands when in reality it’s a varied, rewarding and blazing Punk Rock listen. Highlights are THE DANGERFIELDS, THE KIRKZ, BUZZKILL, DOG TOFFEE (which rages against the NME hype machine), some killer ‘core action from SOUNDS OF SWAMI and the STRIKE-esque political Punk of DEATH BY DECIBALS while top-notch Ska rockers include ON THE TURN and SPEEDING BEE. Others include REVENGE OF THE PSYCHOTRONIC MAN, THE GREAT ST. LOUIS, THE FRACTIONS, THE SHUFFLE and JUST PANIC (which attempts to rip AGAINST ME! but end up sounding like a Punked MEN THEY COULDN’T HANG!). The only negative is the packaging. Some information about each band - even website/ contact addresses - would have been handy. Still, minor gripe aside, this is a quality comp of UK Punkage.
BURNOUT FANZINE
An hour of cider-fuelled punk rock courtesy of TNSrecords, a new Manchester-based indie label. There's no messing about here with the opening trio; The Dangerfields, TNS's own band Revenge of the Psychotronic Man and the contagious anthem 'Ratz' by the Kirkz setting the pace for the rest of the album. Where most compilations suffer from poor ordering and filler tracks, this one excels in offering not only 20 songs of equally high standard but ones that work well together as an album. Most of the artists and songs here will be familiar to anyone who regularly attends gigs in Manchester as even the acts from further afield are veterans of the local DIY punk scene.
Although most of the tracks here are of a similar pace and mood, there is enough variation in styles, with ska and rockabilly rubbing indecently against street punk, to keep the listeners interest. My only complaint is that the otherwise fine tracks by lost cowboys, the Medicine Bow and acoustic comic, Matt Woods (bonus track) are slightly inferior recordings to the rest of the album.
Overall this serves as a great snapshot of the flourishing scene and a souvenir of your drunken nights out.
Kerry
SUGARBUZZ MAGAZINE (USA)
TNS Records Compilation:
People Who Drink Cider In The Gutter (Manchester UK)
By Jillian Abbene
(SugarBuzz Wash DC/Richmond) SugarBuzz Magazine
Workaholic extraordinaire, Andy Davies [aka Andy Psychotronic], pounds away exhaustingly, along with his crew to launch a 20-track compilation on his TNS label [i.e. That's Not Skanking]. Not only that, he has created a fanzine, “That's Not Skanking,” puts on ska/punk gigs, and is bass player (touring all over the UK) for the raucous Manchester band, ‘Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man.
'
This recording is a very well thought out mix; fully mastered by producer, Tim G, the mastermind himself. TNS' sole purpose is to expose the underground bands, one by one, extinguishing mainstream trite regurgitations that have been subject to listen to. By the forked-out DIY approach, TNS exposes genuinely raw bands, recycling the monies back into the label.
The TNS' record launch has been a success. Its diversity in sound and infused punk is nothing half-assed. Here is a synopsis of what is going on in the world of DIY, what's up in the UK, and most importantly, songs for the drunken-punk masses.
The Dangerfields have derived from Belfast and have been doing just fine outside the comfortable parameters of the UK to make a name for themselves. ‘Midnight Scene,' has the perfect ingredients for circle-pit fast punk 'n roll, keeping the listener well hydrated in the overflowing spirits. As a great opener, an outstretched squeal signatures great rock and roll. The M8 squalls in shit-yer-pants guitar-drum fight hardcore. These guys will play wherever there is beer.
Interestingly, ‘Rise and Fall,' from, The Shuffle, also has that raw rock element. In an instant, 10-second Aerosmith-like “Dream On,” ticks into spanning guitar. Aside from vocal-scratched convictions, there are burdening stops and starts. Intentionally, the song breaks up into a sample patch of guitar plunks in metal-punk, arising emotive sequenced melancholy. Bad Religion hook-ups brittles with a bit more passionate angst, sending out punk rock Morse Code for labels to snatch ‘em up. This can very well determine the fate of whether if the band will rise or fall.
The Medicine Bow, are no castrated puffins to the bourbon-soaked swiggin' garage rock ‘n roll. Veterans, their song entitled, ‘Bourbon,' bullpens a fitting 3 chorder in offbeat sharps and flats—twanging out the country blues. Medicine Stu, coats the liquored croons in the language of blue-suede tongue—only to know that live, his breath hypnotizes all in alcoholic-euphoria recall. Eliminating an all-poser packed biscuit crew, the reigning country-drunk punk influences of Johnny Cash and ACDC reverbs in swilling feedback and beastie squeals. Skidding a road-rash of guitar leaves no wondering that their main aspiration is to crank out killer tunes, nosh on beef jerky, all under the sunset Las Vegas sunset strip.
This CD continues to pick up its own kind of cadence with these next chunkier metal-type punk tracks. Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man, happens to be one of my favorite bands proven by their independent thinking and spunk. Fleshy, piggybacked guitar and bass, galaxy over Andy Psychotronic's scratched up feisty shouts. The beats are as feisty as he is—I can easily imagine their sound stirring up a live crowd to a swaggering stupor as well as themselves with karate kick-splits all over the stage. Drum plodding syncopations rocks out like a shoved angst up the listener's arse as guitar chords scream with volumed gang vocals instilling to, ‘Get Pissed, Talk Shit & Dancing Like An Idiot,' which is also their main title track, and a precursor for their freshly-printed split CD with The Fractions.
[Note: Sometime next year you can bank that I plan to be in the front, hogging the mike, while hailing shouts at all the horse heads.
]
On a roll, The Kirkz, song, ‘The Ratz,' also runs along the same chunky threads with all inclusive drum thumps and sparring bass. “Holy-Jesus-Mary,” I murmur as dominated staccato guitar spurts out along the lip of spot-on scratched-up lead vocals, right on queue. Leading up to a tightly executed rapid switch, all in a tinned out M8, a screamed morphed hangover of surged guitar and bass pops to an enthralling skidded halt.
The CD doesn't slow down here—matter of fact, it picks up momentum with the disrespecting respectable, The Shadowcops. Well you won't need your coffee because, ‘Putsch,' spews out a speedy swallow of precursored drum pounds followed by a single guitar squeal that not only sets up Nathan's abrasive honed vocal treads, but the M8 changes volume in a fuzzed-in groove. Adding depth, gang-vocal repeats in shouty, “Fuck Off!” drills into my head—enough to still be lying in my bed the following morning with the catchy assault lyrics…all the while pointing in the air.
Within this CD, there is a nitch of street punk. Leading fuzz-chords steams in for starters as, The Great Louis, whisks up articulate guitar twiddlings between verses 1 and 2 in, ‘One Day.' Slightly skirting underneath the melodic vocal radar, side-by-side guitar strides in classic rock stance. It is not trite, but more of a comfort, as the steady beat refines the consistency, making this song a gem.
If I didn't know better, I could have easily mistaken this next band, Just Panic, as an American street punk band. Now that's a switch. ‘Crime,' is peppered within the song with the ‘Against-Me-Bob-Dylan-like-Green-Day,' influences that bookends the tune. The first verse in higher toned sarcastic lyrics, wears the patriotic badge, circling back again for the tune to floor from steady beats to surged guitar all to wrap up in ‘The Street Dogs' chops. Underneath my breath, I tell myself, “This is Liverpool, not Boston.
”
Death By Decibels, [aka dBd], have been around a while with their movers/shakers attitude. ‘Songs For The Union,' is a conglomeration of Rancid with Far From Finished strides all framed in '77 guitar—summing up the new school street punk scene. With extra gravely vocals, tuneful verses carry the guitar riffs making an entrance smack dab in the middle of the song. Despite the folk template, the last verse trots around the bend in a great graveled solo—sprawling for the big finish.
Now it's time for some ska. Rigging in raps of angsty vocals, The Fractions, ‘We Were Kings,' plucks in snotty clad. Although their uneven harmonies may first sound wrong, I am convinced they are right. A syncopated bridge with drums between guitar strums wakes up the tune—all by one single horn. Broken free from the bondage of imitation, intensified horns blurt out leaving you to believe you have entered the next track. Just then, they rear around for one last blurt at the end. Check out their split EP with Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man—it has the best of both worlds: horns, guitar chunks, and pints full of angst.
Faintest Idea has a clever way of incorporating gruff ska and punk in, ‘See You In The Gutter.' Heavily accented raspy vocals bite into the first two verses, as fuzzed guitar drives the off-beats in syncopated migrated horn-toots by backup man Stash [Dead Pets hornman]. The first switches to the heavily influenced street punk including vocal add-ins, it picks up the pace. On the second switch, the lead guitarist totally lets loose an unstructured spastic and bleeding-fast solo. Switching the third time back to the ska-inflicted romp beat, the sole imagery of every after-wedding wild romp, creates nothing other than a half-standing trollop of friends hunched in drunken glory.
I'll tell ya, Durham, UK is mapping out some solid punk outfits these days and, Speeding Bee, is no different. ‘Cat. Pie. Bake.,' that ambitiously forefronts horns and drum rat-a-tats with a clear catchy chorus, “This beat will carry us to our destination, there's no reason to go farther, there's no reason at all.” The entire song is structured like an erector set—centered around ska and horn. A crescendoed sweeping bridge fuses the fuzzed guitar to boomerang back to that insatiable chorus that will have you memorize the chorus on the first listen. (Just so you know, no animals were harmed in the making of this recording.
)
London based, On The Turn, adds odded influences with a Spanish-ska flair in, ‘Kidnap and Ransom.' The interluding chorus pushes and pulls metal-guitar chords, threading within the vocal harmonies. Reminiscences of Bad Religion, the middle section snaps back into the beginning verse. Don't think you can completely stop from a full skank, because the ending unravels in pounded drum-thumps ending in a great dirgy-dizzing instrumental—all swirling together, landing like a 4-car pile up.
‘Identity Crisis,' by, Sounds Of Swami, is also in the same vein with metal energy. This song twists and turns delivering horned blare-outs along syncopated beats and chords together—tied in a more intense hardcore angst. The M8 is distinctive, fierce, and forced with stark lyrics, “Suck. Me. Bitch. Repent!” in pissed off repeats and accentuating drum pounds. Shattering the hardcore mold, the lead vocalist belts out sharp, pierced, “A System Of The Down,” vocals, holding the note. Dive-bombing rat-a-tat spit-shine echo beats in a similar Clash jam, as gigantic guitar swells stream until the ending interlude.
Harijan is another band with metal punk influences that transcends your basic punk elements. ‘Curriculum Vitae,' has melded ska/reggae reggae beats through the first verse, then suddenly breaks into a metal-chunked chorus with gutteral crooned growls. Just then it switches to a dirgy grunge metal grunge bit including drum pounds and a well thought-out guitar groove. The returning reggae roots with crashing cymbal sliding along fluid vocals puts out an inventive straddle of metal installments that will make you pay attention and turn off MTV.
A smashing intro layouts in serious horns and serious guitar, infusing elements of punk‘nroll and ska (heavy on the ska) from, Buzzkill. ‘Broken Picture,' promises you'll be dancing through its entirety with a fast and beefy melody along with accelerated vocals. Automatic toe-tapping to horns and drums, this band has a guarantee to pack the house. Don't underestimate these guys, they have an obvious solid following. I'm sure this is not the last we will hear from these crazy cats.
Dog Toffee, has done it right with, ‘NME Darlin.' I never tire of this song. Dramatic intro of solitary thunder-cat drums fully roasts along the tuneful bass easing into emotive, melodic guitar. A blissful harmony chorus glides along a rock-out on the lead vocals straight to the M8. After roundabout harmony repeats and a guitar line, reincarnated rap is carved in. I admit, this works. Ironically, ending in lonely guitar and harmony fades to melancholic piano plunks, perhaps foreshadowing the future of the band, as they have regrettably split—eliminating them from any chance of being nominated as one of NME's darlings.
Only The Hyperjax, can take a song title, ‘English Country Garden,' and meld it into a rockabilly swing-jam. Ensnared slow-tempoed guitar strums in setting up the searing rockabilly slide and shouts of, “hey!” breaks the beginning plucked-out double bass ques for ass-wigglin'. The lead vocals are suave, stopping long enough to keep up with the thumped bass, drum and cymbal tings, foam the beat into a frothy dance number. Gang-chorus repeats squeezes one more round in the skipped needle effect.
The beginning opens in a prerecorded pub culture. Surprisingly, the lead vocalist from, Mr. International And The Getaway Gang, sounds like a reincarnated Feargal Sharkey [former lead vocals for The Undertones.]. Accapella gutteral verses create octave clearance in, ‘Binge Drink Generation,' which whines effectively like a bad drinking habit (although feeling no pity). As four chords push the song ahead in faster beats of a Stray Cat crawl, subtle harmonies add heart to the most desperate issue that ails this binge drinking generation.
A very humorous bonus track actually closes out the CD, leaving you wondering if Matt Woods' cider has extra fermentation. Now I've been told to never underestimate the influences of a killer twat—especially if he's bucking about with Medicine Stu from Medicine Bow. Well, the mocked twang in, ‘So Straight, I'm on Daytime TV,' emulates a drunken-American slurred country spoof. It's exaggerated and humorous. Matt is a one-man comedic act. Effortlessly, the droll-twanged half-wit (or a half twit) impersonator joins the likes of Johnny Cash, brimming with confidence.
Single handedly, he has positioned himself at Wasted Fest and Rebellion Fest in 2006, championing fans which can be best measured by how big his balls are—now THAT'S big!
www.tnsrecords.co.uk
SugarBuzzz Magazine
http://www. sugarbuzzmagazine. com/bands/cider/cider. html
SANDMAN MAGAZINE
Starting as a fanzine aimed mainly at the Manchester
area, the people behind That's Not Skanking decided to
turn it into a record label and relaunch their mag to coincide
with the changes. Formed to help give punk and ska
bands the exposure they deserve because the mag / label
feels the majority of mainstream music is 'utter shite' seems a good basis to me from which compile a 20 track album of some impressive music selling for a paltry £4.
The bands featured are from all over the UK, first up
Dangerfields, blast high tempo angry rock with 'Midnight
Scene' that lasts a miserly 1 minute 15 seconds. This is followed by another short track of wonderful McGowan like
vocals and machine gun guitars from Revenge Of The
Psychotronic Man called 'Get Pissed, Talk Shit, Dance Like
An Idiot' which I can relate to. Other standout tracks include
'Putch' from The Shadowcops, raw punk with great driving
guitars and The Great St Louis who have a country tinge to
their alternative rock 'One Day' and describe themselves as
sounding like ' Willie Nelson on crack' which is pretty accurate.
Liverpool folk / punks Just Panic's track 'Crime' was a
particular favourite with offbeat backing and out of sync
vocals creating a different and exciting sound. First ska
/punk track comes from Harijan with 'Curriculum Vitae',
Mike Corrigan's vocals a good foil to a rocking then
skabeat backing . My only reservation is that about half the
tracks would not normally be seen as ska or punk, more
traditional rock, The best track for me, the pure punk ranting from Faintest Idea with the excellent 'See You In The Gutter' closely followed by Sounds Of Swami and 'Identity Crisis' which is more what I expected from the album but its stirring stuff so who cares!
Sean Bruce
PROFANE EXISTANCE
The front cover of this compilation CD says "20 tracks of UK punk and ska...Music made by people who drink cider in the gutter" so I was intrigued by the sight of this disc straight away! That's not skanking fanzine has been around for a while now with 18 issues under their belts. This compilation is the result of those folx deciding to start a label to give more exposure to some of the bands featured in the fanzine or that have played TNS gigs. The music is all well produced Punk and Ska that vary in tempos, mood and snottiness. Some of the bands included are BUZZKILL, JUST PANIC, DOG TOFFEE and FAINTEST IDEA. No lyrics were provided which always bums me out since not everyone on the planet has access to the fucking internet! That one complaint aside, this is a pretty decent comp and worth checking out.
Ken Ciderpunk
Profane Existence, no. 57
DSD WEBZINE
We rate this: 8 out of 10
Readers rate this: 10 out of 10
The Dangerfields. Punk Rock! Full on alcohol inspired gutter punk to get you into the mood for the rest of the album. Followed on by Revenge of the Psychotronic Man, with a vocalist who sings like Tim Armstrong, slightly inebriated and slurred. This album just powers its way through punk rock which takes me back to those shows with moshpits full of sweaty punks going mental and beers being discarded overhead. Knowing I'll be going home covered with bruises and a t-shirt soaked in sweat and beer, but with a huge smile on me face (thats if I make it home at all).
Which brings me to the tune 'See You In The Gutter' by Faintest Idea, a tune which will get drunken punks cheering along at the end of a night out, with a mixed bag of punk rock and a tumpet keeping the chorus alive.
Some of the Ska offerings come from On the Turn, a fast paced ska punk offering and Harijan, who bring in some fairly mellow ska with gritty vocals and the odd metal guitar.
There is also a Psychobilly offering, from the likes of The Hyperjax, with 'English Country Garden', a fast paced number to get your feet tapping. There is also 'The Medicine Bow, which isn't really psychobilly, athough it has what sounds like a double bass. It's a bit all over the place and the singer has what seems to be a lisp... interesting! It seems as though the label left the dreggs to the back of the album, as the tune after this is equally strange, 'Bringe Drinker' by Mr International and The Getaway Gang who take a pop at the binge drinkers of todays generation.
Thankfully they added 'Rise or Fall' by The Shuffle, which is similar to the Dropkick Murphys, with a heavier edge, but keeping with the punk sing-a-long anthem style.
And another thing which makes this collection of tunes great... they're home grown in the UK! Hell yeah!
SalAbama
DSD webzine
GLASSWERK
TNS - MUSIC BY PEOPLE WHO DRINK CIDER IN THE GUTTER
Critics were and still are very quick to point out that the downfall of Punk in the late 70's was down to its parochial nature and that after causing a shock and a stir it wasn't going anywhere. Well, the status quo hogging doomsayers forgot one fact; one hundred and ninety nine years ago in Shrewsbury, a woman gave birth to a man named Charles Darwin. He devised his theory about how species adapt and evolve in order to survive and get stronger. Unseen by the mainstream huggers the mutant musical species that is punk, has been expanding and evolving with independence, gusto and variety.
Rightfully, kicking off this fresh and blistering compilation is the psychobilly and dingy rock merging evergreen Northern Irish troupe, The Dangerfields with ‘Midnight Scene'. A noire narrative for an introduction provides a stark contrast to the shuddering percussion and lofty screech of founder member, Andrew Griswold. It serves as a call to arms to the workers and achieves a similar impact to that which the Dropkick Murphys attained, when dabbling in the same subject matter.
The blistering baton is handed over to the band who also run the label responsible for this collection; ‘Revenge of the Psychotronic Man'. They instil a Dead Kennedys kick through ‘Get Pissed, Talk Shit, Dance Like An Idiot'.
As the 20 track stomp unfolds, all the scenery associated with punk is visited and vandalised. From the racing ska mingling with garage rock slant of Buzzkill, in the form of the brooding ‘Broken Picture', through to the low-key folk sliding leanings of Just Panic, ‘Crime'. That uses an endearing Billy Bragg climb up to the slashing chorus, striking out at the injustices caused by those who obey orders. The furthest point on the ska axis is found in ‘Curriculum Vitae', by Harjan.
Those who hope and pray that the raw, ripping, rhythmic and attitude gushing approach of Sham 69 has not been ignored by contemporary troupes, will embrace Faintest Idea's offering, ‘See You In The Gutter'.
Wigan's rockabilly rooted, The Hyperjax provide a freewheeling lighter touch ‘English Country Garden', demonstrating why they are first on many venue's list when it comes to hiring a band needed to provide energy, spirit and sincerity. TNS Records continues to fly the flag for punk and ska in the UK. They do so showing a community spirit and an endearing DIY ethic.
4/5
David Adair
Glasswerk, Inaudible, many other websites
FUNGALPUNK
TNS - MUSIC BY PEOPLE WHO DRINK CIDER IN THE GUTTER
A momentous occasion for the Manchester scene as fanzine and gig pushers That's Not Skanking turn their hands to record making with this the debut 20 track compilation that features an abundance of favourites from the monthly TNS nights. As far as promotion goes this has been a mighty, admirable effort but would the CD live up to all the expectation and hype?
Well initial listenings didn't impress and if truth be known it is another CD in a market awash with compilations but...
The people who run this label are worthy of the utmost respect due to the unflinching, non-profit making attitude they adopt and their wholesome belief in the underdog. So, as is the norm, the CD was given time and patience and I hold my hands high above my head and admit, initial impressions were wrong. Like a solid sherry left to mature these tracks get better with time and careful attention to detail highlights what a great crop of bands TNS have built around them albeit oh so slightly similar and lacking the odd sprinkling of hardcore, retro punk and surf-o-rama. Nevertheless this is a quality product and at £4 you miserable bastards are being spoilt rotten.
A quality kick-off comes in the form of 'Midnight Scene' by The Dangerfields, a fast, blast that is continued by ROPM's 'Get Pissed, Talk Shit, Dance Like An Idiot'. Not the latters best song and this is definitely a live number where the energy can be seen rather than imagined. The Kirks sound tight enough with the cracking 'Rats' and the albums zenith is immediately attained with The 'Mighty' Shadowcops and the remarkable 'Putsch'. Just sheer class and the following track from Buzzkill, namely 'Broken Picture' does well to compete. A choice band though and Buzzkill are another shining moment.
For me the next major highpoint is the doubling up of two fine bands, Just Panic and Harijan. The formers effort 'Crime' is well crafted and very expertly delivered whilst the latters ditty 'Curriculum Vitae' has always been one of my faves and is a real delicious piece of smooth skank.
The Fractions next and a biased opinion free of charge. Great band, great song - there you go!
The final stretch has many fine moments with Speeding Bee making tasteful honey via 'Cat. Pie. Bake'. A great chorus and some joyous jig pulsations. Faintest Idea's contribution of 'See You In The Gutter' is a ripping fave of mine and a choice Skapunka moment combining the fluidity of ska and the raucous, rudimentary gruffness of punk. Nice!
The Hyperjax ooze professionalism with 'English Country Garden' with the ensuing 'Bourbon' by Medicine Bow a bluesy burst of moonshine scorched guitar and freshly smoked vocals. 'Binge Drinker' by Mr International and the Getaway Gang is indeed like certain alcoholic beverages as in the fact that it tastes better with every sample. Sounds of Swami rambunctiously rave, and in truth occasionally lose control but the power and gusto make 'Identity Crisis' worthy of praise. Death By Decibels deliver expected quality, this time with 'Song For The Union' and The Shuffle close in decent style with 'Rise Or Fall'.
The final verdict is of a good CD aimed at a specific audience rather than embracing the many flavours punk has to offer. Production is consistently high and one or two moments are truly outstanding. Certain offerings fall short of the mark with the overall ambience being similar. TNS are a valid part of the punk scene and worthy of support but in future I would like to see their many arms open a little wider and reach a little further in search of many more flavours. Supporters of TNS will love it, the neutral will like it and the old school brigade will, in the majority, ignore it. I personally like it and would recommend anyone interested in punk to pay up.
FOOTNOTE: The hidden track by Matt Woods namely 'So Straight Edge I'm On Daytime TV' is the work of a mentally disabled maniac - in other words - fuckin' brilliant!
OMD