Throughout 2025, Brighton’s The Rockerati propped up the British rock underground with a couple of enjoyable singles and an EP, all of which captured a pleasingly natural, analogue inspired sound. Favouring energy over originality, volume over finesse, the band’s finest tracks played with a nostalgic bent, but at the same time, never showed The Rockerati’s approach to be in any way tired.
The singles make a welcome return to provide highlights of the 2026 release, ‘Having Fun With…, the first Rockerati full length since ‘Waterloo Sunrise’, all the way back in the pre-Covid days of 2018.‘Analogue Again’, as the title suggests, is very much backwards looking, but in the best possible way. After a couple of massive power chords, the band slips somewhat effortlessly into an R&B tinged rock and roll banger where the heart of Flamin’ Groovies meets the rough and ready edge of Dr. Feelgood. With a vocal that makes everything seem a little more like a supercharged Dave Edmunds, its definitely a number with an old heart that’ll appeal to souls with a very retro ear. In and out in two minutes, it opens ‘Having Fun With…’ with an absolute blast of a track that captures mainman David McCarthy absolutely giving his all.
On ‘Big Dog’, The Rockerati still flaunt a vocal that sounds like a relation to peak Edmunds and the performance works a great pub rock melody, but riff-wise, the band have opted to go full on rawk. Cranking their amps, the band add elements of the Quo classic ‘Caroline’ to the mix, along with a couple of other nods to the mid 70s Rossi/Parfitt powerhouse, and behind the overdriven guitars, a busy bassline helps to give this British act a serious amount of muscle. With a world of distortion and a hook that demands a good, old shout-along, this is a seriously old school workout that’s all about giving the listener a great time. Is it cool? Hell, no. Does that matter? Absolutely not. Just crank the volume and go with it; that way you’ll experience this band at their best.
Delving further into the album material, ‘That Elusive Sound’ kicks off with a huge drum fill from Justin Welch, before taking an unexpected detour into a swaggering pub rock riff that’s shared with the full on confidence of classic glam rock. As you might expect, this allows for a huge, slightly distorted guitar sound to take centre stage, and between a great rhythm and bluesy lead, the music sells the track alone. That’s probably just as well, since the very loud and very live sound of the recording occasionally makes the vocals sound like an afterthought. Not that it spoils this number; if anything, it reinforces any feelings that this band’s best tracks sound as if they’re created in the spur of the moment. Taking a more melodic turn, ‘Long Lost Hooklines’ blends a very 70s inspired riff with a rough around the edges harmony vocal, before making time for a couple of cheeky sounding solos that really don’t care for perfection. This shows off David’s love of rock from the mid-late 70s with a real ease, and although originality isn’t really important, the energy and sense of fun cut through almost every note.
More grubby guitars sit at the heart of ‘Right End of The Wrong Stick’, providing a perfect companion to an echoing vocal that, in some places, conveys a melody that sounds as if it’s channelling country rock. Moving further into the number, the call and response approach taken between voice and guitar provides a welcome but rather simple hook, and the featured chorus occasionally sounds like a distant relation John Hiatt, only if he gained a party spirit and turned in a slightly raucous performance. Providing more of a showcase for a great lead guitar tone, ‘Lonesome Side of Town’ blends a few spit ‘n’ sawdust country rock melodies with a bluesy shuffle, which again, wouldn’t necessarily sound wrong in the hands of John Hiatt or Nick Lowe, but for those who are familiar with The Rockerati at this point, the blend of rough harmonies and unpolished production values will ensure there’s no mistaking the artist responsible.
With a wall of chiming guitars used to create a fine introduction, ‘Little Black Book’ presents a different sounding band yet again. Here, an arrangement that’s semi-influenced by an old Merseybeat track or two makes The Rockerati sound more like The Scruffs which, in turn, makes it even more obvious why some of their earlier work has received an enthusiastic response from a few US radio stations. The mid tempo, the huge harmonies and dominant guitar sound come together to create something that’s classic sounding from the get go, and even with a slightly wobbly lead vocal, the combination of familiar melody and simple hook sets the EP off with its best foot forward. Despite being born from the south coast of England, this sounds like something destined for Little Steven’s Underground Garage, ready to have love heaped upon it from the legendary Michael des Barres and friends. Elsewhere, ‘The Brightest Light Comes From A Burning Bridge)’ casts aside most of the typical Rockerati moods for a reflective acoustic number where a great use of harmonies and an old school melody accentuates a love of a great Americana sound. Having already demonstrated how effortlessly The Rockerati can tackle riffs and hooks at full power, it’s great to hear David allowing his songwriting skills to shine through without having the expected bluster to hide behind.
An album highlight, ‘Oneway Ticket To Funtown’ throws the band headlong into a world of trashy riffs where a rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic colours another high energy pub rocker. Easy comparisons can be made with Rockpile and Ian Gomm, yet again, but the overdriven guitars, solid rhythms and – ultimately – the guitar break that tears through the centre of an already high octane workout with some furious sharp edges, creates something that’s “pure Rockerati”. It’s a great number before the climax hits, but the repeated shouts of the title close this track with, arguably, its biggest earworm. In and out in two minutes, this leaves nothing to chance, and its combo of chugging riffs and frantic basslines really sets about clearing the cobwebs. [The spirit of this number makes it very obvious why an equally powerful cover of Nick Lowe’s ‘Leave My Kitten Alone’ can be found on the CD version of ‘Having Fun With…’ as a bonus track, and still sounds like something The Rockerati cooked up from scratch in 2025].
With eleven tracks absolutely loaded with familiar riffs, but reworked with a contemporary sense of energy, there’s very little filler on this record. Naturally, some numbers work better than others, but they pretty much all play well with the volume cranked. Those looking for protest songs, naval gazing introspection, lyrics that play out personal demons or air dirty laundry in a public way will find this far too frivolous, but then, that’s the entire point – this is purely about good, honest, rock ‘n’ roll fun for those willing to go for the ride.
February 2026
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