Casting their net far across Europe to bring you a selection of Yuletide jollies, this EP from Laketown Records presents four previously unreleased tracks from two cult ska bands. For this festive split, French ska punks Skarface go head to head with Russia’s relative newcomers Suspense Heroes Syndicate in a high octane musical bout – a musical face off in which only one band can be the victor.
GALLOWS BIRDS – Quaranteenage Kicks
In the summer of 2020, the world was in a state of flux. People who’d normally be out at the beach or taking other vacations found themselves at home due to a global pandemic calling time on big social activities. That meant gigs were genuinely off the table, and with bands unable to congregate in recording studios, even the act of making records became more difficult. During lockdown, the members of Gallows Birds found themselves on different continents, but even with songwriter Travis Woods being stuck at home in North Carolina, vocalist Richie Holes at a loose end in New York and drummer Glenn Wellman living in South Africa, the miracles of technology allowed them to join forces…and their debut album was born.
Grab a free download from Beebe Gallini
Beebe Gallini might be a new name for 2020, but a couple of the band members are old faces on the underground rock scene. Both Miss Georgia Peach (vox/rhythm guitar) and Travis Ramin (lead guitar/drums) also make up the core of Minneapolis garage rock band The Short Fuses, but in many ways, this side project – created during the 2020 lockdown – is far more than an extension of their work with that band. In fact, if first impressions are anything to go by, Beebe Gallini are far broader in appeal.
GOLDIE DAWN – Goldie Dawn EP
Few recordings whip up instant excitement as effectively as this debut EP from Goldie Dawn. The Glasgow based band recycle a few obvious punk and garage rock influences, but they do it in such a way that most of their music feels utterly convincing. Three of the four songs on this self titled release whip up an incendiary sound – big on riffs, bigger on attitude – and those will be enough for fans of the style to fall in love in an instant.
ELEPHANT TREE – Day Of Doom Live
Home to Summoner, Ironweed, Zakk Sabbath and various other great stoner/doom bands, the Magnetic Eye label celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2019. Ten years of bringing the heavy to the masses is, indeed, worth shouting about, and what better way to mark the occasion than showcasing various Magnetic Eye bands at a mammoth gig?
Very much a “family celebration”, the Day of Doom festival featured nine different Magnetic Eye acts on one bill at Brooklyn’s Saint Vitus Bar, a venue barely big enough to contain such enormous riffs. Four of the sets were recorded for posterity, and while all have their moments – especially the Horsehunter set with its extended sludge metal jams and unapologetically live sound – the performance by the UK’s Elephant Tree is the best in terms of all round enjoyment and accessibility.