JUSTINE AND THE UNCLEAN – The Signal Light

From the moment their debut single ‘Love Got Me Into This Mess’ hit the internet in 2017, it was clear that Justine And The Unclean were something special. On that recording, the Boston band’s mix of pop punk and power pop greeted the listener in a fantastically upbeat fashion, and Justine Couvault’s distinctive, curly vocal style was impossible to ignore. As the follow up singles emerged, it was always possible to spot the band thanks to that vocal, and regardless of whatever style the music took, the Unclean continued to sound like a band with a real spirit. A little later, their first full length release ‘Get Unclean’ added some old school hard rock to an already potent mix, suggesting a great future ahead. Naturally, things went a little quiet in the Unclean camp during the pandemic years, but a trio of singles suggested the band had retained their sense of drive, and in 2021’s ‘Scorpion Bowl To Go’, it seemed as if they’d actually upped the ante in terms of catchy hooks.

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VARIOUS ARTISTS – Red On Red Hots: Year One Compilation

Throughout their first year in business, Justine Couvault’s Red On Red Records gave a platform to various great underground bands. The acts were often of the power pop or garage rock variety, but the coming together of the label and the largely US based acts provided a lot of entertainment during its first twelve months and often felt like a sister project to the equally fun Rum Bar label.

A few digital releases by Justine And The Unclean continued to give their fans enjoyable hook-driven sounds beyond their two excellent full length/EP releases, and label favourites Kid Gulliver more than showed how old style power pop will never die. With these artists providing something of a backbone, the label couldn’t fail, but their first year brought so much more. ‘Red On Red Hots’ pulls together seventeen tracks from the Red On Red stable, placing the familiar with the new, creating a perfect introduction for anyone who hasn’t yet stumbled across any of their releases, as well as a treat for fans looking for a couple of new tracks.

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Justine Covault launches new record label and shares festive new single

A run of planned live gigs may have been off the table, but it’s been a busy year for Justine Covault.  With her band Justine And The Unclean, she’s released a couple of great digital singles.  She’s embraced country music with a new side project, Justine’s Black Threads.  She has even hosted ‘The Mess Around’, a bunch of online live performances with friends, including power pop legend Kurt Baker and Tom Baker from The Dirty Truckers.

On top of that, Justine has just launched a brand new, independent record label.  Red On Red Records will be releasing new music from Covault, but already has a few other great artists on its roster.  More news on the label can be found in the below press release.

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