Mixing the cool of old soul 45s and a dusting of various rock ‘n’ roll revival meetings, Shanda & The Howlers are the sound of trouble walkin’. With a twang and a howl, their debut full length more than proves that you don’t always need originality to make a hell of an impression – you just need tightness, guts and a whole lot of conviction. It may so often be reminiscent of many a talent from a pre-Beatle era, but the band’s debut release ‘Trouble’ is a driven and fun affair that’s sure to thrill those who love Sharon Jones and maybe even impress those who dig a few late 50s throwbacks. Simply put, ‘Trouble’ is a really classy rock ‘n’ soul revue.
Tag Archives: rum bar records
INDONESIAN JUNK – Indonesian Junk
Whether conjuring memories of ‘Surrender’ by Cheap Trick – the song from which this US band have taken their name – or Manic Street Preachers’ deliberately provocative 1991 single ‘Motown Junk’ (how many bands would dare to snipe “I laughed when Lennon got shot!” in little over a decade since the former Beatle’s assassination?), there’s something edgy and exciting about the word junk. Whether meaning trashy or the slang for heroin, it has a certain connotation. However, Indonesian Junk really aren’t as spiky or as confrontational as their chosen moniker suggests. For this Milwaukee based trio, it’s all about the relatively lo-fi, the fuzzy guitars and a general noise rather than any actual sharp edges, either musically or lyrically.
Stream the new single from Justine and the Unclean
You want bubblegum? You want classy pop-punk? The Ramones-obsessed Justine and the Unclean are here to bring salvation with their new digital release. Although just a two track download, their debut digital single ‘Love Got Me Into This Mess’/’Passive Aggressive Baby’ might just be one of the best female-fronted punky affairs in a very long time…
THE DIRTY TRUCKERS – Tiger Stripes EP
Aah, Boston. How we love you. Home to Buffalo Tom. Home to The Russians. Home to Aerosmith, The Lemonheads, Pixies, Mission of Burma, ‘Til Tuesday and countless other great bands. Boston is probably second only to New York as the US’s spiritual home of great rock music.
Boston is also home to The Neighborhoods, Watts, Tom Baker & The Snakes and Worshipper, all of whom have connections to The Dirty Truckers.
Listen to a new track by Kris Rodgers
Kris “Fingers” Rodgers has been called “rock ‘n’ roll’s secret weapon”. The pianist has recorded as sideman with a truckload of underground bands in the US over the past decade and been a regular fixture with Kurt Baker, Mono In Stereo and the excellent Bullet Proof Lovers. In 2011, he started his own band, The Dirty Gems, as a throwback to old-school piano rock and by 2014, the Gems had become a fully fledged recording outfit.
At the end of July 2017, Rodgers releases ‘Losing The Frequency’, a high octane homage to the old days of AM radio. Expect huge hooky choruses and summer vibes with the piano out there, front and centre.
If you can’t wait until then, you can stream the excellent ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio’ below.