For those old enough to have been keen record buyers and gig goers in the late 70s, Jah Wobble will need no introduction. His fat, dub-centric basslines were an integral part of the early Public Image sound and, as such, he was one of the most important and influential figures in the post-punk scene. His often tough, sometimes dark bass tones mightn’t seem a natural fit with the recordings of a little-known Liverpudlian quartet, but that makes this album an interesting proposition even before a note is heard.
Tag Archives: the beatles
Watch: Kalamity Kills unleash new video for brilliant Beatles cover
Often when covering world famous tracks, it’s important to put your own stamp on the work. Once in a while, though, a track will come along that’s so perfect, a great cover won’t necessarily need a lot more than a huge amount of enthusiasm applied to make it work. Such is the case with the version of The Beatles’ ‘Help!’ recorded by Nashville based hard rockers Kalamity Kills.
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #79
Welcome back to the Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the individual tracks that have landed in our inbox over the previous few weeks. This selection brings the arrival of a couple of familiar faces under a new name, a moody number from an up-and-coming singer songwriter, a noisy reworking of something very familiar, a brilliant acoustic offering…and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy!
*
ENUFF Z’NUFF – Enuff Z’Nuff’s Hardrock Nite
When Enuff Z’Nuff first appeared on the scene in the late 80s, they were very much the poster children for a bygone age. At a time when so many of the big haired bands were promoting sleaze, Chip Z’Nuff, Donnie Vie and their bandmates were flaunting a tye-dye aesthetic and an almost sub-Beatles like peace and love mentality. It was a move that, although unfashionable at the time, really worked for them. They became brief stars on MTV and gained very enthusiastic press on both sides of the Atlantic. After losing theur first major label deal after releasing the excellent ‘Animals With Human Intelligence’, they bounced from label to label, creating albums in a patchwork style from different sources, and although none of the subsequent releases would garner the kind of attention the debut and 1991’s ‘Strength’ had deservedly brought, Enuff Z’Nuff managed to retain a loyal fanbase.
MO TROPER – Revolver
His name may not be instantly familiar, but singer songwriter Mo Troper has a fairly sizeable back catalogue. He began cranking out fuzzy indie and power pop tunes in 2016 and has gradually built a cult audience. Mo’s debut full length ‘Beloved’ is brilliant. Although very much the kind of record aimed at listeners who still feel nostalgic for Superchunk and reach for Guided By Voices’ ‘Isolation Drills’ on a regular basis, its peppering of stronger melodies could also call to mind the kind of tunefulness the younger Brendan Benson might’ve enjoyed when in a noisier mood. Each of Troper’s further releases work a similar fashion, each with a slightly more commercial angle (‘Freebin’ from 2017’s ‘Exposure & Response’, especially, has the feel of something that could lapse into an old Teenage Fanclub tune, and the whole of 2020’s ‘Natural Beauty finds Troper in full on home-recorded, yet clean power pop mode), but whatever the outcome, the performer’s DIY heart can always be heard beating furiously. In terms of retro cool, he has the potential to be remembered as one of the greats.