Punk, as an art form has infiltrated each one of our lives whether we realise it or not. From the bands we listen to, to the clothes we wear. Punk is everywhere. I remember seeing a picture of the sex pistols when I was young, before I had even heard a note of music and I was blown away by how different the people I saw looked, in attitude and appearance. This issue I've spoken to some great Punk bands from across the globe as well as asked the question we all hear from time to time, "is punk dead?"
Additional I actually managed to go to some shows this month and have a healthy review section as well!
As always thank you for reading.
D. Gilmore Out of Step UK
Dog Rotten are a punk / rap band from SE London / NW Kent (Nobody knows which). Skatepark misfits merging hardcore riffs, hip hop beats, rap flows with a Punk rock bite and a relentless live show. The band started as multigenre-music-fan-skateboarders who happened to have instruments in their house and decided to have a go themselves! From fans to a band, Dog Rotten:
How hard is it to get your music out there and heard by people? How to get noticed amongst all of the white noise on then Internet now?
Getting your music out there is easier than ever. Getting it heard is another thing. Anyone can record and put out a single, EP, album, but getting it out there and listened to can be hard. A lot of pushing on social media etc and even then it can just get lost and washed away in the algorithm and with EVERYTHING ever made available for basically free, you’ve got to fight to be heard. We sell hard copies online and at shows still which is amazing as it helps pay for the next recording sessions and is the biggest compliment to a band that people will pay for your art.
As a group what influences your music (Other bands, things outside of music)?
Collectively, what mostly got us into a lot of the music we’re into was from Tony Hawks Pro skater game’s and skateboard videos. Where there are multiple song writers in the band, the influences vary massively. In the very early days, we mainly took influence from punk bands like The Ramones, The Clash, Motörhead, Antinowhere League. But there has been 3 or 4 versions of Dog Rotten, with line up changes and playing songs we wrote in previous bands etc. The latest line up being the only one that felt like it had its own sound and vibe. These days we take influence from artists like Turnstile, Beastie Boys, Gallows, Rage Against The Machine, Tyler The Creator, The Specials, Slaves, Limp Bizkit, Eminem to name a small handful.
Could you please give me some details about your latest record?
Our first album, Working Class Circus, was a collection of songs gathered through the years (and years) of line up changes and a few brought over from other bands we played in. The new album, punk rock apocalypse, was written and shaped as an album with a sound and intent. An idea of a world where music, art and opinions are suppressed and prohibited by a higher power with a ton of character based stories thrown in between. Almost like a comic book or game. Much more input from all 5 of us as a band with a heavier and more rap influenced sound. We wrote the majority of it very quickly but 2 or 3 tracks took extremely long to piece together and decide on the finished versions. The biggest set back was the obvious COVID virus and also in the post-recording mixing. That part took about half a year longer than expected but we’re all happy with the result.
The punk community is one of the most inclusive groups I’ve ever known what can that be attributed too?
It’s electric! All you gotta do is look at the original 70’s lot. How did Buzzcocks, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Angelic Upstarts, U.K. Subs and Stiff Little Fingers all fit under the same umbrella? It was loads of different sounds unified together and we all feel like misfits and outcasts so I guess it helps us to all be outsiders together.
DOG ROTTEN’S latest release “ Punk Rock Apocalypse” is out now.
Could you tell me a bit about the band, where are you from, how did the band come to be?
The Wasps are a Power Pop/Punk band first formed in East London in February 1976. The band, with the exception of Jesse Lynn-Dean, who comes from north London, are from East London.
The original band members are Jesse Lynn-Dean (singer/songwriter), Steve Wollaston (bass), Johnny Rich (drums) and Del May (guitar). Jesse LynnDean was looking for a band. He met the other 3 musicians who were looking for a vocalist and songwriter. The chemistry was right and the band was formed.
The Wasps performed extensively at venues across London and the UK such as The Roxy, The Vortex, The Bridge House, Music Machine, The Marquee, etc and performed live twice on Radio 1's John Peel show, etc.. our singles "Teenage Treats" (a favourite of Peel's), "Can't Wait 'Til '78" (along with our version of "Waiting For My Man on the '77 "Live at The Vortex" album), are considered Punk classics from that period. Our first single with RCA, "Rubber Cars", was RCA's fastest selling single the week it was released and would have been a massive hit had RCA not reluctantly pulled the record for legal reasons. The band with the line up at that time split in 1979 during its release due to unresolvable managerial disputes.
Was there much of a punk scene where you grew up?
At the time the band was formed, 1976, Punk was just beginning to happen and of course being in London a lot was going on. Pubs and clubs that would normally be booking rock bands were starting to book punk bands.
As a group what influences your music (Other bands, things outside of music)?
I would say that the bands that most influenced the songs I, Jesse Lynn-Dean write are very varied and range from Television, Roxy Music, Iggy Pop, The Four Seasons, Del Shannon, MC5’s.
How hard is it to get your music out there and heard by people? How to get noticed amongst all of the white noise on then Internet now?
Fortunately The Wasps still have a big fan base from the old days, plus a lot of new fans as in 2022 we did a tour in the UK, Spain & Portugal. Our fan base cover all age groups and we have a lot of Spanish and Portuguese fans now too. Of course the advent of social networking, Facebook, Instagram, our website www.thewaspsofficial.com has helped a lot. Also we have had quite a bit of airplay. Spotify, etc helps to raise our profile too!
Could you please give me some details about your latest record? (Is it about anything in particular, where there any difficulties you faced etc)?
I (Jesse Lynn-Dean, the original Wasps singer/songwriter) reformed The Wasps in December 2019 in Spain with new members and in 2020 we were about to embark on tour in the UK including Rebellion, Spain & Portugal. Unfortunately due to Covid it all got cancelled, so I used the time to write a new album. The album “Punk Prayer” has since been released in 2022 on vinyl (Family Spree Recordings) and on CD. The album has sold very well and has received great reviews.
In 2022 we also re released our first album “Punkryonics” with two additional tracks and it’s called “Punkryonics Plus”, featuring our singles and rare tracks 1977-1979. “Punkryonics Plus” is coming out on vinyl on Radiation Records in 2023.
People often have a certain idea of the "rockstar“ life. What is the reality of being in a band in 2022/23?
Yes, it’s romantic. My dick fell off in 1977 due to high demand!
Who is/were the most important punk band to ever exist and why? Favorite record of theirs?
I don’t really like to say that one band is more important than another, because a lot of punk bands have been part of the total sum that made punk what it is. If I were to comment directly to your question I would have to put punk into two geographical camps. I.E, the UK camp and the USA camp. Regarding the UK, it has to be the Sex Pistols and the USA it’s got to be between Iggy and the Stooges and Velvet Underground.
Favorite Sex Pistols song : God Save The Queen
Favorite Iggy: Nightclubbing
Favorite: Waiting for My Man (which is part of The Wasps set, although very different to the original)
No, seriously it’s a lot of work, especially the social media side of it. I refer to our song on the new Punk Prayer album “Advertising”. It about sums it up. But of course physically it’s hard work for everybody, doing gigs, the travelling, eating on the go, etc.
But it must be said that our loyal fans who have followed us on our journey and their amazing support has been what’s made all this so worthwhile!
The punk community is one of the most inclusive groups I've ever known what can that be attributed too?
Punk is a family and is broad-based. And you are right it’s very inclusive. I don’t know why, it’s just a phenomenon.
out now.
THE WASPS latest album “Punk Prayer” is
Birmingham hardcore punks FLESH CREEP are one of the cities Unsung heroes. The band are one of my favourite New discoveries and one that have barely left my ears recently.
Was there much of a punk/Grind/hardcore scene where you grew up?
Tom: does Napalm Death count? Haha. Birmingham has traditionally skewed more towards the heavier, beat down style of hardcore but the last few years has seen a really inspiring wave of young punks rippin’ it up. Shout out Mould. Shout out Slutmade!
As a group what influences your music?
Tom: my lyrics are mostly concerned with politics. Nothing that Michael Parenti hasn’t said much he more eloquently decades prior. Please don’t call us “anarcho”.
Could you please give me some details about your latest record? (Is it about anything in particular, where there any difficulties you faced etc)?
Tom: I’ll cheat on this one and talk about our upcoming full length that we’re writing currently, which is impossible to do without using the typical trite, boring clichés about it being “our best material yet”. It is though. The difficulties come from the pressure to do said material justice. I have faith that we won’t fuck it up.
How hard is it to get your music out there and heard by people? How to get noticed amongst all of the white noise on then Internet now?
Tom: I think it comes down to actually caring about the community you’re selling yourself to. We’re not too cool for social media and recognize it as a useful tool to connect with likeminded people, but FUCK you if you’re using it to chase the algorithm so you can get on a fucking playlist or whatever. You are a dork and hardcore will never accept you.
People often romanticise the idea of being a “rockstar”. What is the reality of being in a band in 2022/23?
Tom: learning that “not being in it for the money” doesn’t mean you have to let promoters/industry types take you for a ride…
Who is/were the most important punk band to ever exist and why? Favorite record of theirs?
Tom: There’s nothing interesting I can say about The Ramones that hasn’t been said a thousand times already, so for me… Born Against’s ‘9 patriotic hymns’ is the perfect punk record in that it takes it’s message seriously without taking itself too seriously. It’s a record that I still find engaging after many, many years and one that I dare say helped shape some of my own beliefs.
The punk/Grind community is one of the most inclusive groups I’ve ever known what can that be attributed too?
Tom: quote unquote “normal people” don’t see the appeal of spending all of your time and resources in pursuit of screaming in small rooms of mostly uninterested people.
Finally and most importantly, is punk dead or just standing at the back?
Tom: Probably not on any meaningful scale but was it ever? All I know is that I can go to a local show and talk to my friends about radical politics, ethics, art… all because we like loud guitars. It’s a far cry from dismantling the system but it’s not for nothing.
Reminiscent of Joe Strummer partying with NOF. Canadian natives OUT OF ORDER are as catchy as a cold and will strike a chord with any Rancid fans amongst you. The band are veterans at this point and their latest record “Under the Knife” is arguably their best record to date. Lets find out some more about the best Canadian export since Celine Dion......
Was there much of a punk/ska scene where you grew up?
There was a good all ages venue in Halifax called the Café Ole which has long been shut down but it was an amazing period in the early to mid 90’s for some great bands. Those all ages shows were so fun and packed with kids from all over the Maritimes. After Café Ole shut down, The Metal scene kind of took over in Halifax. We kind of came about during that era.
Could you please give me some details about your latest record? (Is it about anything in particular, where there any difficulties you faced etc)?
Our latest endeavor, Under the Knife came about during the Pandemic. We had just released Life Sentence and had been planning on a big Canadian and American tour with our brothers in Bats Out and Bad Assets. Covid kind of killed that plan. So we decided to scrap the tour and focus on writing and recording a new album which became Under the Knife. It’s set to be shipped out this winter and we are looking at a February release. It will be available on Randale Records.
How hard is it to get your music out there and heard by people? How to get noticed amongst all of the white noise on then Internet now?
As a group what influences your music (Other bands, things outside of music)?
We always wanted to blend a fusion of street punk and Oi music influenced by early 80’s Uk Punk Rock. I was a huge Oxymoron fan and loved the urgency of fast and a driving anthemic music of them as well. Halifax, at he time was either metal or skate punk and was lacking that in your face style of punk rock I craved. Out of Order wanted to fill that gap.
It is difficult. You have to push it. Im really not a fan of constantly posting content in order to chase some false sense of relevance. Those who know what’s up, know who we are and enjoy what we do. We just keep doing what we do. I don’t mind advertising but I’m not making music to be a celebrity. I’m making music because I want to hear it and I believe in the music that we make. That being said, no one is going to do anything for you in this world. Kick doors down and spread your music and message to the world any way you can.
Who is/were the most important punk/ska band to ever exist and why? Favorite record of theirs?
That’s hard to narrow down to one as we all draw from a variety of influences. Guns n’ Roses to the Clash, Blitz to Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash to Battle Ruins, Rancid to Ottis Redding, Motörhead to the Specials to Cock Sparrer. There is wide spectrum of influences and it’s extremely difficult to narrow down to one particular band. So I’ll give you my current holy grail of music. The Baboon Show, Radio Rebelde has been burning its way into my brain as of the past few years. If I was gonna sit a kid down and play punk rock for the first time to them though, London Calling by the Clash would be the one album I’d start with.
The punk community is one of the most inclusive groups I’ve ever known what can that be attributed too?
I think because there is a wide umbrella that this genre covers. People from all backgrounds can find identity themselves in it. Punk Rock in open for interpretation but it generally deconstructs walls within and between people. This concept resonates throughout generations and continues to grow in every new blood
People often romantise the idea of being a “rockstar”. What is the reality of being in a band in 2022/23?
The reality is what you make of it. There is always garbage to endure and you have to navigate around it. Whether it’s some faction within the scene trying to control the music or some bullshit playground politics, obstacles occur and obstruct and you have to deal with them. Life, like music, isn’t a straight road. There are peaks and valleys that you have to ride both the highs and lows out. Keep doing what you do and believe in it and yourself.
Could you tell me a bit about the band, where are you from, how did the band come to be?
Most of us in the band have been playing Punk Rock for over 40 years, some of us have been playing in bands that have been making records and touring all over. So, me and Jarle sat together at a birthday party and we started one of those bands that’s been started over the years in the haze. But we got connected and he had a drummer and another guitarist. We tried out some vocalists and finally we got Marcus with us, the guy that sang on our first EP. But he quit like three years ago and I asked an old friend of mine if he wanted to sing with us, and he wanted to. Not too late after that our drummer had to quit the band, due to hearing problems, kind of sad coz we played in the same Punk band 43 years ago. Anyway, the show must go on, so we got in touch with a drumming friend of ours and asked him and he joined the band and here we are today! The guys in the band are Thomas vocals, Fredrik drums, Håkan guitar, Jarle bass and me, Åke, guitar as well.
Could you please give me some details about your latest record? (Is it about anything in particular, were there any difficulties you faced etc.)?
First, we decided to make an EP, but I thought that we had too many good songs for an EP, so I persuaded my band mates to record a full album instead. We went to Gothenburg and the Music-A-Matic studios to do the ground recordings with Chips Kiesbye producing and Henryk Lipp did the mixing. Chips is the guy behind many great bands, The Hellacopters, The Nomads and today he is the guitarist in The Boys and Sator. Henryk was a big creative part of the Gothenburg sound in the 80’s and 90’s. Then we did the overdubs in Chips studio Planet of Noise, in his basement in Limmared. It took like three long weekends to do all of the recordings. Chips did the producing when he had some spare time when he worked on The Hellacopters latest album and Henryk the mixing. We did everything during the pandemic, that’s why it took all that time to get the LP out by Peter at Dala Destroi Records. Now the first pressing has sold out, but there will be a second one in a couple of months.
As a group what influences your music (Other bands, things outside of music)?
Today I’d like to say that I listen a lot to newer Punk Rock bands like Cyanide Pills, City Saints, Hyrda Knektar, The Briefs, Viagra Boys, Chain Whip, OFF! And from Australia Stiff Richards, Amyl and the Sniffers and Aborted Tortoise. When it comes to old school it will always be The Saints, The Dead Boys, The Boys, The Jam the Clash, The Heartbreakers, Stiff Little Fingers, The Cramps, Gun Club, Iggy, Bowie and Lou.
Was there much of a punk scene where you grew up?
The Punk scene here was very solid, everyone did something for the scene. We had a local radio show, everyone was playing in a band or about to start one. Some guys made a fanzine and wrote about the local scene. I think there were about 6070 active people in the local scene including the suburbs in the late 70’s.
Who is/were the most important punk band to ever exist and why? Favourite record of theirs?
That question is a little like the movie, Sophie’s Choice. One day it’s Iggy’s Raw Power, another The Damned’s first album or New York Dolls Too Much Too Soon, Never Mind the Bollocks and so on. Kill your darlings.
How hard is it to get your music out there and heard by people? How to get noticed amongst all the white noise on the Internet now?
I think there is a lot of work to get through the white noise. We did CD copies of our album, kinda cheap today and sent and gave away CDs to the right people. I think it’s more value to get a CD than a link in Messenger or on the mail. But I will think that we did pretty well, got review’s in Vive Le Rock, Classic Rock Magazine and in several Swedish magazines. More gigs and a trip to Blackpool in August and nominated for the Best Swedish Punk Album in 2022. We are very proud of that nomination, which Swedish Independent Music producers did, and we hope the nomination will open some doors and that we’ve already won, just by being nominated.
The punk community is one of the most inclusive groups I’ve ever known. What can that be attributed to?
People often romanticize the idea of being a “rockstar”. What is the reality of being in a band in 2022/23?
It’s all Sex, Drugs and Rock’n’Roll!! Well, it used to be way back, but these days we don’t want to play too late, we always carry our own backline and go to bed early. In other ways I don’t see any big difference now and what it was like 40 years ago. Travel, arrive, soundcheck, check into the hotel, have some beers, check out some bands, play, drink more beer, meet nice people and back to the hotel. But I still enjoy it. I’d like to think it is a privilege to play in a band that people are paying to see. That dream I had as a young lad, listening to Bowie and Alice Cooper, I wanted to be a Rock Star and some of that dream has come through, well in a budget scale, but anyway.
Is it? Sometimes Punk can be very elite, even today, you can’t do that or listen to this. Being nominated to the Best Punk Album is not Punk Rock in some people’s eyes or maybe they are just jealous!? But mostly Punks are kind people I think, ordinary people like you and me. Often people in the outskirts but doing their thing.
Finally and most importantly, is punk dead or just standing at the back?
As long as we are still alive, Punk can’t be dead, right? But don’t forget to be humble!
Punk is a form of artistic expression that defined previous decades through fashion, art, politics and of course music. Whilst it came into the mainstream consciousness through bands like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones punk could arguably be traced back to early anarchists like Emma Goldmans 1910 book "Anarchism and other Essays" (a very interesting read if you have the time). The point is that punk, in one form or another has been around forever. The question remains in our ever changing world, is punk dead? Have we moved on? I asked some of the bands interviewed in this issue what they thought....
THE WASPS
Finally and most importantly, is punk dead or just standing at the back?
Punk is everywhere and it always will be. I believe that there will be yet another new wave of punk influenced music from the younger generation. The political climate is right for it and I don’t think we will have to wait too long!
OUT OF ORDER
Finally and most importantly, is punk dead or just standing at the back?
Not at all. If anything it’s more powerful then it has ever been. I’m not sure it’s as underground as it was when I was growing up but I think there will always be a room for loud music. There will always be a kid that needs to express themselves within the energy of this music. There are shows happening all over the world and bands continuously coming up that revitalize the scene anew.
YEAR ZERO
Finally and most importantly, is punk dead or just standing at the back?
(Chris) Punk is not dead, it is ever evolving as things naturally do. I think generally it seems to have kept to its original ideals. The music carried the message and the clothes displayed the discontent and depth of that message.
(Kel) Punk is an attitude a thought process don’t accept the Satus Quo at face value and question it. Maybe it should die with us do we want a new generation of Sid Clones and Discharge sound alikes??? Jesus I’ve gone all Joe Strummer. Punks not Dead but its had a couple of Stents fitted and it’s on Blood pressure tablets.......
DOG ROTTEN
Finally and most importantly, is punk dead or just standing at the back?
Don’t think it ever died or ever will. It’s evolved so much into so many different mutants that it’s unavoidable. There’s so many bands that have been influenced by the original punk sound maybe without knowing it. It’s spread so far and you can hear punk influences in their sounds whether they identify as “punk” or not. There’s still new bands coming out the sound like something straight from ’77 but a hell of a lot more that have drawn from that and progressed with it.
DISCREPANCIES- The Rise
Named after their local politicians tax returns "Discrepancies" remind me of much different times. The early 2000s were an interesting place for metal and this band seem they could have been airlifted from any festivals bill at the time. That being said, Discrepancies give me this nostalgia in all the best ways.
The band bring enough new ideas to the table to be exciting and the bands MC actually feels like an integral part of the group, rather than hanging like a nu-metal formed crap from the proverbial metal goldfishes ass, a mistake so many of those early bands made.
Yeah this is rap metal but without the cringe factor often present in the genre. More Chuck D than Fred Durst. Represent lads, well done.
INTERNAL TYRANT – Winter EP
I don’t normally review Eps particularly ones this short, however I am all for new experiences even if they only last for fifteen minutes or so. (Just ask your mum).
Sounding like early Anthrax and Sodom being pushed through a cheese grater Internal Tyrants newest EP, Winter (the first of four planned for 2023) is a great introduction to the band and one that led me face first into their back catalogue like an over eager proctologist.
I enjoyed the bands take on the 80s era thrash and Death genres although the production made it sound like it was recorded in a Norwegian forest on mud and sticks. If you get past the roughness of this EP you will find a band with alot to offer and some new ideas for the genre.
I look forward to hear what the band gives us next.
Sanguisugabogg - Homicidal Ecstasy
Heaver than a cancer diagnosis and more disturbing than blood in your toilet bowl Homicidal Ecstasy is a beast of a record. Much like pornhub this record keeps me coming back to it when I could be doing something constructive with my time. Overall this is as straight forward as grindcore gets. However as like a weightlifter pulling on your scrotum there's no getting away from it. The albums bludgeoning attack is brilliant and I bloody love every second.
Sigh - Shiki
Like a John's first trip to that hooker with one leg thats always giving him the eye, I wasn't sure what to expect from Sigh. I had heard they were some sort of mystical shamans of underground extreme music and well, that's pretty much what they are. Making a sharp left out of sensible land and charging head first into Bat-shit-on-sea. The band play a mental mix of genres including black metal, avant-garde instrumentals and violin solos (?) All of this should not work particularly with lead vocals from a man who sounds like he lives in a cave cursing the nearby villagers for shunning him. But work it does. I can honestly say I have never heard a record like this nor a band with such skill to combine so many genres and styles. Given some time the bands whole back catalogue will undoubtedly be in rotation at my house. Can't wait.
DOPE – Dead World
Like an attractive woman, Dope passed me by in their Nu Metal heyday and only spoke to me when they wanted a free drink. I was vaguely aware of the song "Die motherfucker" but my knowledge of the band ends there. Much like a spunk covered matchstick their latest record "Dead World" will probably not set the world on fire. That being said I quite enjoyed my time with it. If you like the brand of metal Dope perform you will undoubtedly something to hold onto here. Like a ass to mouth, "Dead World" isn't for everybody but those that like it may leave with the desired taste in their mouths.
Ironically Death metal is arguably healthy than ever in 2023. Frozen Soul combine that old school Death metal of Bolt Thrower with an incredible performance that wins over the crowd in seconds. The group are genuinely nice people as well is always good to know. If played correctly 2023 could well be the bands breakthrough into the metal community's collective consciousness.
Following that collective beatdown was never going to be easy but deathcore grafters CABAL hit the ground running. Laying down riffs and breakdowns like demented bricklayers. Despite being the only deathcore band on the bill the group keep the building shaking until the last note of their set.
Hardcore outsiders Nasty are the main support tonight and perform with all the passion and drive you'd expect from a band with something to prove. The crowd laps it up like a drunk eating a 3am kebab but for me the band miss the mark slightly without much to separate one song from another.
Dying Fetus perform with the precision of robots created solely to make death metal. Of all the bands in the world of extreme music right now Dying Fetus must be the Kings or if not the godfathers of the genre. The mayhem does not stop, falter or drop for a moment and when it's all said and done what's left of us there to witness know we have seen one of the best bands in the world at the top of their game and their game is Death fucking Metal.
It's been some twenty odd years since I first heard Jedi mind Tricks. Admittedly I was first intrigued by the groups name, nerd that I am but before long the band remained a constant in my life. Now finally I had the chance to witness Vinnie Paz for myself.
Starting things off RA Rugged man is a surprise triumph. Previously I'd never really listened to his music but was blown away by the skill and professionalism he commands on the mic. Mixing some old skool vibes with a phenomenal flow Rugged Man may well be my new favourite rapper.
Up next the legendary Immortal Technique. The quintessential Professional looks incredibly comfortable spitting verses lesser rappers could only dream of writing and the essential "Dance with the Devil" is the highlight of the set.
Now finally after twenty years of waiting Vinnie Paz and Jedi Mind Tricks hit the stage. The group play almost every song I could have wanted including the crowd destroying "Dump the Clip", "I against I" and "Design in Malice". For me the highlight was once again the guest spot on "Uncommon Valor" by Rugged man whom, due to some technical issues rapped his verses solo with no DJ backing him which made the hairs on my neck stand up.
This show was a celebration of everything Jedi Mind have accomplished during their career and if this really is the end, what a note to go out on.
