Live Review: Jenny Woo + others @ Zimmer, Tel Aviv [26th April 2018]

Jenny Woo

Shortfuze

Helem

Akrabut

Cyanide

Extravaganza

Extravaganza

Starting off the night is possibly the first classic metal band to play a punk show like this – Extravaganza. Comprising of members from Tel Aviv ska, punk, surf, rock and even psychedelic bands, Extravaganza are the supergroup no-one really asked for (sorry). Their reasonably short debut set consisted of original songs that sound like imitations of Dio or Iron Maiden, as well as an enjoyable cover of Judas Priest’s Breaking The Law. Although the songs are actually good and they all play tight, the overall performance resembles that of a hair metal themed wedding band. Even the band name is something you would call a party band. (There's actually a Lithuanian Black Metal band with the same name but that's an even weirder choice.) Shouting "This is a metal extravaganza" throughout most of the set also just enhances the cheesiness. That said, it doesn’t mean they’re not entertaining. The punks here seem to enjoy it, some who even already knew a song or two. If anything, Extravaganza is definitely a band to get drunk and take your shirt off to.

2.5/5  

Cyanide

Up next are a young local trio called Cyanide (or "Tsee-ya-need" to the locals). I think I’ve seen them before but if I had, this was a slightly better performance. Although they play simple punk rock, including covers of Ramones and GBH, you can tell they’ve been working hard to get things right. There is still a way to go. Some of their original lyrics are a bit childish and the musicianship needs some cleaning up in places, but there is certainly potential.

3/5

Akrabut

Hailing from Haifa (via Russia), Akrabut is a new punk trio featuring members of Nezek and City Rats. In a way, Akrabut is on a similar street-punk/crossover wave as City Rats only with a darker edge. At least it sounds darker live, with the reverb on the vocals almost at maximum. It just overall sounds less traditional compared to City Rats, which makes them just a little bit more interesting and intense. Akrabut have tons of energy which shines through in their performance and takes over the crowd, making he venue really come alive. In the same way that City Rats had both the music and attitude to get a bit of notoriety in Europe, I reckon Akrabut have a similar future ahead..if they want it.

4/5

Helem

Back to more new local talent as Helem (which means something like "foolish behaviour" but can also be a play on the word meaning "shock") take the stage. Being pretty much the same line-up as local Oi covers band Oi Lo! minus 2 singers, Helem do fairly traditional Israeli street punk but with the catchiness and almost mainstream sensibility of Oi. As well as their own songs with choruses that can worm their way into your head, their set's highlight is their Hebrew version of What A Wonderful World which has been changed into Ezeh Hara Olam (What A Shit World). Not only does it show creativity to practically reinvent a classic but to do it another language is always pretty impressive. Helem are definitely up there as one of the most interesting punk bands to come form the scene at the moment.

4/5

Shortfuze

Now we go from a band influenced by Oi to a brand new band that considers themselves purely Oi - Shortfuze. Starting off their first ever show with a little bit of simple instrumental ska (to be fair, ska is pretty simple anyway), the band then play a set of classic Oi. Going along pretty typical themes for Oi such as unity, positivity and how great Oi is, there's nothing too original about the songs. However, their token Hebrew song Oved Shaot (Working For Hours) stands out as the most personal and relatable (for those who understand it, that is). I think that goes to show that you can be more creative and expressive in your native tongue. The band then have the honour of being joined on stage by today's main guest, Jenny Woo, for a cover of her song Here We Stand and Chaos by 4 Skins which get the crowd all excited for her set. The main problem for me throughout this set was a sound issue - the snare drum disappeared. It seems as though the mic fell at some point so most of the set was without any punchy snare drum which was a bit of a distraction for me, being a drummer myself. However, I'm looking forward to some recordings of Shortfuze some time soon.

3.5/5

Jenny Woo

And now for the main event of the night all the way from Canada - Jenny Woo! With an electro-acoustic in hand, our guest finally takes to the stage while enduring the interval watching Israelis and Russians dancing to some of the weirdest techno-pop you've ever heard. Although acoustic Oi might not sound that entertaining, Jenny controls the crowd by teaching lyrics and getting the crowd to join in with both her songs like Sound of the Streets and classic covers like I Fought The Law and Because You're Young. To add to the fun, she makes a competition out of the crowd participation by saying who ever sings the loudest gets a free CD or Vinyl (I think she had a few things to give out). Jenny has an awesome voice similar to that of City Mouse singer Miski. It's got a bit of a harshness to it but more comprehensive than someone like Brody Dalle. Jenny seems super sweet and definitely knows how to get a crowd going but I think she was let down a little bit by the venue's sound. Her electro-acoustic was a bit too crackly for the most part. However, you can't beat a bit of classic Oi!

4/5

Unfortunately I was unable to stay around for The Bad Wins and their collaboration with Jenny but I've seen them a good few times before and they are a fun classic punk band with some catchy songs. I'll try and review them properly another time. In the mean time, a big shout to them and to all who took part in this event. It's been quite the evening!

All photos courtesy of Ella Ben Yakar

Live Review: Zaga Zaga Album Release Show @ Levontin 7, Tel Aviv [18th March 2017]

Zaga Zaga
Östra Torn
Mitromemot

Noisy Tel Aviv hardcore punk outfit, Zaga Zaga, have released a new full length album. In order to celebrate it, they have invited their fanbase and friends to Levontin 7 to witness the new material live. They have also invited two new bands to open up for them.

Mitromemot

Up first is Tel Aviv based Mitromemot (which apparently means "faggots"). As I'm sure happens in most small scenes, sometimes new bands will pop up made from members of other popular/once-popular bands. Mitromemot consists of drummer Oneg (also the current Haium HaDeomgraphy drummer), guitarist Adi (Deaf Chonky), bassist Benjamin (Almonim Metim) and vocalist Mati (ex-Erev Rav). Having only just put out their debut self-titled EP, this is also their debut show. However, there's already a lot of people eager to see them. The band plays all of the 8 rapid and aggressive songs from the EP (no longer than 1 min 30 secs each) which run in a similar vein to the aforementioned Almonim Metim and Erev Rav. Out of those songs, Savta Coeset (Grandma's Angry/Angry Grandma) stands out the most. Although a song I cannot personally relate to, it simply speaks of the true and familiar generation gap between modern Israeli liberals and their Jewish/Zionist elders. As an added bonus, the band also treats the crowd to an interesting Hebrew rendition of the straight edge classic Minor Threat by the legends of the same name. I didn't actually recognise it due to never having heard the song in Hebrew before but those who get it are singing along and holding Mati aloft. All in all, it might not be the type of hardcore punk I would normally choose to listen to but the band has the right amount of passion behind the music and Mati has turned into one hell of a performer, screaming his lungs out and owning the stage.

3/5

Östra Torn

Man, Haifa has been giving birth to a lot of heavy shit! As one of the bands to have been born out of the demise of Haifa hardcore heavyweights Barren Hope, the next band on, Östra Torn (which I believe is Swedish for "East Tower"), similarly play low-tuned, fuzzy, metallic hardcore. On stage, the trio align themselves in a triangle so as guitarist, Dean, and bassist, Nir can both see equal amounts of each other, the crowd and drummer, Ofer. As they aggressively plough through a thunderous set of Nails/Trap Them/Soulground heaviness, Dean and Nir share vocals, with their different styles complimenting one another well. I basically had a grin from ear to ear throughout most of the set; it just hits that spot in my brain that really responds to crushingly angry music. If these guys can stay around longer than Barren Hope, I can easily see them as a welcomed addition to either Prosthetic or Nuclear Blast roster.

4/5

Zaga Zaga

Yes, yes..I'm having to write about Zaga Zaga again! To be honest, I'm writing this review more to give some publicity to the supporting acts. I've written about Zaga Zaga a lot over the passed couple of years. Although my views on them did change after the first couple of times seeing them, they've since just been consistently fun to watch live that there's never really been nothing new to say. With the release of their self titled album (which some are calling their debut, although I personally consider Year One their first proper album), they've now just added more crazily fast, heavy and noisy songs to their set. Joining classic crowd-pleasers such as The Dancer, (I Just Called To Say) I Hate Your Band and Industrial Estate (my personal favourite due to its interesting question-answer guitar breakdown), new tracks such as Black T and Cancer Man are already seeing the crowd get involved. Razorblade Razorblade, although from the new album, has been in the band's repertoire for quite some time. It's jagged, dissonant groove always manages to get my head moving.

There is still a part of me that finds some of the faster songs flying right by me like a barrage of shouting and shredding, but there are at least songs which have enough balance of groove and rapid intensity which make them one of the more interesting bands in the scene at the moment. Also, every time I watch them, I'm reminded of a quote that a friend read in a band's biography (I think it was The Sonics). It was something along the lines of "If you haven't sweat enough from a show that you can throw your shirt at a wall and make it stick, then you didn't give a good enough performance." Tonight, I was worried guitarist Ben was going to create a fire hazard with what was pouring out of his face onto his pedals! Even if the music isn't your thing, everyone can admire how Zaga Zaga give 110% on stage.

3.5/5

Photos by David "Doh Doh" Rosen

New Sweatshop Boys demo track

 Despite constantly having to compete with this band when they do shows on the same day as Woolly Boy, Sweatshop Boys are the current Israeli kings of catchy and uplifting fuzzy pop punk. I may not have given them the best review for the last EP, Always Polite, Never Happy, but simply because the songs didn't do much for me compared to the songs on previous record, The Great Depression, not because I don't like them.

  Vertigo is a new track that the band are demoing as a taster of their next record which they will start recording soon. It has a bit of a Descendents/Pegboy/early Social Distortion feel, with raspy vocals layered over up tempo punk rock. The song seems to use "vertigo" as a way of describing one's personal downward spiral. Personally, it sees the band back on track on writing some both catchy and punchy socially aware anthems.

Live Review: Not On Tour/Zaga Zaga/Are We Dead? @ HaMartef, Haifa [18th March 2016]

For what I'm pretty sure is the first time ever, I come to HaMartef (The Basement) in Haifa to check out new band Are We Dead? as well as Punkalovich favourites Zaga Zaga and Not On Tour. 

Are We Dead?

Are We Dead? are a new Haifa/North based hardcore band. Mixing metallic riffs with hardcore vocals, Are We Dead? manage to warm up the evening with a lot of the street punks going nuts. Whether these guys are actually into the music or just drunk out of their minds is hard to tell, but by my experience of street punks, it's more likely the latter. 

 Although this style of hardcore might not be for everyone, the moments where they play "beatdowns" do get me pumped. I also like the fact that the band is made up of people from other music backgrounds besides hardcore. Bassist Artem seems to come from a more metal background yet plays like a jazz bassist; lots of fingers and not a pick in sight. I'm normally not a fan of too much fret-work but it was fun to watch. 

 Are Are We Dead? the best new thing in hardcore, probably not. However, for what it was, parts had me smiling and the atmosphere over all was fun.

3/5

Zaga Zaga

I'm not entirely sure how many times I can write about Zaga Zaga. I certainly can't really say anything new, despite them having new material. It's not that all their songs sound the same, but they are all just crazy, aggressive and fun. Same goes for the performance.

  Zaga Zaga might still be an acquired taste, as some of the heckling mimicry of their shouting vocals proves, but there are those who are into it or are at least dancing like loons regardless. With a new album in the works, I hope there's a lot more great new songs to help Zaga Zaga make a name for themselves in the mathcore/post-hardcore world.

4.5/5

Not On Tour

Although Useless ID still remain the most internationally known punk band to come out of Israel, the likes of Kids Insane and tonight's headliners, Not On Tour, are closely following behind. Before they head back to Europe once again for Groezrock and after that join A Wilhelm Scream and Strung Out in Japan, Not On Tour have headed up to Haifa with a surprise new addition to the band.

In the same way as for Zaga Zaga, I'm sort of running out of new things to say about the female fronted skater punk band. Sima's voice is somehow always precisely as you hear it on record, the backing vocals are always somehow pitch perfect and not too overpowering and the musicianship over all is pretty faultless. Even with surprise new replacement guitarist, Matan (Save It), there is no drop in quality at all. I think suddenly seeing a different guitarist was a bit of a shock for some at first, but that seems to disappear as soon as they start up and the songs get under way. Matan might not right in our faces as of yet, but he certainly doesn't slip up or seem out of place.
Although there's also a good number of Tel Aviv people up here tonight, it's the unfamiliar Haifa faces that are really having a ball to the band's special breed of 7 Seconds meets The Vandals style punk rock. As usual, it's songs from the likes of All This Time and the N.O.T On Tour EP that get the best reception, closely followed by tracks off the new record. As I look around, I suddenly realise that the place has got pretty packed. Both street punks, hardcore kids and metal heads alike are dancing and singing along.

Although the whole show was pretty fun itself, including a surprising and impressive version of The Beatles' Oh Darling after their own super popular song, Darling, their encore makes my night. Not only do they play one of my favourite old track of theirs, Silly Thoughts, but Eyal of Are We Dead? takes on drum duties while someone (for some reason, I can't remember who) sings along with Sima. I was going pretty crazy myself, but could see that there were a few blank faces on those who weren't familiar with the song. Dudes, it was their first music video! It was the first one I heard from them. It's a necessary song to know!

Not On Tour are one of those bands who are gaining success for the right reasons. Having a female singer might be considered a selling point, but it by no means the main point of their success. Having a voice like that of Sima's definitely gives them an advantage, but it's the quickness and general uplifting vibes of the songs, even the serious ones, that strikes a chord with people, including me.

5/5

Review: Sweatshop Boys - Always Polite, Never Happy (2015)

   Sweatshop Boys are beginning to become more and more important in the Israeli punk scene and hopefully in the punk world in general. Consisting mostly of Haifa boys including Ofri (ex-Friday Night Sissy Fight/Barren Hope), Dean (ex-Friday Night Sissy Fight) and Itai (The Orions, The Backliners, Achim Zabari, Kuskus Records), the band also includes singing drummer and powerhouse that is Nadav (Mondo Gecko, Spit, Shifka Chiefs, Brutal Assault, Uzbecks...help if I've left something out!)
   Although not what everyone may consider "punk rock", the band do know how to write catchy as hell songs about things that matter to them. Their first album, The Great Depression, really helped demonstrate the Sweatshop Boys sound and this latest EP very much continues to do the same.  All four songs are songs I recognise from shows because they are just so damn memorable.
  The EP starts off with No Pity In The City, a pogotastic anthem about moving to a big city but with no real changes. Second track, Special Mood, takes the pace down a bit with an almost 60s beat-music era jangly pop sound, equipped with organ solo and a rhythm that will have you toe-tapping away. Try Hard, again on a bit of a 60s tip but punkier, is a simple and to the point song about "wannabe scene queens" with its intoxicating "You're not special at all Ahhhh" refrain. The funny thing about writing songs of this topic is that it could be describing people who actually come to your shows. Therefore, it is remarkably ironic when you see someone at their show who has forced themselves to learn the lyrics and stand right at the front, making sure to be heard. I think that's what I love about it, whether intentional or not. Last track, Slow Dive, leans off the social commentary a bit and instead focuses on a positive message about taking life easy. The band informs us that "Sometimes you got to let it go" and instruct us to "go with the flow." Good advice, there, my friends! All songs have this fun vibe about them, almost definitely due to how everyone in the band gets a chance to sing and sing together, making everything sound more anthemic. 

   I kind of remember somewhere near the start of the band's career that I didn't really pay all that much attention to them. I wasn't really keen on the Pet Shop Boys influenced name (I used to like the Pet Shop Boys) and I found it all a bit too "jingle jangly", for want of a term. Whether the band itself has improved or my musical tastes have broadened, this new EP is a beautiful record and I hope to hear another full length later on in the year full of more catchy twist-inducing tunes.    
4/5

  Sweatshop Boys play a free show tomorrow night, Sunday 8th March, at BuXa in Tel Aviv.
  For any readers over in mainland Europe or who will be there in the next month or so, you can catch Sweatshop Boys on tour across France and Germany:

Live Review: DUST/Lunamore/Woolly Boy @ Syrup, Haifa [23rd January 2015]

  This review is going to be quite brief but it should not diminish its' importance. Not only is this the first show in Haifa (north of Israel) that I am writing about but it is also my band's first ever show.

Woolly Boy

Obviously, I'm not going to rate my own my band. I will however say thanks to Sasha of hardcore04 for putting us on this show, thanks to the sound engineer and barman at Syrup and to all who came to watch us. For a first show, we just sort of went with it. We had a few mess ups due to not enough practices but I like to think the stuff we played well sounded good. Unfortunately no-one filmed us. 

Next time....

Lunamore

Lunamore are one of those bands who do that emotional, well orchestrated, experimental "screamo" type music that is quite popular. The young 3-piece, as always, gave a great performance. They set themselves up on stage as they would in rehearsal; they stand in a triangle facing one another. This is a good idea as they are able to still stay in communication with one another and in sync even while playing ever changing time signatures, dynamics and rhythm patterns. Lunamore are the type of band that you do not need to have listened to their stuff before to enjoy live. A good part of their set is mostly instrumental and moves from being beautiful to frantic within seconds. Yam explores his guitar pedals while Bar shows how varied his drumming repertoire is and Naama handles bass duties effortlessly. Having seen them live a few times before, there is the odd riff here and there that has me smiling and whirling my head around. I believe they have been in the studio working on something and I can't wait to hear that.

4/5

DUST

I simply love Dust. Not only do I love that they're really the only Israeli band playing this style of groove-lead hardcore and doing it right, I've gotten to know them a little bit better as people and they are great guys. As well as playing tracks off of their self titled ep (namely Midas Touch, Slipping Away, Numb and PMA), the band also plays some tracks that I recognise from other shows (such as the one including the "I'm tired of being sick and I'm sick of being tired" refrain) and some brand new songs. The band are tight, which is not easy when you're also switching time signatures within song. I hope these guys bring some new record out soon and start making a name for themselves outside of Israel.

4.5/5