Live Review: Punk Rockers United @ Jan Jack, Tel Aviv [19th January 2019]

It's been a while since I've done a live review and I am a bit behind with some that I have planned to do. To get things started again, here's a review of Punk Rockers Unite, a ska/punk/Oi show I went to recently at Jan Jack, a rehearsal rooms and studio in Tel Aviv that has also been putting on shows for quite a while now.

Hystericus

Starting off the night is ska punk trio, Hystericus. The band is essentially a continuation of guitarist/lead singer Doh-Doh's previous band Ska-Be-Us but with new members Liri (drums) and Matan (bass). Despite singing in Hebrew, both the old Ska-Be-Us songs and the soon to be released newer ones have a vibrant and internationally appealing sound to them. Sometimes Israeli accents can be off-putting (personally) whether in English or in Hebrew but Doh-Doh's vocals are always fun to listen to.

With songs deeply rooted in the Israeli skating culture such as Hummus Skateboard and Geveret, Ze Lo Tayelet (Madame, This Isn't a Promenade(?)) as well as more personal songs like Ani Ohev Lehagid 'Ani Ohev Otach' (I Love To Say 'I Love You'), the music is very uplifting and well executed. Although the turnout for tonight's show is a bit low, there's still people skanking about and even some regulars (like myself) singing along to songs they recognise. Definitely a fun start to the evening and a band to keep an eye on. 

Can this new album come out already?!

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Free Sergio

They've been on a bit of a break, but melodic punk 4 piece Free Sergio are back in town (they've actually all now moved here from "somewhere up North") with a bunch of new songs from their upcoming album Arrows.

As much as the new songs stick to the band's staple No Use For A Name/Flatliners inspired sound and the playing in general is tight and pretty faultless, nothing really stands out for me in this set. And I'm not the most familiar with No Use For A Name so even the song they cover doesn't do much for me.

I'm personally a bit disappointed that they didn't play anything off of their Take Control EP, especially the infectious So Far Yet So Close and Block The Entrances (it's heavy breakdown near the end was always a favourite of mine at their shows). However, they're still a technically talented bunch who have been  and I'm looking forward to giving Arrows a proper listen when it drops.

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Shortfuze

Finishing off the night is Shortfuze, basically the only Oi band in Israel (besides the cover band Oi Lo and a handful of others that contain some influences). I have already written about the band before and my opinion has only slightly changed.

As much as I love Oi, it can get a bit samey if you reuse common topics and phrases. Unfortunately, there's just too many similarities to other bands and even particular songs to be able to rate Shortfuze on their own merits. I thought they were maybe attempting a cover of The Business' Suburban Rebels but it turns out that their chorus for The Power of Oi just happens to be quite similar to that of the aforementioned classic. This could very well be an artistically intentional throwback, in which case I admire the creativity, but...you can never really know.

Although not groundbreaking, the music is nevertheless fun, good old fashioned oi. I still think Oved Shaot (Working For Hours) is a great song and guitarist Ran's solos really brighten up each song. I'm interested in hearing a full body of work, however I do still feel a little uncomfortable with Israelis using British phrases (e.g. "Come on, you wankers") and talking about being "working class". It's not that I find it "offensive", but it does just feel a tad inauthentic. If they can focus on writing more songs based on personal experience (whether in Hebrew or English) then they could be on to a winner.

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Review: Krang - Singalong [January 2018]

Skate punk might not be as big as it was in the 90s but fast paced, melodic and slightly tongue-in-cheek punk rock isn't dead. One example is the hugely fun Krang from Czech Republic, named after the pink brain-like alien from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While the artwork to Singalong does include said baddie, this new album has a more general 80s/90s' pop culture theme compared to it's predecessor Baddest Brain, with titles like IDDQD (a cheat code for the original DOOM game), Kick Ass or Chew Bubblegum (They Live quote) and I Ain't Got No Time To Bleed (Predator quote).

Like before, the tracks on here are pretty short, fast and bouncy with vibes akin to Satanic Surfers, Millencolin and even Sum 41's more melodic side only with slightly more..er..European sounding vocals. Although I've heard stronger accents on records before, you can't help but notice it, especially when mixed with the odd grammatical error. This isn't an entirely bad thing, though - at least they're not pretending and it makes them distinguishable. 

Besides the movie quotes and retro references, the odd song tackles slightly more relatable subjects. King of a Dancefloor, for instance, is an anthem against violent dancing at punk and hardcore shows. Personally, I don't think hardcore dancing is something to be complaining about so strongly but it's clearly an important enough problem for the band...and I respect them wanting to get that message across. Ironically, the song is pretty kick-ass and might make you want to break things!

Other songs of importance include the short and anthemic No Fun In Fundamentatlism (where the Sum 41 vibes are most prominent), the fun and catchy Indian Jones Hates Nazis and Snakes and the band's impressive twist on The Beatles' classic Help! which still keeps the song's original essence while also being faster, harder and generally...more punk! 

I had the privilege to see Krang live in Tel Aviv last year. I meant to write about it but..yeh..never got around to it.. Anyway, as fun as they are on record, they are definitely a band to be experienced live for all their energy and on stage antics. Singalong in particular is just missing a little bit of that magic but is still an album worth checking out, especially if you're not into most modern day "pop punk".

3.5/5

H2O RELEASE VIDEO FOR NEW TRACK, SKATE!

   I love H2O. I've always liked the positivity and the "bounce" in their music. They're quite a big influence on my writing style for Woolly Boy. Saying that, one needs to wonder whether a band that has lasted 20 years is running out of ideas when they bring out a song about skating entitled ... er... Skate!
   Skate! comes from the Bridge Nine release Use Your Voice, coming out 9th October. As excited as I am to hear this album, this track doesn't currently blow me away. Then again, I don't skate, so maybe I just don't connect to it like I do some of their other work.

   The mere fact that they can still play straight up, super fast hardcore is definitely great to see. I'm hoping the rest of the album has a bit more groove on it and some proper good anthems. 

NEW TRACKS FROM RECENT AND UPCOMING RELEASES

  I came across a few tracks and videos from recent and upcoming releases by some great bands.

Millencolin - Sense & Sensibility

  Sense & Sensibility, not to be confused with the Jane Austin novel and period drama of the same name, is the first track to be released off of Swedish punk band Millencolin's upcoming album True Brew. Back in my mid teens, I was aware of Millencolin because of the music videos for songs like Fox and Kemp. I don't think I ever properly liked them back then; same thing could be said about a number of skate-punk bands. It took me until recent years to check out albums such as Pennybridge Pioneers, which I remember the release of, and For Monkeys to really get the band. This new track stays true to the Millencolin sound, including the unmistakable voice of frontman Nikola Sarcevic and the bouncy rhythm. The song tackles the subject of racism and I guess the irony behind having just as much hate for racists as the racists do against the minorities. The "You're just a racist clown to me" line of the chorus is catchy and poignant enough to get stuck in your head. The video is cool and simple, being shot in the back of a van..or at least made to look as such. For those who like videos of the band just rocking out, this will not disappoint.
If this track is anything to go by, True Brew has the potential to be another great Millencolin record for the adoring fans. Due for release April 28th.

Dead Sara - Mona Lisa

   I'm not entirely sure how it happened, but I only realised yesterday that I no longer liked Dead Sara on Facebook and had therefore completely missed the release of this single and video for Mona Lisa from upcoming second album Pleasure To Meet You. I fell in love with Dead Sara upon the discovery of the song and video for Weatherman. It's a bit of a task to label Dead Sara. They are a rock band but not simply a rock band. Their self titled debut is an array of groovy riffs, frontwoman Emily Armstrong's powerful vocals, heavy drumming and cool harmonies, managing to showcase both heavy headbanging tunes and beautiful ballads. I am hoping for the same, maybe even a tad more, from the followup. Mona Lisa, certainly seems to show off the band's more (dare I say it) "hipster" side, especially in the video. The song itself is certainly not a disappointment; it still has that familiar heavy Dead Sara sound which builds up to an "explosion" which you know must be getting everyone at their shows going nuts. I know I would be. They once again manage to come up with a catchy refrain in "I know what you want but it's not gonna be what you like". This is definitely a great easer for the album and I'm hoping to be "on it like a car bonnet" when Pleasure To Meet You drops late March.

Shredhead - Walk With The Dead 

   Shredhead are an Israeli metal band who are slowly but surely making a name for themselves abroad, having even relocated to Berlin during the recording of latest album Death is Righteous released back in January. The album was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (Suicide Silence, The Haunted, Sick Ot It All etc.). I haven't yet heard the album but if Walk With The Dead is anything to go by, it must be pretty damn cool. I have to admit, though, it's not really my thing. The video, however, is an absolute must-see. The South Park-esque animations show the band in different situations and encountering an absolute smorgasbord of celebrities and TV/Movie characters, including some Israeli local celebrities that I recognise who have helped the band throughout the career with both promotion, videos and shows. The video is worth seeing with friends so you can play a game where you need to write down everyone you see. The one with the most names wins!

 Bloodshot Eyes - Happy Ever After (Summer's Gone)

  I don't know that much about Bloodshot Eyes except that they are a melodic punk (I guess..) band from Hod Hasharon, Israel. If you like melodic pop punk, then check out their recent single Happy Ever After (Summer's Gone). Personally, for me, I think it may take time for me to really like it. There's something there...I just need to keep going back and looking for it. It's certainly not 2 dimensional, with dynamic changes which should appease a variety of punk/hardcore music lovers. It is, however, the vocals that I am finding slightly off putting but you can't do much about an accent. 

Raiden - The Devil's Handprint

  Finally, previewed this passed weekend, I bring you the heaviest track on this post. Raiden from Essex (which is basically very far east London, for those who don't know) are a band who I never thought would emerge with anything new. I knew they were doing the odd show here and there once or twice a year but they have actually brought out a new track. Raiden are one of those bands I was aware of in my teens when I was knocking about the HC scene in London. I believe they had a track on a compilation which at first I thought was too metal for me, but after a while appreciated it. I still never properly followed the band; I'm not even too sure I've ever seen them. They were/still are part of the EBD (Essex BeatDown) scene which is basically the insane younger brother to the LBU (London Black Up) scene. 
  New track, The Devil's Handprint, starts off with some beautiful yet also menacing classical guitar playing. Seeing as I was already familiar with the band, I knew this wouldn't last for long. As expected, after about a minute, the blastbeats, shredding and blood curdling screams kick in and we are treated to some proper metal. Also as standard, we get a beatdown near the end. It's short, which I normally prefer but I actually wish there was more. Hopefully this means there's a new record on the way and more tracks for me to check out.
  If you like death metal, black metal and/or beatdown hardcore, check out Raiden.