The Nite Songs Singles Bar - March 2021 (part 2)

 

So here's part two of this month's Singles Bar featuring a few more singles and a trio of EP's as well, Plenty to get our teeth into so let's crack on pronto, eh?

We last heard from Adam & The Hellcats last year with the enjoyable Welcome To The Madhouse single. They have put out another one since in House of Straw but honestly I wasn't that big a fan of it (sorry guys) hence why we didn't feature it on here. However, new effort Bending The Knee (🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑) is a big improvement sounding like some unholy collision between fellow Bristolians Vice Squad and the Sisters of Mercy at their most bombastic. A big stomping six-minute epic, this is a good taster for the upcoming Hellcats album due in April, Looking forward to it. Bandcamp link here

Split single time and this one is a bit of a mouthwaterer as Nottingham scumbags The Hip Priests team up with the legendary Supersuckers. While the 'Suckers track Deceptive Expectations has already surfaced on last year's enjoyable Play That Rock 'n' Roll album and a fine slice of AC/DC meets Jason and the Scorchers cowpunk it is too, the Priests' Ain't Ever Gonna Die Again (🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗) is a newie and is exactly the sort of pedal-to-the-floor ferocity you'd expect from them. There's just something about listening to the Priests which is like getting a full shot of aural adrenalin and this is no exception. Great stuff. Bandcamp link here

Switzerland's Bitch Queens are one of those bands I've been meaning to check out for a while and Ignorance Is Bliss (🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗) (a split single with the Drippers but it's only the Queens' half that's available on Bandcamp) shows that it's more fool me for not investigating them earlier - much like the Hip Priests (with whom they've done split releases in the past), they specialise in a furious and frenetic brand of Turbonegro/Motorhead style revved up punk with added raging lyrics against nine to five worker drones which will leave you needing to catch your breath afterwards. Bandcamp link here

Laura Kidd has been another whose releases have featured a lot in the Singles Bar in recent months and the new Penfriend single Cancel Your Hopes (🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗) might just be her strongest release yet since adopting her new alter ego, a seasick slice of punk about trying to navigate your way through a world where you realise the hopes you had as a kid were really just that - hopes. Panic stricken but compassionate at the same time, this is a really good single and has got me really looking forward to the album which is due later in the spring.


Finally on the singles front this month, Marc Ribler hails from New Jersey and is a new signing to Wicked Cool records. Shattered (🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑) reminds me a bit of his new labelmate Ryan Hamilton with its Tom Petty style melodicness and catchy hook. B-side Hand Me Down has more of an Eastern Electric Boys style feel to it with its sitar-sounding guitars and is probably actually slightly the better of the two tracks here. This is more one for those who like their rock a bit more melodic but it's no worse for that. Bandcamp link here

MINI ALBUM REVIEWS

HAYLEY & THE CRUSHERS - "Fun Sized"


A trio of mini-albums this month, all from the none-more-hip Rum Bar Records over in Boston (that's the Massachusetts one not the Lincolnshire one). First up, Californians Hayley & The Crushers have set their stall out right from the Rezillos-style day-glo sleeve to this six track EP. Lead off track Jacaranda sounds like the Go-Go's at their most endearingly scruffy with its yearning vocals and chugging Johnny Ramone style guitars (indeed, there's a cover of da bruddas' Suzie Is A Headbanger on here as well). The Go-Go's influence is present on Angelyne as well with the jumpy guitar reminiscent of a pop-punk take on Jane Wiedlin's solo hit Rush Hour.

Church of Flag is probably the poppiest ode to Black Flag you will ever hear before Kiss Me So I Can is the only slight red flag on here, just sounding a bit unremarkable compared to the other tracks on this ‘un. Well-executed covers of Kim Wilde's Water On Glass and the aforementioned Suzie Is A Headbanger (which they turn into a Shangri-La's style '60s slice of pop) send this one off nicely and, while it's not quite all killer no filler, it's got enough personality and likeability to stand out in the increasingly crowded power-pop market. Worth a look for the curious.


NITE SONGS RATING: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 (8/10)

***

THE FRENCH GIRLS - "EP"


The French Girls look on the cover of this EP like they did a runner from Andy Warhol's Factory club some time circa 1969 and have only just found their way back to civilisation now. However, this EP is less glam rock and more full on power-pop-punk with the five tracks speeding past in just nine minutes. Lead off track Crazy Yo! is a full on knucklehead slice of Ramones style pop-punk while the frenetic likes of Aerobicise and Soda Pop are the missing link between the Donnas' early output and the aforementioned Ramones.

It's not big and it's not clever but quite simply, the French Girls are just very very good at what they do and if this EP doesn't prompt you to at least grin and nod along then I hate to tell ya but your heart's probably dead inside. Give it a spin.


NITE SONGS RATING: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 (8/10)

***

THE CHEAP CASSETTES - "See Her In Action"


Finally this month, the Cheap Cassettes describe themselves as being influenced by the Replacements and the Jam and I can definitely hear hints of both of them on See Her In Action with its chugging riffs and Westerberg-style slurred vocals. It could maybe do with being a tiny bit more focused but it's got a ramshackle charm that definitely appeals. The better track here is actually B-side Only Lovers which is a 'Mats style rumbling look at teenage nostalgia with a killer chorus to elevate it.

Lil' Bit Everyday's tale of everyday alcoholism has an almost '60s garage style feel to it (with a slight hint of early Elvis Costello in there as well) before suitably rough around the edges live runs through a cover of the Replacements' Valentine and original Red Line Blue round this one off nicely. It's a little bit hit and miss but there's enough scuzzy charm here to suggest that the Cheap Cassettes might just be a band to watch out for.

NITE SONGS RATING: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑 (7/10)

***

Closing time for this month at the Singles Bar then, it would seem. Hope everyone's found something to keep their ears happy for the next few weeks. Enjoy and we'll see you all in April.

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