LAMBPAIGN - Ireland
Irish bands tend not to get
as much coverage in the UK as they deserve, with the odd notable exception, so I
was intrigued to hear this collection of “savage Irish punk”. 12 inches, 12
songs, 12 bands. 5 of the tracks are previously unreleased and, while a couple
of the bands featured have made it to these shores, many will be relatively
unknown. It’s a good introduction to some of what’s going on in the Irish punk
scene, with a diverse range of styles and sounds.
The striking full colour comic book style artwork on Lambpaign – Ireland is
designed to grab your attention: on closer inspection a sheep in battle fatigues
with a Mohawk/Mohican (pedants please go and argue about this at the back, you
know which haircut I’m referring to), carrying a battle standard flings his
guitar at you. I don’t understand it but I like it. So some sort of military
campaign led by a sheep…..Lambpaign!
Side A starts with The Nilz who turn in a speedy little number with its roots in
hardcore, but there is a hint of grunge in there, and reminds me of an early
Therapy? tune I heard on a DIY comp tape back before they were famous. What
starts out as laid back almost West coast style vocal delivery builds up to a
screaming assault on the old ear drums. Audible Joes come hurtling at you from
the melodic end of the scale with a tuneful yet gruff approach that is begging
for a mention of Hot Water Music, and something of the melody in the chorus and
the guitar solo reminds me of early Leatherface. For those who remember Irish
band Monkhouse that wouldn’t be a bad reference point. For those who don’t, add
them to your list.
Jobseekers are an angry hardcore band with crew vocals, build ups and shouty
vocals that get to screaming point at times. The lo-fi production hides some of
what is going on, which is a shame, as they have something of complex American
bands like Econochrist in their sound. The Gakk are pretty much straight up punk
with some chunky riffing and a groovin’ rocky guitar going on. The catchy chorus
“One by one” connects the impact of violent pinch points of Irish history in
1916, 1921 and 1969.
The Jollars provide some chunky Oi with yobbo aggro verses, shoutalong line
endings and sing song choruses. The song Rebel Boot Boys – a tribute to their
beloved Rebel City, Cork – comes from their Half Cut album reviewed previously
for Louder Than War. United Bottles bring side A to a close. They feature former
members of Belfast’s Runnin’ Riot but sound much more rocky and have a ‘big
guitar’ polished sound you’d expect from an American touring band, with a fair
amount in common with the likes of Old Firm Casuals.
Grit from Dublin kick off Side B with an upbeat take on Oi. You can hear a
hardcore influence and they have plenty of melody which sets them aside from
others in the genre. A song about the impact of drug dealing on working class
communities, it’s pointedly aimed at recreational drug users in middle class
communities as they repeat towards the end “No-one round your way ever had to
dodge a stray bullet”. It’s a catchy one.
Listen to Stray Bullet by Grit here
Nomatrix are difficult to pin down. A whirlwind of drums on the chorus riff,
they drop the pace with a buzz saw guitar and relentless singing on the verses.
The frequent tempo changes keep you on your toes and an abrupt ending is
punctuated with a rabble shouting the chorus. The Turn bring the youth crew
hardcore tradition into full view. They’ve got plenty of build up and beat down
and they’re the sort of band that these days might unfortunately inspire tough
guy dancing or ‘crowd killing’ from a dickhead in a vest (don’t blame the band!)
Deathgrip have split vocals shared between Satan and one of his minions. Driving
upbeat hardcore with a crust influence – Nausea may be a good reference point –
and a sprinkling of metal. Despite my flippant pisstake of the guttural vocals,
I’m intrigued to find out more about Deathgrip.
The Divils offer up a ska tune driven by a bouncy bass with some ranting vocals
that come across like the ramblings of a drunken man regaling you of his life
from the gutter. It turns into a high octane, trashy blur at the end of the song
which, combined with the clean bluesy guitar break, tempts me to say “File
under: Festival band”. Shithatt (umlauts over the a) end the album with their
ode to hash. An atmospheric upbeat tune built on a sold bass and drums
foundation that blends the twang of the Dead Kennedys with space rock. Phasers
set to stun and echo set to impress. Fans of Butthole Surfers and various
psych-noise bands will like them.
The insert includes lyrics for all songs and contact details for all bands laid
over outline versions of the cover art. Vinyl collectors ought to know that the
limited edition first pressing (300) comes in black, green and yellow marbled
vinyl.
As I have mentioned in previous compilation album reviews, they were invaluable
before the advent of online listening links as a way to broaden your musical
horizons. Now they probably serve to hone in on a select few from the thousands
of new bands and songs on offer via the internet. One great thing about
compilation albums is that while you may have a couple of favourites, over time
you become familiar with the other bands and songs. And the variety means you
are more likely to play the thing a few times on the trot. Dead Lamb records are
to be applauded for providing us with this opportunity to find out about some of
the less well known bands from the Emerald Isle.
By Nathan Brown -
Louder Than War
LAMBPAIGN - Ireland
Rate: 7 Stars
In nice colored vinyl, Deadlamb Records gives us a nice compilation
album with 12 songs, of which 5 of songs are unreleased (at least when
the album came out) Nilz plays fast hard punk with tough drums. Audible
Joes has a long lyrics to their song and a little different punk but
it's really good. I've heard Jobseekers before and they play fast
desperate punk. I love it! Gakk has a song title that has been used
before and it is One By One and with a hoarse singer it sounds really
good. Jollars has a sound that reminds me a bit of Blitz and it's a
really cheeky and fast song. One of the better groups on the record.
United Bottles is more rock than punk. Grits song starts as a Pistols
song but goes a little faster then. A girl on vocals makes it one of the
best songs on the record because they differ in that way from the other
groups. Nomatrix plays fast and is one of my favorite Irish bands. The
Turn has the fastest song on the record? A bit dull sound unfortunately
but it's really punk. Deathgrip sounds almost like deathmetal mixed with
hardcore and it is a really cool group. The Divils differ from the crowd
with their skareggae music and they are a break from the harder.
Shithätt ends the album with his slightly different song with a talking
"song" but the music is quite good. A worthy collection for Irish music
20/7-2020
Skrutt Magazine
LAMBPAIGN
You can never keep a good underdog
down, especially if the buggers throwing out the noisy produce are
immersed for life. Deadlamb Records is primarily a 2 man operation, the
lads supported the early SAS Tour I ran with my mate Andy NoizeAnoize
and have proven themselves to be real understanding blokes as regards
the struggle of all things under the radar. They are a steady and
reliable force that never follow the expected route and are keen to
spread the word of international noise as best as they can - always with
the leaning towards that which is struggling to get good airplay. They
have done 4 Lambination compilations, 1 Swedish comp, the mighty Spit
and Sawdust comp and now the one under scrutiny here. This begins a new
campaign that will scour through different countries finding underdog
punk. The label also has 44 releases to its name and 4 more in the
pipeline. Wow - you gotta love what they do, this is another compilation
- I am enthused.
The Nilz open this varied bag of punked noise with the maniacally
delivered outburst called 'Welcome To The Toybox'. This opening blast is
direct, chain-sawed and never looks back over its shoulder. Essences of
many obvious flavours hit home, it is the basic instincts where greatest
appeal is found. Batter and clatter, leave the listener bruised and see
what the verdict is - that is a formula I like. Within the hollers we
get saw blades brandished, the scars may run deeper than first deemed.
Audible Joes cough and splutter inward next with the sinewy and highly
forceful push of 'Majority Rule'. The song is typical of many US
recordings I have heard and for me has a majority of leanings towards
times earlier in the 21st century. The technical skill is blatantly on
the mark, the crew play with a tight-assed affect that drops not one
error and the throat at the fore is seared in a symptomatic style of the
sub-genre suggested. The harmonised hollers have a good injection of
pace and will indulge the crowds - what more do you want! Next and the
Jobseekers 'Spit' one right in your face with a vociferous hardcore
industry striving its best to roughen up the listener and sandpaper any
indifference one may have. The output is typical tunery from this
rankled pit and roars and scrapes a good layer off the attentive senses.
It will be orthodox matter though for those in the knowing sub-generic
circle but the final roar-up is invigorating to say the least!
The Gakk arrive next with ‘One By One’. They offer up a self-assured
threat that no one can ever win when factions within one country
collide. The throat dictates above a hotbed of sizzling sound that works
with heavy-sweated design and tight-assed economy. Flamboyant extras
come, the song bubbles over but stays intact and this is one heavy duty
repeat-beat scorcher to add another spark to an already fascinating
collection of under the radar sounds. The Jollars bring a spot of
street-noise cum football-esque rioting via 'Rebel Boot Boys', a
clod-hopping clatter down the alleyways of your mind were 'Oi' is
sprayed on the walls, freshly polished Ox-Bloods propel shanks and no
slackers are tolerated. A boisterous boomer this celebrating an
identity, not giving a fuck and fitting into the sub-generic pool with
ease - it clears the head that is for sure.
Cracking along here and United Bottles throw in a professionalised cut
of liquid noise via the effort slapped down under the name of 'Ghosts
Along The Gangland'. The impetus is high, the unity between players
tight and the end production complimentary to what the band are doing.
An outpouring that transcends European/Us Punk and seems to hybridise
the two - nifty! Next and 'Stray Bullets' are scattered by the group of
degenerates known as Grit. The she lead blows out a trail, the feisty
tunesters follow in the wake and along the way we, as mortal listeners,
get dragged along with appreciation to my spiked and studded joy. The
short running time, the galloping impetus and general gusto work a
treat, one need add little else. The 2 Deadlamb creators are up next, as
part and parcel of the long term unit Nomatrix, a crew who have done
their time and continue to do so, once more issuing out a fine blast of
honest noise with the clattering cacophony flying under the name of
'Struggle With Momentum'. This song certainly doesn't struggle with
momentum at all and hammers forth with the briefest of respites offered
just to add that contrast factor. The final chant is demonic chanting on
whizz - and what a good way to end a quite bulldozing song.
The Turn take us into the final run in, here the band under the
spotlight offer a sound I liken to early 90's DIY US urgency with a
brandished knife of sound primarily reliant on gushing enthusiasm and a
speed injected desire to nail the noise and the message. The song 'Deaf,
Dumb And Drunk' is a pace burst laden with youthful energy and adds yet
another subtle twist to a well-compacted CD. Deathgrip turn up the white
heat and spill the hardcore conflagration that follows the duo-lead
route used and abused by other bastards of hefty intent. 'Slave Rinse
Repeat' is a bubbling broth of spitting mania, crossing vocal swords
throughout, slashing at the resistance and letting you have it full in
the face in no uncertain terms. The throats are burnt to a crisp, the
application of noise hurtling, no prisoners or mere passers-by are left
standing - the band do it well.
A skanky cum street-rap cum oddment is donated by The Divils, a moment
that throws yet another boomerang of awkwardness and keeps me chivvied
and all agog. 'Do Something Positive' may over-elaborate at times, may
be a spanner in the works, may not be to everyone's liking but there is
a mix to munch on and many elements to applaud as well as an out-of-sync
blatancy that sticks a finger up the jacksie of your expectations. The
band showcase much, leave you wondering and hopefully get you
investigating - that is success methinks. We piss off into the final
silence with the opening tribality of 'Both' by Shitthatt. A screwing,
spiteful and sinister sounding piece of colliding kit that has a docu-style
essence and something to throw the senses sideways. As many know, I like
shit that is thrown from hidden niches, this is what I deem punk to be -
a boundary stretching force to fuck the norm - I think Shitthatt do that
here and with the musical news reel turning and the tetchy backdrop of
sound unsettled, I am intrigued.
And Deadlamb do it again, mix, match, keep it unorthodox and bring
together tonal treats that, without the labels help, would perhaps stay
too far apart. My admiration is high, my gratitude at being allowed to
listen in and scribble is, as ever, genuine. I hope all and sundry
plucking on here and the label themselves take one snippet of advice -
'just keep on doing it for the sheer love of it - idleness is not an
option'.
www.fungalpunknature.co.uk
