(DL62) RANT - The Rise of the Idiots

Nathan Brown - louderthanwar.com

The debut long player from Belfast’s Rant is perfect for fans of street punk with plenty of melody.

Rant have some serious Belfast provenance making this release highly anticipated by people in the know. You’ve got members of Runnin’ Riot, Aggressors BC, Boss Sound Manifesto, United Bottles, Tonic All-Stars, Wardomized and Takers & Users. That is an impressive set of ingredients as a starting point.

At its heart this is punk rock’n’roll with lots of guitar melodies and solos, upbeat drumming and some great wandering bass lines. Rant’s sound is a modern take on street punk, which means at its heart there is something of a cross over between punk rock, hardcore with a hint of 70s glam/boot boy lurking. Think Cock Sparrer meets Rancid but sped up and brought bang up to date.

Listen to Forgotten Road

Sometimes you can hear a bit of the old Runnin’ Riot sound but Rant are closer to United Bottles. The Belfast accent shines through in some places more than others but the gruff melodic vocals and polished production could at times lead you to think Rant were American. Don’t get fooled by the street punk association. Some of their faster songs drink from the same pint as hardcore punks The Restarts.

Rant’s anthemic song writing works through an emotional or narrative lens, even when addressing world problems. Tales of broken people and communities interweave with hope and defiance. Casualties of drugs and drinking appear. There is casual violence and organised state violence plus the obligatory street punk theme, working class pride:

“And I’m proud to be a loudmouth From the working class streets.
The council houses and the corners. Places where we cut our teeth.
She told me punk was just a phase. Tell me how wrong could she be.
I’ve got my pride I’ve got my roots I’ve got my streets”

Great artwork by Marty tops off the whole package. If you like your street punk melodic but upbeat this one is for you.