So I picked this little promo Cd up from the band at a gig they did at the Bridgehouse 2 and wondered how it would sound as Live they had a lot of potential and some good songs But I felt the vocals were too Shouty for my liking Th...
So I picked this little promo Cd up from the band at a gig they did at the Bridgehouse 2 and wondered how it would sound as Live they had a lot of potential and some good songs But I felt the vocals were too Shouty for my liking The Cd is a DIY affair photocopied sleeve cut by hand on a CDR with Jack brews written on in CD pen which is all good But doesn’t scream listen to me and I would like to see a proper production next time.
Ok 4 tracks on this little Disc first up is Whiskey on the wounds and I think the best song they have done so far, with a high fret guitar riff playing thru the build up this leads to a 2 vocal attack one to the other and so on until the chorus when they rip into a fucking catchy sing along chorus that once in your wounds never fuckin leaves the mix of solid background of Jack and Matt with some wonderful little fills but never to much to detract from the main rhythm and then Adam and Dave’s guitars simple straight forward Quality with the two of them sharing vocal duties and really pushing this track to the top personally the Ep is worth getting for this track alone
Next up is Johnny Whalehead the start of this track really shows the love of such American bands as NOFX, Descendents, Suicidal Tendencies and DI to name a few but still retaining there own UK stamp later in the track this slides its way into a nice little skank section which is nicely done and gives the song a new dimension, it’s a decent song but after the last track was gonna struggle to stand Tall but still a decent enough song
Time waits for no one is third up and begins with a sing along pub style chant and with seconds everything else blasts in at a ferocious pace and rattles its way through the verse and chorus before breaking down to a stripped down section of drums and Vocal building back up into full band ‘brewssound’ again this is a decent enough song but is still caught under the shadow of the mighty Whiskey
So to the final track on this ep Brewligans and YES another Gem with a wonderful spaghetti western style guitar Riff and some really neatly put together drums and bass this is more like it for me more songs like the first and last I say, sing along catchy chorus catchy riff and even a little guitar solo that brings the song to a close.
So Great effort this a first glimpse of a great band in the making, some really good future material and a trip to a Good studio and I reckon the next release by these guys could be a scorcher, I will hopefully catch them again soon and anyone who fancies a great little freebie Yes freebie contact the band as they are giving the EP away free to all those who want it which is always welcome. Have a listen not much to ask I don’t think
Rant written by
Woodstock Punkrock 2010
CD Review - Miscondücters - Braindead
Posted on: Tue , Feb 09 06:29 AM
Misrepresented!? Metal/Punk/Rock! It must be a mistake!!
Braindead is the second ep released (July 2009) from this bunch of rockers, as a follow up to their first ep "Your Asking for it" in what would have been February 2008.
The ep though is a little tooo much misrepresented by The Miscondücters. Happy that some punks may like some of the material they are playing (in the heavier end of the market) but misrepresented in that in my view on the classification or arena of musical content and general appeal - heavy metal.
I am not much of a rocker myself but I do have a few rock albums scattered around my collection. For me I could not classify this material as Metal/Punk/Rock as the band represent themselves in their literature ... it is for me exactly what is "in the tin" not on it. The tin says rock .. And not just rock but heavy ROKK ... making it more towards the Metal end or metallic end and here is where I make my comparison, from my own experience.7
The tracks on this ep share a number of certain qualities (vocal styling, multiple blending guitar riffs), refinement (production) and content (lyrical) that wouldn't make them NOT stand out tooo much if they were placed or hidden amongst a few tracks on one of Metallica's earlier albums or where I think the material is quite congruent as Iron Maiden's album. The singer of The Miscondücters - Denfire in fact for me sounds in a number or parts like Paul Diano the singer of Maiden in the early years. What happened to him?
I don't want you to think I am slagging the material off. I am not. It is good stuff.... Heavy Rokk Metal though NOT Punk.
Best track for me on the ep is track five - Stagnant. Which it ain't. It rips. But rips a tread and deep tread of rock in the turf... Not Punk.
As a punk ep 2 out of 10. As a rock ep 6 out of 10.
You listen. You decide. I think the band will receive and be awarded the right attention and get better recognition for what they are if they look closer at themselves and realize their true potential in the right musical markets on their musical styling and appeal.
So its Saturday Night and I have been invited By Ash Read (Vocals + Rhythm Guitar) and Matt Johnson (Drums + Woahs) to go down and watch the Cougars who are Playing at The Haymakers in Cambridge, Now I have a lot of time for this Mad Bunch of Reprobates and have loved there Music and presence since I first Met them which now seems a long long time ago and is several Years when I think about it haha.
Anyway off I go down to the Haymakers local to where I live which is a good thing haha and when I get there I find the venue very sparsely populated and No sign of the Cougars???
After a quick chat with the landlord the quiet is broken by the arrival of The Cougars who gave been up the road downing large quanties of Wine in preparation for tonights Performance and as is usually the case when the Cougars have had a few the energy is always much higher as its is written in the Book of rock and roll
So after a quick chat with each of them First Ash then Matt then Ross then Ash again then Matt and then George finally sees us then Ash again its on to the set
A few more people have wandered in But sadly the Cougars are affected by the Saturday Night Apathy as people stay home to watch Shite on telly and whine about there being No gigs
As stated the well lubricated Cougar burst into there set and the sound is quite good I think the main vocal was a little loud personally but hey I am not the sound man Good energy is present and again I am pleased with the Tight fluid action that rolls out before me the Cougars are always a good live vision with Great Bopping along songs with Catchy lyrics of the Fun and frolics of life in the twisted crazy world of the cougars, only two disappointing moments for me first the verbal back and forth between Ash and some Gormless twat watching how’s that saying go Familiarity breeds contempt My advice if they are interested is ignore the twats shouting shit at you if they are your mates they should be supporting you and your performance if not they should fuck off
Now it may seem an unnecessary comment but I spoke to a couple of people afterwards who had not seen them before and they believed this guy didn’t like them and it put a negative spin on there enjoyment, at the end of the day the more positive a reaction you see the more positive a reaction you give and when you are looking for that right time right place moment you don’t need this sort of boring banter affecting that, just my opinion and if someone heckles like that again either shoot them down verbally and move on or smack them hard round the fucking head with your guitar anyway moving on Great versions of Pete, Don’t let it Get you down and Bottled it for a Girl which was dedicated to Ross tonight who had done just that, Ross you should be ashamed, and so to Disappointment number two due to Ash using a amp belonging to the venue and that said amp dying it meant Changing Lanes (there best song by far) not being played and there riotous romp that is Having a good time man was minus one guitar Ash did his best to make up for this by jumping around like a crazy man but sadly it was just not gonna happen the lack of punters and the energy loss when the amp blew meant the set that started so well ended just OK which was not how I wished it to end So anyone watching tonight for the first time GO see them again this was not a reflection of just how good they are.
So after another chat with the boys and a copy of the new EP in my hand it was off home I wandered, and that neatly brings me round to the NOT SO LIVE
The Cougars – I’d Pay to See Money EP
First up Changing Lanes a rip roaring Ska fuelled 60s Rock Bop along Track of awesome proportions this song is Huge from the skanking guitar intro complete with Ross’s signature style guitar lick to the 60s organ and tight rolling bass and steady hard hit drumming this a Top Top Draw stuff and so catchy that it is stapled to my brain, ash’s vocals are firm and assured and push this song to its natural high the CHORUS a stonking upbeat affair complete with woahs of the highest order, Nice little break down Mid song slowly builds back up with a full on snare roll building to a stop before bursting into another chorus leading to the solo infused singalong play out with more than a slight homage to The Clash wow what a track
Next up and with the unenviable task of following the previous track is A Day in the Dam very upbeat with a quicker pace than the previous track this is a great song with another catchy upbeat chorus that the cougars are so good at, its funny if they distorted the guitars up they would make a top PopPunk band and probably would be touring the world But they are firmly planted in the indie camp with the attitude of Punks haha and Good luck to them.
Third on offer is Don’t Let it Get you down here the pace drops down one small notch with a Cougars style Love song again catchy as ever and well arranged with a lovely little drop down skanking instrumental break part way thru, again building up to a catchy ending that leaves you wanting a little more
Lastly it’s the Bad Influence jumping and lively this is yet more of the above a good catchy upbeat song with Great melody and with all the Cougarisms we know and love Hard well paced drums steady rolling bass skanky clanky Rhythm guitar great little Lead guitar riffs and an icing coating of vocals.
So there you have it short but sweet and its over a very well put together set of 4 tracks that deserve to get major recognition, complaints not really other than wheres the fucking album, I think by now the cougars should have there formula sorted and should be knocking out top quality cougar songs and we should be hearing a full blown CD so guys get on it
Now I am sure many of you will read this and say The Cougars aint Punk! Well done they are not Punk as such do they have Punk attitude do they have Punk ethos do they party like punks Yes they fucking do I have seen them support all manor of bands from the Indie Bombay cycle somethings???!!! Sorry cant remember name to the Punk legends 999 and I think there upbeat alcohol fuelled chaos laden live shows fit better with 999s type of materials So give em a listen go see em live they are well worth the effort
Keep it up lads still Loving what you do
Final word goes to Ash at the gig reviewed above Ash said a promoter in London said he should never take his shirt off on stage (as he took his shirt off) and I just wanted to say the girls next to me screaming GET EM OFF!! Obviously disagree with the promoters view and personally I would go with the girls view…..Hang on a minute one of them was my Bloody Wife!!!! Hahaha and that sums it up The Cougars a Great Band with Catchy songs and a Alcohol infused Punk attitude with Talent to back it up but don’t take your eyes off em for a minute else they’ll be up ya wife like a ferret up ya trouser leg and even ya Granny aint safe……..
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