There’s a line tucked away in this EP.
. Not only is it perhaps the most rock n roll thing ever said, it also encapsulates the ethos: “Kamikaze is another name for going out in a ball of flame”. Earlier in the same song, “Mars Fever”, Roger Deering the man behind all this, offers: “The grim reaper is my only friend” and this is quite happy to live fast and die young. In spirit at least.
You need a history lesson at this point. Deering (and guitarist Lloyd Stewart Casson) had been in Smash Fashion, when they disappeared in a ball of flame in 2018, Deering – a rock lifer if ever there was one – went to London to see his girlfriend. ”
“I spent some time in Ladbroke Grove, I brought my guitar and wrote a bunch of newer, darker material. I felt I was channelling the vibes of the area… Hawkwind, Motörhead and The Clash…”
Which brings us back to this six tracker.
“American Carnage”. Like stepping back in time. This is the sound of a band that would have played the Cathouse in 1986. The sort of band that wouldn’t just get your number off the bathroom wall but would have rung it. And one that wanted to be English.
“Sense Of Adventure” the sense of incredulity when the first line, “you say you want to stay in tonight” hits is palpable. These are not boys that fancy a quiet night in front of Netflix. They are after “Nothin'” But A Good Time” dammit. That almost literally seeps through the speakers.
“Loup Garou” the guitar solos here from Casson are a thing of filthy beauty. You hope he’s one of those people who plays guitar around his ankles and not halfway up his chest (sorry Tom Morello but that’s not rock n roll)
“Surfing A Crimewave” has a gallop. It’s got its hi-tops on and it’s going to party like it’s 1982. It offers no apology, nor is it asking forgiveness for anything it’s done.
“Glass” ends things similar fashion. It’s meant to. And I can pay this record no higher compliment than to say it doesn’t sound like it came out in 2023. It might have been found in a dusty box, amongst some demos that were recoded about 40 years ago.
It is supposed to sound like that. And the only thing to add is this: it sounds fantastic. Filthy retro fun doesn’t get a lot better.
Rating 9/10
