Wolverhampton Punk band MC16, Tom Carson (guitar and vocals), Andy Quinn (bass and vocals) and Jared Duffy (drums) believe music should challenge, confront, question, and entertain, capturing the spirit of true punk rock music. The trio have played Rebellion Festival, Morecambe Punk Festival, and supported the likes of Spear Of Destiny, 999, Peter and The Test Tube Babies, Gimp Fist, Dirt Box Disco and loads more. Their debut full length album `Machine Code` is released this month.
We are introduced to this release with `Shoot ‘Em Up` a commentary on indiscriminate bombing of civilians and affecting that they were military targets shared over a fairly blistering but melodic soundscape which also drops some brief reggae vibes in the latter section. A fairly angular off kilter riff leads us into the thumping but rhythmic `One From Another` which is about how we judge people and how they judge us by how we dress and/or our occupations. There`s a spoken word segment spliced in which reminisces on The Mermaid pub in my hometown of Birmingham that was once a kind of mecca for punk outfits.
`Ground Control` is a scorching critical analysis on social media while `Can’t Get No Fun` which is part reggae part punk imagines a suburban environment where people live and let live and what could have been if our lives had taken a different course
`OHternative` is a fairly amusing stream of consciousness sung/bellowed over a pulsing melodic driving beat. There`s a similar feel to `Data Donors` which alludes to computers and tech draining our personal details and how they can take over our lives and send us over the edge if our needs aren’t sated.
`Tourist` veers from deep reggae almost dub tones to a more punk tinged texture. It`s a critique on package holidays that are taken with no thought for the hosts local culture and customs while there. When asked about `Polytechnic` drummer Jarrad Duffy jumps in: “Polytechnic was once the beacon of learning but who is learning the most and applying their knowledge the best? Scammers, criminals, corrupt public officials, and politicians. I don’t want to leave this world knowing I gave more money to scammers than charities!.” For me, the number has an intense seething perception.
`Bricks And Martyrs` is another both lyrically and musically raging evaluation on societal inequalities while the final track `Workers 40` acknowledges the fortieth anniversary of the miner’s strike, shared in a kind of anthemic protest song.
`Machine Code` was a provocative but thought-provoking rumination of societal inequality, politics, war, social media, and workers’ rights all wrapped up in some melodic punk tones and reggae vibes. An album that`s not preachy but gets it`s point across in a subtle auditory soundscape.
If you’re a fan of bands like the Clash and The Ruts, you`ll love MC16.
Rating 8.5/10
