UK Dissent are a North East Punk band made up of Mick Hall guitar/vocals,
Chris Marner bass/vocals and Chris Ashcroft drums/vocals. I have seen this band a few times but only now gotten around to reviewing their debut album. The self-titled debut starts with ‘New State an old school punk track with a powerful riff about their home town, ‘Day In Day Out’ continues along a similar theme with a vicious rant against the government with cool guitar solo and bass lines. I guess from the lyrics they are not card-carrying Tory party members.
Neighbourhood Blues’ is pure rock and roll bordering on Stray Cats type full on rockabilly and is probably my favourite track. In contrast ‘From the Suburbs to the Front Line’ starts like a cross between Joy Division and The Fall with a great bass line and funky drums that then moves into a full-on punk tune with great lyrics. ‘Hold On’ is street punk at its best and I think is the kind of track you might hear Menace do. The playing is as tight as you will hear.
‘Punk Rock In Our Veins’ opens with the bass and has a very catchy riff like Dirtbox Disco have become synonymous with. There is also Clash/Buzzcocks like backing vocals which makes the song soar. This is a real anthem as is ‘Song From Northern Britain’ which I know often ends their live sets.
‘What is Wrong’ is a great short rant about the state of the world and ‘Babylon’ plays on a similar theme with its ultra tight drumming. ‘Everything is Great’ is about anything but with its ‘Everything is Great on a Council Estate’ with a nod to the Clash re the guns on the roof, and there is also some Skids in there somewhere.
This is a great track to end an album packed with first wave punk influences, political and social commentary and songs about the plight of the north and the state of the country generally. Throughout the album the informed lyrical content and tight playing is supported by memorable choruses pushed out by all three band members and riffs which make the music move around giving an added dimension to each track. Great stuff, keep it up.
