THE REVERENDS - Moocher (Live at The Pipeline, London 2013.)

A Interview with:

I dunno if there's much more I can say about The Reverends that I haven't said before, their New Addicted album gets played at least once a day in the wolf den. It's that sort of album, totally infectious; a short sharp shock to the system of street Punk'n'Roll, songs from the heart that speak a truth. These guys are the real deal, and they mean it maaan! Wanting to know a bit more about what made The Reverends tick as a band, it was time to ask a few questions. Here's what they had to say.

Have you played in bands before?

Me (Phil) & Mick have been in various bands together over the last 20 odd years but none of them really did much. Frank was in a band years ago but has spent most of his time as a solo performer/writer. This is the first band Gaz has been in but again he has done solo stuff.

What are your musical influences?

All sorts of influences, a lot of old school type punk (obviously) but there's also influences from Anarcho through to Blues, Rock, Indie; between us we have a pretty diverse taste in music.

Favourite album/book/film?

Phil - Rattus Norvegicus, not really got a favourite book or film.

Mick – The Wonderful & Frightening World of…. The Fall/Any book about

bands/Dead Man’s Shoes

Gaz – Surfa Rosa – The Pixies/Hitchhikers Guide To the Galaxy/The Big Lebowski

Frank – World Of David Bowie/Down & Out in London & Paris/The Red Balloon

Best band you've seen live?

Phil – SLF (also one of the worst I’ve seen!)

Gaz - Iron Maiden at Leeds Festival 2005 I laughed my tits off.

Rock'nRoll, it's in the reverends blood.

Mick – Dunno probably the Fall

Frank – The Clash

Interests other than the band?

Phil - Other bands

Gaz - Yes

Mick - Knitting

Frank – Fucking about

Are you playing at any of the 'major Punk Festivals ' this year? (If No, why the fuck not!)

This old chestnut..... The answer is no we're not. As for why not, you'd have to ask the organisers but we can say it's not for the lack of trying; we've put bids in for loads of festivals but so far no takers. You could probably ask the same question of loads of bands who aren't on at any festivals and I guess, there's only so many bands that a festival can put on & far more bands that want to play.

Three words to describe the state of Britain in 2013? (You can use more than three words if you like.)

We only need 3 - "Fucked under Tories"

What's life like in Derby?

For its size it gets plenty of gigs & is close enough to bigger cities that any bands that don't come to Derby you can still get to see and it's obviously better for having us around! All in all Derby's a pretty good place to be.

What has the reaction to the album been like?

We thought we'd done something that was pretty good (but then we would wouldn't we) but the response has been far better than we ever dreamed of, pretty much all reviews & people’s comments have been nothing but positive.

What comes first music or lyrics?

Both. Gaz writes most of the music & usually has some sort of idea for the lyrics which between us we then turn into something approaching a song or totally destroy!!

What inspires the lyrics?

Our own lives and what we see happening around us.

What is The Reverends message to the people? (The Gospel according to The Reverends if you like)

Enjoy life, support real live music played by real live bands and BUY OUR ALBUM!

Plans for the future? When you gonna gig 'down south'?

We're hoping/planning to do another album sometime this year or early next if we can scrape enough cash together and pay off what we owe on the last one. As for gigging down south we've just confirmed our first London gig (18th May @ The Pipeline with The Hookers & Zooparty) and one in Bristol on May 3rd and there’s talk of Hastings in May. To be honest we get asked a lot when we're gonna play outside the Midlands and the answer is as soon as someone will take the chance & put us on.

Right then, there you have it that was The Reverends. All that's left to be said is Thanx to Gaz, Frank, Phil, and Mick  for taking the time to answer the questions, but more importantly for releasing a fucking great album. The New Addicted is available from their web site.

THE REVERENDS - It Serves You Right

Real, Raw and in the flesh.  Punk Rock doesn't get much better than this; THE REVERENDS are from Derby, in this disUnited Kingdom.  Their debut album The New Addicted, is a short, sharp  shock to the system, thrashy, trashy and tuneful, a punch in the face and a kick in the guts.  It burns with  anguish and anger.  The song It Serves You Right isn't on the album, dunno if it's a new one, or one that didn't make the cut, whatever, it's a kickin' little tune that tells it as it is..... "Do Nothing....it serves you right." This is music to revolt to! 

VIVE LE ROCK - Death Or Glory (A Compilation)

Right then, as the new issue of Vive Le Rock has hit the newsagent stands, with Johnny Thunders on the cover, and a great feature inside on the man, the myth and the murder. (No free CD, but a free double sided Thunders / Adam Ant poster) It's time to post the previous issues free disc.

Some of the bands on this CD need no introduction, like the sleazy Rock'n'Roll splendour of THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH for example, who kick off this 14 track collection with a remastered version of Things Go Bump. I've reviewed both THE REVERENDS and THE NOVEMBER FIVE's albums elsewhere on this blog, both were bought on the strength of their tracks; Give It Up Son and Here We Come from this compilation. I would have also spent cash on the MARK VENNIS & DIFFERENT PLACE one, but didn't have enough to spare, their track Portsdown Hill is a beautiful cinematic power pop ballad about the freedom of growing up. The piano pounding JIM JONES REVUE need no descriptions, Never Let You Go gets yer speakers rattling. With just a guitar and his voice PATRIK FITZGERALD is one of Britain great lost songwriters, his track Ambition is a testimony to that fact. Testify by DYNAMITE PUSSY CLUB is a mighty blast of garage punk. FLIPRON's Round and Round The Sun is a pop punk 60's psychedelic influenced tune, produced by Rat Scabies. Fun Police by THE FUCKWITS is just that, a fun knock about punk anthem reminiscent of Stiff Little Fingers. THE DESTRUCTORS are the purveyors of the finest Punk/Metal racket and turn in another mighty row with The End of The World is Coming Today. Never Let You Down by PIPES AND PINTS sounds like The Clash meeting The Pogues. THE GO GO CULT's My Baby Drives A UFO is a B-Movie Rockabilly romp. CHRIS POPE was the former singer/guitarist in mod punkers The Chords and Mutiny On The Thames is a catchy saxophone laced protest song. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah by the BLACKBOMBERS is a blast of Blues and Soul tinged Rock'n'Roll. Once again there's something for everyone here. Enjoy!

THE REVERENDS - The New Addicted (A Review)

The Reverends hail from Derby and formed in 2010, since then they've been spreading the word with their raucous yet tuneful brand of Punk Rock. The New Addicted is their debut album, and what a corker; fourteen catchy and jumpy shout about anthems.

This album is total old skool Punk Rock. The class of 77 meet the class of 82, and everyone gobs on the freshly polished classroom floor. There are bits that have an Anarcho Punk vibe going on, then others with an Oi/Street Punk sound, but nothing is contrived. The music sounds fresh and vital, the message and the anger is totally now.

Behind the shouty and rasping vocals drums thump and cymbals crash. Guitars fuzz and buzz, and the bass meanders around giving a real melodic quality to the short, sharp shock of the songs. Great crystal clear production. No self respecting punk rocker should be without a copy of this album. Available from the bands website.

“The new addicted, not passive nor restricted.”