X-Ray Cat Trio "I Lied"

(Killjoy Records 2017)

I Lied

Ram Riders

Lonely On A Saturday Night

The Devil's Come Rag

This is the third slab of wax from the Leeds-based outfit X-Ray Cat Trio. I'll get the particulars out of the way first shall I? Okay, This is available on black vinyl (400 copies), hot pink vinyl (50 copies - band edition) and lizard yellow vinyl (50 copies - Killjoy Records edition).  Now then, the music. Well, in a nutshell, this 7 incher is a funsize Rockabilly Psychosis And The Garage Disease. Packed with quality and diversity. This is a must-have for anyone with even a modicum of good taste. By my calculations, it's a 10 minute joyride through everything I love about my chosen music genres. From trashy, sleazy garage rock'n'roll to surf, right into a bit of 1950s bubblegum pop balladeering (with bollocks) and a rockabilly chaser for the road. The boys show expert prowess on every one. Usually at the end of these I stick on a sample track of what to expect, but in this case, sticking on a single track wouldn't do the boys justice so I'm sticking on a sample of all 4 songs sexily merged together by me because I'm nice like that. The lads are no museum piece though. Yes they play an eclectic mix of styles rooted in the 1950s and 60s but do so with such vigour and dynamism that they wouldn't have been "radio-friendly" back then. With that said, they're not radio-friendly now either and that's why I love em. Having the ability to appeal to a multitude of subcultures is a rare trait in a band but from where I'm sitting this a trait the X-Ray Cat Trio have in abundance.  

The O'Prez

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Radarmen "Radarmen"

(Killjoy Records 2017)

Invasion Of The Radarmen

Interstellar

Cosmic Kidnapping

End Of Line

Well this one took me by complete surprise as I wasn't familiar with the band at all. So with no expectations to be met whatsoever, I stuck it on the turntable and had immediate erect nipples. This is straight-up 100% psychobilly with no harmful additives. Clean guitar, pounding drums and slap bass aplenty. The opening ditty is like a more evil sounding Guana Batz. Me likey. What follows is more of the same minus the Batz influence but still heavy on the classic psychobilly sound....of the mid 80s European variety. Me likey again. This EP is one wrecking pit-friendly slab of excellence. Lyrically it steers away from the usual horror fare and the boys opt for a more nihilistic sci-fi  approach. Well they are called the Radarmen so the clue was right there. Fuck me there's even some old school psychobilly screams to be had. I love screams me. The lads hail from California and this is their début release. It was available on purple and white vinyl but those are already sold out but the sexy black ones can still be purchased from Killjoy...limited stocks though so get yer finger out of yer arse. As début releases go, this is right up there with the best...and better than a lot more. Radarmen are definitely a band to look out for and are injecting a much needed shot in the arse to the somewhat stagnant US psycho scene as far as new talent goes. This record is filled with melodious aggression and I love it.

The O'Prez

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Bob Wayne "Bad Hombre"

(People Like You Records 2017)

Hell Yeah

Mr. Bandana

Still Truckin'

420 Bound

Hangin' Tree

Take Back The USA

The Last Breath You Take

Fairground In The Sky

Devil's Backbone

Kiss My Ass God Bless The USA

80 Miles From Baghdad

Working Class Musician

Wake Me Up

Outlaw Country eh? Just what is it?  There are many exponents of this Country music offshoot doing the rounds. But is it a Country music offshoot? I don't think so. It's just that real Country has become so watered down and sugar coated that it's barely recognisable. So maybe the Outlaw tag by these artists is a two-fingered salute to what is passing off as Country these days and guys like Bob Wayne are actually the ones playing the real deal. Anyway, musings aside, on with the music. Two instruments I love to hear are pedal steel and fiddle. Especially on slower songs. I'm a glutton for the melancholic. There's pedal steel and fiddle aplenty to be heard on this album. And...seeing as this is a psychobilly/rockabilly site, I'm pleased to announce there's a nice slapping bass in the fray too! This is Bob's 8th album but the first I've heard. Sorry Bob. Lyrically he's telling stories of his own life experiences which anyone can relate to...that is, those of us that weren't born with a silver spoon in our mouths and have enough life experience under our belts to be able to appreciate the story telling. This is music for the ordinary man (or woman...no sexism here...isn't that right bitches?). I can hear that Waylon Jennings style Country in abundance (especially in the story telling department) but it also veers into that Bakersville/Buck Owens sound here and there. In a nutshell, what this album is is 100% sugar free, down to earth, honest to fuck Country music played with the kind of heart and veracity that "modern" country has all but forgotten. The album is out now on CD and vinyl and you can pick it up directly from the good folks over at People Like You Records (links below).

The O'Prez

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