Beer Busking

 If you ever showed up early to a few Pogues gigs in 1986 at the Hammersmith in London, you probably heard the opening band, Nyah Fearties. If you didn't blow your cash on pints in the pub you may have picked up their latest album at the time, A Tasty Heidfu'. A two man band of brothers from a tiny village in North Ayrshire, Scotland, Nyah Fearties were known around the streets of London, as a busking, acoustic, punk-thrash band that used various objects they found nearby as the "percussion". Influenced by punk, reggae, rockabilly, and country, they developed a unique sound that spat a gob of folk-punk inspired phlegm into the faces of the synth-pop wankers, and kicked the new romantics of the day in the nuts with a steel-toed boot soiled with Ayrshire sod. After years of touring together as a two-piece they eventually found themselves involved in various projects such as:"Dub Skelper" and "Mr. Luggs".

 Today, they have a new band, somewhat similar to their old Fearties sound, Junkman's Choir are now a four-piece, and sound more original than ever. "Junk Rock" is their third release and contains four tracks of acoustic flavoured mayhem that will have you begging for more. The first song, "Hey Joe!" is an ode to Mr. Strummer. The song contains various Clash/Strummer melodies brought to you in the Junkman style. Another standout is the traditional track "The Cuckoo". Honestly, I've heard everyone from Doc Watson, to Bob Dylan cover this song, and I must say, the Junkman version quite possibly might be my favourite! Great accordion! The other two songs are: "Evangeline" & "Raven's Yard".

 So, it seems as if the lads are quite busy again. They have some upcoming gigs in the London area, and I'll bet you they probably have another album in the works. I don't know about you, but I've got some catching up to do. In one way or another, these guys have released about 17 albums, and all I have to show for it is this four track ep, and an old, sticky, Nyah Fearties cassette covered in Irn Bru.

Junk Rock

PUNKNEWS

This is brilliant! I'm really sad that this is only 4 tracks long; this is really, really bloody good!

The first track is reminiscent of Stubborn All-Stars, but it's the sort of song that King Django wishes he could write. It's driving dubby ska about Joe Strummer. Every bit of the song is brilliant, from the accordion (there's some great accordion playing) doing a ska rhythm, the dubby bass line, the horn playing and bloody busy & fantastic drumming that just keeps the song going. And it's still got a minimalist sound.

"The Cuckoo" is probably my favourite song here. The vocal line is just great. This is ska, but it's got more of a soulful feel to it. Again, a minimalist use of drums, but still brilliant. Again, top accordion playing!

The third song is more of a "jig", with some more great accordion playing. This is another song trying the water with a nod towards Irish folk music. And great snare action again (is there drum kit just a kick drum and a snare drum?!).

"Ravens Yard" is the last song, again with the great, almost swing vocal line. This time, the accordion is adding a sort of French gypsy feel to the song. It's quite slow moving and a bit mysterious.

So, yeah, I don't think I've been more impressed from a band I've never heard before whilst being sober! These guys play minimalist ska (I guess, from the first two tracks) and it's bloody brilliant! 

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