I'm not so spoiled and jaded by being a part of this music machine to have lost my basic inner fanboy nature, and let me tell you, as far as being a fanboy goes, UK-based Criminal Records know just how to feed me.
First up, great news that The Kut are back in the studio preparing some new songs. For those who may not recall, their single (green vinyl 7") "Doesn't Matter Anyway b/w Closure" was one of my absolute favorites of 2009. The tightness of the riffing, the driving beat, the solid songwriting craft. Damn, it just may be one of my favorite singles period. To this day, I can not hear that song without getting happy . . . and isn't that what music's about?
So it tickles my Ripple heart to hear that the girls are reading some new tracks, and the demos that I've heard so far are killer. Absolutely killer. Heavy, tight, punchy, punky and kicky. Great stuff. I'm already anticipating having a new favorite single for 2011. Catch the video to "Doesn't Matter Anyway" below.
Following that news, it's great to hear that The Exits are back in the studio with some new songs also. "Neon City" was one of the great driving or dancing songs of last year, so my interest is piqued to see what they turn out next.
And finally, Criminal Records newest band, Rocketclover is causing a ruckus overseas with their unusual take on a punk classic, "Anarchy in the UK." Originally released in 1977, The Sex Pistols’ ‘God Save The Queen’ was prevented from hitting No. 1 in the charts by the British government. Today media attention in the UK and beyond seems to be devoted to Prince William’s engagement, and it is soon forgotten that mere hours ago, university students were clashing with police in a protest to education cuts.
It sounds as though history repeats itself once again, demonstrating that Sex Pistols songs are still as relevant now as they were 33 years ago. ‘Anarchy In The UK’ would perhaps be a perfect soundtrack to the state of economic turmoil in one of the hardest recessions the younger generations are facing. However, while students protest and everyone is annoyed at the state of affairs, there is no real movement. The tongue-in-cheek cover of ‘Anarchy In The UK’ by Criminal Records’s latest signing ‘rocketclover’ has had some great support, but some more politically charged opposition.
A video shot in the streets of Camden Town accompanies the release and offers an ironic twist to the Sex Pistols’ classic. Although it looks like it’s been shot by a bunch of drunk teenagers, the video is being hotly debated as a dig at the lack of political clout when it comes to the state of government.
http://www.criminalrecords.cc/criminalrecordsbands.html