Right I’m not going to bullshit you and pretend that I am completely au fait with the current UK punk scene. In fact even back in time I lived in one of those truly shitty English small towns where tribes were truly hateful towards one another and sadly a bunch of glue sniffing yobs colonised 80s punk and decreed it illegal to like metal and punk together. So I missed out until I escaped to Brum and met some proper punks and with limited funds at least managed to finally engage with some glorious music and people.
So whilst I am aware of singer Puss Johnson and her work with Pussycat And The Dirty Johnsons and their gnarly garage punk’n’psychobilly kinda vibe. But despite them being around in 1977 and supporting the Sex Pistols, Satan’s Rats are new to me although I do remember the band they morphed into, The Photos (not my thing).
Sorry for the ramble. Just like being up front I guess. Anyway this here EP is Satan’s Rats dusting off and jolting into life four old tracks and a cover of Lizzy’s The Rocker.
‘You Make Me Sick’ makes itself known with a spitting out of the title by Puss and an old school punk style riff; jangly, catchy and with a neat bounce. Nice to meet you Rats. That’s a cool start. Next up ‘Facade’ has a more new-wave feel to it for me; a pop sensibility to the melody and the lead break as the bass keeps up the rhythm. It’s a very live in the studio sound too, which adds energy and the drumming is damned nice in this context as is Puss’ attitude riddled snarl. She really has a fine voice; versatile and with a fantastic edge. The Rats certainly sound like they are glad to be playing again to and are that nice blend of tight together but with the loose ‘just do it’ energy punk should always have
‘Sex Object’ again straddles that punk/new wave edge for me. Still a relevant message too. ‘Year Of The Rats’ by contrast is much more of a rocker recalling Eddie & The Hot Rods in that urgent garage rock style and great guitar licks.
And then The Rocker. Oh this is fun. A snappy barebones, punked up version and I swear that Phil Lynott would have approved of the just draw dropping performance from Puss- sneering, snotty, tough rocker drawl so full on you can hear her lip curl like a whipcrack. Great end.
Honestly this is real, real fun. A blast. There’s energy, attitude and an old 70s punk style that still sounds fresh enough to kick you in the nuts. No idea where they wanna go with this but it’s a cool collaboration and I’d love to hear some new stuff from this disreputable liaison.
(8/10 Gizmo)
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