The Uber Rock Singles Club – December 2013 (Part 1)
Written by Dom Daley
Saturday, 07 December 2013 04:00
What better way to end the year than with a good round up of sexy wax that’s landed on the turntable shaped mat here at Uber HQ.
There has always been something special or mystical even about a 7″ slab of plastic to me, proving to be a decent window into the workings of any rock and roll band, and perhaps a hint at what’s to come…so to speak. So I find a quick round up of all things 7″ with a hole in the middle a great way to spend any day.
Cyanide Pills – ‘Waiting (For You To Call Me)’ (Damaged Goods)
One of the finest UK bands to emerge over the last few years, couldn’t be bothered with releasing just the one single this time around so they only went and released two! On the same day! Now that is different. ‘Waiting’ is a little laid back and not the full throttle you normally associate with the Pills, but what these boys certainly have is a knack of writing absolutely superb power pop and melodies to die for. How they’re not huge is beyond me. Side two of this baby is ‘Hooked On You’ which is yet more smouldering power pop with a hook bigger than anything Mohamed Ali could have given at his prime, coming as it does with a rather natty organ solo that sounds like it’s come from outer space just for a little something extra. Cyanide Pills are one of the best bands currently releasing coloured vinyl records (this one is pressed on white wax and limited to 500) no doubt about it.
Cyanide Pills – ‘Apathy’ (Damaged Goods)
And just to further ram home my last comment here’s the second of the band’s new 7”ers pressed up on lovely grey vinyl and once again limited to 500 copies. Taken from ‘Still Bored’ the band’s wonderful second album, ‘Apathy’ is a sonic blast that makes for a great single even if it only clocks in at a slim 1:38, it’s still something of an essential for Cyanide Pills fans, largely because on the B side is a new track called ‘Conspiracy theory’ that’s vintage Pills action, all clanging guitars and full bodied bass.
Another winner make no mistake about that.
The Hip Priests/The X-Rays – Split 7″ (Ghost Highway Records)
Coming in two different formats (one sleeve featuring a Men Only type poster sleeve the other a more regular looking 7”) I went for the dirty mag poster edition for only a couple of English pounds more. The scoundrels actually putting the band’s name over the money shot, but that’s neither here nor there, because this is all about the music on offer and the sounds contained on these two sides of wax are two from the undisputed kings of the singles club of 2013.
The Hip Priests chipping in with ‘Lying On Loser Lane’ and the power ballad that is ‘Black ‘n’ Blue’. Only joking!!!! As if these bad boys could put out a ballad and soil all their hard work? ‘Lying’ is a beautiful ditty and sort of a homage to a great night out. Whilst ‘Black ‘n’ Blue’ is fuckin’ thunderous. You know the drill kids get out there and get yourself some, seriously don’t let this slab of wax pass you by. Side two features former Priest Gary X Ray on vocals for The X-Rays and ‘Ring My Bell’ is a honkin’ garage rock masterclass, longer than the two tracks on side one put together, this is a fine tune from a split single that needs no recommendation because if you snooze you will most certainly loose. You have been warned! Oh wait too late, it’s already sold out. I’d suggest you try mailing Gary at[email protected] to see if he has any spare regular copies left.
http://thehippriests.bigcartel.com/
Imperial State Electric- ‘Reptile Brain’ (Bootleg Booze Records)
Slithering on back into a more convivial garage rock sound, this latest 7” from Imperial State Electric is grooving boys & girls and much more MC5 than Kiss with some very nice guitar slinging over the top drumming and thumping bass line. This is possibly the bands finest tune to date! The first pressing of this on orange wax has already apparently sold out of its initial 1,000 pieces but lucky for you there is another pressing being made. So don’t waste time get yourself some? Or pick it up at a one of the band’s European shows with Dregen whilst stocks last.
http://www.bootlegbooze.com/releases.htm
Dedwardians – ‘Bang Bang Die/Stop Destroy’ (Bam Records)
Well this is nice. Hailing from London and featuring one or two faces you may remember from The Glitterati, Dedwardians are gonna strut their stuff all across the land with this their debut single. A release that oozes cool and class in a no holds barred rock and rolla kind of way with full on Jerry Lee Lewis piano thumping away as this beast called ‘Bang Bang Die’ is pounded out. This really is an excellent introduction to a very welcome new band on the scene. Side two ‘Stop Destroy’ is a stuttering rocker with buckets of attitude and shows a glimpse that this band are about to unleash some killer tunes upon us in 2014. So here is your chance to get yourself some action from the start click away and treat yourself, go on you know you want to!
And there we have it folks part 1 of The Uber Rock Singles Club for December 2013 comes to a cracking close. Up Tomorrow my partner in grime Johnny H is spinning the black circles in what will prove to be the final meeting of the club for 2013. So enjoy your festivities wherever you are reading this and I’ll see you all in 2014.