By Jim Rowland

Artwork for Derik & The DisastersWhat do you do when you’re 82 years old and your band of decades announces their final gigs? If you’re Charlie Harper, you start a new band!

Derik & the Disasters is a new band featuring Charlie Harper, UK Subs legend, on vocals and Del Greening, guitarist from notorious Brighton punks Peter & The Test Tube Babies. Joining them are Vicky Smith from the Ramonas on bass and Marley Perez (Charlie’s grandson) on drums. This week they release their debut self-titled album through Damaged Goods Records.

This isn’t any kind of throw-away side project though, as ‘Derik & The Disasters’ is a belting slice of quality punk rock with a little more besides, lyrically very topical and set to be an instant classic.

The likes of ‘Divide’, ‘Used & Abused’, ‘Parasite’ and ‘Deadlines’ aren’t too far away from the sound of the Subs at their best, whilst ‘New Palestine’, ‘The Disasters’, ‘L.G.B.T.’, and ‘Scars’ are anthemic peaches with catchy hooks galore.

‘Lost’ is a real gem with catchy horns adding an extra twist to the driving punk rock much the same way as it did for The Saints all those years ago, and the horns return at the end for the unexpected slinky, jazzy instrumental ‘Strait Of Hormuz’ closing the album in fine fashion.

A great logo, great cover and most importantly great music, ‘Derik & The Disasters’ is, well, just great.