By Jim Rowland
They’ve just completed a tour with punk legends the Dead Boys, tour with Gizz Butt’s Janus Stark this month and have a prestigious support slot with the Buzzcocks too. They are London punk’n’rollers Desperate Measures, and they’re about to release their first album for Cadiz Music entitled ‘Sublime Destruction’.
‘Sublime Destruction’ was recorded with Andy Brook, who has produced, engineered, and toured with the like of Status Quo, Ginger Wildheart, Wonk Unit and Hayseed Dixie. It boasts 11 punchy, gritty tracks steeped in punk rock tradition, strong on melody, strong on songs and strong on delivery.
‘Back To The Rats’ kicks the album off in fine fashion, a catchy, gritty number with a big chorus that comes across like a cross between The Dead Boys and The Ruts, which is obviously no bad thing. Indeed big, bold choruses are the order of the day on this album, with the likes of ‘Pocket’, ‘Sublime Destruction’ and ‘Untouchable’ all following in similar fashion.
Elsewhere, ‘The Rich-Tual’ hits hard, ‘Enjoy the Ride’ is a great Stooges-esque belter, with the Iggy influence looming on the anthemic ‘Seven Sisters’ too. ‘Flowers At Your Door’ has a darker, almost gothic element to it, whilst the acoustic flavoured ‘Still Got Me’, which closes the album, shows that this band can pen a great tune whether it’s an in-yer-face rocker, or, as is the case here, in a softer, more contemplative mood.
Whilst definitely hitting hard in the punk rock sphere, Desperate Measures are not afraid to branch out into other avenues and focus on strong melody within their songs, which are well written and very well produced here.
The result is a very strong album.
- ‘Sublime Destruction‘ is released on Friday (22 March).
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