DC Larson's JUKEBOX JURY

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Haymaker

Live Over Germany

(KB Records)

For the uninitiated: One account holds that the skinhead movement was birthed decades ago, when ska-nodding Jamaican Rude Boys immigrated to England and blended with Rock'n'Roll-loving white working-class youth. The multi-racial, populist upswell was later hijacked by racists, and often falsely depicted by lazy corporate media as institutionally reflective of hateful and malicious imbecility.

Haymaker are apolitical descendents of original skinheads. But, angry products of this crisper time, they bludgeon with two-fisted Punk that evidences zero remorselessness. This is a rallying whistle to boots-and-braces unity, and a brazen appeal to upholding unique cultural identity. ("You're a working man and you are proud of it / You get blamed for whatever, but you don't give a shit!," declares Tim Steinfort in a robust reading of Bohse Onkelz's 1986 "Stolz"/"Pride.") These 17 firebombs will doubtless engender boulevard-marching scalped choruses with fists thrust aloft. One hears a stomp battalion nearing.

"Why do I have to put 'I hate racism' on my jacket," Steinfort asks. "Every normal human being is against racism. I think also everybody knows that I'm not a racist...I say to left-wing extremists: 'Fuck you!' Because, of course I hate Nazis, but I hate left-wing extremists as well. And maybe more. And do you know why? Because, constantly you're accusing me of being a racist. Well, you know, I'm not. Instead of standing up, saying 'I know Tim, you can say what you want, but he's definitely not a racist.' Instead of that, you stay away from me, because of what other people think. Well, fuck you...

"Of course, when people wear Swastikas or 'White Power,' okay - get 'em the fuck outta here!"

Recommended: "We Are Haymaker," "Skinhead," "Skintro," "Skinhead Rock'n'Roll," "Bootboys Don't Give a Fuck," "Corrupted Government," "Working Class," "Apologies To Nobody," "Stolz/Proud," "Skinhead For Life"

Videos: "Bootboys Don't Give a Fuck" (live) "Stolz"/"Proud"

(official video) "Fabi's Song"

The Lab Ratz

"Headless Body In a Topless Bar" b/w "Regular Day"

(Self-issued)

As is the fashion of sternly caned Psycho, flight has its equal in robustness. Stentorian exhortations batter paint from back walls. Pummeled skins and double-bass jeopardizings maintain skeletal frame, within which trebly strings fire off sparks.

Recommended: "Headless Body In a Topless Bar," "Regular Day"

Videos: "Headless Body In a Topless Bar" (live)

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Gumption

Twang with a Bang

(Good Day Records)

Dr. Elephant and his lab-coated colleagues were perplexed. Having subjected Twang with a Bang to every manner of inspection known to science, they still could not explain its congenital goneness. Elements were isolated and analyzed individually: Hiccuping. Six-string flailings. Snapped-tight snare. Confident bass rumblings were assessed. Even frantic postures and themes were microscoped. But no solution presented itself.

Intending to serve the braniacs coffee, housekeeper Eulabelle inadvertantly jostles the examination slides into one rave-up amalgam. And the puzzle is solved.

Recommended: "Blood Sucker," "Johnny Freefall," "Rev It Up, Baby!," "Little Doggy," "Lulu's Got a Motorbike," "Get Up & Groove," "Rockin' Rockabilly," "Shake Your Bacon," "Blow It Up!"

Videos: "Blood Sucker" "Shake Yer Bacon"

Destination Nowhere

"So Hard" (demo '25)

(2PRT4PNK Ltd.)

Nuance, implication, gentility - none reside here. Instead, all the indomitability and brick-on-shoulder bellicosity of no-shit Punk is uncapped at ear-compromising volume. Brutal bar chords chug, rope-burned vocals blast directly, and in less than three minutes, the defiant spirit fueling all important Rock'n'Roll snarls its lustiness.

Video

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Ali and the Hilljack Stompers

Made In Exile

(Exile East)

Ali and the Hilljack Stompers have recently enjoyed airwaves spin alongside the Chop Tops, Hot Rod Walt & the Psycho Devilles, and the Whiskey Daredevils. To rank in that fast company, a group must themselves be of eminent mettle. Ali and friends easily meet the rock-ribbed measure, but the three also embark on an intriguing trek across landscapes whose hues, textures, depths, and plateaus provoke unceasing wonderment. Creativity breathes, here.

Recommended: "The Barker At Carnivale," "Spin," "Love Song," "We Got the Beat," "Cheddar," "Sick," "Tags," "Burn," "Itsy Bitsy," "This Time"

Videos: "Spin" "Cheddar" "Burn"

Mojo Men From Mars

Seventh Son three-track EP

(Martin's Garage Records)

Officials who monitor global threats need be apprised of this Croation agitation. Given the breadth of its percussive impact, and the magnetic capacity of its metal-being-shredded-at-savage velocities guitars, countries are advised to prepare for onslaught - one their disorderly denizens will dig the most.

Recommended: "Seventh Son," "Who I Am," "Sex'n'Drugz'n'Rock'n'Roll'"

Video: "Seventh Son" "Sex'n'Drugz'n'Rock'n'Roll"

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Grippers

The Singles

(Potencial Hardcore)

"Headlong," "combative," and "menace" were my descriptions of Grippers' 2024 Complicity Is a Weapon. Those terms certainly apply to their new release, though I would now add "belligerent," "airtight," and "dizzyingly alacritous." The volcanic vocals would themselves be sufficient to knock walls flat, but they are eagerly abetted by musicians so fierce as to prompt 911 calls.

Recommended: "Spit In Your Face," "Red Wine and Roses," "Uncle Stu"

Video: "Spit In Your Face"