Gorilla | facebook | bandcamp |
Grifter | website | facebook | bandcamp |
Released on April 15, 2016 via HeviSike Records
Well, here’s a split LP by a double team as British as cheese and onion. This is the second split release from HeviSike Records, the first of which featured the marvelous Mos Generator, whose main man Tony Reed was responsible for mastering this release. Here we have a couple of power trios forged in the classic mould, doing their best to keep the filthy sounds of biker rock fully revved and revolting.
First up on the menu is Gorilla, lead by Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell singer Johnny Gorilla. Although there’s not much of a stylistic difference between the two acts Gorilla have more of an early Motörhead vibe, with a sound powered by sulphates rather than the Watney’s Red Barrel fumes of ‘the Shovell’. They open up with ‘Both Barrels’, as rambunctious a noise as the title suggests, and the pace and attitude never really drops below a feisty mosh-inducing gallop throughout their side. If you hunger for some authentic biker rock and want to know where the spirit of Lemmy’s crew now resides then cock an ear towards ‘Grind Yer Down’ and ‘Both Barrels’ and you’ll be feeling both righteous and assured.
When I returned to this reviewing lark after a long hiatus one of the first things I was assigned to jot some well meaning ramblings about was the debut release by a bunch of young upstarts called Grifter. It’s nice to catch up with them again and see that they’re progressing well with their greasy stoner-ish grooves and I’m pleased to report they sound much more confident and accomplished than when we last crossed paths. I wouldn’t say they’ve matured – there are songs about porn mags: ‘Paige Turner’ and getting stoned: ‘Hi Waisted’ (those puns need some work lads), but really you wouldn’t have wanted or expected them to have turned into Opeth. Much like Gorilla these guys see nothing wrong in a good old fashioned rock. The riffs are taut, the choruses are catchy, and all the songs retain the grimy, low slung grooves that they no doubt set out to create from day one. Pick of the bunch is probably the afore mentioned ‘Hi Waisted’, partly due to an unexpected bluesy little harmonica solo.
I understand this album is set for a vinyl release on April 15, and will be available in a couple of garishly coloured options, but hey, this isn’t supposed to be tasteful, it’s supposed to be rock ‘n’ roll. Job done.
