Archive for the ‘Anarkopunx Records’ Category
Sir Reg, “s/t”
Artist: SIR REG / Title: “S/T” / Format: CD / Genré: FOLK PUNK / Label: ANARKOPUNX RECORDS/
So, Anarkopunx Records keep releasing good bands, it is quickly becoming one of my favourite labels.
This is, however, a different kettle of fish entirely from what one is used to expect from them, this is an irish-style folk punk band from Sweden, not quite different from bands like Flogging Molly, only better.
Normally, I am quite doubtful to these kinds of bands, I like punk and I like folk, it’s the blend of the two that I am not too keen on. It’s like ska punk. Don’t mix two good things. These kinds of band (and Flogging Molly definitely stand out in that apartment) normally try to sound more irish than Shane McGowan (who has a bit of cockney in his accent too) and the music sounds like punk on folk instruments.
As I said, I like Sir Reg, though. I think the vocalist’s accent is near perfect and there’s folk in this music too, not just punk. They even have an instrumental track on this release, which goes down well with me.
The track that really stand out for me is “Drink up ya sinners”, there are plenty of good tunes on this ‘un, but if I have to mention one that does nothing for me, then it’s “Tomorrow’s the day”, which sounds neither folky nor punky, it’s just pure pop and even reminds me of the Beatles.
I would recommend this record to punks, skins and folk fans alike. It’s a good record.
Prins Carl – “New Order”
Artist: PRINS CARL / Title: NEW ORDER / Format: CD-EP / Genré: OI! / Label: ANARCHOPUNX RECORDS
So, finally, after releasing a demo last year which took me by storm, Prins Carl has finally released their debut album and they do so on an anarcho label. This will certainly annoy some, the kind of people who chose to not remember that 3/4 of the Business at the time of ”Suburban Rebels” came from an anarchist band, that the 4-skins had a drummer who used to play in Conflict, that the drummer of Special Duties went on to play for DIRT, that the Business have covered Crass ”Do they owe us a living” and that the Partisans cooperated with Conflict.
The band should consequently take no stick for having the guts to take a stand for some unity and anarkopunx records should have credits for releasing an oi! band.
I wouldn’t say that Prins Carl have changed their ways after being released by this label. They haven’t read a lot of Bakunin and Kropotkin and turned it into lyrics, on the contrary, it’s the same working class anger in the lyrics which made it one of my fave bands when I first heard them. I was unemployed myself for 4 years during the 90′s, a destiny which many young people in these days share and I think they can certainly recognise themselves in the music of Prins Carl. To live that way gives you experiences of how rotten this society and the establishment really is. It leaves you bitter and angry and I think I can recognise that anger in the music of Prins Carl, which only means I like them even more.
The music, then? Top notch! It’s the same “improved oi!”, as I called it in my review of their first demo. You can hear some Anti-Pasti, some 4-skins and other golden oldies, as well as Swedish legends as Asta Kask. The band has improved since their demo and I really like the guitars that pop up every here and there, as in the strongest track of the record, ”Carnival in Greece”.
To conclude, if you’re only going to buy one oi! record this year, let it be this one! Prins Carl are, at this moment, perhaps the best and most genuine band we have in Sweden and they deserve all the support they can receive!
