Bound to Ravage
Diamond Dogs
(Fading Ways)

If there is one band that this lot reminds you of instantly it is the underrated Quireboys. Gritty and booze-soaked blues pervades with a wonderful smattering of Hammond organ, tambourine and mouth harps.

Sulo, on vocals, combines a bit o' Spike with a smattering of Mick and Faces era' Rob. Check out the bittersweet ode, in the form of "Passing Through My Heart," for proof. This is a less anarchic less hard-edged Hanoi Rocks.

This is seriously feel good blues rock that cries out to be heard live. You just want to go drinking and jamming with these guys. An interesting track is "Somebody Else's Lord;" whatever could they mean?

This is great stuff from a great band who deserves better things. Maybe next time this lot will get to tour with the Quireboys; now that would be a damn good package. Twelve tracks of whisky-soaked pleasure. Time to hit play again and grab a bottle. Sheer pleasure.

Rating: 4/5

The Pariahs
(Fading Ways)

More punky than current tour-mates Diamond Dogs, who favor a more Quireboys feel; the Pariahs still deliver some kick-arse punk & roll. Some fun stuff can found in the likes of "Teenage Death Song" and their ode to Joan Jett called oddly enough "Joan Jett".

This stuff is not the most deep lyrically, but it is played with aplomb and a lot of feeling.

Punky and irreverent, it harkens back to some of the late 70s English punk as well as a few nods to American East Coast CBGBs punk.

What is there not to like? Not the most original, but when its this fun who really gives a damn.

3.5/5