Release Date: 10th February 2023 Reviewed 12th February 2023 by Dave Diamond
BAND MEMBERS: Hipbone Slim aka Sir Bald - Guitar/Vocals/Harmonica. Bash Brand- Drums/Percussion/Backing Vocals. Pete Scoundrel - Bass Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals.
Released on: BIGTOP002 CROWNTOPPER RECORDS L.P. All Songs by Sir Bald/Alopecia Music Produced by Sir Bald/Ed Deegan. Recorded/ Mixed/Mastered by Ed Deeegan at Gizzard Front cover artwork by: Bash Brand / Arthole Photos by Mad Jeff Slade. Sleeve by Arthole.
Let’s have a listen to the tracks:
Lou Anne – And we’re off… I first heard this fantastic tune on the bands 4 track E.P. release …at just 2minutes 6 seconds this is a powerhouse beat tune! It reminds me of a mixture between Johnny Kidd, Vince Taylor with an infusion of 60’s garage… This track really showcases Sir Bald's screaming vocal style to the maximum... high octane drumming from Bruce and I’m just loving those bass licks from Pete… The chorus section is sublime and that screeching guitar is fabulous...and to think this is just the opening round… 14 more to go!! Hang onto the ropes, gang! I feel a great combination of trax are on their way!!
What’s It Gotta Do With You? Real knockout drum patterns on this the second track from the bands second L.P… this tune really has a fab 60’s vibe to it, I’m digging the way the bass cuts through and backing vocals really add that extra spice…crazy wild guitar solo… I would say this is like The Sonics playing soul, mixed in with a concoction of Otis meets The Who and The Big Three…
King Kong Karate- Go Go Gorilla meets Monkey Man with some Louie, Spencer Davis and Boogaloo going through this funked and rocked up number… this has beatsville written all over it…a sure-fire hit at the clubs…watch out! Fantastic unique lyrics once again from Sir Bald, and I'm loving the honkin' sax by Johnny Temptation!
Wolf Claw – Nice Tom work kicks of this Bo/Wolf inspired number… this one’s gonna get you shimmyin’ and shakin’ on the club scene…fantastic up beat instrumental section really lifts the track up and beyond and with the added harmonica to this track it really does move me!
So Wrong, She's Right – Boom! This track could have been right out of the 1962 vaults! It’s very Chuck, Floyd Dakil, Gene Vincent and has a fantastic chorus line and great backing ahhh’s vocals… the guitar has a fab groove going through it, the snare cuts through just perfectly and the pounding bass just finishes off this awesome rhythm section.
Don't Push Your Luck – Here we go with that Kinks-esque sound from this powerhouse trio… this time round Bruce is playing the drums with a latin jazz drum beat, lots of backing vocals and ahhh’s really enhance this tune… raw vocals from Sir Bald and thunderous bass lines from Pete. The last 15 seconds of this tune really do explode before destructing at just 2 minutes 29 seconds! Fantastic track.
Chop Suey Louie – Here we go…the bands only gone and dished up another screamingly brilliant instrumental for your earage pleasure! This has all the Surf, Link, Twist-O-Rama vibes going through it… once again showcasing this trio’s fantastic musicianship… WOW! Blown Away!
Tryin' To Get A Reaction – Sir Bald tells me…”this number started as surf instro, Bruce got angry as he was tired and right at end of day, played it too fast and punky and threw sticks at me, I went back and turned this out-take it into garage punk song about deliberately trying to making people angry, winding them up, especially Bruce!” This is gonna be massive on the airwaves… a thunderous tune for sure…. howling-hollering tasticI Very Sonic-phonic!
Where You Gone? Mid-way through this second release and I’m loving it! Upbeat tempo and the keyboards are in the house… great change of tempo’s throughout this one… and drum patterns are changing non-stop…the bass guitar is higher in the mix and cuts through really fab and once again the guitar is stompingly brill. This tune has an Animals, Back from the Grave, bit of rockabilly feel to it… tremendous indeed!
Shawknee - wowza! Another stupendously brilliant we worked out instrumental… this could be right out of a film… so frigging fantastic… if you love your non vocal tunes then this baby is for you!! Link Link Link meets Venture Ventures Ventures… no more no less!!
Shake Your Love – aka Beautiful Beatrice…once again nice backing vocals on the middle eight section.. great snappy track…Chuck meets Bo on this foot tapping number.., Sir Bald tells me “it’s about a lady who shook maracas (very nicely) with us in Ponferrada , Spain”.
Caught In The Rain – This could have been straight from the Joe Meek vaults… fantastic echo, and lots of reverberation and effects…what a fantastic sound explosion from the guys and a fabulous vocal on this self-penned track… I’m hearing John Leyton, Tornadoes, The Packabeats, The Outlaws, and it could have been taken right out of the 1962 movie It’s Trad, Dad!
Hang Thirteen – Another dynamic instrumental from Hipbone Slim and the Kneejerks… is there no end to this trio’s talents? Ventures, Pyramids, The Astronauts, Surf-tabulous I say!! Gone To The Dogs – Ending off this album we have the title track… loving that pounding Wurlitzer from Pete and sublime drumming from Bruce.. Sir Bald showing his awesome vocals to the max … this final number has so much energy you just can’t stand still…. You just gotta move, shake wiggle stomp, shimmy, hitchhike, pony or swim... This number smells of The Sonics and The Kingsmen.
In their own words:
New incarnation of Hipbone Slim and the Kneetremblers Band started 2002 with Bruce , myself + John 'Lard' Gibbs (kaisers/Wilderbeests) on double bass, then Gez Gerrad on bass, We did 15 albums as Kneetremblers, Kneejerk Reactions (our 60s garage/beat alter ego) and The Crowntoppers with Spencer Evoy (MFC Chicken ) on Sax and Slim Cyder (Urban Voodoo Machine, Slim's Cyderco, Blubbery Hellbellies, Boothill Foot Tappers etc) on piano. Releases on Voodoo Rhythm, Folc, Beast, Dirty Water, Screaming Apple etc. We figured all these different names/bands was too confusing so decided to just do one incarnation mixing all the rock roll, beat, surf, garage, rhythm n blues styles we like to play so became Hipbone Slim and the Kneejerks!!! >> This is a brand-new incarnation of a band that has previously recorded 15 albums as Hipbone Slim and the Kneetemblers, The Kneejerk Reactions and The Crowntoppers on Voodoo Rhythm, Beast, Dirty Water, Folc etc. It features 3 stalwarts of the UK garage/rock n roll scene. The band is led by Hipbone Slim aka Sir Bald Diddley on guitar/vocals along with drummer Bruce Brand (Milkshakes, Headcoats, Masonics and 2 Link in Wray albums!) plus Pete Scoundrel of Thee Cybermen on bass.
Distribution: Email alopeciarecords@hotmail.com or contact via Hipbone Slim and the Kneejerks Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072317605885
CLOSING COMMENTS ABOUT THE ALBUM This is the band’s second LP as Hipbone Slim and the Kneejerks and they also have a first one out simultaneously titled You’ve Been Rumbled…both of which are on one CD…yes that’s Both LPs on one CD! Also out is a 45 on FTM 'hang Thirteen/You've Been Rumbled!'.
This trio really do have something special and unique with their energised dynamic high-octane sound, that once again they have produced …this is a fantastic powerful long player and all 14 tracks really hit the spot… if you haven’t bought it already, where the hell have you been!!
YOU TUBE CLIP: https://youtu.be/ZnYGrstSbRs
Reviewed by Dave Diamond
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