THE RESTARTS (UK)
Street Punk from London
The Restarts, formed in 1995, are a tight three piece, multi-genre punk outfit based in East London. They play thrashy, anarcho, power chord punk laced with Ska breaks and pogo inducing basslines earning them a loyal following of punk lovers of all ages.
The Restarts have been hammering their way through the squats of Europe and DIY house shows across North America with reckless abandon. They lend amplification to unheard voices, playing benefit gigs for various social causes and keeping the DIY spirit of punk rock alive and well.
Their years of hard graft is recognised by them being requested to play along side such heavy weights as Steve Ignorant's Crass, Jello Biafra & GSM, Millions of Dead Cops, The Casualties, Star Fucking Hipsters and The Subhumans.
After several tours over Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and South Asia and over 9 releases the Restarts have found themselves playing a small part in a large world wide network of DIY Punk Rock. They are punks first, musicians second. They feel the social importance of Punk Rock takes priority over the "marketability" of a rehashed trend.
In 2019 they published a split 7" with the Subhumans and their new album "Uprising".
Reviews
Die RESTARTS spielen vor einem total vollen Saal. Kieran, der Sänger schreit seine wütenden Punktexte in die Menge. Die RESTARTS machen Punk mit klarer politischer Ansage weil: 'there are a lot of assholes out there'. Sie spielen immer noch so zornig, wie Anfang der 90er in den besetzten Häusern."
- Useless Fanzine, Live Review, Rebellion Festival 2012
Gewürzt mit einer ordentlichen Prise Streetpunk strotzen die Songs vor Rebellion und Aggression. Der Sound ist rau, grob, melodisch und sehr eingängig. RESTARTS sind weder müde noch leiser geworden... Diese Hoffnung ist Antrieb. RESTARTS geben mit diesem Album Mut, den eigenen Weg weiter zu gehen, und das ist mehr, als viele Bands heutzutage schaffen."
- Wahrschauer
"The Restarts first crawled out of the North London Squat scene nearly a decade ago. Serial dole scroungers the lot of them, they named their band after the dreaded 'back to work' interviews and set about touting their stroppy four-chord punk to spiky-haired audiences around the world. Yelling out barbed diatribes against the state over chunky metal guitars, they've slowly but surely clawed their way to the top of the underground pile."
- Terrorizer
"This is dance in the basement, spanner in the works, back porch drinking, bomb in the police station punk!!! I never knew Steve Ignorant had pregnancy-inducing sex with all of POISON IDEA, but this is some cute baby they had. Oh, also good people. They played at a house in West Oakland last month, and rocked us with energy and astounded us with their good manners!"
- Maximum Rock'n'Roll
"Abrasive yet catchy UK punk with raw vocals and plenty of chorus sing a longs. The razor blade throated lead vocalist give this plenty of raw edge while through most of it the music has a much more uplifting energy to it... Oddly enough, it seems rare to come across the bands that play straight forward old-style punk rock and so this is a refreshing cause they've been at it for like a decade. Cheers guys. Good catchy shit."
- Slug and lettuce
"I've seen them play many times in London and always rated them pretty highly as a live band but never really got to hear their stuff on record yet. Things have changed now as I got a copy of their latest album. It seems I've been missing out on something very big. This album is the dogs bollocks! This goes right into my top 20 albums of all time I reckon. 12 songs of punk rock how it should be played."
- London Punks.co.uk
"I caught the mighty RESTARTS at Brum punx picnic & they rocked the house down w/ their abrasive punk rock... Raging punk rock w/ honest social commentary shows that THE RESTARTS are one class act!... As usual THE RESTARTS win another battle of the bands."
- Punk shocker, Newcastle Fanzine
"With ex members of Coitus, Armed and Hammered, and Assrash UK, it was no surprise that the RESTARTS kick-ass!! All three members share the vocals and each deliver them powerfully... These guys plan to tour the US this summer!...I can't wait."
- Profane Existence
Upcoming shows
No shows booked at the moment.
Band
- Kieran – Bass, Vocals
- Robin – Guitar, Vocals
- Jeremy – Drums
Discography
- 2019 – Uprising, CD/LP, Pirates Press Records
- 2013 – A Sickness of Mind, CD/LP, No Label Records
- 2009 – Mobocracy, The Restarts/Zero Tolerance Split CD, No Label Records
- 2007 – Outsider CD, Dirty Faces Records
- 2004 – System Error LP, Active Distribution
- 2003 – Actively Seeking Work 1996-1998 LP, Active Distribution
- 2002 – Slumworld CD/LP, Active Distribution
- 1999 – Your World, The Restarts/Zero Tolerance split 7″, Magilla Guerilla Records
- 1998 – State Rape, The Restarts/Zero Tolerance split LP, Rejected Records
- 1998 – Legacy of Bigotry, The Restarts/Left For Dead split EP, Dead Records
- 1997 – Just Gets Worse EP, Blind Destruction Records
- 1997 – Frustration EP, Blind Destruction Records
- 1996 – Job Club Demo tape, self released
Also check out:
DEFIANCE (US)
Anarcho Punk
Defiance formed in 1993 from the ashes of three of Portland’s seminal Anarcho-punk bands, Deprived, Resist, and Unamused. The band quickly made a name for themselves with their uncompromising no-frills punk rock, straight forward political lyrics, and imagery that could have been lifted from UK ‘82. It wasn’t long, either, before the band’s chaotic nature, penchant for alcohol and other indulgences, and a bad habit of attracting unwanted attention from the law gained them a reputation as, well, a little unpredictable…
Defiance has weathered the changes and the chaos of the past years, having released four full-length Lps, numerous singles and Eps, and multiple tours of the USA, Europe, Mexico, Japan and Canada. Defiance are back with a vengeance, once again hitting the road with the lineup of Mike, Gibby (Dog Soldier), Matt (Poison Idea, Dog Soldier) and Niff.Reviews
"Portland spiky-haired, studded-leather-clad punks not to be confused with the thrash metal act of the early '90s with the same moniker are on album number three (not including numerous splits, EPs, and compilation appearances), and the band is still unapologetically churning out exactly what you expect: unrelenting punk rock that sounds like G.B.H. if they wanted to be an Oi! band, with leftist dogma that is far more seeped in turn-of-the-millennium American concerns than old-school U.K. sensibilities, à la Anti-Flag."
- Allmusic.com
"Diese Scheibe gilt zu Recht als Blaupause des modernen Streetpunks und genau deshalb thront das DEFIANCE-Logo auch auf so vielen Lederjacken weltweit. Hier gibt es melodischen, überaus politischen Streetpunk, der, ähnlich wie bei ANTI-FLAG, durch Wechsel- bzw. Sprechgesang und äußerst eingängige Chorusse vorangepeitscht wird. Der Basssound dieses Albums verdient besondere Erwähnung: klar, unverzehrt, vordergründig ohne zu nerven und vor allem gespielt als sogenannter „walking bass“ verleiht er der Platte einen ganz beosnderen Charme. Und er wird von keinem geringeren als Kelly Halliburton gezockt, der schon so etwas wie eine lebende Legende des PDX-Punks ist, spielt(e) er doch bei so illustren Kapellen wie:PIERCED ARROWS (Drums), SEVERED HEAD OF STATE, MURDER DISCO X, RESIST, DETESTATION, MASSKONTROLL, CLUSTER BOMB UNIT, um nur einige seiner Stationen zu nennen. Aktuell ist Kelly wieder bei DEFIANCE dabei.
Inhaltlich geht es bei DEFIANCE um Politik und sie standen in dieser Tradition immer mehr dem englischen Anarcho-Punk bzw. dem Profane Existence-Umfeld nah, als Bands, die einfach nur ganz stumpfe Dagegensein-Texte formulierten. Obwohl schon 20 Jahre auf dem Buckel, haben viel der damaligen DEFIANCE-Texte nichts an Aktualität und Relevanz eingebüßt. Gehört in jeden Plattenschrank. Schön, dass es die Platte wieder gibt."
- Plastic Bomb Fanzine
"Is it possible that Defiance's second album is even more visceral, scathing, and angry than their classic 1995 debut 'No Future No Hope'? Well, listening to Punk Core's reissue of this 2000 beauty and examining the biting, socio-politically aware lyrics, definitely is grounds for this surmise... No doubt these guys have some of the most incendiary messages around. And that's to say nothing about the equally riotous music, which is sheer, raving, urgent streetpunk bliss."
- Punknews.org
CITIZEN FISH (UK)
Anarcho Punk / Ska
Since 1989 Citizen Fish has been touring the world: turning gatherings, benefits, and social gigs into an international never-ending weekend. They have created a blend of punk, ska, and straight up rock'n'roll that appeals to the sing-a-long music fans and even the "muso" musician types that typically dismiss punks as not being able to play their instruments.
But it's not so much the fact that these dudes are the most talented musicians in England, it's what they say and how they say it. In a fun loving, all inclusive way, Citizen Fish (and their previous outfits Culture Shock and the legendary Subhumans) have brought working class radical politics to generations of questioning minds. Leaving aside the typical screaming rants of boring political punk bands, the Fish offer a hopeful, danceable alternative.
Whereas other bands have fans, admirers, and flavor-of-the-month teenyboppers hoarding to their concerts, Citizen Fish have established an open and always growing family. The idealistic unifying tone of Dick's lyrics, coupled with the catchy driving riffs of the band, allow the Fish to appeal to a wide variety of folks.
Familiar dancing faces in every town, beers and vegetarian meals, and local activists filling the gig halls with information, ideas, and inspiration for positive change is what Citizen Fish are all about.
Reviews
"Its scary how much a sound this rare and aged can suddenly be dragged kicking and screaming into modern relevance.
CITIZEN FISH are a wonder of nature, they should not be able to inspire these feelings, being as they are 'just a punk band...'"
- Subba-Cultcha.com
"There is nothing diluted about Citizen Fish’s musically delivery – As expected of a band with such an extensive history they have got better with age; the Fish now deliver some of the finest ska-punk around, each separate ingredient would in its own right be regarded as exemplary – the blending of full on hardcore with jaunty brass-fuelled ska is joyous; the brass is warm, subtle even, it doesn’t, like many other ska releases overpower the music – this at times is even soulful!"
- LouderThanWar.com
"Referenzklasse in diesem Sektor sind und bleiben OPERATION IVY und CITIZEN FISH, und die simple Regel ist: Mach es mit deiner Band so gut wie die – oder lass es bleiben... 'Goods' ist das achte Album der 1989/90 gegründeten Band, deren markanten Frontmann Dick Lucas man vorher schon bei SUBHUMANS und CULTURE SHOCK singen hören konnte. Die klassische Schlagzeug-Gitarre-Bass-Besetzung wird um Posaune und Trompete ergänzt, der Offbeat ist immer wieder, aber nicht konstant zu hören, die Wechsel zu treibenden Punk-Parts sind sehr geschmeidig, und die Bläserparts sitzen perfekt... Die große Stärke von allen Bands, denen Dick Lucas seine Stimme verlieh, waren schon immer die Texte, und das ist hier nicht anders. Keine wohlfeilen Plattitüden, sondern smarte, politische Analysen, das zielgerichtete Hinterfragen von (Fehl-)Entwicklungen in der Szene wie der Gesellschaft allgemein"
- Ox fanzine
"As a whole, this album fucking rules. I didn’t expect anything less from these dudes, as most things they’ve released have been SKAtastically entertaining."
- PunkWorldNews.com
"Their set was energetic, skilfully imposing with its Ska rhythms, jabbing beat and suitably refreshing lyrics. Led by Dick Lucas, the band turned back time, beyond their early 1990 humble beginnings, to the late 1970’s, early 80’s message of non-conformity and free thinking acceptance. The post-punk phase may be all but consigned to certain bands, which regretfully don’t get the air play they deserve, however this fusion of Ska/punk/rock was very well received and immensely enjoyable... The tracks were pulsating and intense and Dick Lucas bounced and weaved throughout it all. Songs such as Habit, Back to Square One, the brilliantly observed HD Riot and Human Conditioner were simply excellent."
- Liverpool Sound and Vision
"As with his other band the Subhumans, Lucas adds political rants and social commentary into Citizen Fish at every opportunity – often blaming the introduction of television as the result in the decline of human development, however whereby the awesome Subhumans are a straight to the point punk outfit Citizen Fish are more uplifting with their horn section and ska-influences making you feel the need to dance along as they blasted through songs drawn heavily from their 2011 release “Goods” as well as earlier recordings. The venue at around one hundred capacity was rammed and although it was stupidly hot the condensation dripping off the walls added to the atmosphere, after all this was good old fashioned ska-punk at its finest and Citizen Fish had the crowd literally bouncing as you felt the floor vibrate underneath."
- Mr Teeth Reviews
F*CKING ANGRY (DE)
Punk Rock / Street Punk
We are Fucking Angry!
Hardcore Punk Band from Bonn, Germany. Since 2013.
F*cking Angry are the perfect symbiosis of laid-back punk rock rebellion and hysteric hardcore vehemence. Their more or less melodic songs are of course fucking angry but not to be taken too seriously.
Singer Beckx impresses with her striking snotty voice and authentic lyrics in German and English. Since recently punk rock veteran Dominik (Canalterror, Molotow Soda etc.) completes the band.
Their first LP "Dancing in the Streets" F*cking Angry was published 2015 at RilRec.
Reviews
"Their energy was sheerly hitting in my back and stomach and my legs started to move uncontrollable. Gabo, the drummer had to work a lot, I can see the hard parts of the songs in his face, but this gave a rather stronger energy to the already existing wall of guitar, the grumbling bass and the deep and straight voice of Beckx... the place to dance was now huge and the guys could pogo and jump as hell. They all knew the band very well and could sing their lyrics."
- Nicholasganz.wordpress.com
"Dem handgemachten geilen Artwork steht der tatsächlich sehr wütende und schnelle Hardcore/Punk in nichts nach und ist dabei auch noch sauwitzig. Ab auf's Konzert."
- Trust Fanzine
"Wenn ich mir die 12 wütenden Songs anhöre, bin ich begeistert. Das ist das Beste, was politischer Punk in Deutschland zur Zeit zu bieten hat! "
- Plastic Bomb Fanzine
"F*CKING ANGRY sind mit vollen Herzen und totaler Leidenschaft bei der Sache, was man den gesamten Platten anmerkt. Eine Band die ihr 'Maul aufmacht' und eine ganz klare Linie vertritt. ‚DANCING IN THE STREETS‘ ist wohl eines der besten deutschen Hardcore-Punk Alben der letzten Jahre und wird die nächsten Monate sicher einiges an Aufmerksamkeit nach sich ziehen."
- AwayFromLife Fanzine
"Ein mehr als gelungener Auftritt der Bonner, die sich nach eigener Aussage freuten, das Festival „mal nicht vor, sondern auf der Bühne“ zu erleben. Für mich zusammen mit THE KIDS der beste Gig des Au-Sommerfestes 2017."
- Rockstage-riot-rheinmain.de, live review
"Das erste musikalische Ausrufezeichen des diesjährigen Festivals setzte gleich der Opener F*CKING ANGRY. Der Punkband aus Bonn gelang es nach dem kurzen Ausruf „Au-Fest, kommt mal ran!“ eine für die frühe Stagetime von 17 F*cking AngryUhr recht ansehnliche Menschenmenge vor der Bühne zu versammeln und machte dann vom Start weg ordentlich Alarm. Kurze, knackige Songs, kaum einer länger als zwei Minuten, vorgetragen mit räudig-rotziger Attitüde und aufgrund des hohen Tempos höchstem Energielevel, bei dem auch die zahlreichen Sprünge des Bassisten Chris (stilecht im CIRCLE JERKS-Shirt) und seiner Kollegen an den Gitarren zu gefallen wussten. Da schonte sich trotz Hitze und aufs Podest knallender Sonne niemand – die mit schöner Reibeisen-Stimme ausgestattete Sängerin Beckx musste hier und da ganz schön pumpen, um das Tempo konditionell mitzugehen. Zum Ende des Gigs stieg sie noch vom Podest hinunter, um das letzte Stück auf Augenhöhe mit dem Publikum zu singen."
- Rockstage-riot-rheinmain.de
"Punk, der direkt in die Fresse schlägt und kraterähnliche Löcher aufreißt, weil der stampfende Beat bleibende Schäden hinterlässt. [...] FUCKING ANGRY steht für Chaos, Revolte, Nihilismus und Radikalität."
- Underdog Fanzine
"Technisch top, abwechslungsreich und mit netten Melodien zwischen dem ganzen Gebretter. Absolut überzeugendes Demo."
- Ox Fanzine
"Endlich ein Longplayer von F*cking Angry und dieser kann sich wirklich sehen lassen. Kein einziges schlechtes Lied, nur Knaller-Songs."
- Bierschinken Fanzine
"Mich können F*CKING ANGRY mit ihrem fetten Retro-80er-Jahre-HC-Deutschpunk jedenfalls überzeugen. Da ist wirklich Pfeffer im Arsch, wobei man nicht vergisst, die ein oder andere Melodie oder eingängige Passage mit einzuflechten, so dass man die Eintönigkeit gekonnt umgeht. Sollte man also auf jeden Fall mal rein hören!"
- Uglypunk Punkrock Zine
"Derber HC-Punk mit einprägsamen Melodien: F*cking Angry legen mit „Dancing in the Streets“ ein starkes Debüt-Album vor."
- Trashrock Mag
"Unbedingt mal antesten, es lohnt sich, den die Bonner haben hier so gut wie alles richtig gemacht!"
- Punkrock Fanzine
"Auf jeden Fall mal live antesten die Damen und Herren von F*cking Angry wenn sie bei Euch in der Nähe sind und ihr Lust auf unverbrauchten Punk habt"
- Moloko Plus Fanzine
"Derart geradlinig und leidenschaftlich hat man das hierzulande lange nicht gehört. Kurz vor dem Ende holen F*cking Angry dann noch eine Orgel raus, was ihrer Musik aber auch ganz hervorragend steht. Ein unheimlich energiegeladenes Debüt, das – Verachtung hin, Zorn her – richtig Spaß macht. Full speed ahead."
- Löhrzeichen Blog