Spunk Volcano are back in the game with a great new 5 track EP, interestingly titled “Ram Raid”, and with their sound I expected nothing less! It opens unsurprisingly with the title track, all L7 guitars and Spunk’s bellowing tones. It’s a story of the “old days”; nicking a car and getting up to mischief. Surely it’s not autobiographical, (I did wonder briefly) or maybe a recounted story of an associate. Either way, it’s a great opener. Big, big guitar sound and drumbeat forming the backbone of the song, allied to anthemic yet storytelling lyrics.
“Stop Looking At Your Phone” evokes similarities to Motorhead, most notably in the vocal. It’s a belter of a song with Spunk’s angry vocal delivery. Thunderous drums from Maff, married to chugging guitars and a lyrical content we can all associate with. “Stop looking at your phone, have a normal conversation” – indeed! I love the ending, it just sums up what every adult is thinking when seeing youngsters just staring at their phones all day long. A wonderfully observational rant about the state of today’s technology obsessed youth-definitely a song for the live arena.
Hanging Round The Shops is more mellow than its predecessor. Once again storytelling lyrics about a situation we’ve all been in. Ah yes; those boozy weekends of Summer, blagging an adult to buy your booze and fags from the offy so you can get wasted. Tongue in cheek yet oh so familiar. The chugging, scratchy guitars give way to the immediacy of the chorus and there’s one particular line that really stands out. “Oi mate, do us a favour-here’s the cash, can you get us a bottle of Mad Dog, or Hooch”. Those were the days!
“I Think Her Name Was Tracey” returns to the frenetic guitar pace during the intro. A story of a local girl maybe, but not in a good light. The now trademark SV humour is all too apparent, married to the furious drums and guitars. A damning ode to “Tracey” and her life. It’s fast, noodly in places and again storytelling (there’s a theme running here)! However, the bass really comes through on this belter of a song which ends abruptly yet doesn’t disappoint.
Snap Backbone closes the EP and to me has a hint of US Pop/Punk about it. The vocals are clear and audible and the all round sound is clean. Where it veers off to lyrically though is anyone’s guess?! A spoken word section replaces the bridge before it returns to the more anthemic sound to the end.
To sum up, this EP proves they have plenty in the tank and are unique enough not to just be considered the “little brothers” of Dirt Box Disco. They have a sound totally their own and can only get better. The future burns bright from this volcano!
Track listing
Ram Raid
Stop Looking At Your Phone
Hanging Round The Shops
I Think Her Name Was Tracey
Snap Backbone
Links
http://www.spunkvolcano.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/SpunkVolcanoAndTheEruptions
Review by Ross A. Ferrone
