It’s been 18 months now since “Spunk Volcano and The Eruptions” burst onto the scene, kicking and screaming with their excellent debut LP “Ignition”. Clearly those 18 months haven’t been wasted as they return triumphantly with their 2nd LP “Shit Generation”, which is anything but.
It opens with the unforgettable “Massive Mistake Masterclass”. It’s bass-heavy; with a direct, almost confrontational vocal. It’s a call to arms if you like. Once that vocal hits the chorus it simply explodes into pure aggression! The chiming guitars in the mid-section and echo on the vocal are interesting, it’s like a two part song. But as an opener it keeps you wanting more. ‘Shit Generation’ is the perfect follow-up. With a title like that one could be forgiven for thinking it was a DirtBox Disco “outtake” but no, this is the real deal! I’m hearing Motorhead, particularly in the vocal but this contains a chorus that will be shouted back to the band with equal enthusiasm in the live arena. The racey bridge has that noodling that we’ve come to expect from the band while the ending is simply abrupt.
“XR3” comes next – say no more! A celebratory tale of this once ‘classic’ motor, seen through the eyes of its owners. Punky guitar intro, a tale of one mans love for his XR3. Strong, powerful hitting behind a shouty chorus and all round humourous lyrics: which while never likely to win “lyric of the year” will make you smile nevertheless. “DNA Failure” has all the hallmarks of DBD once more with its anthemic intro and strong lyrical delivery. A song with an articulate account of a society reliant on scroungeing. The chorus stays in your memory and will be sung long and loudly live. A bit of a swearfest it doesn’t pull any punches, but it’s an account of a life we’re all too familiar with on daytime TV. Spunk’s rabble-rousing vocals fight for attention over a strong pounding drumbeat from Maff (drums) and chugging chords. The bass, however, is buried somewhat in the background.
“Send The Boys Round” takes a leaf out of the ‘Test Tubes’ songwriting rule book. Anthemic once more, big noodly middle 8, shouty chorus, power drumming and a chugging beat. A classic 2.5 minute Punk song. The “Oi, Oi, Oi, Oi” at the start is classic “Peter and the Test Tube Babies” at its finest, while the song, on the whole, doesn’t disappoint. “TV God” on the other hand reminds me of the Wildhearts in the intro, while the chorus smacks of “Animal” (Anti Nowhere League). Big, big guitars and equally hard hitting, an overview of our TV habits which is a tad pedestrian lyrically. However, the driving beat throughout keeps you interested.
“X Factor” is a brilliant observation about our wonderful nations Saturday night viewing habits and the “dreams of the kids”. A 90MPH onslaught and witty appraisal of this dreadful show and the lack of talent within. Huge drums accompany the clangy guitars and there’s a humourous spoken word section at the end where upon Spunk announces himself as the winner – oh the irony!! “Tattoo” returns to the subject of “Love”. An honest, heartfelt and personal number-slightly tongue-in-cheek. Written about a celebrity or hero maybe; it’s the softest offering on here, but by no means out of place.
“Fist Fights” begins with an intricate, fast-paced chord structure with an equally phrenetic drumbeat. It slows downs somewhat for Spunk to deliver an angry chorus, before returning to the energetic pace it began with. “Fist Fights, Talkin’ Shite” – kinda says it all really!! “Satisfaction Guaranteed” opens slowly before unleashing that trademark huge sound, so ever present on this collection. More huge chords and powerful hitting from Maff. Another big anthemic chorus is followed by a noodly bridge. The enthusiastic vocal style is matched by the clangy guitars and while there’s a ‘slow’ middle 8, it really rev’s up at the end.
“Shut Up or Fuck Off” – my sentiments exactly!! Furious beat, energetic in the extreme. Classic 3rd wave Punk song and another “swearfest”! The now obligatory noodly middle 8 is in there too. However, it’s a subject matter we all could relate to at some point in our lives. More noodling at the end but kept short in true Punk style. “I’m Not Sure” is (dare I say it) another love song. Bass-heavy but with a lower tempo, livening up in the chorus. A clangy guitar-led bridge before it speeds up again. Heartfelt and honest lyrically it has all the hallmarks of personal experience attached to it.
“Let’s Go With Your Idea” returns the power and speedball mantra of previous songs. A more “reflective” song, almost spoken word in places. “Let’s Go With Your Idea, ‘Cos My Idea is Shit”; a phrase many men will concur with, (assuming it’s written from a Male perspective)?! Spunk’s strained vocal parts remind me of Lemmy in the chorus while the bass once more takes centre stage. The vocal is delivered with an angry wit while the pace of the song, be it the slow/fast structure works perfectly and is the perfect penultimate track. “Together Forever As Ghosts” ends this collection in true romantic style; written from a personal perspective, and dare I say it sounds very radio friendly. It’s the least shouty offering on here; the lyrics are clear, audible and honest and I’m guessing written for a lover/partner. It’s the perfect album closer and leaves the door open for “instalment 3”!
LP number 2 was always going to be a challenge but these guys have upped their game and doubled the power. A bit samey in places but it has enough depth and quality to be worth a punt from your open minded listener. If you like your Punk raw, hard and fast then this would be a good starting point. If however you want progression from “Ignition” then equally you won’t be disappointed. I just wonder with Spunk’s “other” band being so prolific in their output how much longer they can keep churning out these classic ditties. On this evidence there’s plenty in the can, and for you the buying public that can only be a good thing.
“Shit Generation” is released on March 17th.
Track Listing
Massive Mistake Masterclass
Shit Generation
XR3
DNA Failure
Send The Boys Round
TV God
X Factor
Tattoo
Fist Fights
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Shut Up or Fuck Off
I’m Not Sure
Let’s Go With Your Idea
Together Forever As Ghosts
Links
http://www.stprecords.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/spunkvolcano&theeruptions
Review by Ross A. Ferrone.
