CD: “Double Bastard” by Spunk Volcano & The Eruptions

Coming kicking and screaming out of Burton-on-Trent come SV and the Eruptions with their latest offering “Double Bastard”. No half measures here boys and girls – this is the real deal. Not content to just bang out your standard twelve tracks, these guys unleash two dozen of their finest offerings in their now traditional style. Everything you ever hoped for and more, it’s all here on the inspiringly titled “Double Bastard”.

They open with “Teenage Teenagers”, it’s a gentle opener recalling those golden days of our teenage years. That familiar vocal (SV), the snare pounding (Maff), and of course those noodly middle 8’s (Tom and Stew) respectively. The latter part of the song is a massive “Fuck Off” to parents/elders with it’s confrontational, “Do What I Wanna, Do What I Wanna Do”. A great opener which sets the mood. “Marvellous Manifesto” follows with a borderline Metal slant. Parity is resumed when the vocal kicks in and it’s a return to their Punk sound of old. Huge riffs, multi-layered guitars and pounding drums.

“Fittings and Fixtures” one assumes is a tale of marital strife. Big hitting in the background compliment those noodly strings and anthemic vocals. Delivered in a sarcastic style it’s a lesson to us all. The second bridge means more noodling as it fades to its conclusion. Ah yes, “Plasticine” – a celebration of one’s younger days. Lyrically tongue in cheek and a short, sharp shock of a number. The chiming guitar is a welcome addition to the vocal, evoking those childhood memories.
“Shit Excuse” is something we can all concur with. A slower, more measured vocal – almost spoken word in places seems at odds with the scratchy guitars. Perfect for that mid-set breather but not out of place here. “Super Dooper” returns to the harder-edged material with more than a healthy dash of Motorhead. The chorus however, is delivered with tongue firmly in cheek.

“Edging On The Side Of Caution” is another cautionary tale (sic). Fast and furious with a brutally honest lyrical account of relationships/partnerships. Big hitting from Maff (drums) throughout and more noodling in the bridge. There’s a real sense of defiance in the lyric “nothing left for you to say”, make your own mind up people. Ok, so who remembers TCP? It’s anthemic with Spunk (lead vox) bellowing the anthemic “woah’s” throughout. Storytelling anecdote of that stinging feeling when applying TCP. Stretched, noodly guitars; powerful cymbal-heavy hitting and a live fave in the making.

“Independent Fire” is hard-edged and dark – the throaty vocal delivery evokes yet more Lemmy comparisons. There’s a dark brooding menace early on that becomes a pure Punk epic, before Spunk engages once more in that Lemmy-esque vocal fire. “Red Rings” raspy guitar intro gently builds before a negative, observational vocal kicks in. A song of frustration maybe, but the clear audible tones match the deep bass in the background. It’s damning, it’s personal and by no means a cheerful listen. Dare I suggest doom-laden?!

“Spare Room” is more observations of family life. Unapologetically honest lyrically, humorous yet blunt. ‘Could you sleep in the Spare Room, “cos you make me Sick this Week” lyrically pulls no punches – thumping drums, chunky guitars and a sharp ending. ‘Road Rage’ is the standout track on here. Great live and a feeling we all go through at least once in our lives. Anthemic, aggressive, potent and some. Motorhead again come to mind and the echoey fadeout is just brilliant. The final track on Disc One is somewhat a mystery. The bongo intro preceding the acapella-style vocal is at odds with the previous twelve songs and yet it works. The guitars gently chime away in the background and it’s the perfect album/show closer.

Disc Two carries on where Disc One left off. ‘Death or Glory’ is not a Clash cover, but in fact a clangy guitar-led track with more of Maff’s thumping drums. Cue Spunk’s now trademark vocal tones and it has all the hallmarks of this band to a tee. Go in heavy and get the listeners attention early. A well-produced, radio-friendly sound has been achieved alongside the catchy chorus. Another noodly bridge gives way to some frenetic hitting as the strained vocal rises up a notch before a second bridge takes it to its conclusion. “Sucking Up” is a blatant rip-off of the Pistols cover of “Something Else”; but humorously morphs into this loud, anthemic belter. Loads of cussing, strained chords, noodling and singalongs. Even the fadeout ending is close to the original!

More observations of life here on “Dirty Pictures”. A song about a flirtatious lady/workmate’s missus (add or delete where necessary). “She’s a bit of a sort your Mrs.”… Pulling no punches lyrically, it has all the hallmarks of an Eruptions song. I can just see the reaction of crowds at their gigs when they play this song. Humorous throughout, the classic two-minute Punk song. “Here Come the Zombies” with its hilarious chorus intro hints at Yank Pop/Punk, before returning to a more familiar sound. Layered guitars; heavy all round, despite a brief almost spoken word part mid-song.

I’m immediately reminded of The Wildhearts during the intro to “Personality Black Hole”. The anthemic shouting of the chorus matches the fast and furious pace of the song. A ferocious assault to the senses – huge hitting and racy guitars, and it’s over before it began. ‘99%’ takes the tempo down despite the big hitting. It’s more a pure “Pop” song despite the almost apologetic lyrical content. There’s a real sadness to the song.

“Inbred” needs no introduction. A socially aware observation of life – “inbred, thieving, scumbag, junkie trash – where’s me stash?” Nothing more to say really. Loud, brash and very powerful. More cussing and street slang amid the noodling and power hitting. “Daft As Brushes” once more takes the tempo down, recalling teenage memories. Brutally honest, an ode to those forgotten days.

“Sick Of Saying The Same Things” evokes more Motorhead comparisons, notably in Spunk’s harsh, shouty vocals. A throaty, angry delivery throughout sounds like someone straining at the leash to get their point across. ‘Scared of Needles’ is simply self-explanatory. The chorus of “don’t you come near me with that fuckin’ needle ya bastard” is hilarious. Aside from that there’s more noodling and some humorous (if overlong) “na, na, na, na, na’s”. The guitars scream “hair metal” but its core is Punk.

“Blinded” starts off slower but gently builds with a scratchy guitar part, before exploding into life. It’s a good prelude to album closer “You think you’re Rock ‘n Roll but you’re not”. It’s a riotous assault that (one assumes) questions bands “Genre claiming”. The pace of the song is ferocious and it furiously concludes with another sharp ending.

Four albums in and SV and the Eruptions show no signs of slowing down. Russ (AKA Spunk Volcano) is a prolific songwriter who seems to have an unerring ability to just keep churning out song after song. And with his new found position as lead singer in his other band (Dirt Box Disco) one wonders how he fits it all in. Releasing a double album is (IMO) a brave move for a band who essentially are a touring entity – they could have released either disc and the punters would’ve been happy. However, there’s a great mix of styles going on here – with more than a passing nod to Lemmy. That said this band are carving a nice little niche all their own and I for one commend them for that. Big question is, where do they go from here…..?

Disc 1
Teenage Teenagers
Marvellous Manifesto
Fixtures and Fittings
Plasticine
Shit Excuse
Super Dooper
Edging on the Side of Caution
TCP
Independent Fire
Red Rings
Spare Room
Road Rage
Old Wives

Disc 2
Death or Glory
Sucking Up
Dirty Pictures
Here Come the Zombies
Personality Black Hole
99%
Inbred
Daft as Brushes
Sick of Saying the Same Things
Scared of Needles
Blinded
You think youíre Rock ‘n Roll but you’re not

Review by Ross A. Ferrone.