Riding the fine line between obnoxious skatepunk and sodden metal, Murphy's Law came out of New York City's mid-'80s hardcore scene and formed in Astoria, Queens, around vocalist Jimmy G. The group's self-titled debut, released on Profile in 1986, contained the usual '80s subjects (boredom, alienation, weed, beer, etc.), but the songs were definitely there, and Murphy's Law improved even more with their second album, 1989's Back with a Bong! The band was on the Profile-associated Combat Records for 1991's The Best of Times, but recorded little during the early '90s. In 1995, Murphy's Law came back with the EP Good for Now, and the full-length Dedicated arrived the following year. Best of Times/Good for Now was issued in 2000; The Party's Over came next in the spring of 2001.

In March 2021, The Rumjacks released their fifth studio album ‘Hestia’, rejuvenating the bands collaborative spirit, and marking an explosive new era of energy and creative release.

Hestia introduced new singer and songwriter Mike Rivkees on lead vocals, heralding a refreshing evolution for the band that connected fans old and new. The album was an unmitigated success, both critically and artistically, and signified a fresh page in the story of The Rumjacks.

Invigorated by the release of Hestia, The Rumjacks quickly went back into the studio to record ‘Brass for Gold’ EP, capitalising off their new sense of artistry.

“After the amazing response we had from Hestia’s release, we knew we had to back it up, do it justice and show we aren’t messing around with any of this,” Bassist Johnny McKelvey said.

“I guess while COVID ‘slowed everyone down‘ it just made us want to work harder, record more music, plan and think ahead to when all this mess ended that would be ahead in every way”

The resulting EP a clear representation of a band finding a new voice and making sure that voice is heard as loud as possible. Grounded by the eclectic Celtic punk sound that The Rumjacks have become synonymous with, ‘Brass for Gold’ sees the band dig deeper into their ska and hard rock influences, all the while holding onto the defiant energy that ignites their sound.

While ‘Hestia’ had the band conquering a global pandemic in order to record, ‘Brass for Gold’ saw the boys united in person for the first time. Producing a sound that is seamless and cohesive.

“Brass for Gold is as much as an EP can possibly offer and still be called an EP. In true Rumjacker fashion, these songs represent a variety of different stories. The topics range from lovesick nostalgia, to misfortunate war heroes, and a few lighthearted drinking songs for good measure,” Rivkees said.

“While some EP’s tend to be quite experimental, Brass for Gold represents a solid continuation of the newly reformed Rumjacks. Once again stating (almost literally in some of the lyrics) we are passionate and dedicated songwriters.”

From the raucous comradery of first single ‘One For The Road’ to the crashing crescendo of ‘Blinding Flashes’ to the confident sentimentality of ‘Falling Back’, the cumulative energy of ‘Brass For Gold’ sees the band communicate one thing loud and clear.

In a time when new punk bands have less and less to say, a bright light shines across the pond from Brighton, England. The Bar Stool Preachers are bringing back the essence of punk: music with a message. And do we ever need it in our world today! Defying genres, impossible to put in a box, challenging to the best of writers, this is a band you’ll want to interview rather than review. And B.S.P. are ready and waiting for your questions, excited to tell you of their intent, passions, goals and dreams. Whether you want to talk about their volunteer work, the political causes they hold dear to their hearts, or just hear about living in the most exciting and progressive town on the island, these boys are up for it!

Their latest album is the perfect blend of intelligent punk anthems and poignant, unsentimental love songs, both combined with the most infectious music you’ll hear this decade. “Grazie Governo” (Italian for “Thank You, Government”) exemplifies this, as the tongue-in-cheek title is the first indication that The Bar Stool Preachers are wise beyond their years. But you get a full thirteen songs of hits on this record, no filler, with a different song rising to the top to be ‘your favourite’ on every listen. Yes, this album is that good.

From the eclectic scene of punk and ska bands in the UK, The Bar Stool Preachers are a band for EVERYONE – a group of blue collar musicians who can instantly connect with anyone they play for. Exhibiting a tireless DIY work ethic that is unparalleled by its peers, the band has traveled the world gaining fans with engaging performances on the back of its critically acclaimed debut “Blatant Propaganda.”

Frontman Tom McFaull has a storied musical lineage running through his veins. The son of Colin McFaull, singer of the legendary Cock Sparrer, he’s learned a lesson or two from his father. With this pedigree, the younger McFaull leads the charge for a new generation of punk bands with incomparable charisma and anger that cannot fail to impress.

But their family is more than blood. Having Aimee Interrupter (The Interrupters) lending her voice on “Choose My Friends” and Pirates Press Records’ extended family (including Rancid, The Bouncing Souls, Dropkick Murphys and many others) in their corner, The Preachers are fortunate to have a wealth of experience and support to help lift them to their inevitable heights. They are also already famed for turning every show attendee, writer, photographer, interviewer and other bands’ members into fast friends within minutes of meeting. Yes, they are that special.

After an exceptionally successful 2018, touring in North America three times (with The Interrupters and Street Dogs), as well as their normal relentless coverage of Europe and the United Kingdom, BSP showed that they weren’t slowing down as 2019 began. More European touring followed, and now they are about to embark on another UK tour with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, as well as three more US tours already booked before the end of this year. They’ll be out on the road in North America with The Bouncing Souls and The Bronx, inter-spliced with some west coast touring with Bad Cop/Bad Cop. There’s a new video for “High Horse” that’s out now.

Fifty years after the genre turned the music world upside-down, Grade 2 bring the raw power of old school punk to a new generation. Their second release on Tim Armstrong's legendary Hellcat Records is a thumping 15 track tour de force melding the uncompromising ethos of punk with the howl of contemporary injustice, personal identity and frustrations of Gen-Z youth, authentically told by three lads with punk coursing through their veins. 

Formed on their native Isle of Wight when they were just 14 years old, Jack Chatfield (guitar & vocals), Jacob Hull (drums) and Sid Ryan (bass & vocals) honed their craft covering punk pioneers before creating a sound uniquely theirs: ten years on, the eponymous ‘Grade 2’ is their magnus opus. From the complex rhythms and brutal two-note guitar of opening track ‘Judgement Day’, the record grabs by the scruff of the neck and never lets up. With a commitment to the cause, lead single ‘Doing Time’ is a thunderous hardcore punk track screaming “Spoon feed me corporate lies; I left that place with a noose to my neck.” Intertwined are upbeat bangers (‘Under the Streetlight’, ‘Celine’), classic pop-punk (‘Don’t Stand Alone’, ‘Fast Pace’), and savage old-school grit (‘Parasite’, ‘Gaslight’). The result is a bone-crunching 35-minutes that agitates, intoxicates and liberates in equal measure.

“Like everyone else, 2020 left us proper fucked off,” says frontman Sid Ryan. “Yet we were able to channel every ounce of that despair into every second of this record." 

"Returning to Ship Rec Studio resparked that magic dynamic" says guitarist Jack Chatfield. "When we're in there I feel like we reach our full potential. Tim would offer tweaks and tips for some songs, while others he'd compliment as finished first time we played them."

"We worked flat-out recording this record," says drummer Jacob Hull, "but we never felt pressured, Tim keeping us in the zone to make the best tunes of our lives."

Famed for blistering live performances and exceptional musicianship, the band have consolidated the essence of their live show in ‘Grade 2’. Tune in and turn up. Here’s a record to rattle your bones, stir your heart and have you singing till you’re hoarse like it’s the first day of punk.