From an initial listen, you could be forgiven for thinking that this is just a straight up, kickass, Punk Rock ‘n’ Roll album, but once you scratch the surface, you’ll find a whole lot more!
Johnny Seven have amalgamated several influences and slathered a huge helping of their own distinctive sound over the top. The combination of driving drums and dirty, killer guitar riffs are complimented perfectly with snarling, impassioned vocals. One of the main elements which makes this album stand out is the live feel production. You can almost smell the sweaty, bouncing crowd and alcohol, which for music lovers, is the smell of the very best nights out!
The first track should always grab your attention and ‘Shot Down’, certainly delivers! The intro swirls about, before kicking into a white-knuckle ride of rhythm and superbly toned riffs.
‘Let’s Rock’, starts with the unmistakable opening licks of ‘Jailhouse Rock’. However, it’s a very clever fake out and the song bursts into life in a completely different direction. With excellent lead work and a hugely catchy sing-a-long chorus, this is an instant favourite.
‘Can’t Escape Rock ‘n’ Roll’, is a straight up homage to one of the genres underpinning the band. When it’s this good, who wants to escape?
Track four will hook you in just as quick as the subject of the song. ‘LSD’, is lyrically and musically fun and certain to be a massive hit with a live audience. Complete with pauses for revellers to join the chant. ‘LSD’, is definitely a crowd pleaser in more ways than one!
‘In Detroit’, is less intense than it’s contemporaries and perfectly placed in the album. It gives the listener a quick breath before the wild ride restarts. Its smooth groove is overlaid with distorted guitars and a visceral vocal tone that oozes attitude.
Track six is a brilliant cover of ‘Burning Love’, done in their own inimitable style. Their down and dirty sound offers a fresh new feel on an old favourite.
‘Pumpin The Pomp’, is a perfect example of this bands experience and ability to move seamlessly between genre styles several times in one track. It leans heavily towards Punk during the vocals, but slides effortlessly into Rock ‘n’ Roll for the fills and solo. This is a lesson in fusion that aspiring young bands would do well to learn from.
‘Car Crash Girls’, is deliciously riff heavy, backing up a brilliant vocal delivered at breakneck speed. Listen out for the scorching solo after the break. This song is easily one of my favourites.
‘Skinheads’, gives the listener something to ponder. Only a few decades ago skinheads were a huge part of popular culture. This song asks, ‘Where did all the skinheads go?’. This album offers all those, that are still skinheads at heart, a chance to reconnect with the true, raw sound of that era.
‘Hang Loose’, is the final track and its lyrics are the perfect advert for the entire album. ‘I’m gonna show you, how to hang loose. Take it down easy, nice and sleazy, hang loose’. They did, it is and I am.
Punk Rock ‘n’ Roll music is loud, dirty, aggressive and made for gatherings of party animals who thrive on the vibe. A lot of modern mainstream bands have softened the genre in a trade off for commercial appeal. In doing so they’ve lost the fire and rebellion that made this kind of music more of a movement than a genre. This album takes us back to the days when the Sex Pistols were at their irreverent best. Johnny Seven have stayed true to the ethos that made this genre a Subcultural Revolution and have produced ten songs with an edge so sharp you could shave with them. Highly recommended!
Standouts: Lets Rock, LSD, Pumpin’ The Pomp, Car Crash Girls.
Band Members:
Paul Ford
Paddy Muldowney
Peter Wilson
Jonny Baines
Dominic Green
Press contact: paulfordmedia@gmail.com
Pete Moore
Contributor
