Back in the day, the ‘pub-rock’ movement was responsible for the likes of The Rumour, Brinsley Schwartz, Ducks Deluxe and many others. Pub rock (two separate words this time, no hyphen) of a different kind could also be held responsible for foisting Chas and Dave on the nation.
So, with their new EP containing titles such as ‘Great Swines Drink Alike’ and ‘Revolting Bar Stewards’ do The Rapscallions fall into the category of pub-rock, or pub rock?
Well… both as it happens. Opening track ‘Great Swines Drink Alike’ is very much the stereotypical Cockney knees-up, sing-a-long with prominence given to what could be envisaged as a backless, battered honky-tonk piano. It’s definitely in the Chas and Dave ballpark, but much as they’re the butt of many a joke they do produce the type of infectious music that will get any party started. The same goes for this particular track. The question is however, ‘are The Rapscallions a novelty act?’
Second track of the four on the EP, ‘Comfort Zone’ perhaps goes some way to answering that. There is a ska-punk feel with the atmosphere of The Specials or Dead 60s to this song. It’s another to kick-start the move towards the dance-floor. It’s a busy little track with the solid ska drumming, slightly reverb vocals and harmonies and room for short bursts guitar solo. Each listen reveals something not picked up on the previous spin.
‘Revolting Bar Stewards’ may be a bit of an odd title for a song and I can’t make out if it’s meant as a tribute or tirade, but it’s entertaining enough anyway. Starting out like you’d imagine The King Blues singing whilst wearing hooped T-shirts and wearing eye patches and pirate hats, it soon rocks up while maintaining a reggae backbone beat and incorporating the punk anthemic “Oi! Oi, Oi Oi” chants.
Final track, ‘Capital Punishment’ is more of a conventional punk song with a definite twist of The Jam echoing the sentiments of the late Seventies / early Eighties – “ I don’t want to work another day in this shit hole, I’d be better off if I was on the dole.” For me, this is the best of the four songs. Glib lyrics and ‘fun-filled’ music has its place of course, but this song shows that the band don’t need to rely on that tactic to attract attention. This may be pretty straightforward no-frills song but the delivery and presentation is excellent.