This is a belter of a compilation!
Produced by Handsome Crab Promotions, a collective of young music enthusiasts who work together to promote punk music across the Central Belt of Scotland, ‘Highland Calling’ runs to eighteen tracks spanning just short of an hour, and all the bands coming from Scotland. Punk bands at that!
You know, for years I have thought I was the only person in the UK to be a fan of The Lillingtons / Teenage Bottlerocket… but not any longer. I have some excellent company in the likes of The Murderburgers, The Lie Detectors and The Cellophanes. Their respective tracks on the compilation illustrate perfectly the ‘three chord rocket science’ approach to pop-punk. It’s like a nerdy version of The Ramones – and I mean that as a compliment. It really is as brilliant as it’s basic!
But what makes this album both so interesting and fascinating is the inclusion of the various sub-genres of the big ‘Punk’ moniker. The ‘old school’ is of course represented by the likes of The Plimptons and their ‘triple’ offering of ‘Japan’ / ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Pt. 3’ / ‘I Wish I’d Never Joined The Nazi Army.’ The Terrors and their ‘Poison Minds’ lean that way as well, with Tina’s vocals adding a touch of Goth / psychobilly feel.
Straight-up ‘ska-punk’ is given its head with the horn infused sound of The Hostiles although for me personally, the harder ska-core edge of The Hi-jacks and their ‘Love Your Nation’ together with the brilliant Joey Terifying (‘Getaway Driver’) who remind me of an early Five Knuckle – the best ever punk band of any genre!
Those who prefer some balls-out ‘hardcore’ will be pleased to see the inclusion of Plastic Authority – (‘The Banks Owe Us All’) and A Lost Generation’s ‘The Revolution Is Not A Spectator Sport,’ while Burnout 27 span the bridge between hardcore and ‘Oi!’ with their slightly misleadingly entitled ‘Summertime.’
There are also those punk bands who cater for those with a penchant of big, chunky Americanised guitar riffs and more melodic vocal styles, Yeah Detroit! being a prime example with their ‘Everything. Always.’ And no self-respecting punk album could fail to include a slower ska / reggae track, this one including ‘Back Of The Line Boy’ by Psycho Attractive who oblige whilst also mixing in some aggressive passages and shouted vocals.
And of course, Shatterhand could not be ignored for their contribution to the Scottish scene over many years. ‘Face The Mirror’ is a perfect closing song for the album – loud, fast and in your face with some heavily growled vocals.
This is how is used to be! How it obviously still is… and how it will hopefully remain while there are committed souls out there like Handsome Crab and the eighteen bands on this album.
(Released through Handsome Crab and available through Avalanche Records in both Glasgow and Edinburgh….. though I’m sure that you could be catered for by contacting the label: www.myspace.com/handsomecrabpromotions
- Various Artists - 2 July 2010
- Various - 1 July 2010
- Glenn Meling - 25 January 2010