Review - The Bonnevilles 'Good Suits and Fightin' Boots
There's something of a '60s revival goin' on at the minute and it's sneakin' up on the blindside. While everyone is worryin' 'emselves green about the prospect of a loada cocky kidz diggin' the sounds of Echobelly or whatever, there's a rabble of bands out there runnin' headlong through the crowds, chinning justabout anyone who gets in their way... and sometimes, that includes the listener.
The Bonnevilles are no exception. These Lurganites were found this mornin' in my speakers kickin' out the tweeters and showin' knuckle-dusters to this bleary writer. Man, I'd been awake for under a second and these garage yobs are pickin' a fight. Instead of kickin' me to a pulp... they hit me with a sound so fuggin' good that I done filled my trews! 'The Explosive New Sound of Punk Blues' it may be... but it's that familiar ol' time sound of trouble...
Now, this is where most reviewers start botherin' you with tales of where the band are from, how they started and what they dig. I ain't... one listen to this greased-up, sleazy garage-blues and you know exactly where The Bonnevilles are from. Somewhere between a rottin' hot-rod engine and the nipple of a titty twister. They're the black line strikin' down the middle of their own sleeve. Jeez, these is one of the sleaziest LPs you'll ever hear! And not a sax in sight!
Before you've even got around to listenin', this LP demands you dig. Song titles like 'The Belgians Are Coming!', 'One More Nail Outta Rock 'n' Roll's Coffin', 'Hardtale Lurgan Blues' and 'The Drag'... makes you wanna like this band huh?
Well, thankfully for you, these elemental no-fi rockers can make a tune that you CAN dig. Many bands who tellyer that they're 'garage', all too often sound like The Byrds. Course, that ain't a bad thing as such... but you want evil, bug-eyed, grimey kicks with attitude and fuggin' volume? Man, The Bonnevilles can deliver... and instead of leavin' you a note to say they've called, they'll kick yer door in and make 'emselves at home... in your home... one sleepin' off the drink in your bed and the other one laughin' at you're Fair Trade Teabags. "Chump...".
"'Kay... so when you gon' give us a review huh?"
Simmer. These cats are everythin' you just read and more. If you like, I'll tell you about the skuzzy guitars, the primal beat, the tough wailin' and great tone of the whole thing... but really, you shoulda guessed that already. The clues are in there man... and this band, like most from this field (the battle field should you need tellin') are gettin' down and dirty and ready to blow your brains out... if only they could stand up straight for long enough. However, these hopeless drunks ain't dunderhead-central... man, these are poetic drunkards, down the end of the bar 'citing lines from some misunderstood poet before slammin' down chasers and cuttin' up the Hooray Henry's with their own tie-clips.
These cats are good... real good. Looks like they'll make it all the way home. And rightly so. This may not be the most sophisticated LP yool hear, but man, it'll be one of your favourites. You need this.
Click here to buy The Bonnevilles LP
[mof]
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