THE FINAL INSTALLMENT...

So it seems the final vinyl instalments of this year’s illustrious ‘Super Sevens’ 7” singles club series are upon us - and they are more robust and versatile than the vinyl kitchen floor off-cuts wielded under the arms of travelling break dancers during the mid 80’s. We are expecting the singles to be ready in the next couple of weeks, so those of you who have subscribed to the whole scheme will get them first (feel free to taunt non-subscribers). What's in this winter’s must-have collection? Read on…..
 
WRATH33 – ‘Super Seven #11' 7"
 
A. THE SCARAMANGA SIX ‘I Wear My Heart On My Sleeve’
Here’s a brand new slice of bombastic pomp-rock from stalwarts of the Wrath stable, THE SCARAMANGA SIX. This new track is taken from a fresh load of sessions with the now-familiar head Cardiac, Tim Smith at the helm of recording duties. Any of you acquainted with their critically acclaimed ‘Cabin Fever’ album will have your ears finely tuned to the sonically exhausting style of Tim’s production – and this is no exception. The Six rampage through another sadistic darkpop opus filled with unexpected dynamics, filthy bass, lung-busting crooning and most of all, hooks! Is ‘I Wear My Heart On My Sleeve’ another autobiographical account of an uncompromising band, or perhaps it candidly details the violence and will of a gangland boss? Perhaps there is no difference.
 
AA. ME AGAINST THEM ‘Bad Judgement’
From the seedy underground of London comes the perfect foil for the Six in the shape of ME AGAINST THEM. Earlier this year, on the Hot Teeth label, they released one of the best new albums (self-titled) we’ve heard in a long time. A half-hour blitz of urgent and chunky garage rock to lavish pop masterpieces - all with the bitter taste of cynicism, some extremely dark subject matter, boundless energy and real menace!  – well worth investigating I can can tell thee. They had the patronage of the late John Peel, who booked them sessions for his radio show twice (though sadly, he never got to hear the second) and now have a barrage of new material up their collective sleeves for a new offensive in the new year. ‘Bad Judgement’ motors along with such reckless abandon that it actually implodes with a ‘breakdown’ about halfway though, before the angels of rock ascend once again but with renewed fury.

 
WRATH34 – ‘Super Seven #12’ 7"
 
A1. THE PLAYMATES ‘Damn Good’
The first track in this quartet of bona-fide punk pop from Leeds is the debut release by THE PLAYMATES. If they sound a little familiar, it might be due to the ancestry of a couple of them in pseudo-Gallic garage rockers les Flames!, who released a couple of singles on this very label not long back. The demise of les Flames! Brought many other bands into this world (iForward Russia!, The Ivories and Whores x3 to name the others), but The Playmates hint closest at their shady past. Our heroes flung themselves head-first into the audience laps in a flailing mess of nudity, crudity and er, lewd-ity at the start of 2005. Since then, they have been appalling the masses onstage with the likes of Hot Hot Heat, The Departure, Black Wire, Duels and The Paddingtons. ‘Damn Good’ stakes their intentions clearly – which should be enforced by another single release in the new year on your friendly neighbourhood Wrath Records. 

 
A2. INSTANT SPECIES ‘Hombrecide’
Huddersfield is actually the home turf of the irrepressible INSTANT SPECIES, but hands up if you can point to it on a map? It’s all Leeds Leeds Leeds up here, believe me. Anyhow, these guys embody the true ethic of DIY pop music – over the last few years they have spewed out 6 albums and countless singles on their own IS Records label like some kind of unstoppable chunky punky steamroller. We are honoured to release this brand new tune (an advance scout from a new album perhaps?) which trots along like a donkey called ‘suicide’

 
AA1. FARMING INCIDENT ‘The Terrorist You Seek Is In The Mirror’
Elusive dirgy punk/post/space rockers FARMING INCIDENT seem unsatisfied with just one release in a year (check out their album ‘Our Glorious 5 Year Plan’), so they have ploughed the fields again to harvest this little agit-punk gem. Saying what we are all thinking in no uncertain terms, ‘The Terrorist You Seek Is In The Mirror’ gets in there quick, but takes great relish in beating about ‘The Bush’.
 
AA2. THE TERMINALS ‘Screw Me Up’
Formerly the much-lauded Leeds outfit, Lorimer, newly-monikered THE TERMINALS deliver us a slice of perfect punk rock in the shape of ‘Screw Me Up’. Phil Privilege’s usually spat-out vocals are exchanged for an almost Ronnettes-like innocence in places, but the pace is kept up nonetheless with a barrage of chugging guitars. Once again, the legendary John Peel was a big fan of this band’s former incarnation. I can’t think of any reason why you wouldn’t also fall for them.
 
You can pre-oder these singles individually at the following links:
 

http://www.oxfordmusic.net/product.php?id=609&cat=r - WRATH33
http://www.oxfordmusic.net/product.php?id=610&cat=r - WRATH34
 
And of course, if you haven't yet subscribed to the whole Super Sevens scheme (all 6x 7" singles plus CD compilation at the end) then follow this link to do it good and proper online:
 
http://www.oxfordmusic.net/product.php?id=28&cat=s - Super Sevens 2005 subscription.
 
Indeed, what could make a better Xmas present for friends and enemies alike? Watch out for more announcements as to shop availability soon.