Friday, November 30, 2007

... And Some More Mutiny

I'm posting the rest of Mutiny's albums/EPs on request. Here they are, enjoy :)

Monday, November 26, 2007

Mutiny





Mutiny are a folk punk/Celtic punk (sometimes also referred to as pirate punk) band from Australia, formed in 1991. I've uploaded my favourite album and my favourite EP, but if someone wants more just leave a comment.

In their songs they cover a number of topics: drinking, rebellion, social justice, rebellion, poverty... rebellion... They are anti-authority, they're fast, and they rock. I think I like them so much because they've made a perfect balance between punk and folk music - their sound is dirty and harsh, but also melodious and catchy (and you can't miss the Irish influence in many of the songs). Have great bass lines too. Oh, and their tagline is 'folk punk for punk folk', which is one of my favourite taglines ever.

Here's the lyrics to a song, just so you can get the feel of it:

HERE'S TO ADVENTURE

I'm tired of this city
It's time to move on
I've done it before
I'll do it again
The life of a rover
Is all that I know
So here's to adventure
And a roving I go
Adventure the reason
The reason adventure
And what other reason is there?
I read this book
'Revolution For The Hell Of It'
Well just the title
But I like the sound of it
Just for the hell of it

Here's to adventure
The spirit is free
Here's to adventure
Just for the hell of it
Here's to adventure
And liberty
A roving a roving
A roving goes me

He said "Move on"
Don't want your type
Round here
I said "What's your problem?
I'm enjoying my beer
So I'm weird
If that's what you think
Covered his face with my drink
I went to the loo
After I had been hit
My nose was bleeding
I needed a piss
The first one engaged
I went to the next one
After I spewed
I pulled out my texta
Wrote 'Here's to adventure
Don't let em get ya"

You can fine more lyrics at their official site, together with some mandolin tabs.

Band members (according to wiki)
  • Chris Patches (1991-present: vocals)
  • Greg Stainsby (1991-present: guitar mandolin)
  • Alice Green (1991-present: bass)
  • Calum Holland (2002-present: guitar)
  • Marko Jennings (2006-present: guitar, bazouki)
  • Kav Kavanagh (2002-present: drums)

Past members:

  • Briony Grigg (1991-1997: vocals, 12 string guitar)
  • L'hibou Hornung (1992-1994: violin)
  • Michelle Lewit (1996-1997: violin)
  • Dan Green (2002-2004: piano accordion)

Friday, November 23, 2007

The Prodigals


The Prodigals are a badass Celtic rock (although some tag them as jig punk) band from New York; they are also my favourite discovery in the past, oh, ten years or so. And I've listened to a lot of Celtic punk and rock, a lot.

According to their official site, 'their original songs blend a funky and anarchic energy that is pure New York with a genuine passion for the traditional music of Ireland'. Which is kinda true, when you get down to the gist of it. According to a fan site I dearly love (and that has many of their lyrics) 'they really, really, really kick butt, and also they are very sweet and adorable'. If not for that site, I'd have probably never heard of The Prodigals.

Basically, they are energetic; they are badass; they are down 'n' dirty; they have lovely Irish accent. Some of the songs are fast, some are slower and more bluesy (probably no one but me would call that bluesy, but never mind that); anyway, they never fail to get you hooked.

The current band lineup is: Gregory Green (button accordion & vocals), Eamon O'Tuama (guitar & vocals), Chris Higginbottom on drums, and Ed Kollar on bass. Ed is good, he really is, but I miss Andrew Harkin, their previous bass player. Ed may be good, but Andrew was a friggin mage. He has left the band, later to join Seanchai, a Celtic hip hop band. All three albums I've posted here are Andrew albums.

Actually, the lineup has changed quite a lot over the years. Take Brian Tracey, the guy who played drums on dreaming in Hell's Kitchen. He was very interesting, introducing some afro rhythms into the Celtic songs they play.

'Dreaming in Hell's Kitchen' is probably their best album, the angriest, happiest, most melancholic album of theirs, all wrapped into one. There's social critique there. There's love songs. There's drinking. There's the pure joy of life (and then there's the morning after the pure joy). Pay special attention to Baggot Street, Morning After and Happy Man (or, you know, don't; it's all up to you).

The Prodigals are one of those bands that are criminally overlooked. Give them a listen. Give them three. I'd kill to see those guys live. I really would.

And with this I tip my virtual top hat to the Prodigals, and to you, and I leave you to enjoy the music.