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Handpay – Shots Fired EP

I finally got around to this EP, which had already found its way into my hands sometime in the middle of the year. It’s a release by the southern California band Handpay, issued on Lionheart Records in a pressing of 25 test presses, 115 copies on black vinyl, and 215...

Jackknife Johnny – Trading Aces LP

The latest release from Oi!Tism Records is a recording by Jackknife Johnny from Sacramento, California. This is the band’s debut, featuring nine original tracks. The record was released in two versions: 130 copies on Apple Red vinyl and 132 copies on Ice Blue with Black Splatter. In total, the album...

Rancœur – Fatalité LP

Rancœur from Nancy follow the wave of the French cold Oi! scene. In 2022, the band released their first EP Lame En Peine, followed by their self-titled debut LP. The album was released through a collaboration of several labels, namely Longshot Music, Kanal Hysterik, Contra Records, and Tough Ain’t Enough....

Casus Belli – Nuestra Lucha EP

I picked up this EP during one of my record-shopping trips earlier this year. I had no idea what kind of project it was, but the release on Tough Ain’t Enough, the 7″ vinyl format, and the classic aggressive artwork convinced me to buy it. I didn’t know the band...

Kong Kong – Gorilla Anthems: Collection 2020-2025 LP

The gang of gorillas from Sweden recently gave us an interview, so if you’re interested in their story and approach to music, I recommend starting there. So far, the band has released all their recordings as seven-inch singles with four tracks each. For those who—like me—missed their original releases, there’s...

Sympos – To The Dogs LP

Sympos are a band from Waterford, Ireland. I first came across them thanks to their EP More Sympos, which I ordered on vinyl immediately after hearing it online. As I’ve said here a few times, the most interesting projects are usually the ones that manage to combine different influences and...

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Tear Up – Repeat Offenders LP

I have to admit that the band Tear Up from Watford completely slipped under my radar before I came across this record. Repeat Offenders is already their third release — their debut Playground Politics came out in 2018, so the band definitely has some history behind them. Tear Up play...

Ain’t Right – Careful What You Wish For EP

A few years ago, I came across a split release from Kapø Blöd (Bordeaux) and King Cans (Montreal/Québec). What really stood out to me was King Cans‘ track „Not Dead Yet“ – an absolute anthem (check it out on YouTube, there’s a solid video for it too). Since then, I’d...

Hardsell – 25 Years Of Blood, Sweat And Beers LP

In the years right after 2000, I was really into the sound of bands that mixed Oi! and hardcore. At that time, Agnostic Front had just released Riot, Riot, Upstart (1999) and Another Voice (2004). In Europe, Discipline were in full swing, putting out Bulldog Style (1998), Nice Boys Finish...

Reason Why – Cut You Loose EP

Another interesting addition to the punk/Oi! catalog of the Mendeku Diskak label. This time it’s the Turkish band Reason Why and their debut on vinyl – not to be confused with the hardcore project of the same name from Paris. The Turkish scene isn’t particularly familiar to me, so I’m...

Toy Tiger – Meow Sabotage LP

Toy Tiger is a band from Vancouver that labels itself as street rock. That was pretty much all I knew about this project when their new record Meow Sabotage from my favorite label, Street Rats Records, landed in my hands. The band’s name and the cat-themed artwork gave me no...

Claimed Choice – Claimed Choice LP

Claimed Choice are a French band from Lyon, and this marks the fourth entry in their discography. They debuted in 2022 with a self-titled LP, followed by a 7″ single and a split with Canada’s No Heart in 2023. Claimed Choice mix elements of Oi!, pub rock, and glam, all...