Red Bricks are a band from Hamburg, and their LP Take Back The Streets was released last year through a collaboration between Contra Records in Europe and Audio Epidemic Records in the USA. Their discography currently consists of two full-length albums (Built Over Time from 2022 and Take Back The Streets) as well as a split release with Reckless Upstarts, An Slua, and The Uncouth. Red Bricks play a diverse mix of Oi! and street punk that never falls into monotony. Their songs mostly operate in mid-tempo to slower-paced territory and are built around strong choruses, melodic guitar lines, and plenty of singalong moments. The band openly identifies with the SHARP scene, and their lyrics focus heavily on social and political issues. So don’t expect a collection of songs about drowning your problems in alcohol and indulging in nihilistic self-destruction under the supervision of mild recreational substances, although a bit of weekend beer-fueled relaxation does make an appearance in One For The Road.
The album consists of an intro and ten songs, evenly split between the two sides of the record. Released on white vinyl, it presents German street punk performed entirely in English, which undoubtedly helps the band reach a broader international audience. Stylistically, Red Bricks remind me of bands such as Oxymoron, Towerblocks, or The Suburbs, though they are far from being a simple copy of any of those names.
The entire album maintains a remarkably consistent level of quality. There are no filler tracks or obvious weak moments, and, most importantly, it’s an album that remains enjoyable from start to finish. A perfect example is All The Kids, an outstanding street punk anthem whose gradual build-up and powerful gang vocals work brilliantly together. It’s the kind of song that grabs your attention immediately and sticks in your head after a single listen. Overall, the record is highly melodic and built around strong choruses, memorable hooks, and well-placed lead guitar work. In that regard, Red Bricks occasionally reminded me of the first Saints And Sinners album or the best years of 4 Promille.
The following track, Bleak World, uses a similar formula while adding a little more speed. The same can be said for A Million Times, where the drumming provides a real sense of urgency and intensity. The band’s ability to combine melody with energy is undoubtedly one of the album’s greatest strengths.
Side B opens with the slower They Shall Not Pass, a song dedicated to Mosley’s fascists and their failed attempt to march through London during the events known as the Battle of Cable Street in 1936. Musically, it’s one of the highlights of the album, and its furious chorus gives the song tremendous power. Another particularly interesting subject appears in Religions, which explores the legacy of Jean Meslier (1664–1729) and his criticism of the Church. His ideas would later influence both the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. It’s refreshing to hear a street punk band tackle historical themes that reach far beyond the usual boundaries of the genre.
S.H.A.R.P. And Proud features guest vocals from Ryan of Liberty And Justice, adding another layer to the song while reinforcing the values the band has always stood for.
Red Bricks build their style primarily around the strength of their choruses and the energy of their singalong sections. That’s also one of the main reasons why I suspect these songs will work even better live than they do on record. Bands playing this style have become increasingly enjoyable for me in recent years. You don’t even have to spend the entire show in the pit to appreciate what they’re doing. Sometimes it’s enough to stand back and watch how this kind of music can energize a crowd without sacrificing solid musicianship and songwriting.
I’ve had this record at home since last autumn, but I recently gave it the attention it deserves. For the past several days it’s been spinning almost constantly, and I have to admit that if I had spent this much time with it last year, it would have easily found a place in my personal year-end list. Take Back The Streets is an excellent album that combines strong melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and genuine street punk drive. Highly recommended.
TOP TRACKY: All The Kids, They Shall Not Pass, Greed
