German Oi!’n’rollers Still Defiant are back with a brand new 10″. The record came out through a joint release between Try And Stop Me Records from Germany and Oi!tim Records from the USA. I’ve always liked this collaboration, not only because they’ve put out bands like Shaved For Battle, but this time there’s another strong reason to be excited.
Wild Boar Rock’n’Roll 10″ features four tracks, so it can be seen as a sort of „maxi EP.“ I love this kind of format – it often brings out the best material, and bands tend to record more refined songs, which means the overall quality is high. Still Defiant released their first demo back in 2019, and since then they’ve gathered plenty of live experience, which they’ve turned into two albums and several singles. I was personally convinced of their quality by the Fight The Evil single. The band sings in English and mixes Oi!, rock’n’roll, and punk into a lively and energetic blend. For fans of projects like Badterms or First Strike, this might hit somewhere right in between.
The opening track, the title song Wild Boar Rock’n’Roll, tells the story of how easily a hunter can become the hunted. It’s catchy and rhythmic, with great singalong choruses. The next track, Bad Dream, follows in the same spirit, but the vocals stand out more here – maybe because the song’s theme is a world where all the pubs have disappeared… luckily, only in a bad dream.
Side B kicks off with Min Fru Har En Katt, recorded together with members of the Swedish band Sabotage. It describes Still Defiant’s trip to Sweden to play a festival – and it’s an absolute hit. Extremely singable, packed with great singalongs – a clear hit from the very first listen.
The final track, Fatherland, is about sticking to your own path even when the world’s going to shit. It’s a slower song, probably the one with the strongest Oi! influences on the record.
All in all, this release delivers four Oi! / rock’n’roll anthems full of energy, confidence, and pure joy of playing. This is perfect music for the pub, for a gig, or for blasting in your car. Definitely one of the essential records of the year for all the short-haired rockers out there.
Grab a copy before it’s gone – or you’ll be sorry.
TOP TRACKS: Min Fru Har En Katt, Wild Boar Rock’n’Roll
