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 give them their own distinct character. Sympos do exactly that – and it’s one of the reasons their music works so well. To The Dogs is their first full-length album, featuring twelve original tracks, released in cooperation with Primator Crew, Tough Ain’t Enough, Mister Face Records, and Distro-Y Records. I picked it up based on my experience with the EP, without knowing what to expect – and I don’t regret it one bit.
I can hear influences of punk, Oi!, and glam rock. The dominant role belongs to the rhythmic drums that shape the character of most tracks. You can hear it in the pounding „Fuck You All“ or the hypnotic „Gogey Magnet,“ which tells the story of a pleasant evening with one’s wife that takes a slight turn. In the bootboy rock track „Sheep,“ the band raises the classic punk message of distancing oneself from the mainstream and its endless production of plastic copies of the same thing. „Soft Society“ deals with a soft, fragile society that can’t say things face to face but throws tough opinions around online by the ton. The title track „To The Dogs“ is about how Waterford has changed for the worse and how to still walk its streets with pride. It’s one of my favorites on the record. Side A closes with „Stout & Porter,“ featuring a classic pub-style singalong chorus.
Side B opens with „Where Have All The Winos Gone?“, which will definitely appeal to fans of bootboy rock bands like Claimed Choice. „Army Of One“ is about the skinhead journey through life. „Boots & Ballads“ is made for mass chanting and singing under the stage with a beer in hand – and it also serves as a tribute to Runnin‘ Riot, borrowing its name from one of their albums. The pace then slows slightly with „Piss Catchers“ and „F/Bank Punks Not Dead.“ The latter has a great chorus built on a rhythmic singalong chant and stands out as one of the highlights of the album. The final track, „AGAB,“ is an ironic ode to road safety – listening to it won’t get you any points back on your license, but I definitely recommend blasting it loudly in your car.
The cover art is top-notch and the booklet includes all the lyrics, which I really appreciate.
To The Dogs took me a little while to fully get into, but today I rank it among the albums of the year. It blends several styles, and Sympos have a clearly recognizable sound. The record never gets boring – it shifts through various ideas while remaining cohesive. It works for punks and skinheads alike, with overlaps into other subgenres. For me, it’s an album that will remain one of the highest-rated even in hindsight. I had trouble picking the best tracks – and if I had to write this tomorrow, I might choose completely different ones. That’s probably the best praise an album can get.
A great project from a band that doesn’t come from a European megapolis, proving that you can have style and originality even outside the traditional hotspots. And that Oi! is truly the music of urban streets.
TOP TRACKS: Bogey Magnet, To The Dogs, F/Bank Punks Not Dead, Boots & Ballads
