Dan from Street Rats Records has taken the path of releasing records by bands he believes deserve far more attention than they usually get. The next group to fall under his radar was the three–piece (at the time of recording) band The Appalled. They come from the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom and deliver a sharp and energetic mix of Oi! and punk. This LP was pressed in a run of 300 copies, contains eight songs, and is based on recordings from 2020.

I had never heard of this band before, so what came out of this record caught me by surprise. The band plays with clear instrumental confidence, and their punk carries a tense, slightly aggressive edge that feels like it could snap at any moment. The opening track Haircut wastes no time and immediately sets the tone for the entire record. It’s direct, forceful Oi! / punk that pulls you in within seconds and keeps the momentum moving.

Next comes the excellent Optic Nerve, which deals with the influence of social media and the addiction to constant approval that comes with it. “Delete Facebook” — a message I can only agree with. We already did. Musically, the gang vocals in the chorus bring to mind the kind of approach bands like Rancid have often used. At the same time, The Appalled manage to keep their own character and don’t come across as simply echoing more famous names.

The energetic Mr. Wrong might be even more convincing. Here the guitar takes the lead role, driving the song forward and giving it a natural sense of urgency. The choruses are sharp and memorable without becoming over-polished, which gives the whole track a very natural flow. The following song, You And Whose Army?, shifts from nihilistic tones into open aggression and captures the spirit that makes this kind of punk so compelling — a simple but effective mixture of frustration, sarcasm, and attitude.

The B-side opens with Birth Control, a track soaked in frustration with humanity as a whole. Angry vocals, a prominent bass line, and a slicing guitar sound create a dense atmosphere that feels tight and uncompromising. While listening, it crossed my mind that if Rancid in the 1990s — particularly around the time of And Out Come The Wolves — had leaned less into reggae influences and instead embraced more Oi! elements, they might have sounded somewhat similar to what The Appalled are doing today.

Then comes Fifty Shades Of Mr. Gray, which shows the band from a slightly different angle. Suddenly there’s a stronger focus on melody and a more relaxed feel. The ironic lyrics sit nicely on top of a playful musical structure, making this one of the most accessible moments on the record. At this point, the earlier comparison with Rancid starts to feel even more fitting.

A clear statement about life choices arrives with No Wife No Kids No Mortgage. This is one of the strongest moments of the entire record. It’s a straightforward, uncompromising song built around a strong chorus and a clearly defined point of view. The band sounds confident here, demonstrating how effective a simple but well-constructed punk song can be.

The closing track On Your Own adds a slightly tongue-in-cheek twist by leaning toward a thrash-like intensity. Guitar phrases collide with fast, almost machine-gun drum patterns, giving the record a restless and energetic finish.

With this release, Street Rats Records adds another noteworthy title to its catalogue. The label clearly operates on a sense of personal conviction and dedication to bands that might otherwise remain overlooked. This LP has all the ingredients to become a sought-after piece among collectors in the future. Hopefully The Appalled will follow it up with another record — and they can take their time if the result is as convincing as this one.

As usual with Street Rats Records, the release also includes the lyrics along with a short text from Dan explaining how the collaboration with the band came about. Small details like this give the record additional context and serve as a reminder that projects like this are still driven by the enthusiasm of the people behind them.

TOP TRACKS: Fifty Shades Of Mr. Gray, No Wife No Kids No Mortgage, Mr. Wrong