Before there was China Shop Bull there was Fulibulbus. Whilst it’s impossible not to agree that the name change makes this band automatically a little more accessible (your lips thank you for not tripping over themselves), what hasn’t changed is that the band’s recored output is bold and daring, treading grounds that aren’t often disturbed. Well, grounds that aren’t ordinarily distrubed at the same time. This three-tracker peddles some of that genre-bending fellow Northern tykes, Sonic Boom Six have been taking to the masses.
The title track opener is an urban little number, throwing some DnB and hip-hop into the brass-infused punk mix. Imagine if The Streets was remixed by Asian Dub Foundation: this probably sounds nothing like that but that’s what it brings to mind. It’s also hard not to liken it to Goldie Lookin Chain and Imperial Leisure, only not quite as, shall we say, ‘comic’. It does feels like a minute or so could be trimmed off of this song which would lead to a bit more oompf and a little less plodding.
“Dragons” changes direction completely, throwing in more of a skacore feel to it, and is comparatively much more relaxed. Well, as relaxed as skacore gets and a stroll compared to the dirty beats beforehand. Vocally, it’s little bit like Pama International, before it descends into some more rapping in the last third. Musically, it’s reminiscent of King Prawn, which is exactly what can be said for “Crimson Crackhead”, a song that truly wears its infulences for all to see. If the London ska-punk legends had a rapper as a frontman (or if Babar Luck did a lot more vocal work) they’d probably be called China Shop Bull.
China Shop Bull wins points for experimentalism. You can’t say the Leeds outfit is by any means identikit. However, there’s very much a sense that this is work in progress. Whilst diversity is good, you sense that the true band identity isn’t quite there. It’s not a long way off, mind you. With the name change (post-this recording) you would hope that the band’s sound is nearly honed. ‘Sandblaster’ is a decent start, disclosing a potential that could see things moving. A must for fans of the ‘mix-it-up’ branch of ska music, or even those looking for some big fat beats.
Alex