Ah SideOneDummy. Billie Joe’s other legacy. I have liked and disliked output from the label in just about equal measures. But you have to respect the fact that he hasn’t often deviated from the straight and narrow. Whilst other labels of a similar size have given in and embraced the art of the hairstraightener, SideOneDummy has kept it punkrock.
So, we have the new Briggs record. You probably know the name, if not the music. Its LA punk rock from perennial Warped tour veterans. Think a cross between Against All Authority, Against Me and Joe Strummer. With pork pie hats. You can even hear the odd Billie Joe style nasally whine if you listen very carefully. If you do know the band already, you won’t be too surprised to hear the sound hasn’t changed much since their last album, ‘Back To Higher Ground’. And I would probably have given them both much the same review.
It’s good. Its got a nice bit of energy without pretension. They aren’t the world’s greatest musicians, but they strut through this record like they own the place. At times this new stuff veers into Real McKenzies style ‘knees up’ territory, which is probably where the band really come into their own.
Maybe they aren’t quite the song-crafting geniuses that some of their peers are, but The Briggs do throwback punk as well as anyone. File this one under ‘standing amongst 200 oi punks with Tesco extra strength lager in my hand’ punk rock.
Mike