Festival circuit favourites blend reggae, punk and drum n bass.
8/10
Eighth album blends jungle and dub with punk influences as the band recently covered The Clash’s ‘Bankrobber’. Frontman Barry Ashworth recorded over three albums worth of songs to whittle the best down to this record which took two years to complete. The band collaborate with emerging talents Natty Campbell and Gardna as well as Bodysnatchers Rhoda Dakar on the anti-racist anthem ‘Stand Together’. Their message of hope rings loud. All eleven tracks have a feature artist and ‘Addict’ opens the album with Cheshire Cat. Later ‘Old Skool’ includes Horseman and ‘Two Generals’ features Ragga Twins. This LP follows 2017’s ‘Crazy Diamonds’ (UK Independent chart Top 5 album). During recording, Dub Pistols tragically lost one of their most prominent members, Will Hensel and this album is a tribute to, and celebration of him. Drum & bass, hip-hop, ska, dub and punk combine in these uplifting tracks. Dub Pistols formed in 1996 but show no signs of slowing down. My album of the year.
We’re raising a glass of rum and hoisting the flag of
rebellion for the 15th Anniversary Rock The Ship weekender! Vive Le Rock are
proud to present this year’s Rock The Ship Festival organised by our brothers
over at Pirates Press Records. It’s taking place across October 17th to 20th
2019 in the Bay Area of California with COCK SPARRER, SUBHUMANS, CJ RAMONE, THE
OLD FIRM CASUALS, CHARGER AND STREET DOGS all billed to play plus loads more. As
well as old favourites, the festival includes a host of younger bands like
Brighton’s The Barstool Preachers, Grade 2 (newly signed to Hellcat Records)
and the all-girl power unit Badcopbadcop. Bar Stool Preachers’ Tom McFaull
said, “Every now and again, a label shows you just how important they’ve
become and how much they’ve grown, and Rock The Ship is that from Pirates Press
Records: another clear statement of intent. Some of the biggest and definitely
some of the BEST artists in the world right now, all under one flag, working
with punks, for punks. We’re proud to be a part of such an amazing party and
family.” See the full line-up on their poster designed by punk rock veteran
Tim Armstrong of Rancid.
Become a pirate for the weekend and hang out with the crew on the flight deck of a legendary aircraft carrier! Subhumans Dick Lucas said, “We’re very much looking forward to playing Pirates Press’s anniversary party, and the fact it’s on an aircraft carrier makes it not only one of the weirdest venues ever, but a prime example of putting a war machine to much better use!” Pirates Press have also added on a load more shows you can check out around Oakland and beyond. 350 LIMITED Weekend Passes are on sale now @ ROCKTHESHIPFESTIVAL.COM Day tickets to the Saturday show on October 19th aboard the USS Hornet will be sold shortly after weekend tickets sell out.
A weekend pass is the only way to attend the 4 other
official Rock The Ship events at the Starline Social Club & Ballroom.
Punters will also get a free poster and gift too! CJ Ramone left us with this
message, “AHOY MATEYS!!! CJ RAMONE OF THE WORLD FAMOUS RAMONES HERE!! ROCK THE
SHIP IS GOING TO BE THEE PARTY OF THE YEAR!!! FROM THE STARLINE BALLROOM SHOWS
TO THE FLIGHT DECK OF THE USS HORNET, THE BAY AREA WILL BE ROCKIN’!!! HAPPY AS HECK TO BE CELEBRATING
15 YEARS OF PIRATE PRESS!!! SEE Y’ALL THERE!!!”
“This show is a bucket list show for me. To be able to play
with some of the bands that inspired me to do what I do is a great show in
itself. But to also play with them on an aircraft carrier…it’s going to be
insane.” – Aaron Rev, The Drowns
“I’m really happy and grateful that Charger gets to be
a part of this event!! Great bands and a great label!!” Matt Freeman,
Charger
“I thought we had ticked all of the boxes until Pirates Press booked a fucking aircraft carrier for us to play on for their 15th anniversary!” Colin McFaull, Cock Sparrer