Play spot-the-influence on Leeds band’s angry pick ‘n mix debut
These Leeds upstarts have brought some serious eclecticism to the table with Ragwort but I would be wholly shocked if they didn’t all love RUDIMENTARY PENI. The first three songs on this debut do a fine job of sounding like RP. That is, if the cult Hertfordshire trio were teenagers in 2021 and their parents weened them on millennial rock. By fourth song Crown, with it’s NEW MODEL ARMY bounce and strident rock confidence, they are absorbing different influences into the mix. The anti-monarchy message is mixed with a healthy disdain for world leaders, the lyrics (“don’t wanna see a crown on no head“) referencing not only royalty but also Trump, Putin and Xi Jinping. The Right To Fight ventures into a curious but satisfying post-punk arena, with skittering drums, funky bass and slashing guitars, before heading off into an angry RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE-style breakdown. Me And Also You drifts back into PENI territory with typical bassline, echoey vocals and a slow, tom-heavy build-up, before collapsing under the weight of it’s own frustration. A Trip To Cornwall‘s jazz drums, distorted vocals and blues-rock work-out, tell the tale of a different kind of trip, while 1!2!3!4! dips into earnest anarcho-punk – “1,2,3,4, you are going off to war!” – though it does throw in another magnificent breakdown.
Where the band really hit the sweet spot, is on the gob-smacking Slaves. With a bassline and guitar riff you could listen to all day, irresistible drums and a talking-verse/shouting-chorus, Slaves is a seamless synthesis of GANG OF FOUR and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. There are moments on this album where the many worthy influences are disparate but here, they are blended together harmoniously and it’s a wonderful thing. The album climaxes with the near six minute, Leeds-via-Los Angeles RAGE of To Serve And Slaughter, a fist-waving, anti-war protest anthem that never outstays it’s welcome.
The press blurb for this release mentions MINOR THREAT, INCISIONS, GANG OF FOUR and WIRE. Toss in the bands mentioned earlier and it’s clear that ELECTRIC PRESS are gleefully throwing everything at the wall in the hope that it sticks and, for the most part, they are successful. Ragwort is a hugely impressive debut. If they can rein in and refine their influences, the next release should be a juicy prospect indeed.
Limited to 50 on Fluorescent Green cassette and streaming, available now from:
https://toxicwotsit.bandcamp.com/album/ragwort
Header image live shot © Frank Roper Photography, with thanks.
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