Listening to this new Zounds album, which in effect is their second and follow up to Rough Trade album ‘The Curse Of Zounds’ released in 1981 (yes you read that right 30 years ago) I wondered the legitimacy of including it on the site. However there is a deep respect for the band that goes back to when they were in their prime. Digging out their single ‘Can’t Cheat Karma’ / ‘Subvert’ released on Crass Records back in 1980 that respect is reinstalled. The Anarcho punk band helmed by Steve Lake were part of a burgeoning scene of agit-prop protest bands and came under the radar of Crass after apparently breaking down near Dial House and finding themselves there getting the bands help repairing their vehicle. As for myself, I did not buy the single when it came out; cant claim to being punk as fuck at the tender age of 12 but I probably first heard the work of Steve L on a bootleg cassette of him supporting The Subhumans at their 262nd and final gig in Warminster in 1985. Well obviously lots has happened between then and now and The Subhumans are still going strong, stronger than ever even! Apparently Zounds had released an EP in 2005 but this album was news to me and I felt compelled to both hear how they sounded today and review it.
My first thoughts were and remain that this is not as in your face and quite as compelling as the group were in their heyday but it does still retain a mellower ethos comparable to their original sound. The current line-up apart from Lake includes Paul ‘overdose O’Donnell on bass and Paul Gilbert on drums. Apparently the original band were too “battle scarred,” still it could have been interesting hearing what that line up would have come up with.
Starting with ‘Cry Genie Cry’ we mischievously find the band aping a Bowie classic and the song develops into simple melodic three chord punk / pub rock. Yeah that pub rock feel keeps coming up as it sounds like a bunch of guys having a jam down their local and having a bit of fun. Despite this there is obviously a message behind songs and the stories are there for you to follow, easily listened to courtesy of Steve’s unmistakable drawl. The jagged guitars jangle in with a more frenzied approach on ‘Supermarche’ and for some reason I am reminded of a cross between The Adverts ‘Gary Gilmour’s Eyes’ and The Cure’s ‘Jumping Someone Else’s Train’ by this one’s melody. It’s pretty infectious and catchy and urged on by harmonious backing vocals. “Why do people have to hurt each other,” is the somewhat hippy message behind ‘Make Love Not War.’ It’s a bit clichéd but it is the solstice as I write this and only 20 have been arrested at Stonehenge, the days of The Battle Of The Beanfield may be over but still it would take a very wise man to answer that question. The ten tracks follow in pretty quick succession and they are growers in their simplicity. ‘What Is It Worth’ and much here, hardly sees the band breaking into a sweat and I can’t see this making any old timers bouncing into a pogo particularly. That said there is plenty of nostalgia about these new songs this one in particular reminding me a bit of the old / new wave of a band like the Talking Heads.
Steve Lake decided to reform the band after being invited to play at the Feeding Of The 5000 gig with Steve Ignorant (on the other day than the one I attended). I can enjoy this but again it’s only in the way of respect and due to nostalgia rather than anything else and it certainly wouldn’t make me want to stand up and fight against the injustices of the world. So strictly for armchair anarchists perhaps but fair play to Steve for recording this and intending to keep the band going now they have reformed. Will we all be around for album number three?
http://www.zoundsonline.co.uk
Pete Woods
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