NIHILISM ON THE PROWL;
At long last we get a decent album from Stranded Records and Regeneration in case you didnt know features label boss Lawrence leading his long running outfit the Square Peg into the fray once more. Theyve been around since the early 80s with regular shape shifting line-ups leaving only Larry on lead vocals as the constant Square Peg. Hes been joined on this album by Needles of Swellbelly's fame on guitar who can really rip out some decent guitar riffs when required, which are way better on the ear than his day job growling. Plus we get an ex-Threat on drums and a King Prawn on bass providing the slick backbeat. You may not see these doing regular tours of the globe, but youd be a fool to discount this debut album as a one off coz its the best thing thats came out under the Square Peg banner since their conception. Crunchy guitar riffs roam your speakers alongside Larrys more melodic tones, which makes for a neat alliance in this age of "yeearrghhhh, aaarrrgghhhh" ear damage. Theyve got the tunes and theyve got their own sound which is addictive midpaced pounding punk rock. The Chosen is Larrys ode to the death, which seems to be a popular topic on this album. The track F.F.F. which dont stand for Fuck Fascist Fiends in case you were wondering but for rather more sublime Fuck Franz Ferdinand. And is probably the most impressive track of the 14 on show. Its relentless snotty chanting attack on Scotlands latest pop exports has to be applauded. The chorus is given an added impetus with a female vocal that really creates a sinister overtone. Its good to see punk bands taking the piss outta the commercial sector once more, coz we dont spend half as much time as we should ripping the piss out this plastic field.. They also have the anti war theme going on throughout this album to tie in with Hiroshimas 60th anniversary. And this other prominent topic gets well documented during songs like the pounding City Of Shit or the rumbling, slugging monster of Hiroshima. A song which sees Larrys vocals taking on a more impressive vibe to convey to the songs doomed sentiments. However Its totally turned upside down with the inclusion of an impressive cover of the Damneds Stab Your Back which is one of the best Damned covers I heard in many a year, capturing the original energy and snot of the track. The other highlight was the impressive Footstep On My Grave that used some clever horn sequences sparingly enough to suck in anti brass fiends like meself but exploited the rhythm just enough to seal it stamp on your eardrums. Wasnt quite head-over-heels with the acoustic tambourine lament of Out Of Bounds, but it works and shows Mr Nicol and Needs Help collaborating very well together. Some chunky power chords work wonders on Mohawk Brave giving it a slight Johnny Thunders edge. And to finish off this 14 track album some of the Swellbellys mind-set creeps into the delivery during the all attack of Mental Persuasion as it rams the final track into the wall of Chamber studios. Good to see Edinburgh punk back on the map in an exceedingly healthy form. All we need now is a Sad Society album on Stranded and weve got the set!
SCOTTISH CONTENDER
Stranded Records
pete dont care.
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PUNK4LIFE;
This is the first thing i've heard by The Square Peg and this 14 track CD 'Regeneration' is a very good effort. Needs on guitar brings that Swellbellys feel to some of their songs but the vocals are very different from his with Swellbellys. I have always liked Swellbellys aggressive vocals and even though the vocals on this CD aren't aggressive Larry does a good job.
The CD is mostly played at a break fast pace but there are some slower songs. I Thought 'Lunatics', 'The Chosen', 'City Of Shit' and 'Mental Persuasion' the faster tracks were superb but even these were bettered by 'Footstep On My Grave' which is a bit slower and has trumpet in the choruses.
This really is a great CD and yet again Scotland brings us more quality music.
Hopefully Needs can divide his time between both bands.
Tim Davies.
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PUNK & OI IN THE UK
THE SQUARE PEG - Regeneration ( Stranded Records)
Bit of an odd one this, not what the band sound like or what they play but the band itself. After a bit of digging around on the internet, I found that The Square Pegs' last release had a totally different line up apart from the singer and this offering has Needles from the Swellbellys on guitar.
A collective band? I have no idea, but what I do know is this has one of the best guitar sounds I've heard in years. I have no idea how this was recorded but I reckon the band should give tips on their
production techniques to at least 70 percent of the bands who make do with a guitar that sounds like a wasp rattling around a baked bean tin. The songs vary between straight forward no nonsense punk rock to sort of rock n roll punk ala New Bomb Turks, with the songs themselves being about subjects as varied as the place where the band live ,,'City of Shit' to very over rated bands,'F.F.F.' I'm not gonna tell you what 'F.F.F.' stands for but a clue would be to think about a fellow Scottish band with crap disco style
indie songs who have bad haircuts. As my introduction to the band (if they are a band, someone let me know please!!) this is exellent stuff and I can't wait to hear more from them.
Go to www.strandedrecords-scotland.co.uk or email strandedrecordsuk@f2s.com.
5 out of 5
Review by Paul
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RUNNIN' FEART ZINE
The Square peg 'Regeneration' (Stranded Records)
Often you sit down to listen to a new cd youve been really looking forward to and think fuck that was shite. Sometimes you hear a band youve never heard before and think that was okay. The new Square Peg cd arrives at my house and I wasnt expecting much cos Id never heard them before. This is the bollox. honestly!!
Opening track Who are you is a track to grace the opening of any classic punk album with a riff to kill for. Theres loads of great stuff on here too much to mention. In general the album switches from Exploited sound, to Jam sound to Turbonegro sound on one track and much, much more besides. Theres the odd duff track via my ears but those are few and far between. That description probably does the album an injustice BUT there really is something there for everyone. This album is taking over my cd player its that good!! This is no low quality punk cd. Great production, great musicianship and Larry showing off a voice that can cover all manner of singing styles. In the last 12 months there have been 2 great punk albums released and this is one of them. Buy it because youre missing a trick if you dont.
Review by David Trinder.
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Suspect Device (Zine)
THE SQUARE PEG "Regeneration" CD Stranded.
I love the raw sound of this CD - well lets face it with
Needs from the Swellbellys on guitar it's gonna be raw
and hard hitting! Fourteen tracks that are in your face all the time with the track 'Lunatics' beiing my fave! Lyrically there is some political protesting punk but it's a real mixed bag on that score and i really like the use of the trumpet on 'Footstep on my Grave'. I raise my glass to Lawrence at Stranded Records for this one especially for the Damned classic 'Stab Your Back'.You wont hear that done better anywhere else! All lyrics supplied.
(Gaz)
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POSITIVE CREED Issue 9
The Square Peg - Regeneration
Rock solid, competent punk with swagger. As John Goodman said in The Big Lebowski,'the beauty of this is in its simplicity'. 'Who Are You' is an impressive opener and it is full throttle from there on. A big wall of guitar and a relentless backing, this is punk rock in the
traditional fashion. Riffy in The Exploited style, with a little pinch of Oi for good measure -
Everything holds together well. Larry's vocal is great, like Steve Diggle at his best.
The goods are delivered on tracks like 'The Chosen' and 'Hiroshima'. 'Footstep On M y Grave' and 'Till The End' have both got big hooks, but there is other stuff to be had.
The Square Peg are good at mixing things up a bit with songs like 'F.F.F.' and 'Out Of Bounds'.
Pretty damn good on the whole.
(SCS) 7/10
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THE SQUARE PEG
"REGENERATION"
STRANDED RECORDS
How do you like your punk? Fried or boiled, well done, rare, scrambled, raw, poached, well I have good news for you because this album by the Square Peg caters for all tastes and its a bloody good combination of punk across the board.
The opening song Who Are You is a even pace song which gets the foot tapping straight away, its your classic you think you know better than me song, "but we know different dont we boys" and you can hear all the instruments which I personally like, good opener.
Lunatics is your typical Blair/Bush anti songs, (and rightly so) set at a slightly faster pace which gets you the listener ready to put your beer down and get your arse on the floor.
The Chosen "Some call me the Reaper some call me god", life or death it dont mater as there is no getting away from the fact that punk songs like this one will follow you wherever you are.
Into Retreat almost 2 minutes short, this number takes you back to when those who had control of your upbringing felt they let you down, some did no doubt, but another, get on the floor we want some more.
FFF Fuck Franz Ferdinand I really would, its one of those songs that causes you more grief than you would imagine, its a clever number which embeds itself into your mind the more you listen to it and when you are in the presence of the most unexpected people you start singing "Fuck Franz Ferdinand I wish you would" Complimentary vocals from Karolina.
City Of Shit Classic punk rock song and my album fav, nice pacy number that will be on the tip of your tongue for sure. The message here is where I come from its a shit hole life is shit and thats that, listen to it and enjoy.
Footstep On My Grave remember when everyone around you would tell you that they knew best? This song takes you there and makes you realise that thank god you didnt listen to those opinions, very good usage of the brass here too.
Hiroshima lest we forget the awful consequences of what happened on that fateful day in Hiroshima. This song gives us a short story into what happened on that god forsaken day, just wish the idiots who run countries would see that light.
Great number, thought provoking and punk.
Stab Your Back the only cover on the album and a very good one too, Im sure the Damned will be delighted, tough if they aint
Till The End a good paced loyalty number again with the message, "If your gonna stand then stand together," its that simple, driving guitar and drum sound, ah yes.
Out Of Bounds Billy Bragg comes to mind (thats a compliment) in this being politically corrected punk number and I would of called it Bullshit Blues but its not my song. Use of the old classical guitar works very well too.
Pay The Price those of you who think punk is all about belting every song in your set out ought to listen to this number as its a solid rhythmic tune without loosing that punk attitude sound, once again if you listen to it enough it will grab your taste.
Mowhawk Brave great title for a song and the lyrics are spot on, especially when you look at life through a clouded glass then listen to this number, all is not lost and it has that never say die spirit within.
Mental Persuasion What a way to end an album with Needles of the Swellbellys giving it bollocks on the backing vox, pacy and punk as it comes number, you wont need any persuasion to get your hands on this cd its that good.
As I said at the beginning, theres something for everyone on this album so dont just take my word, go out and buy the fucker.
Oh! Leave it running to the end for a surprise
Andy K
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Mass Movement #19
The Square Peg - Regeneration (Stranded Records)
14 tracks of true old skool punk from a band that have been around since the early 80s. This album has some really great songs on it, nice to see The Square Peg are back and better than ever. "FFF" is one of the high lights as in the opener "Who Are You".
Carl.
The Square Peg regeneration (Stranded Records)
Four piece northern band (I think) featuring Needles from The Swellbellys on guitar with a very basic but effective and catchy blend of what is essentially street punk. I loved this for it's no frills simplicity (which I hope is not offensive) on the 14 tracks here in which is so easy to get into and love. I suggest you check this out and see how catchy it is for yourself.
Pete.
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The Square Peg. "Regeneration"
Out of every sound conjured up here, the one that screams loudest, is the sound of realisation that after so many years and personnel changes, The Square Peg just may have hit a home run! Without a doubt many talented, and legendary musicians have stood where founder member Larry Nichols recruits stand now. But did THEY ever make it seem so effortless to play excellent punk rock? There is a whole re-birth programme taking place here from The Square Peg. Consummated by understanding. Nourished by experience. Delivered healthily, and without complication, by a shared determination to create their own legacy. They are proud creators.
And us? We get to take it home and enjoy its best moments.
The excellent "Who Are You" is an inspired choice for opening track. Followed by the brash guitars and distorted vocals on "Lunatics", this album has already got you hooked! "The Chosen" and " Into Retreat" open things up perfectly. Proving, only 4 tracks in, just how good this line-up of The Square Peg are.
FFF is track 5 and we see a slight sparkle in the eye. Never comedy value, but a tongue in cheek rant that will earn this song the honour of becoming the ragged anthem of drunk punks everywhere at pub closing time! Hundreds, I guarantee, will sing it in cities and towns. It's genius!! Next up "City of Shit" is a raucous nod to the way we all feel sometimes, regardless where we live. Musically tight and composed it makes no mistake about what it wants to say. "Footsteps on my Grave" keeps the momentum and leads into the brilliant and very poignant "Hiroshima". Guitar and drum gathers as Larry pierces the moments with lyrical observation. The song ends, almost like a final breath.
A cover of "Stab Your Back" (The Damned) is then followed by "Till the End" and a bizarre "Out of Bounds" which sounds like an acid fried Woody Guthrie number. The album screams its way to a close with "Pay the Price" then "Mohawk Brave" and reluctantly ending on "Mental Persuasion"
This is the first album proper from a band that has been around, in one shape or another, since 1984. Lets hope they don't make us wait that long for another!
Reviewed By; Alan Baillie for Nemis and Subba Culture sept06