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Oh! Gunquit - Lightning Likes Me

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Going down the fully DIY route for album number two sees Oh! Gunquit self-releasing Lightning Likes Me and stage managing all their own promotional activities. That cover's certainly a less slick effort than the one adorning debut Eat Yuppies And Dance but what of the tunes behind those eyes?

You'll be glad to know that nothing has changed in the music department - the band are still something-a-billy or other with a dash of the B52s and the Pacific Northwest swirled in there.

'Nomads Of The Lost' and 'Fireball' have been doing the rounds on soundcloud for a year or so, which gives you some idea of the time and effort involved at this level of the industry. The fun and energy exhibited right from the band's earliest days is still there in spades and the ten songs of Lightning Likes Me amply display the talents of all of those involved in their conception and realisation.

The saxophone underpinning is a particularly important element throughout the album, lending most of the songs a freshness that so many groups lack, no matter the musical camp or camps in which they pitch their tents ('Suzy Don't Stop' standing out especially). An already strong act here ably confirm that they're still approaching the peak of their powers with a solid second full-length release, even partially channeling Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band on the penultimate track 'Greasy Moves'. 

Speaking of camps, one festival you don't have to camp at is the 2017 Franklin Fest in Edinburgh over June 29th - July 1st, where Tina from Oh! Gunquit will be onstage in her Cramps cover act Das Clamps and Simon from the band will be performing solo under his Professor Baba moniker. Head along and see the two next best things to experiencing Oh! Gunquit themselves. 

Lightning Likes Me is available from bandcamp.

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Franklin Fest 2017 Interview - Chrome Reverse

Last up for this years Franklin Fest 17 special is Lili Zeller of grease monkeys Chrome Reverse, who will be headlining on the Saturday evening. 

DS: Bonjour Lili, could you tell us a little bit about the background of the band?  

LZ: We're Iwan (bass), Dave (guitar), Yan (drums) and myself (guitar and vocals). We're four music lovers and rock'n'roll fans and we obviously all met through music, I think it was at gigs. Iwan and I already had teamed up for a punk rock band in the '90s called The No-Talents. We all share a preference for the raw and greasy kind of rock'n'roll from the late '50s and early '60s.

DS: What it is about that period in time that particularly appeals to you?

LZ: Because it's between two eras, it's a sort of mutant. It's not yet THEE '60s and still pure rock and roll. We have a weakness for the untamed, dirty sounding rockers that weren't necessarily the top virtuosos. Lots of fun and exciting sounds. 

DS: I can't argue with that. Could you pinpoint a few songs that stand out for you?

'Doggone It Baby' - The Rock-A-Teens

'Red Headed Flea' - The Caps

'My Mind's Made Up' - The Renowns

DS: It's great that you can take inspiration from both eras. Most bands just seem to stick to either one or the other. Do you write most of the songs for the band, or is it more of a collaborative effort?

LZ: Yes, I do.

DS: Fab. Will this be the first time in Edinburgh for the band, and who are you looking forward to seeing play?

LZ: Yes, it's the first time. There are so many bands I don't know, and I'm looking forward to seeing them all! But I'm really thrilled to see Russ & Saskia as BIG RUSS WILKINS & LIGHTNING HOLLING. I think everything they've done in their previous projects is brilliant! I also know Los Coyote Men from the old days, and MFC Chicken sure will be fun, I love The Wailers. Earlier this year we played with The Bucky Rage and Professor Baba at Weirdsville in London so it will be nice to see them again. Hope to see you all at the Franklin Fest!!

The latest Chrome Reverse album is available both here and here, or directly from the band's bandcamp page here

Photo credits: V Berazeth and Alain Marie.

Tickets for the Franklin Fest can be obtained here

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