#theparkinsons

[xraydionet]

Morning! The Parkinsons on XRaydio 💥💥💥 www.xraydio.net #theparkinsons #xraydio #garagerocknroll #garagepunk #garagepunkradio https://www.instagram.com/p/CHpSSOEDb4O/?igshid=mj4wh9kptlk5

[voodoorhythmrecords]

#theparkinsons #livedrummer https://www.instagram.com/p/B1hpnGrIdhh/?igshid=kb0gif664jay

[gavintatesmusicjournal]

[gavintatesmusicjournal]

[gavintatesmusicjournal]

[gavintatesmusicjournal]

The Parkinsons - The Shape of Nothing to Come (Vinyl) Album Review

23/07/18

It's been 6 years since Portugal's chaotic punk messiah's released their comeback album 'Back To Life', which to be fair smashed down every obstacle in their way and placed them firmly back into the musical world which had been gagging for their return for almost a decade. 2018 see's Coimbra's greatest sons back with a bang! Along with the recent release of their DVD documentary film 'A Long Way To Nowhere' directed by long time fan and great friend Caroline Richards (co-editor of Dr Feelgood's documentary with Julien Temple), they also have a brand new record out titled 'The Shape of Nothing to Come'. Opening with 'See No Evil', it's joyous and rapid from the word go in the same vein as moments on 'Reason To Resist', though you can tell they've progressed massively in production since their early days. Slight cameo's and drum experimentation shows they have altered their sound whilst still retaining their rock'n'roll urge! Overall a totally positive introduction. 'Tricks' is like UK Subs if they'd just broke out of the Wild West. Torpedo's melodic melancholy peers early on proving only great things ahead. Afonso's vocal power is just as enthralling as it's always been. One thing that is certain is they haven't lost their catchiness, as the last chorus to this will have you in sheer suspense right up until the very end. 'Numb' is like The Only Ones as it rides along a road of smiles and hook laden jangly guitars scaling your mind right the way through, driven with a message of optimism and solidarity, a feel captured very early on with this record. 'Overweight' has a rock-a-billy feel to it, also a darker element and is a bit more claustrophobic. Jarvis Cocker would enjoy this one I reckon, as I'm reminded of his sarcasm lyrically, though the music is much more frantic than Sheffield's King of britpop! The Parkinsons have always had the element of surprise and that is one thing that is displayed gracefully here. You can tell they had a lot of fun making this so far astounding montage and that is felt as the listener; thus being a great quality to a group. The drumming is immense on this one and could well end up being a favourite. 'Do You Know' is like Johnny Thunders And The Heartbreakers as it races down a back alley just around the corner from CBGB. That's the thing with these boys, they have always stayed true to their roots and have complemented the 70's New York punk revolution throughout their musical careers be that of different projects (be sure to check Afonso’s other group Johnny Throttle), or the very band that made them rising stars! You will hear an influence much akin to early Ramones in the vocal outro that would probably have Joey air fisting in his grave. 'Metal Cranes' is tremolo happy and sounds like something XTC missed off their 'White Music' LP. It's got that alley cat drumming on bin lids feel and is definitely a tune you will never want to end. Victor's guitar echo's that same fury heard on their very early demo's, whilst Pedro chases the erratic drum patterns with his menacing bass lines as it becomes like a jazz jam reincarnated into punk! You'll love this on the first listen. 'Heavy Metal' begins a Sabbath style freak out straight into a circling beat with Al singing about losing control and selling his soul, carried by occasional rhythm bursts stabbing at every bar! 'Alone In My Car' is a dangerous journey sounding almost like a pileup in outta space with math like guitar triggers backed up by off beat drum attack giving a much different feel to the rest of the menu! 'Bad Wolf' is like a New York Doll's style carnival burying its way into your skull from the first syllable. Tribal mayhem follows and you can hear especially on this bit of magic that latest drum wizard Ricardo Brito has well and truly gelled with Chau securing his place as the definitive sticks man for this group! 'Burning Down' is reminiscent of 'Machine Gun Etiquette' era Damned and was featured on Afonso's recent radio interview with Highgate masters The Glass Onion Show (be sure to hunt this down) being one of the standout tracks played alongside Devo and The Gun Club. You will enjoy the menacing climbs on the bridges along with João Sylva's organ as it hammers through blistering riffage. It's the fire that has been started to burn this album out. 'Sexy Jesus' is like Iggy's 'Five Foot One' meets The Dead Boys and batters down the doors of every club in Camden Town, a feel these sleaze merchants once blew everyone's heads off with many moons ago, and they still have it. This is my favourite of their latest works I reckon, just on account of the absolute thunder! 'Game For Good' is the triumph and expectation much pounded with adrenaline from the very beginning of this fucking epic long player, being evident that they have in no way lost their love for The Clash. Find this excellent record out on Rastilho Records, buy it on every format, and support this fantastic bunch of lunatics until your teeth fall out of your head. **********10/10

Purchase a copy here - https://rastilho.bandcamp.com/album/the-shape-of-nothing-to-come

By Gavin Tate

for Gavin Tate's Music Journal

[gavintatesmusicjournal]

[gavintatesmusicjournal]

Portugal's finest, and most abrasive THE PARKINSONS take to the stage for their kick-start of a UK tour, the first I've seen them as a 5 piece, with Jimmy Jone's of The Gaggers as their new drummer playing his debut show for Coimbra's legendary punk messiah's. They still mean it, as they unleash their Cramps-esque fuelled racket around the walls of Nottingham's Rough Trade venue, whilst smashing out fave's such as 'Primitive', 'Angel In The Dark', 'New Wave', and 'Little Toys'. Al with his trademark chest on show, hanging off the ceiling beams like a possessed devil monkey, whilst singing his heart out as though it's about to burst from him! Victor Torpedo jumping as high as a giraffe sporting his midair splits as he deafens everyone with his hectic proto-sleaze riffage. Pedro Chau has of recent times been mostly on the road with his latest project: kraut electronic heads Ghost Hunt, but to see him back here playing bass alongside his brothers again, you can tell he still has the punk rock urge, something that will never leave him. This group know that they still have a shed load of albums ahead of them, thus with their legacy well documented by the bands visual recorder Caroline Richards, along with her film 'A Long Way To Nowhere' (The Story of The Parkinsons) DVD soon set for release, plus performances as strong as tonight, it's sure proof that they're here to stay! Viva La Parkinsons.

By Gavin Tate

for Gavin Tate's Music Journal