Hooligan (5) – No Blacks No Irish No Dogs

Passion. That is the first thing I take a way from this 7". These boys play with a ton of passion and really compelling talent. Their sound is ripped right out 1977 and the early 80's. Bands like The Jam, SFL, The Clash, soul records, Elvis Costello, and the Ruts would be proud. The songs are infectious, they are soaked in tight guitar riffs, horns, dub style bass lines, soul music and swagger. (The swagger of speaking your mind and believing that punk has and still can change the world.)

The first track on the single is No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs. Tight punchy guitars start off this track then soulful horns come in, adding a distinct soulfulness to the song. The singer delivers the goods on this one. He brings me right to London 1954 and its racial policies at the time. My own country's treatment of immigrants (Yes, even the Irish) and minorities has been horrible. I see it is something else we got from are forefathers, the English.

" We need you more then ever / Cause London's still burning / and me I am still on the dole" This is a lyric from Calling Joe Strummer. In so many ways, music was damaged when Joe died and on a personal level, so many of us had a hole in our soul that no one seemed able to fill after Joe Strummer passed. Fucking love this track. It shows we all need inspiration and, in a way, someone to believe in. I believed in Joe Strummer and with albums like this I am starting to believe in Hooligan.

Cops And Robbers is a straight up barn burner of blistering guitars and passionate lyrics delivered with a shot of passion and seasoned with anger and soul. The song is a sad description of criminality and how when you make choices like that you are just becoming part of the cycle.

Hooligan finishes this power-packed EP off with their most powerful song Bandit Country, with its dark intro and menacing guitar riffs. They paint a picture of living in fear and utter despair in the worst region in Northern Ireland during the troubles. What is so amazing about this track is with all the anger in the lyrics, the song is still catchy. The music resonates and mixes in cadence like drumming and guitar work at the end of the track to give it a haunting feel. Really nice work.

For anyone who likes punk rock with soul and passion please do your self a favor and pick this hammer up. I feel Joe Strummer would be proud of this record. I know I love listening to it.