ALBUM REVIEW: The Fauves – Resistance 22 (self-released)
The Fauves are a punk band from South Shields who were originally formed in 1977 when the original Angelic Upstarts split up after a legendarily chaotic gig in Jarrow.
Featuring three of the four original Upstarts members, they underwent various line-up changes before calling it a day in 1981.
Fast forward to 2016 and two of the original members, Bob Rowland and Bri Smith, decided to reform the band to record some of their old songs. With a new guitarist and vocalist they headed into the studio.
A few more line-up changes later, an EP and then a belated debut album, Back Off World, were released, featuring revamped old songs and three new ones, and 2021 saw the band release a second full-length album, Reignited (reviewed here).
With a settled line-up of Mick Smith (vocals), Bob Rowland (drums), Bri Smith (bass) and Allen Hughes (guitar), and a burgeoning live reputation, The Fauves are back with a third album, and what a belter it is, 12 songs full of big riffs and gruff vocals, driven along by a pummelling rhythm section.
They are improving with every release, with everything biting just a little bit harder than it did before. Their old-school punk sound manages to be very contemporary, with songs focusing on some of the most topical issues around today.
Resistance 22 blazes into action with the title track, which is about Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. It packs a hefty punch as Mick sings about “people facing superpowers, totally unprovoked” and admiring the way the country has stood up to Russian aggression.
365/24-7 is an angry rant about promoters who expect bands to play for free and don’t even buy them a drink. The disdain is palpable as they sing: “We won’t try to impress you/Why don’t you show us what YOU can do”.
The Government comes in for some well-earned stick on Tax Me When I’m Dead and Shower Of Fanatics, with the latter questioning the lack of outrage at the self-serving antics of the current Tory lot in power.
No Escape, powered by a great rugged bassline, is The Fauves’ take on the refugee crisis, while Sleeping Rough is about homelessness closer to home, urging: “Think before you judge them/Get to know their story.”
Self-worth is the subject of Poverty Of Thought, while addiction comes under the band’s gaze in Inject The Poison. My favourite track of all is Where’s Bob, about their soundman, who’s apparently prone to going AWOL at gigs, prompting the question: “Is he dead, is he alive, where the fuck is Bob?”
Resistance 22 is punk rock played with passion by a band who are clearly making up for lost time. This album takes The Fauves to another level.
They are set to make a long-overdue debut appearance at Rebellion Punk Festival in Blackpool on Sunday, August 6, on the Introducing Stage. Not bad for a band who formed in 1977! 8/10.
- Resistance 22 is available on Spotify, Bandcamp and all major download platforms, as well as being for sale on CD at gigs and via mail order direct from the band and Bandcamp HERE.
