{"id":9391,"date":"2023-07-01T16:57:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-01T15:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ipamusic.co.uk\/?p=9391"},"modified":"2023-07-09T16:58:34","modified_gmt":"2023-07-09T15:58:34","slug":"the-fauves-step-things-up-a-notch-with-third-album-resistance-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ipamusic.co.uk\/?p=9391","title":{"rendered":"The Fauves step things up a notch with third album Resistance 22"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ALBUM REVIEW: The Fauves – Resistance 22 (self-released)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Featuring three of the four original Upstarts members, they underwent various line-up changes before calling it a day in 1981.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few more line-up changes later, an EP and then a belated debut album, Back Off World<\/em>, were released, featuring revamped old songs and three new ones, and 2021 saw the band release a second full-length album, Reignited <\/em>(reviewed here<\/a><\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Fauves playing at Trillians in Newcastle in 2019.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Resistance 22<\/em> 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<\/em>” and admiring the way the country has stood up to Russian aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

365\/24-7<\/em> 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”.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Government comes in for some well-earned stick on Tax Me When I’m Dead<\/em> and Shower Of Fanatics<\/em>, with the latter questioning the lack of outrage at the self-serving antics of the current Tory lot in power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Escape<\/em>, powered by a great rugged bassline, is The Fauves’ take on the refugee crisis, while Sleeping Rough<\/em> is about homelessness closer to home, urging: “Think before you judge them\/Get to know their story.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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The Fauves playing at Trillians in Newcastle in 2019.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Self-worth is the subject of Poverty Of Thought<\/em>, while addiction comes under the band’s gaze in Inject The Poison<\/em>. My favourite track of all is Where’s Bob<\/em>, 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?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resistance 22<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n