Look out, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, Real McKenzies, you’ve got competition. The Roughneck Riot’s new record, This Is Our Day, starts out with the catchy yet powerful “Ignorance Is Easy,” a song that seems so apropos in these times. This six-piece band hailing from Manchester, UK is one to look out for. The band mixes powerful, traditional punk with elements of folk complete with guitars, driving percussion, mandolin and banjo — not to mention the gravelly voice of Matty Humphries. (imagine Joe Strummer singing while gargling glass and gravel). I’m not sure I’ve heard mandolin or banjo played so fast.
Roughneck Riot’s politically charged songs pummel you with a left wing and doesn’t let up until the record finishes playing.
Besides being the primary vocalist, Matty Humphries is also credited with playing the mandolin at lightning speed. Roughneck Riot also has two women on board (Jade Franklin on accordion and Caitlin Costello on banjo) who occasionally add sweet vocals that contrast nicely with Humphries gravelly sound. Rounding out the band are Simon Cowley on drums, Ryan Taylor on bass, and Chris Green on guitar and vocals.
Roughneck Riot, by their own admission, are on a mission to expose the fact that they live in a country with a government trying to destroy it (well, duh! That’s what happens when you try to copy the US) and to write and play music for people regardless of race, nationality, age, gender or sexuality. In a time when commercial radio is rife with the banal and lame like Train, Katy Perry, Lady Ga Ga or the dreadful Justin Beiber, it’s refreshing to hear a band with intelligent lyrics. invigorating music and inspiring lyrics. Their self-described folk-punk perhaps can take the torch from the now defunct King Blues to rally people into saving democracy from the greedy corporate wankers. This record rocks hard. There’s not a bad song to be had on it. I hope enough people read this and check them out so they know they have enough support to justify a US tour.
Here’s the video for their new single “Ignorance Is Easy::
