Review – Urban Guerillas
“Carols By Blowtorch”
independent album through 2000 Bugs Productions
Imagine the irreverence
of Johnny & Sid & Steve performing traditional Christmas carols, but
not changing the lyrics (as they would have in any active imagination). Well,
imagine no more, because Ken
Stewart and his Urban Guerillas have done it under the banner of “Carols
by Blowtorch” and the only pity is
that my copy arrived on 14 or 15 December.
Combining Aus
pub-rock with the sanctity of the season is what the Guerillas do here on “…Blowtorch”, with an approach differing from the
aforementioned Sex Pistols
to John
Schumann era Redgum, as well as their own inimitable style. And after all the
carolling has finished, including Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night and Jingle Bells are some of Ken’s own works, more notably Iron
and Steel, Lame
for Fame (tried and true Guerillas and nothing to do with Christmas) and Happy
Birthday Jesus (a real pisser!)
The only set-back
on this collection is the use of other chords when the right ones weren’t
known. When covering such well-known songs as Christmas carols, one can’t
afford to do this. But I’m sure this can be taken as a reworking of the song as
I’m sure many punters will. Urban Guerillas independent “Carols by Blowtorch” album through 2000 Bugs productions will be a must-have addition to
those who are a little weary from the originals and have been waiting for
something like this to happen! ««««