Arthritic Foot Soldiers

“Immature Nobodies”

Turkey Vulture Records

By Rich Cocksedge
(SugarBuzz UK)

SugarBuzz Magazine

So, as the name implies, Arthritic Foot Soldiers (AFS) appear to have been battling for the cause of punk rock for quite a while with two of their numbers in the early forties and two more a decade or so younger, so these are no spring chickens. However, despite the advanced years of the members of the band and the fact that it would be quite easy for them to produce a fairly generic and dull album of punk rock, these old timers have other ideas.

Imagine this – a mix of old school and new school punk, with a hint of heavy rock, a dash of metal, a liberal splash of bubblegum pop with a final touch of polka, and that is what AFS deliver in abundance. Okay, I might have been adding one too many types of music into that mix but if polka had turned up, needless to say I wouldn’t have been totally surprised.

There is no doubt that this album has benefited from being recorded in the USA as there is a great sound to all of the songs, reminiscent to the EpiFat types of bands – a clean and crisp production that is powerful and ballsy but that holds an integrity that fake punk bands like Good Charlotte could only dream of. Even well trodden lyrical subjects are given a new life at times although without moving off a punk rock path and with Munki Boi’s vocal style giving it a ‘street punk’ appeal, this adds to why AFS should not be dismissed as just another band.

Don’t think for one minute that this is purely a punk record and as such will only appeal to those of the spikey or no-haired persuasion. The songs are catchy and varied with plenty of opportunity to singalong, whether you’re in your car, the bath or stood in front of the band at a gig. What adds to the whole package is the guitar work that can be subtle and intricate to damn right in your face, without ever going over the top – for me it’s the selling point of this album.

Top tunes includes “Chicks and Beer”, “God Fearing Country” and the excellent (99.9%) riff laden instrumental, “Wrong Place Wrong Time”. As stated above these guys will address issues they feel angry about but you do get the impression that they’re not above a bit of humour and don’t take themselves too seriously.

It is unlikely that AFS will become new standard bearers for punk rock but they do deserve to be heard and given the accessibility of some of the songs on this album there is no reason why some tracks should not get some radio airplay.

To paraphrase (and mangle) a line from David Mitchell’s excellent book “Cloud Atlas”, AFS are putting up a rearguard action against decrepitude that shows all of us of advanced years that we should not give up doing what we enjoy and believe in. Long may they limp, sorry, I meant live!!

www.afs.me.uk/

www.turkeyvulturerecords.com/gallery-5.html

SugarBuzz Magazine