AUSSIE CELTIC-PUNK SPECIAL. DOUBLE EP REVIEW: HANDSOME YOUNG STRANGERS and THE DANGEROUS FOLK

With only a handful of last year’s releases to go before we unveil our Best Of lists it dawned on our man in Cavan, Shane, we could present two Aussie bands for the price of one so here are two of the best Celtic-Punk bands rocking it on the underside of the world. Handsome Young Strangers and The Dangerous Folk may play music from the same genre but together they also show the great diversity in the scene.

Handsome Young Strangers. ‘The Bleeding Bridge’ EP.

Sydney based Handsome Young Strangers have just released The Bleeding Bridge mini album which is the ninth release from the band in their almost 15 years of existence. The Sydney bush / folk outfit describe their style of music as Bushranger core. The mini album is release on the Tasmanian Label ‘Folk ‘Til Ya Punk’ who have also signed bands such as The Ramshackle Army, Fox N Firkin and The Dead Maggies. If, like me, you haven’t listened to HYS much before now this is an ideal introduction. I’m not quite sure how or why I haven’t been listening to them more regularly but I will definitely be making up for that. The new mini album contains three new original tracks ‘Coming Home’, ‘The Bleeding Bridge’ and ‘The Rose Hill Packet’. It also features a brilliant version of the Aussie traditional tune ‘Limejuice Tub’ and a cover of the Triffid’s ‘Wide Open Road’. My personal favourite on the mini album is ‘Limejuice Tub’ which have a very distinctive Aussie Folk Punk sound. The band have been touring Australia extensively from coast to coast over the years covering everything from small clubs to the larger festivals. HYS is made up of 6 core members and features regular guests. They have recently added Edward Lawlor (Medusas Wake (Mandolin & Vocals)) to their line up. Special guests on the new release include Jason Walker (Pedal Steel), Ben Pattinson (Squeeze Box), Michael Carpenter (Piano) and Luke Moller (Fiddle). HYS are planning to release a full new album in 2019. If its anywhere nearly as good as ‘The Bleeding Bridge’ then we are in for another treat.

Buy The Bleeding Bridge- iTunes

Contact Handsome Young Strangers- WebSite Facebook Soundcloud YouTube

The Dangerous Folk. One EP.

As 2018 drew to a conclusion we received the debut EP from The Dangerous Folk all the way from Brisbane, Australia. Prior to this we had only heard snippets from the band on social media. In 2018 they released a video for the song ‘Shipping it up to Brisbane’ which I suppose drew our attention for obvious reasons. The band has been going for about two years now and their music has been described as Guinness fuelled Celtic Punk. The style of music is definitely more early days Dropkick Murphys than Flogging Molly and is played at a high intensity and tempo. The ep titled ‘One’ features a total of 5 tunes opening with ‘Shipping It Up to Brisbane’. The other songs on the ep are: • ‘Sayeno’ • ‘Inch’ • ‘The Brigade’ • ‘Spike it up’ You’re probably sick of listening to ramble on about Celtic Punk bands from Australia but we can’t help it. They just keep emerging and each one is as good as the last (if not better). The Dangerous Folk are another shining example of what the Aussies have to offer the scene and I have no doubt its not the last we will be hearing from them. If you’re lucky enough to be over that part of the world anytime soon be sure to look them. If not, then get your hands on a copy of the ep ‘One’ and give it a spin. Either way I can safely say you won’t be disappointed.