EP REVIEW: NEVERMIND NESSIE – ‘Another Six Pack Of Drinking Songs’ (2021)

Held over from last year the new EP from Belgian Celtic-Punks Nevermind Nessie finds the band in top form with six original songs of up tempo Celtic-Folk-Punk.

Another Six Pack Of Drinking Songs was recorded in 2020 and was all set for release when the dreaded Covid reared its ugly head and slowly the world shut down. Terrible timing for any band but with the shutdown happening just days before St. Patrick’s Day it can be argued it affected Celtic-Punk bands worse than most with that time of year the busiest time with releases, tours and gigs booked well in advance. Stripped of any chances to promote the release Nevermind Nessie decided to delay release until better days and with light appearing at the end of the tunnel now is Nessie’s time.

Formed in Belguim in 2009 Nevermind Nessie in common with a lot of Celtic-Punk bands have always concentrated on the live side of things so their recorded output has been limited to just three releases, a self- titled EP in 2012, Story of A Lost Generation in 2015 and Best of Foes in 2017. All were put out by the band themselves as is this new EP. Through the last year they grabbed every opportunity possible to rehearse and so on St. Patrick’s Day came Another Six Pack Of Drinking Songs. Ironically a EP containing only one drinking song! The EP’s songs are all written by the band, no ‘Fields Of Athenry’ or ‘The Wild Rover’ here and touch upon a multitude of subjects. The opening track is ‘About Her’ and a tender love song about falling for a hippy chick! I say tender but it’s far from a ballad with clashing guitar and Pop-Punk style drums. Flute leads though with the fiddle subtly playing in the background.

The track was written three years ago in Lille and the video recorded and filmed last year and it finally saw the light of day this month. The video is great telling the story of the song with humour and style. This is followed by that solitary drinking song and ‘Another Drinking Song’ is the highlight here for me and not just because I’m a sucka for drinking songs! Catchy and with profound lyrics the fiddle is more up in the mix here and the song is a guaranteed floor filler. ‘Greyhound Lovesick’ is an punky ode to coach travel while ‘A Deadly Quest’ is a sea-shanty-ish rocker but remember these songs were well in advance of the current popular hipster trend. Another highlight here with the accordion leading reminding me a bit of Matilda’s Scoundrels. Underneath these songs are classic Folk tunes powered by whistle, accordion and fiddle but backed with a solid Punk rhythm section. The first single from the EP was ‘Lock Him Up’ a rather obvious song about Donald Trump released six months ago but it gives the boys a chance to Punk it up and give the gang in the pit a chance to go wild.

The EP ends with a rather topical song ‘The End Of The Show’ about live concerts (remember them?) and sees them go out in style with a real catchy slower tempo number.

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/0r3dg29rLXALfBHZEX6DFV

Nevermind Nessie are first and foremost a live band playing in sweaty bars and summer festivals. The EP is only out as a digital release only at the moment on all streaming channels but physical copies will be available as soon as gigs start happening. The songs were recorded and mixed at Studio Trad by Jeroen Geerinck and he has done a marvelous job. Sadly this is the last stand for Vincent the bands accordion player as he leaves on good terms so if you live locally and can play then get in touch with the band. But for now grab yourself a pint, get comfy and give Another Six Pack Of Drinking Songs a quick listen.

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