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Release date: March 17, 2017
Running time: 31:02, 10 tracks
A lot of Celtic punk fans are happy because 2017 seems to be the “comeback” year. We have had no new albums from Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys and The Tossers for a while and they have released new albums in 2017. But other acts have come back after a longer “hiatus”. The Peelers have issued their second album “Palace of the Fiend” thirteen years after their previous effort from 2004 “Liquordale”. And San Diego’s finest The Downs Family have recently delivered their third album.
The Downs Family are one of the oldest first wave Celtic punk bands from the U.S.A. In fact, they pre-date the likes of The Tossers, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. The Downs Family were originally Dave Dick (guitar, vocals), Brendan Berg (guitar, vocals), Brian Van de Wetering (tin whistle, mandolin), Dave Gardner (bass), Vaughn Franklin (drums), Nora Brackenbury (banjo) and Chris Cruise (accordion). They released their first cassette tape in 1992. Twelve songs, half of them recorded live at The Casbah in San Diego. In 1993 they issued their single “Finnegan’s Wake / Falling down Drunk”. Their debut album “Beer is Like a Dog… It Knows When You’re Scared” featuring 9 originals and 3 standards followed in 1994. However, it was not a good year for The Downs Family: their accordion player committed suicide and their banjo player left the band to live in another city. In 1996, with Ernest Cline on banjo, they released their second album, “Top o’ the World”, featuring five original songs and eight traditional songs (Irish and American). The band never disbanded officially, but family and work commitments only allowed the odd Saint Patrick’s Day gigs. Fortunately, they reformed in 2014 and their third CD “A Penny’s Worth of Pillage” is out now.
There are two outstanding things about the new CD. First of all, 4 out of 6 members are “original” members. Dave Dick, Brendan Berg, Brian van de Wetering and Vaughn Franklin have been joined by “new” members Tiffany Lynne Sieker (fiddle) and Mongo Moglia (bass). Secondly, all of the songs have been written by the band, 8 songs by Dave Dick and 2 songs by Brendan Berg.
“Fake ID at the Pearly Gates” is the first song on the album. Dave Dick put lyrics to the tune to Billy’s Bragg “Help Save the Youth of America”. The sound is 100% US Celtic punk, with in yer face fiddle and tin whistle à la The Skels. Excellent number to open the CD.
”I was a Jerk to John Goodman” kicks off with mandolin. This lively song features Mozart Piano Sonate no.15 K. 545 C Major 1st movement played by Tiffany on fiddle. It was a great idea to blend classical music with folk (punk) music and the final result is flawless.
The following song is a quieter number, “Pocket Full of Bent 20s”. Nice mandolin and fiddle sound on a song that reminds me partially of The Mahones “Is This bar Open till Tomorrow?” intro.
“Nancy Walker” is another song that I love: an excellent comedy number with a Big Bad Bollocks twist. The Downs Family are able to write songs with different sound and influences. For instance, “Highwayman’s Lament” is a kick-ass number. The fiddle and the guitar give the song a British folk-rock touch, but there’s great tin whistle and impressive vocals.
New territory on the next cut, “Days Gone Crazy”. This track is an interesting rocking number backed by tin whistle and fiddle. It’s followed by the country infused song “Dog with Opposable Thumbs”. Brian switches from tin whistle to mandolin and the vocals remind me of Bob Dylan.
Once again, Brian plays mandolin instead of tin whistle on the fiddle rock song “Stumbalina”.
“The Ghost of La Posta” is a sort of Mexican Misfits enjoyable upbeat number that opens the path for the closing number. “Pirate Song” needs no introduction. A pirate song is a pirate song. Mainly instrumental track based on tin whistle, mandolin, guitars and percussion with some ha-ha and Rum! Shouts. After 2:22 minutes the song is apparently over, but turns into an extended version of “King of the Fairies”.
“A Penny’s Worth of Pillage” comes in a gatefold sleeve. Line-up, studio credits, track listing and song credits are stated on the packaging, together with a quote from Shakespeare’s Henry VI.
If you are not familiar with The Downs Family’s previous albums, don’t worry. Just buy “A Penny’s Worth of Pillage”. I’m sure that you’ll love it and then you’ll try to track down their elusive early recordings.
Track listing:
01. Fake I.D. at the Pearly Gates 2:17
02. I Was a Jerk to John Goodman 1:55
03. Pocket Full of Bent 20s 3:04
04. Nancy Walker 1:46
05. Highwayman’s Lament 3:49
06. Days Gone Crazy 2:23
07. A Dog with Opposable Thumbs 3:25
08. Stumbalina 3:28
09. Ghost of La Posta 2:51
10. Pirate Song 6:07
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Review by Kinksmarkham
