Where to start?...... They say the best things in life are worth waiting forwith this in mind comes an album that has taken the best part of twenty years to be released. Pinhead Nation have finally released their long awaited debut album, Luck Had Nothing To Do With It, certainly seems a very apt album title.
Born as a three piece in 1989, Pinhead Nation are a very angst, punkish outfit whose routes coming out of the late 80s are still very true all these years later. Early day releases were restricted to just three vinyl singles and their last live gig, until last year, was in Prague in 1995.
The sound is strong and distinctive, with real thumping, simple bass lines, enthusiastic and at times random and very unpredictable drumming underpinning the lyrics and voice of Dave Cooper brilliantly.
This is the sort of music Mr John Peel would have played back in the day which is certainly the bench mark to my musical taste and influences.
The album may have taken forever to get to us but its here and is truly excellent. Its a definite 5 out of 5.
Kicking off with Jail on Wheels its just exciting fresh punchy punk, quick and noisy and to the point. Modern Citizen is very Mark E Smith right out of the Fall envelope. Tetchys throbbing bass intro and all round vibrant feel is very refreshing. There is a real Joy Division feel as well. Is that the lead guitar riff to Digital or Transmission towards the end of the track? Ive heard it somewhere.
There is early Stranglers, New Model Army, Clash and a bit of Ian Curtis. Superb. Listen to Bantam Dreams, its properly fresh and stunning.
When Pinhead Nation started out, I was too young to understand and appreciate, and certainly not Manchester enough for me to go and watch. But now they have arrived Im leading the charge to the front barrier. Whens the tour kick off? This is outstanding and genuinely exciting. Bring it on.