SKIN DISORDER / STRONG ISLAND BOOT BOYS Ep Review in American Oi Zine

Skin Disorder / Strong Island Bootboys - Split EP Review by American Oi! Zine

United Riot Records

Just like the recent United Riot releases from Brute Force and American Eagle, even more American, or in particular, New York City Oi! history was dug up and thrown onto a slab of wax. Combined together as a split EP, most likely because an individual release of each band wasn’t enough, these are probably the last remaining recordings of both Skin Disorder and the Strong Island Bootboys you will probably ever hear.

Yes the recordings are of demo quality, but they sound surprisingly good! Both ends deliver that classic sound from the US of Oi!, similar to bands like Moonstomp or early Oxblood, but Skin Disorder and in particular their opening track “American Style” really cut it for me. It’s basic, perhaps a bit outdated, but to me this sound will always remain timeless no matter what. Therefor I’m glad the vault got another good sweep and that this release was added to the label’s discography of gone and / or forgotten bands like the aforementioned two, Sick Society and The N.Y. Hoods.

Artwork by Muna is sick as always and although the limited version of this 7” is on black vinyl (100 copies), the half clear / half red colored vinyl (200 copies) looks absolutely sick. Must-have for fans of that rough and violent, NYC Oi! sound like Oxblood and First Strike!

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QUEENBURY RULES - BRISTOL ELITE Album Review

Queensbury Rules - Bristol Elite Review from American Oi! Zine

United Riot Records

After their demo, a four-track debut EP, a two-track single and a contribution of four tracks to the “New Breed Rising” compilation (or four-way split LP, whatever floats your boat), it is time for Bristol’s elite, Queensbury Rules, to unleash their first full-length album to the masses! At the moment only released on CD, “Bristol Elite” is out now through United Riot Records!

Besides the instrumental intro, “Bristol Elite” counts a total of twelve songs. If you own Queensbury Rules’ previous efforts, tracks like “Queensbury Rules”, “Workers Of Britain”, “Return To Agicourt” and “Bridge The Gap” have most likely burst out of your speakers before.  But re-recorded for this full-length, the four songs, and in particular “Return To Agicourt”, sound stronger than ever before! The fact that they’re re-recorded helps of course, but I personally don’t mind a few ‘familiar faces’ on an album, especially when it is a debut full-length, because that way I roll much easier into the new tracks.

Not that this powerhouse needs it though, because the Queensbury lads nail that classic British vibe of the 80’s perfectly on “Bristol Elite”! From its mid-tempo stompers to its fast-paced rippers, with here and there a metallic riff or solo and its aggravated sing-alongs this is food for fans of England’s almighty triple-C; Condemned 84, Combat 84 and Close Shave! Street music for patriotic working class kids, both tough as nails and filled with pride, is what you’ll find on remaining tracks such as “Dogfight”, “Today’s Generation”, “Rorke’s Drift” and “Betrayal”, making it a must-have for the skinhead elite!

WWW.UNITEDRIOTRECORDS.COM

SKIN DISORDER / STRONG ISLAND BOOT BOYS 7" Ep Review

US label United Riot Records continues in releasing vinyls of older US bands around 211 Bootboys from NYC and their demos. So they have already released EP´s Strong Island Bootboys, N.Y. Hoods, Frontline Soldiers, Brute Force or American Eagle. These songs are the last one´s recorded both from SSB and SD. EP is opened with Skin Disorder (which are more known because of their release through Bords de Seine) with their two songs American Style and Offensive Action. The band plays in four piece line up and it is classic stomping US Oi! sound in middle rhythm like Boot Party or song Pulling on the Boots. Topics are quite classics – US Oi! style which is different from British one or time for radical offensive action. Strong Island Bootboys plays in four also and they have there one song called Brass Knuckle Negotiation. Song begins in slower rhythm, then it gets into similar rhythm as Skin Disorder and then it gets slower again. The vocal is more covered and I like it little bit more than A side. EP is limited to 300 copies (200 clear red/transparent and 100 black) and 14 testpressings. Cover is from HM design (Muna) and it absolutely fits to the atmosphere of the EP. There are no lyrics inside but it doesn´t matter. Fine piece with songs that probably never see the light of the day if URR didn´t release this EP.
BACKSTREET BATTALION ZINE

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AMERICAN EAGLE - LAND OF THE FREE HOME OF THE BRAVE Record Review

AMERICAN EAGLE - LAND OF THE FREE HOME OF THE BRAVE 7" Review from Back Street Battalion Zine

After their maxi EP which was released last year and which contains four songs from 1989 release United Riot Records EP from this band (200 on beer vinyl, 100 on black one) with their two forgotten songs. On side A you may listen to Land of the Free Home of the Brave and on B side is song called The Gallery. The band used to play in classic four piece line up and they are planning reunion this year. First song starts with shouted army song for marching. Song is faster with singalong refrain and clear topic – defending of the flag, national pride and fight with commies. Circa in the middle of the song is guitar solo. Second song The Gallery is about bar on the suburb which band likes in spite of the fact that it is nothing nice. Music is slower than first song and guitar solo is there also. Both songs contains loud bass. Cover is done by Muna again which is great as usual, on the back side are lyrics and band photos from the gigs. It is some kind of lost and found songs again which are released by URR and which are influenced (little bit) with hard core. Fine and big thumbs up for the graphics.

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