The schizophrenic Balkan folk intro on opener Archipelago could have you scrabbling for the off button within seconds, but persevere and you’ll find more to savour on Smokey Bastard’s latest album. Ostensibly the Reading sextet’s attempt to break out from the Celtic punk scene, Back To The Drawing Room aims to do for gruff punk what System Of A Down did for nu-metal. You can imagine them being a killer festival band – it’s nothing if not original and the punk heart choruses bleed true – but, for God’s sake, don’t put it on while driving or you’ll crash the fucking car.
FOR FANS OF: Flogging Molly, Against Me!, Gogol Bordello
(this review was originally published in rock sound magazine issue 207 Dec 2015)
GARETH PIERCE 