Skinny Lister issue 5th anniversary edition of "Down on Deptford Broadway"!
As folk rock’s rowdiest rabble since 2009, Skinny Lister have reeled and partied into the hearts of America, the UK, Germany and Japan. Passing the growing flagon of their experiences with every album and tour, they’ve led an endless parade gathering fans old and new, from the respected folk circuit to the riotous Download Festival, igniting pogoing mosh-pits at each. Over the past ten years they’ve travelled from rain-soaked London to the vast arteries of the USA, upgrading from narrow boat to Salty Dog Cruise, played huge tours across Europe and North America with Frank Turner, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly as well as headlining themselves across festivals, sweatboxes and ever-larger venues.
With four albums under their belt, Forge & Flagon, Down on Deptford Broadway, The Devil, the Heart & the Fight and ‘The Story Is…’ the band have explored a lexicon of tastes through a whirlwind of adventures across the globe.
Commemorating the fan-favourite in style, the folk/punk sextet have reissued the record with a special deluxe edition on vinyl, with exclusive new artwork, PLUS previously unheard material... Released in 2015, the band’s barnstorming and beatific opus saw them burst from London’s underground scene with an album of riotous folk/punk that was lapped up by the masses. Packed with some of the band’s best loved songs including ‘Trouble On Oxford Street’, ‘Cathy’ and ‘Six Whiskies’, the album sounds as good today as the day it was born.
And in celebration of the reissue’s release, Skinny Lister will be hosting a special live Twitter listening party tonight (23 October). Playing the record start-to-finish from 7pm UK time on-the-dot, the Skinnies invite you to raise a glass, reminisce, and rock-out with them in its honour! Join the party online here.
Reflecting on ‘Down On Deptford Broadway’ and its legacy these years later, Lorna and Dan of Skinny Lister say:
“In its 5 years - ‘Down On Deptford Broadway’ has proved to be an important album for Skinny Lister. The album has a special place in our hearts, and is certainly one that feels loved by our fans. It’s testament to DODB that our live set often comprises of a whole bunch of tracks from it – many of our sing-along favourites. It’s a joy to see it get a 5 year anniversary special edition re-press and to celebrate the album and all the great times and adventures associated with those 12 tracks.”
Punk / Rock Folk and protest songs were a staple for me growing up in the 1980’s never off the turntable and favourite bands included The Pogues, New Model Army, The Levellers, The Alarm, Big Country and The Men they Couldn’t Hang. The genre is still going strong today with so many great bands, such as The Rumjacks, Mad Dog McRea and many others. But one of the best about, has to be Skinny Lister.
Down On Deptford Broadway is a fantastic album, and this re-issue with rare demo songs is a welcome addition to any vinyl collection. There are a number of excellent stand out tracks on this album. We start with the opening track Raise A Wreck a real tankard bashing, rousing sea-shanty styled track to get you shouting along to. reminds me of Prince Charming. It only took five years. I love the “whoo -whoo’s” which you just have to join in with. Next up for me is the fabulous George’s Glass (a song about Max and Lorna’s dad) which is so under-rated in their catalogue but is truly amazing, I love the (at times) Shane McGowan styled vocals counter to Lorna’s beautiful singing – a great combination of voices.
Six Whiskey’s is another classic track, which just cries out to be sung in a smoke filled, dark bar. What Can I Say is one of their ‘slower’ numbers that provides a welcome break from the frantic pace, before we head to the next highlight, and the full on, folk punk blast that is This is War a track that would not be out of place on the classic Pogues album ‘Rum Sodomy and the Lash’. It reminds me as well of the excellent Rumjacks with his heavy Celtic influence.
How could I forget Cathy and the brilliant video where the Skinny Lister jellied eel eating champion is crowned…..
Ten Thousand Voices a long standing personal favourite, a great live track which kind of reminds me at times of “68 Guns” by the Alarm, then we have Bold As Brass the story of Irene’s new lover and how she walks into her old lover with him, not Aldi as some have mis-heard the lyrics lol ! This City is another very under rated Skinny Lister track, slower and with fantastic combined vocals. The album ends with The Dreich a wonderful soft folk ballad, a great counterpoint to the fury of some of the other tracks. The vocals here from Lorna are exquisite.
So the question is, why revisit an album that’s only five years old ? Well, I guess why not is the simple answer. This expanded version contains a complete set in earlier demo form, and it’s great to hear the difference in these versions from the original album that were released. It’s also a great reminder of just how damn good this album is basically, and if by re-releasing it, through reviews like this, it reaches a new audience then that’s great really isn’t it ?
And that’s the point I guess. I love this album but haven’t listened to it for ages, and listening to DODB, it brings back a whole host of not too distant memories.
A fantastic album, well worth a revisit, or worth giving some time to if you haven’t heard Skinny Lister before. This is a great place to start, and if you can, they are one NOT to miss live ! A brilliant 9.0 from LiveWire Music
