DESPERATE MEASURES
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
(Desperate Times Records)
8.5/10
Formed in Christchurch, New Zealand way back in 1981 Desperate Measures are a breath of rancid political air pushed into the barely breathing lungs of democracy, hope and our topsy-turvey, fake news smothered f*cked up planet, circa 2020. The Band are now based in the UK and this rusty blade compilation highlights Desperate Measure unnerving knack of writing squat Punk anthems of the very highest calibre. Opening the aural assault is the dirty finger-pointing of a bruising ‘Phoney Heaven’ which is followed by the sadly, race-war USA, relevant ‘Executive Order’.
The boot boy thumper ‘No Time’ dunks its laces into a Warrior Soul puddle before 2018’s ‘Militant Takeover’ speeds past in a whirl of tear gas, anger and Rock ‘N’ Roll rebellion. ‘Quality Control’ gets a live outing from 2009’s gig with Punk leg-ends U.K Subs before Desperate Measures drop their biggest, brashest and best cut. ‘1984’ is as close to post-punk perfection as it gets. The shimmering guitar is partnered with a military drum beat while lead singer and founder member Eugene Butcher spits out the lyrics which would visually work perfectly with recent events across the pond.
‘The Gladstone’ is armed with a Swindle meets a UK82 spine before ‘Nation Divided’ bleeds short sharp shock anarchy out of the speakers. ‘Bureaucrat’ is a gargled ball of confusion while ‘Slow Death’ is a barked out Anarcho-Punk cider lobbing anthem. The muddy sound on the live version of ‘Agony’ can’t dampen the tracks haunting hate whereas the live version ‘The Gladstone’ from Bristol’s Fleece in 2017 is a timely reminder to keep our precious live venues out of the hands of the circling vulture-Esque property developers. This fiercely and gnarly independent release is also a sadly depressing reminder of how little, we as a race, have changed or developed since the band first formed in 1981. The suits, slogans and faces may have been altered but the underlying racism, hate and brutal capitalism sadly remain. Desperate times do indeed call for some Desperate Measures. “1989/teen84 lock all the windows bolt all the doors, no government just marshall law.”
For more Desperate Measures NZ info and or to purchase ‘The Good The Bad And The Ugly’ head over to
https://www.facebook.com/DesperateMeasuresnz
https://desperatemeasuresnz.bigcartel.com/product/the-good-the-bad-the-ugly-cd-album
Guy Shankland.