Riskee and the Ridicule – Body Bag Your Scene

Riskee and the Ridicule are;

SCOTT PICKING– Lead Vocals/Lyrics, JORDAN MANN– Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals,  JIMBO AGLONY– Guitars/Vocals, MATT VERRELL– Drums/Vocals/Keyboards

There are not many bands that can define themselves in one album. It’s even harder to do as you redefine your early sound and hone your musical and lyrical skills so you can launch an oral (aural) tirade at the same time. The latest release from these down to earth, insightful, sharp witted and discerning men is refreshing and alarming at the same time. Just listen to the prolific lyrical assault which is delivered with rapier precision on this incisive and incendiary album. Self awareness is a essential trait of alienated alternative artists and Riskee and the Ridicule are on a mission to become the epicentre of an earthquake where ever they play. The album grabs you from the start and like a juggernaut, it will drive relentlessly, gathering pace as it takes you on a journey which will educate and hopefully inspire but ultimately invigorate.

Describing themselves as “grime punks”, a term which is new to me, the musicianship and delivery reminds me of Rage Against The MachineSenserFrank Carter and the Rattlesnakes with a flavour of Body Count, infused with some US Punk but with a nod to the spirit of Booze N Glory and Wonk Unit. Of course, the grime aspect conjures up a whole other genre which has so many underground influences. This band has a universal appeal which has the potential to grow at an exponential rate. The name alone makes you want to check them out as it’s “different”. 

It’s hard to pin down standout tracks on the album because, if you’re attracted to the musical delivery then you need to recognise what draws you, the crushing guitar driven punk/metal or the melodic chant along tunes. Using the incredibly well delivered complex lyrics, that tend to distract from the music at times, you engage the subject matter with an insane intensity at times. There’s something here for everyone. The music and words do complement each other throughout and it’s great to have a well balanced, well executed album.

Visually, the band will challenge. Not to judge a book by it’s cover, the aesthetic of the band doesn’t necessarily match what you would expect to hear. Perhaps the opening track “Accelerate” with it’s acapella opening until crashes in and demonstrates what’s to come is filled with anger, angst and attitude. When James at Division PR sent me a heads up on the video “Kaboom”, I relished the release of the album and the chance to review it. At first, the playful delivery of the chorus provides with you with the hook but once it kicks in, it is a seriously infectious groove. 

So after two tracks, I have to completely re-calibrate my expectations with “Our Time”. I’m taking this band seriously! Kaboom does admittedly put a smile on your face and may even see you bounce along in any mosh pit, but the third track gives the discerning listener something to get their teeth into. What a wake up call. The title track of the album is up next and it’s relentless “Body Bag the Scene” is a killer song. It’s a strong message for the industry. The song is a weapon of destruction. The meat in the middle of this album sees some heavier social commentary, “Black, White and Grey” has a strong underlying context and it is carried on with the anthemic “In the Dark We Dwell”. It’s an all too often common story in this day an age. Powerful and poignant, it gives you some insight into where the band are prepared to go.

The video directed by the band, is a respectful nod to Keith Flint and anyone suffering from their own internal darkness.

If you thought you were being led in a certain direction then “Sell Out” quickly flips you into some singalong pop punk. Melodic but menacing yet it still stays within the band dynamic. When you hear the opening bars of the next song, you might be forgiven for thinking Alex Brindle Johnson from Wonk Unit has popped up to do a cameo but the cheeky chap  would certainly appreciate the comedic chaos in “Millwall Brick, Glasgow Kiss”. In a similar vain, “Sex” retains the frivolity of the previous track but the subject matter is deadly serious. There’s no harder hitting song on the album than “Cut Your Teeth” which is an absolute monster of a track. In contrast, “For Old Times Sake”, is the only real respite you get on the album. The song lends itself to reflection and a nostalgic approach to what our future selves. As the album draws to a close, we are shown the spectrum of whats on offer from. The piano and opening verbal volley lends itself to the  “grime/street” genre as the spoken word delivery over the piano swiftly changes to some slick punk prose. The song “D.I.Y.”is the bands mission statement and as good a demonstration of where they come from and where they might end up…. if they sign!

Catch the band at Blackpool’s Rebellion Festival in August or check their social media pages for gig details.

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