And here is another remarkable story in which past and future are inextricably linked. Australian post-punk/power pop band The U-Bombs formed in 1977, broke up in 1979, reformed in 2013, and have now – 2024 – finally released their full-length debut album Choice?. Paul Tuxworth (guitars), Anando Bharti formerly known as Phil Cayzer (vocals, bass, guitars), Ian Thurnwald (tenor sax), Roy Erzinger (drums), Paul Vedant (guitars, vocals) and Mark Cornwall (bass) bring 15 energetic songs to the table. The clever lyrics deal with life, love, war, nuclear proliferation, rising fascism, racism, police brutality, and even robots – heavy themes that are still (or again) current. The first lines of the title track that opens the LP are a strong example: “I saw the cops on TV // Playing games with my friends // Of course they had to win in the end.” Yet the sound is not dark but quite cheerful, thanks to the tight rhythm section, attractive vocals and inspired saxophonist. Exactly what we need at the moment.
Choice?, produced by Roy Erzinger and Anando Bharti, is out now digitally, and soon also on limited edition 12” vinyl, through Still Very Radio-Active Records. The record, recorded in 2013 when the band met again after 32 years to play a reunion show, is dedicated to main songwriter and guitarist Paul Tuxworth, who passed away in 2018.
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PS Here’s The U-Bombs first music video, for album track Schoolboy.