Reduced are based out of Nottingham and describe themselves as playing melodic punk and garage rock. Their line-up features members of TV Crime, Scene Killers the recently (or soon to be) defunct Hip Priests. This self-titled 7in record is their debut, and the latest in the Brassneck Records stable which continues it’s quest to support and showcase the best that the UK (mainly) has to offer the world of punk rock. As the label has had such a strong and consistent hit rate, you’d be right to pay attention.
Interestingly enough (to me at least), although playing out live as a 4-piece, the playing on the recording here was completed by Sid Ratcliffe (providing vocals, bass and guitar) and Joel Goddon on drums. Ian Boult at Stuck On a Name Studios both recorded produced the record and has made a fine effort of making this sound like a full band live-in-studio recording. It has a really warm and organic feel to it.
This record has an undefineably yet distinctly British flavour to it, recalling the crossover of the grebo and punk sounds of the early to mid-90s. So we are talking here about something akin to Mega City Four, Senseless Things, China Drum and a touch of Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. Maybe a meatier take on Skimmer? Not to mention one of my favourite Canadian acts of times gone by, the Doughboys, only given a Duncan Redmonds’ style makeover (think Snuff and Guns N’ Wankers). That kind of thing. What can I say? I love owt like that, me.
Tony of Nurgle rating: 9/10
It’s dead good this. I highly recommend picking up a copy on transparent yellow from Brassneck Records, from the Reduced bandcamp page or at a gig.
