Here we are, then. Second review of 2025. It’s approaching the end of January. A chunk of time with a new Labour government in the UK has passed. It’s been kind of underwhelming, but given the utter shitshow they inherited, is that any surprise? Not really. One of my colleagues took their own life on New Year’s Day. And now a psychopath seemingly made of compressed Dorito’s dust and rag-ends of cotton wool has just been inaugurated into ANOTHER presidency in the Whitehouse and sets the table for more oppression and celebration of the far right. To add insult to injury, I’m now 4 weeks into “Healthy January”. Still, only 3 days to go I suppose.
Reasons to be cheerful, eh?
Thankfully, Manchester’s Blagged (formerly known as The Mustard) are here to help alleviate the funk I’ve found myself squatting amidst. I’d heard the name(s)doing the rounds a fair bit, and they’ve been playing live since early 2023 (I think?), sharing the stage with the likes of Menstrual Cramps, and The Sewer Cats amongst others, as well as playing Manchester Punk Festival. They’ve been over to play Europe already, including Punk Rock Holiday. And now we have Cortex Marks The Spot, their debut EP out on Brassneck Records in the UK, and Rad Girlfriend Records in the US. Two decent labels with great pedigree.
Not really sure if the members have been in other bands or not (I mean, probably?). I can tell you that I like the cut of their jib based off the liner notes, in which the band comes across as genuinely grateful to the bands they’ve played with and the people that have turned out to watch them rock it live. Not to mention that they’ve prominently credited the people that have taken the live photos on the liner. Do you normally have to go scraping through the small print for that shit? Does anyone actually bother? Anyway, I applaud it.
This is a high octane shred-fest like what they used to make in the 1990s. You know, when Look Out! Records was going strong, and Fat Wreck Chords was a worthy label rather than some kind of household embarrassment? Musically, I’m kind of getting peak Fat Wreck staples like No Use For A Name, Lagwagon and Tilt. You know? The fast melodic shit with hooks for miles and an element of pop sensibilities? Yep. I’m also put in mind of more recent bands from the UK such as The Murderburgers, The Kimberly Steaks and No Matter. Vocally, I’m for some reason drawing mental comparison to Devon Carson from Chicago’s Airstream Futures, and for obvious reasons, Cinder Block from Tilt. Additionally, if you liked Tsunami Bomb back in the day, you’ll probably have a great time with this.
Anyway, I’m glad to be seeing in another year of sporadic reviews with something that’s given me a much required kick up the arse rather than an additional kick in the teeth. This year may seem to be set to be another rough ride, but having releases such as this one to enthuse about – especially at this early point – is sure to ease it’s passing.
Tony of Nurgle rating: 9/10
So what else do you need to know? This is a 5 song, single-sided 12in available either on split colour (neon yellow / black) or opaque mustard from Brassneck Records in the UK and Rad Girlfriend Records in the US. It’s also available on cassette in the UK from Cat’s Claw Records or CD in Italy / the EU from No Reason Records.
