The punk scene has to have new blood to have a future and 'Fungalpunk Underdogs' volume 1 shows just how good some of these bands for the future really are. This CD gives a platform to these bands who might have stayed in the wilderness. There are 18 songs by 18 different bands and there is a good range of music with punk, ska and hardcore all being covered.
The CD kicks off with 'Psychotic Surfer' (SAS Intro/Finale) an accoustic instrumental by Urchins Of Menace that is exclusive to this CD. I just can't seem to stop humming it since I heard it. Next comes the unmistakeble sound of AFS with 'Happy People' a catchy punk singalong that will have fans joining in at all their gigs. The Scabs come next and 'Blades Beat Fists' is what I consider to be the best song from the material they've done so far. With aggressive vocals and superb lyrics The Scabs, Cumbria's finest are definitely one of the best punk bands on the scene at the moment. 'Psalm 23' by St Helens based Flat Back Four is my choice for the best song off the entire CD. There is a definite US feel to the song and it would stand up against any of the songs by the bands we all know from across the pond. Rochdale based The Fractions come next with 'Let's Get It Right'. Currently one of the best young ska bands around this is classic ska and their excellent brass section is amongst the best and it is very well displayed in this song. Next comes just over a minute of hardcore madness in 'Dirty Pillows' from Mafafi. These guys deserve huge credit for travelling all the way from Perth to support the SAS Tour. If you are a fan of hardcore you certainly won't go far wrong here. Next up are South Yorkshire's Most Likely To Fail with 'Killing Time'. A great punk song by a band who are one of the best live bands i've seen in the last year. OMD must have had difficulty choosing a track by them because they have so many great songs. Suspicious Stains another band based in Rochdale are next with 'ASBO' which I consider to be the best song off their recently released album. An excellent old school punk song with good female vocals. Next up are the saddly now defunct Crouch Mog. 'Billy Boy' is a mixture of ska and punk which is blended together very well and hopefully there will be some incarnation of Crouch Mog back in business soon. 'Stand Up' the next song by hard gigging Lancaster punks The Guilty Pleasures is another good singalong by another very talented band. Bolton punks The Bullet kings who are 3 members of the late Oi band Churchill have ditched the Oi label they were well known for and come up with a different sound that is in my opinion more appealing. Wilf's gravelly vocals work well for this tuneful band and this is just one song from a collection of fine songs they are amassing. I have seen Liverpool's The Straitjackets live a few times recently and they are a good live band who are known for their psychobilly sound. However 'My Baby Got Killed By A Landmine' is punk through and through and shows how versatile this band is. I think if they can mix a few more punk songs together with their staple psychobilly material they will attract more fans from a wider spectrum. 'Becky Want' is by Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man, one of the best Manchester punk bands plying their trade at the moment. These guys are one of the best live bands i've seen recently and they have come on at a fearsome pace. This is a quality song and these guys are one of the bands that I can see taking over the mantle from the bands that were plying their trade in the 70s onwards. Stockport's One Man Stand are next with 'Black Hole'. A favourite band of mine who are off touring in Japan early next year. Hopefully with new addition on bass Chris this tour will bring this band up to a new level. Southend punk/hardcore band Social Schism are one of the bands I have heard the least by. 'Fight' is an excellent song which was one of my favourites off this CD. Pure aggression in a nutshell and i'll be on the hunt for more by them. Another band i've not heard much by is Belgian punks Koncept, in fact 'Grown Up Bully' which is a great old school punk song is the only song I have by them. I did see them live earlier this year but I was a bit bladdered and sadly can't remember much about the gig. The penultimate song on the CD is 'Lowlife' by Boredom AD (Formerly Boredom). Taking over from Dani on vocals is Barnsey (Bassist with UK Subs) who has swapped his bass for a mic stand. I have the demo CD that includes this song which I must say wasn't great but the improvement in quality in this version is dramatic and this is a good effort. Finally come Emerald Isle punks Nomatrix with 'Reflections Of The Popular Minority'. I have their recent album and this was what I thought was the best song from it.
A lot of people reading this might have just returned from Rebellion watching bands that everybody knows about. It's all well and good watching these bands but if the punk scene is to survive in a healthy state we need these lesser known bands to be supported.
I have many compilation CDs but 'Fungalpunk Underdogs' is right at the top of the pile. This is a CD that has something for everyone, musically varied, well produced and at a price (£3) you won't better anywhere. This CD is a triumph for a guy who has constantly championed the cause for lesser known bands.

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