Ghouls – ‘Ten Thousand Words On’ EP

Ghouls – London, England, United Kingdom.

UK Ska-Punk, let’s see some horns… Yes you did read that right, stop rubbing your eyes.

Ghouls, founded in 2011, are a 5-piece Ska-Punk band currently based in London. I discovered them a few weeks ago while scrawling through a few music orientated groups on Facebook.  Whilst on my general search for new bands, as well as promoting some of the music we at Musically Fresh had discovered in recent weeks, I was suddenly contacted by band member Ben, who, interested by what he saw of our site, enquired further.

Keighley and the North have Random Hand, Tewkesbury has [spunge]; so the South East needs a band that stands out and spreads that infectious beat. On that subject, Ska, and particularly Ska-Punk bands are usually always engaging and infectious because of what their chosen genre, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are – to put it bluntly – anything special.

However, Ghouls produces a robust mixture of refreshing Ska-Punk-Rock that makes them stand out as more than another bouncy, yet samey, set of notes. Ghouls have concocted their own mix of Punk and Ska with a strong horn section and a slight fondness for Gypsy-Punk. With slots on tours and festivals all over the UK this summer, supporting their debut EP (released back in January) and working on a new EP set for release in October, they are certainly working hard.

Here’s our review of aforementioned debut, Ten Thousand Words On:

1. Letters – Those who have read some of my words before will be aware that I like a good, fast and/or engaging opening track to kick things off. Clocking at 0:36, ‘Letters’ gives us a short blast of Punk-Rock and Horns. No more needs to be said.

2. Live – Track 2 gives us a good representation of the bands sound. Ghouls don’t make much use of the standard Ska riff of high bouncy notes that is so common in the genre. Rather, they settle for a more guitar and horn driven composition they have a much stronger and solid sound. The classic notes are still present but are more of a side line to the powerful brass. ‘Live’ acts as good bait and is bound to get you singing along either aloud or in your head. Lyrically, much like some of the following tracks, ‘Live’ is real, witty and will leave many relating.

3. Devils Water – Ah, drinking. Good stuff. I’m not endorsing alcoholism but it is good fun sometimes (‘sometimes’ being the operative word). ‘Devils Water’, renames and examines our affiliations with good old boozey and our tendency to lose control and wake up exclaiming, ‘Where the fuck am I?’. Waking up with a stranger or someone who you really didn’t think you would be waking up with, sprawled on the floor in a state – ‘Crying on the floor, no one hears your cry at all, blame it on the devils water. Blame it on the devils water…’. It’s all fine, of course, because we won’t ever drink again, and it was the boozes fault I broke that window. And it what the boozes fault I kissed so and so; the list goes on. The devils water indeed.

Another fast composition made up of fast guitars and raspy brass, the vocals are clean and melodic with that unmistakable English accent that suits Punk and Ska so well. Vocals are often fast and almost “spitfire-like” within the genre and Ghouls are no different. It’s by far one of the best on the album, I can relate and I can imagine many of you won’t miss the reflection upon you’re own eventful evenings. Fun is fun, shit happens and the devils water has almost always got something to do with it.

4. A Note Of Advice – This number has a bit more of a groove to it and is, on the whole, much slower, showing another side to the band. ‘A Note Of Advice’ tackles the the issue of dealing with the pride of another, be it family or friend. A persons’ pride is often what prevents them from coping and dealing with their issues. Track 4 does what it says on the tin, it’s actually is note of advice; ‘Sometimes it’s alright to not to feel alright’.

5. Oceans – Much like its predecessor, ‘Oceans’ is slower song that fits in nicely with the faster tracks. Tackling the issues of a long distance relationship. ‘Oceans’ is – as much as it pains me to say it – more of a ballad. I hate that term, but it’s useful for describing the slower, more soaring Rock songs we come across in the quest to destroy our hearing. If I’m honest, upon first listen, I saw the song as good for what it was, but after a few more, it is clearly track 5 for a reason, and vital to the album. Plus, there’s a cheeky little guitar riff between the verses that echoes the bands Gypsy Punk interests and gives the song a more dance-like appeal for the live performances.

6. Beautiful Game – No, it isn’t about Football. Track 6 shows off the bands clever lyrical themes and skilsl at writing a funny. The song describes the age old game some people play when they are fucking each other over in Ye Olde Love Game. I wont give too much away as I don’t want to ruin it. One of the best on the album. The end of the song has a little audio bite that introduces the next song, which is a nice touch as prerecorded sound clips are often poorly placed on some albums.

7. Night Creatures – You see a lot on a night out whilst frequenting a club, pub, bar – whatever. Those incredulous and naive amongst us sometimes choose to go all out, without really knowing what they are getting themselves into. Then they are often those too drunk to care and end up getting stuck in the rut of having to ‘pull’ because they can; rather than getting with those who they actually want to. ‘Incredulous Girl‘ and ‘Well-mannered Boy’ are no different. Track 7 again shows the bands ability to tell an interesting story, whether it’s based on a experiences or is simply an observation, it’s a fun track with plenty of sing-a-long opportunities.

8. Hollow Victories – Sometimes you never quite get there. You improve, progress, come so close but then… Then you exclaim, ‘all I seem to achieve is hollow victories, never really getting that close but getting further than most’. Track 8 not only shows a more serious side to Ghouls but in regard to the music; their Punk streak is harder, faster and most welcome. A song that will strike a cord with many, it certainly did with me and had me bobbing around in my seat long after it had finished.

9. Dive In – ‘Life’s like a swimming pool, the further you swim out the deeper it gets. And I’m doing front crawl face first into the unknown abysss…’ Seems about right. Confusion. Want. Not knowing if said want is actually real need. Sometimes you feel as if you could just dive in, hold your breath and let unconsciousness take hold. Another faster track with the bands pacey Punk-Rock coming through strong. ‘…And I’m not sure where all this is going, I just put my face down and take it stroke by stroke’. Disaffection can be overcome, one stroke at a time.

10. Quit While You’re Ahead – The penultimate song, a nigh on acoustic track with a real message. Life can lead you in many directions and lead you into uncharted territory; but the most important thing is to stay on you’re own path despite the the tirade of advice you are likely to be given. The said advice may be the thing you need to hear, but it may not. ‘Quit while you’re ahead, but I really don’t think I’m far enough yet, quit while you’re ahead they say… Pick it up again some day…’ Hearing that isn’t always helpful. Ghouls however, as the song will tell you, are making their own way. The title of the album actually comes from this song and despite the fact it is completely different from the rest of the album, it works well.

11. London’s Burning – Ten Thousand Words On starts with a fast one and ends with a fast one. Crunchy Punk riffs, drums sped right up, fast blasts from the horns and a dirty Punk Rock bass – ‘London’s Burning’ was by far the best choice for the bands single. Showing off the Punk, Ska, Reggae and Gypsy influences on the bands’ sound, a mosh pit is bound to start as the final track will undoubtedly go down in a barrage of guitars and brass.

As a debut, this album is great. As an album, this album is great. And as a band, Ghouls are solid and show great promise. I look forward to their October EP. Ten Thousand Words On gets a Musically Fresh 8.5/10.

Fancy seeing them live? Well the band have a UK tour in October – ‘The Great Expectations Tour’. The dates of which are listed below:

• 2nd – WTfest – Southampton
• 3rd – Tiki Bar – Portsmouth
• 4th – The Cavern – Exeter
• 5th – Louisiana – Bristol
• 7th – Is TBA so keep an eye out on the bands Facebook.
• 8th – Old Blue Last – London
• 9th – The Flapper – Birmingham
• 10th – Fallow Cafe – Manchester
• 11th – Rock City- Nottingham
• 17th – Penny Theatre – Canterbury

If you’re interested in the band and this debut album then you can get your paws on it for free at their bandcamp profile or have a listen on Spotify before hand. You can keep in touch with their exploits on their Facebook and Twitter – @ghoulsuk. Finally, if you’re into your band merchandise then check out Ghouls’ BigCartel for some sexy shirt designs, bundles and physical copies of Ten Thousand Words On. Without further ado, here’s the absolute banger ‘London’s Burning’:

#StayFresh