Riskee And The Ridicule – ‘Dawn Of The Dog’

Riskee And The Ridicule – Kent, England.

Probably one of the most interesting takes on Punk we’ve seen in a while. This four-piece are probably going to be your next favourite band.

It would be a task to describe this album in a few simple lines.

Riskee And The Ridicule have been putting their own stamp on Punk since 2011 with a strong Socio-Political edge and honest relatable critique of whatever they wish. Habits, the general public, relationships, the bleak political and economic climate – if there’s something wrong, RATR have written about it, sung about it and, above all, provided a strong message with a witty and intelligent delivery.

Combing Punk with Grime-esque vocals, Ska, Spoken Word, Funk, reality and honesty, you are left with a strong Punk sound that is probably best described with this extract from their website:

‘The band’s catchy hooks and tight harmonies combined with clever, witty, observational lyrics provide a sound that is fresh and that will appeal to a wide variety of music lovers.’ 

Musically Fresh first heard of the band in conversation Ben Marion of Ghouls during the review of the their own sounds. Personally I always make a point to see if any bands I/we discover have listed their influences etc. After a good listen to the band’s EPs and later the full length, Riskee And The Ridicule’s cited influences made a great deal of sense:

‘The Libertines, Madness, The Smiths, The King Blues, Blur, The Sex Pistols, Enter Shikari, Beirut, Transplants, Jamie T, System Of A Down, The Clash, The Streets, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Refused, The Ghost Of A Thousand, Gallows.’

With two EPs under their belt, the band have been working hard. Here’s our review of Dawn Of The Dog:

1. Intro – Spoken word to start off. A message of strength and unity, the band’s ethos of non-conformity in the music scene, digs at the music industry (rightly), a thanks to the fans for whom this album was made for. If it wasn’t for those who followed them to the dive bars, the ‘pretty’ venues and the festivals, this debut would never have landed.

 ‘The music industry wiped out – killed by technology. They’ve gone in one direction now talent is the minority, to all the struggling musicians in this saturated abyss, you best crack on and not give a shit, if you concentrate on your message – then you can never fail…’  Fair and realistic points, if you look and hear what’s around you. On the radio, the television or online, the subjugating nature of the mainstream whose majority of ‘musicians’ are simply manufactured or if not just flat out designed for the easily pleased, then this rant is for you.

2. Dawn Of The Dog –  Title tracks. It’s shit when they disappoint, to put it bluntly anyway. God job this one doesn’t. ‘Dawn Of The Dog’ is easy listening, good fun and bound to get people dancing with its upbeat appeal; not to mention a great opportunity for some crowd involvement for a few extra vocalists.

3. Where You From? – Track 3 is a guitar led heavy and bound to get you moving, whether consciously or not. Challenging the ignorance that seems to be plaguing our society and the lack of logic that is produced as a result, ‘Where You From?’ makes for an interesting commentary. Challenging negative stereotypes – ‘Not every Muslim is extremist and not every dickhead has a penis, not every garden is the greenest, there’s idealism in the realist realist, topics people top tow around I wade right through – I rarely dodge it – so let’s not let Religion get in the way of good old fashioned logic’ .

Ending with harder vocals and heavier riffage before that groove-like chorus returns to play us out. An album highlight.

4. The British Public – Mass and Mob mentality are always annoying, let’s face it. The more of us there are the easier it is for the papers, the news, the government, hate mongers and institutions such as the Daily Mail and Britain First to fool and make people tow the party line. The information is out there, easily and readily available if people would just but look.

Track 4 covers this ground, in its own way with more of the band’s guitar groove reminiscent of them Funk-Punk era, Red Hot Chilli Peppers in places and almost spitfire vocals leading the rest of the way. ‘Journalism is a lethal tool’.

5. Roots – ‘If you ain’t got roots, how you gunna grow?’ True words, true words.

I shan’t rattle on too much about this song so I won’t ruin it before you get to the video at the bottom. Perhaps the most positive and refreshing message anyone who is struggling with the past and precedent could hear. Displaying a softer vocal style (showing off Riskee’s vocal skills) in the choruses, as well as RATR’s signature grime-esque rapping, ‘Roots’ is as engaging as it is relevant, fun and upbeat. ‘I’m proud of these Roots – ’cause these Roots’made, ME!’ Easily on my top ten songs of the year. 

6. This Barren Land – Not particularly happy with the political system? Sick of the rise of Racism? Sick of the laziness? Sick of how the country is going? Rising Taxes? Obesity? You hate it, so do Riskee And The Ridicule – and rightly so.  Track 6 is a blast of verbal anger and honest critique of an observant band, who actually give a shit about the ‘The Barren Land’ these Isles have become.

‘England’s one big joke and it’s laughing a me. How can any country take the BNP seriously? It’s serious to me that these dumb racist louts destroyed everything that the Skin-Head was about…’ – ‘I love the acceptance, that we can radiate but that don’t change the fact that we’re to lax as a state…’ Punk and generally political music is paramount in the times we live in and RATR have nailed it. This shit is important.

7. Daisy Chain – An intro suggesting a slower ballad-like composition before a vocal and low bass intro lead us back to the groove. A little dig at the music industry, ‘kids’ and young people these days only seem to think what’s played on  the predominately mainstream Radio One is what music is.

I was once compared to someone I hadn’t heard of because of my curly haired Mohawk, when I retorted with ‘who the fuck is that’ I was told to ‘shut up’ and that ‘of course I knew who that was’. Says it all really. ‘You hear this! You see that! I remember when the UK took the number one back…’ .

8. Play The Game – Another easy going set of verses recounting past days and good memories. With a chorus reminiscent of legends The Clash, track 8 settles in nicely in the memory banks. Time flies, play the game, have a laugh.

I recently caught up with Scott and while yabbering on we got to the subject of this song. ‘Play The Game’ is made up of two verses – ‘Two verses for two eras of my life’ in Riskee’s own words, both concerning lost friends; an ode to the past and memories they left behind. Fun memories at that.

9. Devil’s Dandruff – I do like a good story. A band or artist that can tell a good tale often spurns my interest. RATR’s Riskee treats us to some spoken words once more, telling us the refusal of a night club, a nice little precedent to the main theme of ‘Devil’s Dandruff’, addiction ruining what it does, life.

Once more, the band’s witty delivery engages you while not distracting you from the point. Lyrically one of the strongest and musically delivering anthemic Punk Rock; ‘Devil’s Dandruff’ is up there with the best of the release.

10. To The Dogs – Sticking with the Punk Rock – slightly on the harder side too – we have track 10. Screamed backing vocals and harder guitars, as well as Riskee’s harder vocals, are welcome and not alone. Upon listening to the first few tracks, I was hoping for a track such as this to add even more depth to the band’s skill as musicians and overall eclectic take on Punk this album throws at you – even if they do insult Pugs… Wankers.

I joke, cracking song. I do love Pugs though.

11. Politically Inept – Another strong set of verses and choruses, both in style as well as content. As you will probably have guessed by the the band’s socio-political and sometimes downright political edge, these guys hit hard and strike chords, all without sounding preachy or worn out.

Part of this is the music they use in accompaniment. Low and on the punkier side, the point is danced home. Fuck discrimination and the like, but political correctness can get on the irritating side sometimes.

12. Grotesque – ‘He who laughs last, laughs the loudest – allow the insecurities while you remain the proudest.’  People are idiots. They heckle, verbally abuse and try to hurt. They laugh at you for you habits, talents, because you are, or indeed, have, achieved more. Track 12 quite rightly stands tall in the face of the bullshit and holds. As should you. ‘Get used to me, cos I’m not going aaaanyyyywhere’ . 

13. Skyline – Slowing things down for the final number, ‘Skyline’. Sombre in tone – for the most part – track 13 is still just as memorable. Softer vocals as well the rapping are led along by an ascending guitar hook and slow rumbling bass along a slow but well held drum pace.

Lyrically ‘Skyline’ is a call for this generation to rise up, not just be a lost voice or a passenger, but to answer the call, pack its things and head for Skyline. As with the track 10, personally I was hoping for something along these lines. Showing yet another side to both the album and the band, 13 pulls it off. A general statement, perhaps, but many bands who produce a decent album or an eclectic album will try too hard on the ‘serious’, and more sombre attempts and result in sounding cheap.

‘ …this generation needs to learn to fly…‘.

Musically Fresh gives Riskee And The Ridicule’s Dawn Of The Dog a 9/10. Fresh and real sounds that will appeal to many regardless of taste.

If you’re interested in the band and want to know more, keep track of them by visiting their  Facebook, Website and Twitter pages.

If you dig the music then the first two releases are available from their bandcamp for free. The new album is available to purchase digitally from iTunes, and their bandcamp; while the hard copy CD can be purchased directly from the band’s Paypal by emailing riskeeandtheridicule@hotmail.co.uk and specifying that you are looking to purchase the album – AND the price includes Post and Packaging. Isn’t that nice?

#StayFresh

‘Roots’.