British Beef - Without Me

  by Alex Halls

published: 18 / 5 / 2005

Label: Fat Fox
Format: CDS

intro

Compellingly upbeat ska rock on excellent new debut single from Swindown four piece British Beef

Released on the Fat Fox label, debut singles don’t come much better than British Beef’s 'Without Me'. The Swindon four-piece: Felix Foster (lead vocals, guitar); Jam Lindsay (lead guitar, backing vocals); Gaz Brookfield (bass, vocals); Pat Smith (drums); has recently stepped off a UK tour with U.S. pop-punkers Good Charlotte, supported New York City’s the Mooney Suzuki, and been awarded the highly coveted Radio 1 Best Unsigned Act. Choosing to play more upbeat ska-punk, rather than imitate or draw on the majority of the member’s idols (Dead Kennedys, NOFX, Goldfinger, Green Day),' Without Me' does occasionally sound like Blink 182, boasting as much zeal as the now-famous trio but, importantly, a damn sight more quality, most patent in the character-filled vocals. The single comprises of a ‘clean’ and a ‘dirty’ version of the released single track as well as a third track: 'No I Don’t Want Another Joint', which adds another inspired guitar solo to the one in 'Without Me', that fits into place within a quality brand of catchy punk rock. Title track, 'Without Me', underlines what relationships can do to you when they turn sour and, fortunately for the listener, never turns to the soppy as similar songs familiarly do. It is an honest view of one’s personality, a reflection of life, through trials and tribulations, and played with the positive attitude that ska-punk never fails to provide. If that isn’t enough, 'Without Me' is also topped off by a dual-vocalled end to the song, a particularly effective punk inclusion. Finale,' No I Don’t Want Another Joint', is even catchier than the track it follows. It simply is one of the best ska-punk songs to have ever been released. Everything is present in the right measure, from the fast-paced moments that leave you thrilled, to the slower moments that act as a well-written contrast. The single, as a whole, is unavoidably addictive. The songs draw you in; push you around a bit and leave you staggering; ecstatic; wanting another dose; so dissimilar from the static energy that other genres give out. One can only be disappointed by the fact that this release isn’t an album but our sanity will be restored as an EP is, apparently, imminent, scheduled for August release: an album, we can only hope will follow soon. Through every part of the single there is a fluency that is rarely seen in newly-risen bands, helped enormously by what seems to be a highly-talented line-up. Even though the music is fast-paced, it is well thought-out, which inevitably aids the progression of the music, from start to finish, and bodes well for what promises to be a successful future.

Track Listing:-