Miscellaneous - Give 'Em the Boot

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 22 / 10 / 2005

intro

Anthony Strutt examines Dutch punk label Hellcat's new DVD 'Give 'Em the Boot', which features footage of some of the best bands on their roster including Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, Rancid, Horrorpops and the Dropkick Murphys

'Give 'Em the Boot' is an 82 minute collection of live footage of bands that record for Dutch label, Hellcat, which has been directed by Tim Armstrong of the punk band Rancid, who also owns the label. Most of this is shot in grainy black and white, There are twenty five songs here filmed at various venues in the world. Ten of these come from Rancid, one of which is a backstage version on acoustic guitars of the Stooges' No Fun' with Iggy Pop himself on vocals. 'Give 'Em the Boot' also includes two numbers, recorded at the Brixton Academy, by the late, great Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. These are a laid back 'Rudie Can't Fail' as well as DVD closer 'Minstrel Boy' which is violin based. Other acts who are featured include psychobilly acts Tiger Army, Horrorpops and Nekromantrix. Other bands who appear include F -Minus whose singer Erika Daking's vocals are shouty and sound like Courtney Love's ; the US Bombs who sound like a tight Pistols but who have a very average 70's style punk singer in the shape of Duane Peters ; the ultra fast Roger Miret and the Disasters and the Pogues-influenced Dropkick Murphys. The Transplants meanwhile are shouty punks, while the Slackers are a two tone act. Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards again are like the Pistols but with a bit of dub, while the Nerve Agents are very fast and tight. On the whole this is for the young and new punk rocker of today and will appeal more to people who like their punk to be American.