Ferocious Dog
Album: From Without
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.ferociousdog.co.uk

Ferocious Dog, folk punk with attitude, Celtic influences, poignant lyrics, think The Men They Couldn't Hang & The Pogues at their very best and you'll not be far off. Yet comparisons don't do the band justice, they are unique.

Hailing from Warsop near Mansfield, FD have been raising hell at their live shows with their family of dedicated supporter's named the Hell Hounds many bare-chested, many tattooed. Their gigs could be intimidating, they are not, they're welcoming, they are fun.

"From Without" is their second album, led by lead singer and songwriter Ken Bonsall and dedicated to the loving memory of Lee, Ken's son, who fought in Afghanistan, only to succumb to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and tragically take his own life.

"Gallows Justice" blasts the life out of my speakers, it's a stompin', rip roaring tale of the past and a tyrannical land owning Lord who meets his fate and the consequences of fighting and dying to be free.

"Poor Angry And Young" updates social revolution and brings us back to the present aka the current music of legend TV Smith. And despite, or perhaps because of the subject matter, the music is upfront, it hits you between the eyes, you want to be on the dance floor, in the mosh pit, it has the energy and passion to move you. Thanks in no small part to the rock steady beat provided by John Alexander and Scott Walters, whilst Les Carter (yes he of Carter USM fame) and Ellis Waring handle the duties on guitars and a plethora of other instruments.

"Living on Thin Air", tackles the issues of benefit cuts firstly from the establishment's point of view "Well you're bone lazy you're not lame. Lose the chair and ditch the stick. Go and Hang your head in shame. You're not crazy and you don't need care. You're a waste of time and money. Now you're living on thin air." Before the middle eight addresses the other side of the coin.

Topping the iTunes folk chart for a week or so, the single "Ruby Bridges" offers the story of black and white integration in the sixties schools and breaking down barriers. A slight respite in tempo then it's "Crime And Punishment" and I would swear I was listening to T.M.T.C.H. if I didn't know better, the song is also lifted by the violin of co-leader and songwriter Dan Booth.

Strumming staccato electric riffs announce "Slow Motion Suicide", as the band nail the story of the Miners (and many more) under Thatcher's Britain, out of work, out of luck, on the street on the bottle, life in ruins, the sympathetic fiddle perfectly fits. Having lived in Clay Cross and Alfreton, it takes me back, the pictures it paints raise hairs on my neck. For me this is the stand out track on "From Without" it captures the devastation, if you were there, you'd know what it meant.

"I Stand Up For Freedom, I Stand Up For Justice" an anthem, a call for a better way.

Never afraid of tacking situations "Marikana Massacre" tells of the South African striking miners who were shot dead by the police for daring to

strike, it also features a reggae interlude in the middle.

"Unconditional" is slower and is close to the field being ploughed by Wigan group Merry Hell who also have a fanatical support (Hells Bells).

"Raggle Taggle Gypsy", a traditional folk song that strangely lacks the energy and passion the band achieve life and then all to soon it's the closing track of "Mairis Wedding PT III, a rewriting of the old classic but in a darker more realistic place. The sugar and sweetness replaced by bitterness and pain.

"From Without" is a joy, it's certainly one Ferocious Dog you won't want to put down.

Ian Cripps