Photo by Jack Taylor-Gotch
British punk band Rifle have released their much anticipated, vibrant and raucous debut self-titled album via Year0001. Listen to the record HERE
Dragging gut-punch proto-punk through the byways of anarcho and UK pub rock, Rifle is the sound of revenge yelled by the damned sons of London’s borderlands. These boys are battered, kicked in, cut loose, and furious.
Initially, Max (vocals) and Ross (bass) bonded over music at their dead-end jobs, eventually meeting after work in Camden to commit sonic atrocities until the small hours. Rifle formed gradually like a demented social club, completing the lineup with Flynn (drums), Albert and Louis (guitar) as the party grew louder and more sordid with each session.
After laying down some demos, it wasn’t long before they found themselves supporting London group The Chisel, and Australian shed rockers The Chats, proving quickly that their bite is far worse than their bark. Since bludgeoning the European festival scene at Reading and Leeds, Venezia Hardcore Fest, Rebellion, and Sjock, Rifle have gone from strength to strength, always sharpening their edge for what comes next.
When talking about their debut album, the band say, “As an album, RIFLE centres on the working-class experience. Some of the choruses and vocal hooks were inspired by the chants you’d hear on football terraces, with that natural sing-along quality. We also wanted to capture the sound and identity of being a London band, which I hope comes through on the album. A lot of the music we listened to while recording has a strong London identity. Groups like Cockney Rejects and Cock Sparrer may not have a big overlap in sound, but their lyrical focus and overall ethos definitely define them as London bands. That’s something we were aiming to achieve as well.”
“This album was our first time recording everyone’s parts separately. We made sure we were all actively listening to what everyone else had laid down, constantly offering suggestions and keeping the encouragement flowing. And of course, recording with Jonah, who produced the album with us, meant there was no shortage of ideas and support.”
Rifle‘s political charge is stronger still, with No King, Protest and United State taking aim and harnessing their anarchic drive to destroy the hateful institutions around them.
Photo by Jade Sastropawiro After building a dedicated global following through their beloved EPs Citrus…
Photo by Emmanuel Rosario Less than a year after delivering their raw-nerve debut Party Time,…
Photo by Charles Peterson Sub Pop To Release Sebadoh’s "Harmacy (30th Anniversary Expanded Edition)" on…
Photo by Anna Motterle The Somnambulist release “September Shoals,” the first single from a new…
Photo by Michael Jung For a decade, Brooklyn’s SAVAK has operated on a uncompromising blueprint:…
Photo by Molly Boniface Exeter's pushbike today announce the "Little Bastard EP", the band's debut…