To say I know anything at all about the six-piece known as Duff Muffin would be a complete lie. Having heard the name banded about punknews.org.uk a few times I've at least heard of them - but that's my cracker. Still, when 'Eagle Eyes' landed on my doormat I gave it a good listen and was very impressed with what I heard. Based in Surrey, Duff Muffin play a crazy brand of skacore that almost sounds like the perfect offspring of NoComply and Capdown. There's ska aplenty, all thrown in with some fantastic break downs and drums, along some forceful vocals that do hit home well. Opener 'Pipe Down' instantly starts off the way things are meant to go on, mixing up melody with sheer energy. Having a three piece brass section helps no end too - it's used perfectly too as there's nothing worse than a band who use horns for the sake of it, drowning out everything else.
'Thug' speeds things up and you can tell that it is sure to be a live favourite, turning the front of any pit into a skanking mess. It's also very clever lyrically, focusing on that Capdown or Rx Banits style were they tell you their ideals without ever preaching. The instrumental 'Jazz Club' mellows things out a little and with excellent musicianship on the keys it is a track that is very good, but maybe out of place in the running order. The tension and excitement built up over the previous two efforts is lost, in my opinion this would have been better as a secret track or certainly the album closer.
'Intravertial' carries on the good work, while 'On The Beer' is something we can all empathise with. There's a small footnote with the lyrics that states the band don't like the track, but it's fun and does have a catchy chorus. Don't be so harsh on yourself chaps! 'Toy Soldiers' is particularly relevant bearing in mind recent world events and it is good to see a band who are interested in their politics without coming over all cliched. "Fighting for your flag, what does it really mean? To gain superiority? Cause that's the way it seems," is a good example of Duff Muffin being politically aware. Closer 'Batty Old Cow' reminds me of the Rx Bandits, more reggae-tinged than any of the other tracks yet still socially aware. Damn good stuff.
Relatively unknown to us oop north, Duff Mufin are certainly doing something right. If they can get round to doing a big summer tour of the toilet circuit, bigger things will surely be forthcoming.
www.duffmuffin.co.uk
Paul
