The Knockouts, a Swedish/Australian band that deliver a splendid concoction of punk and rockabilly are back after an almost ten-year hiatus. 

The band has toured with artists including Brian Setzer, Social Distortion, the Living End, as well as hitting festival stages including Azkena Rock, Peace & Love and West Coast Riot. 

The singer and guitarist, Johan Frandsen, a Gretsch endorsee, having been really, quite unwell for the best part of the last decade is mercifully sufficiently restored to health to be able to release some new tracks.

Following successful albums Among the Vultures and 5000 Miles from Louisville the band is about to kickstart its career once more. They are set to release a two-track single recorded on tape at Das Boot Studio, Stockholm, the tracks exude terrific melodies, great guitar work and plenty of piss and vinegar.

‘Passed By’ begins with pummelling drums to which bass is added and then the guitar comes in, there is a definite feel of pop punk to this, but also a real presence of rockabilly in terms of the riff and the very nice solo as well as the aesthetic with the big hollow-bodied Gretsch. The lyrics of the chorus ‘The time passed by and I lost my pride when I thought I was going to die’ are clearly autobiographical, referencing Frandsen’s life-threatening illness. ‘Breaking Sunshine’ is more obviously punk and could be straight out of Rancid’s song book. It is a very good song with some superb guitar work and excellent drums. If you are partial to the Living-End, Rancid and the Stray Cats then this will be right up your alley. Go out and get a copy, I’m mustard keen.

Nick Kemp