by on

Release date: March 1, 2022

Format : Digital

Location: Pueblo, Colorado

Favorite Tracks: Rudest Gun In The West, The Heat And The Pressure, Shotgun, Ludlow, Away From Me, All In, Rockin’ On Time, 

Sounds Like:  The Specials, Madness, The Selecter, Symarip, The Pilfers, Toots & The Maytals, The Dendrites, and The Skatalites

https://www.facebook.com/lastreelhero/photos/1154370191576869

It’s a great day here on the CPRA news desk. The Pueblo based gunslingers, Last Reel Hero have released their brand-new album, “Back To The Sun”. It’s been a couple of years since their last release. So, we are very excited for some new music from LRH. You can read our thoughts on that one here, https://coloradopunkrockarmy.com/2018/10/12/last-reel-hero-s-t/. So, let’s dig into “Back To The Sun”. In case you didn’t read the link above. The band gets their name from a line in the movie, “The Harder They Come”. 

The record starts with, “Rudest Gun In The West”. It’s mellow and a perfect introduction. “The Heat And The Pressure” is next and you can feel the tempo rising. It’s fast with that familiar “Pick It Up”, beat. The horns and gang vocals are awesome. The guitar riffs are unexpected but add that killer ska punk sound. If you haven’t started dancing by now, you my friend have no soul. The next track is “Shotgun”. Check out the rad video below.

“Shotgun: is a callback to simpler times, when life was easy. The next song is, “Ludlow Mine”. It’s a tribute to the workers at the Ludlow Massacre. “The Ludlow Massacre was a watershed moment in American labor relations. Socialist historian Howard Zinn described it as “the culminating act of perhaps the most violent struggle between corporate power and laboring men in American history”.[9] This a wonderful track. 

Donate to Colorado Punk Rock Army! Even just 5 bucks helps us pay our bills for this site!

“Away From Me”, is next up and speeds the tempo back up. That rad ska punk sound returns. This track is about unity and reclamation. The bass, guitar, drums are amazing. “Back To The Sun”, returns to the western theme. It feels a bit on the northern soul side, but uniquely American in story. It’s about not giving up, no matter the stakes. “All In” comes in with a vengeance. The ska punk is strong on this track. I can’t help but tap my toe. 

“Rockin’ On Time” is the next track on the list. It continues a rad Jamaican beat. I can see this track getting mixed with several other songs from the genre. DJ’s will love this track. “One Fine Day” is about reuniting with friends and loved ones. Be sure to check out the video below. It speaks of hope during times of darkness. 

“Looting And Shooting”, brings us to the end of the line. The horns have an old west Spanish feel to them. While the organ fits in perfectly adding a perfection of ambiance. Now I am not sure if this song is about Miami Police Chief Walter Headley. He was the first person to use the phrase “Looting and Shooting” in a press conference on December 26, 1967. “Headly announced that six three-man teams of officers equipped with “shotguns and dogs” would respond to the “young hoodlums” from “Negro districts” in Miami with lethal force[1][11] and stated “his men have been told that any force, up to and including death, is proper when apprehending a felon”.[12]” Source wikipedia.

https://www.facebook.com/lastreelhero/

It terrifies me to think that this intolerable act of racism still existed in the United States less than 100 years ago. Sadly, racism will never go away. The only thing we can do is prevent it from continuing. Now this track could also have a way simpler meaning within the storyline and the LRH universe. I of course always read a bit too much into music, but that’s me. 

So how is Last Reel Hero’s “Back To The Sun”? This record is a must have for any ska lover, any lover of Colorado, and anyone who enjoys well written music. I will be adding this record to my nominees for best local album of 2022. I am really hoping we get a vinyl release sometime soon. Until then my friends, you can listen and purchase here, https://lastreelhero.bandcamp.com/ . 

Tracks: (Per Bandcamp)

  1. Rudest Gun In The West 
  2. The Heat And The Pressure
  3. Shotgun
  4. Ludlow Mine 
  5. Away From Me
  6. Back To The Sun
  7. All In
  8. Rockin’ On Time
  9. One Fine Day
  10. Looting And Shooting

Links:

by on

We had no idea this show would be so popular. Is it because $5.00 of every door/ticket sale will go directly to Tennyson’s Center For Children?

tennyson center sign
The Tennyson Center for Children, is one of the Rocky Mountain region’s leading treatment centers for abused, neglected and at-risk youth. We help kids who have survived severe abuse or neglect, or who have significant mental health or developmental issues. For more than 112 years, we’ve been changing lives and giving hope to children and families. We provide residential, therapeutic, and educational services to Colorado children ages 5 to 18. The Tennyson Center ensures these amazing kinds have the fighting chance they deserve at a satisfying and fulfilling life. www.tennysoncenter.org

Or is the amazing line up? 

 

received_335006237070994

Check out some awesome videos below and get your pregame on! 

 

The Unaccepted

The Hacks

The Dead End

The Lurchers 

Last Reel Hero

People Corrupting People

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/happy-skanksgiving-tickets-52424143023
Meme by GG

Don’t be Dave man get your tickets before they’re gone!

by on

Here at CPRA we are huge fans of Pueblo, Colorado’s Last Reel Hero. We reviewed their last album release and you can check it out here, https://coloradopunkrockarmy.com/2018/10/12/last-reel-hero-s-t/.

You can see their first Denver show at CPRA’S Happy Skanksgiving show, https://www.facebook.com/events/310508869736134/?ti=as.

by on

39808025_704888253191734_1297664307663732736_o

 

Release Date: 8/30/2018

Format: Digital, physical copies released 9/14/2018

Label: DIY

Location: Pueblo, CO

Current Lineup: Per Facebook

  • Andy Jackson – vocals
  • Carlos Gomez – guitar
  • Shanon Sinclair – guitar
  • Geoff Andersen – bass
  • Shaun Herrera – drums
  • Dan Wiley – keys/trombone

Favorite Tracks: All I Want, Bitter Ending, Hero Can’t Dead, Guns Fever, All I Want, My Survival, and Cool Down.

Sounds Like: Bad Brains, Dendrites, Pietasters, Bad Manners, English Beat, Fishbone, NOISE, Street Dogs, Dark Buster, Jackie Mendez, Mad Caddies, Streetlight Manifesto, People Corrupting People, The Specials, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Steel Pulse and Judge Dread.

facebook_1535554573355

 

I was lucky to grow up during the golden age of MTV. Back when new videos came out every other week and British bands ruled the airwaves. Now sadly it’s a pile of rubbish. “I want my MTV”! As a child I fell in love with bands like Bad Manners, English Beat, Madness, and Steel Pulse. My love affair continues on to this day.

giphy.gif

 

This was mainly influenced from a British sitcom called, “The Young Ones”. The show was hilarious and featured various bands within each episode. The show helped many UK based bands gain international attention like, The Damned, Motorhead, and Madness.

 

You didn’t come here to read my life story you came to check out the Last Reel Hero! Let’s do this. The band formed in 2017. I reached out to the band, because well this album is pretty badass. Per bassist, Geoff Anderson, “We’ve been together for a little over a year, but have all been involved in punk/oi/reggae/ska/skinhead/rudeboy music/culture for years on end.

 

The name Last Reel Hero is taken from a line in the movie “The Harder They Come” and refers to the hero of a spaghetti western (Django, in this case) not dying until the last reel of the film. Why we have a slight spaghetti western theme”. The band details their spaghetti western theme through their various show flyers and album art. Check some of them out below! I personally cannot wait to get my hands on some merch!

39939452_706731296340763_3395693769482305536_o

 

So let’s check out the album in pure CPRA fashion track by track style. The album kicks off with “The Show”. This one has a late mod sound to it with a bit of ska and punk. The bass and keyboard shine on this track. The vocals remind me of Prince Buster and even a little Jackie Wilson. This song calls all the rudies, punks and skins to drop their weapons and get to the party.

Next up is a Valentines cover “Guns Fever”. This is probably my favorite track on the record. It’s catchy and sure to be a favorite among the rudies and skins. It has a very traditional ska sound mixed Northern soul. Get your dancing shoes on! This one changes things up a bit to pay homage to their Pueblo roots.

“No Fool For You” follows with a classic ska riff in my favorite anti love song format. You can definitely hear guitarist Carlos Gomez (The Dead End) and Shannon Sinclair (Might Of Henry).  “Bitter Ending”, is up next. This one is pure OI in your face. It sounds a bit like Bad Manners meets Cock Sparrer. It’s the perfect blue collar song for anyone who busts their ass for pennies everyday.

39148909_698139933866566_869654448496967680_n

 

So far I’d say the Last Reel Hero is winning this gunfight with the author! Haha. ‘All I Want”, continues the OI. The kids will be running for the pit on this track. This one is my second favorite track on the album. It’s almost anthem like. So far Django (Last Reel Hero) has been up against the wall. He’s been faced with enemies, and lost love. How will this end for him?

“Cool Down” is up next on the track list. This one slows the record down in with beautiful reggae beats. Not many of us were there in England during the 1980’s skin riots. This song encapsulates that time period in my head. So if if any Nazi skins are reading this, you need to “Cool Down” ya and stop being a blockhead.

 

“Hero Can’t Dead”, ok so I lied this is my favorite on the album. This one will have the listener skanking at their desks, in schools, in pubs and at home. I love the lyrics! The vocals again come with a great Northern Soul mixed with reggae sound.

“Hero can’t dead,

Hear what I said,

They come at him in red,

But he riddle them with lead,

The bad men fled,

When he opened up his coffin bed”.

‘My Survival”, this one to me sounds like Fishbone. Even the vocals sound a bit like Angelo Moore. That makes this a great song. I fact I kinda want to light a joint right now. Ok I better not as my office tends to frown on mj use. Haha! I love the lyrics and everything about this song.  This one is about helping society find a better resolution to help those suffering.

“High Noon”, speeds the record back up and injects that OI. The progressions on this one are fantastic. I can see this song ending up as a football anthem. Hello football fans? Not US football obviously. This one is very Cock Sparrer/The Business like.

26173895_557420987938462_731234696665860004_o

 

“We’re Coming Back”, is a kick ass cover of the classic Cock Sparrer sound. This one closes out the record. It infuses some Bad Manners backbeats while the band throws in their style. So there you have it. Let’s break down the battle between the reviewer and Last Reel Hero.

Ska Bones – is awesome, yet super nerdy, 0 points awarded.

Last Reel Hero – Coolest band theme ever, makes great tunes, 10 points awarded.

There you have it folks. The Last Reel Hero wins this bout. In conclusion the album far exceeded any expectations I had. In the last 24 hours I’ve listened to this record 100 times or more.

Their hooks are catchy, deep and funky bass lines, Northern soul edge, and OI driven punk make this one album I will never forget.

20180828_133658

 

Tracks:

  1. The Show
  2. Guns Fever
  3. No Fool For You
  4. Bitter Ending
  5. All I Want
  6. Cool Down
  7. Hero Can’t Dead
  8. My Survival
  9. High Noon
  10. We’re Coming Back

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lastreelhero/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lastreelhero/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6hIdy2wyzZAP472d7nT9aX

CPRA Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/coloradocelticpunkrockarmy/playlist/73BUOtISN9ulLZriyRYD5K