Back in 2006, The Hip Priests pledged fealty to rock ‘n’ roll. They were ordained as the newest high-adrenaline riff-machine in the UK and haven’t stopped since. Their sweaty garage punk boasts contagious choruses and a never-die attitude. They have played with fellow brethren of the cloth The Hellacopters, Dwarves, and Zeke. But along with the rest of the world, their forever-forward momentum was threatened by the pandemic. In the midst of shutdowns and the unknown, the band started rehearsing and recording in the Roden House, one of Nottingham’s former lace factories. The result is their 5th LP, a lean ‘n’ mean half hour of rock fury called Roden House Blues. Today Decibel Magazine exclusively shares the album a few days before the May 5th release from The Sign Records.
“Trojan Horseshit” kicks off the jams with a battering ram of sneering punk. Ninety seconds later, “Inaction Rocks” surges to life with an electric hook and harmonized gang shouts. Personal favorite track “Can’t Abide With Me” begins with asking big questions about life’s purpose. To me, Roden House Blues exemplifies a punk philosophy of creating good times during bad times. There’s a full-throated commitment from The Hip Priests to playing loud or not at all. They sold their crusty souls to the same shrine of underground rock ‘n’ roll that begat UK punk preachers like Buzzcocks, Discharge, and The Exploited. Bangers like “Just to Get By” and “Persistence is Futile” both add razor-sharp melodies to the band’s raucous garage rock and flex their songwriting chops. You don’t have to pray for more riffs; The Hip Priests keep ’em primal and plentiful throughout Roden House Blues.
Listen to the good word of furious rock ‘n’ roll and press play below.
Pre-order Roden House Blues from The Sign Records HERE
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