Search - Filthy Thieving Bastards :: Our Fathers Sent Us

Two Utters Go On a Pogues-Styled Romp!

Sean Holland | Hog City | 11/15/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Johnny Bonnel and Darius Koski of the Swingin' Utters have released a fine side project with the Filthy Thieving Bastards EP - "Our Fathers Sent Us". Upon first listen, it seems to be a mainly Poguesy flavored opus (which it definitely is) but upon closer listens, it becomes apparent that there are more influences at play here than just the toothless wonder, although it is his fingerprints that are most closely stamped on this pint glass of a record .The cover is a collage of what I take it are Bonnel and Koski's main influences in music, literature and life. We have Shane MacGowan, Joe Strummer, John Lennon, Elvis (Presley and Costello) and Tom Waits alongside the likes of James Joyce and Brendan Behan and the album itself sounds like a soundtrack to a card game/drinking session between these spirits.As stated, most tracks are Pogues influenced, from Bonnel's "Bastard's Wrath" with it's stories of life on the road and in pubs, which bounces along simliarly (to me at least) to the Pogues "Misty Morning, Albert Bridge" to Koski's "Hopeless Vows" which is more in tune with early-Pogues circa "Boys From The County Hell". Bonnel's "Trash" sounds more like a Johnny Thunders/Dead Boys style rev-up, and his "S.S.S." is an Oi!/Pub Rock-style singalong, something early Sham 69 might have done, while Koski's "Red Roses" sounds like "Here Comes the Sun" sung by MacGowan.All in all, a very enjoyable record and, I feel, the boys here understand MacGowan and what he was trying to do much better than many of today's Irish folk/Punk rock acts."

Poor sound

Sean Holland | 08/27/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Though a little more Pogues-influenced than their "A Melody of Retreads and Broken Quills," this cd was very disappointing. They have a Celtic sound to them, but it is very slight. They seem to be more of a Swingin Utters-like band. I would not recommend this album for those who are looking for a band like the Tossers, the Pogues, Flogging Molly, or Blood or Whiskey."

PLEASE, stop with the Irish Folk!!!

Sean Holland | 08/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great CD and it does draw from american roots and folk, but it is NOT an irish folk album. The Bastards themselves are quoted as stating this, so please stop!"