Rockbites: The Parkinsons release debut mini-album

newsarchive

February 2002 • Rockbites Alternative Daily

• back to February 2002 index

The Parkinsons release debut mini-album
26 February 2002

Portugal/UK Britpunk quartet The Parkinsons yesterday released their debut mini album, A Long Way To Nowhere, on London’s Fierce Panda label. Mixing up the song craft of The Damned (who they most resemble); the youthful angst & aggression of the Sex Pistols, The Stooges, and The Dead Boys; and the romance, existentialism, and sardonicism of The Buzzcocks, the Parkinsons manage to sound vital and fresh in 2002 with a musical attack worm-holed directly from 1977.
    The Parkinsons started collecting in London in 1999 and include Coimbra, Portugal natives Alfonso Zheimer (vocals), Victor Torpedo (guitar), and Pedro Xau (bass)—all previously in Portugal’s Tédio Boys—along with Scottish drummer Chris Low. They love chaos, nudity, and noise, and say they got their first gig in London without a demo tape, based solely on their reputation as wild kids. Guitarist/songwriter Victor Torpedo told NME’s Stevie Chick, “...the club owner knew what we were like as people, and just wanted to know what sort of noise we’d make.”
    Among those taking notice: Ben Lurie and Jim Reid of Freeheat, and both formerly in The Jesus And Mary Chain. The pair took The Parkinsons under their collective wing and have applied a production technique so perfectly adapted to the genre—allowing all the noise and aggression to steal the spotlight, without sacrificing a perfect balance—that the production magically disappears into the shadows exactly as it should. Genius.
    Tracks on the new mini-album are Primitive, Too Many Shut Ups, Angel In The Dark, Universe, Hate Machine, Nothing To Lose, and Scientists, along with a bonus, unlisted live version of their first single, Bad Girl.
    There’s just nothing quite like the raw energy generated by ’70s London/Ann Arbor punk—in particular, the special sort of melodious noise that came from The Damned and The Stooges. If The Parkinsons get their way, a whole new generation can grow up properly subverted. Four bites out of five.

Rockbites ratings  5: life changing, 4: stunning, 3: captivating, 2: amusing, 1: annoying.

No announcements yet about a North American release for A Long Way To Nowhere, but Portugal will get a domestic release soon on Edel Records. But wherever you are you can order the disc directly from Amazon UK—check our link.

UPDATE 15 July 2002: A Long Way To Nowhere is now available from Elevator Music in the US, with a bonus live track recorded in January in New Haven, Connecticut. | The Parkinsons | | Fierce Panda | | CD from Amazon UK | | Freeheat | | top of page |

back to February 2002 index

today’s stories •

click for Rockbites Home
	Copyright © 1998 - 2001 M. Jason. All Rights Reserved. Rockbites is not for profit and supports human rights. “Rockbites” and “Alternative Daily” are service marks of Rockbites. All names are the property of their respective owners. Send your feedback or questions to feedback@rockbites.org Send your press releases to press@rockbites.org Rockbites Alternative Daily contact information