Jimmy Dammage has made their long-awaited return with their latest album BAMBOO!, and it’s an undeniably unfiltered explosion of melodic punk that refuses to be ignored.
After a decade-long hiatus, the UK trio, consisting of Andy Shardlow on bass, James Farmer on drums, and Jim Farmer on guitar and vocals, wastes no time in reminding the world why they were missed.
From the opening chords of Time Will Tell, it’s evident that Jimmy Dammage hasn’t lost any of their edge during their time away. The album’s 10 tracks come in just under half an hour – and not a second is wasted, making it an essential 30-minute slice of catchy post-hardcore.
Makes No Difference delivers a powerful punch with its relentless energy and wry lyrical wit with instantly memorable lines, like “I’m a gift, I’m a curse, show me your worst.” Dammage refuse to take their foot off the pedal with Lightning, with track charged with frenetic urgency through a blend of pulsating basslines and dynamic drumming.
With nods to the likes of The Libertines, Stumble sees the Cheshire trio deliver a more emotive and heartfelt performance, with Jim’s vocals soaring over the band’s recognisable blend of melodic hooks and gritty punk sensibilities.
Lyrically, BAMBOO is a punch to the gut – but one that makes you stand up and listen even more intently. “I’m not made of stone, but you keep chipping away at me” – it’s lines like this from A Bitter Pill to Swallow that have you craning your neck to listen to every word.
With a dash of aggression and heaps of humour, 4 Beers effectively recreates that feeling of being a little bit dizzy in a busy boozer following one pint too many, which is contrasted by the moodier and melancholic Hello, which harks back to bands like Placebo and Nirvana.
December Tuesday further demonstrates the versatility of Jimmy Dammage through hefty melodies and a sense of nostalgia, with romanticised storytelling lyrics.
Acoustic Hits & Misses feels like the perfect b-side to Makes No Difference, but what I particularly like about this more stripped back number is that it not once loses the Jimmy Dammage spark.
Closing the record is the cleverly chaotic and unpredictable Golden, fizzing with fuzzy soundscapes and shifting effortlessly between punchy riffs and hefty melodies.
Released on both Interstellar Smoke and Rare Vitamin Records, BAMBOO! is a must-listen for fans of catchy post-hardcore, and if you’re not, give it a listen – you just might change your mind.
Released March 15, listen to BAMBOO! By Jimmy Dammage here:
