The Warriors - History

Reviews of UNITE THE SCENE

Street Voice

THE WARRIORS – Unite The Scene: I've been waiting for this album to come out for a while now and was happy when it fell through the mailbox. Off it went into the player and now I'm here listening to the best album the band has done to date. In fairness to past members there's only Saxby who survives from the old days. What you have for your money are twelve decent Punk songs that are similar in style to early Contempt. To get the negatives out the way I felt three songs came close to sounding dangerously the same and the three bonus tracks weren't my thing either! If you can't add something to a song or better it then don't cover it. It's a simple rule that works. Aside from pointing that out I have to say this may not be the best album in the world but it's an honest album and on that point alone 'Unite The Scene' deserves to be heard. There's some good songs on here such as 'Kill Your Boss', 'Fists Of Fury'. 'S.N.A.F.U.' and 'Up The Bridgehouse' which have a great impact and make you want to get up and dance! The Production is pretty damned good and packaging is top notch and it's good to see some effort put into these areas. I wish more bands in this scene would do the same. It's also great to hear an Oi! album that doesn't sing about blindly loving ones country and having sly digs at non-whites etc. Saxby and the lads have done well here and this is certainly an Oi! album that deserves your support. 7.5/10

Punk United

The interesting thing for me is that this is the first album Ive been asked to review since 1993 and it seems that time has stood still. Back in 93/4 the market was full of reissues or comeback albums from the early punk/oi! days and this album would have fitted right in but thats no complaint, Im not sure what I was expecting with this album, I wasnt overly keen on Clockwork London, one of the free tracks that appears on their myspace site but I kept an open mind and listened with interest.
The first four songs are strong numbers instantly proving that The Warriors have earnt their place amongst the streetpunk elite, Political Crossfire, The Future Is Unwritten & SNAFU (sure to be a live favourite ) & Up The Bridgehouse are great no nonsense storming oi! anthems with some great guitar work and singlalong choruses. I didnt really like the track Unite The Scene, I didnt feel it was strong enough which was a shame as its obviously the album title. Again the album picks up with another four classics - Compromise Your Beliefs, Kill Your Boss ( we can all relate to that in some way or the other ), John Fila (Drug Dealer) which has a great chorus (John Fila/Drug Dealer/A Second Rate Del Boy with no 3 Wheeler!) and the excellent Be A Man. ( Another great chorus ) before the album slightly dips with Fists Of Fury and the forementioned Clockwork London although I do find myself singing along to CL now! Four 'covers' close the album, three of these billed as bonus tracks. Saxbys voice is great in Horror Show, the man puts heart and soul into the vocals and sounds very angry, the same can be said for the Last Resort classic Working Class Kids which I feel sounds better than the original. The Cock Sparrer cover 'Watch Your Back' didnt work for me but the final track 'Eight Pounds A Week' is a great way to end the album and nice to see the track refreshed.
Overall Unite The Scene is an enjoyable album which isnt out of place next to other streetpunk favourites such as The Rejects, The Upstarts or the 4 Skins opuses Buy it and see for yourself, you wont be disapointed!.

Still Dying Magazine

Old-school punk style and attitude delivered with passion and belief. The Warriors are back with a vengeance with this very well delivered and very well produced album. The album kicks off with the very in-your-face ‘Political Crossfire’ and doesn’t let up with all fifteen tracks relentless in their street-punk old-school attitudes and values. This is straight-ahead, no frills punk rock music with no complications that really packs a punch and hits the mark. The Warriors deliver a true gem of an album with ‘Unite The Scene’, a true punk album for true punk fans. Songs to look out for include ‘S.N.A.F.U.
’ and ‘Clockwork London’, but this is an album full of tracks to look out for – go buy it!

Fungal Punk

A union jack on the cover with the band title in the familiar 'Lonsdale' style font gives hints as to what you get here and a look at some of the song titles on the back reinforces ones initial inklings as to the flavour found therein. Have you guessed yet? Anyway I likes a bit 'o' Oi and the closer to the streets it is the better. This is typical southern roasted style Oi and has many obvious trimmings one can instantly relate to and compare with other influential 'erberts across the tattooed scene. What The Warriors do is regurgitate the formula and delicately imprint their own sound onto each song yet still retain an orthodox approach that will indulge the desires of many a shaven headed bootboy. This is an accomplished album and I hope that some of the most outstanding songs get the credit they deserve in the sub-genres rank and file.

We stomp right in with the scathing straightforwardness of 'Political Crossfire'. The frosted vocals seem to rise above the excellent ramrod noise and at once we are thrown into a crackin' song. Solid basic riffs, no-nonsense lyrics and a chorus to join in with. It may not be the most complicated formula in the world but when it is done with this standard of delivery I have no criticisms whatsoever. This is what a lot of the new-skool would describe as outdated traditional punk but they can stick that opinion right up where the sun don't shine and as soon as they realise this is real street punk for the bloke in the boozer they can keep their traps shut. A choice start is capitalised with the solid second spillage, namely ' The Future Is Unwritten' - a tribute to none other than John Graham Mellor aka Joe Strummer. Even though I ain't a Clash fan ( yeah I always get stick for that one) I do like several of their tracks and realise the importance, to many, of Strummer in the punk movement. The song title goes by the same name of a Julien Temple biopic released in 2007 that charts the times of the iconic frontman before and after his death. This is a song I am sure Joe would have loved as it says what it says without unnecessary frillage and ponsey lyrical matter. Nice one!

The best of the lot comes next with 'S. N. A. F. U.' a chant-along peach that opens with a 'don't give a toss' attitude and bursts into a brilliant chorus that will have the bared beer belly bobbing along with delighted alcohol-fuelled enthusiasm. Again, no obscure ornamentation, no toss-around tweaks and twangs and no arty farty wordage - just simplistic punk that captures the attention. Next we have 'Up the Bridgehouse' a song I am sure means much to the few but means nowt to the many. A public house/venue tribute as well as a bit of name-dropping will please those in the know but for us Northern buggers it misses the mark. Cock Sparrer fail to hit the mark with me too (ha, ha - go on throw your rotten tomatoes) but I acknowledge again that I am in the minority (yeah punk or what) and have no gripes with people who want to pay their respects. I'll judge the fuckin' music anyway and yes, a good song and again one which will have the masses punching the air in hooligan-esque homage to a song that will obviously go down a treat.

So the awkward cunt known as Fungal plods on and so far a treat has been had. Next port of call is at a song called 'Unite The Scene' - a ditty that encapsulates a great ethos and one which I fully applaud. Not a bad song either and even though it primarily enthuses about the Speedfreaks Ball this is a vital message that should be heeded all across the scene. The SAS (plug, plug) has always been drenched in this mix and match essence and has come across many vocal objections which have duly been ignored. I love all flavours coming together and breaking down the sub-divisions so think on ya set of bastards. Yeah a good song too so seek and enjoy!

Next is 'Compromise Your Beliefs' a song that for me stutters a little too much and doesn't flow as smoothly as the rest. The verse is fine and the build up into the chorus is equally fair but the wind down to these vital latter segments intentionally break up and hinder the song somewhat. Some will like this, some won't - I am split down the middle. 'Kill Your Boss' advises against stressing out and gives you a brutal option. It's a very matter of fact delivery and reminds me of a Last Resort song that I just can't place. We are into midway cruise mode and the urgency has slipped a little but this is still a fair song. 'John Fila (Drug Dealer)' gets back into the groove I prefer and has more snap in the jab and so grabs attention and offers a more swinging all round sound. Another good chorus that is an essential part of this brand of Oi and this one really injects life into the whole arrangement. The most definite echoes of old time punk are there and the capable musicians bring this noise well up to date.

Despite being another grand track 'Be A Man' has some bold verbals and one with which I thoroughly agree with (yet again). The main ethos is giving a two finger salute to all forms of division and hatred and if they ain't wise words then these guys are tea-total (Fantasy Island here we come). The concrete vibe is nicely produced and the quality of the finished article is what helps this song, and the CD in general, to succeed. I'm liking what I hear and the threatening build up to 'Fists Of Fury' bears big promise and delivers mightily with a tale of a lady I certainly wouldn't want to meet on a dark, lonely night. A brawling banshee of the highest order is what this tale is about and the imposing music compliments the lyrics well. The usual catchy chorus is there so again it's all positive from this end. 'Clockwork London' is a sobering song about the brutal cesspool London has become. Gangland crime and knife attacks send chills down the spine of the decent and The Warriors just say what's what with a certain aloofness that adds to the unease. Good track nonetheless and a romper stomping delight to say the least and one that segues into the following excellence entitled 'Horrorshow'. Two for one here as both tracks are paradoxically identically different. A perfect duo that finishes the album in a real comfort zone that this lot have worked hard to make for themselves.

So the album proper is done and the review is finished with a most confident nod of the head from this old mucker. To help reinforce this appraisal though The Warriors give us three bonus tracks that are all covers and really add icing on to the already cream-filled cake. 'Working Class Kids' by The Last Resort, 'Watch Your Back' by Cock Sparrer and 'Eight Pound A Week' by The Squad are all less obvious choices which the band must be congratulated on rather than opting for more obvious tracks that have been sorely overdone by many an outfit. For lovers of this style the 3 track finale will provide a sing-a-along treat they can all do the hoovering to and all tracks are executed quite nicely thank you. The latter track is my personal fave but I am sure the debate about which cover shines brightest will rage on.

And so The Warriors keep flying the flag for good solid home-grown Oi that keeps the scene thriving and shows that this sub-genre isn't as one dimensional as many would have you believe. A good fuckin' band with a good CD on their hands which will get many appreciative nods due to the plethora of rocking songs and unpretentious lyrics. If you want it simple, effective and easy to grasp then this is a must. As a last word I feel it is important to add that these songs get better and better with each listen and stick in yer nut like a satsuma up yer jacksie (so I am told) - truly the sign of a good album.

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