vagabondsRarely has a debut EP such an immediate effect as to warrant a review, but every so often a band comes along that intend on building the foundations of their following through said medium and have the masses awaiting the debut album upon its eventual release.

With Bands like Iggy and The Stooges getting a much appreciated recent return to touring, it has opened the gates to the Punk of old getting a positive revival. The Vagabonds have seized this opportunity with their new self titled EP, boasting three tracks that would knock Jimmy Purseys socks off. All completely different and original, they still boast that old Punk essence. Track 1, “When James Met John” gives the entrée of the aforementioned flavour with similarities to The Ramones. But they really deliver on Track 2, “John Mellor” as they delve deeper underground to a sound not too distant from The Stooges themselves. This is all turned on its head with the final track, a mellow emotional “For Real”, which could have been recorded by a depressed, yet still on form, Flogging Molly.

For all its similarities it still has a new-comer element, which may be down to production, yet is still an element worth clutching to.

A strong debut, promising for a genre thought to be lost in nostalgia.

3/5