Headsticks – 10 Years Without Killing Each Other

2012 seems such a very long time ago, but in reality its a blink of an eye, yet Headsticks have, in that blink of an eye, managed to cram in classic songs, albums that stand alongside the best Folk/Punk and 100% deserve to be there.

So fast forward to 2022 with 10 years of band and life experience behind them, its now time to revisit some of these songs, re-record and breathe new life into them and show the world what this band set out to do, and how looking at the issues that still dog the lives of ordinary folk, a broken political system and giving a fighting spirit to those who need it, is still a the heart of what they do.

To choose 15 songs from so many, must have been a pain staking task, but choose they did, and to that end here we have an album that stands testament to their journey.

The opener ‘Mississippi’s Burning’ sits up front for a reason, it lays down the the vocal quality that Andrew Tanter gives to the band perfectly and gives you a preview of what is to come both musically and lyrically, a blend of folk and punk that transcends the borders between genres.

‘Peace & Quiet’ follows immediately, this is a song that most probably hooked myself into this bands ethos, the fight against how humanity can be so damned self destructive, an ode to the killing of the planet by non other than ourselves, after hearing this punk fuelled folk song, how else could you not be right there with them. 

What Headsticks do with there brand, is give you folk/punk without the obligatory fiddle or mandolin, its a rock based sound that drives the messages.  The next song that hit you in the heart like a dagger on this 10 years strong album, is ‘Paper Flowers’ a dedication to those who are sent to fight & die for no other reason than the self preservation of the rich and powerful, a heart felt song that says it in a way that brings a tear to even the most hardened.  Ten years of fighting a fight that needs fighting, ten years of singing about the issues that need singing about, but more than ever, ten years of preaching respect for your fellow human ‘Cold Grey English Skies’ in other words.

I have to admit, the first time I came across Headsticks, it was live at Rebellion Festival, and honestly, I didn’t get it immediately, its a lyrical thing that they do as much as anything, and once you understand/get that, the music will take you anywhere the words will, this album is a starting point as well as a retrospective and should not be overlooked.

Oh and just so you all know, this is not just a collection of best of songs, its actually a collection of hand picked songs that have be re-recorded specially for this album. Well done Headsticks for not doing it by the standard book.

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