Single Review: Dogtown Rebels – Anti Gentrification EP

Dogtown Rebels have released their blistering new Anti Gentrification EP via Riot Dog Records, the EP was inspired by real events that are occurring up and down the UK, such as the destruction of London’s legendary Tin Pan Alley, the planned redevelopment of the site of Camden Market and the closure of countless music venues up and down the UK, not to mention the gradual displacement of thousands of working class people from social housing in our city centres, or those forced out by sky high rent increases from greedy tin pot landlords. 

Bearing in mind the subject matter it’s not surprising that the Dogtown Rebels have maintained the level of righteous anger that was demonstrated on their excellent 2015 album, Brave New World, but this time it’s fixed squarely against a single target, one that is close to my heart as my home city is losing venues in the name of gentrification. The subject of the EP might be something that I can relate to but that alone isn’t enough, fortunately Dogtown Rebels back this up musically with a full blooded blast of old school punk rock that hits the spot on each of the three tracks that populate the Anti Gentrification EP.

The Anti Gentrification EP is the perfect follow up to Brave New World, it’s a politically sussed blast of rabble rousing punk rock that is hard to fault, in particular the track Spirit Of London is a hit of old school UK punk rock that is a perfect defiant anthem for resistance to city planners and councils who want to reduce our cities to an endless sea of overpriced apartments, coffee shops, chain bars and clone stores. The Anti Gentrification EP proves that this is a band that captures the energy of their live shows perfectly on record, and I’d recommend catching Dogtown Rebels live if you can based on the triumphant performance I saw when I caught them at last year’s Rebellion Festival.

The Anti Gentrification EP can be streamed and purchased here