Vic And Kepi – After The Flood

Before we head off into this album, lets just make this clear, The Punk Site is for Punk and anything that might even if a little tenuously have some connection to Punk or is just simply encompassed by the label “wow that’s great”, so in that vein we bring you a Vic Ruggiero & Kepi Ghoulie album that is pure Rock n Roll comfort food, a mixture of fireside and get together songs that will bring a smile and memories of being with best friends, music played just because it can be. 

After The Flood was recorded in a moody basement and one of those cool little studios that exist just because they should, Vic from NYC has played with the likes of The Slackers, Bar Stool Preachers and even Rancid, so the depth of experience and influence is broad, Kepi on the other hand has his roots in Groovie Ghoulies from California, this makes the coming together seem a little random, yet the fact they have similar tastes in music and yet from totally different perspectives, should make this a very interesting joining.

From the get go this album has the feel that I’m sure they wanted, a sit down a jam, play songs that feel good, to this end ‘Break My Heart’ is simplicity incarnate, but then next up ‘Sugar Coated Love’ can also be dropped into the same box, songs that have you foot tappin and feeling like you need to be sat out on a porch somewhere with a bottle of moonshine by your side and friends kicking off their shoes and dancing. This album is so down to earth it practically has you laid out in a corn field looking up at the stars with the  world going by unnoticed, the Jimmy Reed song ‘Bright Lights Big City’ followed by Kepi’s own song ‘Carly Simon’ fit this moment like a warm pair of socks or a hug from your friend.

Amongst the other covers on this album are the gems that are The New Yorks Dolls ‘Great Big Kiss’ which is given a stripping down to its bare bones and just oozes smoothness, then there is the wonderful Barbara Lynn Ozen song that was also covered by The Rolling Stones (which I was not as impressed by), just pure electric blues played in a Vic & Kepi basement way, just how it should be.

An album for music loving people, made by music loving friends.  A simplicity of sound that harks all the way back to its roots.

Get your ears down to Bandcamp to listen and order this album

Out via Stardoms Records on 10th December