The Manky Melters

Reviews

The Manky Melters Carry On CD

I confess that I have very few reference points here—the MANKY MELTERS self-describe as “Celtic folk-punk,” and that seems about as good a summation as I could offer for these French rockers. I hear WORLD/INFERNO FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY, but that might be the violin and the vocals as much as the songs themselves…file this under “not my thing,” but I’ll be fukkd if I don’t find myself humming these tunes (especially “Dirty Drunk”) more than I ever would have expected. There are a couple of country/rock tracks (“Heat of the Moment,” in particular) that offer a welcome respite; fans of accordions and anthems will rejoice here. Every song sounds like a protest, and I can get behind that shit.

The Manky Melters One More Round! CD

Female-fronted Celtic folk punk from Sélestat, France. In a male-dominated scene, it’s refreshing to hear a female vocalist in this genre. Plus, with the grit and delivery of Agent M from TSUNAMI BOMB, Giada gives this record that extra oomph of energy to separate it from its peers. The only other female-fronted Celtic punk band I’ve come across is seeing DADDY O RADIO playing an inspired, sweaty, hectic set in a basement bar in South Korea, and this brings the same spastic feeling. Inspired lyrics about taking a focused, defiant path against corrupt authority, embracing the life lived, and of course, there’s alcohol-inspired tunes. Giada’s vocals are bolstered by a driving backing rhythm section, and the occasional fiddle and banjo round out this solid release.