Molly's Boulevard - Same Time, Same Places: Going Places or Same Old Same Old?

It's official. Merthchester is in full swing. Bands are creeping out of the woodwork in Merthyr this year. From Chapel Row storming the airwaves barely out of the starting block, to Florence Black headlining Merthyr Rising, and my own groovings with The Moon Birds getting our first batch of airtime, stuff is happening in Skintville. Not only are bands crawling out from the foundations, but bands are even forming within pre-existing bands. Rock'n'roll is contagious.

One such case is the accidentally formed Molly's Boulevard. What was meant to be a one-off kiss has turned into a full on fling, with all members of Molly's Boulevard stemming from the new ska/two-tone act of Upbeat Sneakers. So, is a sub-band sub-par? Or can they hold their own in a world where Merthyr is kicking and screaming like Madchester 20 years ago?

A fortnight ago, I was screaming at Cameran and Ryan to get in the studio with some original stuff. Barely a week later, they answered with 'Same Time, Same Place.' You can't argue that the Molly's Boulevard boys work fast. Written, recorded and mastered all in the space of seven days - but you'd never tell. 

An opening straight out of the finest 70's rock offerings smacks you round the chops. Dancing hi-hats and confident, cocky guitar splashes put me in mind of Thin Lizzy's 'The Boys Are Back In Town,' but with a bigger right hook and faster feet. A grumbling bassline moves the oceans underneath the sustained distortion, before the guitars come bounding in and dragging the verses with them.

The drums are sharp. They don't bellow and splatter like many other rock tracks, but rather take on a much more punky attitude - beautifully honed and high in register, they slice through the mix like a Chickenland fart in a crowded room. 

Personally, I think there's more than a hint of early Foo Fighters about the guitar work. It's unfussy, solid, and ultimately lets the groove do its thing - a rare trait in a band so new. 'Same Time, Same Place' is very dynamically aware, with great attention paid to keeping that swaggering rock groove flowing. 

Lyrics are uplifting and anthemic, feeding off the major positive vibes from the Merthyr Rising festival of a few weeks ago. They're delivered with complete confidence and assertiveness - a twang belies the Welsh roots, but there's no American excess here. It's as down to Earth as the plumber's wife. 

I can't help but feel there's a nod to Florence Black in here somewhere. Not in tone, or in sound, but rather in attitude. Maybe it's just the title, or perhaps the floods of distorted guitar, but there's a little of Merthyr's finest rock in there. It's nice to hear the same DNA coming through. Molly's Boulevard are chasing some big tails, and they're keeping up. 

Overall, 'Same Time, Same Places' is not you're typical first offering. It's sophisticated, well-presented, and just fucking cool. I can't wait to hear more - the Molly's Boulevard boys are lighting the touch-paper to something special. Smash it boys! 

What do Molly's Boulevard sound like?

Take a fat slab of 70's rock. Thin Lizzy, Quiet Riot, you know the drill. Drag it through some of the finest 90's rock a la Grohl, and then give it some Buckcherry attitude. Take away some of the American ego, and give it a more presentable face, and then shout at it to get back in the studio and do some recording!

https://www.facebook.com/mollysboulevard?fref=ts
@MollysBoulevard
http://www.mollysboulevard.com