No Escape – Back On The Streets

Self-released

 

After several years of radio silence, Tottori, Japan’s Oi!-punk outfit No Escape is back! Those familiar with Bronze Fist Records might have heard of No Escape here or there already, for example through the split CD with Natural Born Masters (2007) or compilations such as “Sons Of Skinhead” (2003) or “Skinhead! It’s An Asian League volume 2 (2013), but if you haven’t I can’t blame you either. This because of the simple fact that the band isn’t explicitly represented in both the discography and history of Japanese Oi! with just one split CD and a handful of self-released demo / promotional cassettes.

 

But with all of that in a past far, far away, it is never too late to try and change history, extending the discography with all new material. Because as said, after a long hiatus (with the exception of their appearance on the aforementioned “Skinhead! It’s An Asian League” compilation) the Tottori lads are back with four brand-new tracks on the self-released CD-single, carrying the appropriate title; “Back On The Streets”!

 

Unlike most Japanese records in my collection, but alike every other song previously released by No Escape, all tracks on “Back On The Streets” are in English. This immediately gives them a different sound like the gross of the rough, thunderous Japanese bands out there. With a style similar to their fellow countrymen in Blade or other Asian outfits such as early A.C.A.B., The Maniacs and The Official, the music and vocals are clearly influenced by British Oi! and punk of the 80’s, just as the Brits were an inspiration to the aforementioned bands.

 

The band’s newly adopted anthem “No Escape, No Change”, the excellent guitar solos and background vocals in “We’re Coming Back” (not an A.C.A.B. cover), the aggro “Revolt” and jolly sing-along “Having Fun” are well worth your 500 Yen (less than five bucks) alone, so consider the artwork by Muna, which is always spot on whether it be the Suede Razors in a Volkswagen van (“Berlin Or Bust”) or a simple Doc Marten boot (in this case), a bonus. Vinyl anyone?