The Brutalists

The Brutalists

Staring at the rude boys. Coming on like a louche and sleazy pub-rock band more at home in a dreary, dodgy Ladbroke Grove circa 1979 than in modern downtown LA, The Brutalists are something of a welcome anomaly with their ska-powered take on bluesy, boozy punk’n’roll. Former Quireboy Nigel Mogg’s delightfully yobbish vocals bring to mind an extra-cheeky Phil Daniels, giving the sound a very English spin, and there’s plenty of fun to be had skanking along to Form & Function and Jungle Nasty. It’s not hard to imagine the band providing the background soundtrack to some seedy pub scene in Minder, with the old piano-driven blues of Nutter the accompaniment to Arthur stitching Terry up yet again. Make mine a double VAT, Dave.