Tales Of George – Stay Young and FCKD Up, EP review (Punk, UK)

With the release of their EP in March, “Stay Young and FCKD Up”, Tales Of George have been turning heads aplenty in the Brighton punk scene; the band already having attained a respectable fan following.  This five track EP offers a further insight to the raw, angst-ridden and adrenaline-fuelled style that Tales Of George masterfully pull off. 

Untamed, penetrating vocals soar above the fast paced rhythm and distorted guitar in a cohesive manner that fits perfectly with the brash punk songs ‘In My Head’ and ‘Bows and Arrows.’  Themes of escapism, fighting personal demons and the unbeatable notion of feeling alive are common across the EP and are undeniably intertwined in the standout track, “Stay Young and FCKD Up.”  Purposely out of tune gang-vocals, irresistible fast paced guitar rhythms, short syntax and a catchy chorus explode across two minutes of pure chaos and excitement. The song captures the feeling of being young with a reckless abandon of being intoxicated; comparisons can be made here between Tales of George and the kings of punk rock, The Sex Pistols.  Furthermore, the guitar rhythms and distortions can be compared respectfully with more recent contemporaries, such as The King Blues and Lower Than Atlantis. After the burst of energy mid EP, the fourth song, “Give Me Peace” begins with a slower, darker, more atmospheric feel that hints at the struggles of fighting personal issues and ignorance in others before erupting with heavy bass lines under the lyrics, “Give me peace ‘cause I can’t f**king breathe.” The harmony between the macabre stanzas and edgy tones of the chorus further highlights the expertly crafted grunge style, and is also seen in the last track, “Cocktail of K.” Drawing influences from Nirvana, this song is an excellent way to finish off the voyage that the EP has taken the listener on.

The contagious lyrics, deep breakdowns and manic guitar playing that weaves in and out across these delightful tracks gives the listener a sense of vitality mixed with the darker sides of life in a way that will become ingrained in your thoughts.  The songs translate perfectly to teenagers and younger adults, and will most definitely cause a riot live.