Dolium x LiVES – Shame!

I never tend to review singles, 7 inches, 12 inches, EP’s…sure, come on board, but ONE solitary song? Nah, never happened...until now that is. However the opportunity to support some homegrown talent as well as my fellow countrymen was simply too good to resist. So who are the protagonists who are participating? Well, let’s find out shall we...

First there’s Sheffield’s Dolium, described by Organ Zine as “...one of England's best kept secrets for far too long”, “Tasty, seductive stuff” from Rock Sound and UK Music Review who state that they are “Gloriously slanted gothic blues rocking underground heroes”. Its also worth noting they were favourites of legendary DJ John Peel, so there’re highly regarded needless to say. The band (who originally disbanded in 2010 before recently reforming) on this release comprises of Reece Adamo aka Rhys Bloodjoy - Vocals/Guitar and Ms De Vine - Backing Vocals and they have a history whichstretches back to the late 90’s/early 2000’s. The band’s label Sister 9 Recordings (who are also putting out this here track) put out the mammoth 2024 boxset The Products Of Our Own Demands And Commands which usefully collects together the band’s entire catalogue which includes two full-lengths, an unreleased third album amongst other such fare. From what I’ve heard the band adopt a Scuzzy Lo-Fi Post-Punk kind of sound, like a cross between The Pixies, The Birthday Party and Bauhaus. This is definitely right up my street, especially the latter two bands.

Then there’s LiVES who are described in the single promo as ‘born in Cornwall, sharpened in Kent’ and were formed out of the ashes of The Sea, who put out three full-length albums before disbanding. They are a newer outfit than the aforementioned Dolium but they already have two albums to their name including 2021’s Bayonne 21 and 2024’s Let Them Eat Cake. The trio consist of brothers Peter and Alex Chisholm Guitar/Vocals, Drums/Vocals respectively along with Bass/Vocalist Dan Billing. They too employ Post-Punk but with an Indie sensibility and overt political bent. Its worth noting too that their track ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ featured on the Netflix series Lucifer and they’ve also supported legendary acts as the Buzzcocks and Danny Wildheart (of The Wildhearts).

So, right from the off the artwork recalled Anarcho troublemakers Chumbawamba and the font used on the band’s 1992 release Shhh. Interestingly that record’s artwork incorporated various rejection letters received by the band denying the rights to various samples which they intended to use. Judging by LiVES rebellious spirit I wouldn’t be surprised if this proved an inspiration, at least subconsciously. As far as the song’s construction is concerned, LiVES drive the choruses while Dolium takes command of the verses. Musically its a perfect marriage of Dolium’s darker Post-Punk ethos and LiVES brand of anthemic and angular McClusky-esque Indie/Noise-Rock. Curiously there’s moments which recall The Cult’s late 80’s work when they were starting to emerge into the world of Stadium Rock especially in the bombastic Ian Astbury style Vocal department. Other comparisons could be drawn to The Rollins Band’s more straight-ahead ‘Rock’ orientated material to found on the likes of Weight and Come In and Burn.

Despite barely reaching the two minute mark, this was a fun, somewhat nostalgic trip into this nearly 50 year old man’s youth (well, three years off still thankfully) and it will be interesting therefore to see where the collaboration goes from here. If this brief number is anything to go by I’d say we’re in for something truly special and exciting as, when or if further material is forthcoming. Recommended.