I've seen Kid Klumsy a few times since their inception. And although I shudder at the name, (don't know why - it could be the word 'kid', I also struggle with 'Ugly Kid Joe'.) I manage to put this to one side and enjoy their live stuff.
I am impressed with the way that their music has continued to grow and the journey that this Leicestershire based punk quintet has taken is now bearing pendulous fruits (melons?) In these uncertain times it is reassuring to know that punk rock irreverence and political incorrectness still resides and appears to thrive on the spotty underbelly of the East Midlands.
This is the third Kid Klumsy release on STP Records, (following on from Spit Your Dummy Out in 2018 and Singing Our Souls in 2019.) The Faces Don't Fit is a step up from the previous releases, but as you might expect with the inclusion of Dweab in the line up there is very little chance of the band and their music taking life too seriously. The promo CD came with 7 tracks lasting 21 minutes in total, this is how they came out :
1 Boobs 2 Don't Count On Me 3 Little Boy Thursday 4 The Lost Art 5 Soup 6 Caravan Of Love 7 Yesterdays Not Here
Overall production is good, the band sound tighter and more together than previously remembered. The ever present tongue in cheek lyrics are accompanied by singalong choruses and heavy guitar riff-age, the 20+ minutes will have you smiling cheekily and singing along in no time. Of particular note are 'Don't Count on Me' a chance for some crowd singing and an all round solid track and 'Soup' with a pounding, driving rhythm and snarling vocals gradually breaking out into a 'cos I hate you' chorus. The cover version of Caravan of Love simply underlines the fact that Kid Klumsy will be an unlikely wedding band. This is likely to become a firm fan favourite, with mandatory stage invasions and drunken grabbing of microphones.
So, as the sweaty duvet of a one night stand is gathered up and stuffed into the wash basket of life, we reach the end of the EP. I overcame my skepticism and prejudice surrounding the name and really enjoyed this break from politics and the bickering of social media.
There is a final bonus track on my copy, 'Yesterdays Not Here' is another cover, but this time it features the vocals of Rachel Reeves from Murderers Row. This appears to be an extra track and has been recorded for a proposed album of Pete Shelley covers to be issued on Secret Public Records. The proceeds will benefit the Pete Shelley memorial campaign. It's bloody good, I'd buy the CD just for this.
