The Sweet Things – Slather / Dustianne 7” (Spaghetty Town Records)

Last week I raved about Dr. Boogie and their latest 45; this week it’s the turn of The Sweet Things who’s most recent 7” aired a few months previous but definitely deserves some belated attention on these pages. A small record label can often be overlooked, but it seems that at this moment in time, those at Spaghetty Town Records in Atlanta, Georgia have their fingers on a rock ‘n’ roll pulse that’s beating out of control due to an amphetamine overdose. If you like one thing on a label, then there’s a good chance you’ll like another. These discoveries hark back to days when a shifty through Sympathy for the Record Industry’s back catalogue would lead me onto anything from the 1960s garage inspired Compulsive Gamblers and Thee Headcoats to the downright dirty Turbonegro or The Dwarves. I digress, but it’s an important digression as I feel smaller labels nowadays should get some applause for taking a punt and championing bands.

So, onto New York City’s The Sweet Things with their latest 45. Here’s a band full of swagger as they leave dusty footprints over the saloon floor having been on an escapade that’s probably best not mentioned. Picture a coherent Johnny Thunders fronting the Georgia Satellites and you’d be somewhere near on Slather. It’s the sound of bottles of Bud being clinked between Mike Ness and Keith Richards. Readers may think we’re talking cowpunk (God, I hate that term), but musically The Sweet Things are less Supersuckers going flat out at a rodeo and more The Black Crowes or The Quireboys at their most upbeat, leaving nicotine stains on a barroom ceiling. There’s also a whiff of Bobby Gillespie when he’s on his New York Dolls buzz and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Dustianne reinforces intentions on the B side as the ivories are tinkled by Rob Clores whose CV includes workings with Jesse Malin, The Black Crowes and, wait for it, Tom Jones. Cue a wry smile on this Welshman’s chops. Dustianne reaches the more soulful parts of your rock ‘n’ roll heart as Liza Colby features and plays Merry Clayton to Dave Tierney’s Mick Jagger. It makes for swashbuckling stuff. There’s also a clever Stay With Me style outro where the keys, guitars, drums and vocals take centrestage one at a time. Nice!

It’s clear that The Sweet Things have the balls to blow-up given half a chance and a nod is definitely as good as a wink to a blind horse where these New Yorkers are concerned. Right then, Spaghetty Town Records. Whatcha got for us next? Ginge Knievil

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