The interestingly named John Coffey, a Dutch post-hardcore, rock and roll five piece, influenced by bands such as Refused and Every Time I Die have released a sucker punch of a new album called ‘The Great News’, a tour-de-force that will send shockwaves around eardrums, stereos and venues alike.
Asked recently why they chose their name, they said, “Hey, we’re sweet guys – and we make this awful noise. We’re not so bad.” Indeed, they do make a lot of noise, huge and infectious and it would seem from their latest release that 2015 could be the year John Coffey step up to the big time.
Named after the epic character in ‘The Green Mile’, an African-American man accused of rape and murder, but who to everyone’s surprise is shy and highly emotional, possessing extraordinary healing powers. This chrysalis style character portrayal is the perfect metaphor for the music showcased within this album. John Coffey serving up the same scrumptious, rolling, hillbilly-esque rock and roll that makes ETID so unique and enviable, a beautiful combo of both delicate and heavy.
This is none more evident than in ‘Broke Neck’ with Achter de Molen launching into a lush vocal section, some elongated parts, “broke my neck” giving the song and indeed the album this beautiful sheen, seeping with professionalism. The song finishes with a superb round, the band declaring “I’m going there to see my father, he said he’d meet me when I come.”
‘Son’ displays perfectly how the band have matured, a beautifully crafted song, complete with several amazing, higher pitched vocal moments where it would seem literally impossible not to be impressed with this release.
The heaviest moment of the album is probably in ‘Echo’, the intro, scream and testosterone laden, smothered in that wonderfully recognisable melody and soaring, chunky vocals. It even has some extremely heavy vocal parts woven throughout, reminiscent of the more metal end of the spectrum, highlighting JC’s versatility.
‘Jean Trompette’ serves as an elegant and moody midway point, a sexy, oozing saxophone bringing the tempo down, an intentional slur enhancing the moodiness of the interlude, and indeed the intro to ‘Heart of a Traitor’ where the band deliver more delicious licks, vocal singalongs and Achter de Molen’s enviable screaming voice interlaced throughout.
‘J.T. Davis’ sounds like an ETID, SOD, Nirvana mishmash of noise but with a uniqueness that evidently belongs to JC, thanks in part to lead singer Achter de Molen, an immensely unique and wonderful twang to his voice that merges eloquently between the panache-ridden guitar hooks.
It’s refreshingly rare for Dutch music to grace our shores and especially so for a release that makes such a statement of intent, to destroy all in their path. This release is a must buy for fans of noisy, rock your socks off rock and roll. It is not just their moustaches that will turn heads this year – it is indeed ‘great news’ that JC have delivered such a corker.
DAVE BULL