The Pop Corporation

When a band employs a back-to-basics rock ‘n’ roll sound, for the most part these days, you’ll see kids in thin jeans, mouthing off about ver hippies and acting like they’re the first people to have heard of The Sonics. That’s not always a bad thing, if you enjoy the snottiness of youth.

Of all the garagey, lo-fi groups that have emerged over the years, one name stuck out for having a bit more about them. Sure, there’s guitars that fizz like sherbet, clattering drums to whack you ’round the chops and all that basement venue fun stuff – but Fruit Tones always liked a hook – there was always some pop to sweeten the grit.

On their ‘Natural Selection’ album, it was all whizzes and yelping, but on ‘Pink Wafer Factory’, there was some boogie and choogles, which they’ve leaned into a little more on the latest cut, ‘Easy Peelers’.

Alternative, underground rock in the UK has been stuck in a pretty dreary Post Punk rut for a while now, with groups too arch to let on that they like anything outside of heavy existential European books and rollies – but what happened to going down the pub and having a fun time? Well, it never went away, but it never really got its own soundtrack outside of the Pub Rock scene of the ’70s.

While the older stuff was infused with rhythm & blues, here, we’ve got a group who can lean on US garage rock as well as the chug of Pub Rock, and it all makes for a great party record full of off-hand daftness and ear-wormy good times from the off. Album opener ‘Mystery Stone Fruit’ manages to incorporate sci-fi spook, before breaking out into the kind of rock ‘n’ roll that makes a great big smile break out across your stoopid face.

‘Wild Mouse’, ‘Hands Up (At The Hold Up)’ and ‘Ride The Fire’ are standout if you’re in the market for the kind of Pub Rock that’ll have you putting your thumbs in your waistband and getting peanuts thrown at you in the function room of a Joseph Holts, but there’s obviously other stuff going on too.

There’s whiffs of the Shangri Las and Glam Rock too – in ‘Nothing But A Headache’ interpolates the Motown classic with an absolute tub-thumper, and ‘Get Fruct’ wallops you over the back of your head and you’re reeling like you just wobbled out of a show where the Eagles of Death Metal supported Slade. It’s magic stuff for sure – designed to blow the hair off your head.

For fans of the garage punk stuff, don’t worry, you’re catered for too. ‘Heavy Bite’ is a pacy affair like an-even-more-DIY, 2025 ‘We’re Pretty Quick’ by The Chob without sounding a lick like it – it’s the way they throw themselves at it, y’know?

Album closer ‘Didn’t Even Notice It Was Night’ is a scruffy-haired ballad, and while they’re not sounding like the Buzzcocks at all, the love of pop and bubblegum rock can have you wondering if some of these songs are unearthed gems; cover versions of lost classics, because they’ve landed so complete, just like Pete Shelley used to write.

What is so thoroughly pleasing about this whole album is that it takes having fun, seriously. In times of economic uncertainty, in times of war and deprivation, music has a knack of coming along and reminding you that it’s okay to be carefree and foolish. Disco did it, Acid House did it, and Pub Rock did it.

Don’t think that the front-footed silliness means that this is a disposable album – good-time rock ‘n’ roll has always been about inclusivity, community, and enough pints to make you forget about the looming horror, rather than reminding you of it. There’s a place for all types of art, obviously – but with this album, you’re reminded it’s not only okay – but fully advised – that you kick your shoes off toward the ceiling and dance around with people you like, to music that makes you feel good.

‘Easy Peelers’ is the tonic for all the miserablism and cynicism that we all too easily fall into. It’s hard sticking your neck out and saying ‘fuck it’ – and Fruit Tones deserve a slap on the back and someone getting a round in for them.

This is a wonderful album – go get it immediately.

Click here to download or buy the record on Bandcamp.