"Trust me, you will pogo, skank, sing and possibly dance like your f*cking Dad on spice." - T.J. McFaull
Ok, quick disclaimer; I am a massive Bar Stool Preachers fan! However, I can honestly say without any bias that ‘Party Eternal‘ is a genuinely GREAT record. Frontman T.J. McFaull‘s intro (above) is accurate; this fourth album release sees Bar Stool Preachers head into bolder, more dynamically varied musical territory than ever before.
T.J. plus core members Bungle (bass), Alex Hay (keyboards), Karl Smith (guitar) and Alex Smith (drums) and alternating guitarists Tom Gibbs and Ebonnie Greene have created a record that is blisteringly good from start to finish. ‘Party Eternal‘ combines the very best of Brit-Pop, Ska, Punk Rock and Indie into a collection of songs built for packed venues, festival fields and late-night singalongs. At times scathing and politically charged, at others pure escapism, this record delivers huge hooks, infectious melodies and the Preachers‘ trademark, undeniable sense of optimism.
‘Party Eternal‘ was produced by Los Angeles legend Cameron Webb, whose acclaimed career includes working with Beastie Boys, Motörhead, Social Distortion, Def Jam recordings, Kelly Clarkson, and NOFX.
The album gets straight to the point on opening track ‘Sick World‘, featuring special guests Angelo Moore (vocals) and Chris Dowd (keys) from legendary Ska-Funk outfit Fishbone. Its upbeat, catchy tune contrasts with lyrics that take direct aim at the tremendous suffering caused by a “profit versus people society” in a “sick sick world made worse by you”, and the damage done by the unbridled capitalism and neoliberalism that has swept across the modern world. Angelo’s soulful voice contrasts perfectly with T.J.’s spitfire vocal delivery, and this Ska banger sees Bungle drop in some inspired bass riffs – a superb start!
Next up is one for all the boys who get their ‘dating advice’ from shysters and misogynists on the internet. The ‘Plastic Romantic‘ thinks he’s got a chance, but we can see through his arrogant bullshit! This track will have you bouncing on the balls of your feet, and let’s hope that it makes these blokes think… “You’re so obsessed with who wears the trousers. You forget it could be anyone.”
Latest single release ‘Want To Know‘ looks at wilful ignorance – or sticking your head in the sand over the reality of the issues that surround us daily. T.J. wonders why people are so scared of knowledge, “With all the bullshit and lies, with their roots in your mind, you’re happily stupefied! Why don’t you want to know?!” A great Ska-Punk song, my favourite line is “I don’t wanna take my country back – I want to take it forwards” – the Preachers won’t stand idly by and watch racist thugs hurting people on our streets. T.J.’s Riskee-style rap in the break emphasises his convictions.
Because they are the Bar Stool Preachers, they like to do things their own way – in this case, seven different ways – as each band member made their own music video for ‘Singing Along‘. The final result was edited into a mash-up, but you can also watch each individual’s own creation via the links under the YouTube video. Guitarist Karl’s masochistic streak aside(!), this is a bold, brave, beautiful anthem for those of us who don the mask, dig down, and keep going against the odds – it may not feel like it, but you are seen 💗
‘Pick A Side‘ was written by BSP keyboardist Alex Hay to express his disappointment with a band he had liked. It’s a no-holds-barred, say-it-straight questioning of the fence-sitters and cowards who are too scared to stand up against bigots, bullies and fucking genocidal governments. An immediate earworm, from its “nah nah nah nah nah” opening to its memorable chorus “If you won’t pick a side, in a genocide, don’t pretend you fight for the power!” Bounce along and sing it loud!
Alex Smith impresses us with his drum patterns on ‘You’re Killing Me, Eve‘, the closest BSP have ever got to sounding like Green Day! However, Alex Hay weaves an intricate web with his keyboards to make this song unique, while T.J. pours his heart out about recovering from a breakup.
We’re back in more traditional BSP territory on ‘Time Of Our Lives‘, Ska-Punk, “woah oh oh” choruses, blistering guitar from Karl, and a lovely vocal harmony from Ebonnie to complement T.J.’s voice. It’s a heartfelt celebration of good times with our friends.
The acoustic guitar at the start of ‘Hand Grenade Heart‘ indicates that this is one of ‘Party Eternal‘s gentler moments. T.J.’s spoken vocals are filled with empathy and understanding for why we can be so defensive and put ourselves down so much, and this one is going to resonate with many. “She holds her heart like a hand grenade; she’ll pull the pin time and time again”.
I first heard ‘Heartbeat Baby‘ when the band premiered it at their fantastic 100 Club Weekender at the end of May 2025. It’s another big, bold Ska-Punk song, full of soul, with Karl’s epic guitar hooks, Alex Hay’s engaging keyboard runs, and that seamless rhythm section holding it all together.
A radical change of pace and direction – ‘S.O.S.‘ is an aural wallop driven by the keyboards and drums. The anger and disappointment of seeing racist shit posted on social media by a so-called friend inspired this one. It’s a psychedelic, slightly psychotic humdinger that perfectly encapsulates the rage felt when seeing racism and violence rising again, like the foul tide that it is. A disgusted “Cunts!” ends the song.
Title track ‘Party Eternal!‘ lets guitarist Karl out of the cage with his brashest riff, as we dance into the fires of Hell on a wild night out. This one’s going to send the crowd into a frenzy when they play it live!
Chiming bells introduce ‘The Closed Door‘, another spoken word track backed by Alex Hay’s swirling keys. “Everybody’s making deals with the demons that they’ve got” as a man goes through therapy to try to understand why he keeps pushing people away. This one’s deep.
Disco Rock anthem ‘One For The Weekend‘ burns through a full-on life, trying to fit in as much as possible in our time here. Its frantic pace matches the sentiment, but there’s always the possibility of burning right out…
The album closer also features some special guests – this time it’s The Rumjacks, bringing their Aussie Celtic Punk to ‘This Is Goodbye‘. An ode to getting older, reminiscing upon the past, the fun we had, the stories we’ll pass on, and the brutal reality of a crumbling body… It may be goodbye, but Oi Oi, we’ve had some fun!
There’s new fire burning from the embers of Bar Stool Preachers‘ previous three albums – having watched them grow over the past 10 years, I can say this has now become a blaze. Seeing them stride boldly into the future with new songs, new sounds, and the rocksteady conviction that we are better and stronger when we pull together and operate from love is inspiring, and they have inspired countless people whose stories BSP have earned the trust to hear.
‘Party Eternal‘ may sound frivolous as a title, but once you dive into its depths, you’ll never be quite the same again. A definite inclusion in my Albums of the Year list!
‘Party Eternal‘ is out on 2nd October, and available in the UK from HERE, in Europe from Randale Records HERE and Coretex Records HERE
Catch Bar Stool Preachers live this autumn on their UK album release tour:
TICKETS
- Oct 3 – The Garage Club, London
- Oct 4 – The Fleece, Bristol
- Oct 30 – Club Academy, Manchester
- Oct 31 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
- Nov 6 – The Hairy Dog, Derby
- Nov 7 – O2 Academy 2, Liverpool
- Nov 8 – The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool
- Nov 13 – Digital, Newcastle Upon Tyne
- Nov 14 – La Belle, Edinburgh
- Nov 15 – Corporation, Sheffield
Main Photo Credit / All Live Photos: RUTH RAE
(Please contact me for additional & hi-res originals)
- Sick World (feat. Fishbone)
- Plastic Romantic
- Want To Know
- Singing Along
- Pick A Side
- You’re Killing Me, Eve
- Time Of Our Lives
- Hand Grenade Heart
- Heartbeat Baby
- S.O.S.
- Party Eternal!
- The Closed Door
- One For The Weekend
- This Is Goodbye (feat. The Rumjacks)
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