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EP review: Boneshakers self-titled debut release

First revelation of the true book of the blues!

In need of some short, sharp bursts of in-yer-face punk’n’blues, with some added scares? Then Belgium’s Boneshakers have the perfect recipe for you with their debut self-titled EP! With four songs coming in at just under eleven minutes, this a tightly packed bundle of adrenaline-fueled decadence.

Back in 2022, one-man punk blues band Brulaap (Bert Liesens, Guitar/Vocals) brought on board the Boneshakers (Mickel Cox on bass, Wim de Wandeleer on guitar and Nico Cops on drums) for a one- off full band performance. Deemed a considerable success, the full band have arrived in 2026 with a collection of songs for their debut EP.

This DIY 4-track vinyl release was recorded at the infamous Yellow Tape Studio in Ghent with Peter “Snakeboot” Van de Veire at the controls. In this fully analogue studio, they went live in search of the right sound to let their raw blues punk explode!

Boneshakers debut EP rear cover

Saturday Nite‘ starts with a deep bass rumble, crunching dual guitars and a dynamic horn section as Bert regales us with nighttime escapades with a wry smile on his face. Crossing Rocket from the Crypt’s garage rock with the debauched swagger of Hanoi Rocks, the band certainly have announced their entrance in true style.

Clocking in at just over two minutes, ‘Million Ways to Die‘ is feral blues punk at its most primitive. The half barked guttural vocals mutate into Jello Biafra territory for the chorus overlaying the relentless marching drums and rudimentary but very effective fuzzy blues guitars.

Tomorrow’ starts with a frantic rockabilly stomp and murderous intentions. Add in some squealing slide guitar plus a ghoulish middle section and you have a song that would have fitted in perfectly on the soundtrack to a mid-eighties gore fest.

The horror theme is most blatant on closing track ‘Black Widow’ as the protagonist is eaten raw by the venomous vixen. The guitars are noisy, distorted and snarl as the victim meets their fate. It’s a glorious cacophony of noise with the thrashing drums augmented by the cries of “Black Widow” before finishing on an ominous drone.

It’s an impressive debut with lashings of good (or should that be bad?) vibes for the future!

Boneshakers EP release show poster

Boneshakers will be celebrating this debut EP release in their hometown of Aalst, Belgium at Nite of the Garage Terror on 7th March, promising a raw and wild show!

Get your copy of the EP on 7″ vinyl or digital download from HERE

Boneshakers EP cover
  1. Saturday Nite
  2. Million Ways To Die
  3. Tomorrow
  4. Black Widow
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