HATS & CAPS/EASTSIDE DOGS: Split

Release year: 2023
Label: KB Records

Split releases can be annoying things. At the best of time, you receive almost an album’s worth of material not by one, but two bands. Then, a split release certainly feels like value for money. At other times – and this is more often the case – you’re left wanting for more.

And this is certainly the case with this split by two oi! bands, Hats & Caps from Finland (whose debut album we reviewed here) and Eastside Dogs from Germany. With three songs by each band, there’s just no way around it: this release is just way too short.

With no real A and B side to the vinyl, it’s up to the listener what side to spin first. Being Finns, we of course choose Hats & Caps first. Their three tracks offer the same kind of solid, melodic but aggressive skinhead oi! as the debut album. Last Mistake is a really good track packing both catchiness and a punch. Wake Up has a nice rocking edge in the riffing and the solo, whilst still being authentic, tough as nails bootboy punk.

On the flipside, Eastside Dogs present their three songs in a slightly snottier and more raucous style. If I hadn’t known, I would have guessed by their sound alone that they’re German. Although I do seem to hear a bit of late 80’s and 90’s more melodic US style punk in their sound, as well. The first track Fake Revolution is an energetic burst of frustrated energy and a nice, melodic chorus. The other two tracks are decent as well, but fail to reach the same level.

Whilst the brief running time remains an annoyance, otherwise this split does offer bang for the buck. It’s a tight match, but ultimately Hats & Caps wins the day. Comparing to earlier material, they sound fiercer and more focused; promises good things for their second album, whenever that comes out.

Eastside Dogs don’t fall far behind with their slightly more energetic and uptempo bootboy rock. I guess it all comes up to personal preferences: Hats & Caps slightly stiffer, slightly more brickwall sound appeals more to me than Eastside Dogs’ style.

In the end, the pairing works well and both bands have contributed with worthwhile material for this release. I just wish this would’ve been a 33 RPM release with one or two extra tracks by each band. It gets annoying to lift your arse up from the sofa just as you got comfortable, you know?

Visit Hats & Caps on Facebook
Visit Eastside Dogs on Facebook