EP Review: V98 – 'Pressgang'

V98 address social politics in their splendid EP Pressgang. 

V98 state their intention before you hear any of the songs. The EP’s title Pressgang means “to persuade or force someone to do something they do not want to do.” In doing so, V98 criticise society’s work/life balance and the disillusionment of self-obsession. And the four tracks do this perfectly.

EP opener and lead single is the most gnarly punk tracks of Pressgang. It delves into the mind of a young person who can’t get anywhere in life. The argument at the beginning of the song, including lines such as “I’ll get drunk when I wanna get drunk! Fuck off!”, sound funny at first. But it demonstrates the sad reality a lot of people face on a daily basis.  

Pressgang is a diverse collection of songs. Second track ‘Gracious’ is powerful and emotive and is the “most political” V98 have written. ‘Hundred Paces’ is a huge track in a similar vein to ‘Gracious’, but tugs on the heartstrings even more. Final track ‘Any Other Thing’ opens with a booming bass riff which is complemented by the high guitar lines and baritone vocals. It’s a little bit like The Murder Capital. However, it builds and has more pace than some of The Murder Capital’s songs, as it ends with huge Layne Staley-esque vocals.

V98 are another great band from Dublin, and it will be interesting to see what else they have to offer in the future.

Words by Matthew Brocklehurst

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