For those not in the know, the U.K. Subs are an English punk band, among the earliest in the first wave of British punk.

Formed in 1976 (initially using the name the Subversives), the mainstay of the band has been vocalist Charlie Harper, originally a singer in Britain's R&B scene.

Originally one of the first street punk bands, their style combined the energy of punk and the rock and roll edge of the then thriving pub rock scene.

The band had hit singles such as "Stranglehold", "Warhead", "Teenage", and "Tomorrow's Girls", with several of their songs even managing to enter the United Kingdom's Top 40 Singles Chart.

Now Charlie along with Alvin Gibbs (bass), Jamie Oliver (drums) and Steve Straughan (guitar) return for another killer covers album that puts the Subs' unique spin on a dozen rock classics!

1. "Diversion"
2. "White Light, White Heat"
3. "Immigrant Song"
4. "One More Time"
5. "Season of the Witch"
6. "Search and Destroy"
7. "This Is Rock N' Roll"
8. "My Generation"
9. "You Wreck Me"
10. "Rockin' in the Free World"
11. "We Will Rock You"
12. "The Last Time"

Including brilliant reworkings of well known songs by Led Zeppelin, Velvet Underground, The Stooges, Neil Young, The Who, Queen and more the album kicks off in serious no holds barred style with "Diversion."

Written by Eddy Grant and first released by The Equals in 1973, that's backed by both a thunderous "White Light, White Heat" (Velvet Underground) and a pale (in comparison to the original) "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin).

Frenetic drums and guitars blend together for "One More Time" before a diligent cover of Donovan's "Season Of The Witch" is unleashed. "Search And Destroy" from Iggy And The Stooges is one of their better covers here (containing a lot of the same energy that propelled Iggy himself during his live performances) and that's backed by "This Is Rock 'N' Roll" (The Kids) and then a valid attempt at The Who's "My Generation."

Another highlight here is their soulful version of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' "You Wreck Me" which is followed by a passionate "Rockin' In The Free World" (Neil Young).

The album then comes to a close with a growled, gnarly Lemmy-esque "We Will Rock You" (Queen) and a near-perfect rendition of The Stones' "The Last Time" (that showcases perfectly just how good Harper's 70 year-old vocals truly still are!).

Available on both CD and vinyl (in your choice of BLUE or WHITE), the U.K. Subs' new album of covers Subversions II is as good as it gets within this genre - where bands seemingly now don't actually come to die at a certain vintage!

www.uksubs.co.uk