7 May 2026
Band: JAPANESE JESUS
Who: 2 Irish mavericks from West Limerick.
Bertie Kelly (vocals, guitars, bass) and
Denny Dunworth (Drums).
FFO: USA Nails, Fugazi, Pissed Jeans,
Nirvana and other noiseniks.
Album: A WALL TO CLIMB OVER
Their debut, that follows their ace EP,
EP Depression Breakfast from 2023.
Album artwork
TUTV: This is one of those indie DIY records that overwhelm my (experienced) ears way more than some massive mainstream successes within the same genre, in this case, powerhouse-noise rock.
I listened to the new Foo Fighters LP ‘You’re New Favorite Toy’ twice, and I probably won’t return to it, except for a couple of corking standouts. Thus far, this Japanese Jesus debut (released the same day as the Foos LP) has heated my earphones about 10 times now.
And it won’t be the last time.
Why? Well, it’s simple. These two hepped-up underdogs come up with more impressive tunes than Dave Grohl‘s globally famous band. With The Beige, Big Balls, Boredom Forever, No Rest and Over It the Irish turbo deliver riff-sick master blasters (think The Jesus Lizard on amphetamines, backed by Black Sabbath‘s cast-iron rhythm section) with blood-curdling melodies at the core of them all and vociferous vocalist Bertie Kelly screaming, at times, way more scarily than the former Nirvana drummer
With “I’m Bits,“ “Right Back Where They Started,” and “Whatever,” they offer some reflective moments amid the overall paranoid racket, balancing the record comprehensively well.
Japanese Jesus have outscored the Foos. Say no more, except for the
fact I always love it when the underdogs beat the big rock stars.
SINGLE
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ALBUM