Reviews

5/5 star review of our debut album by Dennis Jarman from Planetmosh 31/05/2018

First caught this captivating band a few months ago opening a Cancer fundraising gig in Nantwich; proving my point to watch the opening bands as you never know what you might miss! The Surrey based The Asif Outlaws, fronted by Asif Ali were a joy to behold as they veered from grunge to rock to folk in the blink of an eye. This self titled debut album is currently available directly from the band.

Opener ‘Down The River’ has heavy, buzzing guitar lines throughout broken up by a searing saxophone break midway from Jackie Taylor as it ends on a feedback drenched guitar outro. Other highlights are the short, sharp punky romp of‘Imaginary Hero’ driven along by some snappy snare work from David Etheridge and that sax rears its head once again. ‘Love Pump’ is a bluesy shuffle backed by beefy riffs and dexterous guitar solos. ‘Care’ will get you snapping your fingers along to this mellow jazzy number which brought to mind early Mink Deville.

‘Goat’s Cheese’ is a heads down, hair flying rocker with a Boston like guitar tone in the main riff but the sax parts steal the show. ‘Believe’ is a sumptuous ballad with an almost Lennon like delivery from Asif. The almost whispered vocal, sparse guitar lines and soothing sax draw you in to the melancholy vibe making ‘Break The Key’ my personal favourite. ‘Sunlight’ strides along with a Ziggy era Bowie like menace and the album closes with the eleven minute epic ‘Commitment Phobe’. Everything is thrown into the pot as it opens up like ‘Nantucket Sleighride’ that morphs into heavy grunge like passages as it crashes to a close on wailing guitar freak outs.

Cancer On The Rocks – Nantwich Civic Hall, January 20th 2018

Posted on February 4, 2018 by Dennis Jarman in Event eviews

First up all the way from Surrey were The Asif Outlaws, fronted by the instantly likeable Asif Ali, matched by the quips from bassist Dave Holdstock. Sax appeal was added by saxophonist Jackie Taylor as the set veered from folk to straight ahead rock. Opener ‘Down The River’brought to mind Ian Dury And The Blockheads mainly for the saxophone parts but also the humour in the lyrics. Other highlights were the biting folk rhythms of ‘Believe’ and not even a broken guitar string during ‘Dissonance’ could slow them down as they came back in with their heaviest song of the set ‘She’ll Eat Your Heart Out’. My set highlight was ‘Children Of The Sun’, its laid back grooves that weaved around the sax was topped off by Asif’s haunting Neil Young tinged lead vocal. Their set ended all too soon with the sax dominated boogie of ‘Goat’s Cheese’.

The first review of The Asif Outlaws debut album was great with an 8/10 in Powerplay Rock and Metal Magazine 198

The Asif Outlaws are a four piece Rock Band from Surrey. tasty guitar riffs, squealing saxophone, thundering rhythm section

http://petesrocknewsandviews.com/the-asif-outlaws/

http://www.skyfireinteractive.co.uk/the-asif-outlaws/

Scream Lounge Croydon
AUG 12

The Asif Outlaws are no strangers to the Scream Lounge, or indeed Croydon. As regulars on the circuit there’s a confidence about them that is given credence by their obvious abilities. Frontman Asif Ali knows every inch of his Les Paul and uses them all. Resplendent in his leather, straight from the ‘Rock Trouser Museum’, he has a swagger about him and a knowing gleam in his eye. His unlikely partner in pose is Dave Holdstock, whose moptop hair and casual attitude to stage wear belie a ferocious approach to his bass playing, fingers flying across the frets, body almost constantly in motion. Jackie, on saxophone, eschews histrionics for getting the job done, understated but professional, they’re good. Oh, they’re very good. 

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