The Restarts – “Outsiders”

Released in 2007 by Dirty Faces in Germany and No Label Records in the UK (with a 2008 North American release handled by Rodent Popsicle Records), Outsider is a definitive, high-velocity masterpiece of modern UK street punk from London’s The Restarts. Marking a pivotal moment for the band, the album was completely self-recorded and produced after drummer Darragh O’Neill invested in a 24-track digital recorder.

The DIY autonomy paid off seamlessly, capturing the band’s most polished yet unapologetically raw sonic assault. Heavily influenced by the driving, aggressive delivery of UK82 legends like The Exploited and G.B.H. combined with the political, melodic thrash elements of Conflict, the record hits hard with thick basslines, buzzsaw guitar riffs, and dual-vocal barks. Tackling sociopolitical topics from religious dogmatism on Intelligent Design to personal isolation on the title track, the album flows at a relentless pace. It remains a stellar high-water mark for 2000s street punk, demonstrating how classic, socio-political British punk could retain its venom decades later.

Track Listing:

01. Outsider – 2:44
02. They’re On To You – 2:14
03. Enemy’s Enemy – 2:12
04. Cluster Bombs – 2:20
05. No Escape – 2:31
06. Blown It – 2:44
07. Running Out Of Time – 3:00
08. Intelligent Design – 2:56
09. Wake Up – 2:32
10. Still Bored – 1:52
11. Mindless Violence – 2:31
12. Koyaanisqatsi – 1:40
13. Bolloxology – 3:01