SAMI YAFFA - “Satan’s Helpers, Warlazer Eyes & the Money Pig Circus”

“The Innermost Journey to Your Outermost Mind” also contained a diverse mixture of musical styles and, for me, was one of the best albums to be released that year.  

Showing no signs of the “difficult second album”, experienced by some artists after a strong debut, the imaginatively and wonderfully titled “Satan’s Helpers, Warlazer Eyes & the Money Pig Circus” (which you may have to memorise and practice saying a few times before asking for in your local record store) is a very diverse and self-assured release from an artist clearly very comfortable in himself, in his own musical tastes and influences and who is determined to do his own thing.  

The opening song and title track starts with, and is based mostly throughout on, a bluesy riff of notes before building into a heavier stoner groove. Alternating the pace and tone, the fast bass-driven (what else?) ‘Silver or Lead’ rock/punk follows before the ferocious street punk of ‘Hurricane Hank’ complete with horns to drive it along and also, if my ears don’t deceive me, a Hammond organ. Punk, horns and a Hammond organ may not be the obvious choice, but here it presents a wonderful, swirling and intense wall of sound.  

‘Death Squad’ turns the musical dial to reggae with Sami adapting his vocals with ease to suit. Another switch of the dial and the gentle ‘Down Home’ is almost Petty-esque in sound and feel. 

Turning the dial up, ‘Shitshow’ blasts out of the speakers providing a fast and frenetic slice of glam/punk. Maintaining the pace, the first single from the album, ‘Crashing Down’, follows. Having described this in my recent review of the single as “a great slice of sassy, strutting and self-assured garage rock, as good as you will hear anywhere” my opinion remains. Also driven along by a horns section and featuring Nasty Suicide on guitar and a sax solo from Michel Monroe, this song was based loosely on Hanoi Rocks and its aftermath. What I didn’t say in my review, but has been going through my mind ever since, is that had tragedy not struck, this song might be the closest to imagining what Hanoi Rocks might have sounded like in the future. Wonderful stuff.     

‘Chemical Life’ oozes feel as the shuffling drum beat sets the tone for another change in style with punchy bass, muted horns, and chopping guitars all supporting the song to keep rolling beneath a melodic pop chorus. 

Approaching the end of the album the first few notes of ‘Far Star’ pay homage to The Specials’ ‘Ghost Town’ and increase the skank factor before ‘Faster Than Time’ brings the musical journey to an end. Up-tempo and upbeat, this finds Sami singing “No time to look back at the rubble from the trouble that we’ve made … Sometimes these memories get faded over time, Sometimes my recollection’s drowning in the wine …. I find a way to make it all make sense, I find the future in the present tense … Don’t feel nostalgic for the times when I was down and out … Sometimes these memories ain’t nothin’ but a joke ….One thing’s for sure, man, I’ll just keep on pushing down that line … I just keep pushin’ faster than time”. Listening to these lyrics its not hard to understand that Sami has found himself, is happy with who he is, in doing his own thing and at this time. 

In addition to being joined by Janne Haavisto, Linde Lindstrom and Burton, the album also features guest contributions from Nasty Suicide, Dregen, Michael Monroe, Rich Jones and Steve Conte who all sound like they were having a ball playing on this. 

Reflecting on things in 2024, Hanoi Rocks influenced so many rock bands in the 80’s and it’s really noticeable how much this album is itself influenced by so many ‘80’s sounds from punk to 2 Tone/Ska, reggae and pop, blended seamlessly here with garage and glam/punk. In others’ hands, such a mix and variety of styles could have been misjointed or chaotic, but here this mix works perfectly and gets even more enjoyable with each listen. In doing so, he may also have created a new musical genre – garage rock/skank anyone?  

At a time when it can be too easy to play safe and play rock, punk or any other musical genre by numbers, Sami Yaffa continues to tear up the rule book and to do things his way … and in style.  

You’ll be unlikely to hear anything quite like, or as musically interesting as, this this year. Massively recommended. 

‘Satan’s Helpers, Warlazer Eyes & the Money Pig Circus’ is available now on all of the usual musical platforms. 

GMcA