Album review: SMASH FASHION – Rompus Pompous

Electric Pudding Recordings [Release date 13.07.18]

It has been a long wait since Smash Fashion gave us the power pop-tastic treat that was their debut album ‘Big Cat Love’. Now they are back with their new album, the gloriously titled ‘Rompus Pompous’ – that title alone is worth one review point!

Roger Deering and his companions in all things pop rock, have produced another aural delight, from the opener and Cheap Trick approved ’Can’t Take You Anywhere’ through to the closing ‘Smiles And Daggers’ there is really a duff song in sight. Indeed, on the aforementioned ‘Smiles And Daggers’ they have enlisted pianist Mike Garson, famous for his work with David Bowie, to help them on their one of their longest and most ambitious tunes to date. The piano weaves in through the guitar and percussion and the whole song is one big, glorious production and another feather in Smash Fashion’s musical cap.

The lead song ‘Runs In The Family’ is a typical Smash Fashion song, instant chorus, a guitar riff that won’t leave your head and Roger Deering’s rough edged melodic vocals. Then there is a nifty guitar solo from Lloyd Stuart Casson, who also produced the album. They even offer us advice on the T.Rex flavoured stomper ‘Proper Way To Eat A Muffin’, although this being Smash Fashion this involves a lady…

Smash Fashion put the fun back into music, put a smile on your face and leave memorable melodies in your mind. I said it back in 2014 when reviewing their debut album and same applies now, this band deserve to be huge! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 25 February 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 27 February 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 4 March 2024

COLLATERAL Glass Sky (Big Shot Records)
THE ZUTONS Pauline (ICEPOP)
THE GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS Rise Above It All (Mascot)
MATT PEARCE & THE MUTINY From Here To The Moon (indie)
THE BLACK VULTURES Never Say (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 4 March 2024

09:00-12:00 LEE AARON Tattoo Me (Metalville)
12:00-13:00 THE END MACHINE The Quantum Phase (Frontiers)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply