A Clash tribute band.
Opening with the classic Dee-Dee Ramone style "1-2-3-4!", Topper launch into 'Cash From Chaos' a number reminiscent of The Clash in vocal style, but with a typical Americanised twist to it's sound. And it's this twist that continues into the follow-up 'B.L.O'; far too poppy sounding with awful lyrics and distorted vocals that would sit better on a System Of A Down record- it's a failed attempt at emulating the gravel in Joe Strummer's voice.
Then as soon as it switches to 'No.1' Topper come back with their original sound; a decent stab at The Clash's style; and sure enough title track 'Once A Punk Always A Punk' is utter trash. Have they assembled their record in some bizarre 'odd numbers are the good tracks' way? Despite singing about being a punk Topper lapse into the Guns n' Roses classic "Welcome To The Jungle" riff in this number. Stick to one genre or another- if Punk and Metal were meant to mix then it would have been done successfully a long time ago.
'Off She Goes' is better but still not much of an improvement. Oh and even number 6-'White Shiny Missiles' echoes the bass line from 'Guns Of Brixton', the riffs from 'Straight To Hell' and some of the lyrics from 'Rock The Casbah'.
The rest of the album continues in much the same way with "No More" (number 9) injecting some life into its tail end. This at least contains some of the venom that Punk Rock thrives on.
Whenever a non British based band tries to do old skool style British Punk there is always a natural anticipation of anxiety. Here from the word go you know that Topper have failed miserably. Their name- Topper, was this taken from The Clash's bassist Topper Headon? should start the alarm bells ringing, because there's just something about a Swedish band trying to recreate the brilliance of such an obvious influence- The Clash, a band that flew the flag for a new music movement thirty years ago. Unless you're in a tribute band, your influences should be crafted and woven into your own music and lyrics not in your face as they are here.