Mark Vennis & Different Place - Fighting On All Fronts (Album Review)

Mark Vennis is probably best known as a film producer with an impressive list of screen credits including the Maxine Peake comedy ‘Funny Cow’ (a Mark Kermode ‘Film Of The Week’ with music by Richard Hawley no less) and musical biographies of The Slits ‘Hear To Be Heard’ and Don Letts ‘Rebel Dread’. Away from what might be called his day job, Vennis has also released three records the latest of which ‘Fighting On All Fronts’ in late 2020 via Cadiz Music. A glance at the subjects featured in Vennis’ films will point the way to where he’s going musically but, as luck would have it, there’s rather more to ‘Fighting On All Fronts’ than initially meets the eye.

Mark Vennis & Different Place approach ‘Fighting On All Fronts’ with a D.I.Y. punk rock/garage band attitude and a smattering of reggae influences.  Needless to say when Vennis and his band get a mention The Clash is always going to be an easy comparison (I’d also throw The Kinks and Canvey Island’s finest Dr Feelgood into this musical melting pot). I don’t generally do much punk beyond the classic 70s stuff or reggae for that matter (despite just buying a Bob Marley box set) I’m obviously on shaky ground with the musical stylings on show here. So, I was pleasantly surprised when ‘Fighting On All Fronts’ turned out to be so enjoyable. It reminds me that there's plenty of cool and interesting music out there if I leave my comfort zone to explore musical genres I rarely dabble in or know barely anything about (delete as appropriate).

Now I’m hopeful that Vennis will forgive me when I say, he’s not the greatest singer. This proves to be irrelevant as he delivers his tales of the downtrodden, the oppressed and the pissed off with a raggedy, raw and very English delivery reminiscent of Jam era Weller or Billy Bragg. Tune in, and it works perfectly, especially when coupled with Duncan LeFeuvre’s unfussy production that unfolds to reveal hidden sonic depths, most notably on the terrific ‘More In Sorrow’ a wonderfully dubtastic voyage of discovery, with what sounds suspiciously like a backwards guitar break. 'Sorrow' is one of many tracks on the record anchored by the potent rhythm section with Dave Sweetenham’s monstrous bass sound a real highlight.

Opener ‘Fighting On All Fronts’ perfectly encapsulates the album with tales of people who’re “Still living the life” in a haze of cheap beer and maxed out credit cards (been there, done that) energetically delivered via some tasty reggae guitar chops. There's even space for a surprisingly deft instrumental breakdown mid-song. I doubt Vennis will be writing anything too cheery anytime soon especially when many of the people he writes about are struggling in a pandemic ravaged Britain that is seemingly careering uncontrollably down a highway to hell and the breaks have failed.

The album is certainly blessed with an eclectic mix of cool tracks like the almost summery reggae of ‘Cut Me Loose’ where floaty saxophone breaks are seemingly at odds with the lyrical bleakness of wanting to improve on your surroundings. ‘Light Summer Rain’ is another highlight as this outwardly pretty tune, with an unexpected almost jazzy guitar solo, gains more than a hint of despair due to Vennis' languid vocal delivery and LeFeuvre’s production choices resulting in an overall vibe reminiscent of the Stranglers back in the day. Elsewhere the driving old-school hard rock riffs of ‘The Shark’ are an unexpectedly welcome side step while 'The ‘Edge Of Everything’ stands out due to Vennis’ ravaged vocal delivery and the rock-solid rhythm track. The album concludes with the striking ‘Shadowboxing’ which transcends an initial feeling of despair with a complex arrangement that reveals a lovely melody.

‘Fighting On All Fronts’ won’t be for everyone. If you like silky smooth then I’d be inclined to look elsewhere but if any of the acts I’ve mentioned in this review are in your wheelhouse or you’re looking for something a little different to discover then Mark Vennis & Different Place should be firmly on your radar.

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