Kremlin Kontingent Washington Dead Cats – A Wild Ride Through 1984’s Rock Underground
Alright, let me just say this: Kremlin Kontingent Washington Dead Cats is one of those albums that feels like it shouldn’t exist but does—and thank god for that. Released in ‘84 outta France (yeah, you heard me right), this record smashes together New Wave, Punk, and Psychobilly into something so raw, so unhinged, it’s almost impossible not to feel your pulse quicken while listening. It’s messy, loud, and kinda genius.
First off, can we talk about the lineup? You’ve got Sofia Bahamas on bass for half the album, then Rose steps in—same deal with Rusty and Franck Darlock trading guitar duties. Mat Firehair screams his lungs out on side B while Polux handles vocals on side A. Niko keeps the drums tight throughout, tying all these personalities together like duct tape on a broken chair. The whole thing feels chaotic, sure, but there’s beauty in that chaos.
Now, onto the tracks. I gotta shout out “Swamp Vamp” because holy crap, this song hits hard. From the first riff, it’s clear they weren’t messing around. Franck Darlock’s guitar has this swampy, greasy vibe that makes you wanna grab a leather jacket and start trouble. And Mat Firehair’s voice? Dude sounds like he gargled gravel before stepping up to the mic. But it works—it really works. This track sticks with me because it’s sleazy as hell yet oddly catchy. Like, I found myself humming it at work the other day, which probably freaked out my coworkers.
Then there’s “James Bond Got A Bigger Problem.” What even IS this title?! The mix of punk energy and psychobilly weirdness here is next level. The lyrics are wild—like, WTF is going on—but somehow it doesn’t matter. The groove grabs hold of you and won’t let go. Niko’s drumming is relentless, driving the whole thing forward like a runaway train. By the time it ends, you’re left breathless and slightly confused, but damn, what a ride.
And how could I forget “Nous Sommes Fêlés”? That opening melody hits different every time, like a punch to the gut wrapped in velvet. Polux delivers some serious attitude here, spitting out lines with venom and flair. It’s the kind of track that makes you wanna kick over a trash can or two. Not saying you should, but…you might.
Here’s the thing about Kremlin Kontingent Washington Dead Cats: it’s not perfect. Some parts sound like they were recorded in someone’s basement—which, honestly, they probably were. But that’s part of its charm. There’s no polish, no attempt to smooth out the rough edges. Instead, it’s raw, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll from a bunch of misfits who clearly didn’t give a damn about fitting in.
So yeah, if you’re looking for an album that’ll challenge you, confuse you, and maybe even scare you a little, check this one out. Just don’t blame me when you find yourself shouting “James Bond Got A Bigger Problem!” at random strangers. Oh, and fun fact: apparently the label was called Product Of Douityu’rself. How badass is that name? Feels like the entire project was built on pure DIY spirit, and honestly, we need more of that today. Now excuse me while I go listen to “Swamp Vamp” again.
