The Margaret Hooligans are a band that only hit our radar at the start of this year, but we can’t get enough of. Single shares, an album review, and even an interview with them have graced these pages over the past twelve months, and there’s just enough left of 2023 to share one more song. A tribute to Stevie Van Zandt, it’s called Alley Cat Stomp.

By Graeme Smith

Opening with some cacophonous percussion, you can tell straight away that you’re in for something deliciously chaotic with Alley Cat Stomp. Underneath the noise is some solid, classic yet inventive garage rock and thoughtful lyrics about an American legend who not only played with Springsteen in the E Street Band, but appeared in TV show The Sopranos.

Alley Cat Stomp is the third single release from The Margaret Hooligans’ upcoming fourth album ThunderHole Rock n’ Roll set for release in October next year. It was recorded in the basement of Piety Street Publishing, mixed and produced by band member Mr. Strontium, and mastered by KRAMER of Shimmy Disc Records. Meg Cratty features on vocals, electric ukulele and electric guitar, while Mr. Strontium features on backing vocals and percussion. You can give the track a listen below.