Album Review: Throwing Stuff - Fit, Fine & Well


Written by Daniel Rourke

Throwing Stuff are a band who are synonymous with the Northern punk scene. Whether it’s tiny tiki bar shows or huge festival appearances, the band have been relentlessly playing shows within the Manchester punk scene for almost half a decade.

Following last year’s nationwide tour with The Bennies, the four piece hit the studio to piece together their debut album, ‘Fit, Fine & Well.’ Recorded and produced by Bob Cooper (Nai Harvest, Citizen, Sky Ferreira) and released through TNS Records, ‘Fit, Fine & Well’ proves to be a triumphant debut.

Opening with a flurry of political tracks that hit hard and fast, it’s clear to see that Throwing Stuff aren’t holding back. Opener Tracey Chapman sees vocalist Ben Small screaming about his love for a world that’s being fucked over, before Whatever Made You Think Paper Was Valuable touches on the pitfalls of evolution, and The Butcher frantically picks apart genocide.

It’s in Hangxiety and I Know What’s Best that Throwing Stuff are at their best. Political and social issues are pushed to one side, as Small takes a more personal stance, addressing the topic of mental health. Hangxiety results in a raucous 45 seconds of Small tackling anxiety ridden drinking, whereas I Know What’s Best sees him evaluating himself and the signs he’s ignored.

The first half of ‘Fit, Fine & Well’ is a barrage of new songs, each one is hurled at it's listener in such an eclectic manner, that it takes multiple listens to grasp just what Small is shouting about. However, the second half of the record is packed with rerecorded songs from both the ‘TSFU’ release and the ‘Stuff We’ve Thrown’ compilation.

The older tracks are given a new lease of life on ‘Fit, Fine & Well,’ as the Satans Hollow recordings of old are left behind for versions produced in a far superior manner. Favourites such as Steve’s Job, The Hunter, and Five Pound Beers all make the cut, with Jamie Carruthers’ (bass) opening vocals sounding fantastic in the latter.

Of course, it’s Token Beef which takes all the glory in terms of the older songs found on the record. The track was originally part of the band’s 2014 split with Boston Manor, and may call out a certain band: “We both have broken teeth, that’s where the similarities end.” It sounds huge here, and is a welcome addition to the record.

Whether it’s the political side of Throwing Stuff found on the likes of We Wrote This Song Before David Cameron Resigned, or the more personal heartfelt Throwing Stuff found in Father’s Day - a track based on Small’s father and his terminal stage 4 brain tumour – there’s something utterly engaging about ‘Fit, Fine and Well.’ Clocking in at just 23 minutes long, the 15 tracks are a frantic dash through the very best of British thrash punk.