The Milkshakes Revisit Four Classic Albums in New Reissue Collection
The Milkshakes are revisiting four albums from their catalogue, bringing together Fourteen Rhythm & Beat Greats, The Men With The Golden Guitars, The Milkshakes In Germany and Nothing Can Stop These Men in a collection that spans the group's rock 'n' roll, beat and instrumental recordings due for release 25th September 2026.
The releases offer a further look at a band whose music draws heavily on the rock 'n' roll and beat sounds of the 1950s and 1960s, while also reflecting the influence of later punk rock.
Fourteen Rhythm & Beat Greats
The second Milkshakes album, Fourteen Rhythm & Beat Greats, highlights the group's affection for early rock 'n' roll and beat music.
Among its tracks is "Black Sails (In the Moonlight)", described by the band as a direct reference to "Red Sails in the Sunset", a song associated with The Beatles' At The Star Club album.
The Milkshakes also have a connection to Hamburg's legendary Star Club. According to the band's account, they were the final group to perform at the original venue before it was destroyed by fire in the early 1980s.
The venue was operating as the Salambo at the time, and the band says arrangements were made for it to temporarily return to its Star Club identity for a special Milkshakes performance.
The event also saw artefacts from the venue offered at auction, including pieces connected to the original stage.
The album features 14 tracks, including "Seven Days", "Exactly Like You", "A Girl Called Mine", "Sad Girl Mambo", "I Want You" and "Take You Home Tonight".
The Men With The Golden Guitars
Instrumental music had long been part of The Milkshakes' live performances, leading to the creation of The Men With The Golden Guitars.
Inspired in part by guitar pioneers including Link Wray, the album sees the group concentrating on guitar-led instrumental compositions rather than vocal-driven songs.
The tapes were believed to have been lost for many years before being recovered. According to the band, the original tapes required specialist treatment before they could be transferred and made available again.
The reissue also includes "The Wrong Man", a track omitted from the original release.
Other songs include "Chatham Drive", "General Belgrano", "Scapa Flow", "Thunderbird", "Flatfoot" and "Dreadnaught".
The Milkshakes In Germany
The Milkshakes In Germany was originally released in 1984 on Berlin-based Wall City Records, alongside Nothing Can Stop These Men, 20 Rock 'n' Roll Hits and Showcase, the group's US debut release.
Despite its title, the cover photograph was actually taken in Rochester, England.
The story behind the photograph involves a Junkers Ju 52 aircraft spotted flying over the area. Members of The Milkshakes, along with photographer Eugene Doyen, subsequently arranged a photo shoot with the aircraft at Rochester's airfield.
The resulting images were used for the album artwork.
The 12-track record includes "I'll Find Another", "If I Get You", "Last Night (Was the Last Time)", "Late at Night", "I Need Lovin'" and "Found My Girl".
Nothing Can Stop These Men
The fourth album in the collection, Nothing Can Stop These Men, features the band pictured on Rochester Bridge spanning the River Medway.
The album continues The Milkshakes' exploration of rock 'n' roll and beat music, with 12 tracks including "You Got Me Girl", "Little Bettina", "Chatham Train", "Dull Knife", "The Grim Reaper" and "You've Been Lyin'".
Together, the four albums provide a snapshot of The Milkshakes' musical approach and their long-standing connection to the rock 'n' roll traditions of the 1950s and 1960s.
They also demonstrate the group's willingness to move between vocal material and instrumental recordings, while maintaining the raw, direct character associated with their music.
Four Albums, One Musical Legacy
The collection brings together material that covers several different sides of The Milkshakes, from rhythm and beat recordings to guitar-led instrumentals and their German releases.
For listeners interested in the band's history, the reissues also provide an opportunity to explore the stories surrounding the recordings — including their connection to Hamburg's Star Club and the unusual Rochester photo shoot that produced the cover of The Milkshakes In Germany.
The four albums are:
- Fourteen Rhythm & Beat Greats
- The Men With The Golden Guitars
- The Milkshakes In Germany
- Nothing Can Stop These Men
With the catalogue continuing to be revisited, The Milkshakes' latest releases offer another chance to hear a band deeply rooted in the early sounds of British rock 'n' roll and beat music.
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